Drydock is the maritime world’s version of, “having a little work done.” There’s the nip and tuck along with a lot of spit and polish and of course the mandatory new wardrobe. Last year it was the Voyager and the Mariner, and finally the Navigator. As the first ship in the newly christened Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, I was very excited to take her out on her first full cruise in 1999. I sailed on her for the first two years until the Mariner replaced her itinerary. But as things would have it, the Navigator will once again be back in Alaska starting May 2010. Knowing that I would be back onboard I was anxious to see how she looked after her “work.” During our stop in St. Thomas, the Mariner and Navigator were in port together so I had the chance to go aboard and have a look around.

Those of you who have sailed on her know she is the smallest ship in the fleet with only 490 passengers; for some that translates to intimate and friendly, others see it as small and cramped. During her drydock I think the designers were able to accentuate the intimate aspect by enhancing areas like the Navigator lounge and Galileo’s with over-stuffed furniture and inviting upholstery.  The Compass Rose on the Navigator has always been a pretty room, so the new chairs and carpeting create an even more elegant feel. My favorite addition was the way that the Portofino was split into La Veranda and Prime 7. Though La Veranda is rather formulaic on all Regent ships now, the creation of Prime 7 out of a corner of the former restaurant is brilliant. The restaurant feels uber-exclusive and classy; very Oak Room in the Plaza Hotel.

One of the biggest surprises was the effort that was put into the Pool Deck. The Pool Grill has been expanded and now includes a salad bar, hot service area, and ice cream bar.  New tables with large umbrellas and chairs clustered around the pool give it a very resorty feel. Speaking of the pool - oh, the demonic pool of the Navigator has been tamed! When the ship first came out the pool sloshed so ferociously not only could no one swim in it, it spilled out most of its water whenever we were under-way. The supposed fix was to shorten the pool by adding in a shallow wall. Unfortunately all that did was to draw out the time it took to develop a good slosh. So now - there’s a completely new, properly designed pool! Not only does it not slosh it looks great with its new white and blue tiling.

Stars Lounge still lacks - everything. The old room was criticized for looking like the inside of a refrigerator - cold and blue.  It was popular as one of the few places smokers could congregate. I am sure the designers were trying to overcome the sterile feel of the former room, however now it looks and feels like a hotel lobby. The space has been divided up for music and dancing but I still don’t think it works.

My greatest concern for the Navigator as it heads to Alaska is that the ship no longer has a forward lounge. The new spa which was installed a few years ago is absolutely fabulous, but what used to be the forward lounge is now the gym and aerobics studio. As we sail through the fjords and up to the glacier it will be great for those on the treadmill but what about those who want to get out of the weather or cannot stand for long periods of time…. I see “upset” written all over this one.

Finally, as we were sailing out of port I saw the pièce de résistance  - the stern. It’s no secret the Navigator has been known for years as the Navibrator. She does shake. Well, she now has this extended “skirt” on the back of the ship. I was standing next to Giovanni, Chief Engineer on the Mariner, and he explained how that is supposed to even out movement. Well, we’ll see. I’ll certainly let everyone know in May.

Thank you all for your support in helping decide the final cover for the new edition of the “Cruiser Friendly Guide to Alaska’s Inside Passage.” We are going to go with the Alaska state colors - blue and gold! Negotiations are now underway to get the new and improved book into every gift shop at sea in Alaska! The book is in full-color with beautiful maps and great new sections. On sale late May/early June.

Now you are probably thinking - is this a joke? The answer is no. My Alaska correspondent - Dr. Charles Iliff - keeps me up to date with everything newsy going on in Southeast from the sublime to the ridiculous. As many of you know, several cruise lines have pulled out of Alaska effective this summer due to a high head tax and strict environmental regulations. Many ships have been redeployed to Mexico and the Caribbean where there is no head-tax or environmental concerns. These regulations which require ships to conform to costly standards for waste water treatments do not apply to - you got it - submersible craft! According to Buckwheat Donahue, Skagway Director of Tourism, a local tour operator has partnered with the Russian navy to bring Soviet-era submarines to Alaska where they will operate tours in Upper Lynn Canal. The subs will undergo a cosmetic upgrade including replacing the Soviet flag with an Alaskan flag. The subs will travel below the silted water of the fjord allowing visitors to see the unique life of the deepest fjord in the world.  The local activist group, People Outraged Over Progress, (yes, POOP — I know, only in Alaska) want to close the loop-hole in the waste water regulation but so far service is still scheduled to begin this summer 2010.

You know those moose nuggets sold as gags in souvenir stores throughout Alaska? Well, it may be they could be worth something! According to scientists studying the droppings trace amounts of 24 K gold has been recovered. They estimate that 4,372 moose nuggets yield 1 troy ounce of gold. Consequently, moose turd mining has become quite popular. Experts say that freshness and location do not affect quality.

Finally, last week the Raptor Rehabilitation Center in Sitka was happy to announce that four eagles that had been rescued and rehabilitated have been released. That’s good news!

As with all things one end marks another beginning and so it is for Chef Mike Roemhild. After rising through the ranks to Executive Chef with Regent Seven Seas, Chef Mike is creating a new exciting life on land for himself and wife songstress Heather Clancy. In addition to contributing to the new section on “The Taste of Alaska” in my book, “Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide to Alaska’s Inside Passage”, Mike has embarked on a fantastic new project that only he and Heather could offer. Dinner with The Diva combines an evening of fine dining with great entertainment provided by none other than Mike and Heather! Just imagine the chance to wow your country-club or next corporate event with a custom-made menu prepared by a chef who was the number one Executive Chef of a six-star cruise line and then, if that’s not great enough, your evening’s entertainment is the beautiful, funny and ever-talented Heather Clancy whose repertoire ranges from pop and standards to classic opera. This makes me so excited, I can imagine how much fun this would be for a wedding or any occasion where you want something extra-special and need to know it will be done right.

To learn more about Dinner with The Diva and what else is going on with Chef Mike, he has a new website where you will also find a few of his own recipes. To ensure that you get the results as Chef Mike, he is also launching a line of seasoning based on Old World ingredients.  If you enjoyed the meals that Chef Mike brought you over the years I hope you will take a look at www.chefmikeroemhild.com

I want to wish everyone on the Seven Seas Mariner a wonderful season in the Mediterranean and I look forward to seeing some of you here on the Navigator. Best wishes, smooth seas!