Regent Navigator Review - May / June 2016

Rosy and I flew into Venice from LHR, on a very early flight so we landed mid-morning and were escorted to a water taxi who delivered us to our hotel, booked by Regent. the Hilton Molino Stucky.

Apologies for the size of the photos, but had trouble editing the first few.

We were travelling in a Concierge suite, hence the transfers and excellent hotel. Due to my 'status' we were upgraded to the Exec floor, with free cocktails and snacks.

Hotel rooftop pool

Rosy outside hotel

Very nice Tim and great photos, looking forward to hearing about your adventure.

Pam.

We quickly settled in and were then 'given' a free tour to the glass-blowing factory at Murano. We taken both ways by water taxi, but didn't buy anything.

Then we strolled around Venice

Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Have a great time.

Can't wait to hear more! Especially about the ship. We are sailing on navigator in January! We were on the "old" Navigator in 2013 and can't wait to see the spiffed up version!

Tim - I did a double take when I saw Rosie's purse. It's identical to a canvas bag that I recently purchased on Seabourn. Mine was hand painted by a fellow guest who participated in the on board artist program. On the final day of the cruise, all their work was displayed and offered for sale with proceeds going to the Crew Fund. There was huge interest in the hand painted canvas bags and I was lucky to snag mine. I thought it was one-of-a-kind but obviously not!

Enjoying your posts very much! Looks like gorgeous weather....and that roof top pool...mmm! Keep 'em coming!

Looking forward to new photos of the Navigator. We are sailing next year.

Thanks

Sheila

Tim - I did a double take when I saw Rosie's purse. It's identical to a canvas bag that I recently purchased on Seabourn. Mine was hand painted by a fellow guest who participated in the on board artist program. On the final day of the cruise, all their work was displayed and offered for sale with proceeds going to the Crew Fund. There was huge interest in the hand painted canvas bags and I was lucky to snag mine. I thought it was one-of-a-kind but obviously not!

I believe she bought it on Ebay, made by Laurel Burch.

Venice continued

Embarkation

Regent provided a water taxi to take all guests from Hilton to the port, which wasn't very well coordinated, as when we went to check-in the port authorities weren't ready and it was pretty chaotic. We took our time walking from the taxi drop off to the port building, letting others race ahead.Yet when we arrived, the port staff got us to sign the medical forms, then we sat down with our check-in numbers. Trouble is that they called all the numbers at once, so again we were at the back of a long line. I was distinctly unimpressed and told them so, but I don't think they enjoyed their job. I wrote to Regent about it, but like with an earlier Seabourn experience, they Italian Port Authorities seem behind the rest of Europe. Of course, once we were in Regent's hands all was completely different, though they were slow offering Champagne.

Our suite

Champagne welcome

Lifeboat Drill

That 'desk' in your suite is simply terrible. Not enough room for a laptop, or anything really. Does Regent actually pay 'designers' to come up with this stuff? Surely they know people take laptops, tablets, cameras, phones, personal oxygen apparatus, that need space. I guess if you want to recharge your laptop you put it on the floor.

That 'desk' in your suite is simply terrible. Not enough room for a laptop, or anything really. Does Regent actually pay 'designers' to come up with this stuff? Surely they know people take laptops, tablets, cameras, phones, personal oxygen apparatus, that need space. I guess if you want to recharge your laptop you put it on the floor.

Nowadays, I only travel with Ipad and Iphone and found the space perfectly ok, but not so good for a laptop.

Hi Tim.

Had you previously been on Navigator? We were on in June just after the refurb but hadn't sailed on her before that. If you did, did you see a big difference with the decor and did you think the staff were up to scratch or were there a lot of newbies?

Thanks Pam.

Thank you for the photos. Now that we have been on the Explorer I can see that the materials used in your suite is not the same as on the Explorer. It is interesting that the Navigator has large regular suites (larger than the Mariner for instance) yet there is little desk or make-up space. Also, I prefer the black marble to the white (but that is personal preference).

Are there cabinets where the glasses are stored? If so, where are they located?

Thanks much!

OMG that desk is ridiculous! What were they thinking. How are those of us who still work of a living to enjoy these cruises going to work? And the lack of storage space above the desk is as bad. Well we have one cruise planed with this new set up. We'll see how it works for us.

Seriously. Were there any focus groups? If any, what was the composition of the groups?

Hi Tim.

Had you previously been on Navigator? We were on in June just after the refurb but hadn't sailed on her before that. If you did, did you see a big difference with the decor and did you think the staff were up to scratch or were there a lot of newbies?

 

Thanks Pam.

We had only previously been on Voyager, so cannot compare.

The crew were generally excellent. We did have an issue when requesting Caviar and were told by bar waiter that it wasn't their area and to ask in the restaurant. I got similar response at guest services, whereupon I suggested that they should find out for me and let me know. Eventually we got a phone call. Such small things put us off as we are used to staff answering questions politely and saying they will find out.

Seabourn for example, are very good in this respect and Caviar is available on demand and is complimentary.

Thank you for the photos. Now that we have been on the Explorer I can see that the materials used in your suite is not the same as on the Explorer. It is interesting that the Navigator has large regular suites (larger than the Mariner for instance) yet there is little desk or make-up space. Also, I prefer the black marble to the white (but that is personal preference).

 

Are there cabinets where the glasses are stored? If so, where are they located?

 

Thanks much!

The suite design was fine for me, as I like lots of free space, but shelf was a bit narrow. I just found other places t put things.

I believe there was a cabinet for glasses, but I can't remember for sure.

Day 2

Pomposa, Commachio & Ravenna

Today we docked at Ravenna and took a tour to Commachio (a pretty little town with several canals) and nice fish market.

Then on to winery at Pomposa

Having been given the standard tour we were treated to local bread, cheese, meat and several wines, whereupon the day became more jovial!

Pomposa wine tasting continued

It was another gorgeous day, so we stepped outside

That food looks really good. We enjoy most of Regent's wine excursions.

Since you have been in the Voyager and have also sailed the Navigator (which are the two most similar ships in Regent's fleet), how would you compare them? We have a love/hate relationship with the Navigator -- beautiful ship but has limited public areas and no forward lounge. Did the public areas get crowded on sea days or at night? I'm particularly interested in feedback on the Navigator at the moment as they have a few interesting itineraries. So far I have been unable to convince my DH to give the Navigator another try (but the last time I tried, he silenced me with another Explorer cruise...... a great way to end the debate):D

Based on what you have shown us of your suite, I'm hoping that the "new" suites on the Voyager look more like the Explorer than the Navigator.

Last question (I hope), did you book another cruise while onboard? If so, on which ship and itinerary.

Thanks!

That food looks really good. We enjoy most of Regent's wine excursions.

 

Since you have been in the Voyager and have also sailed the Navigator (which are the two most similar ships in Regent's fleet), how would you compare them? We have a love/hate relationship with the Navigator -- beautiful ship but has limited public areas and no forward lounge. Did the public areas get crowded on sea days or at night? I'm particularly interested in feedback on the Navigator at the moment as they have a few interesting itineraries. So far I have been unable to convince my DH to give the Navigator another try (but the last time I tried, he silenced me with another Explorer cruise...... a great way to end the debate):D

 

Based on what you have shown us of your suite, I'm hoping that the "new" suites on the Voyager look more like the Explorer than the Navigator.

 

Last question (I hope), did you book another cruise while onboard? If so, on which ship and itinerary.

 

Thanks!

We didn't notice any overcrowding on the Navigator, but it was a port intensive cruise, so folk were often ashore or tired and in their suites.

We loved Voyager, but felt the Navigator wasn't for us and perhaps Regent the same! We tried to book a cruise while onboard, on Explorer, but despite the future cruise person promising us a tremendous deal, by booking there and then, we got a much better quote from our own TA, so we were distinctly unimpressed and told them so.

As you clearly like Regent, I'd book the Navigator, if the itinerary suited you.

We would book the Explorer, but currently our first choice would be Seabourn, but not by much.

Day 3

Dubrovnik - last time we visited, we tendered in to the old port. Ths time docked at the new port, which isn't so good if doing DIY, but fine for excursions. We opted for the bicycle tour and wine tasting, which was great fun and good exercise. We took a bus up past the airport and then cycled around the Neretva countryside, did the wine tasting and then were bussed back.

This quite an energetic day, so one has to be fairly fit and mobile. The tasting was at a remote farm and we enjoyed some nice wine, brandy and some snacks. It was quite charming.

Day 4 Durres, Albania (for Tirana)

I really don't know why Regent chose this destination unless they were trying to fill a void, when changing from the Turkish ports. We found it dirty and depressing, with tourist projects started and then either not finished or maintained. All that we found of interest was in the old town, but in truth we were very glad to get back to the ship!

Docks

Loving your review and pictures

We tried to book a cruise while onboard, on Explorer, but despite the future cruise person promising us a tremendous deal, by booking there and then, we got a much better quote from our own TA, so we were distinctly unimpressed and told them so.

I believe you could have booked on-board (to obtain the on-board discount, Regent 'price-promise', lower deposit etc) and obtained the additional discount being offered by your TA. Regent are happy to assign on-board bookings back to your TA

We have done this in the past to ensure we get the 'best of both worlds' as TAs invariably offer additional discount to the Regent quoted price

Loving your review and pictures

 

 

 

I believe you could have booked on-board (to obtain the on-board discount, Regent 'price-promise', lower deposit etc) and obtained the additional discount being offered by your TA. Regent are happy to assign on-board bookings back to your TA

 

We have done this in the past to ensure we get the 'best of both worlds' as TAs invariably offer additional discount to the Regent quoted price

That is exactly what we do as well. TA price, Regent on-board discount etc. As you say, Best of Both Worlds!

Tim - do you know if Regent offers the "price guarantee" (rather new benefit) when you book onboard? I know that there are differences between booking onboard for U.K. residents vs. North America residents but am not sure what they are.

Also, do TA's in the U.K. actually discount the cruises or give you back a percentage of your fare (as they do in the U.S.).

I ask because I know of no circumstance where we could get a better "deal" than booking onboard and transferring the booking to our TA.

Since you have been in the Voyager and have also sailed the Navigator (which are the two most similar ships in Regent's fleet), how would you compare them? We have a love/hate relationship with the Navigator -- beautiful ship but has limited public areas and no forward lounge. Did the public areas get crowded on sea days or at night? I'm particularly interested in feedback on the Navigator at the moment as they have a few interesting itineraries. So far I have been unable to convince my DH to give the Navigator another try (but the last time I tried, he silenced me with another Explorer cruise...... a great way to end the debate):D

TC,

If you find any additional information on the comparison with Voyager, please let us know (of course, if on this board I'll just read it here). We haven't sailed on the Navigator but based on the comments of many (including you) we always felt that although it would be a fine Regent experience the ship itself did not thrill us as much as the Mariner or Voyager. But now I too am seeing some interesting itineraries and am willing to reconsider but still want more of a feel for it - I'm still a bit hesitant. I guess I'm not yet too old to change - we are even thinking about changing our travel agent (I know nobody can do a referral here). I think Jan sent you an email asking about your TA.

Best,

John & Jan