Riviera vs Regent's Navigator

[MUD]

Riviera and Regent's Navigator have the exact same itineraries on a Jan sailing in the western Caribbean (They have a different route but exact same stops). Their excursions are exactly the same except on the Regent they are included in the fare. After coparing all costr for excurions, beverages and tips ther Oceania is about $1,500 less per couple. (The comparison is with a Navigator outside cabin--there are a few--and a Riviera veranda. Comparing veranda to veranda would show a $3,500 per couple difference).

 

Do you have any advice about which experience will be better and why?

[LHT28]

It would be a personal choice

New ship & not so new ship

Do want a small ship or not so small ship 400 pax VS 1250?

 

I do not think either would be bad :)

 

enjoy

[esther e]

We obviously haven't been on the Riveria, but have sailed on the Navigator several times, the first being her first day at sea. Love that little ship. I'm sure either would be fine. Happy planning!

[hotelnerd]

The Navigator outside window only suites are 303 sq. feet. The sitting area can be easily seperated from the bed area by a set of heavy light and (almost) sound proof drapes. It's almost like a two room suite. That's 25% larger than a Riviera veranda cabin at 242 sq feet without the balcony.

 

Navigator has only three dinner restaurants. It is a good bit smaller both in the number of dining rooms but in every other way - fewer guests by far. Spa and pool are smaller as are the casino and lounges. Never crowded in our experience but smaller.

 

The quailty of the food and service is almost equal.

 

Our choice would be Navigator but only because of the room size.

[hondorner]

I'm aboard Riviera right now on her Chbristening Cruise, spent 34 days on Marina last year (essentially the same as Riviera regarding this discussio9n), and spent 10 days aboard Navigator a couple of years ago, after her most complete refurbishment, so I have formed some opinions.

 

I will sail with Regent again any time the fares are comparab le to Oceania. When I sailed Navigator, I used the air credit, hotel credit, past guest discount, a discount because a previous Navigator cruise had been cancelled and some shipboard cresit, along with the fact that Regent Caribbean fares are lower than their fares in other parts of the world, to get the price down to about the same per day as a veranda cabin on Oceania. this meant the open bar and included excursions were truly free in comparison, and made the decision a no-brainer.

 

But, I feel the food on Oceania is a little better, the passengers are more congenial, the service is equal, the management is the same, smoking is more restricted on Oceania, staff is rotated between the ships, and price becomes the most important distiguising factor. As noted above, the cabins on Navigator are larger and are pretty much true suites as opposed to Riviera. However, 240 sq feet is comfortable, much of the increased space on Navigator is taken up by a walk-in closet, so the difference is not as much as it first appears. I will say that if everything else were equal, I'd choose Navigator because of the walk-in closets.

 

But, everything is not equal -- being much smaller, Navigator has only one tiny specialty restaurant in which it's difficult to get more than one reservation.. Riviera has ten opportunities to dine and is noted as devoted to cuisine, especially considering the hands-on culinary center in conjunction with Bon Appetit magazine, and the wine-oriented La Reserve restaruant in conjunction ith Wine Spectator magazine. A dedicate sports running track, mini-golf, croquet, shuffleboard and more are offered, and the Baristas coffee bar is superb. The new thalassotherapy pool is really neat and the Canyon Ranch Spa area is breathtaking. There is a fantastic forward observation lounge; there is none on Navigator. Finally, be careful of cabin choice on Navigator; there is a marked vibration in the aft staterooms.

 

I've just skimmed the surface of Riviera -- it's fabulous, and is setting a new standard among mid-size cruise ships.

[dorisis]

The cabin and bathroom size on the Navigator are much much larger than on Oceania. Gratuities are included along with shore excursions and all drinks. If Regent is offering an OBC, your travel agent may be able to get a lower price or refund some of the OBC after the cruise. Work with you agent to see what can be done.

 

~Doris~

[LHT28]

The cabin and bathroom size on the Navigator are much much larger than on Oceania. Gratuities are included along with shore excursions and all drinks. If Regent is offering an OBC, your travel agent may be able to get a lower price or refund some of the OBC after the cruise. Work with you agent to see what can be done.

 

~Doris~

You may want to read the new policy rules on rebating for PCH cruises

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1618446

[dorisis]

On my last RSS cruise a $900 Obc was offered. My TA advised us that she wouldrefund $600 after the cruise if we preffered that to our OBC. Since the cruise was all inclusive except for the spa, I took the refund.

 

I would not do the same with Oceania because it is not all inclusive.

 

~Doris~

[MUD]

Thanks for all the good advice