Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas Gets Texas-Sized Makeover

After completing a month-long extreme makeover in drydock Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas was primed to resume service from Galveston, Texas yesterday with massive Lone Star State flags draping the front and stern of the ship. Part of an extensive fleetwide program to enhance every Royal Caribbean ship, Navigator of the Seas returned to the Lone Star State with significantly enhanced features.

Most anticipated of all the ship’s additions is the new FlowRider surf simulator atop the Sports Deck (deck 13 pictured below), as well as the debut of Royal Caribbean’s first Virtual Balconies in 81 interior staterooms displaying expansive, real-time views of the ocean and destinations. Virtual Balconies were first announced for Quantum of the Seas, which debuts October 2014, and vacationers can be among the first to experience the innovation on Navigator of the Seas, even before the Quantum class is launched. Vacationers also can choose new Panoramic Ocean View staterooms, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls providing unobstructed views all the time.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can look forward to an expanded lineup of eight dining options, led by the debut of an all-new modern Mexican specialty restaurant Sabor, featuring authentic, modern, and unexpected Mexican dishes, such as Oaxacan Ceviche of Red Snapper, Spicy Chicken Flautas, or Chicken and Roasted Corn Empanada, topped with Green mole and spicy peanut sauce, to name a few. Sabor diners also can enjoy customized guacamole and salsas, made tableside, as well as an assortment of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. Sabor has a service charge of $25 per guest. Guests can complement their experience with a curated menu of tequilas, mezcal, and Mexican beers, as well as delicious sangrias and tableside-mixed margaritas, for an additional charge.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests will also be the first to enjoy the fully revamped Chops Grille: The New American Steakhouse, which adds contemporary flair to traditional steakhouse offerings. The first among Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer the new menu, Chops Grille on Navigator of the Seas will feature brand new selections, such as the Veal Chop Parmesan, a Slow-braised Short Rib of Beef with Bordelaise sauce, and a Dry-aged Steak Burger served on a brioche bun and topped with melted gruyere and pancetta. Guests also can still enjoy Chops Grille classic cuts, such as the 8 Oz. Filet Mignon, a 10 Oz. Grilled Sirloin Steak, and a range of new appetizers, soups, salads, and sides--such as new, decadent Truffled French Fries and Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots--that will complete the dining experience for a service charge of $35 per guest. Chops Grille also features two new premium selections, a 16 Oz. dry-aged NY Strip Steak and a 20 Oz. dry-aged Porterhouse Steak (an additional $18 and $19 respectively.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can choose sushi and Asian fusion dishes in the ship’s new Izumi Japanese Cuisine (a la carte menu), and delicious classic Italian favorites in Giovanni’s Table Italian trattoria ($15 for lunch and $20 for dinner per guest). Rounding out Navigator of the Seas’ culinary experiences is the grand, three-story main dining room, newly renamed Sapphire, the casual-dining Windjammer Café, and complimentary room service from 5–12 a.m. Navigator of the Seas’ specialty restaurants are available for advance online reservations for booked guests at RoyalCaribbean.com.

Guests also will enjoy some of the more popular concepts that were introduced aboard Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking Oasis-class ships, such as new digital signage, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service, new flat-panel televisions in every stateroom, an oversized LCD movie screen overlooking the main pool, a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty member guests, and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for the youngest guests ages six to 36 months. Additionally, the ship’s Champagne Bar has been re-conceptualized into Royal Caribbean’s signature, retro-chic R Bar.

Navigator of the Seas will sail 7-night Western Caribbean itineraries every Sunday from Galveston, visiting warm-weather getaways in the Caribbean, including; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Falmouth, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman. In May 2015 the ship will reposition to its new homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Images Courtesy Royal Caribbean International