Navigator Vibration/Noise? Recent Experiences?

[Mad52maple]

We are considering a Jan 2020 Papeete to Sydney cruise or Auckland to PPT in March, both on Navigator.  We cruised on Navigator 10 years ago and don't remember vibration/noise but a number of recent reviews mention this topic.  

 

We are really most interested in the Feb 11, 2020 Mariner PPT to Sydney cruise but the highest category currently available is Concierge D. We've gotten spoiled by having a butler so only want to book a higher category.  What experience have people had with getting cleared off of a waitlist with Regent?  Is it more or less likely to get off of the waitlist because this is a segment of the 2020 world cruise?

 

Thanks.
(I'm not mad - that refers to our town Madison!)

[Mad52maple]

NEW to this board. Now see there's LOTS addressing this topic.  Never mind.

 

[zimmer46]

We have been on Navigator three times, although maybe 3 years since last on board.  There's no doubt it does have a bit more vibration / noise, compared to the larger modern ships, but remember it originally was not a cruise ship.    It's more apparent when the bow thrusters are in use or in heavy seas and also if you are low down towards the stern.   To be honest we have never found it to be an issue in the suite.     Put it this way, it has not put us off..... we are on Navigator for 20 days later this year.

[Boatmans Lady]

We were on The Navigator in January for 20 nights and had read about the vibration and had booked a forward suite for this reason.

Yes there is a vibration, but most of the time it isn't noticeable, but a couple of times it was very noticeable in the theatre, but not that bad that it detracted from our enjoyment.

 

Our next cruise will be on a 5 cabin wooden sailing boat and if they need to put the generator on, you feel that vibration wherever you are!

[JMARINER]

Have you looked at the cabins reviewed here on Cruise Critic? Here is the  link.

 

On the NAV everything aft of the rear elevators can be problematic, more so for noise issues than vibration (IMO).

 

J

[Travelcat2]

Strongly agree with JMARINER.  In my opinion, there is no reason to book an aft suite on Navigator unless you are 100% sure that noise/vibration will not bother you. Whether you cruised on Navigator 10 years or this year, it still has a vibration.  Regent has spent multi-millions of dollars to fix the issue and while it is a bit better, it reallly is not fixable (remember - Navigator’s hull was not built to be on a passenger ship).  

 

The vibration is not constant but, at times, you can watch your glass “walk” across the table in La Veranda!

Edited March 7, 2019 by Travelcat2

[NCCruzQueen]

Definitely book a forward or midship suite on Navigator.  My favorite area is deck 6.  I have over 200 nights on Navigator, the last time onboard was the 89 night Grand Arctic Splendor June-September 2018.  On that cruise we only experienced a few really bouncy times.  We did miss Sydney, Nova Scotia due to rough seas.  

 

Knowing that Navigator has these issues will be beneficial in booking the preferred suites.  Using an experienced luxury cruise travel agent is also helpful in knowing areas to avoid on certain ships.  

[GOARMY]

TS:  As you have no-doubt determined, comments re:  Navigator's unique hull (initially configured for a Soviet Union-era "Ice Breaker"--((no, not-really, more like a spy ship))--have always presented unique onboard noises, and movement.  Sometimes, almost comical.  Like, in the Theater during a Cultural Lecture as the Bridge maneuvers the ship into an anchorage position or towards a pier.  Bow thruster, or some thrusters resonate vibrations throughout the ship.  The Lecturer, literally, hangs onto the podium containing his/her notes, so as to stay upright.  And, as mentioned before, either a wine glass or coffee cup, begins moving on its own towards the end of the table.   Just hang-on, and stay seated.  That too will pass. 

 

There have been several Threads concerning this particular aspect over the past two or three years. 

 

We have sailed about seven times aboard Navigator over the past 10 years.  The most-recent two were 2017 Amazon River; and 2018 Panama Canal cruises.  Most-others were Fall Foliage Montreal-NYC, or visa versa.  We always book Cabin 845, or thereabouts.  That is almost center.  Have never experienced "excessive"  (I understand this is a subjective adjective) noise or vibration issues in that cabin when general sea or wind conditions would not otherwise be a contributing factor. 

 

That said, it is certainly true other Regent ships--and we have been on all of them--generally handle adverse sea conditions on a more even keel, so-to speak.  Part of the equation is that they are larger, with hulls originally designed for a cruise, not a spy, vessel.  Also, Navigator's general social areas--Theater, Lounges--are higher up and aft.  Thus, more-prone to exacerbate vibration.  Compass Rose, the main restaurant, is low, and centered.  That is a good thing as to ameliorating excessive vibration.  

 

Our decision to eschew further Navigator patronage is not due to how it handles sea movement; rather, other Regent ships cover our preferred itinerary choices, and offer more amenities in terms of alternative restaurants and a forward-facing Observation Lounge.  This must also be noted: ambience aboard Navigator has always been uniformly great as to cuisine, staff attitude, and general condition of the ship.  No issues there. 

 

Back on Explorer in a few months.

 

GOARMY!