After Delay, Revamped Navigator of the Seas Arrives in Miami

Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas has arrived in Miami following a $115 million revamp. The renovation added a new aqua coaster and waterslide, reimagined the pool area, and more. 

The 3,386-guest ship is now home to The Blaster, which the cruise line says is the longest aqua coaster at sea, as well as Riptide, a new headfirst mat racer waterslide. The pool deck has also been completely redone in a Caribbean resort style, with a new Splash Pad for toddlers and new dining options Johnny Rockets Express and El Loco Fresh, which serves Mexican street fare. 

The renovation also added To Dry For, a standalone blow-dry bar that will offer guests blowouts, hairstyling and other services, as well as a selection of wine and champagnes. Also new is The Lime and Coconut, a three-level signature bar that offers a variety of drinks and has a rooftop deck with live music. 

The project also added a number of other signature Royal Caribbean brand elements, such as the Hooked Seafood casual, New England seafood eatery, as well as The Bamboo Room, a Polynesian-themed watering hole that serves cocktails the line describes as “kitschy cool.” Also newly added is the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade; Jaime’s Italian restaurant; the Battle for Planet Z laser tag experience; Royal Escape Room: The Observatorium; a FlowRider surf simulator; a rock-climbing wall; a redesigned Adventure Ocean area for young children; and redesigned teen spaces. 

The reimagined ship’s first sailing from Miami had been initially slated for February 24, but that cruise had to be canceled when poor weather conditions delayed the progress of the ship’s outer decks. The ship will now sail five-and nine-night Caribbean itineraries starting Friday, March 1, and then in May it will begin offering three-night weekend and four-night weekday cruises to the Bahamas. The short Bahamas sailings will include a call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the line’s newly developed private island destination. 

The Navigator of the Seas is the third ship to be renovated as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified fleet modernization program, which represents a $1 billion investment that will see updates to 10 of the cruise line’s ships in four years. 

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