Travel Spies: Part Duex

[ryansmemom]

We boarded the Radisson Seven Seas Navigator on August 24, 2005. This was our first cruise on Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. We have sailed on RCCL five times and HAL nine times. Our most recent HAL cruises have been in HAL’s S level suites and these experiences are what we used for our base line in comparing Radisson to HAL.

 

Both lines have their strong points, and both are viable for the sophisticated cruisers we all are.

 

Were we pampered? Well, since we did not ask to have grapes peeled, or to have the butler rub our feet at the end of the day (come to think of it, why didn't we?) I would not use that word. But service was excellent. Anything we asked the butler for, we got.

 

Embarkation day. Instructions in the docs said to plan to embark at 2:30. Posts on the Radisson board said that lunch will be provided, but only up to 2:30. Darned if we were going to miss lunch. Anyway, we called RSSC and they said that you could start boarding around 12:30. We arrived at the pier at about 12:15. Since ours was the only ship in port that day getting luggage taken care of was efficient. We then went up to the waiting area. Linda was in her wheelchair; I stood around although there were lots of chairs available. Actual embarkation began at about 12:45. We found out later that since we used a platinum AMEX we had our own check in line, but since we were among the first half dozen processed, we went to the first open desk. Ticket and passports surrendered, credit card imprinted- it felt like less than a minute before we were in front of the ubiquitous cameraman for the embarkation picture, up the ramp and onto the Navigator. There were officers to meet us and complimentary champagne was served. Our carry on luggage was taken to the suite, and we were directed to lunch. Since max pax is 490 food is not in industrial warming trays. Smaller quantities of excellent food were elegantly set out on a buffet table. After lunch we explored the ship. Around 2:30 our suite was ready and all of our luggage was waiting for us. We unpacked. There was lots of storage between a walk in closet and drawers in the suite. At about 300 sq ft crowding is noticeable. S suite size is a big plus for HAL. We did not feel crowded at all in the public areas. The three glass elevators going from deck four to deck twelve brought pleasant memories of the RCI Centrum. Two other elevators were available to passengers. Never was an elevator crowded.

 

Since how you feel about ports and excursions are very subjective, I will not comment on them, except to say we liked Bermuda and the ones we booked.

 

On the Radisson board some people have been posting that the ship seemed to be showing its years. We did not find that especially noticeable. The ship was bright and clean. We saw lots of brass and oak. All glass was sparkling. The Teak balconies (or veranda-ettes as I called them) were washed by the room stewardess every day. The upper decks covered with indoor/outdoor carpeting were always clean. The pool area was spotless. Furniture in all public areas looked just fine. A nice feature of the library is the honor system for borrowing books and videotapes. In other words, the shelves were open 24/7. The show lounge was never crowded. Even at 7:30 PM when it seemed that most people were at dinner there was never a wait for a table. We normally eat later but people we met, and wanted to have dinner with, wanted to eat at 7:00. We wanted 8:00, so there was a 7:30 compromise.

 

The bed was very uncomfortable- like sleeping on concrete. Linda was in pain every morning. Unfortunately, it was after five of the seven days, at the AMEX cocktail party, that we were told that there is foam egg crate available (as well as plywood backboards for those for whom concrete is too soft). We called the butler and told him we wanted it on the bed that night. We got it and we slept better. Now we know for next time.

 

The ship was extremely stable... maybe it was the confluence of calm seas and good stabilizers, but you hardly noticed pitch and roll. Vibration, however, was another story. Really noticeable. Really. We were in the show lounge for a lecture, and I thought the hull would buckle. You also saw ripples in the water in drinking glasses in our suite and on the dinner table. It did not interfere with sleep, though.

 

The talent level of the singers and dancers in the cast is superior to HAL. The productions showcase the talent; the strobes, fog machine and computerized spots/gels/gobos are minimal. Opposite with HAL - the thinking there is "if I got the toys, dammit, I'm gonna use them." We heard that the crew show was excellent, but we did not see it.

 

The waiters and housekeepers seemed to be mostly Indian, Pakistani, and Eastern European. All were very pleasant. None of the snootiness of the European Pinnacle "servers" that we ran into in the past. We did not deal much with bar personnel, but they were very pleasant.

 

There were many servers in the dining room at all times. RSSC beats HAL in this regard. As advertised, complementary red and white wine is served with dinner. You get in your suite four bottles of alcohol that we exchanged for Kahlua and Disoronno Amaretto. Brought them, along with the bottle of bubbly from Radisson, home. Soft drinks and beer was also in the suite refrigerator. All soft drinks are free at all bars. Since we do not drink beer, I don't know if that is free-- though I think it is.

 

Two shops on board. The merchandise included items by Tommy Hilfiger, Jay Strongwater, Roberto Coin; to name a few, as well as perfumes and some Radisson logo items. In addition there were the usual sundries and other useful items. They did not sell any of the low-end items such as gold by the inch or $10 items. Emeralds were showcased.

 

No PA announcements! The activities are listed on the daily schedule and if you are interested, you will find them and go. Score one for RSSC.

 

HAL beats RSSC on muster drill. We met in the show lounge, listened to instructions (spoken almost sarcastically) over the PA, then we were told to go, single file, to the life boats...like sending people to tour busses. In case of a disaster do you really think everybody will go, as instructed, to the show lounge and wait to be directed to a lifeboat. RSSC beats HAL with better life jackets. Using clips they are easier to put on.

 

Of course, the photographers were there. Standard pix are taken- embarkation, in the upscale restaurant, with the captain, formal type with a backdrop if you wish, and with the life preserver and/or pirate on the pier at each port. No sales pressure.

 

A small, and when at sea, active casino. I came out ahead- I didn't play.

 

We didn't go to any of the lounges in the evening, so I can't comment on them. We did buy three CDs by the guitar player who was in the lounge during 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. tea. He was very good.

 

Dress code instructions were a major fiasco. Hotel manager admitted it. According to the booklet that came with the docs, it was country club casual every night. According to an insert that came with the docs, and specifically referenced to our cruise by date, it was four nights country club casual and four nights informal (jackets with or without ties for men, cocktail dresses for women). Felt sorry for those who flew in under airline luggage size and weight limits... because on board we were told that it was all country club casual all the time. I schlepped jackets, but we were driven to N.Y. and didn't have to worry about overweight luggage fines. I know that we always over pack, but to have over packed with stuff that we did not have to bring is very annoying. As a result you saw all levels of dress each night- from casual to one gentleman in a white jacket tux- with a fairly large number of men wearing jackets to the dining room each evening.

 

Bathroom in the suite is spectacular. Separate glass enclosed shower. A full size tub (no Jacuzzi though). Lots of shelf space and under counter space. All marble. RSSC Beats HAL.

 

In the suite there is a four-seat couch, two soft chairs and a table. Desk and desk chair. Glass door cabinets over the desk.

 

Even on sea days there were sufficient lounge chairs, both in and out of the sun. Poolside food was varied. Taste is subjective, but I declare HAL the winner in the cheeseburger and fries department.

 

Both ships have specialty restaurants. Dinner at Portofino's on the Navigator does not cost extra. RSSC wins here. But Portofino's is less intimate and much noisier than the Pinnacle. HAL wins in this regard. Subjective, of course, but I thought that the food quality and presentation was about equal.

 

Debarkation went smoothly. Up early, courtesy of U.S. Immigration, breakfast in the suite, short wait in a public area, and our luggage tag color was called. Except for the sadness of a cruise ending, absolutely no complaints with the procedure.

 

The good:

Condition/cleanliness of the ship

No tipping. Period. (You do have the option to make a donation to the crew welfare fund, which goes towards a crew holiday party)

The food.

The number of servers in the dining room.

The waiving of the $15 ship to shore phone fee to anyone making a call to the New Orleans area code after the hurricane hit.

The pleasant friendly staff

No announcements

The desire of all employees to please the guests

Our butler

 

The bad:

Lone electric outlet in bathroom non polarized...can't use American plugs

Computers on board were out of service as often as they were up- and when they were up they connected at dial up speed...s-l-o-w- dial up. But minutes were cheap- $25 for 5 hours. We never did use up all the time; frustration and downtime were the reason. You get what you pay for. HAL wins.

No equivalent to the Neptune lounge.

 

The Tacky:

Artwork on the walls is up for sale

 

Radisson is more expensive than HAL. Is it worth the cost? Of course, again, the answer is subjective. HAL is upscale to the mass-market cruise lines, and RSSC is upscale to HAL. "You pays your money and you takes your choice" Whichever, you win.

 

 

Linda and Lou

[sail7seas]

Wonderful post.....just the things I wanted to read about when comparing RSSC to HAL.

 

Happy that you enjoyed your cruise.

 

Thank you for your review. I enjoyed reading it.

[lougee1043]

HAL beats RSSC on muster drill. We met in the show lounge, listened to instructions (spoken almost sarcastically) over the PA, then we were told to go, single file, to the life boats...like sending people to tour busses. In case of a disaster do you really think everybody will go, as instructed, to the show lounge and wait to be directed to a lifeboat. RSSC beats HAL with better life jackets. Using clips they are easier to put on.>>>>

 

x does their muster drill the same way-----------first almost everyone get a seat at the muster station------------the reason x has you meet at a muster station in order to redirect you to alternate lilfeboat stations if the one you are assigned is inoperable---------

 

on hal we would go to a station that wasnt working for any number of reasons and hope that there was some ships personnel there to redirect you-- imo standing in front of a disabled lifeboat station waiting for directions could cause a panic situation

[Cruiseoften]

HAL beats RSSC on muster drill. We met in the show lounge, listened to instructions (spoken almost sarcastically) over the PA, then we were told to go, single file, to the life boats...like sending people to tour busses. In case of a disaster do you really think everybody will go, as instructed, to the show lounge and wait to be directed to a lifeboat. Very doubful - having just boarded everyone would not know how get to the show lounge

 

RSSC beats HAL with better life jackets. Using clips they are easier to put on.>>>>Big deal!!!!

 

x does their muster drill the same way-----------first almost everyone get a seat at the muster station----In an emergency you're worried about a seat??????????????---the reason x has you meet at a muster station in order to redirect you to alternate lilfeboat stations if the one you are assigned is inoperable---------no lifeboat station should be inoperable. A reputable Line will have regular checks. HAL lowers selected lifeboats during every drill and there are crew exercises in between times

 

on hal we would go to a station that wasnt working for any number of reasons and hope that there was some ships personnel there to redirect you-- imo standing in front of a disabled lifeboat station waiting for directions could cause a panic situation

 

Never in all our many HAL (like 365 days++) cruises have we experienced at Muster stations an unmanned/disabled lifeboat station.

[JimVrhovac]

Enjoyed the review. Very balanced.

 

Anyone on board wearing slippers...................

 

Jim & Ruth

[Cruiseoften]

Enjoyed the review. Very balanced.

 

Anyone on board wearing slippers...................

 

Jim & Ruth

 

We take our mukluks.

:D

[lougee1043]

 

 

 

cruise often

 

Sorry if my post wasn’t clear enough

 

<<Very doubful - having just boarded everyone would not know how get to the show lounge>>

 

people on x learn where their muster station is the same way people on hal learn where their life boat station is – they read it on the plaque on the door to their cabin

 

<<< ----In an emergency you're worried about a seat?????????????>>

 

of course not –but the drill is not the emergency it’s the drill and on every hal drill ive heard people complaining about standing around waiting for stragglers to get checked in ---ive also stood drill in the rain as well as extreme heat

 

<<-------no lifeboat station should be inoperable. A reputable Line will have regular checks. HAL lowers selected lifeboats during every drill and there are crew exercises in between times>>>>

 

what you write is true—but that’s during a normal course of events—lets say that the cause of the drill is a fire midships on the prom dec port side or there is a collision that hits mid ship on the prom deckport side or that the ship starts to list to the port side and your lifeboat is midships on the port side------------what are you going to do now?? Your in a dilemma cause you don’t know where to go --------------if you were going to a muster station in the same scenario then your crew would be able to take you to another station without exposing you directly to a fire or collision

[sail7seas]

Speaking only for myself, I feel very safe and secure on HAL ships. We have seen so many crew drills repeatedly, over and over and over. They drill the crew so often that it becomes automatic what they are to do in emergency. I have every confidence that if we are aboard and there (heaven forbid) is an emergency at sea, if that episode is survivable, the crew will do everything they can/need to do to save us. Every professional who has posted here regarding safety/lifeboat drills has always said that HAL has the absolute best drills. From my personal experience on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and RCI, I feel I know best what we should do in an emergency on HAL.

[ryansmemom]

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

Sail, Thanks for your kind words. I do think we are very alike in what we find important in our cruise experiences. :)

 

Jim,

Unfortunatly we did not meet anyone with your sense of style on the Navigator. Not a slipper in sight in any of the public areas on board. You and Ruth will have to book a cruise and teach those folks a good lesson about what class and style is all about. :)

 

Lougee,

While there are pro and cons regarding the location of the drill there were other factors as well. Radisson did not seem to take this drill as seriously as HAL does. Granted this may be perception and not intent. They did not take attendance to insure that everyone attended the mandatory drill. We have been on RCI and HAL and both lines do this. The attidude of the Cruise director who gave instuctions in a disembodied voice was cavilier at best. He milked the instructions for their entertainment value. After we were marched in single file out to an actual life boat station, we had to wait until everyone else had reached their lifeboat station. At that point I was exhausted. I do have mobility issues and I am especially unable to stand for extended periods of time. I asked an officer if I could be excused. He was frankly taken aback that I was taking this drill that seriously and asking permission.

 

Yes, this is a small ship. This did not feel like a mandatory, Coast Guard approved boat drill designed to insure that everyone would know how to evacuate the ship in an emergency. On HAL, as a person of special needs, they are concerned that they know I need extra help so they are prepared. I do not have to seek them out. I am not abrogating my own responsibility in this. I am just commenting on the level of concern the cruise line has.

 

HAL seems to take the boat drill very seriously. They get it out of the way quicky and efficiently. On Radisson, it seemed like another acitivity. :)

 

Linda

[lougee1043]

ryansmemom

 

Lougee,

Radisson did not seem to take this drill as seriously as HAL does. Granted this may be perception and not intent. They did not take attendance to insure that everyone attended the mandatory drill. We have been on RCI and HAL and both lines do this. The attidude of the Cruise director who gave instuctions in a disembodied voice was cavilier at best. He milked the instructions for their entertainment value. After we were marched in single file out to an actual life boat station, we had to wait until everyone else had reached their lifeboat station. At that point I was exhausted. I do have mobility issues and I am especially unable to stand for extended periods of time. >>>>>>

 

if you perceived that the staff wasnt serious and that they were considering the drill a joke then they must not have been serious------------i have never had a feeling that the hal crew was anything but serious and professional during their drill--

 

my total point was my feelling that it made sense to go to a muster station where you would have been seated -attendance would have be taken while you were seated ---a deterimination would have been made in an emergency situation if your lifeboats were operable while you were seated ---you would have been inside away from adverse weather conditions and you would have then been led to the boat station whether it be the original station or a working replacement one

[Krazy Kruizers]

Linda & Lou

Thanks so much for posting your wonderful & truthful review of your Bermuda cruise on the Radisson.

I appreciate the comparisons.

Glad you both had a good time.

How did you make out in Bermuda with Linda in a wheel chair?

 

[kryos]

Never in all our many HAL (like 365 days++) cruises have we experienced at Muster stations an unmanned/disabled lifeboat station.

I think she means in a true emergency situation it could be disabled and unmanned. Maybe the ship took damage where that lifeboat station is, and passengers would need to be redirected to another station.

 

Personally, I like it better when muster drill is held in a lounge. At first, I didn't, but after hearing the reasoning for the procedure, it seemed to make more sense.

 

Every emergency onboard does not necessarily mean an evacuation. Oftentimes, it is better to have all the passengers congregated in one place so that decisions can be quickly implemented should it be determined that an evacuation, or other action, is necessary. A lounge located near the muster station for that area makes sense. This way, the passengers can be led in an orderly fashion to their muster stations if the need be. If not, at least you have all the passengers in a reasonably comfortable place, where efforts to keep everyone calm and orderly can have a good chance of success.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[JimVrhovac]

Lifeboat drills are one of things we dread and don't want to go to but if we were on a ship that had a real problem we would all look back and say thank god we knew what to do and where to go to.

 

BEFORE YOU SAY IT CAN'T HAPPEN:

 

Remember a couple years back when there were several ship fires, couple on Carnival.

 

Don't know about you but every time I was on a Carnival ship I thought the drills were a joke, and still do.

 

Remember one on a Dolphin ship that was held in the lounge with the bar open......

 

Perception is everything.

 

I always remember a saying from my military days:

 

YOU FIGHT THE WAY YOU TRAIN

 

That really applies here

 

Jim & Ruth

[ryansmemom]

Linda & Lou

Thanks so much for posting your wonderful & truthful review of your Bermuda cruise on the Radisson.

I appreciate the comparisons.

Glad you both had a good time.

How did you make out in Bermuda with Linda in a wheel chair?

 

 

 

Yonnie,

 

We managed quite well with the wheel chair. The streets and sidewalks in Bermuda are very well paved and well cared for. The eveness of the pavement made it easy for Lou to manage the chair along with me in it.

 

I am always appreciative of a cruise ship because it levels the field for me and I can walk around like everyone else. Being ashore is frustrating for me because it underscores my disability. I did attempt some shopping on my own. By the time I got myself down the gangway, through security and out on the street, I had just about reached my limit in my ability to walk. I made it to one shop right across from the pier and managed to get some T shirts for my grandchildren and then back on board. It is frustrating.

 

One interesting item. The Radisson shore excursion staff offered to lend us one of their own wheelchairs and provide a staff person to push me to a dock about 3 blocks form our ship to board a boat for an excursion we booked. They would then meet us at the dock after our tour and bring me back to the ship. We opted to take our own chair and Lou did the pushing but that is really exceptional service. :)

 

Linda

[Sage]

Thank you so much for the review. It does indeed seem like there are now other possibilites out there. The service sounds wonderful.

[sail7seas]

Linda: Only one time on HAL have I seen something like what you have described was offered you on Raddison. We were in Haifa for a port day and we saw a lady in a wheelchair being pushed by a dining steward. They seemed to be having a wonderful day and were enjoying ice cream cones together when we came upon them. She was traveling alone and it was too much for her to go ashore by herself. It had been a dream of hers to one day be on the soil of Israel and someone aboard Maasdam made sure she got her wish. I never forgot that......

 

**** just one more reason I so love "My" :) Maasdam.

[Bodger]

On the Sun Princess this past winter we met for the lifeboat drill in the casino.

 

I wondered if you had to pull three cherries on the one armed bandit to get on the lifeboat. :D

 

I have to agree that HAL takes the drills very seriously.

 

Bodger

[JimVrhovac]

You get around very well. Remember the day we spent in port together and look forward to a couple in Nov and Dec.....

 

Most people don't appreciate what it is like to have a mobility problem and the special problems it causes.

 

Am still looking for a two person chair for you and Ruth for our Veendam Cruise......

 

Jim & Ruth

[JoyAnn]

I feel very safe too, even though we get a tad annoyed at waiting for the stragglers to show up to the drills while in port. I like hearing the announcements that the crew will be having a safety or lifesaving drill through the cruise as well. During our upcoming sail to Hawaii, I know we will have to have a second lifeboat drill (after 10 days I believe a second one is mandatory).

 

Speaking only for myself, I feel very safe and secure on HAL ships. We have seen so many crew drills repeatedly, over and over and over. They drill the crew so often that it becomes automatic what they are to do in emergency. I have every confidence that if we are aboard and there (heaven forbid) is an emergency at sea, if that episode is survivable, the crew will do everything they can/need to do to save us. Every professional who has posted here regarding safety/lifeboat drills has always said that HAL has the absolute best drills. From my personal experience on Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and RCI, I feel I know best what we should do in an emergency on HAL.

[JoyAnn]

They absolutely will not start the drill until EVERYONE is accounted for. They take it very seriously, which I appreciate.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

Sail, Thanks for your kind words. I do think we are very alike in what we find important in our cruise experiences. :)

 

Jim,

Unfortunatly we did not meet anyone with your sense of style on the Navigator. Not a slipper in sight in any of the public areas on board. You and Ruth will have to book a cruise and teach those folks a good lesson about what class and style is all about. :)

 

Lougee,

While there are pro and cons regarding the location of the drill there were other factors as well. Radisson did not seem to take this drill as seriously as HAL does. Granted this may be perception and not intent. They did not take attendance to insure that everyone attended the mandatory drill. We have been on RCI and HAL and both lines do this. The attidude of the Cruise director who gave instuctions in a disembodied voice was cavilier at best. He milked the instructions for their entertainment value. After we were marched in single file out to an actual life boat station, we had to wait until everyone else had reached their lifeboat station. At that point I was exhausted. I do have mobility issues and I am especially unable to stand for extended periods of time. I asked an officer if I could be excused. He was frankly taken aback that I was taking this drill that seriously and asking permission.

 

Yes, this is a small ship. This did not feel like a mandatory, Coast Guard approved boat drill designed to insure that everyone would know how to evacuate the ship in an emergency. On HAL, as a person of special needs, they are concerned that they know I need extra help so they are prepared. I do not have to seek them out. I am not abrogating my own responsibility in this. I am just commenting on the level of concern the cruise line has.

 

HAL seems to take the boat drill very seriously. They get it out of the way quicky and efficiently. On Radisson, it seemed like another acitivity. :)

 

Linda