Got back Monday night from our cruise. Wow. Amazing. Can't say enough good things.

If you guys want a big summary I'll type it, or answer any questions, but here are the highlights:

Flew into Athens a day early and stayed with a friend. Took a taxi to the ship, got there 1300ish. There was a *huge* line at passport control. But - Regent handled it well even though it was *not* their fault. The cruise director - Jamie Logan - was going through the line explaining to everyone that the Greek computer system had been down for 45 minutes, and there was only 1 person working (they told him it was August and everyone was on vacation). Regent also brought out bottles of water for us while we waited. So, not their problem, but they wanted us to be happy anyway before we even got on the ship. The wait was only about 30-45 minutes (about the time the computer had been down) so in the scheme of things no big deal.

First night in Compass Rose the waiter in whose section we were seated was Jamie's. After that we requested him every night - he was great! So attentive, so funny.

Virgin Mango Daquiris - I asked for something non-alcoholic and fruity from the pool bar and discovered these - oh my - they sure made hanging out at the pool even better than in the past!

Ports - Ephesus is amazing - a whole Roman city!! Odessa is beautiful. Churches in Nessebur Bulgaria are amazing. It was 6 new countries for us and we loved every port.

Ok, I'll try to think of something bad. My caffeine free diet coke wasn't in the suite like I requested, but they brought several cans as soon as I asked. My husband's birthday cake said "happy anniversary" but still tasted good. One of my virgin mango daquiris was a little too icy. That's about all I can think of!

I know people had said there were problems with the included excursions, but we didn't have any. Never waited more than 5-10 minutes in the theater for our bus to be called. Never more than 25 people on a tour. They kept saying "the guides and facilities in this part of the world are not of the same quality in more developed ports" but aside from a couple icky bathrooms, everything was great. The guides spoke *excellent* English. We particularly liked Ana in Constanta, Romania.

I don't drink much, but my 2 fuzzy navels were good. My husband and dad enjoyed the wine - particularly a Chateau-neuf-dePape (sp?) in Signatures. The Observation Lounge bar guy suggested a "stabilizer" for my dad and hubby on a particularly rocky night - it was a combo of 2 alcohols (can't remember which 2 - sorry!)

Speaking of observation lounge - nature's rhythm trio was great!! So funny! And if we requested something they didn't know it was "under construction" - well they made it sound really funny! They were good and kept us tapping and laughing.

Oh - I wasn't a huge fan of Prime 7 aside from the amuse bouche - I'll say it was a tiny hamburger but that in no way begins to describe it - it was the most amazing thing I'd ever eaten - so good.... I'm not a big steak fan so that just wasn't my favorite. I loved Signatures, the appetizers at La Veranda are amazing and Compass Rose was always good!

Ok, thought of another "bad" thing - they forgot my husband's bagel when he ordered a bagel and lox for room service breakfast - he called and had a fresh warm toasted bagel in less than 5 minutes.

We had such a good time!!! This was our first 10 day cruise (previous were 7) and we liked it! We liked the 2 sea days. Oh, another disappointment - no chocoholic tea - they did "Viennese" tea and Russian tea instead on the sea days with "deserts" - they could never spell that right and it's a pet peeve of mine - so I guess that's another "bad" thing.

So, as you can see by my "problems" above, no real problems, and we had a great time! I wish we could cruise again soon, but I'm sure it'll be a couple years - so I'll have to live vicariously through you guys!

Please ask any questions you have - this was pretty stream of consciousness so I hope it made sense. I have a bit of jet lag and have already had to work 2 days since I got back (talk about reality slapping you in the face!).

:)
Liz

Liz, I truly enjoyed reading your review :app: To the point and amusing....we should all have the tiny problems you had on every cruise but the birthday/anniversary cake was funny :D
Thanks for taking the time to report back, you're a trooper even with jet lag and that nasty word 'work' waiting for you.

Liz, I loved your review, too! Was the amuse bouche a menu item or did they just bring them out without ordering?

Nice review Liz!!! as Suzie said "amusing and to the point" - I love the Mariner! (and Voyager too) I always order TAB for my daytime drink of choice - usually get it but have had few variations in Europe but still called TAB :) like you, if TAB is my only complaint on Mariner I am happy!!!!!

Karen - they just brought it out. It was yummy!

Hubby says the "stabilizer" is cognac and port wine. Didn't stabilize them, but they cared less! ;)

Oh, and how could I forget the highlight of the cruise - on the first sea day for the Mediterranean buffet lunch on the pool deck there was a *giant* creme brulee. I happened to be walking by when the chef put it down and took the lid off - I nearly passed out - it was huge- imagine the biggest industrial skillet you've ever seen and then fill it with yummy creme brulee. Oh my. I should figure out how to post a picture so you can see it - oh my - it was so good.....

Sorry gotta go, drooling on keyboard....

;)

Liz

There goes the diet!!!!! I dream of CB vs young surfers - showing my age <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

Mark doesn't get my obsession with creme brulee, I am not sure I do either but a giant one would make me swoon!

I remember ordering it for room service in mid afternoon close to heaven for me - :D :D

Ordering it from room service mid afternoon?!?! Any why did I not think of that!!! Well, something new for the next cruise...

I didn't realize you guys were creme brulee lovers too - so here's my first attempt at a picture....



mmmmmm.......

Liz you did A plus for pix and I cannot believe that bowl - give me a platter :o :o

Liz, that is hysterical!!! I love that you were first in line, good for you!!!! :yummy1:

We should use that picture for your avatar!

We'll have to order that for our girls night dinner! :yummy1:

COUNT ME IN for any plans!!!!! I'll use large scooper :lct: :lct:

Thanks Liz for your review, we also had a great Mariner cruise a month ago.

Oh my gosh!!!! That creme brulee extravaganza! We didn't have that in our Mariner cruise though, I'm envious ! :(

Suzie, bravo on the smiley! And don't forget, we have one boy at our girls night out! He can be our designated driver.

Oh I forgot Baboo! He can sit in the middle, me on his left and you on his right ;) :D

Awesome photo! Always liked it, traditional way, but in Ireland in 2001, small country restaurant, had fresh raspberries baked int it - fabulous flavor! BUT....also 2001, the Greenbrier in WV, chocolate ganache in bottom of dish, with raspberries baked in creme brulee! OMG! Will never forget that flavor sensation! Maybe you could special order on the ship? Just imagine the combination!

Karen - it would be a good avatar - but isn't it the wrong shape/size if you crop out the background?

Joanna - I definitely needed a bigger spoon - that one was too small!

Oh, and I also forgot to mention that Regent is continuing the torture - when we got back there was a brochure waiting for us, and then another arrived the next day!! Please - stop the torture!! We need some time to earn the vacation time and $$ for the next cruise - stop tempting us!!!

:)
Liz

Liz, here are the two options, one of you with the creme brulee moved up closer so we could see it when I cropped the pic:



and one of you with the server on your right shoulder removed ;)

Karen you can do magic with any picture sent you. :app: :app:

Oh my that creme brulee looks so yummy!!!

Wow - that would have been my lunch!

Liz, maybe you should change your screen name to "dessert girl"?

Liz - it was so nice meeting you and David on the cruise. I too cannot name much of anything that went wrong. It was near perfect. But interestingly I did meet a woman who was having the opposite affect. Her luggage didn't make it to Athens and that just set the tone for many other annoyances. She told me she even got a "Happy Birthday" cake on her anniversary!!! Mystery solved!

Karen - Thanks! Looks like it worked! Of course, I chose the one with the creme brulee - duh! ;)

Leslie - according to our passages, some people must think it's the same thing, cause I didn't see many deserts at tea. ;)

Lori - it was great to meet you too! I'm sorry the woman you met wasn't having a good cruise. Lost luggage could certainly put you in a bad mood at the start. :( But, I'm glad they found our cake! I hope it was yummy - theirs sure was!

:)
Liz

That creme brulee! :eek:
I'm drooling all over my keyboard right now.

Liz it was great to see a picture of you with that yummy creme brulee but it was also wonderful to see lovely Linette, the maitre'd of La Verandah, in the background. Can't wait to see her on the Mariner in January.
Elaine

Liz, thanks for the Mariner review and great pic! I'm looking forward to my first Mariner voyage in December as we go from Cape Town to Rio.
Carolo