First Look: New Features of the Refurbished Navigator of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas’ new features will blow your hair back with excitement – and then give you a blow dry. The Royal Caribbean vessel sailed into Miami last week with a wide range of new attractions courtesy of a $115 million refurbishment designed to appeal to all ages and tastes of cruise fans.

Navigator of the Seas will now homeport year-round in Miami. Beginning this month, the newly amplified ship will offer five- and nine-night Caribbean itineraries. In May, the ship will begin sailing three-night weekend and four-day weekday cruises to the Bahamas, including a call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination.

If you have an upcoming cruise on the newly refurbished ship, here’s what you can expect to enjoy…

New Waterslides

Riptide slide on Royal Caribbean
Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Adrenaline junkies will appreciate the addition of two new waterslides: The Blaster and The Riptide. The former is the cruise line’s first aqua coaster and the longest waterslide at sea. The Blaster propels thrill seekers through over 800 feet of dips and drops extending over the side of the ship. The Riptide is the only headfirst mat racer waterslide at sea, with a finish through a clear tube for endless ocean views.

New Pool Area

Pool area on Navigator of the Seas
Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

If relaxing poolside is your favorite cruise activity, Navigator also offers a newly “reimagined poolscape.” The newly redesigned pool desk offers a resort-style vibe providing more pool options for all ages. It even includes a splash pad for younger kids who are often too young to use the ship’s pools. Also in the pool area, guests can munch on dining options Johnny Rockets Express and Mexican food at El Loco Fresh (perfect for between dips in the pool and sunbathing sessions).

First Blow Dry Bar

If looking your best while onboard and sightseeing in ports is one of your cruise priorities, you can avail yourself of the service at To Dry For, the first standalone blow-dry bar at sea, offering blowouts, hairstyling and other services, which also offers guests a selection wines and champagnes.

New Food and Drink Venues

Lime and Coconut bar
Photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Eating and drinking are synonymous with cruising. It’s shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that Royal Caribbean added a number of new features in this area too.

The newly revamped Navigator of the Seas boasts a three-level Royal Caribbean signature bar, The Lime and Coconut, offering guests drinks, live music, and a “rooftop” deck providing views. Other drinking and dining venues on the ship include: The Bamboo Room, offering fun cocktails in a Polynesian ambience; Hooked Seafood, with a casual New England sea food restaurant vibe; and Jamie’s Italian, serving chef Jamie Oliver’s Italian recipes.

Read: 11 Major Differences Between Royal Caribbean and Carnival

Additional onboard entertainment options will range from Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider surf simulator, to the Royal Escape Room, to a rock-climbing wall. Guests can also play laser-tag in Battle for Planet Z or enjoy table-top and arcade games plus big-screen TVs at Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade.

Navigator of the Seas is the third vessel to emerge from Royal Caribbean’s “Royal Amplified” modernization program, representing a total investment of more than $1 billion. An additional seven of the cruise line’s ships are scheduled to receive modernization over the few years.

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