Just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Mariner. We've sailed Radisson/Regent many times. This was our first back on Regent after many years of land trips to Asia and Europe and one Silverseas cruise.

Overnight in Vancouver at the Four Seasons was quick and comfortable. Fortunately we've spent time in Vancouver previously and loved it...but our schedule this time was limited. Embarkation was far easier than earlier in the season. We arrived at the port at about 11 am and at 11:30 cruise check in began. We were on board drinking our first (of many, many!) champagnes before noon!

We booked the Penthouse suite (same as three of our previous cruises!). It is as comfortable as we remembered. The shower, for us, was an added improvement. Our suite, and the entire ship, continues to be impeccable. Sure there are a few very minor wears and tears....but very minor.

The staff was 99% wonderful! Our butler, Brian, was 120% wonderful!! The perfect combination of professionalism and friendliness. He always offered suggestions of what and where to be certain to visit. The first night he hosted a wonderful cocktail party for our traveling companions, my sister, brother in law, nephew and niece in law.

We really lucked out on the weather! Last port of Sitka had some sprinkles of rain..and some days were partly overcast...but mostly we had at least some sun and blue skies. Last day at Hubbard Glacier was a magnificent sunny day!

Some random thoughts.....Children on the ship, maybe 20-30 were remarkably and thankfully well behaved. Absolutely no issues with them....and trust me, I have little tolerance with badly behaved children. Or adults! We were a family of 6 traveling together so we really didn't interact significantly with others. But everyone we encountered was pleasant and happy.

Breakfast. We ate mostly in suite and it was always perfect. We did the Sunday brunch at La Veranda. I was underwhelmed with the caviar....just didn't have that special taste I adore. But it was fine...and plentiful. So was the champagne!

Lunch. We had a few lunches off ship. Annabelles in Ketchikan, the something Brewery in Skagway and the Red something in Juneau. Sorry for my vagueness, but they were all excellent. Lots of salmon dip, halibut, chowder and Alaskan White Beer (served with a slice of orange).

Lunch on the ship we only ate at La Veranda. Selection was fine and food was good. The grilled salmon pool barbecue was excellent. Sushi and salmon sashimi were also excellent. That lunch could have been repeated each day and I would have been happy.

Dinner. Compass Rose was very good. Our service was always very good as well. Cheese selections for dessert were not special at all, but fine. Signatures was excellent. The steak tartare was one of the best I've ever had! Prime 7 was also excellent. We all preferred Prime 7 and Signatures to CR....but our meals were all good to excellent. Only disappointment was Sette Mare. Mostly i, but we all were underwhelmed. The buffet just didn't look that appealing and the menu selections were, to me, uninspiring. Service one night was not good. Clear that our server was new and not adequately trained. Not a big deal, just sharing my experiences.

Excursions. This was our second cruise to Alaska. This trip we only did the Mendenhall River Float and the Whales and Sea Otter Quest. Both were very good....and the River Float was so much fun! We all thought the services on these excursions were outstanding. I really didn't know what to expect on the river float (my husband has done several white water rafting trips....me, none!) He probably thought that this, in comparison was like sitting in a bathtub. I, on the other hand was feeling like I was on a very wet roller coaster. I loved it! Even bigger challenge was getting into the wet suits (overalls) and boots. What a hoot! Wish I had more photos of that experience!! But as I said, people (all kids!) handling the excursion were so patient, kind and fun!

Departure. Always a downer....and this was also tedious and long for us. Just a fact of the schedule but we had the bus ride from Seward to Anchorage and then about a 6 hour wait to go to the airport. Obviously we could have squeezed in a tour, or stayed overnight, but our time frame was limited and we were tired! Regent certainly did what they could to make us comfortable. Bus/motorcoach to Anchorage was reasonable and we had a 'hospitality room' at the Hilton. We also had a terrific lunch around the corner from the Hilton at (I think it's called) F Street Station. Flights out of Anchorage to the east coast are not great. We all did first class (American outbound and Delta return), but domestic first class is, in my opinion, only slightly better than a bus. Our TA (DT at KLT, you are awesome!!) and the Regent Air Department did a great job of securing our 6 first class tix together and on the best flight times and options available.

The scenery of Alaska is beyond magnificent....in misty rain or gorgeous sunshine....it's always breathtaking. So a few long flights are absolutely worth it!

The Mariner was, once again, a wonderful experience! Our penthouse suite, and the ship in general were comfortable and immaculate. The service, as I've said was close to perfection.I tried to convince our butler, Brian, to come home with us...no luck! The security guy checking us off and back on the ship (I wish I remembered his name....he sure knew ours!) was positively delightful! Hugs all around when we debarked!

That's it for now. The above are just my general thoughts...nothing too specific. But would be happy to answer any questions. You all have always been so helpful to me as we planned this cruise...and many in the past!. Thanks! Bonnie

Thanks for that report. Dory enjoyed meeting you she was full of smiles on her return and had a wonderful time on the cruise. She has been with us for over a year now and is a superstar! We were lucky to find her to join our team.

Thanks, Ngaire! Dory and all of your TEAM are fantastic...Thank you all for the services and support you provide...and always with a smile in your voice. I say that because I often only hear your voice and only infrequently have the pleasure of meeting you.

I really appreciated your review. We have always been warm weather people and wrinkled our noses at the thought of an Alaskan cruise, but have heard nothing but good of them across the years. I guess now that we live so close, we really ought to try it. So glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing!