Radisson
Seven Seas Navigator
The
"Goodnight Irene"
Cruise Diary, Part 2
Our
split-homeport sailing meant that the majority of Seven Seas
Navigator's passengers would be leaving when we arrived in New York
the next morning and an unusual sense of restlessness pervaded our
first evening on board. They were packing and getting ready to journey
home, we had the week to look forward to. Our bon voyage party at
sailaway...
well, we didn't really have an official one, but toasted the occasion with champagne on our
balcony.
New
York
Is there a better city in the world to
"Do Lunch"? If so, I haven't found it. After an easy walk
from the pier, we dined at Becco on 46th Street (owned by Lidia
Basitianich, the author of Lidia's Italian Table, a new book
and a PBS series). Becco features a lunch special of Caesar salad or
antipasto plus three different pastas served in all-you-can-eat
portions tableside. Excellent!
As we approached the pier
to re-board, we noted safety "nets" that were added
across some of the Seven Seas Navigator's balconies. Why? Because
there were 50-some children among the embarking passengers. With
a usual double-occupancy capacity of only 490, it had been a hot topic
of discussion the previous night. How would we fare with so many
junior cruisers? Just fine, but more about that later.
Sailaway from New York
is always a thrill and, even though we were up early to see the Statue
of Liberty that morning, we didn't want to miss bidding her farewell.
The festivities included complimentary rum punch and everyone seemed
to have a camera or binoculars in hand to capture the skyline.
Dining
First and foremost, we are
accustomed to plain old "food" at home. The subtleties of
cuisine are generally lost on me and my palate isn't sophisticated
enough to qualify me as a critic. However, I do know what I like and I
liked everything prepared by the Seven Seas Navigator chefs. With that out of the
way, there was only one dish Mel found less than
satisfactory during our cruise and that was an over-done steak. More important to us is variety, as
well as open seating.
Compass
Rose Restaurant: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
are served in Navigator's main restaurant during scheduled hours on an open
seating basis. Menus feature a wide selection of dishes and, as I
discovered, if you want something that isn't listed, just ask. If possible,
special requests are granted. Dinner menus include a variety of
selections and a Menu Degustation designed by the Executive Chef, as well as
"always available" pasta, steak, poultry, or seafood
selections. Low Carb, Light & Healthy, Vegetarian, No-salt, and
Kid's menus are also available.
Portofino
Grill: Navigator's buffet
restaurant for breakfast and lunch is transformed into a romantic
Italian Steakhouse by night. Reservations are required, but there is
no additional charge.
Pool
Grill: Serves a "fitness
breakfast," casual luncheon poolside, and snacks until late
afternoon.
There's
a LOT more to choose from if you are in the mood. An early-risers continental
breakfast is available in Navigator Lounge, where a "quiet"
afternoon tea is also served daily. Galileo's offered several
"theme" teas; my favorite was the Flambé Afternoon Tea,
which featured Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee. It was so popular
that a line formed... the only real line we encountered on board all
week.
Poolside luncheons also
included a seafood barbeque and a Mexican buffet. One evening we
enjoyed a poolside barbeque "dinner under the stars."
One of the cruise
highlights for wine and food aficionados is the Wine Connoisseur's
Dinner. At $120 per person, it's not inexpensive, but each of five courses
on the gourmet menu is accompanied by fine wines from around
the world. According to Hotel Director Martin van der Laan, the charge
isn't for the food, it's all about the superb wines that accompany
it. The Connoisseur Club (usually the Navigator's tranquil cigar
lounge) is the setting for the dinner, although it can be reserved as
a private in-suite balcony dinner should guests prefer that option.
I can't overlook room
service, although that is a wholly inadequate term for such service...
each suite has a cocktail table that raises to dining height and, with
the addition of a square tabletop extender and crisp linen tablecloth,
is a very comfortable spot to dine. We had breakfast in our suite
several times before venturing out for the day. The highlight, though,
was dinner served course-by-course by our butler. We made our
selections from the Compass Rose menu and enjoyed a laid-back dinner
accompanied by our choice of wine and music on the CD player. Just
like home... only MUCH better!
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Seven Seas Navigator, Part
3
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Seven Seas Navigator, Part
1
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