Age: Baby Boomer
Occupation: Travel Professional
Number of Cruises: 35+
Cruise Line: Radisson Seven Seas
Ship: Seven Seas Mariner
Itinerary: Panama Canal

The Group on the Radisson Seven Seas Mariner

Full of anticipation and excitement, on March 16, I boarded my plane from Cleveland for an early morning flight to Chicago and then on to Los Angeles. There I would connect with some good friends for a pre-cruise night stay at the Sheraton LA Harbor in San Pedro, before we boarded the Radisson Mariner the next day. As members of a travel professional group, we would be attending a “Seminar-at-Sea” on board the luxury ship. This was my first cruise on this ultra-deluxe cruise line and I could not wait to experience what I had been promised would be a very special treat. A dear friend and I have a running “argument” as to whether Crystal or Radisson is better. Now, truth be told, he has only sailed on Radisson and I had only sailed on Crystal. So, now I would truly be able to compare them and make a more factual assessment. This would also be my first full transit Panama Canal cruise. Although I had been on two previous Panama Canal cruises, they were both round-trip cruises from Florida that made only a partial transit to Gatun Lake. I was eager to compare the two different types of experiences.

Pre-Cruise:

Although my friends and I were all flying from different destinations, we arrived at the Los Angeles airport within minutes of each other. Jerry, Janet and Pat met in their terminal, secured a private shuttle van ($72 with Super Shuttle) and proceeded to the United terminal to gather me and my belongings. Within minutes of touching down at LAX, we were on our way to our hotel. The 20 minute ride was pleasant and we encountered only a small amount of highway congestion (a fortunate occurrence when traveling in and around LA). The hotel was ideally situated within walking distance of Port o’ Call and our room offered a view of the ships coming into port. There was a nice pool and Jacuzzi, an adequate fitness center, nice restaurant and lounge and even a self-service laundry. I would not hesitate to stay there again and can recommend it as a perfect pre-cruise location. After checking into our rooms, we ventured downstairs for a “pre-cruise toast” and light lunch, which was quickly followed by a short rest before gearing up for the evening. Another friend was driving up from San Diego to join us for dinner and wish us “Bon Voyage”. Although, she frequently travels with us, prior commitments (work!!) prevented her from accompanying us. We had a very nice meal at the Port O’ Call Restaurant and talked until the wee hours.

The Seven Seas Mariner Docked

Embarkation:

We checked out of the hotel at 11:30 and used the services of the complimentary hotel shuttle for the very short trip to the ship. We left our luggage with the porter and passed immediately through security. As we were a bit early, the check-in process had not yet begun, requiring us to remain in the waiting area for a short while. Fortunately, it was only a matter of about 15 minutes before the embarkation process commenced, and just a few minutes later we boarded the ship. Interestingly, the staff that services check-in was also the onboard entertainment staff. Providing a warm welcome, they immediately established a connection to the passengers and created a bond that was reinforced throughout the cruise. Although we were permitted to board, the staterooms were not yet ready, thus we were greeted with a flute of champagne and directed to the Pool Grill on deck 11 to enjoy lunch while we waited. (It is here that I made a distinct comparison between my Crystal and Radisson experience that I detail in Day 1 of my travelogue.)

Flowers Around the Ship

First Impression:

As I entered the Seven Seas Mariner I was not overly impressed with my first glimpse of this 700 guest, 50,000 ton ship. It was nice, but nothing struck me as spectacular or extraordinary. But, as I roamed the ship and took a closer look, I realized that it exudes a very subtle, understated classiness. It is the tiny details that get overlooked at first glance that sets the Mariner apart from other ships. Small touches like fresh flowers arranged in casual elegance and artwork selectively placed inconspicuously throughout the ship create a very refined, yet comfortable, appeal unique to the Radisson Mariner.

Suite 1071

My Stateroom:

Everyone in the group was assigned a Category D suite on deck 10. Pat & I were to occupy Suite 1071, and Jerry and Janet were our neighbors in 1073. As the Mariner was the first ship to be designed as an all-suite, all-balcony vessel, there is no such thing as an inferior stateroom. As I entered my suite I was impressed with both the physical layout and the décor. A color theme of gold and rust, complemented by touches of mint green were embellished by rich polished wood molding from floor to ceiling. Measuring 301 square feet the suite provided ample space. The corridor into the stateroom was flanked by a full length mirror on one side and the bathroom on the other. And what a bathroom it was!

The Bathroom

The spacious marble appointed bathroom was equipped with a full size deep bathtub and shower that offered excellent water pressure. There was a full mirror across the sink with corner shelving on each side, plus additional shelving for storage below. The shelves were stocked with a complete complement of Aveeda toiletries that were replenished regularly. In addition to regular size towels, plush bath sheets were provided, as were terrycloth robes. Now that I have painted a picture of this wonderful bathroom, I need to add a point of clarification for those of you who may be sailing on the Mariner in the near future. My neighbors in 1073 did not have a bathtub, but an oversized shower stall. Apparently, the Mariner is undergoing some remodeling, and plans have already been implemented to remove all of the bathtubs and replace them with these shower stalls. This could be either good news or bad news depending on your personal preference.

Along the same wall as the bathroom, the corridor begins to curve outward forming a perfect nook for a full vanity. Mirrors encased the vanity on all three sides and I thank the designer who chose the diffused side lighting that was set between the mirrored panes, rather than the typical harsh overhead lighting. It made applying my make-up, a much more pleasant task! There was also a divided drawer below the vanity for storage that contained an excellent hair dryer with multiple heat settings. The hair dryer plugged into its own separate outlet, leaving the two other 110-volt outlets available for other appliances. Another bonus of this space was the perfect placement of the mirrors of the vanity and the full length mirror on the opposite wall. It allowed for perfect viewing to coif the back of your hair. An inlaid wood frame provided an entranceway into the actual bedroom area of the suite. Two very comfortable beds with down comforters and pillows could be configured as two twins or one European king bed. The beds were high enough to store all of our luggage underneath them. They were flanked by two small two-drawer nightstands (a phone sits atop one of them). Two small nightlights/reading lights were on the wall above the beds. Along the sidewall of the bedroom next to the vanity was a walk-in closet providing all the storage one would need for longer voyages and extended itineraries. There were a total of three clothes racks, one full length for longer garments and two half-racks for shorter garments. Ample hangers were provided. The closet also provided a shoe rack, a built-in six drawer dresser with three open shelves above it and an additional shelf along the ceiling for extra storage. A small safe occupied one of the open shelves. Another inlaid wood frame separated the bedroom from the living space. This frame, however, was equipped with a full length drape that could enclose the bedroom in total darkness while leaving the living area and balcony open to lighting. The living area had a full size couch, comfortable matching accent chair, glass-top convertible cocktail/dining table and very attractive entertainment center/desk area. There were two matching glass enclosed double shelves, separated by one long open shelf. Fine glassware and a silver champagne bucket were provided, as well as your choice of 2 complimentary bottles of liquor for your in-room bar. Below one of the glass shelves was a large TV (not interactive) that offered limited selections. It included 3 movie channels that changed daily and ran continuously, CNN, a satellite sports channel, a shore excursion channel, a view from the bridge and one that provided the evening menu selections for each dining room. Below the TV there was a VCR and 4 more nice size drawers. The desk area was located in the middle, below the long open shelf. It was equipped with a desk drawer, comfortable desk chair, another telephone and one outlet. (By the way, the telephone does have voicemail.) Below the other glass shelving unit were additional desk/table space and the mini-fridge. It was stocked with beer, water and soft drinks. Water and soft drinks were always complimentary and restocked daily. The first 4 beers were complimentary, but there was a charge if you wished to have those replaced. (I am not a beer drinker, however, so I do not know the restocking price.) Fresh flowers and fruit were also stateroom amenities. There was ample lighting throughout the cabin. The workstation/entertainment center had separate lighting; there was soft overhead lights in the living area, two wall lamps above the sofa, and full cabin overhead lighting, in addition to the other lights I have already mentioned. The balcony was not large, but had room for 2 cushioned chairs that reclined and a table.

The Balcony

The balconies have open railings, but interestingly, we had a small child occupying a cabin a few doors down from us and a plexi-glass partition had been attached to their railing for safety. This is just one of the many examples that I was to discover during my voyage of the special accommodations Radisson makes for the comfort of their guests.

The Seven Seas Mariner Bow

The Ship:

The eight decks on the Mariner devoted to passenger space were designed to provide the highest space to guest ratios of any ship afloat (71.4) and was accomplished quite successfully. I invite you to join me on a tour of the ship beginning with Deck 12, the highest point of the Seven Seas Mariner. Located all the way forward, impressive views of the passing scenery was the focal point of The Observation Lounge. Comfortable seating was arranged to allow for limitless views from every vantage point in a tranquil environment.

The Observation Lounge

The Observation Lounge also served as the perfect spot to enjoy a continental breakfast or midday tea, and throughout the cruise a pianist and harpist took turns entertaining us at various times. This was obviously a very popular spot during our canal transit. Moving aft, there was a full circuit jogging track mid-ship (11 laps equaled 1 mile).

The Shuffleboard Court

The rear of Deck 12 was devoted to sports venues including a golf net, shuffleboard and paddle tennis court.

Paddle Tennis Court

Taking the stairs behind the paddle tennis court leads to the outdoor dining area of La Veranda.

The La Veranda Outside Dining Area

The La Veranda Buffet

This restaurant provided a breakfast and lunch buffet during the day and was turned into a bistro/steakhouse in the evening.

The Pool Grill

Exiting La Veranda, a paddle tennis table was located on the starboard side and an excellent Pool Grill was port side.

The Pool Grill Dining Area and Pool Deck

The Pool Grill was definitely more than the typical poolside dining venue, but I will save the details for the Dining Section of this review. Moving forward, a Pool Bar and a wonderful alfresco dining area of teak tables with blue umbrellas opened to the pool deck.

The Pool

The saltwater pool and 3 Jacuzzi’s took center stage, but the real treat was the thick cushioned lounge chairs encircling the pool. Not only were they extremely comfortable, but this was one area that attested to the impressive guest to space ratio. A table and SPACE between each chair was a welcomed deviation from the mainstream cruise scenario. The remaining portion of Deck 11 was allocated to 2 Grand Suites (987 sq. ft.) and a number of Penthouse Suites (449 sq. ft.).

The Passenger's Laundry Room

Decks 10, 9 and 8 were completely relegated to passenger suites, with the exception of a self-service laundry room on each deck. Washers, dryers and ironing facilities were provided at no cost, and even complimentary laundry detergent was supplied.

The Casino

The remaining passenger suites were located on the rear half of Deck 7. Continuing forward along the corridor there was a small, but adequate, Casino port side.

The Casino Slot Machines

The Casino was actually divided into two areas, one housing the table games and the other all of the slot machines.

The Mariner Boutiques

Opposite the Casino along the same corridor were the boutiques. Although somewhat limited, Tommy Bahama sportswear was featured and proved to be quite popular with a number of our group members. Mid-ship, the Photo Shop occupied the area around the Atrium. Forward, the remaining portion of Deck 7 was devoted to fitness and beauty.

The Entrance to the Carita of Paris Spa

Occupying the starboard side, a Carita of Paris Spa & Sauna provided the ultimate in pampering. It offered both a dry sauna and steam bath, as well as an array of beauty and body treatments. I have included the Spa Menu in this review, however, whether it was hairstyling or a manicure, facial treatment or body massage the staff was there to indulge your needs.

The Fitness Center

Adjacent to the Spa, was the Fitness Center. The Fitness Center was divided into two rooms, one housing a range of exercise equipment and the other devoted to floor exercises and fitness classes. Although there was a variety of standard machines (treadmills, recumbent bikes, elliptical, stair climbing, universal weight machine and free weights), the area is not very large and on this cruise often became quite crowded. A very full schedule of aerobics, stretching, body toning, circuit, fitball and Pilates classes were provided throughout the cruise by Jacquie, an excellent fitness instructor. Here is a list of the various classes that were available on the cruise.Again, although she was a great instructor, the space was somewhat limited and much too small to accommodate the number of participants. I am not sure if this was unique to our cruise, or whether it is an ongoing situation, but it definitely affected the quality of the workout.

The Constellation Theater

Moving down to Deck 6 from the fitness area, was the upper level of the Constellation Theater. This two-tiered theater was the main entertainment venue for the various production shows and guest performances that were provided for our enjoyment nightly. A single performance was scheduled nightly at 9:45, but was never crowded and there was always ample seating available (even if you arrived at the last minute). Seating was comfortable, aisles were wide and tables were strategically placed between rows. For most performances we sat near the front of the theater, but it appeared that sight lines and acoustics were excellent from any seat.

The Atrium

Moving aft to the Atrium, a small shop sat in the starboard corner. Although it was identified as the souvenir shop, it primarily sold jewelry.

The Garden Promenade

Continuing aft along the single starboard corridor, aptly named the Garden Promenade, was Stars Nightclub.

Stars Nightclub

This was the disco and actually became quite lively many evenings during the cruise (particularly on karaoke nights).

The Circular Stairs Leading to the Casino

Circular stairs in the center of the room led to the Casino directly above and provided an added dimension to the visual appeal of the space. We are now beginning to venture into the area that I found to be the most visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing area of the ship. Continuing along the Garden Promenade, the space opens to include a row of attractive chairs and tables arranged along the windows on the starboard side. Some were designed for reading, some for quiet board games and yet others were utilized as the “puzzle corner”. A very impressive library was on the port side. A cappuccino/latte machine, tea sandwiches and cookies were available in a small corner, while rather large number of shelves offered substantial reading material, a generous quantity of videos (for personal use in-suite) and a few multi-media computers.

Club.com

This was also the location of Club.com, the Internet café. There were 14 computer stations available, but this was one of the most disappointing aspects of the Mariner. While other Radisson ships offer package pricing making Internet access reasonable, this was not the case on the Mariner. The only option was a standard, $.75 per minute charge. In and of itself, this might not have been bad, but the service was extremely slow and highly unreliable. It was not unusual to accrue charges of $8.00 or more, just attempting to get to your mailbox and then still not being able to access your mail. For many, adding to the frustration was a less than sympathetic or helpful staff making for very disgruntled passengers.

The Library

Tucked behind the library was the Conference Center and Card Room.

The Conference Center

A movable partition separated these two facilities, allowing them to be utilized as two separate venues or combined into one larger space, should the need arise.

The Card Room

Still continuing our trek aft along the Garden Promenade passed the small selection of art that was on display for purchase was the Connoisseur Club.

Promenade Art

This very attractive room, which was actually an enclosed annex to the Horizon Lounge, appeared to be the “cigar bar”, but never once during the cruise did I see this space occupied.

The Connoisseur Club

All the way aft, the Horizon Lounge provided a great place to watch the sunset, enjoy afternoon tea, or spend the evening dancing.

The Horizon Lounge

Two dance hosts were usually in attendance for any ladies who were in need of a dance partner.

Signatures Place Setting

Adjacent to the Horizon Lounge and opposite the Card Room, was Signatures, a very intimate restaurant offering “Le Cordon Bleu” cuisine.

Signatures Restaurant

This elegant dining venue was quite popular and reservations were required.

Compass Rose Restaurant Entrance

Exiting the restaurant and traversing the stairs, we have descended to Deck 5 aft, the lowest of the passenger decks. This was the rear entrance to the Compass Rose Restaurant, the traditional main dining venue. Staff was available at both the rear and main entrances to greet and seat guests in this refined and tastefully appointed setting.

The Compass Rose Restaurant

Tables were arranged to accommodate parties of two to ten. Moving forward to the main entrance, the small conclave was shared by Latitudes, a reservations-only intimate hideaway featuring an interesting cuisine in a unique style. Here are two samples menus from Lattitudes.

Lattitudes

Continuing forward was the Mariner Lounge, where the piano player typically entertained for our pre-dinner pleasure.

Mariner Lounge

This led to the main floor of the unassuming, 8-deck Atrium.

The Reception Area

Arranged around the Atrium was the Tour Office, Cruise Sales Office, Reception Area and Concierge Desk. The main level of the Constellation Theater occupied the remaining forward section of Deck 5.

The Doctor’s office was located on Deck 4, forward. Two banks of elevators serviced the passengers. A glass enclosed set of three were located in the Atrium section and a set of two elevators were located in the aft area. Be aware that if you choose to use the aft elevators and exit on Deck 5, you must go through the Compass Rose restaurant to reach the other areas of the ship.

Dining Options:

The freedom of open seating at all meals, elegant settings, tantalizing menus, and exquisite presentation combine to make dining onboard the Mariner a gourmet experience. Unfortunately, I became quite ill midway through the cruise (NO it was not the noro-virus or anything like that) and did not derive the same pleasure I usually enjoy from long leisure meals while cruising. But, truth be told, if I had to be sick on any ship, I am glad it was on one that provided phenomenal room service. And while on the subject of room service, let’s look at that option first. A rather extensive room service menu, including snacks, soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, main courses and desserts was available 24 hours. During dinner hours any item on the menu in Compass Rose was also available for room service (even complimentary wine). A full breakfast menu was also served from 6:30AM to10AM (see menu included). Since I did use this option more than I have on any other cruise, I can honestly say service, presentation and quality of food were all excellent.

Signatures

Signatures was open for dinner only (6:30PM – 9PM) and required reservations. It had a set menu that remained the same nightly and changed only once midday through the cruise. Signatures offered superb fare prepared by Le Cordon-Bleu trained chefs in elegant fashion with service to match. Classically French, with culinary twists, I have included both a la carte menus (menu #1 and menu #2) that were offered on our cruise, but can highly recommend the fillet of beef. Now, I am not a very adventurous diner and my tastes are rather basic, but this was truly a dining experience not to be missed on a Mariner cruise.

Latitudes was the smallest and most intimate of the restaurants onboard. It was similar to Signatures in that it required reservations, open only for dinner and had a set menu that changed only once through the cruise. However, it offered a truly distinctive dining experience that proved to be the favorite of many in our group (Not me, but then I am not a fan of Asian fusion cuisine.) However, the Asian inspired menu was served in a unique fashion that I found to be quite appealing. All three of the appetizers, soups and desserts were served to everyone in small sampler portions allowing guests the opportunity a taste of each. Selecting between the two main courses was the only choice that each guest made for themselves. For someone like me, this was a perfect way to expand my taste repertoire. This was definitely another “not to be missed” dining venue.

La Veranda Restaurant

LaVeranda served a breakfast (7:30AM – 10AM) and lunch (12 – 2PM) buffet each day. Seating was available on the outside terrace or inside the air-conditioned restaurant. At breakfast the basic buffet choices remained the same throughout the entire cruise (breakfast pastries, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, cereals, French toast, etc.) but eggs cooked to order or actually anything else that a guest wanted was prepared on request. The luncheon buffet was varied, but jumbo shrimp, baked fish, fresh vegetables and marvelous salads were offered daily. In the evening the port side of the restaurant was transformed into an informal Mediterranean bistro or Italian steakhouse (rotated on a nightly basis) serving diners from 7-9 PM on a first come-first served basis. Appetizers and desserts were chosen from a buffet but the rest of the meal was ordered through your server. I sampled the fare at the Mediterranean bistro, but never did manage to test the Italian steakhouse menu. Although we did try, due to its popularity on this cruise we were never able to be seated. (I strongly suggest you plan to arrive before 8PM if you wish to dine there.)

Compass Rose, the largest of the restaurants, was the traditional dining venue on the Mariner. Breakfast was served from 8AM – 9:30AM, lunch from 12 – 1:30PM and dinner from 6:30PM – 9PM daily. Dinner menus changed nightly and offered a wide variety of choices. Different standard, vegetarian and low-salt menus were provided and a filet mignon, strip steak, chicken breast and fish prepared to order could always be requested. Actually, my friends and I preferred this restaurant because it always offered a choice that appealed to our combined eclectic tastes. Lunch, however, was a disappointment. The menu offered little variety and service (according to a consensus of those in the group) was somewhat inconsistent.

The Pool Grill offered a continental breakfast from 6:30AM – 9:30AM and began serving hot dogs, burgers, fries, etc from 11AM – 4PM. By the way, the burgers were cooked to order (yes, you can get a burger on the rare side) as well as being thick and juicy. Excellent!! Pizza and fruit plates were also available. However, the Pool Grill was often the scene of some rather extensive and unique poolside luncheon buffets. On this cruise a Mexican BBQ, Fish Al Fresco, Mongolian Wok, Asian Delight and American BBQ were just some of the featured luncheon delights.

If these options were not enough a continental breakfast was also served in the Observation Lounge from 6:30AM – 11AM and an afternoon tea was served from 4PM – 5PM in both the Horizon and Observation Lounges. There was no “midnight buffet”, but it was certainly not missed! Both a white and red wine chosen to complement the menu selections for that evening were served complimentary in each of the dining venues at dinner. You could always request your favorite wine if the evening’s selection was not to your liking. FYI: Although it is not publicly announced, you can also order complimentary cocktails during dinner.

Staff and Service:

The Seven Seas Voyager Staff on Stage

For the most part, I found the staff on the Mariner to be more than accommodating. Guests were treated with a friendly respect and special requests were patiently and promptly serviced. The stateroom attendants were particularly attentive to guests needs. I found it particularly pleasant to not be subjected to the invasive noise generated by the early morning cleaning schedule of staterooms so typical of mainstream cruise lines. Room service, (here is a copy of the room service menu)as I have already mentioned, was exceptional. Most staff members greeted me with a warm greeting and a smile, and even a number that greeted me by name. A few even anticipated my requests based on past preferences. However, there were some unsolicitous and less than friendly staff members in pockets of the ship that influenced the group’s overall assessment. For the most part they were minor infractions, that appeared to stem from a lack of attention to detail rather than attitude and were the exception rather than the norm, but nonetheless it did negatively impact the overall experience.

Entertainment:

For a ship this size they offered a wide variety of entertainment to appeal to broad range of tastes and interests. Musical genres from classical to modern rock were showcased in different venues each day. From harpist and pianist, to vocal duo and DJ the entertainment staff did their best to keep us entertained. The Peter Terhune Singers and Dancers were not the most polished and seasoned troupe of performers at sea. But, they exuded a youth, vitality and effervescence that was infectious and appealing. Although they were not a full blown orchestra, The Mariner Five quite competently handled the role of ship band accompanying the guest performers and providing background music at social functions. And speaking of guest performers, there were outstanding offerings (the impressionist and Holly Lipton in particular) and those that were received with less enthusiasm, but there is no question that there was definitely substantial variety.

Day 1, Thursday (Los Angeles):

The Port of Los Angeles

We had boarded at noon and our staterooms were not yet ready, so we were directed to the Pool Grill on deck 11 to enjoy lunch while we waited. Since I boarded the ship with intentions of comparing this cruise to my Crystal, I was a bit disappointed with our initial greeting. On Crystal we were escorted to the dining room where we were presented with a full course luncheon menu while champagne flowed freely awaiting access to our staterooms. In all fairness, Radisson cruise documents stated a 2:30 PM boarding time; therefore they were not under no obligation to accommodate our early arrival. It just fell short of my preconception. Unfortunately, the fact that we were unable to get into our suites until 3 PM did nothing to enhance my initial impression. However, the Radisson Mariner redeemed itself immeasurably by conducting one of the most efficient and well conducted emergency lifeboat drills I have encountered. When we were able to occupy our staterooms, our luggage had already been delivered. So, after the lifeboat drill, Pat and I returned to the suite to begin unpacking. We had planned to join the Bon Voyage get together on the pool deck; but the view from our balcony was so inviting, we decided to have our own private SailAway.

Leaving Los Angeles Harbor

Earlier my friends and I had connected with two other members of the travel professionals group that we had cruised with in the past and were able to secure reservations at 8 PM for the 6 of us to enjoy our first dinner on board at Signatures. And what a fantastic meal it was! Ravioli stuffed with escargots, a very tender filet of beef, crème brulee for dessert and French wine. Now, this was the way to start a cruise! After dinner we went next door to the Horizon lounge for trivia and dancing at an energetic St. Patrick’s Day celebration. (By the way, this made my roommate very happy since she would have been sorely disappointed if the ship had not planned any St. Patrick Day activity.) While there, we met a number of the entertainment staff. In fact, it was the entertainment staff that had checked us in when we boarded. The young lady who had taken care of us remembered us and greeted us by name. Each of the performers in this young troupe was quite personable and exuded an enigmatic charm as they interacted with guests throughout the cruise. Ah, there is definitely something to be said for a small ship experience. By now, the evening was waning and we were all getting weary, so we retired for the evening.

Day 2, Friday (San Diego - Docked):

Port of San Diego (Taken From the Ship)

Since my body clock was still on EST, I was ready to begin my day by 6:30 AM. When we arrived in port on schedule at 8 AM it was cloudy and looked like rain, but by the 9 AM the sun began to peak through. My 3 traveling companions live in California and my “cruise buddy” who had met us in LA pre-cruise is from San Diego, therefore this was not a new destination for any of us. Since we already familiar with the area from other trips Janet, Jerry, Pat and I left the ship about 10:30 enroute to the Hotel Del Coronado. Janet and Pat had both made arrangements to meet members of their families for lunch. We had planned to take the ferry to Coronado, but by the time we dawdled our way to the ferry terminal we had just missed the 11 AM ferry.

Hotel Del Coronado

Rather than waiting around until noon for the next ferry, we grabbed a taxi ($17.50 + tip).

The Hotel Del Coronado Grounds

We managed to have a leisure lunch and still squeeze in a little time for some shopping before returning to the ship for our 5 PM departure. We joined a few members of the travel group, before our group’s scheduled cocktail party at 6:30 in the Horizon Lounge. Captain Jean-Marie Guillou and some of the other officers stopped by the cocktail party which was a very nice gesture and well appreciated. After the cocktail party, I joined others from our group for dinner at La Veranda to sample the Mediterranean Bistro. Appetizers and desserts were served buffet style, while the rest of the meal was ordered from the menu. Wine flowed freely as we engaged in lively conversation. At dinner’s end, some of group went to the Constellation Theater for the evening’s main entertainment, comedian Fred Klett. Since my body had not yet adjusted to the 3 hour time difference, I chose to retire for the evening. According to my traveling companions, I did not miss much as consensus of opinion rated his performance as marginal.

San Diego Port Suggestions: For those of you who have not been to San Diego before, here are some recommended activities and excursions you might find of interest.

•The Trolley Tour offered as a ship’s excursion was excellent and provided a great overview of the city for first timers.

•Horton Plaza is within walking distance (the ship also provided complimentary shuttle service) and is a great shopping complex.

•“The Midway” is at the port and well worth exploring if you find such vessels of interest.

•Old Town and Presidio Park are “must-do’s” if you have never visited San Diego.

•The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the country.

•Take the ferry to Coronado or make a trek to La Jolla – both are fabulous destinations and provide a different view of the area. If you are a beach person and looking for one of those spectacular San Diego beaches, then make a point of visiting either of these spots.

Day 3, Saturday (At Sea):

The Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party

I woke early, but began the morning a bit disappointed since the weather was definitely not promising. It was cold, cloudy and very windy. Sine a power walk on deck was not an option, I chose to visit the fitness center. It was very crowded and I was unable to locate an available treadmill. Fortunately, however, I had arrived just in time for the morning stretch class. I had just enough time to grab a latté before returning to my cabin to freshen up for the fist of our scheduled seminars. There was an excellent synergy that evolved during the seminar and we left the meeting charged with a task that I found quite intriguing. Since the weather had continued to deteriorate, we chose to participate in the wine and cheese paring seminar. After the wine tasting, I decided to take advantage of the inclement weather to begin collecting some of the interior photos of the ship for the review, followed by a relaxing lunch at La Veranda. Knowing there would be many sun-filled days ahead, I returned to the cabin to work. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the sun had finally decided to make an appearance. Protected from the wind, I was able to work while gathering the first of the sun’s rays on my balcony. Ah, life was looking good! This was the first of the two formal nights scheduled for our 14 day cruise. The Captain’s Welcome Reception was held on decks 5 and 6 of the Atrium. We mingled with the staff, enjoying cocktails and conversation, while the Mariner Five played for our listening pleasure. Following the festivities, we decided to dine at Compass Rose. I thoroughly enjoyed my small lobster tail poached in butter as I became better acquainted with some of the members of our travel group. This evening’s entertainment was the first of the production shows performed by the Peter Terhune Singers and Dancers. Having actually met a number of the performers, I was looking forward to seeing them display their talents. “Beyond Imagination” was interesting and different than many of the production shows I have seen of

late. While I truly enjoyed “Beyond Imagination”, it was not without its flaws. The production was a bit disjointed as it appeared to have no real theme and there were some uneven transitions. There were also some mismatches between vocalist and song choice, but, on the other hand, there were also some very exceptional solo performances. Overall, I found the show to be quite pleasant. While some of the group left the theater in search of more late night activity, I chose to retire. It appeared that many passengers had a similar mindset to mine, as late night activity was at a minimum (or so my friends thought – but more about that later).

(I was to discover later that due to unexpected personal matters and serious injuries to a few of the key performers in the ensemble, other members of the group were called upon as last minute replacements during our cruise. This would certainly explain the unevenness and mismatches I mentioned. I applaud the performers who did their best under extenuating circumstances.)  

Day 4, Sunday (Cabo San Lucas – Tender Port):

Absolutely glorious day! Not a cloud in the sky and the promise of perfect weather. This morning I was able to enjoy a vigorous power walk and light breakfast before preparing for my day in Cabo. The Mariner arrived a bit ahead of its 9 AM scheduled arrival. I love Cabo and was looking forward to engaging in my favorite Cabo activity, a visit to Medano Beach. As Internet access on board was such a disappointment (both for cost and accessibility), locating an Internet café was a primary goal. So, a few of us arranged to secure the first of the tender tickets to be disseminated. Once we disembarked we remembered it was Palm Sunday, so many things were closed (including most of the internet cafés). Thus we changed our itinerary and decided to walk to the beach and look for internet access on our return to the ship. (By the way, it is very easy to secure a water taxi at the pier to take you directly to the beach.)

Arriving at Medano Beach

This turned out to be a wise move, as we had arrived early enough at Billigan’s on Medano Beach to acquire 4 chaises and an umbrella in a prime beach location. We settled in for a day of relaxing in the sun, enjoying lunch at “The Office”, and sipping liquid refreshment at the “All Day Happy-Hour”. This is absolutely a great party spot, so early in the afternoon the spring break crowd began filtering in and by mid-afternoon the beach was a sea of young college students ready to indulge in the standard “spring break party rituals”.

Medano Afternoon

By the time we left at 3:30, I am not sure how any more bodies would fit on this small stretch of sand. Joanie and I did manage to find an internet café as we walked through town and back to the tender pier, before boarding the last tender. I don’t know about you, but a day at the beach can really tire me out. So, the ordeal of dressing for dinner, and then sitting through a full course meal was just more than I wanted to deal with at this point. One of the pleasures of a Radisson cruise is that I had an alternative. I wandered down to the library, selected a “chick flick” video, returned to my cabin, ordered room service from the very extensive room service menu and settled in for the night. Dining in your stateroom is truly one of the luxuries of a Radisson cruise; simply delightful! Your coffee table is converted into a dining table adorned with a white linen tablecloth and fine china place setting. I would suggest everyone opt for this alternative at least once on a Radisson cruise.

Cabo San Lucas Port Suggestions: Since many of you might prefer to do something other than spend the day at the beach, here are some alternative suggestions.

•If your ship is in port early (and long enough), schedule a fishing trip. This is one of the best ports for this sport.

•Rent an ATV and do some exploring.

•Horseback riding is also very popular.

•Kayak to Lover’s Beach (if the water is not too rough). An alternative is to just hire a water taxi.

•Renting a car was not recommended as it tends to be expensive and rentals are not conveniently located at the pier.

Day 5, Monday (At Sea):

Another marvelous weather day was forecast and I was not disappointed. I awoke with sun basking my balcony and knew that another stellar day was ahead. By 9:00 AM I was already at the pool area staking my claim to a perfectly located lounge chair. I was able to complete a 2 ½ mile power walk (11 laps = 1 mile) before “vegging” in the sun for the rest of the day. Members of our travel group came and went during the day, leaving periodically to participate in other scheduled activities around the ship. Two members of our group were fortunate enough to have signed up for the Cordon Bleu cooking class that was being conducted by a Master Chef others went to bridge lessons, cooking demonstrations, or one of the enrichment lectures. By late afternoon, the sun had tired me out and I chose to take a short nap in preparation for a full evening. We had dinner reservations at Latitudes for 8:00 PM. Many from our travel group met at the Horizon Lounge for cocktails and dancing before dinner, then went our separate ways for dinner, before reconnecting later that evening. The meal at Latitudes was great. Its unique presentation style was definitely a major part of its appeal, not to mention the excellent selections that were offered. The evening entertainment was songstress Holly Lipton. Her performance was excellent. Each of the headline acts was scheduled for two shows during the cruise, and we were all definitely looking forward to her second performance. Well, after bailing early the last few nights, I had promised to join my fellow partiers for some late night activity. Thus, we headed off to Stars disco for karaoke and dancing. Now, karaoke is not normally “my thing”, but I must admit that on this particular night, even I was coerced into performing with “the girls”. After our “stellar performances”, karaoke led to disco dancing and it turned into a very late night for most of us. It was all good, however, as everyone had a great time. (Oh! By the way, I had mentioned that my friends were complaining that there was not much activity on board the ship at night. Well, apparently they had missed the disco in their quest, as we met a group of guests that had been there every night.)

Day 6, Tuesday (Acapulco):

Port of Acapulco

Joanie and I had made plans to meet early that morning to disembark the ship together. As this was not the first time either of us had been to Acapulco, we had no plans other than to locate an Internet café, and then head to the beach. (Am I beginning to sound like a broken record?) Fortunately, there was an Internet café in the terminal at reasonable rates ($3 for ½ hour). Then, it was off to the beach. We walked the short distance to the beach and were lucky enough to locate a couple of lounge chairs to rent for the day. This was not an easy task, as most of the rentals were for umbrellas and straight back chairs. By the time we had settled in for the day, the beach was becoming crowded. Since this was Holy Week, the residents of Mexico City flock to Acapulco in droves for vacation. Now, I forgot to mention that I was beginning to come down with some sort of cold (or so I thought) for when I woke this morning, my throat was quite scratchy and I had lost my voice. (Now I know what you are thinking, but NO, it was not due to my late night revelry the night before.)

The Beach at Acapulco

So after lounging a while on the beach, I took a break to find a pharmacy to purchase some cold and throat medicine. Well, if I thought the beach was becoming crowded, that was nothing compared to the scene on the roads. Traffic was horrendous and there appeared to be gridlock in every direction. I was quite glad we had chosen to forego any sightseeing and had chosen to walk to the beach. By the time I returned, it had become very hot and humid. We attempted to cool off in the water, but, surprisingly, the water was quite chilly. It wasn’t long before we were both uncomfortable, not to mention getting hungry. Rather than try to find a restaurant in town and fight the sea of people, we decided just to return to the ship and finish our day at the pool area on board. When I returned, Joanie and I decided to return to the ship for lunch and finish our day at the pool on board. Well, with the ship in port there was not a hint of a breeze on the pool deck, so our afternoon plan was foiled a bit. I decided to take advantage of the empty ship to take pictures for this review, while Joanie retired to her cabin to do some work. My roommate, Pat, had ventured off with other friends but returned shortly after me. Some from our group had gone to see the cliff divers (a must do in Acapulco for first timers), others went to the central market and yet others participated in one the ship’s shore excursions. Once again we met at Horizons for pre-dinner cocktails and dined at Compass Rose. The evening entertainment was Fred Klett (the comedian) and so many from our group had been disappointed in his first performance; we opted to pass on that evening activity. Pat, Janet and Jerry decided to venture to the Observation Lounge to listen to the piano playing of Mr. Jordan Heppner and found it quite pleasant (there were only about 5 other people in the lounge, however). My throat condition was worsening and it’s not much fun conversing with no voice (anyone who knows me can appreciate that the inability to talk would be quite frustrating for me), so I chose to retire early again.

Acapulco Port Suggestions: I have already mentioned some of the excursions that you might want to consider, but here is a compilation of suggestions from the group.

•One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Acapulco Cliff Divers. It is easy to grab a taxi from the pier and catch one of the afternoon or evening shows.

•The San Diego Fort is directly across from the cruise terminal and makes for an interesting tour.

•The ship sponsored Cross and Fort Tour was good and very interesting. The highlight is the view of Acapulco from the summit of Las Brisas.

•If you are a shopper and have honed up on your bartering skills, then the Central Market is a great place to get all your typical Mexican crafts and souvenirs.

•Papagyo Park is a nice municipal park within walking distance of the pier, but if you are expecting to do some shopping all the vendor’s stalls are no longer there.

Day 7, Wednesday (Huatulco):

The Port of Huatulco

I awoke still not feeling well, but my voice seemed to be coming back, so I was anticipating a rapid recovery. I was able to do an abbreviated power walk (my energy level was still down) before enjoying a light breakfast in La Veranda. This was my first visit to Huatulco and I was thoroughly impressed!! What was once a sleepy fishing community until it was discovered by developers in the 1960’s remains quietly charming.

The Seven Seas Mariner in Huatulco

Although this area is beginning to emerge as a popular resort destination, its secluded beaches and idyllic setting provide a relaxed environment much different from other major resort areas in Mexico. It was very quiet (particularly after our last two ports) and extremely clean.

Shopping in Huatulco

The residents were quite friendly and eager to share the merits of their beautiful slice of coastal paradise. As we were only in port until 1 PM, Pat, Janet, Jerry and I departed the ship about 8:30. We decided to accept the offer of $10 per person for an hour tour of the area in an air-conditioned suburban. It was well worth the money. This very personable gentleman took us to the hotel zone, where we were able to visit some of the spectacular properties offering luxurious accommodations. (FYI: There are absolutely NO time shares. They are not permitted.) Along the way we were treated to stunning views of the Bays of Huatulco and surrounding areas. Absolutely breathtaking! He returned us to the center of town for some shopping and then drove us back to the port. There we decided to stop at Vin Del Mar, a very nice seafood restaurant on the beach.

The Beach at Huatulco

While my friends enjoyed a refreshment and lunch under a beachfront palapa, I found a lounge chair to soak up a few of the sun’s rays. (Interesting side note: At the restaurant we met another couple that was on our ship. They boarded the ship right before it was ready to depart, not realizing he had accidentally left his credit card at the restaurant. Someone from the restaurant found it and was able to get it delivered it to him before we set sail). After returning to the ship, we wandered up to the pool deck to meet others from our group to enjoy the Mexican BBQ, ice cream social sail away, the art of pareo tying and lounging at the pool. Although I thought I was on the mend, the day’s activities were taking a toll and I was not rebounding as I had hoped. Before I could meet others from our group in the Observation Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail, I had to take a short nap in an attempt to recharge my batteries. Thankfully, I was able to garner enough energy to join the group at the Observation Lounge. We had planned to dine at La Veranda’s Italian Steakhouse, but it was full with over 20 people waiting, so we opted for another dinner at Compass Rose. The second production show performed by the Peter Terhune Singers and Dancers was scheduled as the evening’s entertainment. “Here, There Everywhere” was a revue showcasing the music of the Beatles. Although the choreography was not polished, the show was lively and entertaining (at least the part I was able to enjoy). I was actually beginning to feel quite miserable and my throat was becoming quite irritated, so I excused myself and once again retired.

Huatulco Port Suggestions: This is definitely a port that I expect to return to and do more exploring, but for starters here are some excursion suggestions.

•Hire a taxi for a brief overview of the region.

•Hire a water taxi for a great tour of the bays. ($20 each for four people)

•Rent a bicycle and explore the area on your own.

•Take some time to do some shopping in the town – great prices on silver.

•Make a quick stop at the church with no walls at the port.

•The ship’s City and Catamaran Tour was highly recommended. The smooth catamaran ride with free refreshments was nicely coupled with a great land tour overview.

•The ship’s Cities, Towns and Traditions Tour was interesting but a bit long. The tour includes more remote locations outside of the port area to visit local homes and farms. It offers an opportunity to learn about the local traditions like tortilla and brick making.

Day 8, Thursday (At Sea):

I was quite uncomfortable during the night and slept poorly. When I finally did begin the day, I was in sufficient pain that I decided that it might be time to make a visit to the ship’s doctor. I was unable to swallow and talking was painful. However, the doctor’s hours were somewhat limited, and by the time I had finally made the decision to make my very first ever visit to the ship’s doctor his office hour had passed (9-10 AM). I must admit that this whole scenario was quite disconcerting as I very seldom get sick. However, I decided to make the most of the day and spent time lounging in the sun, while I waited for his office to reopen at 5PM. As I baked in the sun, others in our group went off to enjoy wine tasting; enrichment lectures on the operation of the Canal Zone, the history of diamonds and emeralds; social bridge play and fitness classes. Once I was finally able to see the doctor, he diagnosed my condition, prescribed prednisone and antibiotics and indicated I should feel better in about 3 days. THREE DAYS!!! Well, at least this was a 14 day cruise. Although I did not have much of an appetite, I joined others from our group at Compass Rose for dinner that evening. I didn’t last long, however, and retreated to my suite as soon as dessert was served. Had I been feeling better I would have loved to attend the return performance of Holly Lipton after dinner with my friends, but it was just not an option. By the way, it was reported to be another great show.

Day 9, Friday (Puntarenas):

The Pier in Puntarenas

I awoke to bright blue skies and very warm temperatures. I had another uncomfortable nights sleep, but was determined to rally as this was another port I had not yet visited. I had booked the ship’s river rafting excursion, but due to my limited energy level I decided to cancel and do a bit of exploring on my own. Once again our first order of business was to locate an internet café, but it was Good Friday and that was a task not easily accomplished. The only option was a public communication center near the entrance to the port that offered a semblance of service. My suggestion: Don’t waste your money trying to connect to the internet, but utilize the reasonably priced phone service instead. Once we managed to complete our communication tasks, we thought we would check out the beach scene at Jaco Beach. This 5 mile stretch of black volcanic sand is the closest beach to the port and is within walking distance of the pier. Well, that was another disappointing venture. First of all, as I already mentioned this was Holy Week and Costa Ricans on holiday had taken up residence on the beach for the week. Not only was it exceptionally crowded, but the water itself was less than inviting and it was extremely hot and humid. So, on to our next idea: Let’s find a nice beachside cafe and order a cold cerveza. Foiled again! No beer, wine or alcoholic beverages are served anywhere on the beach during Holy Week. Hmmm, the National Theater and National Museum were closed due to Easter Week so our only option was to wander briefly through the stalls of the craft market and return to the ship.

Puntarenas Market

On my previous cruises to Costa Rica, Puerto Limon was the port stop. I much preferred that location to the Port of Puntarenas. Based on my experience, I would suggest that if Puntarenas is a port on your itinerary, definitely book a shore excursion (or just stay on board).

The Port of Puntarenas

I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but that evening the group dined at Compass Rose and while I excused myself after dinner and retired for the evening; the rest of the group were entertained by impressionist Sean O’Shea. Once again I was sorry I had not been able to share in what was reported to be a phenomenal and rousing performance by this very talented artist.

Puntarenas Port Suggestions:

•Canopy Tour (Zip Lining) was very good but age and physical abilities of guests needs to be considered as this was a challenging excursion.

•Tropical Forest Aerial Tram was good and an interesting way to see the scenery, but the bus ride to the tram was quite long.

•Waterfall Gardens Tour was good and scenery was impressive, but the high humidity made the walk very difficult (also considered to be a bit overpriced).

•Horseback riding is a good choice at this port.

•Whatever you decide to do, if you wish to really see Costa Rica, you must get away from the port area.

Day 10, Saturday (At Sea):

I was beginning to regain my strength and planned to do a power walk before our scheduled morning seminar, but it was already so warm and humid I chose to do my own brand of light work-out at the fitness center. At the seminar time flew by as we shared ideas, but by noon the sun was beckoning and I was eager to continue working on my tan. We spent a few luxurious hours basking in the sun, and then I spent a few hours working while others enjoyed the enrichment lecture on coral reefs or attended the wine tasting. A few of us attended the Martini Cabaret Club at the Horizon Lounge to listen to the Mariner Five and Peter Terhune Singers while sipping on a special martini, before joining others of our group for dinner at Latitudes. The group was treated to the second of the two menus that were provided on this cruise, but unfortunately I was unable to eat anything that evening. I was quite glad that we had made reservations to dine there later in the week as the selections appeared sumptuous. Martin Lass, an internationally renowned violinist was the evening’s main entertainment. Some of our group even made it another late night at the disco, but I just couldn’t muster the energy. (By now, I was becoming quite disgusted with my body’s refusal to return to its normal healthy state.)

Day 11, Sunday (Panama Canal):

The Bridge of Americas

Morning activities began very early as many guests were on deck to view our passage under the Bridge of Americas around 5:30 AM as we commenced our transit through the Mira Flores Locks. On my previous Panama Canal cruises, I had only traversed the Gatun Locks so I joined the crowds to catch a glimpse of the locks from this new vantage point.

The Atrium on Easter

During the night, the ship’s crew had been busy decorating many of the common areas for Easter Sunday festivities.

The Easter Bunny Visits the Seven Seas Mariner

Many people attended the Easter Sunday mass followed by decorating Easter eggs on the pool deck. In addition to the decorations and Easter activities, the “Easter Crew-Bunny” greeted guests on deck and distributed chocolate eggs. All in all, the combination of Easter celebrations while traversing the locks made this a somewhat surreal experience. We anchored at Gatun Lake about 1:00 PM and guests were tendered to the Gatun Lake Yacht Club.

The Gatun Lake Yacht Club

Now, Yacht Club is really a misnomer as the building and grounds in no way resemble any kind of yacht club and amenities are quite sparse. It is actually a very small family recreational area used by residents of the Atlantic community and employees of the Panama Canal Commission. Since I had not scheduled a ship’s excursion and I had already visited the “yacht club” on a previous transit, I chose to stay onboard.

Going Through the Gatun Locks

An afternoon Easter Ice Cream Social poolside, followed by an Easter egg hunt was enjoyed by many as we departed Gatun Lake to continue our transit through the Panama Canal via the Gatun Locks. I had just enough time to take a quick nap before meeting many of the travel group for a pre-dinner cocktail before dining at Signatures. Wow! What a wonderful meal. This was the second of the two menus offered on this cruise and was just as sumptuous as the first. Service was impeccable and the presentation was superb. The Liars Club was the evening’s entertainment fare, but having “been there, done that” many of us chose to listen to some piano music before venturing to the disco. Although I was still not feeling great, I was beginning to feel like a recluse and forced myself to rally (for a little while, at least).

Panama Canal Excursion Suggestions:

•If your ship offers complimentary tender service to the “yacht club”, it is worth a very quick trip; but if there is an excursion fee involved, don’t waste your money.

•The Helicopter Tour was fantastic! For some it was considered the best excursion they had ever taken. This very thrilling 20 minute experience was somewhat costly but well worth every penny and more. For most of the trip a great pilot flew them below tree level. There was even a physically challenged passenger that the crew was able to accommodate quite comfortably.

•Gatun Locks tour was great. A superior guide coupled with great viewing opportunities made for a good experience. In addition to a close look at the lock system, they caught glimpses of sloths, the crested pendular bird ad iguanas.

Day 12, Monday (San Andres – Technical Call):

This was actually another day at sea as guests were not permitted to go ashore. Although identified originally as a port of call, the ship actually stopped at San Andres just to fulfill the requirement imposed on non-US registered vessels by the Jones Act. Well, by now, on a cruise of this length, one sea day was blending into the next. Various members of out travel group spent another relaxing day lounging in the sun, or attending enrichment lectures, cooking demonstrations, blackjack tournaments, bridge playing, shopping onboard, participating in fitness classes, playing bingo or a combination of these activities. I am sure you know what I chose to do! In fact, this proved to be such a lazy day for me I decided it was even too much effort to dress for dinner and chose to order room service and watch a movie. Ah! The suite life! I am not sure that I would have chosen this option had I not been residing in a wonderful suite and spoiled by excellent room service. This evening I ordered a filet mignon that was done to perfection. Accompanied by shrimp cocktail, a baked potato and my favorite wine, I was blissfully content.

Day 13, Tuesday (At Sea):

Our cruise was quickly winding to a close and this would be our last day at sea. The morning began with our last seminar at sea. We worked diligently to complete everything on our agenda so everyone could participate in an assortment of activities that various members of the group had planned. Since I had been unable to access my e-mail for a few days, I bit the proverbial bullet and used the internet café onboard. It was a bit expensive, but I really had no alternative. After completing my online business, I wandered to the pool deck for my last opportunity to bake in the sun. (I know my dermatologist is just going to be thrilled if she happens to read this review!!!) As clouds had moved in, I took advantage of the opportunity to begin some preliminary packing. The clouds cleared shortly thereafter and I was able to grab a short afternoon respite in the sun. Later that afternoon I had the choice of a Pilates class or a Chocoholic Teatime. Now, I know I should have chosen the Pilates class, but weakling that I am I couldn’t resist the chocolate temptation. Oh well, I would be home soon enough and then I could return to a less decadent diet and a more rigorous exercise program. Besides, I had been ill for so much of this cruise, it was only right that I treat myself to a little sinful pleasure. (Okay, okay, I know I am rationalizing, but I seem to do it so well.) Tonight was the second of our two formal nights of the cruise. We attended the Captain’s Farewell Reception in the Constellation Theater and made our way to Latitudes for another group dining experience. This evening I was looking forward to enjoying the meal I was only able to admire on my last visit, and I was not disappointed. It proved to be an enjoyable evening as a great meal was followed by the final performance of the Peter Terhune Singers and Dancers. In my opinion, “Thoroughly Modern Broadway” was the very best of their three performances. The musical selections and choreography were well chosen to complement the styles and talent of the performers. I made a final brief stop at the disco with a few others from our group before calling it a night.

Day 14, Wednesday (Key West):

Key West (Taken From the Ship)

I awoke to a gloriously beautiful morning eager to begin my day in Key West. I had some solo tasks I wished to accomplish before joining my friends at Sloppy Joe’s. We docked in Key West a little ahead of our 9:00 AM scheduled arrival. I spent the first part of the morning on my balcony making phone calls and grabbed a quick bite to eat while waiting for our deck to be called to the Constellation Theater to collect our passports and present ourselves to immigration authorities. Once the ship was cleared, I proceeded ashore on my own. Although I was able to use my cell phone, I still had some required internet business to conduct. I found my way to a local internet café, completed my business and went in search of the visitor’s bureau. You see, a group of about 12 of us are planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Key West and I was given the responsibility of securing our lodging. Once all my “tasks” were accomplished, I took a leisurely stroll down Duval Street and connected with my friends at Sloppy Joe’s. We had a fun-filled afternoon and had even allowed ourselves enough time for some shopping before returning to the ship for our final evening onboard. Pat and I made our way to the Sunset Sail Away party poolside as Key West disappeared in the horizon. We then returned to our stateroom to continue the requisite task of packing (one of my most dreaded activities by the way). Pat, Janet, Jerry and I enjoyed a final dinner together at Compass Rose. It was a perfect way for the cruise to culminate, just as it had started.

Key West Port Suggestions:

•Take the Old Town Trolley of the Conch Train Tour on your own for a great overview of the town (ticket station is downtown and easily accessible).

•If you are adventurous, the America’s Cup Regatta is great fun.

•This is definitely not a beach town, but it is great for shopping and bar-hopping.

•Visit Harry Truman’s Little White House or Hemingway’s House.

•If you are traveling with children they will enjoy the aquarium (in the center of Old Town).

•This is a very easy town to tour on your own, no matter what your interest.

Disembarkation (Fort Lauderdale):

Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale slightly ahead of schedule. We were requested to vacate our suites by 8:30 and, as is our usual custom on the final morning, we planned to enjoy a leisure breakfast in the dining room awaiting our color luggage tag to be called. My roommate had an early scheduled fight, so we were issued early embarkation tickets. However, because we had actually cleared customs in Key West, the disembarkation process was conducted with relative ease. In fact, the disembarkation process began about 8:45, just as we were served our breakfast. We left the dining room at 9:05 AM, collected our luggage, secured a taxi and arrived at the Fort Lauderdale airport before 9:30 AM. What a pleasant way to end a marvelous voyage!

Random Tips, Comments and Suggestions:

•On our 14 day cruise, dress code was as follows: 2 formal nights, 5 informal and 6 country club casual.

•If it is within your budget, splurge on a balcony for transiting through the Panama Canal. Our starboard stateroom offered perfect viewing for this eastbound journey.

•The Mariner does not have any separate children’s facilities and there was really not a full children’s program in place. Since there was a number of children onboard this particular sailing, a few children’s activities were sparsely scheduled during the week. Babysitting was available for $20 per hour. In my opinion, it is not the best ship for families, but would appeal to those seeking an all-adult environment.

•You will not be subjected to any invasive and annoying “hawking” of drinks, art auctions or photographs. Public announcements are kept to a minimum and NOT broadcast in your suite (YEAH!!!).

•Kudos for the ease and efficient manner of conducting the emergency boat drill.

•A complimentary bottle of champagne is provided ensuite when you arrive. If you do not drink champagne, you can exchange it for a bottle of wine or another bottle of liquor.

•Don’t worry about rushing to make dinner reservations on that first day, unless you desire a specific day and time. If you are flexible, there always seemed to be availability during the cruise.

•Due to the popularity of LaVeranda for dinner, it might behoove them to consider going to reservations, just to avoid the disappointment felt by many when they were turned away.

•The Canopy Tour (zip lining) in Puntarenas is more physically challenging then indicated. Consider your physical abilities and limitations when booking this excursion.

•Passports were collected and returned at the end of the cruise. It would be helpful to bring along a photocopy of this document for your own added security while going ashore.

•Complimentary water and beach towels were provided at the gangway in every port.

•Don’t be afraid to ask for anything you need or want (even items that are not on the menu). Special orders and requests are honored, whenever possible.

Overall Impression:

Although the cruise would not fit everyone’s tastes, it was a wonderful cruise on a luxurious vessel. I began the cruise a bit disappointed, but I am not sure if this stemmed from my mind set, rather than reality. Was I becoming jaded and setting unrealistic expectations, or was I being nit-picky in my dogged attempt to compare this ship to my Crystal cruise? As I spoke to numerous past passengers on the Mariner, some indicated that they sensed something missing on this particular cruise and I was not seeing the “best” that Radisson had to offer. However, as each new day dawned, I came to grow fonder of the ship and began to appreciate the finer amenities and services that are lavishly bestowed upon guests in unassuming fashion. There was no fanfare, stuffiness or lavish display of decadence, just a subtle touch of understated elegance and attentive service that would definitely appeal to the discerning traveler. The RSSC Mariner offered a small ship ambiance with large ship amenities. If this was not the “best” that Radisson had to offer, I can only imagine how unbelievably phenomenal the “best” could be. Not to mention that the complimentary wine and cocktails at dinner and complimentary ensuite bar set-up were substantial perks that I for one truly appreciated. Would I sail her again? In a heartbeat!

Final Evaluation:

These final assessments were made as a total group effort and are a reflection of more than just my own personal opinions. I thank the other members of our seminar at sea for providing their valuable input, as it helped me present a more balanced and well-rounded review.

Appearance: (A) Design, décor and style of ship were quite tasteful and refined.

Staff/Service: (B) Inconsistent. Although there were many shining examples of perfection, there were also staff members that fell short of that mark.

Food & Dining: (A) Some of the most ambitious menus and best dining venues afloat.

Entertainment: (B) Although a wide variety of entertainment genres were offered, the group had a diversity of opinions regarding the quality of the talent as a whole.

Activities: (A) Although I tend to love doing nothing more than basking in the sun, there were a number of outstanding lectures, enrichment opportunities and activities designed for “well-being” that enhanced the standard cruise schedule.

Stateroom: (A) Other than the placement of the bathroom and the walk-in closet (they should be reversed) everything was excellent.

Itinerary: (B+) The group felt that the stop in San Andres was misrepresented as an actual port of call and it would have been nice to have had at least one additional stop on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal.