This was our tenth cruise, our sixth on RCCL, and the Mariner of the Seas did not disappoint. The staff on this ship is amazing! On the last day of the cruise it was difficult to decide who to highlight on the review. I can't imagine receiving better service on any ship!Our trip began with five days in Rome prior to the trip. We stayed at the Starhotel Metropole Roma and I would stay here again in a heartbeat. One of the better European hotels we have stayed in and we have traveled fairly extensively through Europe. The location is 2 blocks from the Termini which is the main hub for the Metro, busses, and the train. I encourage you to take the Metro, the bus and the train. We never took a cab in the entire time we were in Rome. Taking the train from Rome to Civitavecchia is easy and inexpensive. We were quoted 140.00 Euro for a cab so made the decision to take the train at 4.50 Euro for each of us. Here is how you do it!Purchase a ticket at the Termini Station in Rome for 4.50 Euro. Double check the correct platform for the train, pull your luggage to the platform, stamp your ticket and get on board. If you have a huge suitcase, as we did, put it on the seat facing you. Your carry-on can go either in front of you, overhead, or between seats.When you arrive at Civitavecchia, it is about a four block walk to the place you will catch a shuttle bus to the ship. All you do is walk outside the train station and turn right, walking four blocks on that street (through parking lots) until you see the port information booth. Here you catch the shuttle bus to the ship. That is it!The return trip is very similar. It is very easy, especially if you opt to keep your luggage the night prior to disembarking. As soon as the captain announces that the ship is clear for disembarking, you can just drag your luggage off the ship. Catch the shuttle bus, which will take you to the information booth at the beginning of the pier. After you get off the shuttle bus, walk along the street until you see the train terminal on the left side of the street. Purchase your ticket to Rome Termini and board the train when it comes. Termini is the last stop so you get off when they tell you to there is nowhere else to go. Other than at the airport, the Italian people were wonderful and helpful. We speak no Italian and never had an issue because the Italian people are very gracious, and patient with those of us who didn't speak Italian.The ship itself was fabulous. Although showing signs of a little wear and tear (it is going to dry dock this year) the ship was magnificent. We LOVE the Royal Promenade on the larger RCCL ships and had so much fun sitting having a glass of wine in Vinter's or watching the parade from the English Pub. We had a port side balcony stateroom and it was plenty big. There are great shelves in the closet so you can fully unpack and store your suitcases under the bed. The only recommendation for choosing a stateroom on this itinerary would be to choose the starboard side if you like to see something other than water when the ship is docked. Only one time was the dock on the port side.Our shore excursions, with the exception of one in Epheseus, (Biblical Epheseus was VERY disappointing) were very good. The best times we had on shore, though, were times we hired a private cab driver to take us to the places we wanted to see. We encountered cab drivers at every port who were honest and very willing to help. They all spoke very good English. Strike up a conversation as you get off the ship and don't hesitate to go to the next cab if you are not satisfied. A couple times we just asked people standing near us as we disembarked, if they wanted to share a cab.Although we wanted Main Dining, we ended up with My Time Dining and it was great. We just made a reservation for 6:30PM and had the same table every night, giving us the same experience we would have with Main Dining. Just talk to the person in reservations when you board the ship.Entertainment on cruise ships is usually ok to good, not outstanding. We love Broadway musicals and the shows on this ship (or any we have been on) are definitely not the same quality. Although we didn't see the ice show, we heard it was very good. The one thing I want to mention is that if you do shore excursions, or if you like to have wine with dinner, make sure you budget for them. Each time we have cruised we are shocked when the final bill comes!