Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Here are the top 10 reasons why cruising the Mediterranean is better aboard the Regent Seven Seas' Navigator.
The Regent Seven Seas offers the most luxurious cruises on the market. From butler service to personally customized excursions, here are the top 10 reasons why cruising the Mediterranean is better aboard the Regent Seven Seas' Navigator.
Relaxed Elegance
Once aboard the Navigator, everything is included. This ship is perfect for the discerning traveler who designs and pays for their vacation upfront. Leave your wallets and purses in your opulent stateroom (more on those later) and relax -- this cruise is all-inclusive.
Kusadasi, Turkey
An emerging port of call, Kusadasi is the gateway to Ephesus, an untouched city dating back to the days of Cleopatra, and home to some of the most impressive and well-preserved ruins of the ancient world. Guests of the Navigator are treated to an exclusive tour of the Ephesus' terrace houses. The number of visitors allowed to tour these historic and beautiful homes has a daily limit -- it truly is an elite experience Regent guests won't soon forget.
The Food
The food onboard is exceptional; the quality, the taste and the variety are all palate-pleasing. There are 2 main restaurants onboard in addition to 24-hour room service, poolside cafes and a lunch buffet. The luxury liner buys many of its ingredients from the countries you're visiting, offering a menu that perfectly complements your tour of the Mediterranean.
Sicily, Italy
The largest island in the Mediterranean is also one of the most diverse -- historically, culturally and geographically. Regent Seven Seas takes advantage of all Sicily has to offer with several shore-side adventures. You can climb the 11,000 feet to the top of Mt. Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Don't panic -- you reach the top of this mountain via jeep and gondola. On lower elevations, visit Sicily's most famous tourist resort, Taormina. The locals here are friendly and it's the perfect town to soak up some Sicilian sun and culture.
The Service
The Navigator can hold 480 guests max and has 345 crewmembers onboard at all times. That high ratio provides for unparalleled 5-star at-sea service. The higher category staterooms provide a personal butler, completing the luxurious fantasy-turned-reality found onboard. Additionally, the travel concierge is available 24/7 to personalize any off-ship excursion.
Portofino Restaurant
Portofino is the ship's most intimate restaurant, seating only 80 people at a time by reservation only. The menu features Italian specialties made with fresh local ingredients; there's also an informative wine-tasting so that you can pair your dinner with the perfect glass of red, white or sparkling.
Santorini, Greece
Formed during a volcanic eruption nearly 3,600 years ago, Santorini is a picture-perfect Greek isle. The travel concierge can arrange a breathtaking sailing excursion around its dramatic shoreline. Guests are also free to meander the cliffside villages on a shopping excursion, explore the hot springs and visit the Santorini wineries, or take the guided Ola village tour complete with a cooking class at Aeolos.
The Staterooms
Onboard the Navigator, every stateroom has an ocean view. It's the world's first all-suite, all ocean-view vessel and the indulgence doesn't stop there. Each room features high thread count sheets, flat screen TVs, iPod docks and most even provide a private balcony.
The Spotlight Programs
Through the Spotlight Programs, Regent Seven Seas employs experts that not only give onboard lectures, they take you off ship and give well-guided and knowledgeable tours. People with similar interests can get together with a host who's an expert in areas like antiques, food and wine, classical art, photography, music and theater.
Pompeii, Italy
A visit to Pompeii, an Italian town where time literally stands still, is an overwhelmingly unique travel experience. On August 24, A.D. 79, Mt. Vesuvius violently erupted sending an ash cloud 12 miles into the air, blanketing the town of Pompeii in ash and pumice. The entire town's population of 2,000 was killed and mummified almost instantly. The Regent's guided tour through this town is stunning and humbling.
Nearby, guests of the Navigator can experience how Pompeii's past remains very much of the present. At Mastrobernadino Vineyards, guests get an exclusive tour describing how grapes were grown and wine made in ancient Rome. The time-consuming process is done with extreme care; Mastrobernadino produces less than 1,500 bottles of wine per year.