Just returned from the Navigator 7-day cruise to Bermuda. Some wonderful stuff, some not so wonderful, and a couple new lessons learned. I'll keep this brief, as I'm starting to doze, but will hit the high and low points.

The first people Mom and I met--even before we boarded--were Loon and her husband. They figured out who we were, and approached us. We palled around with them through the cruise--terrific people and lots of fun.

The weather was great on port days, notwithstanding the pain inflicted by Frances in Florida during that time. I'd highly recommend the snorkel trip that goes over a shipwreck--it was amazing. It's run by Jessie James Cruises (they added it on as a ship excursion at the last minute).

Not surprisingly, the food and service on the Navigator were superb. RSSC knows how to hire and train. The specialty restaurant, the Portofino, was nothing special food or atmosphere-wise. I'm not sure it's worth the trouble of a structured reservation. But the Compass Rose was excellent.

One thing I really did not like: the days at sea at the beginning and end of the cruise--particularly at the beginning. A day at sea is nice after several days of exploring ports, but to have one at the outset sets up a very boring launch to a vacation, particularly as they didn't even have the pool filled while at sea (too choppy). I've always liked RSSC for its destinations, but this cruise was a little more sea-oriented than I like. That's personal preference only. I know some people love the days at sea, and like the first day to de-pressurize after coming off of work.

Disembarkation was another sour note. We were kicked out of our rooms at 9:00 and left to sit around crowded lounges for 2 hours before we could disembark. Then, there was not a taxi to be had. I know they make some bucks from selling their land arrangements, but in a port like NY, they must realize that independent travel is going to be done by quite a few, and they should show enough consideration of passengers to ensure that there's a taxi line formed.

Again, the complaints don't outweigh the pluses--not by a long shot. But I did learn a couple of things for future reference.

We are sorry you had a problem with the cabs. When we got off the Navigator in June, there was a cab line waiting, but the port authority is actually the agency that needs the complaint. The cab drivers are independent!

In all fairness to RSSC, they have no control over the NYC Cabs. On a good day in Midtown you can be hard pressed to catch one. It is really easy to arrange for car service. You call and reserve and then the car service will wait for you or come back.

Welcome back C! Cabs and sea days notwithstanding, glad you had a good trip! Thanks for the review.

R

Crys - sorry to hear that your experience wasn't everything that you hoped it to be -- but sounds like overall, you had a good time!

Masaki

Welcome Back Crys! A sea day to start with with no pool would be a bit disconcerting, but I'm glad you had a good time overall. The Navigator is still my favorite ship!

Hey Crys, Good to hear from you. I was hoping you would have calm seas and Frances wouldn't get in the way of your cruise. We had the same problem with a long wait to disembark in NYC last summer. It's a mess.

btw, did you hear that Etna is erupting again???

Can't wait to hear more about your cruise and your perspective on the Navigator.

Beth

Crys,
The pool thing...i.e. being empty most of the time and the hot tubs being drained or sitting cold was a huge issue on our cruise in July. The seas were so stormy that mostly the pool was drained!! That was very disappointing and sounds like you and loon experienced the same.
I'm surprised about the cab problem though. There were immediate cabs(cab-line)when we needed one in July. I was thrilled it was a Weds. because I have come off cruises on Sats. and had to wait ONE HOUR for a cab!
Hope you enjoyed things overall. We would travel on RSSC again.

What, Etna is erupting and I'm not there! How did that happen?

I've since found out that the cab problem was an anomoly. There was a torrential downpour in NY just before we docked that tied up the city for hours on end. Friends in NY tell stories of sitting in cabs that day for 2 hours to get across town. Apparently, there was a bad accident not far from the docks, and cabs were simply not venturing in that direction. Which explains why people were eventually able to get taxis across the street--the coast was clear from that direction.

Looking back on my initial post, it's grumpier than intended. The observation about the first day at sea is more by way of a note to myself to watch out for that in the future--that's something that I won't like and should take into consideration. Overally, I'd still recommend this cruise. I can't say enough good things about the staff--they really are the stars of RSSC.

The company on the cruise was also terrific. Never once did we have less than great company for dinner or an excursion. This cruise was amazingly devoid of jerks.

I guess I'm over my "I'll only cruise the Song of Flower"--I've signed on for Mariner's Tokyo to Hong Kong sailing next year (it coincides with a milestone birthday for me, so I figure it's time to splurge). While I found that Navigator has a different flavor than Song, it still has a strong element of the intimacy and warmth I'd come to know on Song. Luke with the tour office on Navigator had previously served on Song, and he and I found ourselves waxing sentimental about that dear old ship. Quite honestly, if RSSC could see its way clear to include bar drinks in the fare, I think it would capture most of what was great about Song. That policy really promoted easy socializing in the lounges--something was surprisingly sparse on Navigator.

So, I guess I'm officially a cruise junkie now.

Well, crys, join the club of other cruise junkies. I knew you were one a long time ago. There are many here on LCT that agree with you on the open bar issue. It has been discussed here at great length.

We will always love our Song of Flower. She was truly special and my "first love" of cruise ships. So glad to hear you have booked the Mariner. You will love her too. All balconies is a nice touch we missed on SOF. Signatures and Latitudes are added pluses, too. When is this milestone cruise? It would be great if Bob, Sharon and I could join you, but I doubt we can. Bob and I enjoyed a Hong Kong to Bangkok SOF cruise in 94. Maybe you will find another LCTer on that cruise too.

Beth

crys, after my first two cruises (late 90's) on the Navigator, I, too, was a cruise junkie! After my first cruise ever in 1991 on a Carnival ship, although I had fun, I never even considered cruising until the Navigator came out (comparing Carnival to crewed sailboat charters that I had done in the past just didn't do it for me). Don't even remember how I came across Radisson, I was just looking for a trip to go on in March right after Navigator's debut. Well that got cancelled for dry dock (vibration), and we substituted Alaska for Panama Canal. Since then, I haven't looked back, just forward to the next cruise, especially now that I have met so many wonderful lct friends! I still recommend for the islands a crewed sailboat charter if you want the ultimate in privacy, less crowds, and no dress code ever! I've only been to the Caribbean on Radisson because it is usually just too easy to do this when you are traveling only as a couple (for me, with one of my children). If I were taking my family there, I would definitely choose our own private sail boat, even without balconies and in tiny cabins! Just a personal preference. I hate what cruise ships have done to the islands, as I have so many wonderful memories of them in the 70's on land trips when you just stayed out of town when the cruise ships were there. Times change, and so must we.

Cyrs,
It sounds like we had a similar adventure when you docked in NY. We came back from there in July last year. We were kicked out of our rooms at 8 and then we sat in the library until 12:20!! They off loaded one bag at a time when we arrived. Once we got out of there, we got the car and got out of the city very fast! We docked at 9:45. Lucky for us, Ngaire had warned about this, and we were kinda prepared. When we got off, we were looking for lunch!! It sounds like you had a great time in Bermuda! I love that island. We did a land trip this past July to Bermuda.
Jan

Crys,
Sorry for your problems, cab, ect., but all in all, I'm glad that you enjoyed you cruise.

Betty

Beth, that cruise is Sept. 26 to Oct. 10, 2005. I know that's a tough time frame for you, since it's in the midst of the school year. I face scheduling challenges because I can't have a trip opposite one of my organization's many conferences, but it's nothing like the 9-month blackout period that educators face.

It was a great surprise to see that Mariner was making this trip on this schedule. I'd been considering going to China for my 50th, but was not looking forward to the packing a re-packing involved in moving from one place to another. When the 2005 brochure was distributed, I was reminded why I'd started cruising in the first place--to move from place to place without having to change "hotel" rooms. Just perfect!

Hi Crys! I am doing a trip for the big 50 next year too! I wanted to do a cruise, but, November is not good for Europe via ship. We are doing a Tauck Tour of Italy for 14 days instead.

BTW, did you save us any caviar on the Navigator? We board in 10 days - can't wait!

Well Crystal, that sounds like a great way to celebrate your 50th!!! Hope it's a good time and relaxing for you. One of the reasons we cruise is so we don't have to unpack and repack and can rely on the comfort of sleeping in the same bed each night. But the most important is to be in the Radisson lap of luxury.

Oh, you know sometimes, I've been "let out" of that teacher blackout period and snagged a cruise in the middle of the school year. Both times we cruised together was during school time!!

Keep us posted, Beth

Kathy, we did leave you a little caviar, but the supply of vodka and cranberry juice for the cosmos may be a little short! Beth, I remembered that our last cruise together was during the school year, but figured that the SSS was a special ocassion. I'd forgotten that the Istanbul/Athens trip was past the summer break. It would be great if you could make the Asia expedition.

Oh No - no cosmo party? Yikes. I better bring my own then. Maybe Champagne will have to do.

Wait is there any wine left??? shrimp cocktails?? We leave for New York a week from today - yea!!!
JoAnn

JoAnn,

They will never run out of Shrimp or Caviar either! Remember the galley tour with the locked freezer with the $5,000 tins of caviar and the truffels on the Mariner?

oh yeah, forgot about that!! haha!!
JoAnn

Crys....China for your 50 is perfect...as my husband says - after all they venerate "old" people. We did a cruise there for my BIG birthday - it was fabulous - and a great intro to Asia. And researching in the coming year will be so much fun. Enjoy!

Chatkat,
Could you send us a care package so we can enjoy the same food you are enjoying? Pleaseeeeee?
Any unique food or if they have their turkey and stuffing please send two packages. That was Dave's favorite!

Loon - well it depends, did you leave us any wine or food??????????? Sounds like you'all had a great time!!
JoAnn

Loon,

Glad to share

Cruisinfanatic - We actually left you quite a bit of wine. Dave gets migraines from the sulfites and although I did drink some, you probably will notice more of a shortage with the Amaretto. And, um, I did gain eight pounds, so basically I ate more than my share. BUT, we did see them reloading supplies in Norfolk! And, yes, you're right, we did have a good time, even with the motion sickness.
ChatKat-Appreciate that as I'm sure you're busy packing as you are getting ready to head out. Hope you have as many other nice guests on the ship as we did.

Loon, I'm so sorry you were seasick but glad you still managed to have such a good time! Isn't it amazing all the planning, waiting and anticipation and then woosh...it's all over so quickly and you're back home again!

Now that I think about it, I guess after 3 1/2 months on BAIL, this may be the first time I won't feel that way!

Loon - thanks for leaving us some wine and making sure they reloaded the shrimp and caviar - haha!! Yes. one week from today and we will be boarding - excited to see ChatKat and her Frank again, hard to believe that year and a half has already gone by since we were on Mariner together.
Sorry you got seasick, I suffer that too. Usually I can control it with Ginger pills, but if not I take a Triptone and it seems to work fine for me. Definitely have my supplies packed and ready.
JoAnn :p

Sorry to hear about the rough seas. We've done Bermuda twice, and had fairly smooth sailing each time.

Isn't it funny how we each react differently -- I live for sea days, when I can read, stitch, eat, and nap to my heart's content. Not necessarily in that order. I enjoy ports, but want several sea days in between.

One of my favorite cruises was Ft Lauderdale to London, 10 days, no ports. Ah, what bliss!

Hope to see you on another RSSC cruise soon.

Frances ( not the hurricane )

JoAnn, Any room for me in your suitcase? I'm sitting here wishing I were back on the Navigator.

Crys,

We are in 603, which is oversized. If you can fit in JoAnn's suitcase, we have room for you.

Crys - well I might have some room in one of the outside pokets of my hanging bag - it depends on how many shoes I take, and of course, if they all match!!! (sorry Ngaire - just joking). And since you are very near by (didn't realize that before - we are basically neighbors) it shouldn't be a problem!!
JoAnn :D

Frances - You were on the water for 10 days with no land in sight? Oh, you are a real good cruiser. And you never got sick? Wow!
Kathy and JoAnn - If Crystal gets to go, so do I! I play well with others! Necessary when you live in a small-town community like we do. I promise I won't drink any of the wine or eat any of the caviar. I'll stick with the Amaretto or Bailey's and I won't eat many of the shrimp. Can I huh? Please? You are going to have so much fun!

wellll oooookkkk! as long as you are good!! haha!Wish you were going, it would be fun!!
JoAnn

Looks like your luggage is going to be crowded. But we'll have a good time--I can vouch that Loon is a lot of fun. JoAnn, how did you fare with the tornadoes last night? I kept hearing one touched down out your way, then heard that that was a false story, then that it was true, etc. Is everthing OK?

Yes Crys thanks for asking, but everything is OK, at least here in Oakton. The closest one was in Centreville, which actually isn't that far away, but enough -- but did you hear about the one from Centreville that headed straight for Dulles, and actually Dulles was closed for a couple of hours and apparently, at least we heard, that they were actually evacuating passengers off planes that were on the tarmac - Dulles is maybe 15 minutes from us -- that was scary! Of course you never know what is true and what is not, but we had channel 4 on for the news and they were on until about 8:30 or so, I think at that point the worst had past us here in FFX county. Sounds like you guys were ok.
JoAnn

Glad to hear all is OK with you. I heard about the Dulles episode--pretty chilling. Yes, things were fine down this way.