A Very Unique Cruise Ship: The ssv Radisson Diamond
Radisson's 350-passenger Diamond is a unique
ship that offers small-ship intimacy and large-ship amenities. She
is the only SWATH (small, waterplane, area, twin, hull) cruise ship
in the world, which has the benefit of less vibration and a smoother
ride in most sea conditions—a great ship for those who fear
seasickness.
Staterooms
All of the
Diamond's staterooms are outside cabins, with 70 percent
being balconies. At 243 square feet, my verandah stateroom was
beautifully decorated offering a large marble-lined bathroom with
tub/shower and plenty of closet and drawer space. Radisson is
renowned for it's wonderful cabin amenities, including VCR, down
duvets and pillows, terry cloth robes, fresh flowers, and cushioned
reclining deck chairs. Each stateroom includes a refrigerated bar
stocked with soft drinks and bottled water as well as an in-room bar
with premium liquor. In addition to the standard staterooms, there
are four 522-square-foot suites.
Diamond's Refined
Elegance
The ship's understated décor of blond woods and
brass creates an unassuming ambiance. There is a modest library and
video center, a computer room (offering e-mail only), several
lounges, plus a lobby, gift shop, and casino. Adorned with
hand-painted frescos and gold pillars, the grand dining room,
located at the stern, is the ship's most beautiful room. The other
spectacular room is the entertainment forum Windows Lounge, which
has its set of two-story windows located at the very front of the
ship.
Service and Cuisine
Dining on the
Diamond is unstructured, offering single, open seating at all
meals. Service onboard is impeccable, and the highly trained staff
is efficient and exceptionally friendly. No small detail is
overlooked, as you'll find them passing out dry towels and cool
lemonade to sunbathers, and changing towels twice a day in your
stateroom. You don't need to worry about tipping on Radisson
Diamond because gratuities are included in the cruise
fare.
Complimentary wines are served at lunch and dinner, and
guests enjoy soft drinks, mineral waters, and juices throughout
their cruise at no additional charge. In most cases, food is gourmet
with lobster and caviar being the highlights. Alfresco breakfast and
luncheon buffets are wonderful in The Grill restaurant on deck,
adjacent to the pool. You can dine in the glass-enclosed restaurant
or at a table overlooking the ocean. Once per cruise, passengers
attend a casual multi-course Italian feast at Don Vito's (The Grill
during the day), complete with singing waiters—for me, this was the
dining highlight of the cruise. Room service is available 24-hours
with an extensive menu, which is served in courses by your own
personal waiter.
Entertainment
Entertainment is
very limited on the Diamond, which is typical for small
ships. The Club, with a piano bar was the most functional and
luxurious lounge, and onboard shows were located in the panoramic
Windows Lounge where acts include several cabaret-style productions
and comedians. To stimulate the mind, several interesting enrichment
lectures were available on the history of the Panama Canal.
Activities
On the top deck, there is a small
swimming pool and Jacuzzi. For, those who like to keep active there
is a jogging track, exercise room with equipment, golf cage, and
shuffleboard. There is a foldout water sports marina that is used
for swimming, along with complimentary jet skis, water skiing, and
banana boat rides. For pampering, there is a small Steiner spa
offering massages, and beauty and hair treatments.
This
cruise suits those more inclined toward soft-adventures. Tours
offered included historical highlights in Cartagena, Columbia, and
the Panama Canal's Gatun Locks. For the more adventurous, there were
several diving expeditions including hand-feeding sharks in Curacao,
rainforest walks in Panama, and climbing to treetop rainforest
observatory in Costa Rica. A memorable day was when the ship
anchored off Panama's San Blas Islands where passengers were able to
have a beach day in addition to interacting with the Kuna Indians.
Real Traveler Thoughts
The ship is great for
seniors and couples, but is not recommended for families, as there
are no onboard facilities for children. Nevertheless, there were a
few children onboard who seemed to have a great time regardless.
Those who relish abundant nightlife activities might get bored with
the limited entertainment offerings as most guests retire early.
This is ultra-luxury cruising that is all about quiet
sophistication. This cruise is best for people who want high quality
food and service in a low-key, relaxing environment.
If
You Go
ssv Radisson Diamond is one of five vessels
in Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' fleet. From December through April,
the Radisson Diamond operates a distinctive Panama Canal
program featuring extensive land options in Costa Rica, Mexico,
Central America, and Caribbean ports, with summers devoted to
Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Istanbul, and
Nice. Depending upon the itinerary and length, prices range from
$995 per person in the off-season to over $8,000 per person during
the high season. Visit Radisson Seven Seas
Cruises' (RSSC) website for more
details.
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