joelatchi
July 15th, 2010, 10:41 PM
Withdrawal is a cruel cruel mistress.
We had a great time. Truly. The weather was all over the place, but that is Alaska.
Pre Cruise Denali Excursion: We did the one offered by Regent. It was really a great way to start. Yes, it can be done cheaper on your own, but for an overview it was just what we wanted. (other than another 2 days in Denali). Our guide and driver were super. We heard a guy speak about his transition from living in Atlanta to home steading in Alaska. That was something we woudn't have heard of off the tour. We met some cool people that we hung around with on the boat quite a bit.
We loved the Navigator. Perfect size for us. Joel really was amazed at the size between it and some of the other ships (Coral Princess, Wollendam among others) in port. Our suite was beautiful. We were in 941. We only felt the vibration issue in La Veranda or Gallileo's. It was only disturbing on the first sea day which was a bit rougher than usual (by other's reports). The cabins are so nice. I actually used the tub.
While the ship was at full capacity, it never felt that way. There were 20 or so kids of all ages. No outlandish wailing or gnashing of teeth. Very often there were only 20 or so people in the lounges at any time. We hit Gallileo's most often. We loved the availability of do it yourself spiked hot chocolate available at the Navigator Lounge and then mulled wine and more spiked hot chocolate available at the pool bar. It was perfect for coming back from an excursion that involved getting kind of wet on a boat, which for us, were most of them.
We didn't do any free excursions. Ours were all 99/pp add ons. We loved them all. We got to meet some great local people that way. Allen Marine Tours was one company and they had some great knowledgeable people on board. Everyone on the boats seemed happy to be there and definitely had passion for Alaska.
Food on board was good. Prime 7 was the best of all. I get an amuse bouche before the meal, but even a small amuse bouche before dessert? Well, if I must, I must. Joel loved the availability of smoked fish in La Veranda and very often we made a meal out of that, cheese and appetizer type stuff in La Veranda. Oh, the bread on board was something else entirely. Way too good. I was into trying the soups. Many of the entrees were ok, but just needed some oomph. Compass Rose was fine, loved the service for sure and the food was mostly better than La Veranda. We loved the candied ginger and mints available all the time. I guess "about as expected" would be a way of rating food. Pool bar was good. Room Service was often early and we learned to just keep it to coffee and rolls as hot food lost something on the way to our room.
The crew/officers we saw around were all very polite. Jamie was pulled in as cruise director at the last minute for some reason. He seemed good at what he did and was schmoozing with those who needed schmoozing. The captain (James Mc... something Scottish) was visible, funny at his public appearances and looked good in his kilt. The idea of the block party that was mentioned under the world cruise threads has been picked up for use on most cruises. It was fun. We all went out, there were wine and apps in the hallways. The muckety mucks all circulated and we met those in cabins around ours.
The staff of the Navigator is a really special group. I mean the cabin attendants, security people, wait staff, bartenders, those we came in contact with around the ship all day. All helpful, courteous, willing to help and always always smiling. These folks are the one who made our cruise such an amazing experience.
It was a bit unsettling at the end of a meal or after having a drink that we just got up and left. Joel got over the no tipping thing mostly.
We asked about the tipping policy a couple of times. One conversation was a bit longer and more serious, saying that when the ships were under Radisson the staff received a lot from the ships in terms of the leftovers taken down to the crew mess and such. Under Apollo much of this has stopped. Apparently leftovers now get tossed, which I really find low if that is the case.
I'd have to get picky to find faults. Yeah, there was chicken on the buffet one day that looked way too red to be served. Yeah, a couple of days we didn't get face cloths replaced. Small points that were easily fixed when we asked.
We'd go back again in a heart beat. We'd love to try one of Regent's other ships.
Oh, the dress code thing. "elegant casual" was definitely stretched to the limit by people. I can understand this in Alaska tho, it rained so much, that it seemed kind of silly getting dressed up when it was so nasty out. We saw black jeans, sloppy clothes and no one seemed to be tossing them out of bars.
We loved the cruise, loved the staff and can't wait til we go out and cruise again. Loved the sea days most of all.
We had a great time. Truly. The weather was all over the place, but that is Alaska.
Pre Cruise Denali Excursion: We did the one offered by Regent. It was really a great way to start. Yes, it can be done cheaper on your own, but for an overview it was just what we wanted. (other than another 2 days in Denali). Our guide and driver were super. We heard a guy speak about his transition from living in Atlanta to home steading in Alaska. That was something we woudn't have heard of off the tour. We met some cool people that we hung around with on the boat quite a bit.
We loved the Navigator. Perfect size for us. Joel really was amazed at the size between it and some of the other ships (Coral Princess, Wollendam among others) in port. Our suite was beautiful. We were in 941. We only felt the vibration issue in La Veranda or Gallileo's. It was only disturbing on the first sea day which was a bit rougher than usual (by other's reports). The cabins are so nice. I actually used the tub.
While the ship was at full capacity, it never felt that way. There were 20 or so kids of all ages. No outlandish wailing or gnashing of teeth. Very often there were only 20 or so people in the lounges at any time. We hit Gallileo's most often. We loved the availability of do it yourself spiked hot chocolate available at the Navigator Lounge and then mulled wine and more spiked hot chocolate available at the pool bar. It was perfect for coming back from an excursion that involved getting kind of wet on a boat, which for us, were most of them.
We didn't do any free excursions. Ours were all 99/pp add ons. We loved them all. We got to meet some great local people that way. Allen Marine Tours was one company and they had some great knowledgeable people on board. Everyone on the boats seemed happy to be there and definitely had passion for Alaska.
Food on board was good. Prime 7 was the best of all. I get an amuse bouche before the meal, but even a small amuse bouche before dessert? Well, if I must, I must. Joel loved the availability of smoked fish in La Veranda and very often we made a meal out of that, cheese and appetizer type stuff in La Veranda. Oh, the bread on board was something else entirely. Way too good. I was into trying the soups. Many of the entrees were ok, but just needed some oomph. Compass Rose was fine, loved the service for sure and the food was mostly better than La Veranda. We loved the candied ginger and mints available all the time. I guess "about as expected" would be a way of rating food. Pool bar was good. Room Service was often early and we learned to just keep it to coffee and rolls as hot food lost something on the way to our room.
The crew/officers we saw around were all very polite. Jamie was pulled in as cruise director at the last minute for some reason. He seemed good at what he did and was schmoozing with those who needed schmoozing. The captain (James Mc... something Scottish) was visible, funny at his public appearances and looked good in his kilt. The idea of the block party that was mentioned under the world cruise threads has been picked up for use on most cruises. It was fun. We all went out, there were wine and apps in the hallways. The muckety mucks all circulated and we met those in cabins around ours.
The staff of the Navigator is a really special group. I mean the cabin attendants, security people, wait staff, bartenders, those we came in contact with around the ship all day. All helpful, courteous, willing to help and always always smiling. These folks are the one who made our cruise such an amazing experience.
It was a bit unsettling at the end of a meal or after having a drink that we just got up and left. Joel got over the no tipping thing mostly.
We asked about the tipping policy a couple of times. One conversation was a bit longer and more serious, saying that when the ships were under Radisson the staff received a lot from the ships in terms of the leftovers taken down to the crew mess and such. Under Apollo much of this has stopped. Apparently leftovers now get tossed, which I really find low if that is the case.
I'd have to get picky to find faults. Yeah, there was chicken on the buffet one day that looked way too red to be served. Yeah, a couple of days we didn't get face cloths replaced. Small points that were easily fixed when we asked.
We'd go back again in a heart beat. We'd love to try one of Regent's other ships.
Oh, the dress code thing. "elegant casual" was definitely stretched to the limit by people. I can understand this in Alaska tho, it rained so much, that it seemed kind of silly getting dressed up when it was so nasty out. We saw black jeans, sloppy clothes and no one seemed to be tossing them out of bars.
We loved the cruise, loved the staff and can't wait til we go out and cruise again. Loved the sea days most of all.