Well, I'm sitting in the new coffee bar waiting for the wonderous coffee machine to clean it's self! It is early but there of three of us anxiously awaiting caffine!

Our first night aboard was lovely, as expected. The passageway "block party" seems to be a regular feature of the fleet now. Unfortunately we were dressing for dinner and didn't schedule our time very well. Mark Conroy is on the ship and made a quick appearance on each deck.

The lounges were very busy - drinks flowing freely! We saw quite a few children (this is a holiday cruise with a Club Mariner program) and we were also a bid stunned by some passenger attire. I know I saw several pairs of jeans and even a tank top headed toward Compass Rose - it was a casual evening, but that seemed a little too casual. The age mix is also much younger than normal so I guess that might explain the wardrobe choices. Tonight is formal so we'll see a difference I'm sure.

We enjoyed dinner in Compass Rose - it was very busy - the ship is FULL (720 passengers) so service was a little frantic but we enjoyed our wine and the company of friends - the time passed very pleasantly and we were among the last to leave our table. We made a quick trip to the casino, I lost $20 - Tom finished even - I'll be back to recoup (I hope) later.

We were starting to feel like we might turn into pumpkins so we headed for a suite at about 11. Missed the show - can't even tell you what was going on, I'll try to be a better reporter today.

Just before midnight the captain made an unexpected announcement - we were detouring to Freeport - a medical situation demanded a passenger be transported to a hospital ASAP - I don't know any other details - I thought I'd stay awake until we got there but I closed my eyes and before I knew it, it was 5:30 AM - the motion of the sea is better than ambien!

As I said before there are several early risers gathered here at the coffee bar - they are bring out the pastries so I'd better head to the gym before I weaken and start sampling. I'll try to write more later. But for now - life is good on the Mariner!

Hi Margo! I am glad you are settled in and off to a good start! Please tell us more about the new coffee bar, where is it and what's new about it? I loved the old one and I am hoping they don't change it into a "staffed" coffee bar like the Navigator!

Karen...the new area is very pretty...I tried to upload some photos but didn't succeed yet.

There is a self serve area and a full service coffee "bar" with about a dozen small tables with chairs nearby. There is also a buffet area with full assortment of pastries, breakfast items etc. on the opposite wall. All of this is right outside club.com and the library - I think the space was filled with computer desks before, but it's been a while since I was on the Mariner - can't quite remember.

Karen....I just realized I posted this in the wrong place, perhaps you would like to move it to seamail?

Thanks for the description, Margo. How funny that the coffee area is one of my favorite spots on the ship!

I will be happy to move this post for you :)

Thanks Margo, for checking in with us.
I had not thought about your cruise falling on spring break.
Hope you and Tom are having a wonderful time. Enjoy!!!

Great to hear from you, Margo - ENJOY!!!