By Amanda Mesa | Published: March 9, 2023 | Updated: February 20, 2026
Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it’s a breeze when you choose to cruise with Royal Caribbean. This internationally acclaimed cruise line wins big with all kinds of travelers year after year, thanks to a fleet of award-winning ships designed with guests of all ages in mind.
You can’t go wrong with any ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, and Navigator of the Seas® in particular has long been a hit among cruise enthusiasts, thanks to its abundance of cruise activities for young and old. Daredevils will find plenty of thrills on board: The Blaster® aqua coaster — the longest waterslide at sea, and Riptide℠ — the only headfirst mat racer water slide at sea. There’s also an amped up pool deck that offers double the pool’s surface and more space to swim, unwind and soak up the sunshine with your loved ones.
If you’re cruising with a baby or a toddler, you’ll be pleased to know that Navigator of the Seas offers an abundance of childcare options for little ones, like the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program and the Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery. That’s in addition to convenience-boosting amenities like cribs brought to your stateroom and babysitting services run by qualified, caring professionals.
What’s more, most of the onboard attractions and experiences are accessible to young cruisers, provided they meet varying height requirements. When the sun goes down, you’ll find there’s plenty of family-friendly cruise entertainment that ranges from Broadway-style musicals to spellbinding ice-skating shows.
Great food is an integral part of all family cruises, and Navigator of the Seas offers a diverse, foodie-approved selection of crave-worthy cruise dining options for even the pickiest eaters. Think fast-casual Mexican goodness at El Loco Fresh®, juicy burgers, golden fries and frothy milkshakes at Johnny Rockets® Express, sweet treats and fuss-free apps at Cafe Promenade and an ever-changing multi-course journey of global favorites (served every night) in the ship’s stunning Main Dining Room.
If that sounds like the perfect ship to host your next getaway, keep reading to learn more about what a Navigator of the Seas cruise has in store for your memorable escape.
Key Takeaways
When it comes to friendly competition, Navigator of the Seas offers all kinds of ways to get in the game with the people you love. One of the top cruise activities for kids and parents is Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z®. It’s an intergalactic clash between the remnant of a robot civilization and an alien scouting party seeking refuge from a mega nova.
Each faction is competing to claim dominion over the last habitable planet for light-years around. Players choose a side, suit up and go head-to-head on a thrilling, glow-in-the-dark battleground. Kids as young as five years old can get in on all the action.
Then there’s the Rock Climbing Wall, a Royal Caribbean classic that’s been inviting guests to test their climbing skills for years. Challenge someone in your travel group to a race all the way up to the top. You’ll get to enjoy some of the best views from the ship in the most unique way.
If you’re looking to put your putting skills to the test, head to Navigator Dunes, a nine-hole mini golf course that promises lots of fun for all ages — PGA pro-status not required. The best part is that all of these experiences are complimentary for cruise guests.
If you’re traveling with one or more thrill-seekers in tow, this is definitely the right ship for you. During its Amplification, Navigator of the Seas was kitted out with all kinds of exciting onboard attractions for kids, teens and adults.
There’s the FlowRider® surf simulator, a Royal Caribbean staple that lets guests tame waves like pros — or wipe out while trying. Kids must meet the height requirements to take on the surf simulator’s 30,000 gallons of rushing water upright on their feet or boogie-style on their bellies. Parents who prefer to watch from the sidelines can cheer on their loved ones from the stadium-style seating that flanks this much-loved onboard attraction.
For the truly brave at heart, Navigator of the Seas offers some of the most thrilling water slides in the cruise world. This includes Riptide, a headfirst mat racer water slide. It propels guests along a twisting, turning, white-knuckle plunge — complete with a translucent tube that juts over the side of the ship. Here’s a pro tip: Keep your eyes open for the incredible views. Guests must meet the height requirement to ride Riptide.
There’s also The Blaster, another record-setter that claims the title of longest water slide at sea. This exhilarating aqua coaster lets guests team up on a tandem tube, then blasts the daring duo along more than 800 feet of hair-raising drops, dips and lightning-quick straightaways. The grand finale is an open-air chute: the longest stretch of slide ever suspended over water.
No matter which Royal Caribbean cruise ship you choose to sail on, you can always expect an incredible food scene with cruise dining options for every craving. Navigator of the Seas is no exception. It’s home to some of the cruise line’s top culinary concepts.
A top choice is Chops Grille℠, a contemporary steakhouse that’s become a fleetwide favorite over the years for its perfectly seasoned and seared prime cuts of meat. Enjoy crave-worthy side dishes and an elevated atmosphere on those special nights. This specialty restaurant is a great option if you’re celebrating a big occasion, such as an anniversary or birthday.
Another guest favorite is Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, one of Britain’s most celebrated chefs. At Jamie’s Italian, families can tuck into Tuscan-inspired cuisine that’s perfect for sharing — like hearty homemade pastas, Chianti-braised short rib, creamy burrata and more.
For those looking for something a little more casual, there’s El Loco Fresh. Conveniently located steps from the pool, this laid-back favorite serves up yummy eats from south of the border, like loaded nachos, tasty tacos and burritos that go big on all your favorite flavors.
Of course, the best family cruises all involve at least one dinner in the Main Dining Room, an upscale and complimentary choice. Known by many for its unforgettable multi-course feasts paired with five-star service, you’ll find a kid’s menu here, too.
Navigator of the Seas is much-loved for its spectacular pool deck. During the ship’s Amplification, the surface area of the pool was doubled, creating more space for lounging and making sun-drenched memories. Every square inch of this wow-worthy space was carefully designed to keep you connected to the water.
There’s a signature bar called The Lime and Coconut, and it keeps the tropical vibes going strong across three decks with views of all the poolside action. The hot tubs were also moved up a deck to offer guests unrivaled ocean views. Grab some loungers, claim a hammock or reserve a spacious, shady casita. This ship is suitable for families on vacation, couples and solo travelers. There’s always somewhere comfy to retreat to in between dips in the expanded main pool.
When parents are craving a little bit of grown-up time, they can unwind in the tranquil Solarium, a peaceful hideaway that offers plenty of room to destress in the sunshine or the shade while enjoying dazzling sea views.
Navigator of the Seas offers a stacked lineup of mesmerizing shows and onstage spectaculars everyone in the family will love. Allow the ship’s world-class performers to whisk and whirl you away in an unforgettable celebration of ballroom dance during the original production, “Ballroom Fever.”
Or take a trip from the iconic cabarets of Paris to the neon-drenched stages of Las Vegas in SHOWGIRL!, a glitzy, glamorous homage to the siren of the stage.
If you prefer a stunt-filled showcase filled with wow-worthy spins, figure-eights and double-axels, head to the ice-skating rink for iSkate, where professional skaters show off awe-inspiring stunts and freestyle jumps.
All the family-friendly entertainment on board Navigator of the Seas is complimentary for cruise guests. All you have to do is reserve a spot via your Cruise Planner app.
Families cruising with young kids can make the most of the award-winning youth program, which was designed with explorers aged 6 months to 12 years. Little ones are broken into groups based on their age and given plenty of engaging educational activities to keep them busy all day. All this under the supervision of trained and qualified professionals.
For the tiniest travelers, there’s the Royal Babies & Tots program, which offers nursery drop-off sessions oriented around age-appropriate toys and activities. Both the Adventure Ocean® Youth Program and Royal Babies and Tots℠ Nursery are available on board Navigator of the Seas.
Teens will also be happy to know the ship is home to a lounge designed exclusively for travelers aged 13 to 17. It’s called The Living Room: a hub for dance parties, movie nights, video game sessions and other fun daily programming.
These six standouts are just some of the many attractions and highlights that make a Navigator of the Seas cruise a great option for your at-sea vacation.
Every traveler has something to look forward to, from the smallest adventure-seekers to young-at-heart grandparents!
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