This was my first ever cruise, and my husband's third. We flew into Orlando the day prior to the cruise, due to our lack of faith in the airlines. However, our flight was on time and we just spent an afternoon and evening in Port Canaveral. The day of the cruise, we got a shuttle from the rental car co. to the port at 3:30, a good time to go. There was no line, but the security was not a good experience. We saw the signs immediately as we entered the doors about "no metal...etc". We stopped to organize ourselves and were yelled at that "you can't stop there! Keep going!" Even though there was no one else we would be holding up. So, needless to say, the metal detector went off as my husband had cargo shorts on w/various metal items, and nearly had to take off his pants before we were through. That being said, the rest of the trip was great. We had an oceanview room on deck 2, and we greatly enjoyed the porthole window. We were assigned to a table in Rhapsody in Blue, main seating, with 2 other couples. Our waiter, Ertan, was awesome. Anything we needed, he brought. We found all people working in the dining services through out the ship to be incredibly accommodating and attuned to their guests' needs. I was disturbed a couple times when I witnessed some RUDE guests treating or speaking to the workers in a way that I thought was just inappropriate. I guess some folks just never do learn any manners. We didn't travel with kids, so I can't comment on those services. We did go the to shows, which we both enjoyed. Our greatest entertainment was definitely ending each evening at Ellington's, listening to super jazz quartet and having drinks. The staff at Ellington's is so friendly and the atmosphere is great there. I am not a person who has ever been one to hang out in bars, but this is a great place.

As for the excursions, we went to San Juan (as weather prevented us from going to Cocoa Cay), St. Thomas, and St. Martin. San Juan scared me a little, but perhaps that's because all the excursions were full and we basically just got off the ship and walked around the area close to the port. It might be better to get a cab and drive a ways from the port. St. Thomas was beautiful, and we went to Coral Land and Sea, which was a really neat excursion. We saw the coral reef and sea life that inhabit it from a glass bottom semi-sub. It was a little rocky in the sub, but I had taken a dramamine, so I was fine. I had no problem at all on the ship, but small vessels in choppy water will get to me! On St. Martin, we did "St. Martin Sensation and Beach" and had the best time. We had this great tour with a really humorous tourguide, a stop at Marigot, and a lunch and several hours at a beach. This excursion is definitely money well spent. We really enjoyed our time on the Mariner and appreciate all the hard working staff that make the trip so enjoyable. Looking forward to cruising again in the future!