Supplement to Travel Trade
April 2003

RCI’s Navigator of the Seas:

New Variations on a Theme

Two enormous cruise vessels face one another nose to nose in Miami — beautiful structures that appear and disappear on the skyline. Although they are alike in size and shape, they represent the most recent different takes on the Voyager-class ships for Royal Caribbean International.

When the new 3,835-passenger Navigator of the Seas, introduced in December 2002, is docked opposite Voyager of the Seas, the much-publicized design changes become very clear.

Navigator has much more glass than the Voyager, letting in far more light and giving her profile a much more open look. Another very visible change to the exterior is the balconies, far more expansive in appearance, with the load bearing function transferred to the stateroom walls.

Inside, too, there are dramatic differences, with passenger feedback and new patterns of cruising producing a major expansion of the Adventure Ocean Youth Program area, which now occupies 22,000-square feet, an addition of 6,000- square feet to the previous design.

“This is anything but another sister ship,” said Jack Williams, president and COO of Royal Caribbean. He pointed out that the company is scheduled to deploy three more newbuilds in the next year and a half.

Adam Goldstein, executive vice president of RCI, commented, “This is the fourth of a series, and the profile of the decks with balcony staterooms is very different from Voyager, with the openness and glass.”

Goldstein also noted the addition of the wine bar Vintages. Royal Caribbean worked with the Robert Mondavi and Beringer Bliss Wine Estates to create Vintages, where food pairing seminars, wine tastings and similar events are scheduled.

In addition, Navigator has a 124-seat reservations-only Chops Grille Steakhouse, a concept brought over from the Radiance-class ships, with gourmet dishes from filet mignon to salmon, and hearty side dishes like mashed potatoes served family style.

Northern Italian cuisine rules in Portofino, across the Plaza, with the same capacity and outstanding antipasto and tiramisu. Both restaurants charge a $20 per person fee including gratuities, a fraction of the price for such meals in any North American city.

Johnny Rockets, the ’50s diner, features red Naugahyde, Formica and old-fashioned malts to go with the burgers and fries.

Chops Grille opens off the new Plaza area on the Navigator, a sort of village cul de sac surrounded by restaurants and an unusual and atmospheric place to sip alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. The centerpiece of the Plaza, the Plaza Bar, is a real magnet, featuring sakes and teas along with beer and cocktails.

With central benches and a charming waiting area, the Plaza is also the gateway to the Asian fusion Jade Room and the Windjammer Café, broken into islands and buffets, with very attentive servers offering drinks and condiments. The Latin jazz bar Boleros saw quite a lot of attention in the late evening hours, and Royal Caribbean’s relationship with Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream offers 16 of the company’s flavors at its stand on the Royal Promenade, along with complimentary ice cream stations elsewhere on the ship.

Strategic partnerships have paid off for the company, and are expected to expand. The criterion is that the partner aligns with Royal Caribbean’s vision and reflects well on the brand. Others, besides Ben & Jerry’s, include Seattle’s Best Coffee and Crayola.

Recreational facilities on board include RCI’s signature rock climbing wall 200 feet above the sea, with instruction available; the 9-hole small scale Navigator Dunes golf course and golf simulator; the full-length Sports Court for basketball, paddle ball and volleyball; in-line skating track; jogging track; ice skating rink; and the19th Hole Bar with interactive video for individual or team competition.

The ShipShape Spa and Fitness Center includes spa treatments with full-service hair salon, manicure, pedicure and facial, sauna, steam and show areas, 14 massage rooms, a Dry Floatation room, Rasul and a relaxation area with wonderful views of the sea. The ship’s aerobics area has a suspended floor, mirrored wall, multiple TV monitors and wraparound windows.

The workout area is very sophisticated, with the most recent must-haves, including treadmills, recumbent bikes, elliptical cross-trainers and steppers, free weights, etc. There are also classes in kickboxing, yoga and Pilates for $10.

The wedding chapel, located at the highest point of the ship atop the Viking Crown Lounge, can accommodate 60 guests. The lounge itself contains the Cosmopolitan Jazz Club, the 19th Hole Bar (with interactive video for individual or team competition) and the card room. The ship also has features like a broadcast and production area for radio and TV and a multimedia screening room.

Besides the enhancements and changes on board, the half million guests who call there every year are finding a new experience at the line’s private island, Coco Cay, where $20 million was invested in new straw market and sales, a food and beverage facility and new nature trail.

Dan Hanrahan, senior vice president of sales and marketing, said the goal now is to introduce cruising to noncruisers. “We’ve found a way to approach them, as explorers who like to have new experiences. We can convert them to lifetime cruisers,” he said.

Marketing planning includes pinpointing expansion of the African-American market, the Hispanic market and family reunions. Hanrahan said the recent family sweepstakes, which the lines projected would draw 200,000 entries, brought in 500,000.

Accommodations on the Navigator include the Royal and Owners’ suites with baby grand pianos, private balcony (with whirlpool in Royal).

Agents on a recent cruise also approved the superior accessible Ocean View suite, category C, 362-square feet with an 86-square foot private balcony, roll-in shower with fold-down shower stool, and the Category AA Royal Family suite with two bedrooms, which can accommodate eight guests and features two bathrooms, each with bathtub

The Superior Ocean View suite has two lower beds that convert into a queen size bed, private balcony, mini-bar, bathtub, hair dryer and interactive television. The Deluxe Ocean View has the same features, without the bathtub.

The Category E Family Stateroom, which can accommodate as many as six people, has two lower beds that convert into a queen-size, a sofa and/or Pullman bed, sitting area, large picture window, mini-bar, hair dryer, etc.

The Category TR Atrium Stateroom has a view of the Royal Promenade, bay windows, two beds convertible to queen-size, a sitting area with sofa, etc.

Laptops can be brought on board and there are Internet outlets in cabins. And, there’s royalcaribbeanonline, the 24-hour cyber lounge.