More Back from Bermuda

[kevins]

Hi! I'm posting via my husband's log in name this morning!

 

We returned yesterday afternoon from our wonderful Bermuda cruise. We were a bit disappointed that there weren't more families our age (44 and 46 with an almost 17-year-old son), but figured that most kids weren't yet finished with school like our son was. There were a few teens onboard, but we didn't see them most times until dinner. Our son said they must have been hiding out somewhere else on the ship! On sea days, he rented movies, hung at the pool, checked in with his friends via e-mail and chat room on the ship's computers, and worked out in the gym. And of course, he ate like a king in the Compass Rose! He loves good food and was even happier when he found out there was a caviar bar. He had caviar one evening before dinner, and you should have seen the looks on the other passenger's faces when they saw him enjoying it!

 

While our son felt bad about not having more teens around, we felt a little out of place with all the senior citizens onboard. It was cute to see all the couples married 50 years plus. I could never see my parents on a cruise that's for sure! My father won't leave the comfort of his rocking chair and puzzle book and he's only 75! My mother would enjoy herself. I told her to book a cruise with her church friends. They'd have a blast.

 

I really enjoyed the Navigator. The smaller ship atmosphere was so nice and cozy. We got to know our waiters, waitresses, sommeliers, etc much quicker and though the staff on Radisson's cruises have always been friendly, this group was even friendlier! They learned our names on the first day and we were like "buddies" by the last day. It's always sad to leave.

 

I also liked the smaller ship because I didn't get lost as much. We were on deck 7 and it was a straight shot from our room to all the shops and casino from our room. No roaming around the hallways in circles because we couldn't find our way around.

 

The shops on Navigator were a bit nicer than the Voyager. More t-shirts and jewelry. Our son picked out a ring for his birthday. Very nice and different made from titanium with a diamond in the middle. The prices were reasonable too. There was Swarovski jewelry and I found a pair of pretty earrings for $22.

 

We enjoyed the shows. Our son met the Australian Phantom of the Opera who performed a few nights. He was great. He signed the CD our son bought and also signed the book Phantom of the Opera that our son finished reading on the cruise. He talked to him for a long time about Phantom and also about Les Miserables which our son recently performed in at his high school. Nice gentleman. Our son thought the Navigator Five were cool. They played everywhere. The classical guitarist was superb too. The duo Cachet reminded us of the couple on Saturday Night Live (Will Farrell and Ana Gastier ? spelling) who sing and play the organ, except the man plays guitar instead of piano. The other shows were good. Lots of the senior gentleman ooed and awed at the singers and dancers when they wore the slinky costumes!

 

There were a number of seniors who got trashed on the cruise and it was quite embarassing because they could barely walk. They were lucky they didn't fall at the final show. One man didn't know where he was and he wife walked away to find another seat. He barely made it up the steps, staggering all around and finally falling into his seat. Everyone deserves to have a nice time, but these poor people were toasted.

 

By the end of the cruise, our patience with ignorant people was wearing thin. People butting into lines, bumping into us and not saying excuse me, not using manners like please and thank you --very rude. When we were waiting to get our passports in Virginia, one older lady pushed her husband through the line just because he had a cane. Not even people with walkers or wheelchairs butted in front! It doesn't take much to use good manners. I wonder if they taught their children and grandchildren any because they sure didn't use them. I even said excuse me to one person who didn't say it squeezing between me and she looked at me like I was nuts.

 

All in all, it was an enjoyable voyage. We were sad to hear that this would be the last year for the Bermuda cruise. Lots of downsizing and lay-offs for the employees and only 8 month contracts. With the Diamond gone and the PG on rental, it doesn't sound like Radisson is doing anything to put more ships on the map. That's sad!

[ryansmemom]

Thank you so much for posting your review. My husband and I will be taking this cruise in August. This is our first cruise with Radission and we are looking forward to it.

 

I am happy to read that you had such a good time. I am also sorry to read that you encountered some rude people on the ship. that can be very disconcerting especially when you expect that people in their later years would know better. However, I guess you can not generalize.

 

I was wondering if you could help me with one thing. We are a bit confused about the approptiate dress for evenings onboard. I understand there are no formal evenings. Can you clarify the dress for the evenings? Do gentlemen wear jackets each evening? Are cocktail dresses appropriate for women? I would appreciate any advise you can give me.

 

Linda :)