Short Navigator Review

[Jamie]

My husband and I recently returned from the 11/17 Navigator and can chalk up another wonderful cruise. This was our first Radisson experience and to tell the truth, we did not find it very much different from other cruises with one notable exception - the "caliber" of the passengers. It was an extremely well-heeled crowd, to say the least. The ship is quite lovely, the food good, the service excellent. We were in a standard balcony cabin. The sleeping/seating area of the cabin was not much larger than on say RCI or NCL, but the walk in closet and large bathroom are a treat.

Breakfast and lunch buffets were beautifully presented and a cut above the standard cruise buffet. The atmosphere was especially nice - I did not miss carrying a tray one bit! Dinners in the Compass Rose and the alternative Portofino Grill were very good, though there was the occasional "off" fish, unripe fruit, and dessert still frozen in the middle. The complimentary wine with dinner is a VERY nice touch, and the wines were wonderful. Thanks to this board we knew an after dinner drink would be complimentary also and so enjoyed my Frangelico after dessert.

The entertainment was, in my opinion, pretty mediocre. It reminded me of some past Celebrity cruises, where the production shows seemed very amateurish, the performers a bit out of shape. We did enjoy the Jill Ragee Duo in Galileo's for pre-dinner entertainment.

One thing I HAVE to remark on was the excellent service throughout the ship. While we have enjoyed very good service on every cruise, the Navigator crew is really top notch. It is amazing how quickly they know your name and preferences. The service is friendly but totally professional.

The itinerary for the cruise was to have included a stop in Grand Cayman, but it seems Radisson is unhappy with the state of the tender pier and feel it is unsafe. We instead overnighted in Cozumel, so had two full days there.

My husband and I are both 44 and were among the youngest on the ship. However, the average age wasn't that much older - maybe 55 or 60. We have been on HAL twice and felt like babies.

One of our favorite things about cruising is meeting fellow passengers and this was a great group. We met another couple right off and had dinner together most nights.

All in all, a terrific cruise!

 

Jamie

[stuNYC]

We have loved our two sailings on Celebrity; always thought it was value for the money; but heard so much about RSSC that we had to break the mold and see "how the better half lives". We were on QE2 in QG but the well heeled there were very stuff; even down to the "butler" who made my DW go out on the balcony, before he would dain to clean the room. He also didn't like that she slept late into the morning.

 

My wife is a slot machine buff; was the casino very crowded. When we went to Bermuda

she only had 4 nights to play; here she will have 10. Her deposits in the casino could be greater than the cost of the cruise, if I don't watch her or she doesn't get lucky. I know it is entertainment; but my wife HATES to lose.

 

 

 

Stu

[Jamie]

Hi Stu.

We also wanted to experience something new, having worked our way through all the mainstream lines. I'm sure you will enjoy the cruise very much. We've been twice on Horizon - 1999 & 2000 - both times to Bermuda. Great cruises.

We don't normally spend much time in the casino. I might put $5 into the slots every 2 nights. I did notice that the slot machine area was decidedly UNcrowded. I mentioned the couple we had dinner with often. The wife loves spending time at the machines. She told me the payout was the worst she's seen in 14 cruises (seven on Radisson), and that the casino became less and less crowded during the cruise as people caught on.

I don't really spend enough time at slots to verify this first hand. Maybe someone will post about their fabulous wins on Navigator, or maybe your wife will give up after the first night and you'll save enough for another cruise!

Jamie

[stuNYC]

My wife has gotten the gambling bug and maybe her deposits will become less eachnight-or the big payout is waiting for her on our 1/8 sailing

 

At least it sounds like she will be happy that she doesn't have to fight for a machine or be pushed by others as she has on Celebrity where the aisles between machines were non-existent.

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stu

[Sage]

Jamie,

 

Thank you for the review of the Navigator. We are anxiously awaiting our first cruise on the Navigator next November. It will be interesting to see how the ship and service compare to HAL where we have spent the last few years. We are looking forward to fewer passengers and wonderful service. Thank you again for the review.

[CruiseWhere]

Can you tell me which stateroom that stayed in and did you find any vibration at all or anywhere on the ship.....And were you provided with a bottle of champagne in your room ?

and .....

were there many cocktail parties ????

Thank you for any info you can give me as are travelling in January 2005 on the Navigator !!!!

[Jamie]

Hi Sage.

I'm sure you will enjoy it very much. I know HAL service is excellent, so you will be very pleased with Navigator!

 

Hello CruiseWhere.

We were in cabin 822 and did not feel any vibration whatsoever. The first night onboard we had a drink in Galileo's and then dinner in Portofino. There was quite a bit of vibration in both places. In the restaurant the silverware and glassawre were really rattling. Mysteriously, that was the end of it. We had dinner there again the next night, and spent quite a few evenings in Galileo's, but no vibration at all.

Yes, there was a bottle of champagne, on ice, awaiting us in our cabin. If you don't want to finish it all in one go, there is a champagne stopper provided and you can keep it in the fridge.

Cocktail parties - there were two in the show lounge. One on the second night (Captain's Welcome Aboard) and one on the last night (Captain's Farewell). There was a very nice reception in the Vista Lounge for American Express Platinum cardholders. There was also a "Repeater's Party" (since this was our first Radisson cruise, we didn't get an invite to that one).

 

If you have more questions I'd be happy to answer.

 

Jamie

[CruiseWhere]

Thank you so much for all the info you provided me with and the offer of more should I need it !!!!!!

As for the American Express Platinum Party were you invited by the credit card that you used to pay for the cruise or how ???? and when or how were you advised of these parties ?

..and just one more question for the time being .....

how formal is the formal evening ..... Chanel Long Gown ... Dress ... or Dress Pants....as with so many other cruises I've always see a broad spectrum of attire !!!

My thanks to you again !!!:D

[Jamie]

CruiseWhere,

By using the Platinum card to pay for a RSSC cruise, you are entitled to a $300 shipboard credit and a private (with other cardholders) cocktail party with the Captain. I booked the cruise with a large, on-line agency and my agent hadn't heard of this perk before. With the help of a Radisson rep., he got everything arranged.

For this party, we received an invitation the day before. The two Captain's cocktail parties are for everyone to attend and are listed in the daily activities sheet.

As for Formal night - yes, it was the usual mix of gown, cocktail dress, pants. I wouldn't say it was dressier than on other cruises. One thing I did notice on this one was that the color of choice for the ladies was black, black, black!

 

Jamie