This trip was to be our first travel adventure--my husband I had never even flown before (we are 54 + 43)--so you would say that our excitement was tempered with FEAR! Well we were pleasantly surprised--the air flight was a breeze--loved it! Now onto Port canaveral from the Orlando airport--we found our guide easily by the baggage claim (she had a sign on her clip board) and after gathering our group we were off to the ship! Our first glimpse of our ship Mariner Of the Seas was one of amazement--we were going aboard that towering high rise--you betcha! We were a little late and ended up getting onboard in the middle of the muster drill(emergency lifejacket drill)because we hadn't been to our rooms yet we sat in on the instructions in our designated area. Then after a short 20 minute instruction we went to see our cabin--it was easy to find with the help of a staff member....Our room was on the 9th floor and had a spacious balcony with 2 chairs and a small table. Our room had what had to be a king size bed (2 beds put together) it had beautiful white sheets and lots of pillows, a sofa, coffee table, desk/vanity area with a chair and small but adequate bathroom with a round shower that could be hand held or mounted. A large closet with shelves on the side as well as MANY drawers and shelves and a mini bar and a small safe in a cabinet (this was really convenient--and after reading the instructions we easily set our own combination and locked away any extra cash and valuables--feeling very comfortable about their safely) A TV (with remote) on a swivel stand was accessible to both sofa and bed. It was nicely decorated and turned out to be VERY COMFORTABLE... The time now was approximately 5:00 and we realized that we were already moving out of the port--it was that smooth! However, the first night would prove to be anything but smooth sailing--My husband and I got a bit sea sick that evening but we simply wore out SEA BANDS at the suggestion of our travel agent and were not bothered very much by nausea--walking in the hall was another story-but we did adjust after another day. Day 2-Cruising-- Our welcome package was waiting for us BUT--it was in French beyond popular belief NOT ALL CANADIANS CAN SPEAK FRENCH! We tried for the rest of the cruise to get another package in English but never found one--too bad I'll bet it was interesting! Our first night in the dining room was one of AWH!! chandeliers as big as a small room staircases out of the Titanic movie--sheer luxury, we couldn't believe our luck!! Dinner was wonderful and each night after that topped the last--5 star dinning--you bet! People were dressed nicely and really a decent pair of pants and a shirt was ok! My husband wore white polo shirts and chinos at many dinners in the diningroom-I wore blouses and capris a lot--don't fret over the clothing as I did it was not necessary. Now some time to explore--there is a reason why those ship models are everywhere--they are an efficient way to find your way around...you will use them alot on the Mariner it is-one big ship! Lots of elevators and stairs, doors to the deck and lots of public washrooms made our exploration of the ship very comfortable. Bedtime first night--rocked to sleep!! Day 3--Labadee, Haiti--Anchored in Harbor-Tender boats ran all day taking people back and forth whenever they wanted...Walk off the tender and a nice young man will get you a lounge chair and a beach mat($10.00) find a spot that you like there are several places to sit and relax look around and find a spot of your own! It was a little breezy when we were there so we chose to stay on the harbor side (it was more sheltered) but it is quite a long walk from the HUGE FREE BUFFET set up farther down the beach. Relax here as you are going to need it!! Cruising is fabulous and we would definitely go again--but it can be tiring! We spent the day just relaxing and we did check out the local market--but--beware it is a heartwrenching experience--they beg and it can almost bring you to tears!!! Be generous! Back to the ship and a nap--we had the late seating for dinner 8:30 so we had roomservice (free 24 hours) bring us cookies and coffee.We went to the shopping show and unless you are prepared to shop at every island don't pay the $25.00 for the port maps it was a rip! We saw one of the shows in the Savoy Theatre and then had dinner in the diningroom. Dancing and a late night drink on the pooldeck and off to bed!! Momma couldn't have rocked us so well--the bed was comfortable but a little firm--ask for a foam pad if needed! Day 4--Ocho Rio, Jamaica--Coming into this port you will see why everyone says this is a beautiful country--the pictures that I took coming into port here are post card perfect---but---in general we found the town of ocho Rio to be dirty and a bit scary. However having said that--we had arranged a tour ahead of time on the internet with a private company--Trevor Hudlin Tours---this guy was great!! He met us at the pier about 1/2 hour after the ship docked and we were off to see his country. First he took us to Dunn's River Falls where we climbed a 600ft long (long not high)waterfall--he took us right in and paid the admission fee! It was alot of fun climbing the falls-we gave our camera to our guide and he took several beautiful pictures of us and never even got my digital camera wet!! After 2 hours we met Trevor right where he said he would be..then we were off to the White River to go tubing---don't expect this to be an upscale excursion--but it was soooo much fun!!Before we started out on the river we had to try the local Red Stripe beer and we took a few down the river with us--what a blast!! Even though the weather was rainy we still had a marvelous time---get Trevor to teach you some local slang and then try it out on the locals--soooo funny! Trevor was there again to fetch us and then started our tour of the Fern Gully rainforest and some places to take spectacular pictures--the drive is interesting all by itself--skinny roads and lots of beeping--FUNNY! We were with Trevor for about 4-5 hours and at the end of our tour he charged us $55.00 US---yes, that's all!! and that included admission to these 2 attractions. You can contact Trevor to arrange tours in Montego Bay and Ocho Rio by e-mail trevorhudlin@hotmail.com you will NOT be disappointed!!!!! Day 5--Georgetown, Grand Cayman-- The sun was finally out and it was a beautiful day....We arranged an excursion with the ship to go to a sandbar 3-6 ft of water and to feed the stingrays---this was marvelous!! a bus picked us up at the pier at 11:45 and after a drive that took us past 7 mile beach and groups of iguana feeding on the side of the road---we arrived at the stingray boats--here we got on board a nice boat and took a 45 minute ride to a sandbar where the water was sooooo blue and we were given instruction about feeding and touching the stingrays---we were given snorkels and taught the stingray shuffle (shuffling your feet along the bottom so you don't step on their tails) These creatures were so soft like pancakes covered in velvet--do buy the pictures!! they are really nice! This excursion was about 3 hours...for $49.00each....a bargain! Day 6--Cozumel, Mexico--Beautiful!! Beautiful!! Beautiful!! Today we have arranged an excursion on the Fiesta Party Boat--and I was a Party!!!! after free drinks and a 45 minute boat ride we arrive at Playa Mia Beach--Here for the next 2 hours we snorkeled (over Maya Ruins) laid in the sun and played in the crystal clear water---then onto the party boat and a dance party back to our ship--carful of the Rum Punch!! It can and will sneak up on you!! hehe-we were 18 again!!! Day 7--Cruising--we have had the time of our lives-Royal Caribbean went over and above for us and everyone else...from the entertainment on board which you will not believe to carefully screened excursions to the best food and staff in the world--you WILL enjoy this cruise!! Make sure to go to the shows (all of them) they were wonderful--the ice show especially--it rivaled the ice capades we have seen!! Also check out the solarium it is a quiet place to relax by the pool. We can't wait to go on another one!!