Navigator of the Seas Cork Short
April 2007 began the third season for Royal Caribbean International cruising out of Southampton.  Previously it had been Legend of the Seas but in 2006 they announced it would be the much larger Navigator of the Seas.  Having missed out on Legend I was determined to try Navigator and the Royal Caribbean experience.  Originally my friend Rowan was going to go with me until finding out Aurora three months later went to two ports instead of one so opted for that instead.  I booked in June for the three-night Cork Short Cruise for the 2nd June 2007 even though I was more interesed in the ship than itinerary.  Having to pay double isn't too bad on short trips and worked out roughly the same as the QE2 to share for the same length.  I went for Oceanview Stateroom H-3256 on Deck 3 but less than 71 hours before sailing I received an upgrade notification email.  I was now E1-8624 Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with balcony on Deck 8.  How exciting and on my first Royal Caribbean cruise as well!  A couple of weeks before the cruise I had been told by someone who did the two-nighter in April she tilts when turning and the food wasn't that great.  I was soon going to find out. The weather during the week leading up to the cruise hadn't been the greatest for spring.  Gales, wind, rain and sun.  It changed from day to day and the last thing I wanted was to juggle the camera, video and umbrella so hoped it would be dry and the forecast wrong.  The itinerary listed us sailing at 4pm.  I had been told if there was anything in Mayflower Terminal, Navigator would have to go once that has because she can't get past to the turning circle.  Would we go first?  I contacted the UK office with my fears as it's no fun getting ready for dinner (if you choose the restaurant as I do) when you're still in the docks but she assured me it would be that time as they hadn't been told different so it was fingers crossed.  Two days before, Southampton VTS put up the movements for the 2nd and Navigator was down for 5pm as I'd thought, the same time as Sea Princess who was in Mayflower Terminal.  I emailed the UK office again giving them the link.  I don't know if they complained but on the 1st June it was changed to 4pm.  Hooray!  Didn't mean anything though until we actually buggered off first.  It really would be so much simpler if they docked port on arrival.  At this rate Independence of the Seas will be the first ship to go last on a maiden voyage!  The big day arrived and I didn't sleep too badly for once.  I got the usual Hythe ferry across.  It was just a wonderfully hot day making a ferry trip lovely.  And there were the girls in their respective docks - Navigator of the Seas in City Terminal and Sea Princess in Mayflower.  They seemed to be testing the lifeboats on Sea Princess.
Due to the M27 being closed after a woman's body had been found causing tailbacks, my taxi driver took me another route but thankfully it was the same price.  As it had been too late to send new luggage tags, I had written my new cabin number on as instructed and told the porter when I handed it over then headed for the entrance.
Check-in was quite busy for just after noon but there was a Sea Pass desk available.  Being a cruise in EU waters there was no duty free which hacked off a lot of people considering you can go to any EU country and bring back as much as you wish for personal use.  The woman went to get my key/pass then realised it was for my previous cabin so went to get the correct one.  There was no waiting around in the departure lounge.  You could go straight on.
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			(C) Copyright Patricia Dempsey 2nd-5th June & 6th June 2007 Not to be reproduced without permission