The Frommer's Cruise Spotlight showcases a different cruise line each month, from ultra-luxe to ultra-adventurous and everything between, along with special deals just for Frommer's readers. This month, we'll take a look at Radisson Seven Seas, one of the leading ultra-luxury lines.
January 12, 2004 -- Radisson's five spacious vessels carry passengers in casually elegant style, with cuisine that's among the best in the industry, an extremely relaxing onboard vibe, and a generally casual dress code -- you can chuck your tux for the most part. Service is a major plus and among the very best in the industry. Staff strives to fulfill every passenger request with a smile, and you rarely if ever hear the word "no."
Radisson Hotels launched Radisson Seven Seas Cruises in 1992, and today owns five luxurious, globe-trotting ships. Their first vessel, the weird-looking but comfortable Radisson Diamond, is basically a gigantic catamaran, its wide, six-deck superstructure riding 28 feet above a pair of slim, pontoonlike hulls. Launched in 1992, the vessel is a bit dated but has an extremely loyal repeat clientele. Seven Seas Navigator, launched in 1999, has well-laid-out cabins and public rooms and bears a resemblance to Silversea's ships, which were designed by the same architects and built in the same shipyard. The exceedingly spacious, all-suite, 700-passenger Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager entered service in 2001 and 2003, respectively, and were the first vessels built by any line to offer a private balcony on every stateroom. The 320-passenger Paul Gauguin (1998) was built to sail in the waters around Tahiti. Additionally, the line charters the expedition ship Explorer II each January and February for a series of Antarctic cruises.
Radisson appeals primarily to well-traveled and well-heeled passengers in their fifties and sixties, but younger passengers and honeymooners pepper the mix. Children are rare, though ad hoc children's activities may be offered on cruises during holiday periods. Many passengers are frequent cruisers who have also sailed on Silversea, Seabourn, and Crystal, or are taking a step up from Holland America, Celebrity, or one of the other mainstream/premium lines. Though they have sophisticated tastes (and can do without inane activities like napkin-folding classes), they also appreciate the line's informal ambience. Days not spent exploring the ports are basically unstructured, with most passengers lazing around the pool or on one of the side decks. During the day, there might be dance classes poolside, and passengers are free to whack some balls into the ships' golf nets. Inside, you'll find wine tastings, art auctions, and bridge. Seminars are led by lecturers drawn from the ranks of former diplomats, writers, anthropologists, and naturalists, each chosen to complement the sailing region. In the evenings, passengers explore the cocktail circuit, croon along in the piano bar, catch the musical revue, or dancing to the ships' elegant orchestras.
In both the formal dining rooms and the specialty restaurants, superb menus are designed for a sophisticated palate. Nice red and white house wines are complimentary at dinner, and each ship has an extensive menu of additional vintages from Germany, Italy, and Chile. In the main restaurants, elaborate and elegant meals are served in a single, open seating by a staff of mostly Europeans. Each dinner menu offers a vegetarian option and a light and healthy choice, as well as several standards called simplicity dishes, available daily. Alternative restaurants include the Italian/Mediterranean Don Vito's on Diamond, Portofino on Navigator, and Latitudes on Mariner and Voyager, serving antipasti choices such as marinated salmon rings or Bresaola carpaccio with Parmesan cheese and mushrooms, pasta courses that may feature a jumbo-prawn risotto, and main courses such as a grilled lobster or osso buco. Mariner's and Voyager's 110-seat Signatures alternative restaurants are directed by chefs from Paris's famed Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. All alternative venues are intimate spaces with tables for two or four. Make reservations early in the cruise, to guarantee yourself a table.
For a more in-depth review of Radisson and its ships, click here: .
Itineraries and Rates
Radisson's vessels sail worldwide, with cruises from 3 to 19 nights. Seven Seas Navigator sticks to the eastern seaboard year-round, offering cruises to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada/New England. Seven Seas Mariner covers those bases and also offers Asia sailings and the line's only Alaska cruises, June through early September. Radisson Diamond divides its year between Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings, along with a handful of Eastern European cruises. Seven Seas Voyager is more of a world traveler, covering the globe from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, and Hawaii. Paul Gauguin sails from Papeete, Tahiti, year-round.
Luxury doesn't come cheap, but Radisson offers more discounts than most of the other luxury lines, with many two-for-one offers in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. In the past six months, noteworthy deals have dropped per-person fares for 7-night Caribbean cruises as low as $1,600. Paul Gauguin's weeklong Tahiti sailings have gone for as little as $2,600, including airfare from the U.S.
This week, Radisson is promoting Seven Seas Voyager's 72-night "Grand Asia Pacific" voyage, with passengers able to book any or all of four connecting legs from Sydney to Los Angeles. Each 14- to 22-night segment includes complimentary shore events, shipboard credits, and either free economy airfare or up to $3,000 per-suite savings. Per person prices for the whole 72-night voyage start at $34,105 include first class air from 84 North American gateways. Shorter legs start at $7,421 per person.
All Radisson rates include gratuities, wine with dinner, one-time stocked minibar, and unlimited soda and bottled water.
Exclusive Deal for Frommers.com Readers
When booking any Seven Seas Navigator or Radisson Diamond Caribbean cruise sailing before April 15, 2004, mention Frommers.com to receive a $50 per guest shipboard credit (maximum of $100 shipboard credit per stateroom/suite). Deal applies to new bookings only and is not combinable with group rates or any other promotional rate other than offers published by Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (877/505-5370, www.rssc.com).