Great French Polynesia Cruise
Seven Seas Navigator Cruise Review to South Pacific
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 94
31 Night Pearls Of The Pacific (Papeete To Sydney)
Sail date: December 23, 2019
Ship: Seven Seas Navigator
Cabin number: 822
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 4 years ago
Review summary
Great itinerary. The service on the ship was great. The food was great. The people were great. We will probably not cruse on the Navigator again unless the itinerary overcomes the lack of a forward observation lounge and the vibration and engine noise.Embarkation
Enbarkation was simple and fast. The only delay was that there was only a single security station to check ID to board. The checkin was on the ship and was simple and rapid. The cabins were available early and our luggage was waiting
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The food in the Compass Rose was all well prepared and served attractively. The menu was varied with a combination of choices available every night and a great a selection of daily "specials." There was only one day when we had a hard time finding something we wanted to order. Most days it was hard to select from among several selections all of which we wanted to try.
The experience in Prime 7 was also great. We ate in Prime 7 twice. We both had Alaskan King Crab Legs (2 pounds!) on the first night and I had them again while my wife had the Maine Lobster. For both you had the choice of in shell or out. Where's the fun if you do not have to disassemble them your self. If all you are looking for is steak those who had it said that it was equally good in both Compass Rose and Prime 7.
The breakfast buffet in La Veranda was good. There were adequate choices on the buffet plus cooked to order eggs and a daily special.
We ate lunch at the pool grill several times. The burgers and sandwiches were good. There were 2 theme lunches Greek and Satay. The Greek food was tasty but not authentic. The Greek Captain should have helped them deliver an authentic experience. The Satay was great with meat and fish choices and all the correct sauces.
The deserts in all the venues were great.
Onboard Activities
The pool was adequate. Never had problems finding a chaise lounge. Plenty of service from the bar. We both participated in needlepoint during tea on the sea days. Almost finished a project. Mallory, the support/costume lady for the entertainment troupe led the activity and was a great host and fun to talk with.
Entertainment
The stage shows were good solid performances. We went to several. One of the dancers, Kevin, in particular was a standout. Incredibly athletic and danced beautifully.
Children's Programs
Not traveling with children
Service and Staff
All very service oriented. Would have been 5 stars except that on our last Regent and Seabourn an incredible portion of the personnel knew us by name and knew our preferences. Only a small handful did on this cruise.
Ship Quality
The ship was clean and the cabin every bit as nice as those on the Mariner and Sojourn. The biggest criticisms that we have is that there is no forward observation lounge, the ships engines created a lot of vibration (and some noise) in the stern of the ship and the ship rocked and rolled more that the other ships we were on.
The lack of the forward observation lounge is probably the biggest issue. On our other 2 cruises we were in the lounge to see sail-away and arrivals everyday. This was the go to location for us to have and evening cocktail. We really did not visit the bars on the Navigator.
Cabin / Stateroom
Size was great. Plenty of room for an 11 day cruise. The room was comfortable and spotless. Our steward team was great led by Odessa.
Ship tip
Do not get a cabin in the aft sections
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Had a great excursion for dolphin watching with a PhD who worked at UC Berkley labs on the island.
We arrived at Fakarava. Anchored. The Captain waited about and hour and decided conditions were too bad to allow tender operations so this stop turned into a sea day. The Cruise Director and his team worked hard to get a new schedule of activities prepared and had it ready shortly after we departed the lagoon.
Had a great tour with locals round the island. The tour was in 4WD pickups. The information shared was interesting. Only real complaint is that the leader do not speak English too well. It did make fun for the those of us who know a bit of French to get the ideas across to all the group.
Fantastic "all" day tour. Polynesian day and Motu lunch. We circumnavigated the island in a outrigger motor boat. Stopped at 2 places to snorkel. We say lots of colorful corals, a large moray eel and at the second stop snorkeled with black tips sharks and sting rays. The day ended with a Polynesia feast on a small private motu (island.) Food was great and it was fun sitting at picnic tables in the shallow water.
Based on recommendations we will likely return here and stay for a few days at the Le Meridien or St. Regis.
Raiatea was beautiful. We would like to go back for a couple of days. We did a snorkel tour to Taha'a Coral Gardens. It was a drift snorkel. Having to go in a line with inexperienced snorkelers was a disaster. Many people ended up being forced into the coral and were scrapped up.
Fantastic island tour in a pickup with room for 8 on benches in the truck bed. Ride was comfortable. The driver/tour guide was knowledgeable, interesting and engaging.
This is another island that we would like to visit again.
Disembarkation
Extremely easy. We were traveling independently after the cruise and taking the ferry to Mo'orea. We were invited to debark anytime after 8 but before 9. Luggage was waiting with helpful guys to dig it out for you.
Traveler Photos
