At this time Micki is not scheduled to be on Charlene. However, as he said it is a moving target and things are always changing. He was not sure who would be replacing him. Sorry about that but you never know.

Boo, Hiss....! Well, that's the way the cruise life goes, Ngaire. I've been lucky enough to have Miki on virtually every other "Radisson" cruise I've taken, so you can't win 'em all.

Thanks for finding out for me, and continue to enjoy yourself. It sounds as though you're having such a wonderful time!

Charlene

I just love this seamail! I'm so happy that Hans can come onboard for lunch!! I absolutely adore him and know how happy he'll be to see you and Ken again. Keep having such a great time and write often!
Love the pictures you've posted too!!!

Suzanne, Maybe we can visit the shop in November? Sounds really goooooood.

Olivia,

We took advantage of the huge sale they were having at the end of October. These ports are not necessarily some of our ideal, but we are looking forward to it anyway.

We really want to go on another group cruise, but are finding it difficult to find one that fits our schedule, especially now with the pregnancy and Garrett beginning school this year.

Anthony

Another gorgeous day in Barcelona, low mid 60's and high upper 70's. Does not get much better than this. The sun is shining. Calm seas for this trip and just really fantastic temperatures.

We had our final dinner with John, Tonya, Sue and Jay last night and then listened to Gerry perform until around midnight, then about 30 minutes of dancing before hitting the sack. All in all another great night.

Tomorrow we have to get off and I am just not ready. A couple more days would be perfect.

This is a great itinerary and one that people should look at for future years. Has a lot of diversity and some great ports.

Oh well --- start getting MUSH on my mind.

Ngaire, enjoy your last day! Thanks for posting all of your seamail, sounds like a fabulous cruise.

Nancy

I've loved your reports, Ngaire. The nightlife has sounded especially fun! Enjoy Barcelona.

Hans visited the Navigator in Barcelona. Ngaire and I had the pleasure of having lunch with him in the Compass Rose. Ken


Mario, Hans, Miki, & Ngaire

Great picture Ngaire!!

For some of you that may not have had the pleasure to meet Hans (he doesn't post on LCT but we'll have to work on that!) He is such a dear friend. I first met him on the World Cruise and then again on our South America trip on the Mariner. He lives in Houston but spends his summers just outside of Barcelona. You'd have to search the world and still not find a nicer, more interesting person that Hans!!

He had a big 60 Birthday party in April which was just great...Terry Breen was even there!

Really nice photo, Ngaire and some great reporting.

Safe travels home to all.

Thank you for the great reports. Brings back memories of our cruise this past Jan.

Ngaire! Thanks so much for that lovely picture. "The next best thing". LOL.

Charlene

Will Miki be on the December 11th Cruise?

No probably not, but things are ALWAYS changing.

I see some negative reviews of this cruise over on Cruise Critic. Anybody care to comment?

Everyone can have their own opinion.

I found the food, service and the entire ship to be running very well. Our lobster from St. Malo was really "over the top".

Sam Perry is doing an innovative job as cruise director, good programs and many were well attended.

Gerry is a wonderful entertainer and the duo in Gallieos were good.

The dining room staff are wonderful. They have all the old Song of Flower, Diamond people in the dining room.

The new bedding is great.

Tours, I dont really have much insight as I really normally do my own thing. We did a tour in Santander and loved it. A four wheel drive trip. Yet on that we had four people insist on going back to the ship at the first stop. Different strokes for different folks.

The vibration is an issue on the Navigator at times but actually during this trip the only time I really noticed it was in the show lounge at the life boat muster. The seas were so calm.

I guess all of those going on the Navigator in December can form their own opinion.

As I have always said, toss out the highly negative and the highly positive reviews and find the middle ground and that is where you get closest to how most people will feel about the ship.

Does anybody know what things are being done to the ship during drydock? Also, does this ship use those mermaid pods? Maybe that is the issue with the vibration.

Don the vibration will always be there. How bad you think it is depends on your point of view, the seas and other factors. It does not have the pods it was built before Regent changed to pods.

Wendy:

I did bop over to CC and check out the review in question. In my view, the OP is a little on the negative side most of the time. I would give his comments very little thought. As far as the others chinming in I'd only say, misery loves company.

To quote NK:

"As I have always said, toss out the highly negative and the highly positive reviews and find the middle ground and that is where you get closest to how most people will feel about the ship."

I think you can apply this process to most things in life and come out way ahead of the game.

Well said, Robert!!!!

Thank you, Ngaire, for your comments!! I do appreciate what you have to say, since you have just experienced a seemingly wonderful cruise on the Navigator!

We have just booked the Navigator, and I am looking forward to a great cruise!!!!

Robert,
Yes, sometimes the threads over there are one negative after another really without basis. I o think that with all the Regent Experience Marketing that what they will have created are some expectations that cannot be fulfilled.

It's why we like our happy posts over here. As they say, "There's your truth, my truth and somewhere in the middle is the real truth".

Maybe those people should go on the Monster of the Seas and gain some real perspective!

<img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> Kathy - but you know what, some of those people would actually think it was better.

Somewhere there is a thread, where I told about a lady on the Monte Carlo to Rome segment last year, that thought Voyager of the Seas was much, much better, and I mean better everything!!! She hated RSSC Voyager. And she didn't hesitate to let everyone know it, everyday, at the pool bar!!

Yes, I do remember that. To each his own Hairy Chest Contest!

I couldn't help myself, and responded. I think this particular TA (sorry if anyone disagrees) has a preference for Celebrity! It just bothers me that a couple of bad posts can cause a big stir among new people on the cc board looking for honest reviews. If I had a continuous problems with Regent in the past, I would have been long gone!

There may be validity in that statement about unrealistic expectations, perhaps created by unrealistic marketing. A perfect example is toy commercials - the toy is never quite as neat in real life as on those commercials.

NOTHING is perfect.

Every ship has its pros and cons as does every line. We just have to find what suits us best.

Often how much we like a cruise is chance. Did we meet people we bonded with, did we happen to find a waiter who we felt was great or did we happen to hit the one waiter who was not the best.

Not all staff are created equal and they are ordinary people who can have a bad day once in a while.

I have mentioned this before and I have never forgotten this experience.

We were on the Song with a magician. He got a standing ovation. People loved his show. They were talking about it the next day and looking forward to his return act.

The next week we stayed on board.

The same magician the same act and it bombed. People were complaining about the act and not many turned up for his second show.

It was quite amazing to see the difference in the audience. The show was truly identical.

WHY? The first week the seas were calm and we had a great port day. The second week it was rough and rainy and we had a day at sea.

NOTHING whatsoever to do with the magician and yet I am sure the ratings on the comments cards were from an A rating to a Z rating.

Such is life. You just have to look at the big picture.

I just removed a post --- sorry to the person whose post I removed, but I dont want to go down this road. We can share opinions good or bad about a ship but lets leave any negative comments about the CC board or any posters there alone.

Ngaire, your previous post says it so well! We all have to look at the big picture. We are all so fortunate to be able to experience such wonderful cruises!

Nancy

Couldn't agree more Ngaire! My take on cruises is different from most. I like to meet new people, but if I do not then I really could care less.

I do not base my cruise experience on interactions with others. I look at it as time to get away from reality (in a way) and simply relax. No, everything may not be perfect, but it far and away better than my everyday life (because I am doing nothing!) and I get to spend time alone with my lovely (and now very pregnant) wife.

Needless to say we are looking forward to Italy!

Anthony

Ah yes. Some comments should be taken with a very tiny grain of salt.

I think if you go on a cruise with the expectation that you'll enjoy yourself, then you will. Frankly while it's wonderful to meet new folks when traveling, it's not necessary. When I go away with my someone special, it's to spend time with him, without all the outside distractions that are normally around.

LOL Anthony. I wrote my post before reading yours.

My sentiments exactly Anthony and Arlene! :cool: