Navigator of the Seas - Catalina & Ensenada Getaway
Navigator of the Seas' signature short escape sails round-trip from Los Angeles with a tender call at Catalina Island's storybook town of Avalon and a full day in Ensenada on Mexico's Baja coast. A closing sea day leaves time for the Blaster aqua coaster and the amplified pool deck before returning to San Pedro.
Price Range
$
Budget
*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Royal Caribbean before booking.
Ship Details — Navigator of the Seas
View full Navigator of the Seas details
Year Built
2002
Tonnage
139,999 GT
Passengers
3,286
Crew
1,232
Decks
14
Class
Voyager Class
Itinerary & Route Map
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Where this cruise calls, day by day
4 ports and 1 sea day over 4 Nights.
- Day 1Los Angeles, CA port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Los Angeles, CA
United StatesDepart - Day 2
Catalina Island, CA
United StatesPortCatalina sits 22 miles off the Los Angeles coast and feels a century removed from it. Ships anchor off Avalon and tender in to a small harbour town of pastel buildings where private cars are so restricted that residents wait years for a permit and most people drive golf carts. The round Casino building on the point never held gambling - it is a 1929 ballroom and theatre.
- Tour the Catalina Casino's Art Deco theatre and ballroom
- Glass-bottom boat or semi-submarine over the kelp forest at Lovers Cove
- Descanso Beach Club and the coastal path around the bay
- Zip line or an interior Hummer tour into the island's bison country
- Getting ashore
- Tender only into Avalon; the town is compact and entirely walkable from the tender landing.
- Best months
- May-Oct (Sep-Oct warmest water and clearest; winter swell causes tender cancellations)
- Day 3Ensenada port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Ensenada
MexicoPort Day 4 · At sea
- Day 5Los Angeles, CA port guide: where ships dock and what to do ashore
Los Angeles, CA
United StatesArrive
Onboard Amenities
Cruise Highlights
About the Ship
What Travelers Say About Navigator of the Seas
Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Navigator of the Seas sailing. Distilled from 198 traveler threads, Cruise Critic member reviews and travel blogs.
Navigator of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's West Coast workhorse, running short 3-4 night Catalina/Ensenada loops and week-long Mexican Riviera runs from Los Angeles year-round. What stands out in traveler chatter is how well the 2019 'Royal Amplified' refit landed: the Blaster aqua coaster, revamped Caribbean-resort pool deck and new bars like the Bamboo Room make the 2002-built ship feel like a modern one wherever it matters. The vibe depends heavily on the sailing - weekend 3-nighters skew young and rowdy with a well-earned booze-cruise reputation, while the 7-night Mexican Riviera trips draw a calmer, more family-and-couples crowd.
What People Love
- The Blaster aqua coaster - at over 800 feet the longest waterslide at sea - is consistently called the best thrill on any West Coast ship
- The $115 million 2019 amplification left the pool deck, bars and waterslides feeling like a much newer ship than its 2002 build year suggests
- Unbeatable value for a quick getaway - 3-4 night sailings from Los Angeles regularly price under $100 per person per night
Common Complaints
- Weekend 3-night sailings have a genuine party-boat reputation - travelers report heavy drinking crowds and packed late-night venues
- Ensenada is widely considered the weakest port on the itinerary, with many passengers choosing to stay on the ship
- Catalina Island requires tendering, which can eat an hour or more of a short port day when seas are rough