My wife and I returned yesterday from a cruise on the Renaissance 7 (one of the two remaining small Renaissance ships) from Rome to Athens. We're independent travelers and this was our 12th trip together to Europe but our first cruise. I wasn't sure I'd like cruises, and I'd read the criticisms here about Renaissance, so I started out with some anxiety. I'm glad to report that the entire time was delightful and we've become convinced Renaissance fans. Beccause we're used to taking care of ourselves when traveling, we took out trip insurance and didn't expect to be especially coddled. In fact, the sales staff was so so, but every thing else was well beyond what we expected. Our cabin and the ship were great, the emphasis in the restaurant was on quality rather than excess (no chocaholic buffets), and the staff provided wonderful and friendly service without being deferential (which makes me edgy). Perhaps most impressive, Renaissance handled problems in a straightforward and honest way that made us and the other passengers comfortable. For example, we lost one and one-half days sailing time because of bad storms on the Mediterranean, but the staff kept us informed and arranged alternate land tours (and served quite a bit of champagne). And I didn't feel that we were being gouged for money. The tours were worth what we paid, and we even followed the tipping guidlines because of the high quality of service. I can't compare our trip with other cruise lines, but it was one of the most enjoyable European trips that we've done.

Joe - glad you had a wonderful experience. Suggest that you use the ship designation as the Ren VII as there is an R ship by the name of Ren 7 and people may get confused. <BR>

Cash, Now we're all confused. Help us.

Renaissance has two types of ships. The first are two smaller ships that have 114 passengers each and all cabins are suites. These are the RVII and the RVIII. <BR> <BR>The second type holds 684 passengers and are numbered R1 through R8 (R8 is still being built I believe). They have both "regular" cabins and suites. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

<BR> <BR>The R7 was just christened on Sept. 28th. This makes six new Renaissance ships in the last two years. <BR> <BR>The new "R" ships have it spelled out on the bow. R ONE, R TWO, etc. <BR> <BR>Paul

Not a very creative marketing department .. . <BR> <BR>Thanks Pual for the explanation.

No, not very creative, but useful. Given the name, I know what the ship is like (R VII through R VIII are one kind, R 1 through R 5 another, and R 6 through R 8 another). If I hear the name of a ship belonging to Princess, Carnival, RCI or whoever, it doesn't really tell me anything.

<BR>Yes the R's are not very creative but easy to differentiate. We now all know the R ships are Renaissance ships. <BR> <BR>But, as a TA, I thought about how I will be able to talk one of my customers into sailing an R2 when they could sail a brand new R26. <BR> <BR>It is one way of showing age. <BR> <BR>Paul