Mariner Of The Seas Reviews, Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Reviews

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8 Reviews

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Entertainment
Food
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thespian

16 years 8 months ago

We sailed on what the Americans called 'Spring Break' which accounts for the 1000 or so under 18s! No problems though as Mariner has got a lot of things for them to do.

We flew with Delta of whom I had heard horror stories. Going out to JFK the fact they had double booked our seats worked in our favour as we got bumped up to 1st class! It was amazing and a real treat. We paid for it on the return as we were delayed, missed our connection, had to stay overnight in a grotty hotel in Atlanta, were given awful seats in front of the divide and then they lost our luggage! Sublime to ridiculous.

The cruise was fabulous. Mariner is gorgeous. Don't miss the ice show but the rest of the entertainment was only nediocre. There is a good piano bar on the way to the casino.

Food is fine, plenty of choice. They have very strange bacon though and the Americans drink cold tea a lot. It's a sort of default so ask for hot tea and you'll be fine.

We had a balcony but unfortunately both our neighbours smoked so I didn't spend much time on it. Wouldn't get a balcony again unless they ban smoking on them as it is too unpleasant.

We had a trip to Malfini Beach, went parasailing, zip lining, snorkling, climbed Dunns River Falls and swam with Dolphins. I even found time to shop. On the way home we went to the Kennedy Space Centre which was awesome.

All in all a fabuolus holiday. My only (very small)disappointment was I had expected it to be very dressy but it wasn't. Only the British guys wore a tux for the Gala night. The Americans seemed to put a suit on, have a photo then get back into their leisure wear. I kind of like it when everyone is dressed up so from that point of view the four Thomson cruises I have been on had much better gala nights as they felt more special.

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Travel operator: Ideal Cruising

Recommended

Tony Murphy

17 years 8 months ago

All the plaudits previously mentioned I echo. Had a great holiday.

Some points to consider for first time RCI guests
1. Check return flight time against debarking time, we docked at 06.30 and had to leave the ship by 11.00 as it departed again that evening. RCI cannot offer complimentry day cabins for late flights home (Ours was 17:20) so about 9 hours to lose therefore making a day tour in Port Canaveral more or less compulsory (we did the Kennedy Space Centre Tour-£70 for the two of us but have to say, very impressive).
2. With over 3000 guests you will need to queue a bit sometimes and will meet the odd rude people( Ours were rude & impolite, and according to other US guests were probably New Yorkers!!!)
3. We thought the St Thomas panoramic tour a rip off- rickety little opensided bus and no commentry or guide info from Driver

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Travel operator: RCI

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Tony Murphy

17 years 8 months ago

Further to my last report I seem to have left out the ratings which I now do.
Again, a holiday never to forget, one further note: although formal wear suggests DJ & bowtie, many did not, wearing ordinary casuals on formal night so no pressure there.

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Travel operator: RCI

Recommended

Irene Mitchell

18 years 10 months ago

This was our first cruise.Boarding the Mariner was easy.We arrived at Port Canaveral at12noon and were in our cabin by 1pm.Our cabin was an inside one but was very spacious and the storage was very clever. We had a good lunch at the Winjammer and then explored this massive ship.Dinner was at 8.30pm Our waitress Jasmin was lovely always smiling and friendly. We enjoyed talking to our fellow guests at dinner. The shows were superb. Only one hour long . The Ice Show was magical. How did that skater change her outfits??
Coco Cay was what we had imagined a Caribbean island to be if a little breezy! St Thomas was a bit busy.Our favourite island was St Martin. We did an excellent tour by coach and then swam from the beautiful beach.Bingo was too dear and the pools were too cold.These were our only criticisms. We would sail with Royal Caribbean again.The staff were excellent .What a contrast when we checked into our after cruise stay in Orlando where not all of the staff were friendly and not too helpful. I have seven pounds in weight to lose now but my husband did not gain any weight at all!

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Travel operator: Royal Caribbean

Recommended

Dave

18 years 11 months ago

first time cruising, embarking was a doddle, fantastic ship, just went around on the first day with mouth open saying wow. cabin was a good size. went with two teenagers 17 & 16 ,not very well catered for as they were too young to go into casino and nightclub but felt too old for the kids club.all shows and entertainment finished by 10.great service in the dining room staff were very friendly.the excursions were a bit hit or miss not very well run. once you're off the ship you're on you're own until you're met by the excursion people who were sometimes late.ship did rock about a bit now and then wife suffered from motion sickness so could only eat when ship was in port. will try another cruise but on the med as the sea is a lot calmer.

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Travel operator: royal caribbean mariner of the seas

Pauline & Colin

19 years 7 months ago

We had a magical time on the Mariner of The Seas - it was our honeymoon and it was faultless. It was our first cruise so we did get the 'wow factor' but we simply could not fault a thing about our holiday. The ship is absolutely beautiful and the staff can't do enough for you, the food is available 24/7 and was excellent. If you have never cruised before, go with Royal Caribbean - they know how to look after you. It is a fantasy world where your every need is catered for - rum cocktails on the pool deck served with a smile, excersions so well organised it is almost scary when you get back home. The boarding and disembarking procedures were suburb - honestly - book today you will not regret it - its wonderful and we can't wait to book again. It's not only for the old and rich - there were lots and lots of Children on our ship (American spring break) but we never saw them they were so well entertained. There is no other way to travel!!!!

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Travel operator: Royal Caribbean

Recommended

Sheila

20 years 1 month ago

Wonderful ship. Only criticism is that so many people on board the lifts used to take forever.

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Travel operator: meon travel

Recommended

Chris

20 years 2 months ago

This is the second 'Voyager' Class ship we have sailed on - Explorer was the last one. Both were fantastic. Mariner is newer and although there have been a few refinements they are almost identical. We were supposed to sail out of Port Canaveral, however, due to hurricane damage we sailed from Miami. What a sight as we drove towards the port along the Dolphin Expressway to see both Explorer and Mariner alongside, towering above everything nearby. Both ships left port within minutes of each other and caused a traffic jam on the expressway with people pulling over to watch! What a feeling standing on our private balcony sipping champagne knowing what a wonderful trip that was just beginning.

We spent the cruise dodging hurricanes. Left Miami as Ivan approached and was in Haiti 2 days before Jean. These ships are so stable it is unbelieveable. Those put off by the thought of sea sickness have no need to worry.

There is so much to do on board that you are never bored! Something for everyone, regardless of the weather outside. I am not one for sunbathing because I find it so hot and uncomfortable sometimes, however a cruise ship travelling at 20 knots creates a lovely breeze and I am quite happy to lie there and let the waiter serve me nice cold drinks. Just make sure you use plenty sunscreen because you forget how intense the sun is with the breeze.

My next cruise i intend taking my children. Of the two ships I would choose explorer as there is a kids pool area at the back of the ship ('astern' for the nautically minded!) For some reason this was excluded when they built Mariner.

As with a previous review, the lifts can take some time, but they are not that bad. Anyway, i tried to use the stairs for the exercise - I would have put on about half a stone with all that fabulous food otherwise!

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Travel operator: Independent

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