Best Family Vacations Onboard Navigator Of The Seas: Insider’s Guide

Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it’s a breeze when you choose to cruise with Royal Caribbean®. The internationally acclaimed cruise line wins big with families year after year, thanks to a fleet of award-winning ships designed with guests of all ages in mind.

Though you can’t go wrong with any ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Navigator of the Seas in particular has long been a hit among parents traveling with kids and even the whole extended crew, thanks to its abundance of cruise activities for families. Daredevils will find plenty of thrills onboard this ship, like The Blaster® aqua coaster — the longest waterslide at sea, and Riptide℠ — the only headfirst mat racer water slide at sea. There’s also an amped up pool deck that offers double the pool’s surface and more space to swim, unwind and soak up the sunshine with your loved ones.

If you’re cruising with a baby or a toddler, you’ll be pleased to know that Navigator of the Seas offers an abundance of childcare options for little ones, like the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program and the Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery. That’s in addition to convenience-boosting amenities like cribs brought to your stateroom and babysitting services run by qualified, caring professionals. What’s more, most of the attractions and experiences onboard the ship are accessible to young cruisers, provided they meet varying height requirements. When the sun goes down, you’ll find there’s plenty left to do onboard thanks to a stellar lineup of family-friendly cruise entertainment that ranges from Broadway-style musicals to spellbinding ice-skating shows.

And because great food is an integral part of all family cruises, Navigator of the Seas offers a diverse, foodie-approved selection of crave-worthy cruise dining options for even the pickiest eaters. Think fast-casual Mexican goodness at El Loco Fresh®, juicy burgers, golden fries and frothy milkshakes at Johnny Rockets® Express, sweet treats and fuss-free apps at Cafe Promenade and an ever-changing multi-course journey of global favorites served every night in the ship’s iconic Main Dining Room.

If that sounds like the perfect ship to host your next getaway, keep reading to learn more about what makes Navigator of the Seas a great option for family escapes.

There Are Plenty Of Opportunities To Earn Bragging Rights Onboard

When it comes to friendly competition, Navigator of the Seas offers all kinds of ways to get in the game with the people you love. One of the top cruise activities for kids and parents is Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z^SM. It’s an intergalactic clash between the remnant of a robot civilization and an alien scouting party seeking refuge from a mega nova. Each faction is competing to claim dominion over the last habitable planet for light years around. Players choose a side, suit up and go head-to-head on a thrilling, glow-in-the-dark battleground. What’s more, kids as young as five years old can get in on all the action.

Then there’s the Rock Climbing Wall, a Royal Caribbean classic that’s been inviting guests to test their climbing skills for years. Challenge someone in your travel group to a race all the way up to the top. Whether you make it up the 40-foot face first or last, you’ll still get to enjoy some of the best views from the ship.

If you’re looking to put your putting skills to the test, head to Navigator Dunes, a nine-hole mini golf course that promises lots of fun for families — PGA pro-status not required. The best part? All of these experiences are complimentary for cruise guests.

You Can Chase Thrills All Day, Every Day

If you’re traveling with one or more thrill-seekers in tow, this is definitely the right ship for you. During its Amplification, Navigator of the Seas was kitted out with all kinds of exciting onboard attractions for kids, teens and adults. There’s the FlowRider® surf simulator, a Royal Caribbean staple that lets guests tame waves like pros — or wipe out trying. Kids must meet the 58-inch height requirement to take on the surf simulator’s 30,000 gallons of rushing water upright on their feet, or the 52-inch height requirement to ride the waves boogie-style on their bellies. Parents who prefer to watch from the sidelines can cheer on their loved ones from the stadium-style seating that flanks this much-loved onboard attraction.

For the truly brave at heart, Navigator of the Seas offers some of the most thrilling water slides in the cruise world. Like Riptide, the world’s only headfirst mat racer water slide at sea. It propels guests along a twisting, turning, white-knuckle plunge complete with a translucent tube that juts over the side of the ship. Here’s a pro tip: you’ll want to keep your eyes open for the incredible views. Guests must meet the 42-inch height requirement to ride Riptide.

There’s also The Blaster, another record-setter that claims the title of longest water slide at sea. This exhilarating aqua coaster lets guests team up on a tandem tube, then blasts the daring duo along more than 800 feet of hair-raising drops, dips and lightning-quick straightaways. The grand finale is an open-air chute — the longest stretch of slide ever suspended over water.

Each And Every Meal Onboard Is Memorable

No matter which Royal Caribbean cruise ship you choose to sail on, you can always expect an incredible food scene with cruise dining options for every craving. Navigator of the Seas is no exception. It’s home to some of the cruise line’s top culinary concepts, like Chops Grille℠, a contemporary steakhouse that’s become a fleetwide favorite over the years for its perfectly seasoned and seared prime cuts of meat, its crave-worthy side dishes and its elevated atmosphere. This specialty restaurant is a great option if you’re celebrating a special occasion, such as an anniversary or birthday.

Another guest favorite onboard the ship is Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs. At Jamie’s Italian, families can tuck into Tuscan-inspired cuisine that’s perfect for sharing — like hearty homemade pastas, Chianti-braised short rib, creamy burrata and more.

For those looking for something a little more casual — though just as crave-worthy — there’s El Loco Fresh. Conveniently located steps from the pool, this laid-back favorite serves up yummy eats from south of the border, like loaded nachos, tasty tacos and burritos that go big on all your favorite flavors.

Of course, the best family cruises all involve at least one dinner in the Main Dining Room, an upscale — and complimentary — choice for cruise dining options known by many for its unforgettable multi-course feasts paired with five-star service. You’ll find a kid’s menu here, too.

This Ship Takes Family Pool Days To The Next Level

One of the biggest reasons why cruising families love Navigator of the Seas is its spectacular pool deck. During the ship’s Amplification, the surface area of the pool was literally doubled and even more space was created for lounging and making sun-drenched memories. Every square inch of this wow-worthy space was carefully designed to keep you connected to the water.

There’s a signature bar, too. It’s called The Lime and Coconut^SM and keeps the tropical vibes going strong across three decks with views of all the poolside action. The hot tubs were also moved up a deck to offer guests unrivaled ocean views. Grab some loungers, claim a hammock or reserve a spacious, shady casita for the whole family on vacation — you and your crew are going to want somewhere comfy to retreat to in between dips in the expanded main pool.

Craving a little bit of grown-up time? Parents — and teens aged 16 and older — can unwind in the tranquil Solarium, a peaceful hideaway that offers plenty of room to destress in the sunshine or the shade while enjoying dazzling sea views.

You’ll Have Your Pick Of Family-Friendly Cruise Entertainment Nightly

After a full day spent chasing thrills or soaking up chill vibes onboard, you can keep the adventure going strong every night during your cruise getaway. Navigator of the Seas offers a stacked lineup of mesmerizing shows and onstage spectaculars everyone in the family will love.

Allow the ship’s world-class performers to whisk and whirl you away in an unforgettable celebration of ballroom dance during the original production, Ballroom Fever. Or take a trip from the iconic cabarets of Paris to the neon-drenched stages of Las Vegas in Showgirl^TM, a glitzy, glamorous homage to the siren of the stage.

If you prefer a stunt-filled showcase filled with wow-worthy spins, figure-eights and double-axels, head to the ice-skating rink for iSkate, where professional skaters show off awe-inspiring stunts and freestyle jumps.

All the family-friendly entertainment onboard Navigator of the Seas is complimentary for cruise guests. All you have to do is reserve a spot at the Box Office or via your Cruise Planner app.

Kids And Teens Can Have A Blast Every Sea Day In Spaces Designed Just For Them

For families cruising with young kids, having an Adventure Ocean onboard is a huge plus. This award-winning youth program by Royal Caribbean was designed with explorers aged 3-11 in mind. Little ones are broken into groups based on their age and given plenty of engaging and educational activities to keep them busy all day under the supervision of trained and qualified professionals. For the tiniest travelers, there’s the Royal Babies & Tots program, which offers nursery drop-off sessions oriented around age-appropriate toys and activities. Both the Adventure Ocean and Royal Babies & Tots programs are available onboard Navigator of the Seas.

Teens will also be happy to know the ship is home to a lounge designed exclusively for travelers aged 13 to 17. It’s called the Living Room, and it’s a hub for dance parties, movie nights, video game sessions and other fun daily programming.

These are just some of the many reasons why Navigator of the Seas is a great option for a family vacation. Of course, there are plenty more experiences onboard sure to thrill everyone in your group, from the smallest adventure-seekers to their young-at-heart grandparents. Check out all there is to do onboard this award-winning Navigator of the Seas cruise ship, or view some of its popular vacation itineraries.

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