Radisson Cruise 2001 - First cruise as a Gentleman Host

ITINERARY

Transatlantic Crossing Apr 1 - 10 / 01

Ft Lauderdale, Hamilton, Funchal (Madeira)

Gateway to Western Cultures Apr 10 - 17 / 01

Funchal (Madeira), Malaga, Barcelona, Nice, Portofino, Civitavecchia (Rome)

SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR Travel Report
Passenger Capacity: 490
Built: 1999
Length: 560 ft.
Beam: 81 ft.
Draft: 21 ft.
Elevator: 3
Officers: European
Staff and Crew: 325. European
Wheelchair Access

Itinerary: There are 4 to 11-night cruises: to the Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, San Juan, and Tampa; between New York and Freeport; between New York and Montreal including the St. Lawrence River; and between New York and Iceland.
Cabins: 206. All are outside, are 301 to 1,173 sq. ft., and 90 percent have balconies. All have individual temperature control, king-size bed (can convert to twins), walk-in closets, full-size bathtub and separate shower, VCR, refrigerator, and telephone. There are 19 cabins that are interconnecting. Four cabins are wheelchair accessible.
Dining: There are two restaurants -- the Compass Rose and the Portofino Grill. There is open, single seating with complimentary wine at dinner. There is also 24 hour room service.
Dress: Casual during the day. Resort wear or jackets for men at night. The ambiance is luxury without pretension, but a tux would be appropriate on formal night.
Facilities and Activities: The two-tiered Seven Seas Lounge with walls of glass overlooking the water has the look of a sophisticated 1930's night club. The Galileo has a piano bar. The Connoisseur Club has leather chairs, port and cigars. The Navigator Lounge has a harpist. There is a pool, two whirlpools, a casino, a small boutique, a library with books, videos, and computers with internet access. A health club and spa have aromatherapy, seaweed and mud wraps, massages, herbal, thalasso and hydrate therapies, steam rooms, sauna, a juice bar, and salon services. There is an electronic and radar display to track ship position or you may visit the bridge. There is a golf pro, driving cage and putting green on board. Golfers are offered greens privileges at clubs on many of the cruises.

For current fares and itineraries of Radisson Seven Seas cruises, click on this direct link .

Travel story by Steve Natran, Gentleman Host on the Radisson Seven Seas Navigator, April 1 - 17, 2001.

This is a specific story about an event that occurred while on this cruise. It was probably the second week of the cruise and Ziggy the Maitre 'd had about exhausted his resources in getting me seated each and every night with a different solo traveller. He sat me down at a table with 2 elderly ladies. One of these ladies I had occasion to speak to earlier in the cruise the other I had never seen before.

Once seated I introduced myself and asked them where they were from and other such engaging questions. The lady that I had never met before turned to me and asked, "Why are you here with us?" When I asked what she meant, she replied that she thought that I would have more interesting people to sit with. I responded that it was a part of my role as a GH to engage in such social activities.

Once we got through that, this lady relaxed and started telling me about the loss of her spouse of 67 years just six months before. She also related that a month prior to this loss, her son (age 64) had also passed away. Donning my best Social Work hat I asked her a few leading questions and let her pour out her heart (as much as she wanted). She seemed to appreciate this.

At one point in her sharing she stated that she had very little to live for and that she was just biding her time. I continued to asked her open-ended questions, which led to the expression of a number of reasons for her to live. I fed back what she had said and sure enough she seemed to come to a realization that she does in fact have something to live for. We also talked about bereavement groups and how they can further help her to search for and find reasons to live for.

By the end of dinner this lady was expressing a great deal of appreciation for having taken the time to listen to her and helping her to see that there was life after loss.

We parted that evening with her saying she was sorry for asking the question, "Why are you here with us?". She said she now knew. And interestingly we did not even talk about dancing.

I relate this story because I have had similar experiences where I am doing a job and lo and behold my other career/job is of immense benefit to me or in this case to this lady. My Social Work skills helped make this a rewarding experience for me as well as this lady.

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Bermuda	Harp player on the Navigator
Barcelona, Spain	Navigator in Portofino	Diane from the Galileo Lounge	Steve & Holly
My hotel in Rome	The Coliseum in Rome	Sheila, Lois, Margaret, Troy, Jason and I	Birth place of Pablo Picasso
Bull Ring in Malaga, Spain	Portofino	Bull Fighting Museum at the Ring in Malaga	The Vatican