As we were sailing away from NYC this afternoon, Joe Raad was introducing his staff and letting us know of some of the entertainment that we will have.

Tomorrow is a sea day with only three token events: daily quiz, ping pong, and trivia.
Will report more as we go along.

One thing that was not clearly stated but is new is that Navigator has switched to Diamond system of internet charges. I am paying $40 for 10 hours. Canadagal and I will also see if hours can carry over.

More tomorrow,

Just got off the Navigator and thought Holly Lipton was fabulous! We saw her last year on Celebrity.

It was announced that it was her first time with RSSC.

She was a last-minute fill in for somebody who got sick. Boarded in Bermuda Fri night. I may have misunderstood, maybe it was first time to Navigator.
She was quite nice to everybody. Met her in Portofino and some lounges, so maybe she has been given an attitude adjustment. She was quite nice in person on Celebrity, as well.

The Australian singer left in NYC the day we boarded. Really wanted to hear him.

My understanding is that they only keep entertainers a few weeks, not months and months.

Sorry you don't like Joe and Heather, we find them the best we have had. Maybe I'm not the one for the group activities part of cruising that some of you are. But would love to sail with this Jamie person, I want more chips!!!

I go on a cruise to sleep, read, and do needlework. Bob doesn't do needlework, but we tend to stay in the cabin a lot. Bob runs a The UPS Store, so is dealing with in-your-face people every day, plus our employees.

Ship Ahoy!!

f

Frances,

I'm sorry you missed the Aussie singer - he was great.

Have a wonderful trip!

Kathy

Frances, yes not only did the Aussie singer have a great voice but he was a bit of a comedian too when he sang. Real pizzaz!

I am a bit surprised to hear this. She had a wonderful voice and was quite entertaining. I too saw her around the ship and she was very cordial to all.
It just goes to show what some like others don't.
That's why there is chocolate and vanilla.

Marc: curious as to your impressions of Navigator vs Mariner/Voyager. I noticed the size difference right away...but ended up enjoying everything about her.

Marc, so nice to receive your seamails on the board! It think it is now a requirement for us to share with others as we are aboard, sort of to give the rest of us a vicarious experience. I know you are not SteveBear, but can you tell us a bit about the food and menus? I am scheduled for the Navigator next year in Norway, and have chosen the other ships since my first 2 cruises with her because of itinerary. Loved the ship my first two sailings, but didn't have anything to compare with at the time.

We are having a great time!

Contrary to previous posts, our room service shrimp cocktail had five gigantic shrimps each today.

I am still disappointed with Three token events on a sea day is ridiculous. We have a questionnaire on bed tonight that I am going to fill in critically.

Ship is wonderful. Vibration is no problem. Easy to get around. I guess Mariner, as our first, is still our favorite.

Jan Novak is hotel director. Steph XXXX is XXXX and came up to me today and asked whether I was part of cruise critic group. He was one of the officers that attended our dinner in La Verandah on VOF.

Will report more tomorrow!

Pat, thanks for the extra computer time, will use only if needed.

Whoa - this sounds weird!! As to Jamie, and his wife Dana, who were on Mariner last year on our TransCanal, they were totally awesome and so friendly and so around the passengers - we had lunch one day with them, right near the end of the cruise, because they were so booked up, thats how long it took - anyway, we just loved them to death and it will be interesting in Sept when we sail Navigator to see how the cruise director on that ship is by comparison. We heard a similar story on our recent HAL cruise, apparently the "piano bar" guy was really obnoxious and very rude to passengers (again those paying his salary) and got enough of a bad rep that by the time we went on Maasdam March 2, they had a totally new guy, who we got to know very well, and he was funny, sang very well, was full of funny jokes, even laughed when some of us gave him a hard time about one particular song "Up a Lazy River" which he had never heard of, and so one night we all sang it for him and it bacame the joke of the cruise with him, but he was great and we all had a great time with him, and apparently, although this is unofficial, he was hired to replace the very obnoxious guy that everyone complained about - which meant that no one ever went to the piano bar, but on our cruise it was full every night - so......my point being, enough complaints and hopefully the cruiseline listens, no matter which line it is, and perhaps in this case they talked to her and she changed!!?? Who knows.
JoAnn

Thanks Marc, good to hear that you are having a good time!

.

Marc, how do you like the itinerary? Where have you been? How is the food? Does Arlene's mom like cruising?

Marc...thanks for the seamail. Hope you have fair skies and smooth sailing.

Okay, I am going to ask Karen to delete items in this thread that are personal against any particular person. This breaks the rule of "Nice Posts" I promised no negative posts against any person or group and this really is outside of those guidelines. Hope you all understand I am determined to not allow any of those type of posts to start.

The thread might not make sense now but at least it is all positive. I figured out how to edit it myself - oh oh Karen I figured it out!!!

Ngaire, I like your style! Marc, I am happy to hear that we may share our left over computer time and that it works. Enjoy the ship......isn't it wonderful!

Canadagal -

Ditto what you said!!!


Kat 2

Marc,
Glad to hear you're having a wonderful time and would love to hear all the details you 're willing to impart (eapecially about the food!) :D Are you going to dine at Portofino's?

Kat 4

Ngaire - you're right, most of this thread makes absolutely no sense any more but it IS all positive. :D

I firmly agree with your policy 100%.

Masaki

Ngaire - I know one of my posts was in violation of your policy. I'm sorry! <img border="0" alt="[Hammer]" title="" src="graemlins/hammer.gif" />

Claudia

Marc - glad you are having a good time. Give Kathy and Frank (ChatKatR) a hug for me, we are excited to see them in Sept. Keep the Seamails coming, it makes us all envious and wishing we were with you - but on the other hand for those of us with future cruise plans, it gets us excited about going!

Hi Everyone,

Todays Sea Mail: We have been having a great time. Behind me in the Navigator Lounge is Franco Lillo, the Italian guitarist who is very up beat. Lot's of laughter. I reported on another thread that Arlene's fell, but she is back on board. Marc can report the results, but, she will be taking it easy. She still needs your good thoughts and wishes. Very scary experience.

The ship is every bit as wonderful as the Mariner. There is a younger crowd on this ship and everyone is very very friendly - staff and crew. Frank and I were invited to dinner with Joe and Heather Raad who come from small ships and this itinerary doesn't have the partipation other cruises might. He was very receptive and is more reserved than Jamie and Dana, but, still very warm. Just not omipresent, as I am used to. When we are on in Sept. Alan Brown will be the CD. I don't know him, so I would be interested in knowing more about him

The food is perfectly prepared. We had poached lobster for dinner yesterday and today grilled veal medallions. I tried the Crab Benedict via room service this morning and it came again perfectly.

I had three spa treatments - the standard facial - very nice but no steam. The standard massage had asian influence and the masseuse actually climbed on to the table and straddled me to do my back (Frank had the same experience. The massage was excellent. I will do another one. I had my hair done and I did not like the products they used. It made my hair too soft and it did not stay at all. I will cancel my next appointment for the next informal night and do it myself.

We are in Hamilton and we were first off the ship. We took a taxi tour of the island with another couple today and had a good time. We were supposed to tour for 2 1/2 hours but we were gone 4 hours. Came back to the ship for lunch and then took a nap. Wandered Front Street (bought some perfume) and then returned to take our Sunset cruise.

We got the best weather, and the tour was magnificient, but, it was marred at the end with Mary Ann's fall. Fortunatly she will be okay.

We skipped the show in favor of a couple, Steve and Judy that we met on board and enjoyed their dinner company more than seeing a singer who is controversial.

We are touring on our own tomorrow with our cameras and maybe will do some more shopping. We do not have any excursions booked. Will try to report in from Paradise, if we can. Wish you were all here with us!

I am confused, who fell? Mary Ann or Arlene or both? Whoever fell, is everything alright? I surely hope nothing is broken!

Editing to add, I just read in another thread that it was Arlene's mother. I hope all is OK.

I certainly send my wishes Arlene's mother's way as well. A fall is a scary thing I hope the rest of the cruise goes smoothly for her.

Kathy, sorry to hear about Mary Ann's fall. One time when I was there my friend Carole (from VOF) crashed her motor bike into a wall so we spent hours at the Hospital they were wonderfull. If Mary Ann whent there she was well cared for.Enjoy the rest of your time,Bermuda is by far my favorate Island! Macy

Kathy:

Thanks for all the Navigator News. It sounds like you're having a wonderful time. Hope all the others are on the mend. Keep the reports coming PLEASE!

Kathy - Alan and Becky Brown are delightful! They were onboard Navigator in April during my sailings..........

Claudia

Kathy,

I'm glad to hear you're having such a good time. Have you done Portofino's for dinner yet? Franco will stop by your table and serendade you.... in English, Spanish or Italian songs. :)

Enjoy paradise.

Kathy

Kathy - great to hear your report. Hope all is well with Mary Ann, my good wishes to her. Keep having fun!! Have you checked out the casino yet? Will have to think about hair appointments when we are on in Sept - maybe won't do them. Look forward to hearing more from you.
JOAnn

Kathy, keep the sea mail coming I am relishing every word. It's like being back on board again. So sorry to hear about Arlene's Mom but thankfully she is going to be fine. That surely must have been a scarey thing to witness. I am finding that the Rad ships are using different toiletries and different spas on different ships which had me really confused when I was onboard. I was looking forward to the Judith Jackson Spa and the Hot Stone Massage that spa offers but when I got on board I saw that it was the Mandara Spa so I never did go. I also thought that Judith Jackson products would be in the cabin but to my surprise and delight we had Aveda products.

Great to hear that this itinerary is great. Looking forward to taking advantage of it when I return to the US. A NY port experience would be so easy for us and Bermuda is delightful.

For those on board, are any of you renting mopeds? As I remember it, it was a great way to see the island.

I leave for Europe today...my highlight, besides spending time with the family, was seeing Marc, Arlene, Suzanne, Gil, Carole, Lawrence and meeting Lyndon. The friendships are as nice as the cruise experiences. I am hoping that Lawrence and I bump into each other in the Continental lounge tonight.

Andi, have safe trip back to Switzerland. A Lawrence encounter is sure to brighten your departure!

As I understood it, Carita(sp?) was supposed to take over on the Mariner as "the spa." However, I was emailed by someone aboard who said that the toiletries in the cabin were still Judith Jackson. I'm guessing that they are just using up the JJ toiletries.

Hope all are well and enjoying themselves.
Marilyn

Marc:

Specifically, have you spent much time in the show lounge? I ask this as the vibration was pretty bad down there a little over a year ago on our Bermuda cruise. It was even noisy to the point that it was difficult to hear the lectures.

I hope your post means that the problem is fixed. Let us know.

Happy cruising,
Richard :) :) :)

First off, a Mary Ann report - she is doing very well. We are all relieved that she opted to stay on board ship and I am amazed at her attitude. A truly incredible lady!

We just left the show lounge. They cannot have a production show in port, so we heard a classical pianist. She was a exquisite performer - with extraordinary skills. She is from the Soviet Republic and I did not get the spelling of her name and therefore will not try.

As a matter of fact, the Casino and shops are closed in port. We won't have any shopping or casino time until we leave Bermuda.

Today was very relaxing for us. We had breakfast on the aft of the ship outside Portofino with several people we'd met on board. After breakfast we walked all through the town. Stopped in a little park and was amazed at it's beauty and peacefullness - not to mention how impressed I am at how clean everything is - everywhere. And we shopped some more. While there are lots of jewelery stores, most do not negotiate like in the Carribbean. There are a few stores we visited with usual department store offerings. Not too much that you could not get in the States. After lunch we got on the ferry and just stayed on while it ran it's usual course. The weather was perfect. Sunny and clear and about 82 degrees. We could not ask for more

Many people are renting the mopeds. Our taxi/tour driver (yesterday) drove us by the hospital and told us that many of the moped people opt for unscheduled visits to the wonderful facility that overlooks the Botanical Gardens. Frank (he is not as adverturous as I am) is terrified that we will forget what side of the street to drive on that he has asked me to not partake of that activity. SO I guess that I will obey (we have to do that now and again).

Today we went to lunch at the HogPenny Tavern. I had Rogan Josh, which is Lamb Curry. It was perfectly prepared and quite delicious. Dinner in Compass Rose with Marc and Arlene. They served Turkey, WienerSchnitzel and Beef Burgandy and Marc had Filet. All was excellent. They do have the Big Shrimp Cocktail again.

Back in our room, we had room service send up Appetizers, Cranberry and Lime for our in room Cosmo's on the balcony. I brought some Cointreau and a shaker from home, so we were all set.

We had the AMEX cocktail party tonight and the Seven Seas Party is tomorrow. Eileen, the cruise consultant and Captain Romeo came and joined us for a while. She sends greetings to you, Ngaire. We've been invited tomorrow to dine with Rogerio, the Food and Beverage Manager. Gee, we feel awfully popular to have two invitations in one cruise with senior officers.

Anyway, I hear some good Kareoke coming from the Stars Lounge. (Rolling Stones Music!) Gotta go pop in to see what it's about.

Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time. This was the night we dined at Portofino's.
Captain Romero was so nice and very friendly. I don't think I've ever seen a captain all around a ship like he was.
Bermuda is so pretty and we found everyone to be very friendly and so polite. We hope to go back and do a land trip next time there is so much to see.
Enjoy!!!

Kat 2

Really appreciate all your reports and glad you're having a wonderful time! :D

Kat4

Kathy:

Thanks for more seamail. I love hearing about your cruise.

Does the ship seem quiet in the evening when you're in port? I wonder how many passengers have dinner off the ship.

One of the reasons my husband doesn't want to do this itinerary is the fact that the casino is closed for several evenings and he's really not into classical entertainment. Any suggestions?

Well, Last night's non-scheduled entertainment consisted of about 50 people in the Stars nightclub whooping it up with Kareoke. St. GEorges is beautiful! What a great time they were having. Mostly the group from Dallas and a few stray New Yorker's. I think very few people are eating dinner off of the ship. It's extra costly. Our simple lunch yesterday was over $50. without drinks.

Well, I am off to explore a bit of the town. Will report in later!

Kathy,
Actually, I think it is a good decision not to rent a scooter! Last time we cruised to Bermuda--of the 6 couples we traveled with, two had accidents. Minor, but definitely scraped up. The bus seems so easy and you can always share a cab with another couple going the same place...I don't want to wreck a perfectly good vacation!!
Glad you are having a good time and thanks for the review!