First timer Navigator - General questions

[genes007]

Really looking forward to our first Navigator cruise, was just looking at the layout of the ship on-line to familiarise myself and have a couple of questions I hope someone maybe able to help with:

 

1) I notice that there are 2 seven seas lounges, are there therefore 2 different shows per night in each of the theatre halls?

 

2) What is the difference between the Stars Lounge, the Navigator Lounge & Galileos? Are they all used per and post dinner? Are they similar in size and/or solely used as bar lounges?

 

3) It doesn't look as if there is an open outdoor bar on the pool deck as per the Mariner/Voyager?

On a previous cruise I found it relaxing sat out having a drink upon departing a destination before getting changed for dinner. Is this possible on the Navigator?

[jongbj]

We haven't sailed on her yet but will do in March.

So I can only answer the first question:

 

I presume (at least how I read the deck plans) that the show lounge encompasses 2 decks. So one lounge with entrances on both decks.

[rcandkc]

Really looking forward to our first Navigator cruise, was just looking at the layout of the ship on-line to familiarise myself and have a couple of questions I hope someone maybe able to help with:

 

1) I notice that there are 2 seven seas lounges, are there therefore 2 different shows per night in each of the theatre halls?

 

2) What is the difference between the Stars Lounge, the Navigator Lounge & Galileos? Are they all used per and post dinner? Are they similar in size and/or solely used as bar lounges?

 

3) It doesn't look as if there is an open outdoor bar on the pool deck as per the Mariner/Voyager?

On a previous cruise I found it relaxing sat out having a drink upon departing a destination before getting changed for dinner. Is this possible on the Navigator?

 

1. There is one show a night. You can get to it from 2 decks.

2. The stars lounge is upon entering the "theater". I think it is mainly an evening bar. The navigator lounge is used all day. Coffee, hot chocolate, Bloody Mary in am to drinks in the evening.

Galileos is a big gathering spot in the afternoon for tea or trivia. Drinks also😀.

There is also dancing and music at night.

3. Unless something has changed there is a bar and ice cream out by the pool. You can grab a chair or chaise and relax.

[Sunprince]

Really looking forward to our first Navigator cruise, was just looking at the layout of the ship on-line to familiarise myself and have a couple of questions I hope someone maybe able to help with:

 

1) I notice that there are 2 seven seas lounges, are there therefore 2 different shows per night in each of the theatre halls?

 

2) What is the difference between the Stars Lounge, the Navigator Lounge & Galileos? Are they all used per and post dinner? Are they similar in size and/or solely used as bar lounges?

 

3) It doesn't look as if there is an open outdoor bar on the pool deck as per the Mariner/Voyager?

On a previous cruise I found it relaxing sat out having a drink upon departing a destination before getting changed for dinner. Is this possible on the Navigator?

 

I just left the Navigator on Saturday.

1) There is 1 Seven Seas Lounge but it is on 2 levels (upper level is a balcony type area). Only 1 show (normally @9:30pm), but lectures and other events held here during the day.

2)The Stars Lounge is just outside the Seven Seas on the lower level. It has a bar and sitting area, small dance floor, music etc. Navigator Lounge is smaller and more intimate, there is a small bar, piano. It serves continental breakfast in the am. Galileos is on the 11 deck aft, with an outdoor aft seating area. Galileos is larger, with bar, live music etc. As previously mentioned this is where tea time and trivia are during the day.

3) Navigator has a pool bar on deck 10. From what I remember, it closes at 5pm, but you can get a drink there and sit around the pool if you wish. Otherwise Galileos aft outdoor seating might be a nice place to sit and have a drink outside prior to dinner.

[genes007]

Thanks so much for the info.

@sunprince how was your cruise?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated -:)

[trouper75]

Long time cruisers on the Diamond/ Mariner/Voyager we took a chance on the Navigator through the Panama Canal Ft. L. to San Francisco. Never again! An entirely different experience/product. Rude people decks & desks, ("I can't talk to you now", etc.) awful food at what is now Sette Mari and worst of all it rides like a bronco. Many nights we had to eat in suite...just too bouncy to walk through the halls. One deck officer told us that having been built on the hull of a ship meant for something else, it was one deck too high. No need to go on. I do wish you calm seas and following winds. B.

[Baggywrinkle99]

Many people love Navigator so only OP can decide for themselves. I confess it's our least favourite Regent ship, mainly because of the comparatively cramped public areas when it's busy and the lack of any forward facing lounges. They are all at the back and can be a little "uncomfortable" during rougher seas. It's true that she's a converted Russian weather (?) ship and so wasn't specifically built for cruising, hence the "bumpy ride" sometimes.

[LindaM]

Long time cruisers on the Diamond/ Mariner/Voyager we took a chance on the Navigator through the Panama Canal Ft. L. to San Francisco. Never again! An entirely different experience/product. Rude people decks & desks, ("I can't talk to you now", etc.) awful food at what is now Sette Mari and worst of all it rides like a bronco. Many nights we had to eat in suite...just too bouncy to walk through the halls. One deck officer told us that having been built on the hull of a ship meant for something else, it was one deck too high. No need to go on. I do wish you calm seas and following winds. B.

 

ahh, another person who feels as we do about Sette Mari. There is no reason for Navigator to be inferior to the other Regent ships, other than not initially being meant as a cruise ship. If I were in the top at Regent, I would look at the top management on Navigator. The service etc. should not be any different, since the staff is rotated among the ships. They must look at being rotated to Navigator as vacation time.

[TedC]

Many people love Navigator so only OP can decide for themselves. I confess it's our least favourite Regent ship, mainly because of the comparatively cramped public areas when it's busy and the lack of any forward facing lounges. They are all at the back and can be a little "uncomfortable" during rougher seas. It's true that she's a converted Russian weather (?) ship and so wasn't specifically built for cruising, hence the "bumpy ride" sometimes.

 

I could be wrong but I thought Nav hull was for a Russian SPY SHIP. We sailed It from Cape Town to FLL - 28 days with no problems

Edited January 7, 2014 by TedC

[Baggywrinkle99]

Ha ha I'm sure "weather" was a euphemism for "spy" during the Cold War (both sides).

[TedC]

I agree!

[Gcto]

Having been on the Navigator a few times (as well as the Mariner and Voyager), I might add a few points.

 

Yes, the Navigator was not originally designed as a cruise ship. I was originally a Russion Support Vessel with a strenghtend Hull to be able to navigate in icy waters (ice ). Also, the length of the ship and other measurements are indicative to how it operates in less calmer seas. Regent did a good job using the original hull, but yes, it's shorter than Mariner and Voyager and is therefore more prone to be affected by waves. (We've been on the Voyager with cross winds and high seas as well and..it was rocky too).

 

On the staff and service: Yes, crews rotate and we've had great service on the Navigator and less great service on the Mariner. It depends who runs the ship and who runs the kitchen. Last trip on the Navigator we met a lot of old friends/staff from our previous Voyager tour and staff, crew and service was great.

Then on a Mariner cruise, the staff was new or we had two groups not working well together, service was still good, but not the Regent standard.

 

But either way, it's usually above par and the minor mishaps are not important. Enjoy the cruise and don't worry about the little things.

[RachelG]

The comments regarding navigator's origins are true as far as I know. And weather does equal spy.

 

But I really like navigator. Actually more than mariner. The crew has always been great for us. If you have suite midship on decks 6, 7, or 8, there is not motion to speak of and no vibration. I have been on all three.

 

Don't worry. I would sail again on navigator without hesitation. And I am fairly picky.

[jhp]

I, too liked the Navigator, as my first two cruises on her in her maiden year and the next, before the other ships came about, and other cruises since. Nowadays, her itineraries are limited to those I have either been on, or am no longer interested in (Caribbean) for the most part. I think my favorite cruise ever was on her for the Norwegian Fjords my first time. Great weather, a magic itinerary, and favorite friends onboard, what could be better? Funny, my favorite "ship" is the Mariner, while Rachel would prefer the Navigator. No cruise is unpleasant to me when it is Regent. If I have a problem, I try to solve it onboard quietly, and by going to the right person if I'm really upset, which is rarely. If that didn't solve it, then maybe I'd go a bit higher upon my return. Never had to do that, perhaps why I keep coming back.

 

Generally agree with TedC, franzr, and baggywrinkels comments below. And like trouper75' have had a couple of days up top for lunch where I felt like I'd had three martini's. Hope you enjoy your cruise!

[genes007]

Thanks so much for all your comments.

I'm glad that there are positive ones too!

As you say you'd expect the staff to rotate the ships so there's no reason why service on one ship would be better than another.

It also sounds like the rough sea can impact all of the fleet and not just the navigator.

As I'm sure is evident on this site it's all about a matter of opinion however considering the level and price of a Regent cruise I'm surprised to hear of any negativity. I am however really looking forward to what will be a great trip.

[Travelcat2]

In my opinion, the Navigator does not handle rough seas as well as the Mariner or Voyager. I feel that the Navigator is a good ship for people new to Regent.

 

I always heard that it was suppose to be an ice breaker ship (similar to the one stuck in Antarctica).

[Kwaj girl]

Had to miss Roatan yesterday (tuesday) as docking was unsafe due to high winds. The trip to Roatan was quite rough especially around 5-6 am. Captain updated us around 7am regarding the cancellation of this port call. We stayed in the relatively sheltered waters until 10 am so all could have breakfast, shower safely, etc. We tacked from Roatan to Guatemala to try for a more comfortable ride and the Captain kept us updated on all aspects of the trip. All outer decks were closed due to very high winds (up to 60 kits or so), an amended activity schedule was distributed at all suites by 9am but we simply decided to ride it out with a long nap. Seas calmed down mostly by 3pm. I would say the crew did an excellent job to be sure passengers were as comfortable as possible and many took advantage of room service to avoid having to negotiate stairs as elevators were shut down again due to the rocky conditions.

On other note, we have had nothing but a marvelous experience on this ship (our second on the Navigator...but we've also sailed on the Voyager and Mariner) .... Food and service have been top-notch .... including purser and destination specialists. Just wish Regent would do a full world cruise in '16..

[LindaM]

The comments regarding navigator's origins are true as far as I know. And weather does equal spy.

 

But I really like navigator. Actually more than mariner. The crew has always been great for us. If you have suite midship on decks 6, 7, or 8, there is not motion to speak of and no vibration. I have been on all three.

 

Don't worry. I would sail again on navigator without hesitation. And I am fairly picky.

 

I would sail Navigator again, even though I have probably complained more than anyone else here!! We had to miss 3 ports on her last spring, due to rough seas.

 

My problem is I also sail mainstream lines. So, unfortunately I can't help but compare food/service, and perhaps my expectations are too high.

[journeyfan]

Kiwj girl,

 

I believe the Navigator and Oceania Riviera are following the same schedule? Did they also miss Roatan yesterday? Usually when it's too rough to dock in Mahogany Bay it's possible to dock in Coxen Hole. Did your Captain mention that?

[nanaof2]

I feel that the Navigator is a good ship for people new to Regent.

 

I always heard that it was suppose to be an ice breaker ship (similar to the one stuck in Antarctica).

 

Why is that? Not good enough for someone like you? :confused:

[Sunprince]

Why is that? Not good enough for someone like you? :confused:

 

Being "new to regent" and just off the Navigator for the first time I will offer my thoughts. In some ways the Navigator is a good option for someone new to regent mainly because of its smaller size and you can get to know other passengers and staff quite easily. Not sure if the same is true on the other 2 ships but they not not significantly larger so I suspect that is also the case. On the other hand the Navigator is not a good regent ship to start off with if the motion of the ship bothers you. It would not leave a great impression on a first time regent cruiser and some more "critical" passengers (not me) may not be inclined to sail regent again based on this experience (even knowing that the other ships do not have this problem).

 

I'll post my Navigator experience in more detail on a separate thread (likely on the weekend) when I have a few moments. For now hope this helps

[fizzy]

Why is that? Not good enough for someone like you? :confused:

 

That's too funny! I read that exactly the same way. We LOVE the Navigator. I would expect to feel some motion if I'm on a ship We did 3 in a row from N.Y. to Bermuda and would have done that forever if they still had it offered. It's every bit as special as the other ships in the fleet. Honest. I would think that someone "new" to Regent would be directed to start off at the supposedly top of the line ship. There are many opinions on this subject.

[Baggywrinkle99]

If the rock solid stability of a ship is your #1 priority then perhaps cruising on the open sea isn't for you in the first place. Maybe try a river cruise instead?

[Travelcat2]

It has been our experience that the stabilizers on Marnier and Voyager work better. The Navigator has a different types of engines. A book could be written on the tens of millions of dollars spent to fix mechanical issues on the Navigator. Not sure if you could do a search of the Regent boards in 2007 - 2009. You would be surprised at what you would read.

 

I am in not saying that the ship is unsafe. She is very safe. The more I think about it, I am 99.9% certain that the Mariner and Voyager are more stable in rough seas. It's just the way it is.

Edited January 9, 2014 by Travelcat2

[Travelcat2]

Why is that? Not good enough for someone like you? :confused:

 

Just my opinion. Maybe because there are many of us that have posted that we prefer the other ships. Our next Caribbean cruise will be on Oceania's Riviera. I'm voting with my money.

 

The only point I was trying to make is that newbies do not have other Regent ships to compare it to. They just see the large suites, fabulous service, etc. I try to make my posts as honest as possible. As much as I love(d)? The Voyager, I still point out the aft vibration. On the Mariner, the suites are smaller nothing is perfect and little escapes my notice.