B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250; Flight Crew Total 16450; Flight Crew Type 8282
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Chart Or Publication; Procedure; Human Factors
While flying our flight planned route enroute to SFO we were given a direct-to fix along the SERFR 3 RNAV Arrival. We both heard and verified what we believed to be the fix NARWL and proceeded in LNAV Direct. At approximately abeam WWAVS on the arrival ATC asked us to confirm the fix we were proceeding to and I read back NARWL. At that point ATC assigned us a Descend To altitude along with a frequency change and said good day. We switched frequencies; checked in; and were cleared the remainder on the arrival and TIPP TOE Visual 28L. The query by ATC and review of the SERFR 3 Arrival made me question myself if we were actually supposed to proceed to NRRLI and no NARWL. Two very similar sounding fixes along the arrival.
B-737 pilot reported confusion between ATC and the flight crew concerning which fix they had been cleared to.