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In the Lap of LuxuryPampered cruising on the m/s Mariner!By Karoline Cullen
Gary and I are on Radisson Seven Seas Cruises’ m/s Seven Seas Mariner. We’re ensconced in a huge suite with a balcony and are sharing this elegant, refined vessel with only 500 other passengers. Our sailing takes us from Los Angeles through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale for fourteen days of pampering.
For “non-foodies”, there are lessons in bridge, computer, or Spanish. Groups meet for needlepoint, ping-pong, art discussions, or board games. Lectures vary from the history of the Maya in Central America to improving your memory to the Captain’s talk on the ship’s propulsion system (a hit with the men). For music lovers, there’s entertainment by a harpist, a pianist, a jazz quintet or a rock duo. One afternoon, the lounge reverberates with opera when a passenger and a crewmember sing their favourite arias. Evening entertainment in the Constellation Theatre ranges from Beatles music and Broadway hits performed by a talented, energetic troupe to comedy, classical music or movies.
Days at sea mean busy times at the gym, in the spa, and on the pool deck. Strolling past sun-worshippers, I notice the books of choice for by-the-pool reading are the widely popular Dan Brown tomes. The small salt-water pool is wonderfully buoyant and three hot tubs gurgle beside it. I asked a retired actress if she misses the drama of the stage and she smilingly replied “Not at all. Last night, we had a hot tub under the full moon. Now that’s drama!”
For our excursion in Panama, we select a tamer hike in the jungle. Our guide gives an entertaining short course on using plants for survival. We hike on, staying close to the guide -- the jungle is dense and closes into uninviting semi-darkness not far off the path. We spot 3-toed sloths, cute with a black band across their faces like a bandit’s mask, and howler monkeys lounging high up in the trees.
Dinners are a treat. The main dining room has open seating, so we can choose when we want to eat and whether we wish to dine á deux or with company. There is a choice of wines offered every night and they are generously poured. One night, I ask if the dessert soufflé is hot and Martin, our waiter says it is cold. I order something else but before I can eat it, Martin rushes to the table. “Hold on, hold on! I checked and it is a hot soufflé, so I brought one for you!” Such service. At Latitudes, a fixed Asian-influenced fusion tasting menu is offered. Three small portions are served for each course – perfect for grazers or those who don’t like deciding. La Veranda transforms from its bright and breezy daytime version to a warmly welcoming, candle-lit Mediterranean bistro. The elegant Signatures presents Le Cordon Bleu style dishes, with the menu set by the school in Paris every six months and a graduate in the kitchen every sailing. If none of the four restaurants appeal, there’s always room service. In Fort Lauderdale we emerge from our luxurious cocoon, rested and pampered. Sadly, we can’t fit the butler into our suitcases. Vacation withdrawal from this trip is going to be tough! Photos by Gary and Karoline Cullen About the Photos: FYI: In 2003, the readers of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine voted Radisson “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line”. www.rssc.com |
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I’m in a cocoon. A luxurious one that’s big on space,
great with food, and mobile. In this rarefied environment, far removed from
day-to-day stresses, I’m free to do as I please. And if there’s something
amiss, our butler Nelson will fix it. 
Friends ask if two weeks might be too long. Surveying
fellow passengers after the first week garnered unanimous relief at not
having had to disembark. “We had high expectations for this cruise, “
commented Bob from Manhattan, “and happily, they’ve all been exceeded.” Why
would any of us want to get off?
With the Seven Seas Mariner striving to cater to
passengers’ interests, boredom doesn’t have a chance. This sailing features
a spotlight on food and wine. Fitting in a lunch date with Gary is hard some
days what with my cooking lessons by the executive head chef of Le Cordon
Bleu London, wine and cheese tastings, galley tours and guest chef
demonstrations.
Slowly, daily patterns emerge. At four o’clock, we are
in the Observation Lounge for afternoon tea, a highly civilized pursuit. The
walking track sees an energetic senior from Florida after lunch, the pool
deck bar hosts the lively Californians every afternoon, and the organized
deck games are for the competitive English fellow. Dedicated night owls
close the nightclub and casino in the wee hours.
Sometimes doing nothing is the order of the day.
Lounging on our balcony, spotting the occasional flying fish or dolphin, is
wonderfully relaxing. From the emptiness of the ship’s public areas at
times, I suspect many passengers are dedicating their days to just that.
Watching a sunset paint the sky gold, pink and purple is perfection.
While the average age of passengers is early 60’s,
there are seniors who are surprisingly active. A young honeymooning couple
went on a zip-line tour in Costa Rica, where you dangle from pulleys and zip
from tree to tree on long wires high up in the rainforest canopy. Ahead of
them was a gentleman of 81 years, having a great time, and telling them
about the white water rafting trip he just did with his kids.
Jungle hiking works up an appetite. Fortunately we
don’t have to wait for dinner as Nelson brings the daily appetizers to enjoy
on our balcony. Having one day begged a break from the caviar and foie gras;
he brings us a giant bowl of popcorn instead.