Some notes and highlights from our Mariner Western Caribbean trip 1/13-1/20/08. We are a 37/38 year old couple, my 2nd cruise (previous on Carnival), and his first. We traveled with an extended group of friends, but tend to be independent, so we were not planning to rely on our group for things to do the whole trip, and often only saw our traveling companions at dinner.

Friday 1/11- flew down from Upstate NY, arrived at Orlando on time, car rental at Thrifty was painless, all baggage arrived. Drove to Cocoa Beach, dropped off one traveling companion & checked into Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach. Mid-range price, maybe $150 per night for a balcony ocean view room. We got in at around 11 pm & the only place we could find open to eat at that hour was a Denny's. Then back to bed so we could get up early.

Saturday- just missed the sunrise, but got out on the beach by 8:30 am for a walk. Stayed out there for an hour then went for the continental breakfast. Checked out at 11, went to the Cocoa Beach Winery- in the plaza where the Publix is. Went for Florida wine to check it out, and ended up buying 3 bottles which we shipped home. It was a bit overpriced, but nice people and we had a blast! Bought an orange-chocolate wine, tomato-hot sauce wine and coconut-pineapple wine. I am not kidding, we liked every one. After we finished laughing ourselves silly over our wine purchases, we went to Wal-Mart on Merritt Island to stock up on waters & sodas to bring on board, then back to Cocoa Beach for the Ron Jon's shop (got a Tommy Bahama shirt on the clearance rack for 50% off), then to lunch at the restaurant at the end of whatever road the Causeway is- Captain Jimmy's, maybe?? On the beach, very much fried food, but that is what we were looking for. Read more