First time on Navigator

[ryansmemom]

Hi,

 

My husband and I just booked the Navigator on August 24 to Bermuda. We are veterans of 15 cruises, howere this is our first cruise on Radisson. We have sailed on RCI and mostly on Holland America.

 

We always book full suites on HAL and enjoy all of the amenities that go along with that level of cabin. We are hoping that the Navigator, an all suite ship, will give us a similar experience. We enjoy HAL's smaller ships and the Navigator is even smaller so we are looking forward to that as well.

 

We have never been to Bermuda. By in large we are looking forward to an upscale, luxury level, relaxing cruise.

 

We would appreciate any information or advise you have to share about Raddison, the Navigator or Bermuda, as well as a welcome to fellow traverlers on this cruise.

 

Linda :)

[borntocruz]

Hi Linda,

Before trying Radisson, my husband and I had cruised mostly on Holland America in their large suites. Several years ago we decided to try the PG in Tahiti. It was a wonderful cruise and the following year we booked the Navigator in the Caribbean. I was a little concerned that we would miss the perks and size of the HAL suites. I can't imagine going back to HAL now. The open seating for dinner, tips included and outstanding level of service with Radisson has more than made up for the difference in the suites. We booked a mid-range suite on the Navigator--nothing fancy, but it had a balcony (a must for us). We have since been back on the PG and are booked on the Mariner for next spring. I think you will love the Navigator. She can be a bit bumpy of a ride, but we enjoyed that. Have never been to Bermuda, but I think that can be a bit of a rough crossing. You might want to make sure that your cabin is NOT in the rear of the ship where the you will really feel the motion. Enjoy, I look forward to hearing your impressions when you return.

Jacki

[JanMD]

Linda,

We did the Navigator 2 years ago over July 4th. We had a great time. You never mentioned what type of cabin do you have? They will welcome you with the champayne and have some special things on the pool deck.

There is a main dinning area and there is the upstairs. We always eat upstairs for breakfast and lunch time. The upstairs turns into a Italian place to eat dinner.

Regarding Bermuda- this is the best ship to sail to Bermuda it is the location that the ship docks at- downtown Hamilton and then it moves over to St. George. Great locations- the Norfolk they can keep that port- nothing really there and live close enough to it that we have been to before.

You shall enjoy the Navigator going over to Bermuda. The weather- hope it is okay at that time of the year. Enjoy!

Jan

[Marylis]

Hi Linda -

 

We sailed the Navigator in March, (our first cruise) and had a lovely time. We have a website where we posted a fairly lengthy review, and lots of pictures. We tried to take a lot of pictures of the ship, the ship schedule, menus, etc, so that people who had never sailed her before could get some idea of what to expect.

 

The pictures are at www.marylisphotos.com/gallery - just click on the Navigator Cruise link. The review (really more of a travelogue, and somewhat lengthy) is at www.marylisphotos.com

 

Hope this helps:)

 

Mary

[kevins]

We just got back today from Bermuda. I was really concerned about the NY to Bermuda trek as I expected a rocky trip across such an open sea. I was totally shocked by how smooth the ride was. We must have been very lucky because both coming and going it was incredibly smooth.

 

This was our second time on Radisson. We had previously been on Holland America and Celebrity and do not plan on going back to the mainstream lines. The food is fantastic. The wines were well placed and served continuously at dinner. The casino is a ripoff and very small. The entertainment, especially for a small ship was really good. You will laugh when you first see the "Navigator 5" but they are a very good band.

 

I need to do a post of my own about the Navigator and Radisson so I won't bore you. As far as Bermuda, the beaches are beautiful, easy to get to as well. i know some people suggest the bus, but I paid $23 each way for 3 people to get to Horseshoe Bay Beach and it was worth it. No waiting at all. Friendly taxis and clean too. I do not know why Radisson stops in St. George's on a Sunday. Just about every store is closed and it is like a ghost town. Make sure this is your beach day. If they stop in Norfolk, consider renting a car instead of a tour. Enterprise is a mile away (they'll pick you up and drop you off). We drove up to Williamsburg and managed about two hours of visiting and shopping. You could always head to VA Beach too. Enjoy the trip. I am very disappointed that Bermuda is not on their agenda next year. That was the only bummer of the trip.

Kevin

[Joanandjoe]

Kevins, it's not just Bermuda that was dropped. We'll be on one of the Navigator's Canada/New England cruises in September. This is part of what I feel is a wonderful spring, summer, and early fall 2005 schedule of cruises, including Bermuda, Canada/New England, and Northern Route to and From Europe (NYC-Iceland, Iceland-Copenhagen, Baltic, Copenhagen-Iceland, and Iceland-NY).

 

Radisson had to choose between using the Navigator in 2006 for the cruises that were scheduled this year (and mostly cancelled) on the Diamond, or for the cruises done by the Navigator. Unfortunately for you and us, they chose the Diamond itineraries over the Navigator itineraries, thereby dropping New England and the Northern route (which we had planned to take in 2006) as well as Bermuda. For us, that means choosing another cruise line for our Spring, 2006 vacation, since we spent three weeks cruising the Med. last year and aren't ready to go back there.

[ryansmemom]

Thank you, everyone, for you wonderful responses.

 

borntocruise, I am also a bit concerned about missing the size of the suite on HAL, as well as the Neptune Lounge. My TA assures me that I will be more than satisfied so I am aniticipating having a wonderful time. I am glad to hear you enjoyed Raddison and are sailing with them again.

 

JanMD, Because we booked so late, we booked an F guarentee. We have never booked a guarentee before. I do want to be assured of a balconey at the very least. I am very glad to hear about the docking situation. It sounds ideal.

 

MaryLis, Your pictures and review are wonderful. My husband and I both enjoyed them emensely. We feel more prepared and excited now.

 

Kevins, Thanks so much for the tips. We will look into all of the alternatives you suggested.

 

Linda :)

[esther e]

Linda

We were on the inagural Navigator a few years back and loved Radisson so much that we have been on every ship, with the exception of the Voyager, and have to say it's our #1 favorite line. Enjoy!

Esther

[cruisindonna]

Hi,

I just posted a message under "Spy Travel on 7 Seas Navigator" about my experience with a new Travel Channel show "Travel Spies" which was taping during the 5/18 crossing to Bermuda. This was my first time on Radisson, but went last year and in '99 on Celebrity Zenith which is just a little bigger but holds a lot more passsengers. I am truly spoiled by my experience on Navigator even though the return trip was very rough and the ship did moan and pitch a lot. We had an excellent wine stewart who always offered an alternative if the featured wine was not to our liking. The food was up there with some of the top restaurants in the NY/NJ area. The entertainment ok (not a big jazz fan which was the featured theme for the week). Some people ignored the dress rules and were more formal than informal, which is a confusing term. Loved the idea of dining whenever we felt like (usuallly around 7:30), instead of rushing to make a 6:15 seating. A week before we sailed we were upgraded to a Navigator Suite on deck 9 from a Penthouse on deck 11, which was wonderful except for one tiny problem. Every morning around 6 AM the crew would start moving chairs and tables on the wooden decking right over our heads to set up for breakfast by the pool. Small price to pay for a free upgrade worth over $4,000. Our butler would bring hors d'oeuvres around 4:00 which included shrimp, crab legs, cheese and fruit, and caviar. He served breakfast in the room if requested, otherwise rarely saw him. Could not believe the size of the bathtub and a bathroom almost the size our our cabin on the Zenith -- what luxury!! About the casino -- very small but I did manage to win over $500 on the slots and playing poker, something I rarely do in Atlantic City. Love Bermuda because it's not only beautiful, but clean and safe for tourists. We took a 3 hour taxi tour on a rainy morning and made the acquaintance of a wonderful cab driver who took us through the private gated community where all the millionaires live and over to St. George (cost with tip $120). We were not able to dock in St. George because of the weather, but stayed in Hamilton an extra day. Hope you have smooth seas. Went in August last year and it was like glass.

[Jeanne S]

Do you know when this show may be TV?

[ryansmemom]

Esther,

 

Thank so much for your encouraging words.

 

cruisndonna,

 

It really sounds as though you had a great time. I will have to look for "Travel Spies". How great that you got upgraded. I wonder how often that happens? We took the plunge and upgraded ourselves to a penthouse suite. We decided to go for the extra pampering of the butler. Our travel agent told us he would provide all of the services the concierge on HAL provided for us and we used the concierge a lot because I have a mild disability. Also, thanks for the info on Bermuda.

 

Linda :)

[hvsteve1]

Check discovery.com for Travel Channel listings. They show Travel Spies but not ships. It may take a few months to edit the show and get it on the air.

[fizzy]

We also just returned from the June 8 Bermuda trip. It is so wonderful that it was our 3rd and final time I guess. We are so sad that it will not be available again next year. We do dislike the Norfolk stop a lot but the rest of the cruise is so astounding that we would do it again in a heartbeat. Each year we discover something new. If you are beach people like we are we found a really quick way to get to a really small but great beach-- ideal for just floating around rather than a wave beach like Horseshoe. You can use your bus/ferry pass or just a single round trip ferry ticket. The ferry terminal is a couple of hundred feet from the front of the ship when you are docked in Hamilton. Take it over to the Dockyard/ snorkel bay park beach. The ride is a very fast trip and you are on the beach in no time. There was also one night where the ship offered BBQ night. That is quite an understatement! They transformed the pool deck upper and lower into the most unbelievable and romantic outdoor restaurant. The tables were set with linens and crystal and the BBQ was beyond description. It was a buffet with many stations. BRING YOUR CAMERA. I do believe that of course it is weather permitting but our weather was beautiful. The crossing both ways was very smooth. You will have a wonderful time and be totally spoiled. No lines!!!!

[ryansmemom]

Thanks, fizzy.

 

I hope we enjoy our cruise to Bermuda as much as you enjoyed yours.

 

Linda