Seven Seas Voyager Entertainment
As on many other ships, the entertainment offerings onboard Voyager have been perfected to give passengers precisely what they want: big screen movies, a cabaret piano bar, dance parties, after-dinner sing-alongs and, notably, Broadway-style shows accompanied by a nine-piece resident orchestra. The ship also brings on celebrity entertainers; on our cruise it was comedian Mark Russell.
Daytime activities include hugely attended (and brutally competitive) rounds of trivia, organized bridge, sketch classes, art auctions, dance lessons, and deck sports. Voyager's staff also does a good job of pulling the ship's destinations into entertainment and events. For example, on our cruise the crewmembers hosted a hilarious "Crossing the Equator" party -- a pool deck event with music and games. On a quieter note, as we circled Iwo Jima, there was a quite moving ceremony, as a trumpeter played Taps to honor veterans onboard.
But what makes this ship stand out from the crowd is an absolutely compelling intellectual enrichment program. On our three-week segment of Voyager's 2008 World Cruise, Terry Waite -- the English hostage negotiator who was held captive in Lebanon for five years -- gave three talks that I shall never forget.
Voyager also hosts destination-specific lecturers. In our case, a marine historian, Capt. Richard Hayman, gave a wonderful series of lectures on the Pacific and its navigation history. Sandra Bowern, extremely popular with Voyager passengers, was onboard for the entire 115-day world cruise, providing insights into every port of call. The travel concierge desk also does a very nice job, both in live lectures and on TV programming, of telling you what to expect at every destination.
Some days, we attended as many as two to three lectures. How could we not? It made the cruise experience so much richer. Voyager Captain Dag Dvergastein probably said it best when he told us: "Cruisers move on. You move on in life. My people don't lie in the sun all day anymore. They want to see something intelligent."
Seven Seas Voyager Public Rooms
Just 670 ft. long and 94.5 ft. wide, Voyager isn't a huge ship by today's standards -- but it makes good use of its space.
Deck 5, at the atrium, is the social center of the ship with a cozily furnished "Coffee Corner," the reception desk, the travel concierge, and the Internet cafe. Club.com has 19 computer stations spilling across two rooms. There's also a printer and a refrigerator stocked with sodas and water. There are several ways to pay for Internet access: 250 minutes for $50; 100 minutes for $25; or pay as you go, at 35 cents a minute. A surprisingly poorly stocked boutique is also located on Deck 5. The promenade deck, a good place for reading, is located off of Deck 5. Horizons, a lounge active day and night, is also on Deck 5. The Observation Lounge on Deck 11 is much more intimate. With its curved window and unobstructed view from the bow, it is the interior space where the ship feels most like a ship.
A 24/7 library 8 is located on Deck 6. The two-level Constellation Theatre occupies the bow of Decks 4 and 5. Deck 4 also has a cigar lounge, a card and conference room, a small casino and Voyager Lounge, designated for smokers.
Seven Seas Voyager Spa & Fitness
The Carita Cruise Spa and fitness center aren't huge -- but they get the job done.
The fitness center, open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., is fairly basic with four treadmills, five elliptical machines, a few bikes and free weights. The machines were replaced recently and all now have TV screens. There's a complimentary sauna and steam room next to the workout room. Tip: Early mornings, the top deck is also a good place to walk and jog. Seven laps equal a mile.
A fitness instructor offers a daily regimen that includes Pilates, upper and lower body toning exercises, low-impact aerobics, tummy tightening exercises, and yoga.
The spa features a variety of services -- among them a stone facial massage, body exfoliation, anti-cellulite treatments, anti-aging facials, and in-suite massages. There's also a salon that offers hair styling and coloring, and nail, make-up and waxing services.
