Well we made it home after doing half on the Ring of Fire escorted cruise. The cruise was fabulous and we only wished we had booked the complete segment. The changes that were made on the Mariner are fantastic. The new color scheme throughout the whole ship is taupe and cream for the most part and it is very nice. All the restaurants have a new look and one is prettier than the other. I don't know which one I would pick if I had to pick a favorite as far as the new look goes. The food in Compass Rose this trip was great and the staff could not have been more efficient. The new Prime 7 steak house has the feel of a real New York Steak house and the color scheme and the furniture is first class. The food was to die for. We went to Prime 7 twice in two weeks and had the rib in rib eye steak twice as it was so good the first time. Signatures has the same wonderful food as it has always but I do think that Prime 7 is giving it a run for its money.

Getting into Easter Island has to be the highlight of the trip. The Moai are magnificent, how these things were carved and moved is still a mystery. The Island itself is beautiful and we had such a pleasant day on the Island. Lunch was served at the beach and it was grilled chicken with a mushroom sauce, very good. We could not get into Pitcairn Island but the local folks came to us. The carvings they brought with them were excellent and they had t-shirts, hats and lots of local crafts. I think they had a very productive sales day on the Mariner. We loved meeting with them, it was a wonderful experience.

Our room was not being filled with any of the new people coming on board so Regent let us use the room all day until we left for the airport at 7pm so that was a big plus. This was a wonderful trip and it now ranks as one of our favorites. We had same old friends on board so it was nice to share this great cruise with them. This trip was magical, and we enjoyed every moment.

Hi to everyone who is still sailing on the Mariner, wish we were there.

Carolyn