We got onboard and finished our e-muster drill then headed towards the Solarium Bar. We met a couple in the Solarium pool that were also doing the Ultimate World Cruise. Unfortunately we failed to meet up with them the rest of the cruise. There was much drinking that afternoon by all the girls (who had the ultimate Drink package) and Alyssa did not make it to dinner.

However Day 2 found her up and ready for breakfast. After breakfast we went to the Schooner bar and discovered that there were people in the water. It seems that a boat with Cuban refugees was spotted in the water and several people were holding onto wooden items and one was swimming towards the ship. People on deck threw down life rings for them. The captain then came on and made an announcement to please stop throwing the life rings over board as they were in the process of rescuing the people in the water. We ended up stopped for most of the morning as a coast guard plane and coast guard ship joined us to take custody of the refugees. By mid day Mariner of the Seas was released from rescue operations and continued on towards Cozumel. We were informed by the Captain that the delay would be made up on route and our original arrival time in Cozumel would still be in effect. After that excitement, we grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Promenade Cafe before our visit to the Escape Room.

This was my first experience with an escape room. In addition to the six of us (Myself, Tam, Jordan, Alyssa, Britney & Briana) there was another group of six. We all had to work together to solve the puzzles which unlocked the keys that could be used to repair the telescope (that was the premiss anyway). It took us a while before we solved the first clue and unlocked the key, we worked in smaller teams trying to solve the riddles. One by one we unlocked all of the keys. Finally each key had to be simultaneously inserted into the telescope requiring five different people. It was exciting and a challenge that I enjoyed. That afternoon we got ready for formal night and pictures. Since it was my 60th birthday, I wore my sparkly red jacket.

Day 3 we were in Cozumel Mexico. Here we did a shore excursion to the Mayan Ruins as well as Chocolate testing. We also visited a Bee Sanctuary where we could purchase some Honey or Bee products. The Chocolate trip included a demonstration of how the locals made chocolate. It wasn’t until the Europeans arrived that Milk was added to make milk chocolate. This was mostly about purchasing the various bars of chocolate in the gift store. After the excursion we did some shopping in the port area and then got ready for the Ice Show. There was one of the skaters that did a back flip!! I had never ever seen anyone do this (let alone on a moving ship) the show was very good and then we had dinner.

Day 4 was a sea day returning to Port Canaveral, It was my actual 60th Birthday and everyone dressed up in Hawaiian Shirts (My signature trademark 🙂 ) We also went to see the Singers and Dancers perform in the theater. If you are on Mariner of the Seas in the near future I would give this show a pass. Most of the singers needed a vocal coach and I think the dancers needed more time working together.