Navigator in the Med 7/17 thru 8/06

[gdlamberth]

Some random thoughts and observations roughly in a timeline order from our three week trip. I appologize in advance for the incohenency and repeats as I just cut and pasted from a journal.

Greg



1. As a ship Navigator is fine. Carpets a bit worn, bedding excellent and no brown water or AC problems for us yet. We did hear (third hand) about some AC problems the first day or so. It has been hot (90+ everyday) and humid so may have stressed the system. Still has annoying vibration in back (have noticed espsecially at breakfast in Portofinos when engine is backing). Dined with some folks whose suite is aft and they "noticed the vibration but did NOT bother them at all."

2. Service has been spotty. Never bad just shows the stress of full ship and reduced staff (I guess) from 3-4 years ago). Mary Ann (our room stewardess) is great; anything we've asked for has been done quickly. Even a third chair for our balcony.

3. Food probably an overall VERY GOOD. Some notable successes in the pasta department and not a good night in Portofino's last night. Odd thing, last night we all three had "Rack of Veal" in Portofino's and Cheryl's and Mine were OUTSTANDING. Gretchen's was very tough!?! We even sampled each others to ensure we all agreed two were great and one was YUK. This wasn't the issue, tough meat happens. However, no one asked "How is your meal?" until it was "How WAS your meal?" At that point Gretchen was offered "Can I bring you something else?" Had that been done earlier everything would have been fine. Coffee and Cappucino came with no cream, sugar, or Sweet 'N' Low; after a bit walked over to empty table to get some. Grilled Tuna sandwich for lunch today was absolutely fantastic; Best I've had since the docks in San Diego. Fresh fruit in morning buffet has been really first rate including berries of different kinds (though I did hear a lady this morning comment, "Looks like same o' same o'"). I guess some people just see glasses as half empty.

4. Excursions. This has been one of the best run things I've seen in my life. Tours are not simply stuffed with extra folks; rather extra tour guides are brought on and multiple instanciations of the tour are provided. While this may tap out the local tours guides I can say so far the worse guide we had was absolutley wonderful. Gretchen and Cheryl were not particularly excited about this itinerary but our guides and the region itself have truly won them over. Stellios, of course was fantastic and the best but all have ben truly superior.

5. This and that. Most diverse passenger set I've seen on Regent. Only 30% past pax (according to General Manager); nearly 40% non-US nationals, and about 45 "youth." I think the kids are probably the best behaved of the bunch! Seriously, I've seen some of the rudest and entitlement based behavior I've ever seen in my life. For example, American woman opens cereal box on Maitre D's table using knife from table next to station, buggers it up and gets cereal all over station tosses knife back on table and walks off!!! We now call her the Special K lady. The two youth group leaders on here (Jennifer and Carlie) have been running a totally effective program...kids engaged and busy. Even with over 10% of pax under 20 (seems to be how Regent defines "Youth") you'd never notice them. So far we've had dinner with the General Manager (Mike Coughlin) and Chief Purser. Tonight we have dinner with the Captain (never have done that since I led an embarked Marine unit on a Philippine LST years ago). Captain McNeil has been VERY visible (breakfast about half the time and gangplank to dock or tender every day).

6. Dinner last night was fantastic! I expect dining with the Captain affected service a bit but the meal was great. We all had something different and it was all really super. Capt McNeil said he thought the "brown water" and AC problems were solved recently by the new Chief Engineer. A Croatian, who the Capt described as "a very large man with whom you would not want to argue and who had some rather unique people management techniques" has gotten the issues in hand (only one AC problem caused a passenger to be moved).

7. Weather has been clear and sunny and in the 90s every day. Yesterday at Mykonos/Delos we had 40-50 kt winds but boy was Delos impressive!

Off to our Gold event for the sail into Istanbul, more later.

Franco is on vacation so we'll not see him this trip
Capt McNeill is one of the most personable people I've ever met! He's our first experience meeting a cruise ship Captain and it was a fantastic evening!

More observations:

Food: Dinner the last three nights has be excellent in Compass Rose. Service has been super too even without the Capt at the table. Forgot to mention earlier that the night of our late departure from Kusadasi we had a pool deck BBQ that was really good. Great selction and the food was very good. Brought on a dance troupe from Turkey for pool deck entertainment after dinner that was really good also.

Drinks: Getting a Mojito is a bit of a crap shoot. Romololu (goes by Lo Lo) at the pool deck bar and Christoph at Horizons lounge make gret ones others are spotty. Christoph use vanilla infused simpe syrrup in his (he says its his secret).

Entertainment continues to be one of the many high points. The singer/dancers are really talented and good at working an audience.

Major crew and entertainer turnover in Monte Carlo (same time we get off).

More random notes:

PAX count - Navigator has been full since we left Athens. What does that mean? Turns out the ship can carry, absolute maximum, 868 souls. Therefore, if, because of third and fourth pax in a suite, there happen to be 493 pax (as we have now), three crew must be put off. So in Istanbul we lost a band member, a boutique sales person and one other.

Gold Event - This was really cool. We were on deck 7 aft (outside) for a Mimosa and Bloody Mary "sail into Istanbul" party at 1130. Sailing into Istanbul is really neat on a clear day and we had beautiful weather.

Bar and Beatles - Last night we went to the late show (a Beatles tribute in Galileo's) and Gretchen was trying to figure out what she wanted to drink (wanted to try something new). So the bar waiter (Ronald) questioned her regarding what she liked and recommended an Amaretto Sour. She loved it! How cool is that!?

Capt McNeill - We change captains in Venice (forget who's coming on) but Capt McNeill will be back to oversee Navigator's dry dock in Jan. He sounded like he was pretty excited about doing that (chance to "Pull on me overalls and get a bit dirty"). Also said he hasn't played the pipes on board for years. He always puts on a bagpipe CD at sailaways and folks think he's playing. He said he doesn't much care for the lone piper but massed pipes and drums still makes the hair on his neck stand up.


Dinner tonight was excellent. I had a pa fried veal that was really nice and Gretchen had the Steak Takami (sp?) (Steak with Argulla and lemon I think) it was very good as was Cheryl's Black Sea Salmon. Vegas Highlights show was very good, got killed in the casino (my own fault) and still having a great time!


1. Regent scratched Sarande on about 48 hours notice and replaced with Corfu. So we'll get to Corfu twice. Regent offered the Off Road adventure (Jeep self drive) to all for no additional costs. Originally this excursion was $79 extra (or something like that) so we got a really good deal (other than missing Sarende). Stated reason was the negative feedback from Regent guests on the lck of infrastructure and low quality excursions in Sarende. Our tour of Corfu was really fantastic; great views and a great overview of the island. Next week when we re-visit I think we're taking the bus to the beach and vegging out.

2. 121 of the current pax are back to backing with the Venice to Monte Carlo leg. 50% of current pax are repeaters.

3. Because of the number of "in transit pax" ( folks staying on board for the next segment) Regent is offering us a couple of tours our second day in Venice. One is a tour to Murano and Burano (Which is what we were planning on seeing anyway) so we are truly lucky; probably oughta buy a lottery ticket.

4. Our opinnion is that the quality of service in the dining rooms is generally better this week. Found two really good waiters in Compass Rose: Demonsthenes and Fredrick. Both get assigned to Cruise Director, F&B Director or similar tables normally but if we can get them service is as good as any I've seen on Regent/Radisson or anywhere else.

5. Internet on Navigator really is pitiful. Also, very limited abiltiy to work your digital pictures without your own laptop. None of the machines can read xD, SD Compact disks etc. Must use USB port and cable that came with your camera. For network security reasons the USB ports will be disabled shortly (I know DoD has already severely restricted their usage). When the ship gets rehabed new machines will have xD, SD and such readers/slots.

6. Can't believe the difference between this week's passenger demographics and behavior and lasts! This week more Americans and Brits. More kids (but they're still the best behaved group overall). Low grade rumor had it that one couple had made 62 complaints by the end of the second day!

7. Chris (Navigator lounge) ran/conducted a single malt tasting last week and "whiskey" tasting (3 single malt, one blend (JW BLack) and one Bourbon (Makers Mark)) . What fun!

Tomorrow Dubrovnik



1. Service and food continues to be as good as last week and much better than the first week. One exception remains Portofino. We ate there the night of our Venice sail out and they were only perhaps 80% full and yet service was slow and food good but cetrtainly nothing to rave about. However, all other venues (bars and food) seem consistantly excellent.


2. For some reason there seems to less pressure on Portifinos for breakfast and as a result (maybe) service has improved a lot at buffet breakfasts the last two weeks. We still enjoy CR for breakfast but with this port intensive itinerary we've only eaten there 4 or 5 times for breakfast, all excellent.

3. New band got on board in Venice and they are really good! If you're on in the next couple of months I think you're in for a treat. Also, be sure to catch Wish (pianist) he's really good too. Rest of cast get off in MC as I said earlier so don't know how that part will fair.

4. Sidelite: One of the Club Mariner ladies had a birthday while in Venice so the two Club Mariner folks and the singers and dancers went out to celebrate. Rumor has it one of the dancers slipped getting into a gondola and took a swim. One of the singers walked down the steps to help her out and (being from NY) didn't know how slippery that green slime on steps underwater can be so she took a spill too. They rolled in during the wee hours but the show and Club Mariner both went off without a hitch the next day!

5. We loved Venice though on the sail in St Mark's square did look like someone kicked over an anthill. First day we did the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basillica (isn't that place just beautiful!). Second day we did Murano and Burano tours; really nice and a WHOLE lot less folks. I'd recommend that on a visit to Venice you consider taking Rick Steve's advice and get lost in Venice. We tried and it was really wonderful. After Murano and Burano; we got dropped off in St Mark's square and walked to the Rialto bridge. From there took a Vaperetto to Academia (maybe a half mile down the Grand Canal) and then found our way back to the ship on foot. Gretchen even took a picture of Cheryl and I in some squre with absolutely NO ONE around. Back alleys in Europe are soooo cool!

6. In Split we took a tour that ended with five Croats (friends of our tour guide) singing acapella for just our group in the chapel at Declation's palace (I know I didn't spell that right). They were in their street clothes and had just finished rehearsing for some sort of festival that evening. Think of a cross between a Gregorian Chant and a Barber Shop Quartet. Totally beuatiful.

7. Kotor is Gretchen and Cheryl's new favorite port in Europe. We took a Montenegro Highlights tour and as the bus climbed out of the southern most fjord in Europe we stopped at the 25th switchback (no kidding 25th) for a photo op. We crested the hill (at just over 3000ft) and were in an alpine meadow!

8. Corfu was nice but not in the class of the other ports we've hit.

9. Today we are in Naxos and I went to Mt. Etna. Bus to the observation center, gondola to the 8500ft mark, land rover sort of vehicle to the crater from the 2001 and 2002 eruptions (10,800ft). Wind was blowing about 70 mph but it was great. Desolation all aroud, steaming vents, you could see the large yellow suphur deposits on the active crater above us. Difficult walking on gravelly surface and windy (but only about 45 degrees F so nice) and great views. This tour cost $49 extra but if you have the mobility and any interest in volcanoes it's worth the money. Gretchen and Cheryl took a Sicilian Cooking class today and won't be back for another hour or so.

10. In the categroy of lesson learned and also documenting the great staff our TA has I'll report the following:
- We booked Regent air for this trip but "deviated" the front end so we could get to Athens a day early.
- We were fully aware that we "lost" our free airport to ship transfer by deviating.
- We did not deviate our return trip and I ASSUMED (here's the lesson) that we had pre-paid transfers from the ship to the airport in Nice.
- When we turned in our disembarkation form the Destination Desk called and told me we did not have pre-paid transfers since we had "deviated" our air schedule. While not thrilled it actually made sense to me that this might be the case.
- On the off chance our TA might be able to do something I e-mailed her about the situation. She fired off an email to Regent who, in turn, fired off an email to the ship stating we in fact did have pre-paid transfers. I still do not know whether we really had pre-paid transfers from the beginning or if our TA brow beat them into it but in either event we have them and I thank our TA for her prompt attention. I learned not to ASSUME anyhing about travel arrangements.

Tomorrow Sorrento

For any who might be interested the ship's officers are:

Captain Aage Hoddevik - a relatively new guy to Regent. Seems to be a really nice gentleman but no McNeill

Staff Captain Hjalmar Lonn - Relatively young guy very nice and I think the ladies would say good looking

General Manager - Mike Coghlan, a Canadian with lots of experience in this area. Will be with ship durning rehab

F&B Manager - Florian Kibgilka

Cruise Director - Paul Reynolds

Executive Chef - George Hessler, married a Le Gauguin but not the one we saw him with two years ago.

Maitre 'D - Antony Bernardi Stefano something or other in Protofino

Cruise Consultant - Mike Coleman, quite the PR guy. Very visible and active.

Asst Cruise Director - Chris Schafer, almost unseen

All,
Finished Rome today. CROWDED!! but we're the ones who picked August. Rome on the light side is a really nice way to combine some guided touring and some on your own. We're packing (actally, I'm downloading pictures). Gretchen and Cheryl took 343 pictures today. God bless 16 GB thumb drives. We are whipeed but ever so glad we did this. But 16 different ports in 21 days is just a lot. There are some places to which we would return (Athens, Kotor, Venice). Also whetted our appetites for other parts of Greece, Turkey, and Dalmation Coast. Places we were so thrilled to see but to which there is no allure to return (Rome, Corfu, Santorini, Split). I know these are some of y'all's favorite places. I don't mean they are bad, but just not someplace in which I'd want to spend more time. Too many other places (Macchu Picchu, Antartic, North Cape, Circle SA, Seychelles, Gallapogos, Glacier Park, Skiing Whistler and Banff) on my "bucket list."

Bottom Line: I could really easily recommend Navigator to anyone. Yes, it's true I still don't like Portofinos and the back end still shakes like a lady of the evening in church when docking or at high speed; but, she's a well staffed well cared for ship that delivers a great experience. Can hardly wait for our next trip in Nov 2010 when we'll sail Navigator from Bangkok to Sydney.

[beaniele]

Thanks for the great review! We are on the Navigator for three cruises next year. My TA says the Regent sales rep was in the office and said that the Navigator is going to go through a very intensive refurbish in January. We sail in late April. Looking forward to this more and more!!!

[Travelcat2]

Originally Posted by gdlamberth

Bottom Line: I could really easily recommend Navigator to anyone. Yes, it's true I still don't like Portofinos and the back end still shakes like a lady of the evening in church when docking or at high speed; but, she's a well staffed well cared for ship that delivers a great experience. Can hardly wait for our next trip in Nov 2010 when we'll sail Navigator from Bangkok to Sydney.

Thanks for taking the time to do such a detailed review. Just reading about the Navigator sailing into Istanbul brings back wonderful memories from last year (except we were on the Voyager).

I suppose you know that Portofino's will become La Veranda next year. We are extremely pleased as we have never been fond of Portofino's.

How was the Cruise Director? I am not familiar with him.

By the time you sail the Navigator again, it will be like a brand new ship (except for her vibration that reminds us of her history). We'll be sailing in Dec 2010 from Cape Town to Rio. Looking forward to it/

[Island Cruiser]

What an excellent, substantive review. And it's great to learn you would recommend Navigator. We've sailed her once and feel the same way. Given the fact you had a significant number of Europeans on board (a plus in our opinion), it appears that Regent is doing considerably more marketing in Europe than before. Is that the impression you get? Were a lot of the kids Europeans? Like you, we aren't great fans of Portofino. We are really happy to see Regent is adding Prime 7 next year. It will make our May, 2010 Navigator cruise that much better! Pat

[Travelcat2]

Originally Posted by Island Cruiser

What an excellent, substantive review. And it's great to learn you would recommend Navigator. We've sailed her once and feel the same way. Given the fact you had a significant number of Europeans on board (a plus in our opinion), it appears that Regent is doing considerably more marketing in Europe than before. Is that the impression you get? Were a lot of the kids Europeans? Like you, we aren't great fans of Portofino. We are really happy to see Regent is adding Prime 7 next year. It will make our May, 2010 Navigator cruise that much better! Pat

When you mentioned your May, 2010 Navigator cruise, it occurred to me that we will also be on the Navigator in late May -- not December (when we will be on the Mariner). Getting my ships a bit confused.

[Billybob62]

Board Navigator in a week. Hope our cruise is as good as yours and thanks for the extensive review. Out of curiosity, since so much has been made over the last several months about "dress code," what was your experience as to how men were dressed on casual evenings, especially with regard to shirts (collared botton down the front vs. golf shirts). There does not seem to be any issue with how women dress. Also, with regard to the excursions, did Regent up the number of pesons per excursion and then add more tour guides and busses so that the individual tours still were not overwhelmingly large?

[PaulaJK]

Thank you for your comprehensive and interesting review. I enjoyed reading it and your enjoyment of Navigator certainly came through. The Gold event when sailing into Istanbul must have been lovely!

[gdlamberth]

Billybob,
Casual evenings I saw men in jacket and open collar, sport shirt and slacks, and pull over shirts with collars and buttons at the neck. So, pretty much everything. Only issue I heard about was a man who did not wear a jacket to INFORMAL night and was refused admission to Compass Rose. I even saw (on casual nights) men with dress shirts (you know the kind with tuck in tails) untucked. Now I wore shirt untucked but they were muted "aloha shirts" with square cut tails designed to be won outside. So there it is.

Greg