July 2 Southbound on Navigator

[JoAnne B]

The charm of the Navigator always was its long-time management team. Under them she ran like a well-oiled machine. Granted, service always slipped when the ship was full, but When the venture capitalists came in and gutted the officer team, service went downhill fast. In my mind she moved from a luxury vessel to a level just above mass market. After a couple of disappointing cruises and finally a very disappointing Mariner experience, we took a break from Regent. Frankly, we settled in and got very spoiled by other lines.

Now, two years later I just cancelled a more interesting, but probably too physically demanding, SD Amazon and moved to the physically more manageable Nov Navigator Amazon trip. Reading this post I am hoping I didn't make a huge mistake. Perhaps what you experienced is a transient issue that will be sorted out by November, but it sounds like the same old problems. Given the length of this trip and the high price tag (we have a grand suite) I'm not willing to settle for "just good".

This morning I was eagerly looking forward to the cruise, then I read this and other relatively negative reviews. What a let down. The sooner this line is rescued by someone who understands the luxury service industry, the better.

[TWG_ag]

Very good review. Your perceptions are what they are and as other noted, Navigator with the old management team was a real joy. I have done Alaska twice, once on Mariner and it is a different type of cruise. Scenery is awesome, but the crowds are different and there is little opportunity to change entertainers. This cruise is more about viewing nature than traditional cruise activities (IMO). After four Navigator cruises, I still like that size ship and will be back on her, but a common theme on most boards, (Regent, Celebrity, Princess, etc) is the industry is changing; the food and service is not like it used to be; the bean counters are running the companies. However, for my time and money, cruising delivers a vacation that works for me. These boards keep me up to date on what is happening and I appreciate everyones input on what is going on.

[room010]

I would be very interested to hear from any other CC 'ers on this trip to learn their opinions. Maybe I'm being too harsh and I certainly don't want to scare anyone away from taking a future Navigator cruise. I understand that Alaskan cruises are "different" for various reasons so perhaps I'm not making sufficient allowances, but then again I shouldn't have to? But I'm also quite a perceptive person who has been involved in the hotel/hospitality industry for many years and I could instantly tell that things weren't quite right behind the scenes and they spilled over to "front of house". I don't know if the problems emanate from head office bean counters or individual managers on board but the contrast between this experience and that we enjoyed (very much indeed) on Voyager only last year could not be greater. Or maybe we were just unlucky this time. It happens.

[Travelcat2]

As a regular poster, I completely understand your review of your Navigator Alaska cruise. I feel badly for Regent who purchased a cruise line with one beautiful ship that can never be what Radisson hoped it would be ....... a passenger ship. It's hull doesn't work for a passenger ship and Regent has spent millions (around $100M) to fit this square peg into a round hole.

In my opinion, which I have expressed before, Alaska cruises are not typical of Regent cruises. As a general rule, short cruises (7-10 days) bring customers who are new to Regent while longer cruises have up to 90% repeat Regent guests.

One example would be the friendliness of the passengers. On our longer cruises, almost everyone is very friendly and greet each other in the hallways. We even have a giggle when Australians and British move to the right and North Americans move to the left in the corridors putting us on a collision course (actually, I think I have that backwards but it is still funny).

Perhaps when the ships have a majority of newbies, coming from different backgrounds and cruiselines, they are trying to figure out exactly what they should be doing on a Regent cruise. I'm not sure why the dynamic is so different but it is.

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed your Penthouse suite. I hope you realize that Penthouse suites are the exact same size as the least expensive suites on the Navigator. So, for those booked on a future Navigator cruise, be sure that you want a Butler for the extra money as you will not be getting extra space.

I was reading negative reviews about the Navigator before we took our first Navigator cruise. There is no reason to question whether you made a mistake by booking the Navigtor. As long as you read the pros and cons of the ship, you can have a wonderful experience (we did and went on to do two more Navigator cruises.) To be honest, we would not pay as much for the Navigator as for the two other ships.

Hope Regent is not reading this thread........ I also hope that Regent is purchased by a company that knows the difference between upper premium and luxury and will allow Regent to be the luxury cruise lines that she is fighting to be.

[journeyfan]

Why do you hope Regent is not reading this thread? They need to know that the level of service on Navigator is not measuring up to what it is on the other two ships.

[Travelcat2]

[quote name='journeyfan']Why do you hope Regent is not reading this thread? They need to know that the level of service on Navigator is not measuring up to what it is on the other two ships.[/quote]

I'm pretty sure they already know that. My comment about hoping Regent not reading this was referring to my comment. It is difficult for me to say that I wish Regent would be sold..... but the way things are going (shorts at dinner, etc.) there is a risk that it will lose its luxury status (IMHO)

[Seabourntraveller]

[quote name='Travelcat2']I'm pretty sure they already know that. My comment about hoping Regent not reading this was referring to my comment. It is difficult for me to say that I wish Regent would be sold..... but the way things are going (shorts at dinner, etc.) there is a risk that it will lose its luxury status (IMHO)[/quote]


...and don't forget cargo pants and shorts at dinner as well!:rolleyes:

[Travelcat2]

[quote name='Seabourntraveller']...and don't forget cargo pants and shorts at dinner as well!:rolleyes:[/quote]

Hmmmmm, you don't miss anything;)

[joyous]

We are embarking shortly on the Navigator and this is really bad news for us. I also show in my brochure that the Cat. G andH are 301 sq feet and the Cat. d-F are 356 sq ft. so I guess you mean the suites are the same size but you get extra space in the verandah. Ste 699 would be the one to have.... lots of room J

[Seabourntraveller]

[quote name='Travelcat2']Hmmmmm, you don't miss anything;)[/quote]

Kinda hard to miss cargo shorts and pants in the Dining Room!!!:confused::rolleyes::confused:
Besides the Seabourn boards are dead as doornail right now...time for me to get back on a ship and SOON!:D

[Travelcat2]

[quote name='joyous']We are embarking shortly on the Navigator and this is really bad news for us. I also show in my brochure that the Cat. G andH are 301 sq feet and the Cat. d-F are 356 sq ft. so I guess you mean the suites are the same size but you get extra space in the verandah. Ste 699 would be the one to have.... lots of room J[/quote]

Assume you mean 609?? There is not a suite 699 to my knowledge. The deluxe suites on the Navigator are quite large (larger than on the Mariner). You're correct -- the extra space is the verandah. I stressed this point because people pay extra money for location but receive the same size suite. However, once you reach Category "E", you are Concierge -- it is up to the person to decide if the extra ammenities are worth it.

[tallship]

You all know I am NOT a cheerleader but we had a seriously great cruise last month on Navigator....notwithstanding a full ship, window cabin, kids onboard, etc, etc....

Orpington, please come to Alaska with us next spring???

[RachelG]

If you can get Orpington and Mrs to come to Alaska, I could be persuaded to join along also.

[tallship]

Rachel...pls book ....great deals on vancouver to vancouver late May

[OrpingtonT]

[quote name='tallship']You all know I am NOT a cheerleader but we had a seriously great cruise last month on Navigator....notwithstanding a full ship, window cabin, kids onboard, etc, etc....

Orpington, please come to Alaska with us next spring???[/quote]

[quote name='RachelG']If you can get Orpington and Mrs to come to Alaska, I could be persuaded to join along also.[/quote]

[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Suddenly Navigator looks a much more attractive proposition. However, an outward flight to Vancouver and return from Anchorage to London (or the other way round) nowadays makes the Alaska trip a formidable journey for an old codger pushing a wheelchair. We have our fond memories of a great cruise there whilst we were still fit and able to clamber in and out of whale and other wildlife watching boats and generally participating in the wonderful excursions on offer.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I am due to have the cataract removed from my right eye soon (I had the left eye successfully done three weeks or so ago). After that I hope we can fit in a cruise before Christmas. We have some OBC due from Seabourn so maybe a Transatlantic with them or dare I hope for the crossing on Mariner to Rio in November?[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]It would be superb to cruise with you both though, and Gerry & Ken, Wes and Ida, AnnaB, SuziK, DaveFr, Responder, GreyGipsy and the many, many other CC members we have met. Such pleasant memories. Well worth the cost.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Seabourntraveller]

[quote name='OrpingtonT'][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]Suddenly Navigator looks a much more attractive proposition. However, an outward flight to Vancouver and return from Anchorage to London (or the other way round) nowadays makes the Alaska trip a formidable journey for an old codger pushing a wheelchair. We have our fond memories of a great cruise there whilst we were still fit and able to clamber in and out of whale and other wildlife watching boats and generally participating in the wonderful excursions on offer.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I am due to have the cataract removed from my right eye soon (I had the left eye successfully done three weeks or so ago). After that I hope we can fit in a cruise before Christmas. We have some OBC due from Seabourn so maybe a Transatlantic with them or dare I hope for the crossing on Mariner to Rio in November?[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]It would be superb to cruise with you both though, and Gerry & Ken, Wes and Ida, AnnaB, SuziK, DaveFr, Responder, GreyGipsy and the many, many other CC members we have met. Such pleasant memories. Well worth the cost.[/SIZE][/FONT][/quote]

Mariner is SOLD OUT completely from Monte Carlo to Buenos Aires and to Rio de Janeiro for 2012.

[Travelcat2]

There is the wonderful Alaska cruise from San Francisco to Vancouver in May. We have done that twice -- wonderful itinerary. There is an escorted cruise by our TA on that itinerary next year and at least one person on your CC list is signed up for it.

ST: The Mariner is "SOLD OUT" at the moment............. The same thing happened last year on the Monte Carlo to Rio itinerary for this year (followed by Rio to Buenos Aire). Many, many people (including ourselves) cancelled. If you are interested in next years itinerary, go waitlist -- I am 100% certain you can get on.

[tallship]

Orpington -
May 22 Navigator is Vancouver to Vancouver

Please think about this and if you come, we will bring my mother.....

[WesW]

Orpy/Tom, hope you choose Tina's invitation coupled with Rachel's incentive...SB can wait. Ida and can always hope your cataract surgery gives your superman vision so you can come with us to SE Asia, and instead book Mumbai to Bali. Whatever cruise Barbara and you choose, sincerely hope it is delightful. Best, Wes & Ida

[tallship]

Agree with Wes. We truly had a great experience just in awe of the wonderful scenery. Think how great it would be with good company as well.

[OrpingtonT]

[quote name='Seabourntraveller']Mariner is SOLD OUT completely from Monte Carlo to Buenos Aires and to Rio de Janeiro for 2012.[/quote]

Now that momentarily pricked my bubble. However I just checked and RSSC web site shows:

Cats H, G, F - available on a GTY basis.
Cats E, D, C - available.
Cat B - wait listed
Cats A, HS -available
Cat SS - wait listed
Cats MN, GS - available and
Cat MS - waitlisted.

I always want to be on the cruises you are all looking forward to, the Mumbai to Bali is mouthwatering, Wes, but we are OAP,s trying to live off our pensiona and have to cut our coat according to the cloth.

However, our son, Paul and his wife are thinking of an Alaskan cruise next year. Maybe we can work something out.

[Seabourntraveller]

[quote name='OrpingtonT']Now that momentarily pricked my bubble. However I just checked and RSSC web site shows:

Cats H, G, F - available on a GTY basis.
Cats E, D, C - available.
Cat B - wait listed
Cats A, HS -available
Cat SS - wait listed
Cats MN, GS - available and
Cat MS - waitlisted.

I always want to be on the cruises you are all looking forward to, the Mumbai to Bali is mouthwatering, Wes, but we are OAP,s trying to live off our pensiona and have to cut our coat according to the cloth.

However, our son, Paul and his wife are thinking of an Alaskan cruise next year. Maybe we can work something out.[/quote]

These must have just opened up because the Monte Carlo to Buenos Aires has been sold out solid for months!:eek:

[NCCruzQueen]

[quote name='Travelcat2']Assume you mean 609?? There is not a suite 699 to my knowledge...... However, once you reach Category "E", you are Concierge -- it is up to the person to decide if the extra ammenities are worth it.[/QUOTE]

TC, I believe on the Navigator, Concierge Level begins in the Cat. D suites.

[Travelcat2]

[quote name='NCCruzQueen']TC, I believe on the Navigator, Concierge Level begins in the Cat. D suites.[/quote]

You're right -- thanks for catching that.

[tripperva]

Has any other CC poster been on the Navigator the past two months?
Can we hear more about Sette Mari,Prime Seven, and especially Compass Rose?The walking track? Staff?
Thanks!