To give you some background, my husband and I have taken at least 25 cruises, and this was our first on Royal Caribbean! We had not avoided them-we just got in the habit of taking other lines and have reached higher status, so are not as likely to choose another. Happily, we were very pleased with RCI and the Mariner of the Seas, and look forward to sailing with them in the future!

We were very pleased with embarkation in Port Canaveral-it is an easy drive from our home in NC, and saved a couple of hours drive each way versus Ft. Lauderdale or Miami. Parking is right across from the ship in a multi-level garage(an easy walk or drop off) and it was $84 for the 7 day cruise. They require that you prepay as you enter and no reservation was needed or required. As our party was bigger than one vehicle could hold, we also had a Hertz rental car picked up in Orlando and dropped off in Port Canaveral. Hertz had a shuttle that dropped them off in front of the embarkation building. Check-in had a fairly long line, but it moved quickly and in no time we were on the ship and having a nice buffet lunch!

The ship was wonderful-large but never felt crowded. We loved the main promenade and sitting at the cafe having a cup of RCI's great Seattle's Best Coffee (Princess Cruise Line take note: cruise lines can serve good coffee!)and people-watching. We loved the Voyager class and will go out of our way to sail on a Voyager class ship again. There were lots of little bars and lounges to hear music and have a drink, and lots of areas to walk and find a quiet corner. Read more