Our flight out was on Alaska Air from DCA to LAX non stop. It, as we have reported before because of the blizzards, was dependent on the previous night's flight arriving from LAX. There was 4 feet of snow on the ground in DC when we left. We got fortunate with the weather, the airport re-opened in time and our drive to DCA was uneventful. Thank you state highway snow plow crew. We boarded at the scheduled time, but sat at the gate a good 1/2 hour past departure time. The pilot addessed us and blamed the delay on weather in the middle of the country. We finally took off about 45 minutes late. The entire time on the plane was over seven hours. When we were landing in LAX, we noticed emergency equipment lining our runway. We thought some plane behind us probably had an emergency. NOT, it was our plane. The pilot announced afterwards, he didn't want to alarm us previously, that there was a minor electrical problem. The emergency equipment was standard policy. We used Super Shuttle Exeucar for transport from LAX to San Pedro, as well as the regular SS for disembarking from Mariner back to LAX. Our two day pre- was at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, adjacent to the Port of LA. We shopped, toured and dined, etc. for the two days. Our friends Charles and June, who had rented a car, took us on a tour of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Tarpits. The San Pedro Brewery was a fun lunch and HH, and dinner and HH at Acapulco's in Port O'Call was very good. There is a streetcar that traverses the waterfront for a local sightseeing tour. We would recommend the CP as a very nice pre- or post- hotel. There was a small lounge on the 10th floor for their frequent guests program, low cost drinks and free apps. They also had their own restaurant and bar. The staff was very good and helpful.

Boarding Mariner was very simple and no problems. D and D+ were first to board. And, as usual, had to wait until 1:00 to get to our cabin, JS 9628. That time was easily killed at the WJ and pool bar. Pool bartender Imron became our best friend. Our next best friend became Elizabeth, our cabin attendant. What a pleasure she was and did an excellent job maintaining our cabin. She also kept an eye on a dozen roses that were delivered to Deirdra for Valentine's Day. Thanks, Elizabeth for keeping them healthy for us. We met up with our good friend Captain Charles of our Mardi Gras Krewe and June and did some parade prep work on his balcony as we sailed away with beads in one hand and a drink in the other. We met others from the Krewe at our MTD at 7:30 on deck 5 for dinner. We did very little after dinner, as it was a very looong day. Early to bed.

The next day, Monday, was our first day at sea. We had the M&M at 10:30 a.m., followed by our Home Town Gift Exchange and a Krewe meeting. We had our first parade that afternoon, throwing beads thruout the WJ, pool area and Promenade. The Krewe met up with a jazz group that fit right in with our Mardi Gras style. We spent the remainder of the day with them in the Viking Crown Lounge as they performed. Great fun! Monday night was formal night, and the night that we as King and Queen of Mardi Gras, presented a plaque to Mariner Captain Per on the bridge in the Promenade and took formal photos. Captain Per is very friendly and likeable, and we enjoyed his company several times during the cruise. Late dinner that night after the Promenade festivities. Read more