I read on CC that the Navigator was going to do the Alaska sailings in 2009. Since this is the only place where fact can be distinguished from fiction, I thought I'd ask about it.

I could see Regent doing this if they expected fewer passengers to sail next summer....... or??
It seems to me that the ship's public areas are a bit small for a itinerary that includes many children.

On the other hand, this is just a rumor.

Jackie

I thought I read that the Navigator will be doing Alaska in 2010 not 2009.

Nancy

Thanks for the clarification.

Jackie

That is what we are hearing on the Navigator right now. Plus she will do the Grand Asia Pacific voyage after that.

So then what will Mariner be doing the summer of 2010 instead of Alaska ?

Reports are that the Mariner will be in Europe.

The Mariner will do the Circle south America, run a couple of Carib cruises and then head for the Med in mid March 2010.

Anything the Mariner does will be wonderful, but I am still wishing for the day I see one of the ships do a west coast Hawaii roundtrip cruise or maybe a New England Fall foliage cruise. Sometime, anytime....

My first cruise was to New England and Canada on the Navigator - fabulous! I'd love to do a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands, preferably on Regent. I'd also like to cruise to New Zealand but am a bit worried about the rough seas - did it once and vowed never to do it again (40 plus years ago - do you think things might be better now?). I do think New Zealand needs to be seen by land though. I don't suppose there would be enough interest from your neck of the woods, but I also want to do a circumnavigation of Australia. Sorry - just realised this posting has nothing to do with Alaska! Lee

The Tasman Sea always seems to kick up a bit, Lee, but the lands on either side of it make the trip worthwile, methinks! And you're so close!

Ah yes - but these days they have such things called 'aeroplanes' which don't seem to make one seasick!

One captain told us that only the Mariner is fitted to do Alaska, that there were certain regulations required that only Mariner complied with.

Navigator did Alaska in 2000 - before there was a Mariner. We did the first Alaska run on Mariner in June 2001

ALL of my RSSC cruises have been on the Mariner--I LOVE the Mariner. I have cruised Alaska 3 times on the Mariner. Do you think someone who really really likes the Mariner could still enjoy an Alaska cruise on the Navigator?? I have never sailed the Navigator before. Any personal opinion or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, Randy

Mariner is also my favorite ship. I have also sailed the Navigator; although only once. What you lose are the two restaurants - Signatures and Prime 7. You also lose coffee bar area, larger computer area, and the Garden Promenade. What you gain are larger cabins and a more compact ship. The Cat E cabins on Deck 6 are fantastic and very convenient. Unfortunately, I believe that Navigator Cat E are more expensive than Mariner Cat H.

I would sail on Navigator again; however, I would much prefer to be on Mariner for the additional restaurants, lounges,and Garden Promenade/Coffee bar.

The Navigator does have a coffee bar - it's in the Navigator Lounge and has a waiter doing the coffees, espressos, capicinos etc (with liquer if you want)and Galileo's has 2 large grind & pressure brew machines, one behind the bar and manned.
Jim

Our favorite ship is the Voyager, however, we enjoy the intimacy of the Navigator as well. The Mariner, while beautiful, has much smaller suites than her sister ships.

We did the Alaska cruise this year in May so there were no children on board. Being such a port intensive cruise, I don't think it would bother me to lose the two dining venues (and, it is only a 7 night cruise). On the other hand, the Mariner has very large public areas while the Navigator does not. In June, July and August, there can be over 100 children on the Alaska cruises -- I cannot imagine this on the Navigator.

In terms of the coffee bar. . . this is the one area of the Mariner that I really disliked. It was very crowded and noisy. Alot of the noise was coming from the staff banging pots and pans while preparing drinks. This area was also used for board games. It is set up well for this..... until the people get over zealous and start screaming when something happens in the game that they like or dislike. This area is adjacent to the library -- and is near the computer area -- not great planning.

In spite of all of the above, I wouldn't hesitate to do the Alaska itinerary on the Navigator -- in May or September only.

We cruised on Navigator's inagural season in Alaska on July,2000. There were no kids, except an adorable little girl, but that was before the creation of the "Mariner's club" and catering to families with kids. It was a 10 days cruise and we loved it. We also cruised on Navigator for 14 days on the Iceland/ Norwegian fjords (NINJA) cruise which is to this day my favorite.

As long as the the dining experience is satisfactory, I don't have a problem going every night to the same venue. But of course, you also have La Verandah in the evenings to break the monotony.