Boarded the Mariner a half hour ago and am sitting on the Pool Deck enjoying my first Mai Tai complemented by a juicy cheeseburger! Actually, truth be told, you would have to say it's my 2nd Mai Tai since I knocked over the first one with this laptop. However, the solicitous employees immediately came over to clean up the spill and bring me a fresh one. And that's what I have to say about everyone I have encountered so far.....over-the-top friendliness and bend-over-backward willingness to be of assistance in any way possible. Believe me, these employees -- every last one -- have made me feel truly welcome aboard this ship. The changes made in dry dock are identical to what DebbieH posted about the voyager and everything is pristine. Embarkation was painless and quick so my worries in that area were unfounded. I'm off to do some exploration but will be back again. Thanks, again, to all of you who have kept my spirits up these past few months.....now I hope I can just find some LCT members on my ship (specifically Alan and Merrill)

TWENTY FIFTH Anniversary!!!

Sailing on my favorite ship the Seven Seas Mariner!!!!

And you are taking time to post for our enjoyment?!?!?!?!?!

I think something is wrong with your priorities! :D

HAVE FUN!!!!!!

What wonderful news to read about the Mariner. Please enjoy your cruise and send us lots and lots of sea mail!!! :)

Yippee....we have sea mail ! Have a wonderful time. How long are you on for as I know R of F begins very soon? Is John Barron your CD ?
I first met Alan and Merril by the pool bar...hint hint. Keep enjoying your mai tai's!

Woo hoo, you finally made it on the ship! I bet all your worries are slowly fading away!
Thanks for checking in and I am looking forward to your next seamail!

Enjoy your cruise on that pretty ship - yes, Regent has incredibly hard working staff and crew - look forward to more mail -

I love sea mail! Have a wonderful time and check back in with us.

Don't let Marc discourage you...we love seamail!

Enjoy your time and share it with US!

Thanks for posting. I am delighted to hear things are great and hope to hear more details of your time. I hope the Mai Tai didn't damage the laptop, lol!

Hello all,
I am also onboard the Mariner for its maiden voyage since the recent dry dock. So far, I really like it. We had dinner in Prime 7 last night and it was absolutely wonderful!! Great ambiance, very delicious cuisine, and fantastic service. Wish we could eat there every night. :) Joe had Ahi Tuna Tartare as an appetizer and I had the Lump Crab Cake, then I had a Chop House Salad and Joe had French Onion Soup. For the mains, Joe had Prime Rib with garlic mashed potatoes and onion rings (call the paramedics) and I had the Surf & Turf (filet w/lobster tail) and some creamed spinach. For dessert Joe had
Key Lime Pie and I had a Golden Cake which was absolutely the most wonderful thing. On the table they served mini brownies covered with warm blueberries. OH MY!!!!
Also, the coffee corner is really nice and I am sipping my Iced Mocha as I type this email. Fantastic!
-Julie R

Hi Julie!!! I am glad you are having a good cruise so far! Your dinner menu last night is making me hungry and it's only 10am!
I hope the rest of your cruise is just as nice!

Thanks for reporting Julie!
Glad you are having a wonderful time.

Well, good food and sunshine, how can you go wrong. We are having a fabulous time. So far, mostly we have been on snorkeling excursions and have seen a two sunken ships and plenty of beautiful fish. Yesterday, in St. Lucia we winged it on our and wish we would have done an excursion instead. Today we are in St. Kitts and it is actually quite lovely with lots of nice shops right off the pier. We leave for a Sail and Snorkel adventure shortly.

Julie, what was the excursion of choice in St. Lucia?

There were several good ones to choose from, however I think a lot of people did the Canopy Tour of the rainforest. There was also a Countryside Beach Getaway (which would have been my choice) and there was an island tour called East of Eden for those that wanted a less active tour. Mostly, we have chosen the snorkeling tours and they have been great. The best snorkeling that we experienced was in St. Kitts. We saw stingrays, turtles, and loads of colorful fish and coral. The crew on the catamaran were also fantastic. The catamaran was called "Irie Lime" which they told us translated into "Good Party" and it was. :) We did not snorkel in Bonnaire, however we were told that it was quite spectacular as well. We did the ship's snorkeling tours in Aruba, Curacao, and St. Kitts and they each had their own particular charm etc. My favorite though was St. Kitts.

I've never been interested in Caribbean cruises. Julie, your snorkeling adventures have changed my mind.

Donna, The last few ports on the DC were my first time in the Caribbean with the exception of Nassua. I really enjoyed the snorkling excursions we took. Most of ours included rum after the snorkeling!!

Gee Donna!
Not to late to sign up for our Navigator "FUN" cruise March 11th! :D

I wish, Jim. Editing to add, snorkle then drink rum, I like the way you travel, Beth.

Yes, the snorkle adventures are quite fun and there is always the rum! In Curacao, our snorkel tour onboard the "Miss Ann", they served a local dutch pastry and sliced watermelon in addition to the rum punch.
Today is a Sea Day; however yesterday we were in Grand Turk. There is a fantastic Cruise Center right off the pier with chairs along a nice stretch of beach, an actual pool, some water park type activities, lockers, shopping stores, and even very clean restrooms. There was also a Margaritaville restaurant with some fun island music. Since we knew there were all of these ammenities, we did not sign up for a tour. We had brought our own snorkeling equipment (well worth the investment if you like to snorkel), so tried it out along the beach and much to our surprise there was plenty to see right there off the coast line.
The Navigator, March 11th sure sounds "FUN". :)

Oh and if you did not bring your own snorkel equipment, you could rent some for $20.

I have looked all over my house and can't find our snorkel equipment or water shoes, I guess I will have to buy new!

Karen, I feel your pain! We moved 10 months ago, and there are still things that I absolutely can't find!

Karen.
When in Fort Lauderdale the night before our cruise
you can go to Walgreens or CVS and get new ones! LOL

For real! There is a Marina store in the mall behind the Embassy Suites that some of us are staying at on 17th street that has all kinds of snorkeling equipment.
Just thought I would mention that.

Julie: I can't believe you didn't tell everyone about the awesome party we had in Stars....throwing down those shots I had Mihai make like we were pros!! LOL

Now that you're sober -- what was up with Joe saying you worked for you know who?? Linda

I am going to ask Julie what that was in Stars. All this time I thought she worked for me - what do I know!!

On second thoughts I am so happy to have her back I am dancing down the halls, may just kiss her feet and not even ask.

Wow! Wouldn't I love to work for you Ngaire - fancy being appreciated that much! Lee

Julie explained. As many of you know we are hyper about acknowledging we are travel agents on board. It is just not ethical when you are on a ship with people who are clients of other travel agents. So Julie simply talked about all the volunteer work she does, and she does a lot. Cruzndiz knew Julie worked for B&K and Julie was naturally avoiding the subject.

Julie is the best - big credit to B&K and we remember meeting her when she was an adorable single gal - B&K so good about not stepping on toes with other agents :lct:

Ditto that Joanna :ch: