Some thoughts re: Navigator New Year's cruise

[Travelcat2]

I, personally, think it is up to each poster to determine if the information is accurate (or close enough to accurate) and then decide if it is important to him/her. Someone's five star conclusion might be as irrelevant to me as someone's 2 star conclusion.

 

For example, I really don't care about hair coloring so it would not affect my cruise decision regardless of the event. That can turn a cruise to a 2 star pretty quickly! LOL.

 

However, I do care about consistency in air conditioning (multiple reports of the problem) and dining service (multiple reports of issues there to). If a reviewer didn't have one of those suites that 5 star might quickly become a 3 star. Good waiters and service at 7PM = 6 star. Poor waiters and service (like waiting for 30 minutes for a table by the kitchen) = 2 star for some; 4 star for others.

 

It would be nice if one's comments, observations and/or conclusions could just be evaluated on their own and not with the clutter which confuses or obscures the facts being expressed.

 

(I do agree that, for example, comments from "cheerleaders" need to be vetted as to comments expressing unrealistic expectations - good or bad.)

 

My above posting regarding visiting the "Review" portion of CC was meant to get readers with questions away from the "clutter" of some threads where opinions go from one extreme to another. In fact, you recently applauded the posts and reviews of "Debbie103" -- it is her balanced review of the Navigator that I was referring to.

 

As you know, I do agree that "cheerleaders" (like me) and TA's that prefer another cruise line (like you) can be strongly slanted. . . . :cool:

[Maineac]

In 1982 my wife and I took our first cruise. We met on that cruise a great couple from a nearby city and have remained friends with them for 25 years. On that first cruise we took a tender from the dock at Georgetown, Grand Caymen to our ship. The wife of the other couple was twenty people behind us in line and caught the next tender. We reached the ship just as a squall hit and got on board in time to enjoy a cooling afternoon rain. Something that was a highlight of that trip. Dee's boat got tossed around in the squall so bad, they had to turn around an beach on Seven Mile beach because they could not make it to the dock either. Two hours later when she got back to the ship she was so tramatized that she stayed in her cabin for over a day.

 

To this day she discourages anyone from cruising, while we just finished our 15th cruise, the Navigator New Years trip. Two families, on the same trip and two outcomes. Therefore when I read reviews on this or other boards, I take them for face value. Something very good or very bad may have happened to two people on the same cruise.

 

When I write or read reviews, I try to filter what is important to me, hoping my reviews help and hoping the facts I get from others will be helpful. I try never to be critical to others on this or any board. I just try to enjoy it for the stories and maybe learn a little at the end of the day.

 

In case your wondering, my experience was very good on this trip, despite the weather. There were highs and lows, but overall I will travel the Navigator again. One thing for sure though, nothing on that trip was as bad as my commute to and from work today.

 

 

 

You are very wise...Thank you

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Maineac, hear hear! Great attitude.

[DebbieH103]

My thoughts are random this afternoon.

 

I do try to make my reviews balanced but do get criticized sometimes for being negative. In fact, I am stating how it was. I go on for pages to give lots of detail and just state how it is. Stating that you can see the old TV rack dents in the desk where the new LCD TV is a fact but not a criticism. I try to give facts so people can have info. I think sometimes if bias comes in, it is from life experiences and one's own mind.

 

I'm pretty jazzed about all 3 of the smaller luxury lines in the next 3 years and what they all want to do for us, and I think the competition can only help us, the traveler.

 

Regarding Navigator's casino, I was very impressed with the size of it for this ship. I love Whisper so much, but one can't help but desire a little bit bigger casino there when some stay and play every night all night (as is their right).

 

Regarding this:

 

<I, personally, think it is up to each poster to determine if the information is accurate (or close enough to accurate) and then decide if it is important to him/her. Someone's five star conclusion might be as irrelevant to me as someone's 2 star conclusion.>

 

I agree completely and would have left it at that.

 

Regarding this:

 

<For example, I really don't care about hair coloring so it would not affect my cruise decision regardless of the event. That can turn a cruise to a 2 star pretty quickly! LOL.>

 

I think things like this really can make a difference. If a woman is going for an extended time or just plans to enjoy even a week and finally has time in her schedule for such things, first, she will be shocked at the high hair prices, and 2nd if she does agree to pay, she surely doesn't want a bad experience. I know I wasn't too thrilled on Silversea when my mani/pedi that was quite pricey was interrupted no less than 8 times by the girl that kept stopping to wait on walk-ins since for some reason nobody manned the desk. Luxury is what you want when you want, and people will strive to get as close to that as they can when they can either afford it or choose to go even when they can't. Now how tolerant and critical anyone is - that is subjective. You can see one moldy tile in the South Caribbean and think you went to Hades if you want to.

[JEDIKNIGHT]

This was a balanced and very helpful review. While "4" probably makes me a novice on this board, I've done 4 cruises with RSSC so far, meaning that overall it has been a fine experience hence the repeat cruises.

 

Before I knew about this board I'd post reviews on Epinions and other places and believe it or not, the negatives I reported were almost exact to what you said here.

 

CR service on some nights is quick and rushed, no question about it.

 

On A/C...thank you so much for writing on this because so far, I've felt I'm the only one who might have issues with climate control. Frankly, I'm starting to feel that even newer hotels trying to save a few bucks in the name of this energy-efficiency motif...just spent a week at Ritz Palm Beach and didn't sleep much due to a hot room.

 

Navigator in 2001, and Voyager in 2003 I recall having a nice and cold cabin...it was great. However last year on Mariner, the A/C did NOT cool the room where one could sleep with a blanket on. Granted I'm more sensitive to heat than the avg person but my nose was bleeding daily, and I'd keep calling the front desk and at night when I'd ask "ok, what did you do"?....they'd fidget and fumble because none of them knew! Ok, TOTALLY HONEST here: Despite spending top $$$ for lux travel, I've NEVER raised my voice, and HARDLY complained at hotels, restaurants, etc. But on the 4 th nite on Mariner I told them that if the A/C doesn't work, I'd bring my blankets to the lobby and sleep there for the night. Only my Wife prevented me from doing it.

 

Go to a humble Best Western or Holiday Inn or Carnival boat. The rooms are nice and cold. Surely a comfy night's sleep shouldn't be a "plus" on a lux line like Regent!!

 

We're on the wait-list for an upcoming Regent cruise on Navigator and it looks like it's going to clear for us. Based on this review I just might call them and cancel it altogether.

 

Better to take a few days off and just stay home. Wife and I can go out to eat, go to museums or whatever, and then not have to worry about a hot room at night.

 

Geez, why can't they get the A/C right? Cause they do so many other things so well.

 

On dining, while you find the desert course weak, I feel the same on appetizers. On Mariner last year we ordered the Sushi because I didn't want to settle for fruit, and I got two pieces of some colorful roll with HARDLY any fish in it...something you'd get at the mall food court.

 

Regent, please address these items. You run a wonderful business otherwise. I really don't want to switch.

[Iamboatman]

Hi Debbie:

 

Just want to clarify one point. I was stating that for me hair coloring issues are not important (i.e. I am rapidly becoming follicularly challenged:eek: ) so a miss in that area is not important in relation to my decision for a cruise, BUT that same info may be very important to someone else (and I know some consider hair/spa treatments an essential part of their cruise experience).

 

Sorry if I confused anyone.

[HappyCruiser44]

Boatman -

 

Just wondering why your posts always seem to need further clarification.....let others post their experiences and leave it at that.

 

There is nothing wrong with some folks really liking Regent and others liking other lines (as you do).

 

hc44

[Iamboatman]

Boatman -

 

Just wondering why your posts always seem to need further clarification.....let others post their experiences and leave it at that.

 

There is nothing wrong with some folks really liking Regent and others liking other lines (as you do).

 

hc44

 

Happy:

 

A couple of points which directly go to my "clutter" comment.

 

First, if you read much of my postings you would see that of my 5 cruises on Regent 3 were some of the best I have ever taken (and I have taken a lot). In fact, my last Regent cruise was on the PG and I raved about many, many things.

 

Second, this is not a "Cheerlead for Regent" board. This is Cruise CRITIC. It is a board where good and bad is discussed. Paula had some problems and issues. Others commented that they too had the same or similar issues. And so did I (and I was blasted by cheerleaders when I made them...2 years ago!) This is, to many, useful information. It might be upsetting to those who want to hear all is perfect on Regent, but the FACTS are what to many is important.

 

Third, when I clarify it is because I feel it is necessary or furthers a discussion point. It may not be useful to you, but it may (and is) useful to others...as their past comments thanking me confirm. In this post, my comment about hair coloring was obviously taken by some as belittling Paula's comment - which most certainly was not intended. So rather than unintentionally offending Paula or denigrating her concern, I clarified.

 

So, I guess, on with the clutter.

 

Happy cruising.

[DebbieH103]

Eric, I knew exactly what you meant and that you meant just for you about the hair. I was just giving my counterpoint because for some peope with grand voyages and things like that, it is a real concern. First, they don't want to feel ripped off, and 2nd they don't want their hair goofed up (whether price is high or low).

 

When an experience is already great, you start thinking about the few things that could be improved, whereas if everything was horrid, hair would be the last thing on your mind. You know what I mean?

 

When I was on Navigator in December, I was worried about being hot in my cabin since I saw condensation coming from the a/c, but in truth I got quite cold. Since the thermostats are not digital, you have to guess on where to set it like by where it was set that made you comfortable yesterday. That is an inconvenience. I surely would be bent if someone thought we'd leave the drapes closed. I remember that being suggested on Silversea one time, but they meant the first day while everyone got it cooled down, not the whole cruise. I agree, that would be like having an inside cabin. I'd rather be hot than in a vacuum if I had no other choice.

[HappyCruiser44]

Boatman -

 

Thanks for your response. For the record I take no issue with posters who have negative things to report about Regent. Like others, I am interested to learn about the "good, bad, and ugly" side of things. My experiences on Regent have ranged from wonderful to mildly disappointing and I think that this is to be expected as many things contribute to one's overall cruise experience.

 

It was just an observation that while others incl. DebbieH103 provide both pos/neg feedback, their posts rarely need further "clarification." Its likely a difference in style, that's all.

 

hc44

[PaulaJK]

Eric

 

I have appreciated your comments. Just for the record, I did not feel that your comments re: hair color were belittling. I found them humorous as I read them as your 'personal' comments. Indeed, we all have different wishes, wants and needs and look to satisfy these in our choices.

 

It is not an understatement to note that I am not computer savey. I have been trying to transfer my photo of the lovely [!] ceiling from my desktop to this page. Have downsized it, etc but can't move it. Does anyone have a simple solution?

[VIRGINIA ARTIE]

I enjoy all the comments. I want to learn as much as possible about the line.

On our last cruise on Voyager I forgot my hairbrush. This is a big deal since my hair looks like a paintbrush without it. Carita spa told me they didn't have one extra brush to buy ,rent, or whatever.

The Regent staff was great! The desk called the spa and said my husband was going to the captain. Within 5 minutes, the spa lent me a new brush for an hour till I bought one in port the next day.

At least my hair didn't change color.

[DebbieH103]

Eric

 

I have been trying to transfer my photo of the lovely [!] ceiling from my desktop to this page. Have downsized it, etc but can't move it. Does anyone have a simple solution?

 

Paula, one of the easiest things to do is upload your pics to some site and then paste the link. When you say you can't move them, what method are you using? Did your camera come with a tool like Kodak Share or HP's utility. I'd be glad to offer more assistance if you want to send me a PM or something.

[sassycruiseher]

We were on Navigator in August in the Mediaterranean and found our cabin air conditioning to be very poor. Our butler brought us a large fan and we had to use that for the entire cruise. Since it was offered so quickly I assumed that there had been previous complaints. We had family members on lower decks and their air conditioning seemed much better.

[DebbieH103]

Paula, I've had the flu for 3 days and now can't find your mail about uploading pics. Please send again. I am so sorry.