Navigator of the Seas

Wonderful week that all the different age groups of the family enjoyed. Clean ship, and cheerful crew. Excellent choice of very well cooked and presented food. We preferred the Windjammer buffet which was always well stocked and clean. No tummy bugs at all - plenty of hand disinfectant dispensers, and clean toilets. Early evening shows were suitable for all the family - in-house singers and dancers, also skaters, put on good shows. Headliners were comedians Allan Stewart and Josh Daniels, and the East Coast Boys (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons 'tribute'), and they were all really good. Children enjoyed the open-air cinema wrapped in blankets, the hot-tub and pool, and of course helping themselves fill their own ice-cream cones. Oslo is a beautiful city. The ship docks right beside Akershus medieval fortress. Frogner Park and the Vigeland statues were stunning, and Aker Brygge boardwalk, just 5 minutes walk from the ship is great to sit and have a snack whilst looking over the water to the ship and the fortress on the hill. In Hamburg we took the shuttle bus to the city centre and walked about 10 minutes to Miniatur Wunderland model railway (which we had booked independently). Again, it was enjoyed by all ages in our group from 6 to 66, and we could have spent much longer looking at the detail in the modelling. Bruges was pretty but crowded, although it is always interesting.

Just an amazing holiday in everything we did

It was a welcome return for another cruise on this ocean liner. The stunning interior with its lofty Royal Promenade, stylish glass lifts and fabulous dining room is in immaculate order. The excellent service from all staff, combined with an outstanding live band The Vendettas contributed to a happy cruise experience. A disappointment is that the traditional Formal Dress Code for two nights per week has been downgraded to an easily overlooked and mildly worded dress suggestion in tiny print in the daily newspaper. While many ladies looked lovely in their sparkly cocktail outfits and beautiful gowns the few of us who wore black tie and DJs were conspicuously in the minority. These were mostly the older gentlemen while the vast majority of passengers chose to ignore the tradition and continued to dress as casually as they pleased. This does not work. It looks incongruous and makes the minority who respect the dress code feel uncomfortable. I know I did. Royal Caribbean might be edging to do away with formal evenings altogether and be casual like NCL with those who want formal dress to turn to more up-market Celebrity, Princess or Cunard. The ship is lovely but there is always a problem of overcrowding in the Windjammer for breakfast at any time and every day it was a challenge to find an available table.

Ship a little tired but staff worked hard and respected the passengers. Refit in November so should be better when it returns or if it returns to UK market.