THE SHIP: When we sailed, the one-year-old Navigator was looking top-notch. Carrying 490 passengers, she is the largest vessel in the upscale Radisson Seven Seas fleet. She also sports the highest space-to-passenger ratio of any luxury cruise ship. Public areas are gracious, and she incorporates lots of big-ship features: top-to-bottom atrium, an excellent spa and fitness area, a spacious beauty salon, an impressive show lounge, and a choice of dining venues. The self-help launderettes on various decks are a big convenience for long cruises.

Eight passenger decks give her a high profile, like most of today's cruise ships, yet she has nice eye appeal. We did note a disconcerting tendency to shudder periodically, particularly in rough seas. Nevertheless, she provides a smooth, comfortable sailing experience with minimal pitching or rolling.

CABINS: The 245 ocean-view suites range in size from 301 to 1,173 sq. ft. Most inncorporate a spacious balcony with a large sliding glass door. In addition to the attractive decor and furnishings in our well-configured, amenity-laden suite, we liked the attention to detail: good lighting, mini-fridge, and three telephones. We especially appreciated the big, two-person marble bathroom and walk-in closet with built-in drawers. We could sometimes hear conversations in the hallways and adjacent suites through too-thin walls, but this wasn't a serious problem.

Spring/Summer 2001