This was a family cruise with nine family members ranging in ages from 2 to teens to 40 year-olds and finally to the happy couple celebrating their 50 wedding anniversary (and 80th birthday!). We were concerned that one cruise could meet all our divergent needs, but the Mariner of the Seas did that and more.

For my family of four, it was our second cruise, the first having been several years ago on an older ship of Holland America's fleet (the Veendam, before it was refurbished). Most things on this trip were better, but I will concede right up from that for those really focused on meals, HAL seems to have the edge. But on almost every other count, the Mariner was a superior experience.

Starting with Embarkation, we experienced no difficulties whatsoever. The process was smooth and organized. We arrived at 11am (the earliest recommended, and had to wait about an hour to get to board, but that was no problem, I used the time to ask some questions of the very knowledgeable staff on shore. This contrasts the lack of answers I was able to get when calling Royal Caribbean a week before the cruise. I needed to know if there were conference rooms available on the ship and if wheel chairs were available, but couldn't find out that the answer to both questions was yes till I got to the port. One aide even noticed my dad's difficulty walking steps, and offered us an elevator ride to the gangway, unsolicited! Read more