Are You a Cruiser? Mariner of the Seas Now Departing From L.A.

"If you build it, they will come," right? Or, in the case of Royal Caribbean's fifth of five in its Voyager Class of cruise ships, Mariner of the Seas, if you make the port accommodate it, they will come. And come they did.

Mariner spent her first five years sailing out of Miami, but just arrived to the Port of Los Angeles last week to begin its new life taking up to 3,114 guests (and 1,185 crew) on 7 day cruises to three ports of call on the Mexican Riviera. Sure, there are other boats that head that way, but there has never been a cruise ship of this magnitude or class in LA before. It took a lot to get her here; it's a 46-day trip from Florida around Cape Horn (at the bottom of South America) and up to San Pedro's docks. Just getting Mariner into the dock is another feat; every Sunday when she returns from Mexico, Captain Johnny Faevelen and his crew must back this 138,279-ton, 1,020-foot-long, 157.5-foot-wide, 15-deck vessel into her spot. Yes, back her up.

Okay, now you might start raising your eyebrows and asking "What's the big deal about a cruise ship?" Because, yes, the economy is tough, and vacations are for many a thing of luxury. We wondered the same thing when Royal Caribbean invited LAist to join hundreds of travel professionals, SoCal media, and VIPs on a 2-night Preview sailing last weekend. The trip answered that key question, and also demystified the "cruising lifestyle" for this novice cruiser.

By bringing Mariner to LA, Royal Caribbean is doing our local economy a favor, from the shopping the crew will do on shore, the sourcing of local goods for use on the ship, the taxes paid to the Port and the City, to providing some jobs for hospitality workers on land. And for those who are looking to travel but not break the bank, a 7-day cruise can actually be rather affordable. For us locals, that means we can get to the amazing ship by car, and for cruise enthusiasts who want to see the Mexican Riviera in style, that means travel revenue for LA, too.

Royal Caribbean's clientele tends to be comprised of couples and singles in their 30s-50s, so for potential travelers worried about the "party hard" atmosphere they may have encountered or heard about on other cruise lines, the celebratory vibe is less urgent, perhaps, on Mariner. They encourage families, however, and have tons of things for kids, teens, and everyone to do, from day-camps to special areas to shows and recreation activities. But if you want to party, it certainly isn't hard to do. There are a lot of bars on board, most of which have a specialty, like the Champagne Bar, the Schooner Piano Bar, the Vintages Wine Bar, or the Wig and Gavel Pub. You can drop mad cash in the casino, and shake your groove thing at the two-level nightclub, the Dragon's Lair. If you'd rather kick back, there's a full spa and salon on board, pools and jacuzzis, a game room, and an adults-only solarium.

It was tough to jam in all the on-board activities in just a two-day preview, but we gave it a good shot. We cruised to "nowhere," actually--we had no ports of call--so our days were much like the "at-sea days" travelers will experience between ports during a week-long trip. Full disclosure: For our trip, not only were all our meals and most activities included gratis (as is the norm), but all of our alcohol, tips, and "premium" dining were, as well. The service, therefore, was admittedly spotty; when not hustling for tips a cabin attendant won't fold your towel into animal shapes, your waiter is pretty likely to screw up your table's order, and the barista couldn't care less if they filled your coffee cup to overflow levels. Most of the service, however, was excellent, and the crew overall very hospitable and welcoming. We shelled out our own bucks for a spa treatment, and appreciated the selection of food and drink add-ons available beyond the inclusive meals.

Should you cruise? Well, Royal Caribbean thinks you should, of course, and that's why Mariner of the Seas made the big move to Los Angeles. The cruising life is indeed not for everyone; of course, it all comes down to what you opt to do on board and what you opt to do in port. On board, you might not care for Karakoe, 70s Theme night, rock climbing, or ice skating shows, but once in port, you certainly can get your adventure-travel on by signing up for more activity-intensive day excursions (for a fee, of course). If you're the sort who needs constant contact, there is internet access (and WiFi) for a fee, and the service isn't as reliable as your at-home or at-work internet, but it's there. It can get kind of Vegas-y at times, but it can also be a luxurious experience, or a restful one.

Trips are fairly affordable; off-season cruises start as low as $599 for the week (and that includes meals and most on-board activities). The nicer the stateroom, the higher the price. The more you drink, gamble, and shop, that will add on.

Whether you wind up cruising or not, having the Mariner of the Seas here in LA is a good thing for our city, and for our port; plans are to improve the port itself (it's not the loveliest place to wave goodbye or hello to) and the ship will bring revenue to our city. So welcome to Los Angeles, Mariner of the Seas! May you have many a successful voyage from our port.