I'm looking for feedback from some of you experienced travelers on both the SS Whisper and the Regent Navigator. They both have identical itineraries in Oct 2011 for New England - Montreal/NY. With the promotions, and including airfare, the cost now for a Vista cabin on the Whisper is just a few hundred dollars less than the G-H cabin on the Navigator.

I am very familiar with the Whisper, and the Shadow, but have never sailed the Navigator. I am trying to compare both cruises. Here are the differences I see: There are free excursions included on the Nav. One question I have is whether the free excursions are good quality, and favorably compare with ones that you pay extra for. The other difference is that the Whisper does have Formal nights - I can live with that, although of course hubby would prefer the no-tux dress code of Regent.

Could some of you weigh in on other considerations, if you were to compare both cruises? We are wait-listed for the Nav., but I imagine it will clear within the next year. At this point I haven't talked to my TA so don't know if the Whisper is sold out.

Thanks so much!