Royal Caribbean to refit Navigator of the Seas for US$115 million

Onboard innovations will include an aqua coaster, a Caribbean pool area, new dining venues and more

Royal Caribbean to refit Navigator of the Seas for US$115 million

By Rebecca Gibson |


Navigator of the Seas will feature Royal Caribbean International’s first-ever aqua coaster, a Caribbean-inspired pool area, the first standalone blow dry bar at sea, new dining venues and various other innovations following a US$115 million modernisation this winter.

The vessel will be the third Royal Caribbean ship to be renovated as part of a US$1 billion ‘Royal Amplified’ programme, which will see 10 ships being modernised over a four-year period.

“Each Royal Caribbean ship brings a new adventure uniquely designed to deliver on our guests’ preferences from A to Z,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “After launching our Royal Amplified modernisation programme with Independence of the Seas and then redefining short getaways with Mariner of the Seas, we are challenging ourselves to take it to the next level. Every detail matters and we’ve mapped out an unmatched combination of innovative features and experiences for this top-to-bottom transformation of Navigator of the Seas.”

Top deck innovations will include Riptide, the cruise industry’s only headfirst mat racer waterslide; The Blaster, an aqua coaster that extends over the side of the ship and the longest waterslide at sea; and a reimagined Caribbean-themed pool area. The resort-style deck will have a Splash Pad for toddlers, a two-level cocktail bar named The Lime and Coconut and two casual dining venues – Mexican street fare eatery El Loco Fresh and Johnny Rockets Express, which serves American classics.

Royal Caribbean will also add several new restaurants and bars to the ship’s signature Royal Promenade. They will include a Polynesian-themed cocktail and tiki bar named The Bamboo Room, a refreshed Chops Grille steakhouse, Jamie’s Italian, Hooked Seafood, Starbuck, and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade with 50 big-screen TVs, table-top games, tournaments and a new Owner’s Box VIP room. Another new highlight on the Royal Promenade will be To Dry For, the first standalone blow dry bar at sea, which will enable guests to enjoy wine and champagne while getting their hair styled.

Younger passengers will benefit from the newly designed Adventure Ocean youth programme and free play space, while teenagers will have access to a newly redesigned Living Room venue, which now has a ‘hidden’ entrance and an outdoor deck.

The upgraded ship will also feature several other Royal Caribbean favourites, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, mini golf, and the Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium.

Navigator of the Seas will return to service on 24 February 2019, embarking on her first cruise from her new homeport in Miami, Florida. The vessel will sail a series of five- and nine-night Caribbean itineraries and then switch to operating three-night weekend voyages and four-night weekday cruises to The Bahamas from May. She will be the first to visit Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is undergoing a US$200 million makeover.

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