After 3 days touring Rome we met up with friends on the same cruise and took the train from Termini to Civitavecchia for a whopping 5 Euros each -- train was clean, on time, not crowded (2nd class was double decked) and took just over an hour to get there. From the train station we walked about 10 minutes to the port and caught the shuttle bus to the check-in "tent" building. Check-in was quick, friendly and efficient and we were able to immediately drop our carry-on luggage in our staterooms. We showed up on time for the pre-sail emergency drill and then had to wait on others to stroll up 20-30 minutes late -- some things do not change no matter where on the globe you cruise.

Mariner was in great shape and the service was the best and friendliest we've encountered. Windjammer could get very crowded, but breakfast in the MDR was very nice. Passengers reportedly came from more than 50 countries with the largest group being from Italy. Watching the finals of the Euro 2012 competition on the big screen by the pool with 100's of screaming Italians was fun until Spain scored early; as Spain won 4-0 it was good that we had to leave for dinner.

Late seating for dinner was at 9:15, but worked well with our touring plans. Food and service were very good, but sometimes a bit slow. The lamb was the best meal of the cruise and could be improved if RCI would stock mint sauce instead of sickly sweet mint jelly. The Pub was usually busy in the evenings (dominated by a group of 10 or so Scots who were great fun), but Vintages was empty most times I walked by -- when Europeans can buy great bottles of wine for what RCI was charging for a glass I can see why. The Viking Crown lounge on deck 14 was our favorite spot for a pre-dinner, watch the sunset cocktail (say hello to Spice, our favorite waitress!) if you make it there. Read more