GeorgiaPeach Sails the Atlantic on Navigator

[NCCruzQueen]

On 5/6/2023 at 8:38 AM, WNcruiser said:

 

 

I look forward to meeting Crystal and Beth on our Iceland & Norway cruise in August. 
Bon Voyage,

 

Steve 

Hi @WNcruiser It would be great to meet you as well.  You can usually find us in one of the lounges!  🥤

[GeorgiaPeach51]

@ON cruiser  nice to meet you both.  Thanks for adding your take on things.  The more who add on the better overview for those who read about our experiences.

 

So, yesterday.  Port Canaveral was fabulous.  Everyone had to exit the ship yesterday, so they called the tours first so they could get us out of their hair.  We remained in our suite and they called us and we went straight to the bus.   It was a nice PC bus, and the fabric on the seats was interplanetary looking, and the floors were moonscape.  The child in me was delighted.

 

I have not heard how the rest of the disembarkation went for the remaining passengers but hope someone will chime in.  Someone we spoke with during the day said that passengers were lined up sitting on the stairs and probably in everyone’s way in order to be RIGHT THERE so they could escape the ship.  I don’t get it.  You only have to walk a few feet no matter where you are on this little ship.  The teacher in me wants to give them the teacher look designed to freeze them in place as I suggest they listen carefully and look at me as I repeat that guests are asked to remain in their cabins.  Sheesh.

 

You may remember that last cruise we had to all leave the ship for immigration or customs, whatever it was, and the whole ship was kept waiting while they searched and searched for a missing couple who finally traipsed drunkenly down the gangplank to a chorus of loud boos.   I hope everyone just did what they were doggoned asked to do.  My husband calls it, “shut up and color”.  Just do it!  It won’t kill ya.

 

Bsck to PC.  Short bus ride to the entrance…about 15 minutes or so.  They suggest that you first go to the Apollo section, which is another 15 minute ride on a different bus.  We did that and were glad we did.  For me, it was the most fascinating area.  When it is time for the bus back to the ship you don’t want to be on the wrong bus…the one coming back from the Apollo area, as the bus to the ship is leaving.  Doing that part first lets you gauge how much time to spend in the main area.  We spoke to one couple who never did get to the Apollo area, but then there were some things in the main area we missed.

 

All of it is so well done.  Two comments…..there is precious little seating in almost every area.  There are multiple standing movie areas with only one bench in the back.  In the display areas there is almost no seating.  So take that into account if you need to rest frequently. There is plenty of outside seating for snacking or eating lunch.  The other thing I noticed is that every presentation was in English only.  I didn’t see anyone with translation headphones on, so it pains me that POSSIBLY there is no accommodation for  non English speakers.  People surely come from all over the world to see this one of a kind amazing facility.  
 

I will attach plenty of photos if Wi-Fi helps.  One area I found touching was the memorial section to all the space heroes who lost their lives.  So many.  There was a display for each, with personal and heart tugging personal objects like their coffee mug, bible, binoculars for bird watching.  All this families without them, and the kids with no Mom or Dad.  
 

the bus!  😀…first two photos

 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

[GeorgiaPeach51]

[GeorgiaPeach51]

The space shuttle.  Wow.  Took the photos of the bottom so you could see the tiles. 
 

The last two are Mars rovers!

[PaulaJK]

Love your even pitch commentary Georgia Peach and these photos are fabulous.

Thank you.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Easy to get the bus back.  Arrived on the ship feeling my age!  We played trivia with our intrepid group and came in first!  Shocking.  Then we stayed for a lovely, brief church service conducted by the amazing Ray.  
 

We ate in Sette Mari for the first time on this cruise and had a wonderful meal.  If you haven’t ordered their nightly steak special, you are missing one of the best steaks ever.  Perfect Gorgonzola filet.  The service was perfect, and they had limoncello which thrilled my other half.  
It was a speedier meal than the previous night in CR, which we are trying again tonight.  We met a lovely couple from Germany in Sette Mari and went down our German memory road from when we met, and subsequent assignments there, so we are dining with them tonight.  One of the best things about cruising….so many nice, interesting people to meet.
 

My phone is charging and it contains a few food photos that I will post later.  We are in Jacksonville today and staying on the ship since we have been there and done that.  We are contemplating taking a 61 night cruise in 2026, part of the world cruise.  If we follow through that will be a huge commitment of time and money, whew, whew, whew.  Gives me heart palpitations. Our longest cruise is three weeks so I’m finding it hard to visualize two whole months.  We had a B2B booked but began to waffle on that because it repeated ports and with time and money both so precious, we decided that was wasteful.  So, color me a little stressed trying to make these decisions.  The 2026 would be an early celebration of our 50th anniversary so that’s pretty special, right?  
 

food photos to come.

[1982CruzStart]

4 minutes ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

The 2026 would be an early celebration of our 50th anniversary so that’s pretty special, right?

Definitely, very special. Good luck in your decision making.

 

Our longest cruise was 30 days and at about 15 days i hit a wall and wasn't sure i could handle another 15.  Well that lasted 24 hours and then i was so glad to be on for the last half of the cruise.  On the other hand my DH said that he didn't want to take another one that long.  Now, most of ours seem to be around 19 days. 

[GeorgiaPeach51]

@1982CruzStart  exactly! That is why the dithering….partly concerned I might begin to exhibit some wild eyed behavior being on a ship that long…or develop a twitch that people might regard with horrified glances, or start talking to myself for longer periods than is socially acceptable.  If anyone else has been on a long cruise I’d love to hear how you handled it…and did you just ease into it by taking gradually longer cruises?

 

Here are the promised photos from Sette Mari last night, and pre-dinner drinks in Galileo, a Mai-tai and margarita on the rocks.  Forgot to mention the limoncello and chocolate dessert.  Sinful.

[irishwitchy]

3 hours ago, 1982CruzStart said:

Definitely, very special. Good luck in your decision making.

 

Our longest cruise was 30 days and at about 15 days i hit a wall and wasn't sure i could handle another 15.  Well that lasted 24 hours and then i was so glad to be on for the last half of the cruise.  On the other hand my DH said that he didn't want to take another one that long.  Now, most of ours seem to be around 19 days. 

We had done two 18 day cruises and I thought I was ready for the 32 days.  I wasn’t!  Meals all felt the same after two weeks,  same boring behavior from some folks which was fine for 18 days, but after 25 days - it got to me.  Looking at you folks that need to grab the first seat on the bus everyday (not handicapped) or pool lounge hogs and the folks that missed the lesson from mom, you need to move out of the way and let the people in the elevator out, before you charge in - this happened a lot!

 

  I did love playing trivia with our team everyday, but the other activities really don’t do much for me, I find them a bit lame.   I love the wine and champagne lunches!  

 

 

[IrishKathy]

GP,  Years ago we did two 12 day cruises, back to back.  At the end we were REALLY ready to get off the ship.  There is no way we would ever think about 61 days.  The cruises were wonderful, food great, but too much food and even the entertainment got old.  Sorry to say that, but that's how we felt.  Hope you think long and hard before making your decision.  Just from getting to know you on this forum, you have the personality to be happy anywhere for any length of time .

[Jlhalldc]

4 hours ago, GeorgiaPeach51 said:

.  We are contemplating taking a 61 night cruise in 2026, part of the world cruise.  If we follow through that will be a huge commitment of time and money, whew, whew, whew.  Gives me heart palpitations. Our longest cruise is three weeks so I’m finding it hard to visualize two whole months.  We had a B2B booked but began to waffle on that because it repeated ports and with time and money both so precious, we decided that was wasteful.  So, color me a little stressed trying to make these decisions.  The 2026 would be an early celebration of our 50th anniversary so that’s pretty special, right?  
 

food photos to come.

We had some trepidation before boarding the Grand Asia Voyage on Explorer this January but needn't have...it was fantastic. Yes, it's a long time, but one gets into a rhythm with crew, fellow "long haulers", restaurants, lounges and the many activities Regent plans. We absolutely loved it.   And yes, we gradually built up our cruises -- did a 28 day Baltic cruise and the next year did a 34-day Circle Australia cruise. Hope this helps!

Edited May 8, 2023 by Jlhalldc
Added additional info.

[cwn]

Georgia peach….From the other side of the coin….our first long cruise was 63 days on the Mariner. We had only ever done about 21 days and DH was sure he could stand that long, but I love being on the water. We loved loved the cruise (Circle SA) and it was broken up into 4 segments so there were alway changing the dynamics of the ship. We first met Ray in that cruise. (We always love his church services). Each segment had a different feel…I am an old HS teacher… so like a new class period, same subject, but very different.

We were on the Navigator in 2018 for the 137 day world cruise and loved every minute. We had concerns about being a small ship for a long time but the staff has plenty for us to do! 
Come join us in 26. We can celebrate together. We will be celebrating 61 years with the full 155 day cruise. But seriously you are talking about several segments and that really breaks up the mix. And the Mariner is a wonderful ship with both forward and aft lounges and you can get outside in both for pictures. Also two speciality restaurants so not as much pressure on CR. The really long cruises are different in that more effort is put in the activities as they know people are on for a long time.

The staff really do make the “long haulers” feel special. 

Edited May 8, 2023 by cwn

[RachelG]

I am wanting to do a long cruise.  Our longest so far was 18 days and I loved it.  But still working makes longer than that really impossible.  BUT when I retire, I definitely want some longer ones.  We eat meals off the ship enough of the time that I don't think we would get tired of the food. 

[rcandkc]

On the other end…we totally will not consider a 7 day cruise…we would have to do back to back and not repeat ports. 

[KenzSailing]

GP, I am sure you could make a review of the phone book interesting reading.

 

Thanks for taking us along.

[DaisyUK]

Georgia Peach - can't tell you how much I am enjoying reading of your current adventures. I can relate to the uncertainty of booking a longer cruise. DH and I have been on many cruises, but the longest so far is 14 days. We have booked a 33 day cruise in Jan 24 and are dithering, blowing hot and cold etc. On the one hand, it allows us to visit a part of the world we have never before been to with the luxury of time to justify the long journey to get there but on the other hand we are completely 'stuck' if we get bored/stir crazy. On balance, I think we are going to go for it on the basis that we always enjoy our time together no matter where we are or what we are doing, but it is certainly taxing our brains at the moment! 

[flossie009]

20 to 40 nights is our ideal cruise, preferably with a balanced mix of port & sea days

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Sorry for the delay in reporting.  I guess I kind of fell into a hole of doing not a whole lot but taking a long time to do it.  No idea where time went.  I really appreciate all the responses about the lengthy cruise.  I also got input from my intrepid friend, Beth, who is a big fan of long cruises.  When I asked her about taking a long one her face absolutely lit up as she gave suggestions.

 

We decided to go for it.  I’d rather try it and reflect afterwards that it was either pure magic or pure torture than to be much older and wish I had….we will be 75 and 73 then and possibly starting to push the envelope with health…who knows?  So we will be on the January 10, 2026 Explorer cruise that starts in Auckland and ends in Tokyo.  Waaaahhhhhooo!

 

I last posted about Port Canaveral, and that was followed by Jacksonville.  We stayed on the ship and had a nice, relaxing day.  I talked to a few people who enjoyed their Jax tours.  Next port was lovely Charleston and while the town was charming, our tour was not.  It was puzzling.  We promptly boarded a nice bus that was about half full, and the tour guide gave a narrative of places as we passed, all of us twisting and turning to peer at bits and pieces.  I got enough of an impression to know that I really wished to be off the bus and wandering around as we rolled past.  Here comes the puzzling part.  We pulled away from the ship at 9:05.  Arrived at an area where the USS Yorktown was berthed, after about 30 minutes and there we stayed.  And stayed. We waited until 11:00 to board the boats to Fort Sumter.  Almost an hour and a half!  There was a gift shop to browse, but that was it.  Really, not a good situation.  I was told by another passenger who filled me in on the reason.  Apparently his guide, who was the lead bus, had encountered a traffic situation on a prior day that messed up the flow of the tour.  So he opted to go straight to Fort Sumter and skip the town tour part and do that later.  But the boat schedule did not work into that new flow, and there we all stood waiting for the boat to arrive. 
 

By the time we loaded the entirely full boat, travelled to the Fort and allowing time for the return, there was only one hour at the Fort and we boarded the bus and came back to the ship.  So it was a whole lot of hurry up and wait for too little in return, IMO.  The tour took from 9-1:30 and only an hour of it was seeing something.  Our tour guide mentioned pluff, the deep, dark, pungent marsh mud that he said contains three of his hats….if it blows off and lands in the pluff you can kiss it goodbye and you dare not go in to retrieve it.

 

I wish we could have had the two hours back that we lost, in order to wander the town.  It is so charming, like Savannah, both good representatives of Southern charm.  It’s rare to find towns or cities with their own unique flavor so they stand out as unique.  Charleston, for sure, is one.

 

back in a minute…

[GeorgiaPeach51]

A friend related this lovely service oriented tidbit.  He and his wife were at dinner and she was commenting that there was not enough of a particular ingredient in her entree.  She mentioned this only to him but it was overheard by their server, apparently, because a chef came personally to their table to inquire about her concern.  🥰

 

this little tidbit appeared in the daily a few days ago.

 

DECK CHAIRS & POOLSIDE ETIQUETTE

Complimentary chaise lounges and extra-large towels are provided for the use and enjoyment of all guests on board and are available on a first come, first served basis. As a courtesy to your fellow guests, we kindly request that you refrain from the practice of reserving chaise lounges and day beds with personal items. If your personal items are left unattended for an extended period of time they will be sent to Reception for you to collect at your leisure.

 

We are rarely around the pool but I saw plenty of empty chairs yesterday even though it was hot and sunny.  Not sure if there were any empty in the shade but I will try to look today.  It is definitely cooler today.  I find the halls really chilly and have started carrying around a light sweater.  
 

here are some photos from lunch yesterday.  Rolf’s profiterole.  My plate…didn’t love the quiche, and my salad.  The ice cream station at the pool stays busy.  The wonderful Sonny is on board and as charming as ever.  Delighted to see his smiling face.  

[papaflamingo]

19 hours ago, RachelG said:

I am wanting to do a long cruise.  Our longest so far was 18 days and I loved it.  But still working makes longer than that really impossible.  BUT when I retire, I definitely want some longer ones.  We eat meals off the ship enough of the time that I don't think we would get tired of the food. 

We have done 84 nights total on Regent.  But ONLY 2 cruises, 44 nights Honolulu to Sydney on Mariner in 2018 and 40 nights Montreal to Southampton in Navigator in 2022.   We really never found the food boring.  Since you can "mix and match" on the "Everyday" offerings in Compass Rose along with the daily specials, , plus the variety in the other restaurants, you can pretty much find any combination if food you want from all veggies to steak and lobster.  Of course there are repeats, but the variety of options is available.  

On our Pacific cruise in 2018, we had as many as 5 days at sea in a row.  I love the ships so I was never bored, simply used these sea days as an opportunity to relax and recharge.  Our cruise in 2022 was port intensive, so when a couple of ports cancelled we were partially grateful for the extra at sea days to rest and recharge.

I love long cruises on Regent for many reasons, mostly the peacefulness I feel relaxing in luxury on a small, uncrowded ship. 😎

[mj_holiday]

Our longest cruise to date has been about 18-19 days, and we are booked on a 30 day cruise next year.  We have no concern about getting bored etc.  On sea days we usually go our own way after breakfast, DH will go to the library to read some newspapers, I will find something like Bingo or reading.  We have no concerns about such a long cruise and this is probably the best way to see this part of the world.

[GeorgiaPeach51]

Remember Goldilocks and the three bears?  She kept trying different spots to find something just right…and I am doing the same as I wander the ship searching for a comfortable spot to plop and read or write to you.  Haven’t found it yet.  When we were on the new Celebrity Edge we were dumbfounded by the number of stylish chairs and couches that beckoned you to come sit then laughed at you as you squirmed around.  And let’s not talk about the artisan that creates an object to sit upon that positively resists the occupant leaving that object with grace, so low does it sit, or so angled does it recline, and always, the worst offenders have no arms to assist in the struggle.  I’m finding the soft furnishings in this ship to be pretty much not soft though they advertise that they will be soft or at least slightly cushy as they beguile you into coming over but many are more in the bench family…as in park bench.  I discovered a rather odd sitting area adjacent to the casino.  So adjacent as to be part of the casino.  Interesting placement.  On sea days you can read and attempt Mensa to the sound of bells and whistles and BUFFALO…those who enjoy the slots will know the machine I reference.  So I abandoned that area in favor of the library where I am joining 10 other people, leaving 6 seats free.  We are close enough that I can easily turn the pages for the newspaper reader adjacent to me, should they need an assist.  😘

 

I was going to take photos today of the ship but am finding it a challenge due to all the people, and  I try to take photos without people since I don’t have their permission.  But I’ll slip them in as I can.

 

my thoughts on the Navigator so far are that she is charming but petite.  For instance, I find the very small coffee bar to be visually just a mishmash of chairs with the IT desk squished into the already crowded corner.  There is a bar across the hall that handles overflow, and it is needed, on sea days like this.  I haven’t been on the pool deck yet but it is quite cooler today, to me at least, and I suspect there are fewer people on the deck and more inside.  This is the first time for this combination of sea day and cooler weather, so this is the first time the ship seems slightly crowded to me. 
 

The serving area of The Veranda can be congested at times.  Rather than the different stations found on Splendor and Explorer, you enter and go down a hallway that also doubles as the food station line, with food choices lining both sides of the hallway,  So that hall does double service as the food area and the entry and exit, resulting in a combination of people coming in, people going out and people searching for the butter or a cookie.  It’s not unpleasant, just requires a titch more of patience and maneuverability. 
 

Here is the casino seating area.

[NCCruzQueen]

Today is our first seaday and the “World of Wines” event was offered.  Here are the wines presented.  We know that other wines are available for the asking.
 

Edited May 10, 2023 by NCCruzQueen

[cwn]

GP… try the area in the bar for the theater to the left by the windows. Several of us went there for reading, talking and a small group painted on their own (water colors). They were very good. I found it a good place to get away, had it to myself a lot but never many people. DH spent time in the library.

 

Nine sea days in a row is the most we ever have had…. Coming across the South Atlantic from South Africa to South America on the Navigator.

 

Enjoying your report. Sorry you missed just walking around Charleston. We visit there often, one of my favorite walking cities… great place for a lunch or dinner. There are many places we have found that we skip the tour for exactly the reason you describe.