I received a brochure from Seven Seas today - apparently I got on their mailing list from my Conde Nast Traveler subscription. Anyway, I am very interested in doing a cruise with this line at some point and now I my interest is piqued.

They offer many cruises from U.S. ports, including a 5 day cruise out of Port Everglades to Key West and (yawn) Nassau, but this would most definitely be a cruise that is all about the cruise line and ship.

I may have to look further into this....

I Dave,

I've been onboard two of Regent's current ships, "Seven Seas Navigator" and "Seven Seas Mariner" (as well as onboard the then "Radisson Diamond") and I can tell you that "Seven Seas Mariner" is the #1 luxury ship in my book. She offers all the perks of a large cruise ship while offering an awful lot of space per passenger. I do prefer her interiors over Crystal's.

I read the brochure wrong, it is a 3 night cruise on the Seven Seas Navigator that goes to Key West and Nassau. Still, it would be a nice way to experience the line without sinking a lot of money.....although the cheapest cabin is still $1000 per person for this cruise! But then all the tips, wine, soft drinks, liquor, are included, so it isn't as bad as one might think.

Dave, Regent is definitely worth a try. You'll see a difference from the minute you get to the check-in desk, to the champagne you're handed when you board, by the person who takes your carry-on luggage and escorts you to your cabin.

I sailed the Navigator from New York to Bermuda a year or two ago, before it was all-inclusive, and it was really an excellent operation. Obviously much smaller than Freedom of the Seas! The rooms are suites, the service is amazing. Food is excellent. I was on a jazz cruise, so the nightly entertainment was first rate.

Room service is included and can be used to set up a party for you to invited in friends. We did this with shrimp, popcorn and other goodies. During its not-all-inclusive days, we did get two or three bottles of wine of our choice included and waiting in our suite.

I'd love to try it again in its all-inclusive incarnation.

Sandy

Yes, Dave, it's a different world, indeed. Not that I don't like the big ships, but I really enjoy that the products are so vastly different.

When I was inboard "Seven Seas Navigator" last summer, she was in good (though not in great) shape, but she was to enter drydock for some thorough refurbishment three months later.

RSSC is definitely worth a try.

Go for it. What's great about having so many cruise choices is experiencing something totally different, not sticking with the same old thing. It's all about the "experience".

P.S. If Vanessa can't go you can twist my arm.

I would love to go on a Regent cruise but I have seen reports about the navigator that seem to have concerns about vibration at the stern of the vessel when it cruises at faster speeds.
But this should not put you off as it does not seem to affect everyone and does not seem to occur on every cruise.
I was going to book a Seven Seas cruise in the med this year...joining after the transatlantic 1st stage, but missed my chance as it got sold out which is why I cruised on the emerald princess ( which I really enjoyed )instead.
I was only going to get a 50% discount and looks like you have an 80%+ discount...at that price ...go for it....seems a good bargain.
regards jack

Hi Dave

It doen't get much better than the Regent Seven Seas. Did the Baltic Sea with Voyager in 2007, the Mariner for 49 days from Singapore to Las Angeles in 2006 and on Octpber 14th we do Rome to Ft Lauderdale - 23 days, our first time as all inclusive..they may change the policy after we leave
Bernard
canada

Hey dave, If you're going to splurge also check out SeaDream Yach Club. I just did a search and there is nothing that's an exceptional bargain on them right now but occasionally an affordable option will pop up briefly. I have a few regulars who sail the 6 star lines frequently. I've never had higher praise from clients than on SeaDream. Even clients who have sailed Regent, Silversea, Seaborn and Crystal who've moved over have commented that SeaDream was the best they ever experienced.

They're also ultra inclusive and they bring all the toys out from the hull for passenger use. Jetskis, skiboats, bikes, surf boards, you name it. It's all yours and at no extra cost. They set up one of the evening meals on the beach and erect canopies with the same 5 star food and service they have on the ship. There is a champaigne and caviar event. If you're out swimming when they have the event a waiter will paddle it out to you, served on a surf board.

I've never really had an itch for the all inclusive small ships until I got feedback on this one. Just food for thought if you're wanting to live like the folks on Robin Leach's old show, "Lifestyles of the Spoiled Rotten" I think it was called.

Cheers, Neil