Sorry I didn't post much after Taormina - so much was going on and when I had the time, the ship's internet was not cooperating.

The weather was very WARM and sunny the remainder of the cruise (sea day, Kusadasi, Santorini, Athens) - Athens was approaching 100 degrees. But we still hoofed it. There is just so much of Athens to see and of course, we had to go back to some of the same places we'd already been. We were there 2 nights (at the Grande Bretagne, of course! I have become spoiled by that place).

Flying home was easier than usual - USAir just started a direct route from Athens to Philadelphia. It's 11 hours, but SO WORTH it, not having to stop in another European airport (with Lufthansa we've had to stop in Frankfurt or Munich). Left at 11:45am Athens time and got back to DFW by 10:00pm. Not bad at all.

We're already missing those Compass Rose dinners. Our experience became much like TomG describes on ING seamail - a group of us would have drinks before dinner, then a 3-hour dinner, then drinks afterward in either the Stars Lounge or Galileo's. Only made ONE SHOW all 13 nights of the cruise (the finale of the Theatre at Sea). But then, we have never been big "show people". Oh, and I even sang a Karaoke song. :ohmy: I must have been having a good time!

Navigator is a great ship but the crew and staff are what makes it great. We were in 862 in the aft, and yes, we felt vibration (particularly when pulling into and out of port). Would we book F aft again? Yes, in someplace as calm as the Med; but would probably require at least an "E" if sailing in other more rough regions.

I think Navigator will be much better when Prime 7 is added. We are booking the 2/4/2010 sailing which I believe is the first sailing after drydock, so we will see!!!