Several cruise ships are using the port of Norfolk as an embarkation point starting next spring, but none are so lovely and so elegant as Radisson Seven Seas Navigator. This all-suite all-outside ship (90% with private verandas) is not the newest nor the glitziest in the Seven Seas fleet, but with a maximum passenger capacity of only 490, a space ratio that's one of the highest in the industry, and a staff dedicated to assuring creature comforts, the Navigator is a splendid representative of the cruiseline's commitment to quality.

From May through the end of August, Navigator will depart the port of Norfolk on Tuesdays, with a unique port stop in New York City en route to Hamilton. After three glorious days in Bermuda, in which the Navigator serves as a floating luxury hotel, the ship returns to Norfolk.

The Navigator's history is interesting, as she was originally built as the Russian research and icebreaking vessel Akademik Nikolay Pilyugin. She was never completed; instead, in 1999 Seven Seas Cruises acquired her, stripped her down to her hull and had her current superstructure built at Italy's Mariotti Shipyard. Her interior was designed with luxury in mind, with spacious suites, wide hallways, elegant public areas and generous outdoor access.

In fact, this ship is ideally suited to sun-filled cruise vacations because of the activities available on her open decks. There's the golf cage and shuffleboard court at the bow, the running track for exercise enthusiasts, the teak-decked central pool location and two aft decks for relaxing and al fresco dining.

But let's start with the most amazing part of the experience, the suites.

They are all outside; the standard and veranda suites are each 301 square feet on the interior. The veranda adds another 55 square feet of outdoor space. Navigator suites on deck 9 are larger at 495 square feet, and because the pool housing is in the center of that deck, they are wider along the ship's wall, with extra windows and a separate bedroom. Grand suites (forward) and Master suites (aft) range from 539 square feet to 1067 square feet; some of them have gigantic wrap-around balconies.

The bathrooms are as large as some ship cabins, with a golden marble vanity, full-sized bathtub, separate shower stall, marble flooring and elegant Judith Jackson Aromatherapy Spa amenities. Loads of white fluffy towels are piled up and hung from racks; the ship thoughtfully provides cotton balls and Q-Tips but in case all of that isn't luxury enough, there is also a bowl of potpourri on the vanity counter. And there is a lot of storage space both on the mirrored shelves and in the cabinet under the sink.

One of the most appreciated features in the suites is the walk-in closet. Every suite has at least one, and what a difference it makes. There is plenty of room to hang everything you can bring, a tall dresser with drawers, a safe for valuables, and space for extra suitcases. It has the effect of keeping the cabin tidier than it might otherwise be, and it doesn't block the walkway like regular closets always seem to do.

The main area of the standard and veranda suites consists of a "bedroom" with either two twin beds or one king, a vanity table and stool, and two side tables with drawers. Bedding is comfortable and elegant, with fluffy down pillows and duvets. Bedspreads are removed at turn-down. The decor in the suites is warm, with gold and blue hues and honey-maple wood features. An archway separates the "bedroom" from the "sitting room," with closable curtains for a real separate-room feel. In the sitting room area is a long sofa, a coffee table convertable for in-suite dining, two armchairs, an armoire with television and VCR, shelves for drinking glasses and sundry other items, a nice big desk with several drawers, and a refrigerator filled with soft drinks and bottled water. Suites without a veranda have enormous windows; those with verandas have sliding glass doors.

Navigator, Grand and Master suites have separate bedrooms and the latter two include bidets as well as an extra powder-room at the entry.

Seven Seas Cruises are almost all-inclusive. Tips are included in the cruise fare (although you can give extra) and in-cabin liquor is provided. Your cabin steward or butler will ask you, upon boarding, what you prefer and will deliver it for you. You can get up to four full-sized bottles of liquor if they are standard brands, or two of premium brands. Your room refrigerator is stocked with soft drinks and two cans of beer when you board. The first two beers are complimentary, after that, you purchase them. Soft drinks and bottled water are replenished every day. Both wine and mixed drinks are complimentary at supper time.

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