Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 19:50:56 -0400
From: "Vivian Kennedy" <viviank@eircom.net>
Subject: Review

Vivian & Leslie Kennedy (Ireland)

50th Birthday.

"WHAT A HOLIDAY"

This was without doubt a holiday of a lifetime. We spent many hours reading reviews about several cruise companies including Royal Caribbean & its Navigator of the Seas but nothing could prepare us for our cruise. We arrived in Miami on the 10th June 04 and checked into the Wyndham Miami Beach Hotel. We had a great time in Miami and visited some fine restaurants and places of interest. "Check out News Cafe on 8th Street for either breakfast or an interesting afternoon of people watching"

We boarded Navigator of the Sea on Saturday the 12th June at 12 noon. It was a cinch and went like clockwork. I read several negative articles about the check in procedure but it could not have run smoother for us. One tip we learned from this website was to pack hand luggage with swimwear, sun tan lotion and towels. This was great advise and we enjoyed the cruise right from the start.

We were so impressed with Navigator and nothing could prepare us for what was ahead. We were located on the starboard side of the 10th floor in a sea view cabin with balcony. This was also good advise from our travel agent as we enjoyed wonderful views of all ports of call including Miami Port. We were on late dining and opted for a large table 8 or 10.

We visited the table some hours before Saturday Dining just so we could walk straight to our table. We were anxious about our table companions and decided to eat in the optional restaurants if the company was not good. We were first at the table and the first arrivals were Niall & Myra Casey, a honeymoon couple from Ireland. Being Irish we felt very much at home and it was a great kick start to our holiday. The second people to the table were Darrell & Jan Beaubien from Dallas Texas. What a couple. After circa 70 years on this earth and many of these years together, they were still very much in love and that was so obvious. Then came the shock. A couple of women from the oldest town in America "St Augustine" in Florida. I thought the Irish had a reputation but i was in for a rude awakening. Nicole & Suzi were as mad as hatters and contributed to our table enormously. Nicole owns a Travel Agency in Florida and we consider ourselves so lucky to have met her. From the very first dinner Nicole agreed to manage the other seven and she was not prepared to discuss fees. With the exception of Labadee Nicole organised all the taxi's & trips for a fraction of the cost charged by Royal Caribbean.

We just laid back, paid the dollars and let it happen. What an experience. We are very aware we were so lucky to have met this wonderful person even though some members of the group would find her heavy going from time to time. We were always last to leave the dining room at night and the entire group normally met for breakfast every morning. I will not bore you with the trips as each Island was very different. My favourite was Cosamel in Mexico and the snorkelling close to where the ship docked was the experience of a lifetime. The wave runners in Labadee were also a great experience and we would advise you to try it. Age should not be a barrier.

The highlights of the trip were

1: "SIPPIN TIME" The words spoken softly by a true Caribbean Pool Cocktail Waiter. You could not resist.

2: Waking up to Labadee on the third day was breathtaking.

3: The days at Sea.

4: The Ship. Navigator of the Seas. Buy the DVD on board.

5: Captain Bang and the translator. The truth is that Captain Bang is from a Nordic Country but felt he could speak fluent English. The lucky ones were the non English speaking guests who enjoyed a clear translator. The English speaking guests could also have done with a translator from time to time. On the other hand we feel that the Captain was a perfect gentleman and a seriously good and competent sailor.

6: The days at sea were fantastic and on the final day of our voyage we encountered some Cuban Refugees on a raft. Captain Bang brought the ship to a stand still and waited for the Coast Guard to pick up these poor people. A report came back that they were all alive and well and we pray for their destiny.

7: The Staff and in particular our Head Waitress Maria, our Head Waiter Claude and our Room attendant Rudolph. Our assistant waitress from India was also excellent and regretfully we can not recall her name.

8: Miami. Make sure to leave time to experience this wonderful and safe city for a couple of days at each side of your holiday. Try TOUCH RESTRAUNT. Expensive but wonderful.

9: The Company at our table. This should really be number 1 but I am too lazy to change the numbers.

Disembarked in Miami Port went without a hitch and got taxi to Lowe’s Miami Beach Hotel (Seriously Good Hotel and Great Location)

We will never forget this holiday of a lifetime and without doubt will book another cruise before the year is out. Perhaps Canada.

We are sold on cruising.

Viv & Les Kennedy (IRELAND)

PS: We will be more than pleased to give advise on any aspect of the cruise by e-mail…..Feel Free. viviank@eircom.net.

United We Stand