We recently returned from the RSS Navigator Monte Carlo to Ft Laud crossing 27 Oct- 15 Nov.
We have not been on Navigator since it's rebranding from Raddisson to Regent and have sailed exclusively on Silver Sea and Seabourne the last few years. It was a good cruise and Regents tours, with the exception of Tunis were good. The Navigator still has the best configured and roomiest verandah suites at sea. The newly soft good redos in each suite were much appreciated and the entertainment with the exception of an inept magician was very good.
Things have changed. Embark was smooth and efficient and as usual suites were not available until 3 PM. Since it was a full cruise, we were stuck either in Porto Fino's or the pool deck with carryons. It was warm and overcrowded. Not a pleasant way to begin a cruise. Regent doesn't do flowers in the suites and throughout the ship as Raddisson did, replacing at each port. Regent has potted Orchids with a musty smell. Being in a non-butlered suite (611) we had to demand a bar set-up. If you don't ask, it is not offered. The balcony was great on the first leg but on the crossing is was usually coverd in spray. The bathroom amenities were Aveeno. They were short of body lotion and only offered it when requested. The Compass Rose Menu was overly ambitious and did not live up to the presentation. Nothing bad but nothing memorable either. The Italian specialty dining venue had no entertainment and was not that great(as per my Italian wife). This was configured into a steakhouse on the 2d leg, and was even worse. We were one of three couples that walked out and went to eat in the Compass Rose. Caviar was always available with dinner on Raddisson. Caviar on Regent is an extra. John the wine steward was well versed and knew his business. Paulo the MD was gracious and ensured my wife had pasta everyday for lunch wherever she was and on two occasions made me excellent steak tartare when nothing on the menu interested me.. The ship ran out of many things during the first leg that were never replaced for the duration of the cruise. Andrea the head bartender deserves kudos for running the only bottle of Blantons to whatever venue I was at. That was gone as well as beers (Sam Adams, Grolsch) during the first leg and never replaced. Lots of grumbling from beer drinkers. Some people groused about the lack of European wait saff. I felt the Filipinos that served us could seamlessly blend into an SilverSeas/Seabourne ship. They were short staffed so service was slow in the Compass Rose. Same can be said about suite attentendants, short staffed but competent.
Much has been said about the vibration aft on Navigator. It appears to have become worse since our circumnavigation of South America. There is a constant vibration towards the stern punctuated by thuds when the prop cavitates, much like riding in the very rear seat behind the axle on a tour bus. Not bad on a good road but beware the bumps. The glasses in Galileos always was ringing. I can now understand why numerous complaints have occured.
A major topic almonst all was the selling of Regent to Appollo and how it will be gouped with Oceania and the end product that will exist. Plus, rumors abound that Navigator will be stretched to add capacity in the range of Voyager/Mariner.
A knowledgable member of this forum and CC, was flamed for his opinion that Regent isn't a luxury cruise line. Based on the above I reluctantly agree- Regent is a very good cruise line- entry luxury level even- but not comparable to Silver Sea or Seabourne. We are glad we tried it again but will now continue to sail with SS and Seabourne.
If any one has any questions, especially about ports, or requires further clarification, please feel free.

Thanks Ridojam for your review - I don't think this board flames?? My husband had biz acquaintance on your trip - they always cruise SB and had a wonderful time - what do you mean about spray on balcony?? I think we all value other opinions and thanks for taking time to report -

Hello, and I'm interested in what you say; we get on Navigator next Monday. Could your spelling of the bath products be slightly off; my previous experience has been Aveda products instead of Aveeno (aren't they oatmeal-based moisture products?) We have had balconies with sea spray in the past, too, on several lines. If you have experienced a line that has a solution for that, please share and I'll surely pass it on.

We had caviar with dinner in 2001, but after that our experience was that there was a moderate charge for it.

We won't have your ports, but would be interested in more things about the ship itself.

Hi Ridojar; I have never tried caviar and really don't care to, but I did notice they served it a few times, at no added cost, on the dinner menu in the appetizer section of the menu and they were offering it at the Seven Seas party, too.

While I have only cruised on Regent not Seabourn or SilverSea I appreciate reading your comparisons. I feel Regent is a luxury line and hope to one day sail on the others if I find the price is right. ;)

We will sail on Navigator next month for our first time and look forward to it.

The Voyager sure didn't seem to run out of any supplies during the crossing. My hubby drank a lot of Grolsch and it was at every bar.

As Pam pointed out the bath products are Aveda. We had enough of everything for the week - sorry you ran out! :cool:

We've never cruised on the Navigator but have many nights on the Voyager and the Mariner, including 2 world cruises and full S.A. Never experienced any of the things you're complaining about and certainly view Regent as a luxury line. As for the sea spray....no way to control that on any cruise line we've been on. Like Sue, I'm not into caviar at all so that is no big deal to me. I pass on it everytime it's on the menu in Signatures or CR. We will be on the Navigator for the first time in Nov. '08 on a B2B Cape Town to Rio, then Rio to FLL. Can't wait!

Sorry your trip didn't come close to meeting your expectations and wish you lots of happy cruises in your future on Seabourn and Silver Sea.

Thanks for taking the time to post about your experience.

I found some of what you said. Not running out of things, but reluctance to give things unless offered I'm a big SS fan, going on third SS cruise in 18 months, leaving on 12/1. I am going to try Seabourn Odyssey in 2009, I think. I found an itin and just have to make myself push that button. It is hard to commit to ll nights 2 years from now. I would give my eye teeth to be able to do SS Voyage 3804 in 08 that would get me back to Guam after 30 years. No other luxury line seems to be going there in the next two years. They just sail right by.

I liked the Aveda. After having broken out in a bad rash from some cleanser at Hassler in Rome, it was welcome.

I found the reluctance of a bar setup (being a wine person) and why I had to go into an explanation that a 2nd bottle in a week might be needed and having no juice in the fridge a small issue.

I don't like caviar, but SS still does the full condiments, not just the little appetizer on a small canopy. They will bring all the stuff daily wherever. Some like that.

In spite fo all this, I am REALLY looking forward to trying Navigator and really loved Voyager. I loved all the dining choices on Voyager and how the deck bbqs were at lunch, not like SS on nighttime. I don't like that SS thing at night. We go for the dance party, but then you get the worst seat and horrid drink service. I don't want to give up a nice dinner for some buffet. I am willing to do that at lunch, especially if seafood is involved. I am anxious to get back on Voyager but don't see an 08 itin that hops out at me. Might have to try Mariner. We will see.

Others on CC have stated that there was a particular issue with Portofinos during the last couple of weeks. I hope they get the entertainment back before our LCT get-together on the 16th. I am much more interested in the entertainment than the food, though if no entertainment, I am sure the chat will be good.

What about Navigator lounges? Any live music? Any attendees?

I am also interested in your ports. I just absorb like a sponge.

Seabourn was always so high, but with Odyssey coming out, the "sister" prices seem like about the best price out there for luxury in 08. Maybe I am missing something. I still probably won't sail them till 09.

Another thing in comparing SS to Voyager was that SS seems to have kept similar menus for at least 3 1/2 years. I thought Voyager did a better job of trying to vary the menu and were not as afraid of making things spicy as SS. They tried to keep up with local offerings and create surprises, too. That was just awesome. Of course in 3 days on Navigator, we might not get an idea of the variety, but I hope we get a good sampling of all the venues.

I am terrible cook so high percentage of the food I have had on Mariner and Voyager has been heaven to me! I don't like salt so I would not enjoy soup with too much salt etc - Our cabins have always been wonderful with great closet and bathroom - and of course the other crusiers help to make for wonderful memories - the slips are far outweighed by overall experience for us - maybe we've just been fortunate but they always have my Tab waiting for me and we love the wines - I could care less about flowers or orchids but that's just me - and the crew??? WOW!!!

Joanna, I totally agree with you about the crew. I don't care about their nationality. Service and friendliness matter to me and I have certainly found that on my last Regent cruises.

I must clarify. I misspelled Aveda phonectically based upon my wifes pronunciation. We were starboard and the sea spray made our balconey unusable during the crossing. No sun and lots of sea spray. That was my decision to be lowest balconey in relationship to dining facility. Presumably, 7th deck and higher had no problem, but more more motion.
Contrary to some, my critique is not a complaint, just a simple opinion of this cruise and it's shortcomings as a "luxury" line. Luxury cruise lines do not run out of basic food, beverage and other advertised and menued items and make no attempt at replacement.
A similiar thread on CC exists and it compliments my observations.
Restated, Regent Navigator is a very good ship and a very good experience. It is not in the same league as Silver Sea or Seabourne in my opinion.

AGAIN, I will repeat, I appreciated your review (scroll to top) - we all have different experiences and sorry your trip left you less than satisfied - people are responding to you not doubting you - again, thanks for your review -

Oh, I completely understand now, about the sea spray. We haven't done a crossing, so I would have no clue about starboard vs. port. I'm so sorry your experience there wasn't a positive one! My husband would have been traumatized if he couldn't sit on the balcony (of course, I can't convince him to experience more than one sea day at a time, so I don't see a crossing in his immediate future), and he'd share the trauma freely, for sure.

OK, Joanna, I have been drinking Tab since I was 9 living on Midway Island in 1971. It is still my favorite, and I can get it here in The Woodlands, TX. Can I really get it on Regent?

Absolutely Debbie - I just request it through my TA - in past ten cruises it was a "no show" once I'm addicted to Tab! I buy 4 12 packs for $11 on sale here!

Well, I am my own TA, so I guess I need to request it. I always assume nobody will want to get it for me. It doesn't come in 12 packs here, only 6, And it is never on sale.

We were on the Navigator crossing discussed above and while I h ave to agree about the Portofino disaster, we found the Navigator to be tip-top. I must admit we are not gormonds (sp?) so the food could have been below par for some but for us it was great most of the time.The only observation I made to Clyde (and those of y ou who know us and know how old Clyde and I are) was "wow, it looks like Holland America"--canes, walkers, wheelchairs everywhere!! I guess we felt "good for them - they haven't given up traveling" but at the same time? The irony here is that Clyde is 92 and I am 82 so we really shouldn't be critical of the elderly!! I just guess we won't be doing any travel when we are in that condition. So far we are booked on three cruises into 2009. So much for optimison.

PS - I see I can't spell anymore. Time to quit posting until they get spellcheck on LCT!!

Jean, you and Clyde are so young at heart, I have no doubt that you'll be going strong on those 2009 cruises! I hope to have half the energy you do when I'm your age :)

Dena

Jean...you and Clyde are amazing! I hope I have half your energy next month!

Hi Jean good to hear from you! We have enjoyed crusing with you two "kids" - by the way did you meet a Ponte Vedra couple on your Navigator cruise? - Wish I had known you were on you and Clyde would have enjoyed them - Joanna

Joanna: There were two couples from PV. One was Charles Williams and Elinor Gregory and the other was Raphael and Mary Kelly. I really can't remember if I met them both but I know I talked to one gal from PV and I wanted to ask if she knew you but I couldn't remember your last name!! Shame on me. My memory is getting awful. And I don't know if she was in the bridge group or not. I played bridge every day with a guy I didn't know and we came in 2nd once and third once so we really got along great. It was strange not seeing any LCters around, tho. As I said elsewhere the passengers seemed a lot older than usual. Lots of gray heads!!

Molly and Ray Kelly!! Our kids were all very close growing up - Joanna and Tony Mondae ..but the Kelly's would not have needed our last name we partied lots in our youth with them :3smile: :3smile:

This post made me laugh. :D We miss you both, Jean and Clyde - hopefully we get on board the same cruise again in the near future!

Masaki

Oh, Joanna, I'm sorry we didn't get to know them better (if they are the couple I think they are!) We met a lot of nice people on this cruise and I didn't feel that it was such a bad cruise as some of the posters on CC mentioned. We had a great jazz band that I notice nobody mentioned and the crew put on an American Idol-type show that got the whole ship involved and which I liked better than the "Krew kapers. Anyway, I hope we can all meet again on a future cruise. How about that FLL to Dover one - dosen't that sound great???