Some cruises stay in our memories because of a particular destination. Others stand out because of the ship, the people traveling with us, and how comfortably everything came together.
Our seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Regent Seven Seas Navigator in January 2025 falls into that second category. Sailing round trip from San Juan with our longtime friends Jeff and Jodi and Jeff and Lynn, we visited six Caribbean islands while enjoying the intimate atmosphere and inclusive experience that keep bringing us back to Regent.
Our Cruise at a Glance
- Ship: Seven Seas Navigator
- Cruise line: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Dates: January 13–20, 2025
- Embarkation: San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Length: Seven nights
- Suite: Concierge Suite
- Ports: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Dominica, St. Lucia, Antigua and St. Barts
- Pre-cruise stay: Caribe Hilton in San Juan
Why Navigator’s Size Worked So Well
Seven Seas Navigator is one of Regent’s older ships, but we found it well maintained and comfortable.
The ship carried approximately 490 guests at the time of our cruise. For us, that is close to an ideal size. Navigator is small enough that it never feels like a floating city, yet it is large enough to provide the dining, public spaces and amenities we want on a luxury cruise.
A smaller ship also makes daily life aboard feel easier. There are fewer crowds to navigate, distances around the ship are manageable, and it doesn’t take long to become familiar with the layout.
That comfortable scale is particularly appealing now that we prefer travel with fewer complications and less rushing.
The Appeal of Regent’s Inclusive Approach
The food aboard Regent ships has consistently been top shelf in our experience, and this cruise was no exception.
We also appreciate how much is included in the fare. Drinks, dining and a broad selection of shore excursions were part of our cruise package. That makes the experience feel more relaxed because we aren’t continually making decisions about whether something is worth an additional charge.
“Included” never means that a cruise is inexpensive. It means that much of the cost is known before the trip begins. For travelers who value good food, attentive service and a less transactional atmosphere aboard, that can make Regent appealing.
It is still important to compare the total cost with other cruise lines. A less expensive cruise with separate charges for drinks, specialty dining, internet and excursions may not remain less expensive after everything is added.
Our Concierge Suite and Pre-Cruise Stay
Booking a Concierge Suite included a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, along with breakfast, luggage handling and transportation to the ship.
Arriving a day early is something we recommend whenever possible, even when the hotel is not included. Flight delays are less stressful when there is a buffer before embarkation, and the extra night provides time to settle into vacation mode.
Having Regent arrange the hotel and transfer made the beginning of this trip especially easy. We checked out of the hotel, transferred to the ship and began the cruise without having to coordinate several separate reservations.
Traveling With Longtime Friends
The biggest perk of this cruise was traveling with two other couples we have known for years.
Jeff and Jodi and Jeff and Lynn are easy companions. That matters more than many people realize. Group travel works best when everyone is comfortable spending time together but also feels free to follow their own interests.
A cruise provides a natural structure for that balance. Friends can meet for dinner, drinks or an excursion without needing to coordinate every hour of every day. If one couple wants a quiet afternoon and another wants to explore ashore, nobody has to compromise the entire day.
Shared meals and conversations often become the moments we remember most, even when the details of individual ports begin to blend together.
Six Caribbean Ports in Six Days
This was a port-intensive itinerary, with no scheduled sea days between leaving and returning to San Juan.
Our first stop was Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas, followed by Philipsburg in St. Maarten, Roseau in Dominica, Castries in St. Lucia, St. John’s in Antigua and Gustavia in St. Barts.
That schedule offered plenty of variety, but it also reinforced an important lesson: just because the ship visits a port every day does not mean you need to fill every available hour.
Traveling at a comfortable pace sometimes means taking a shorter excursion, returning to the ship for lunch or simply enjoying the scenery without trying to see everything.
Panoramic Views of St. Thomas
In St. Thomas, we took a panoramic sightseeing excursion along the island’s elevated roads.
The route was designed around the views, with stops overlooking Charlotte Amalie, the harbor and neighboring islands. From the higher vantage points, the layers of blue water, green hills and small islands made it easy to understand why these panoramic tours are so popular.
This was a relatively short excursion and a good example of an outing that lets travelers see the island without requiring a strenuous day.
Our St. Maarten Highlight
The excursion that stands out most was the Aerial Sky Explorer and 360 Views in St. Maarten.
The experience began at Rockland Estate and continued aboard the Pirate Sky Ride, a chairlift that climbs Sentry Hill. The journey to the top takes about half an hour, giving passengers plenty of time to watch the landscape open below them.
From the summit, viewing platforms provide broad panoramas across St. Maarten and the surrounding Caribbean. On a clear day, several neighboring islands may be visible in the distance.
For us, the scenery was the reward. The combination of green hills, brilliant water, sailboats and distant islands created some of the best views of the cruise.
The chairlift option also offered the elevated experience without requiring us to take the much more adventurous Flying Dutchman zip line back down.
A Taste of Antigua
In Antigua, we joined an excursion centered on local food and drink.
The tour included Caribbean dishes and a tasting of island rum, with background about Antigua’s culinary traditions. Food-focused excursions can be an enjoyable way to experience a destination, particularly when they combine local flavors with stories about the island’s history and culture.
They are also typically less physically demanding than tours built around long walks or outdoor activities—something worth considering when choosing among the many included excursions.
Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Barts
Our remaining ports added three very different Caribbean settings.
Dominica is known for its lush, mountainous landscape. St. Lucia offers dramatic scenery and inviting harbors, while St. Barts feels polished and distinctly French-influenced.
We did not try to turn every stop into an intensive sightseeing day. On a cruise with six consecutive ports, pacing matters. Sometimes the best choice is simply to walk near the harbor, enjoy lunch, return to the ship early or appreciate the view from the deck.
What We Would Tell Other Travelers Over 60
Consider the ship’s size
Travelers who dislike crowds or enormous ships may find Navigator’s scale particularly comfortable. It offers the pleasures of a full-service cruise without feeling overwhelming.
Compare the complete price
Regent’s fare may initially look high, but it includes many items that cost extra elsewhere. Compare the complete vacation—not simply the advertised cruise fare.
Arrive a day early
Our included pre-cruise hotel night removed much of the stress surrounding embarkation. Even when a hotel is not included, arriving early is usually worthwhile.
Choose excursions for your actual energy level
A panoramic drive or scenic chairlift can be just as memorable as a demanding excursion. Read the activity descriptions carefully and choose what fits your interests and mobility.
Leave room for unplanned time
Six ports in six days can become tiring. You do not have to maximize every hour to have a satisfying trip.
Choose traveling companions carefully
The right friends add immeasurably to a vacation. A cruise makes group travel easier because it provides both shared experiences and space for everyone to do their own thing.
Final Thoughts
Our Seven Seas Navigator cruise combined several things we value more as we grow older: a manageable ship, excellent food, an inclusive fare, comfortable accommodations and travel with people whose company we genuinely enjoy.
Navigator may not be Regent’s newest or flashiest ship, but that was not what mattered to us. Its intimate size and well-kept surroundings created a relaxed home base for a week of Caribbean islands.
The most vivid destination memory is looking out over St. Maarten from Sentry Hill. But the lasting pleasure of the trip came from something simpler—sharing an easy, comfortable week at sea with longtime friends.
