I am excited to share our experience on the 3-night Ensenada cruise aboard Navigator of the Seas. This was our first Royal Caribbean sailing in over ten years, and we went in curious to see how a newer ship compared to our prior cruise experiences.
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Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas 3 Night Ensenada Cruise
We booked a balcony stateroom on deck 11 at the forward section of the ship and upgraded to an extended front balcony so we could enjoy sailing from the bow. The larger balcony, with lounge chairs, regular chairs and a small table, provided an outstanding view and made the cabin feel spacious.
Pre-Cruise
We downloaded the Royal Caribbean app before the cruise to complete health forms and update our details. The app walks you through everything needed prior to boarding and makes the pre-cruise steps simple.
For this sailing, we needed a COVID test within three days of embarkation, plus vaccination cards, passports, and a health screening on the app 24 hours before boarding. We also reserved a table at Jamie’s Italian and purchased an internet package ahead of time to take advantage of a discounted rate.
Embarkation – Los Angeles, California
Embarkation at the World Port Terminal was one of the smoothest we’ve experienced in over 20 cruises. We arrived at our assigned time and were on board within 15 minutes after clearing security and health screening. The self-paced muster drill made it easy to get settled quickly, and within an hour we were enjoying cocktails and ready to begin our long weekend.
Day 1 – Onboard
Our stateroom wasn’t ready at noon, so we relaxed on the Lido Deck with a cocktail until it was. After seeing the cost for a couple of drinks, we did the math and purchased the Royal Caribbean drink package while it was offered at a day-one discount. The package made it easier to sample new cocktails and not worry about tracking individual purchases throughout the trip.
When our room was ready around 1pm we checked out the extended forward balcony and then set off to explore the ship. The Lido deck’s casual dining, including El Loco Fresh for customizable nachos and quesadillas, was a convenient spot for a snack. The Windjammer buffet impressed us with an extensive variety, including a dedicated gluten-free station and unusual fresh fruit offerings like rambutan and dragon fruit.
The Royal Promenade and holiday decorations were beautiful. We enjoyed a few bars onboard, including The Bamboo Room tiki bar with creative tropical cocktails and Copper & Clover pub where I sampled a James Bond martini. Making dinner reservations in the app ahead of time was convenient and saved time later in the evening.
Dinner in the main dining room was elegant and delicious — a vast improvement over our memory of an older ship. The three-level dining room felt festive and relaxed. Between French onion soup, prime rib, cheese plates, and a memorable crème brûlée, the meal was one of the highlights of the night. We finished with an impressive ice-skating production that featured a drone segment and strong choreography — a unique shipboard entertainment experience.
Day 2 – Ensenada, Mexico
We experienced some strong winds overnight that even caused our balcony door to swing open briefly, which made for a memorable early-morning moment. Since we’ve visited Ensenada before, we chose to stay onboard for a leisurely day. Breakfast in the main dining room included classic favorites like eggs benedict and French toast paired with mimosas and Bloody Marys.
We enjoyed trivia at the Schooner Bar and sampled classic cocktails like the Tom Collins and Brandy Alexander, thanks to the drink package. The afternoon included a restorative ship nap and more tropical cocktails at The Bamboo Room. Dinner at Jamie’s Italian was outstanding — fresh garlic bread, housemade pasta, and a memorable pavlova. The meal was so good we booked lunch there for the next day while still at the table.
Day 3 – Sea Day
Sea days are my favorite part of cruising because there’s no rush. Despite rougher seas the night before, we slept over ten hours and woke to sunshine. Being in a forward stateroom gives amazing views but you do feel more motion than midship cabins.
We had breakfast in the main dining room again (the eggs benedict won over the buffet this morning), spent time relaxing on the balcony soaking up sun, and returned to Jamie’s Italian for an exceptional lunch — truffle tagliatelle and epic brownies were standouts. The ship is packed with activities and venues, and a three-night cruise felt short by the sea day; we kept wishing the trip were longer.
On our final evening we enjoyed Latin music at Boleros and tried a few more cocktails, including a coconut mojito, Dark ‘n’ Stormy, and Caipirinha. It was a relaxed and festive way to wrap up the trip.
Disembarkation – Los Angeles, California
Disembarkation was impressively smooth. After breakfast at the Lido buffet, we grabbed our bags, rode down to deck 4 and walked straight off the ship through customs with no delays. The only hiccup was finding a rideshare — Uber showed no drivers available for a while, but Lyft worked and got us to LAX in about 45 minutes for our flight home.
We’re already talking about booking another Royal Caribbean cruise — this short getaway delivered great food, plenty of entertainment, and a relaxed escape from everyday life.
Navigator of the Seas Cruise Ship Highlights
- Rock-climbing wall
- FlowRider surf simulator, waterslides (including Riptide headfirst mat racer and The Blaster aqua coaster), and a spacious pool deck with hot tubs
- Cafe Promenade
- Fitness Center
- Ice rink and sports court with basketball
- Unobstructed ocean views
- Multiple dining options including Jamie’s Italian and Hooked Seafood
- Varied entertainment options
- Spa services
- Glow-in-the-dark laser tag
- Royal Escape Room Challenge – Battle for Planet Z
- A wide range of cabin types
There’s something on board for all ages — kids, teens, and adults alike. The ship offers an adventure for families and couples looking for a short, fun getaway.
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