Enjoy your Anniversary cruise!

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Originally posted by beccy:
Like I said in another post I have never been on a cruise.

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Hi Beccy, we can be a funney lot sometimes, but do not take it personally - you are very welcome here!

I like to eat in the main dining room each evening, but use the informal buffet for breakfast and lunch, during sea days. I one evening you really do not fancy a fixed time, once again use the buffet. The food is normally very good.

Try and get to some of the shows, directly after your evening meal, they can be very good.

If you remind us which ship, you will be cruising on, we can be more helpful. Some of our CruiseTalkers have almost certainly cruised on her?

I hope you will report back to us after your cruiseand maybe wrire us a 'readers review'?

[ 09-06-2003: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

[ 09-06-2003: Message edited by: petede ]

You must write a review when you return, it's Joe's Law!

] [/QUOTE]

Most definitely, but a credit card is much easier. I always took my husband to "Bernard Passman's Black Coral And" store. Love his jewellery and have a couple of very nice pieces, which Green will attest to. They have a wonderful exchange policy and lifetime guarantee on anything they sell. I should be a spokesman for them.

I even visited the store in Ketchikan to have my jewellery polished and was told they now have a store at Havensight! Great - don't have to go downtown anymore.

Have fun Beccy and Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary. That was my first cruise 22 years ago and even though I got sick, I still kept on going back. Mind you in those days the ships were small and didn't have stabilizers.

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Originally posted by beccy:
Friends! Thanks to all. We are sailing on The Navigator next Sat. The thing is we do want to dress up maybe once or twice but we haven't had a vacation in a long time and really want to relax. We will be in St. Thomas for our Anniv. which sounds wonderful. I just didn't know that we could go to a buffet a couple of nights. I really am totally green when it comes to ships! Thanks again and to you to sread!

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You picked an absolutely WONDERFUL ship for your first cruise! It's all downhill from NAVIGATOR... that will be your only problem for future cruises!

There are many choices to eat onboard NAVIGATOR. You will always have your reserved table in the dining room each night for dinner, and the dining room will also be an option for breakfast and lunch but it will be open seating (meaning you sit anywhere).

In addition to the dining room, the Windjammer Cafe and Island Grill is also open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's informal and buffet style and also included in the price of the cruise. The hours will always be posted in the daily activity paper that is delivered to your cabin each evening for the next days activities.

Additional free options include the Promenade Cafe, which I believe is open almost 24 hours and offers sandwiches and cakes/cookies also in an informal setting. Then there is Johnny Rockets, the popular hamburger restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner. It is also at no additional charge except for milkshakes. Lastly, room service is available 24 hours a day and is included free of charge.

A couple dinner options that have a fee are Chops and Portofino's. I highly recommend both if you get the chance and don't mind spending a little extra money. Both are smaller venues, and you will receive more personalized service and food made to order. Chops specializes in steaks, while Portofino's offers an International selection with Italian flair. Both restaurants offer stunning views from high up in the ship.

One thing is for certain, you won't starve onboard NAVIGATOR and you won't have to spend an extra dime if you don't want to.

Something to keep in mind when eating onboard is that the ship is catering to 3000 other passengers. Cruises have been known for their great food, and while it is quite good, it is basically pre-prepared catering style... like you would find at a wedding reception or other large gathering. I just don't want you to be disappointed if you don't find it as "gourmet" as you expected.

Bon Voyage and have a wonderful time!

There will be a show each night. You will get singers, an orchestra, a dance troop, perhaps a comedian, or a juggler, even a ventriloquist, maybe? RCI normally manage to provide something to suit everyone’s taste.

The various bars and public rooms will also have entertainers, such as a pianist or maybe a singing duo? Then there is the Casino…

You will get the chance to pose for a formal photograph, on one of the formal nights. There is no obligation to buy any of the photographs taken, so you might as well strike a pose, each time you see the ships photographers!

My only advice is to keep an eye on your onboard expenditure, especially if you are on a tight budget. The cashless system onboard makes it very easy to spend more than you think. You can request a statement from the Pursers desk anytime. Some ships allow you to check your bill on the in-cabin TV.

Don't forget to study the 'Compass' sheet which will be put in your cabin each day. This is the ships 'Whats on'. I'd hate you to miss something!