macbest

I did an 18 day on her Sydney to Tahiti in January. She is a lovely small ship. Easy to get around, everybody knows your name, fabulous staff. Great food. Cabins are great. It is the ultimate small ship experience. The issue is in the Caribbean, we have sailed these waters frequently. We have been to many ports. The larger ship is better for hanging out on if you decide to skip a port with the cooking classes, extra restaurants (where one is often open at lunch each day). I wouldn’t sell voyager or mariner again to the Caribbean. Our last time after Covid we did the splendor for 14 days in the Caribbean and it was bliss for the reasons mentioned. To me, it is all about the ports first, then cost, then ship. If the navigator has good and different ports, is quite a bit less then I would do it. Otherwise the newer ships to me are the way to go.

We did a pre cruise in Iceland in 2022. It was beyond excellent. Super tour guide. Well organized. Hotels very good despite having to walk a little with our luggage. And only about 24 with us.

Check that you have the right number of days for the cruise of interest. That is another filter. I have found when I change it the other ships open up

January 10, 2024 on the Regent Navigator, Sydney to Tahiti including New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Apia, Pago Pago, Samoa, Bora Bora, Raitiea, Moorea, Pappete. Our 10th trip to Tahiti looking forward to visiting the rest of the South Pacific Islands.

I use the book cruise feature on a famous large warehouse store’s travel portal. Shows all cabins open. I like to view this periodically to see how many cabins are still unsold to get an idea what the occupancy is going to be prior to boarding (and if any upgrades are possible or likely and how motivated they might be based on occupancy percent). As an example, we are taking the Navigator Sydney to Tahiti next month. Using this “tool” I can see the ship is 83% full. You might be able to do this on the Regent website but it would take a lot longer.

Definitely catering to a European clientele. No Pinot Noir and only a French chardonnay. Hope this gets added to over time. In fact no American wines on this list.

I’m curious that since they mentioned they booked through regent directly vs a travel agent, would they have to give up a travel agent fee for the additional add on? I would assume so they may call Regent booked guests first?

Yes but offset by spa bookings, casino being open, shops likely open, etc.

I wonder why this is? They collect the port fees. I would assume they don’t pay them if they don’t dock. Is this just a windfall for Regent? That would not seem right to its customers.

Just got off Nautica. Nearly impossible to figure out and I’m tech savvy. You need to be logged on to their internet. Then you have to create an account to fill out the survey! All kinds of checks and balances to see if you are you (the date field is very hard to get it to what your birthdate is). I finally gave up. And I always have feedback to every cruise and this one was no exception so they won’t get the feedback. I will post one here on cruise critic for others to hear. There are a number of issues that arose that others should hear also. Very frustrating process on their part.

You are right to be concerned. We are on Nautica currently and the concierge level cabin is very small and the bathroom is practically unusable. Super small. Won’t sail her again unless we booked a much bigger cabin and bathroom. You can’t even sit on the toilet straight on without having the door open! And women forget about shaving your legs. The shower is painfully small.

Was just there last week. Very confusing. Taxis are a big pain as they always ask for more when you get picked up. So you start every ride with a negotiation. Most taxis won’t go to the correct place in part because that takes a lot of extra time and a Ticket to drop you off. We got dropped off on the main drag by a “glass box”. We walked through there and then no signage anywhere. However if you walk straight a head, you will see a sign on a glass door “Galataport”. From the doorway it looks like an office building. Once you get inside their is a big electric sign that shows the ships in port. Crazy but you can’t see it from the door! We saw no other signage outside (we walked and walked originally with our suitcases looking and finally a police officer said where are you going. He ended up taking us back towards this “magic door”. Once inside the signage is relatively good. You go down escalators or elevators and then up again. It is confusing. Keep asking everyone.

We are in the Regent Navigator Jan 10-28, Sydney to Papeete. Here are the ports we are visiting: Noumea Isle of Pines Mystery island Port Vila Lautoka Suva Apia Pago Pago And then a few in Tahiti we have been to. The ship shore excursions are pretty booked up for these generally remote islands. Looking for recommendations of private tours you have taken on each that were memorable. Thanks in advance!

Were you able to standby at one of the alternative restaurants and get in beyond your allotment? What is the spa terrace like (for conceirge suites and above)? Is it shaded, how many loungers? We board end of next week in Istanbul. The ship was near empty two months ago. Through unadvertised specials they essentially booked her completely.

Would like this back to the top and hear what recent travelers are doing on day use hotels in Papeete. Also any vacation rentals that may accommodate the same - off cruise around 9am and flight at 10:45p same day. Thanks in advance.