A young Brazilian boy prepares his stall for a day at the market.

Seven Seas Navigator , the newest luxury ship

One would expect nothing less than a superbly luxurious cruising experience aboard Radisson Seven Sea’s newest vessel, the Seven Seas Navigator. The cruise line that has deservedly won a devoted following for its delightful small ships the Song of Flower, Radisson Diamond, and Paul Gauguin promises nothing less.

Set to launch in August 1999, the $200-million, Italian-built Seven Seas Navigator is the line’s first all-suite ship, featuring 245 ocean-view suites, 90 per cent with private balconies. Boasting one of the highest space-to-guest ratios and crew-to-guest ratios of any luxury vessel, the 490-passenger ship was designed by the same architects who designed the Song of Flower and famed ships that grace the fleets of Sea Goddess, Silversea, Seabourn, and the new Disney ship.

Described as the fastest and largest vessel in the fleet by Mark Conroy, President and CEO of Radisson Seven Seas, the Italian-flagged Navigator has a top speed of about 19 knots and has an ice-strengthened hull that allows her to operate anywhere in the world. Its design was guided by comments by previous passengers who noted preferences for intimate lounges, and suites with elegant amenities, walk-in closets, and well-appointed bathrooms. Like her luxury sister ships, the Navigator features open, single-seating dining, and an alternative restaurant. The Navigator’s luxurious spa runs under the auspices of the celebrated beauty-and- health guru, Judith Jackson, whose spa programs and products are featured in such notable spas as The Breakers, Disney Institute Spa & Resort, and The Greenbriar. Ms Jackson herself will sail on select voyages, including the 17-night Millennium Celebration, to provide treatments and to lecture on well-being.

The Seven Seas Navigator will sail both hemispheres, often hosted by renowned experts in topical fields. For example, the Millennium Celebration will feature a panel moderated by Washington journalist, Morton Kondracke, presenting a retrospective of the 20th century. The ship’s inaugural itineraries include a 50-night ‘Grand Circle’ circumnavigation of South America. Passengers may cruise on shorter segments, starting with the Millennium cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles, which rings in the New Year in Acapulco Bay. On this sailing, the ship’s Christmas Day passage through the Panama Canal will be one of the last through the waterway while it is under American guardianship: on January 1, 2000, the canal becomes part of the Republic of Panama.

The main city square in Montevideo, Uruguay

Guests may join segments of the South America itinerary, lasting from 11 to 23 nights, or combine segments for extended voyages. The itineraries are spectacular with excellent opportunities to visit some of the continent’s most precious sights.

The Seven Seas Navigator departs in November for the first, 16-night cruise segment from Ft. Lauderdale to romantic Rio de Janeiro. En route, she will call at the Caribbean islands of St. Maarten, St. Lucia, and Barbados, Devil’s Island in French Guiana, and the Brazilian ports of Recife and Salvador Bahia. The second leg departs Rio de Janeiro for a 23-night ‘Sojourn A round Cape Horn’ calling at beachside Florianopolis in Brazil, Buenos Aires, and Puerto Madryn in Argentina, and Montevideo in Uruguay, before visiting the Falkland Islands. After cruising around Cape Horn and the Chilean fjords, the ship will visit Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Valparaíso, and Antofagasta in Chile, before landing in Pisco, Peru.

The final segment of the Seven Seas Navigator’s South American escapade begins in Lima, Peru, with a shipboard overnight in Callao, before sailing up the scenic coast of Peru to Guayaquil (Quito), Ecuador. En route, the ship will transit the Panama Canal before calling at Grand Cayman, Cozumel in Mexico, and arriving in Ft. Lauderdale.

The most exciting shore excursions include optional, four-day, pre- or post-cruise trips to Lima and Machu Picchu to visit the ancient Lost City of the Incas. Other stunning options include visits to Iguazu Falls in Brazil, flightseeing to Antarctica from Punta Arenas, flightseeing over Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, a visit to Peru’s Nazca Markings and wine region, and a tour of colonial Quito in Ecuador.

Seven Seas Navigator Cruises are packaged by the Tiffany Collection in Canada, which guarantees pricing in Canadian dollars. Cruises include transfers, shipboard gratuities, and wine with dinner. Low cost air fare and pre- and post - cruise stays in the ports of embarkation and debarkation are also available.

Visit the Radisson Seven Seas Web site at www.rssc.com.

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