Cruising Bermuda Onboard Luxurious Radisson Seven
Seas Navigator
By Paula Hughes Court
The discovery upon arrival of a chilled $65 complimentary bottle of champagne
in our suite set the stage for a fantastic cruise to Bermuda on the Radisson
Seven Seas Navigator. Though 75% of all passengers board in New York City,
we boarded in Norfolk, Virginia where embarkation was a simple ten-minute
procedure of stepping out of a cab, walking straight to the check-in desk and
entering the cruise ship. We were immediately handed flutes of champagne
and escorted to our upgraded room-a large 495 sq. ft. Navigator suite complete
with vases of fresh lilies, stereo system, two televisions, vcr, fully stocked bar
and balcony.
A whirlwind week followed filled with wine tastings, gourmet meals at lunch
and dinner, luscious Viennese dessert buffets in the afternoons, first class
entertainment by the energetic Peter Grey Terhune Group, and onboard
lectures by sixth generation Bermudian Lt. Col. Hollis.
Although there are many reasons why Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
consistently receives top honors, we found the best reason to be the lack of
crowds. The Radisson Navigator's high space per guest ratio of 67.3 gave the
perception of an empty ship though she was sailing at full passenger capacity.
This allowed plenty of extra space for guests to move through hallways, public
areas and restaurants without ever feeling crowded. In fact, I never
encountered another passenger in our hallway the entire seven night cruise.
Another thing missing on Radisson is the current trend by mainstream cruise
lines to "nickel-and-dime" passengers to death. If a crew member hands you a
flute of champagne or a bottle of water, rest assured it's complimentary. As are
all tips, soft drinks, juices, specialty coffees, 24-hour room service including
entrees from the Compass Rose restaurant, exceptional house wines at
dinner, video rentals and even use of the self-service lauderettes.Photographers
are available to take photos, but they're never aggressive or
intrusive.
Along with an exciting itinerary, Radisson Seven Seas Navigator offers first-
class service in a calm, relaxing environment. On this cruise, only five
passengers were under twenty, less than ten passengers under thirty, and the
remainder made up of an interesting mix of business executives, millionaire-
next-door types and travel-savvy retirees.
THE BIG APPLE
The ship stops first in New York City, giving Norfolk passengers an opportunity
to see the sights while new passengers board the ship. The ship offers a
reasonably priced ($80) shore excursion of New York City by coach bus. The
tour passes through Harlem, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Rockefeller Center,
Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy. Don't miss the sailaway
party on the pool deck as the best view of the day comes as the ship sails
close to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the way out of NYC.
HAMILTON, BERMUDA
After one short sea day, the ship arrived early morning in Hamilton, Bermuda; a
clean picture-perfect town of pastel-colored buildings, expensive yachts, shady
streets and horse-drawn carriages. While the tourist shops were only slightly
above U.S. prices, the island’s hotels, restaurants and taxis are considerably
more expensive. With lunch entrees averaging $17-$25, short taxi rides
running $50, and hotels beginning at $250 a night, a cruise can be the best
way to enjoy Bermuda’s beaches, golf courses and sights.
PINK SAND BEACHES
No trip to Bermuda is complete without a visit to one of the famous pink sand
beaches. Elbow Beach is the most popular beach in Bermuda, but is currently
undergoing renovations to repair last fall’s hurricane damage. For now, the
best beach to visit is Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda’s most famous beach and the
one seen most often in photographs. Though the sand isn’t quite as pink as on
other beaches, the rock formations, caves and aquamarine water more than
make up for this. The most economical way to reach Horseshoe Bay is by
public bus, which costs $3 per person, each way. Like everything else in
Bermuda, the public buses are clean, safe and efficient with friendly drivers.
After two nights in Hamilton, the ship was scheduled to sail on to St. George,
the site of Bermuda’s most intriguing historical sights. Unfortunately, high
winds forced the cancellation of this leg of the itinerary. As compensation, the
ship gave everyone free transportation day-passes and the captain took the
ship on a slow, picturesque tour of Bermuda on the way out to sea.
For more detailed information...
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR DINING
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR SUITES
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR ENTERTAINMENT
Seas Navigator
By Paula Hughes Court
The discovery upon arrival of a chilled $65 complimentary bottle of champagne
in our suite set the stage for a fantastic cruise to Bermuda on the Radisson
Seven Seas Navigator. Though 75% of all passengers board in New York City,
we boarded in Norfolk, Virginia where embarkation was a simple ten-minute
procedure of stepping out of a cab, walking straight to the check-in desk and
entering the cruise ship. We were immediately handed flutes of champagne
and escorted to our upgraded room-a large 495 sq. ft. Navigator suite complete
with vases of fresh lilies, stereo system, two televisions, vcr, fully stocked bar
and balcony.
A whirlwind week followed filled with wine tastings, gourmet meals at lunch
and dinner, luscious Viennese dessert buffets in the afternoons, first class
entertainment by the energetic Peter Grey Terhune Group, and onboard
lectures by sixth generation Bermudian Lt. Col. Hollis.
Although there are many reasons why Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
consistently receives top honors, we found the best reason to be the lack of
crowds. The Radisson Navigator's high space per guest ratio of 67.3 gave the
perception of an empty ship though she was sailing at full passenger capacity.
This allowed plenty of extra space for guests to move through hallways, public
areas and restaurants without ever feeling crowded. In fact, I never
encountered another passenger in our hallway the entire seven night cruise.
Another thing missing on Radisson is the current trend by mainstream cruise
lines to "nickel-and-dime" passengers to death. If a crew member hands you a
flute of champagne or a bottle of water, rest assured it's complimentary. As are
all tips, soft drinks, juices, specialty coffees, 24-hour room service including
entrees from the Compass Rose restaurant, exceptional house wines at
dinner, video rentals and even use of the self-service lauderettes.Photographers
are available to take photos, but they're never aggressive or
intrusive.
Along with an exciting itinerary, Radisson Seven Seas Navigator offers first-
class service in a calm, relaxing environment. On this cruise, only five
passengers were under twenty, less than ten passengers under thirty, and the
remainder made up of an interesting mix of business executives, millionaire-
next-door types and travel-savvy retirees.
THE BIG APPLE
The ship stops first in New York City, giving Norfolk passengers an opportunity
to see the sights while new passengers board the ship. The ship offers a
reasonably priced ($80) shore excursion of New York City by coach bus. The
tour passes through Harlem, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Rockefeller Center,
Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy. Don't miss the sailaway
party on the pool deck as the best view of the day comes as the ship sails
close to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on the way out of NYC.
HAMILTON, BERMUDA
After one short sea day, the ship arrived early morning in Hamilton, Bermuda; a
clean picture-perfect town of pastel-colored buildings, expensive yachts, shady
streets and horse-drawn carriages. While the tourist shops were only slightly
above U.S. prices, the island’s hotels, restaurants and taxis are considerably
more expensive. With lunch entrees averaging $17-$25, short taxi rides
running $50, and hotels beginning at $250 a night, a cruise can be the best
way to enjoy Bermuda’s beaches, golf courses and sights.
PINK SAND BEACHES
No trip to Bermuda is complete without a visit to one of the famous pink sand
beaches. Elbow Beach is the most popular beach in Bermuda, but is currently
undergoing renovations to repair last fall’s hurricane damage. For now, the
best beach to visit is Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda’s most famous beach and the
one seen most often in photographs. Though the sand isn’t quite as pink as on
other beaches, the rock formations, caves and aquamarine water more than
make up for this. The most economical way to reach Horseshoe Bay is by
public bus, which costs $3 per person, each way. Like everything else in
Bermuda, the public buses are clean, safe and efficient with friendly drivers.
After two nights in Hamilton, the ship was scheduled to sail on to St. George,
the site of Bermuda’s most intriguing historical sights. Unfortunately, high
winds forced the cancellation of this leg of the itinerary. As compensation, the
ship gave everyone free transportation day-passes and the captain took the
ship on a slow, picturesque tour of Bermuda on the way out to sea.
For more detailed information...
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR DINING
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR SUITES
REVIEW OF RADISSON NAVIGATOR ENTERTAINMENT
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CRUISE-INFORMATION. COM
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR BERMUDA CRUISE
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR BERMUDA CRUISE
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