navigator of the seas aft balcony

We recently set sail on the Navigator of the Seas for a short three-day cruise to Ensenada. After many years since our last Royal Caribbean trip, we were eager to explore the ship and share our experience from the moment we stepped onboard, especially as we settled into our stateroom.

Our room, located on deck 10 in a quiet corner, offers a surprising amount of space and comfort. From the layout to the balcony setup, we noticed both thoughtful touches and a few quirks unique to this ship. Throughout the trip, we discovered features that made our stay memorable.

First Impressions on Board Navigator of the Seas

We started on deck 10, heading to our stateroom in the back corner. The room felt spacious with no immediate neighbors, which gave us a nice sense of privacy.

Inside, there were closets to the left, a desk with plenty of outlets (but no USB ports), and a TV with drawers underneath. The bed was queen-sized and could likely separate into twins, though there were no nearby USBs or outlets.

The bathroom had a good-sized shower with a glass door, shaver outlet, mirrors, and enough counter space for essentials. We found ample storage, including wire shelving and a safe.

Our balcony stood out with two reclinable chairs, a large table for room service, and two comfortable loungers. The space felt private except for a shared divider where neighbors could peek over.

One odd feature was a large support pole in the middle of the room that caught us off guard, especially at night. Closing the sliding door was noisy but kept outside sounds away.

The bed was surprisingly firm, probably the hardest we’ve encountered on any cruise. We wondered if this was typical for Royal Caribbean or just this ship.

The balcony chairs were wider than usual, offering extra comfort, especially for larger guests like us. The only drawback was the support beam on the balcony, which made moving around the loungers a bit tricky.

Overall, the room combined practical storage, a roomy balcony, and a solid shower we both really appreciated.

Cabin 1688 Layout and Features

Entrance and Closet Space

As you walk into our cabin, closets line the left side, providing ample storage for clothes and luggage. There’s a desk and chair with plenty of outlets nearby, though no USB ports, reflecting the ship’s older design. A television is set above several drawers, adding useful storage.

Bed Setup and Sleeping Space

Our room has a queen bed that can also be separated into two twin beds. Nightstands sit on each side, but like other areas, there are no USB ports or easily accessible outlets near the bed. The bed is quite firm—possibly the hardest we’ve experienced on any cruise.

In-Room Comforts and Features

We noticed a sofa which likely converts to a bed. The bathroom has a well-sized shower with a glass door instead of a curtain, plus shaver outlets and several mirrors. A small fridge is included, which is a nice bonus. The sliding door adds convenience but is heavy and noisy when closing.

Distinctive Cabin Characteristics

One unusual feature is a support pole right in the middle of the room, carpeted at the base but likely a stub hazard at night. The balcony is spacious with two recliners, loungers, and a table, though a large beam splits the space. The divider between adjoining balconies offers limited privacy, so be aware of neighbors nearby.

Balcony Experience

Room to Relax and Enjoy

Our balcony is surprisingly spacious, offering plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the view. We have two reclinable chairs and two large, padded loungers that make it easy to relax. The big table right in the middle is perfect for meals or drinks.

One unique feature is a support pole right in the center of the balcony. It takes a bit of care to move around it, especially when getting in and out of the loungers, but it doesn’t spoil the overall comfort.

Keeping Things Private

The balcony offers good privacy except for the neighbor right next door. The dividers between balconies aren’t very high, so you can see over to the neighboring lounger and vice versa. However, since we have no one to our right and no balcony above us, it felt peaceful and relatively quiet.

Looking down, you can catch glimpses of other balconies below, but the setup still maintains a decent level of privacy for most of the areas.

Furniture and Amenities

The balcony furniture stands out with wide, comfortable chairs that feel roomier than the usual cruise deck chairs we’ve experienced. The loungers are large and padded, which really adds to the comfort.

There’s a sizeable table that easily fits room service trays. Although there’s no USB on the balcony, the indoor outlets near the desk provide enough convenience for devices. Overall, the furniture makes the outdoor space inviting for us to spend time outside.

Bathroom Details

Benefits of the Shower Setup

Our shower is quite spacious with a solid door rather than a curtain, which feels more modern. The water pressure and warmth are impressive, making it one of the best showers we’ve experienced on any cruise ship. There’s enough room for comfortable movement, and the lack of a curtain means no water splashes on the floor.

Vanity and Storage Space

The bathroom has some counter space that’s modest but functional for placing daily items. There are cabinets for storing toiletries, but they show signs of age. A shaver outlet is available above the sink. We found the hooks to hang bags a bit wobbly, so we improvised with what was sturdy.

Lighting and Overall Condition

The lighting in the bathroom is bright and well-distributed, making it easy to see. However, the ship’s age shows in some worn spots around the mirrors and fixtures. Despite the cosmetic wear, everything functions properly and keeps the bathroom feeling practical.

Restful Nights and Bed Comfort

We found the bed in our cabin to be quite firm—likely the hardest we’ve encountered on any cruise so far. It felt a bit uncomfortable for us, and we’re curious if this is typical on Royal Caribbean ships or just a quirk of this older vessel.

There are adjustable reading lights on both sides of the queen-size bed, which was a nice feature for us book lovers. However, there were no USB ports or easily accessible outlets near the bed for charging devices.

The balcony featured two wide, comfortable chairs and large loungers with cushions, giving us plenty of space to relax outside. Though a central support beam divides the balcony, it didn’t majorly affect our enjoyment of the outdoor area.

Our bathroom shower stood out as one of the best we’ve used on any cruise ship, offering strong water pressure and ample space. It feels like a small luxury amid more basic cabin features.

Key Points:

• Firm queen-size bed with adjustable reading lights
• No USB ports or nearby outlets by the bed
• Spacious balcony with wide chairs and loungers
• Shower offers excellent water pressure and space

If you’ve sailed Royal Caribbean recently, we’d love to hear if the bed firmness matches your experience!

Onboard Surprises and Personal Touches

When we arrived at our stateroom, we found a charming little towel animal waiting for us on the bed. It was small and cute—something like a frog or a blowfish—and it definitely added a fun personal touch to our cabin.

The room itself had some interesting features, like a surprisingly spacious balcony with wide chairs and two comfy loungers. There’s a big support beam right in the middle, which made moving around a bit tricky, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the space.

Inside, the shower stood out as one of the best we’ve ever experienced on a cruise. It was roomy, well-lit, and had great water pressure. Small details like these really made a difference during our trip.

We also appreciated the fresh fruit waiting for us and the overall setup of the cabin, with plenty of storage and a fridge instead of the usual mini cooler. The reading lights by the bed were a neat bonus, making it easy to unwind with a book at night.

Closing Thoughts on Our Cabin and Vessel

We found our stateroom on deck 10, tucked in a quiet corner with no neighbors on one side, which gave us a good sense of privacy. The room includes a queen bed that likely separates into twins, a sofa bed, and plenty of storage options like closets, drawers, and wire shelving.

Some features stood out to us:

• No USB ports near the bed, but adjustable reading lights came in handy.
• A refrigerator that’s actually cold, not just a cooler.
• A bathroom with a roomy shower and decent counter space, though the decor shows the ship’s age.
• A sliding door to the balcony that is noisy but effective at keeping outside sounds out.
• A balcony with two reclinable loungers, a large table, and comfy chairs, though a support pole in the middle is a bit of a nuisance.

The bed was surprisingly firm, and we’re curious if that’s typical for Royal Caribbean or just this ship’s setup.

Overall, the cabin offered good space and useful amenities for the price, despite some older elements and quirks like the pole in the middle of the room and balcony.