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Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas Turns 20 Years Old
The Navigator of the Seas completed its 20th year in service this month. Part of Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager Class, the 132,000-ton vessel departed on its maiden voyage on December 14, 2002.
At the time as the world’s largest cruise ship, the Navigator debuted in the Caribbean, offering week-long cruises departing from Miami.
Sailing to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the itineraries featured visits to popular destinations, including St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
The program also included regular calls to Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in Haiti.
After losing the title of the world’s biggest ship to the Queen Mary 2 in 2004, the Navigator continued to sail year-round cruises in the Caribbean through 2007 – when it debuted in Europe.
For its first season in the Old World, the ship offered a series of Northern and Western Europe itineraries departing from Southampton, England. After sailing in additional destinations over the years, the Navigator of the Seas marked the return of Royal Caribbean International to regular operations on the West Coast in 2021.
For the first time in the region, the 3,100-guest ship started a year-round program of cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California sailing from the World Cruise Center in Los Angeles.
The deployment features a variety of short three-, four- and five-night cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada, in addition to week-long itineraries to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and more.
Last drydocked in mid-2021, the Navigator underwent a large modernization in 2019. Part of the Royal Amplified program, the $115-million refit added new attractions to the ship, including a resort-style Caribbean pool deck, the three-level signature bar The Lime & Coconut and the first blow-dry bar at sea To Dry For.
One of the vessel’s most iconic features, the Royal Promenade was also reimagined with the creation of new restaurants, retail and nightlife.
Cruise lines eye reopening of private islands in the Bahamas
The Disney Dream at Castaway Cay. Photo Credit: David Roark/Disney
With the passing of Hurricane Dorian, cruise lines were assessing, and gearing up to reopen, their private destinations in the Bahamas.
At Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay, the line said that it needed to evaluate the pier and ship channel before reopening the island to passengers. It also will clean up some landscaping and make minor repairs to the roof of one small covered pavilion area.
Holland America Line said its ships were to return to Half Moon Cay on Oct. 21 as scheduled, and Carnival Cruise Line will be back on the island Sept. 12. Holland America said there was minor beach erosion that will be cleaned up, but no structural damage. "The horses and stingrays are doing well," it said.
Princess Cruises said initial reports "show only cosmetic damage and beach erosion" on Princess Cays, its private destination on Eleuthera.
Norwegian Cruise Line said Thursday it was still assessing the situation at Great Stirrup Cay.
As reported previously, Royal Caribbean said it would reopen Perfect Day at CocoCay on Sept. 7, after survey teams decided it was feasible.
Labadee is situated on a mile-long peninsula, with the ocean on one side and a bay on the other. Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas at Labadee’s concrete pier, built in 2009 to accommodate Oasis-class ships. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst
By Tom Stieghorst I recently had a chance to visit two of the Caribbean destinations developed at least in part by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. One, the Haitian private port of call of Labadee, exceeded my expectations. The other, in Falmouth, Jamaica, did not.
Both are big enough to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world: Royal Caribbean International's Oasis class, which includes the hulking Harmony of the Seas, my transport to the two ports. Neither is devoid of interest. But for my money, Labadee is the more enjoyable of the two.
Part of it is simply a matter of time. Labadee has been around since 1986 and has had a chance to grow into itself. Its facilities don't look like they just came out of the box, as do those at Falmouth, opened in 2011.
Labadee is situated on a peninsula perhaps a mile or so in length, with the ocean on one side and a bay on the other. Forested mountains offer a backdrop. There is a stout pier built in 2009 to accommodate the Oasis-class ships, making it easy to go back and forth between the ship and the facilities.
The giant Labadee sign is a good spot to pose for photos. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst
The setting is quite attractive, more so than I expected. The bay side, in particular, has some beautiful, calm swimming beaches and is a natural spot for the rentable cabanas that have been installed along its shores.
There are actually three distinct beaches on the bay side, which feels nicely sheltered and different from the ocean side. The Barefoot Beach Club area includes the cabanas close to the water. At least some are reserved for the use of Suite Class guests who shell out for the top-end suites on Royal ships.
It also has the more elaborate of two spa treatment areas at Labadee.
A bungalow at Columbus Cove. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst
Nellie's Beach is somewhat similar. Columbus Cove, the largest of the three beaches and the most distant from the ship, is a good spot for families. It has a collection of inflatable floating slides and rafts offshore as well as the Dragon's Splash waterslide, a twisty, low-slung, blue metal slide that must look like it's worth every penny of its $27.50 daily cost to kids of a certain age, if not their parents.
One could easily make a day of it at Columbus Cove alone. There is a cafe, bars, restrooms, a trading post, beach chairs and a station for the island tram.
There is also a free one-way shuttle boat from the pier.
The tram operates on a sand road that forms the spine of the island and really makes it easier to get around, especially for guests who are older, have young kids or are not very mobile. I walked the length of the place to see it but was happy to hop the tram to go back.
One of the most pleasant parts of Labadee is that there's lots of shade provided by mature Australian pines, coconut palms and other trees. The walk from the ship along the pier was hot on a late October morning, but the rest of it was pretty breezy.
The ocean side of Labadee is protected by a reef, so the waves broke rather gently on shore when I was there. A promontory point anchors the crescent curve that at the far end becomes Adrenaline Beach, where there is a breakwater and daybed-style cabanas.
The Dragon’s Splash waterslide. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst
As for activities, personal watercraft, parasailing, kayaking and snorkelling are all available. There's a nicely done splash park for little kids and volleyball for adults. The star attraction is undoubtedly the five-line, 2,600-foot-long Dragon's Breath zipline that starts high atop an overlook and swoops over the ocean beach. It costs $95.75 per ride.
There's also the Dragon's Tail, a tracked coaster with two-person sledges that curves around the side of a steep, forested hill. It costs $19.75 for a five-minute ride.
Entertainment at Labadee includes Haitian musicians and dancers. There is an extensive Artisan's Village with native crafts of a somewhat higher calibre, I thought than those for sale at other Caribbean ports. Be prepared for a friendly but aggressive pitch.
Falmouth a port in progress
I left Labadee wanting to spend more time there. The next stop on the Harmony's itinerary at Falmouth left me feeling I'd seen it all in an hour.
The Harmony of the Seas looms over the buildings of the shopping village at the cruise port in Falmouth, Jamaica. Photo Credit: TW photo by Tom Stieghorst
The cruise port, developed by RCCL and the Jamaican government along with some partners, is a triangle jutting into the sea with two long wharves with new shops meant to mimic Falmouth's 18th-century Georgian architecture. There's a very healthy assortment of jewellery shops along with a large Margaritaville complex and not a lot of natural shade.Outside the gates of the triangle lies the town of Falmouth, which boomed in the late 18th and early 19th century as a slave market and sugar depot and thereafter fell into decay. Jamaica tourism minister Edmund Bartlett said there are efforts underway to restore some of the historical architecture, and a cab driver who took me to Montego Bay Airport confirmed they have started, but most of the town remains somewhat ramshackle.
Two showcases of the Georgian era, the courthouse and the Anglican church, fit squarely in the colonial style of much of the Caribbean, and I was mildly disappointed that the quality wasn't as high as in some American colonial villages, much less the London originals on which they are based.
Beyond the gates, there are vendors and would-be tour guides trying to drum up business, but I didn't find them as aggressive as some reports might suggest. On the whole, however, a first-time visitor to Falmouth might be better off taking the excursion to Ocho Rios rather than hanging around in town.
PHOTO: Zip-lining is just one of the great things to do in Labadee. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)
Ensconced on Haiti’s northern coast is Labadee, Royal Caribbean's beach resort, where passengers can experience the ultimate in a private destination life.
Regardless of whether you are in search of rest and relaxation or a thrill-a-minute vacation experience, Labadee has it all thanks to its location nestled between forest-covered mountains and a tranquil bay.
Ride the Dragon. Take an exhilarating ride down the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest over-water zip-line, which sends you soaring 500 feet over Labadee’s beaches. Can’t get enough thrills? Head over to the 300-foot long Dragon’s Splash Waterslide, which sends daredevils through 10 twists and turns before splashing down in Columbus Cove. Still want more? Then climb aboard the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, which will send you rushing at speeds up to 30 miles per hour over some of the best beaches Labadee has to offer.
Be a beach bum. This private bit of paradise has four main beaches. If you wish to enjoy a more upscale experience, head for Nellie’s Beach. There, you can relax under the shade of a luxury rental cabana or on one of two floating beach mats included in the price of your rental. Also included is a buffet lunch at the Columbus Cove Cafe, Dragon's Cafe or Cafe Labadee; a water cooler with six bottles of water; beach towels; and the service of a cabana attendant. If you’re looking to keep it low-key, fear not, there are plenty of other beaches where you can flop down in the sand and enjoy the warm sun to your heart’s content. There is also an array of open-air restaurants, offering everything from casual dining options such as burgers and barbecue to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Ride the waves. There are lots of ways to hit the water on Labadee. For starters, take a kayaking tour of the Bay of Labadee while also learning a bit about Haiti and its history and culture. Want something zippier? Then the Wave Jet personal watercraft might be just what the doctor ordered. Trained instructors will teach you everything you need to know before setting off on this unique tour. Other options include a parasail ride high above the peninsula or for something a little tamer, a visit to the Arawak Aqua Park, where adults and children alike can bounce, splash and float their way through the day.
Shop till you drop. You’ll love this inviting beach resort so much that you’ll want to take a little something home with you to remind you of your trip so remember to bring along some extra cash. Visitors can shop for pieces made by local artists, as well as locally-made crafts and other mementos.
A group of about 30 to 40 protesters marched outside Carnival Corp. headquarters in the Doral section of Miami, concerned about next month’s groundbreaking Fathom voyage to Cuba.
The protesters held placards accusing Carnival of “apartheid” because Cuban-born U.S. residents and citizens aren’t permitted on the Fathom trip to Cuba.
The protest was organized by the Movimiento Democracia, headed by Ramon Saul Sanchez, a long-time anti-Castro activist.
Cuban regulations stipulate that anyone born in Cuba cannot reenter the country by ship. Carnival released a statement saying it was sympathetic to the protest but that "we must comply with the visa, entry and exit policies of each country.”
Carnival said it is requesting that the Cuban policy be changed. "There has been a policy change with air travel to Cuba, so we are hopeful that a similar change can also happen with travel by sea,” the statement said.
In addition to picketing Carnival, the Sanchez group plans a flotilla of small boats in Biscayne Bay on May 1 when the first Fathom cruise to Cuba is scheduled to depart. In a website posting, Sanchez said he planned a meeting with the Coast Guard to discuss the idea.
In January, a flotilla of small protest boats at Labadee, Haiti, led Royal Caribbean International to cancel several calls at its private beach destination there.
Royal Caribbean cancels another cruise ship stop in Labadee due to local protests
Royal Caribbean has decided to cancel today's scheduled stop for one of its cruise ships at the cruise line's private destination of Labadee in Haiti due to ongoing protests.
Photo by Michael C.
Navigator of the Seas was scheduled to stop at Labadee on Thursday, January 21, 2016, but Royal Caribbean canceled the port call and withdrew all employees from the site.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean commented further on the situation, "Royal Caribbean has not received any guarantees or assurances that there will not be any protests in the future. If a protest takes place while a ship is port, there would be a significant impact on our guests’ ability to enjoy Labadee, or we may have to cancel the visit completely."
In regards to upcoming stops in Labadee, Royal Caribbean noted, "We will continue to closely monitor the situation and are in close communication with local and government officials in Haiti. At this time, we have not made any decisions regarding any additional upcoming port calls to Labadee. The next schedule call is Vision of the Seas, on Sunday, January 24."
Royal Caribbean to end partnership with Fisher Price
Dec2013
Royal Caribbean will end its partnership with toy manufacturer Fisher Price as of January 1, 2014.
The ending of this deal doesn't mean the end of Fisher Price onboard. Rather, Royal Caribbean will augment the Fisher Price toys with toys from other brands as well.
A statement from Royal Caribbean summarizes the change, "As of January 1, 2014, Fisher Price will no longer be the official partner of the Nursery or our Babies and Tots program. Our guest may still find Fisher Price product onboard but it will be complimented by various other brands."
Royal Caribbean will discontinue the following programs as a result of the end of the deal.
Fisher Price Playgroups
Royal Babies & Tots Nursery Décor
Fisher Price Curriculum
Little People Birthday Party
Hot Wheels Race Track on CocoCay
Dining Room Kid's Menus
Fisher Price Toys in Adventure Ocean
Décor on Labadee and CocoCay
In-stateroom television content
Toy Lending Program
Guest with kids under 3 years old will still be able to enjoy the following experiences to compliment their family cruising experience:
