The Ship: Being the first cruise I have ever taken (I'm 40), I read the reviews of this ship on this web site to get a feel as to what I could expect. I just got off the Mariner of the Seas this morning and I felt the need write this review and set of tips for other newbies who are sailing this ship. Some of the reviews gave this ship bad marks on food. I am not a food critic, I am an average guy who thinks Chilies, TGI Fridays, and Souplantation suck. The food served in the main dining room of this ship was outstanding. Prime rib, lobster, lamb, pumpkin soup, etc... The buffet in the Windjammer is better than Souplantation, but still a buffet. you cant expect perfection from a buffet, I was happy with it. The entertainment? Well? The ice show rocks! That is a must see. The other shows in the Sevoy theater, well..... If its a toss up between a show in the Sevoy Theater or getting drunk while playing name that tune, chose the later. Dont get me wrong, those singers and dancers worked hard, its just that the songs one of the singers was attempting was way out of his league. Customer service was great. Getting on and off the boat was easy. The crew of this ship are constantly working to keep it clean and it shows. The Shore Excursions: In Cobo, we did the dolphin swim. A once in a lifetime experience. Do it! You get in the water with these animals and have a blast with them, without some snobby trainer talking down to you like they do at Sea World. Prepare yourself though, the pictures are expensive and you are not allowed to take your camera. We also took a ride on a little boat to get a personal tour of the famous Cabo arch. If I do this again I will take a cooler with beer. In Mazatlan, we went to Stone Island. Do not get your expectations up on this one my friends. "Stone Island is a poor farming community" said the tour guide. And she was right. Run down houses and trash. But once you get to the beach the fun starts. Try to keep an open mind if you do this one. If you are a seasoned Mexico traveler, this will be easy and fun for you. In P.V. we went to a resort. Not a good idea in hind sight because we only got to spent 3 hours there. Nice place though, I think it was called Barcelo, "La joya de" something or other. Here are my Tips for Dads on their first cruise: 1. If you can carry your luggage onto the ship yourself, do it. Some people didnt get their luggage delivered to their room until 9 p.m. We were unpacked and partying by 1 p.m. just because I was too cheap to tip a porter. Check your bags at the end of the cruise by just leaving them outside your stateroom door the last night. Your bags will be waiting for you in the terminal. 2. Take advantage of the free child care on the ship. My kids loved it and didnt want to leave it when I wanted to take them to a show, so no need to feel guilty. I didnt know this but child care is available while the ship is in port in case you want to do an excursion with just your spouse. 3. Breakfast in the dining room was lame. Use the buffet for breakfast and luch, but go to the dining room for dinner. 4. Free coffee, coco, tea, pizza, pastries, and sandwiches 24 hours a day in the Cafe Promenade. I didnt know this till day 4 of my cruise. 5. The mojitos on the ship were great: probably why I didnt know about the Cafe Promenade till day 4. 6. If you are a woman and you go to the spa, they will try to sell you everything. If you are a guy, just give them a dumb look when they say exfoliator and they will leave you alone. 7. Free self serve frozen yogurt machine on deck 11. Use it! 8. Start lining up for the ice show 1 hour before showtime. Dads, get there early to get your kids in the front row port side. Your kids (if they're small) will get to be in the show and ride a circus train. 9. Staterooms with balconies on the back of the ship all have an obstructed view. 10. The fold out couch in the stateroom that your told can sleep 2, cant. Unless your kids are 10 and under. 11. Rooms come with shampoo, hair conditioner, and lotion. Other review of this ship on this site said it didnt. 12. Have Fun.