Departure day--Finally!

We had booked this cruise in Feb 2011 and at long last it was time to board the Mariner.  Friday morning we were treated to a wonderful buffet breakfast in the same ballroom as previous night.  The hotel bell staff picked up our luggage from our room while we were at breakfast and it was taken by truck to the ship.  At 10:30 we boarded buses which took us to the ship for check-in and boarding.  Luckily Rebecca and I were fairly close to front of the line so made it through security check in good time.  After check-in where our passports and records of yellow fever shots were collected, we went right onboard our new home for the next 72 days.  Upon entering we were greeted with glasses of champaign (ok, sparkling wine) by the ship's entertainers and directed to the dining room for lunch.  This special luncheon was only for the full cruise passengers.  The other passengers were directed up to the La Veranda grill (buffet) on top deck.  We were advised as we finished a very tasty lunch that our suites were ready.  Our suite was MUCH smaller than the one we had on our transatlantic cruise in November on this ship.  We were wondering if we could get our 8 large suitcases and 2 check-on bags of "stuff" in the suite.  We did!!!!  But some of our clothes are in bags under our bed.  Our cold weather clothes will not be needed until the southern part of Chile.  After cocktails in Observation Lounge we went to the dining room for dinner.  We missed most of the welcome aboard show in the Constellation Theatre but caught tail end of the comedian's part of it.  Smooth seas so a great night for sleeping.  On a funny note, right after boarding that morning we were greeted by Goren, the assistant food & beverage manager.  He says, "I understand you brought some pictures of veal parmesean to show the chef".  On transatlantic cruise I had a problem as the chef did not prepare it as they do in Italy and the US.  Chef is French!  I made veal parmesean at home and took pictures, which I did bring with me.  At the Gala dinner Friday night I told the corporate head of Regent's chefs that I had brought the pictures.  He said he would have a "chat" with our chef the next day.  Guess he did!!