Mariner - Day 1

We entered the ship on deck 5 which is the lowest passenger deck (there is a deck 4 where the crew "lives" and which is used for most ports). Greeted by smiling staff, with flutes of champagne, our carryon bags were taken by Ronald who escorted us up to Deck 11 and explained how the pool grill worked. Basically, you want to commandeer a table for yourself by putting something down on it (drink, bag, book, companion, etc.) and then you go to grill to order what you would like -- ham/cheeseburger, hotdogs, chicken wings, fries, etc. You tell the order taker your table # and when it is ready he will deliver it to your table; rather than you having to stand there while they cook it. In the meantime, you can help yourself to salads, snacks, fruit, etc. And when you are sitting at your table, drink servers will come by to deliver whatever beverage your little heart desires! When the waiter brings your grill order, he will also bring the necessary condiments so don't worry about that part either. Also, the pool grill will have additional "themed" food items freshly prepared on the remaining days of the cruise. One afternoon it might be an American Grill theme with traditional steaks, chicken, grilled fish and other seafood, etc. Another day it might be a Mexican theme where they make big pots of taco/enchilada spiced beef for you to make your own tacos and nachos with all the trimmings and toppings.

Cabins are scheduled to be prepared for occupation at 2:30pm but we checked about an hour before that, found our steward (Christian - a doll!) and were able to drop off our carry-on bags in the cabin so we didn't have to tote them around.

The Mariner is a beautiful ship and is even spiffier I'm sure because we were the first cruise post dry-dock so all of the bedding, curtains, carpeting, seating, etc. is all brand new.

Our cabin was ready by 2pm and my suitcase was the first to arrive so I was able to unpack and commandeer all of the drawers in the actual walk-in closet itself. (No worries for Mike -- there were 3 large drawers left for him in the living room area entertainment center).

Two separate Cruise Critic members recognized me from my picture and introduced themselves: Carol (screen name Catenai) who I saw only on days 1 and 11, and Ralph (screen name CruiseDiver1) who was travelling with his buddy Tony. I was happy to spend some time with Ralph each day and counted him among the many new friends I made over the week and a half.

Although I was concerned initially going into this cruise that I wouldn't be able to feel a part of things since so many Regent cruisers are repeat guests and seem to know each other already, my fears were unnecessary. I found myself at the end of Day 1 having met a number of other people, all of whom played a part in each of my days on the ship:

Patty; Jennie and Alan; Mario and Elaine; Doug and Kevin; Gudrun (Guti) and John; Rita and George; Sue and Henry; Sue and Bill.... and by Day 3 the following were added to my "posse": Jordan, Justin and Nicholas; Bobby (Rob/Robbie/Robert/Bob LOL); Sid and Rose; Georgie and Tim; Eleanor; Don; Bill and Rick.....and I hope I haven't missed anyone!

All of these wonderful people added something special to every one of my days and made such perfect travel companions that I know my future fellow cruisers will pale in comparison.

The rest of our first day on the ship was spent in acclimating ourselves to the layout, taking books out of the library, testing out the bars, and lounging poolside thinking that although it was a little windy, it was certainly better than the weather in New York which was at 1 degree! That first night, we dined alone in Compass Rose at a window table for 2. Can't remember what we ordered -- but do remember that it was very very good although the service was slower than I expected.

That night, the show was Ken Bloch who is a comic impressionist. My impression is that he is not much of a comic!