Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

SamFritz

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,918

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by SamFritz

    NEW as Diamond Class - need updates/rules.

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Thank you!

    Ok more Q's - the 3 drinks on the card are for outside DL ?

     

    Yes

     

    Including at dinner?

     

    No, but this past cruse DW excused herself midway through dinner for a visit to the Champaign bar and brought it back into dinner.

     

     

    Drinks in the DL don't effect the 3 on the card?

     

     

    Correct. There is no accounting of drinks in the lounge. They don’t run your sea pass or anything.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Attendance at Headline Shows

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Lots of good points so far.

     

    [emoji848]I agree with the idea that people are helplessly focused on their cell phones. I’m not necessarily criticizing, people can do what they want, but I can’t believe how many people I see walking around the ship with their eyes locked on their screen.

     

    🧐It is definitely time for some new production shows. We didn’t go to “Once Upon a Time” on the last night of this past cruise because we’d seen it so many times that we could name all the songs and stage sets.

     

    🤩I, too, love the tribute bands. The Journey Tribute Band on Mariner in June was the most entertaining show I’ve seen in a long time. So good we went back for the second show! Some of the most memorable shows have been tribute bands. ABBA, Beatles, Frankie Valley, Elvis, etc.

     

    🤭I like good magicians, and good comedians. I do think that the quality of many of the headliners is down a bit. Is Royal investing so much into the entertainment on the newer ships that the older ships are lacking in that department?

     

    [emoji846]I think we do live in a very “on demand” world, so things like My Time Dining, can disrupt attendance at a show with a set start time.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Attendance at Headline Shows

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Just got back from seven nights on Freedom OTS. I feel like I’m noticing a trend of declining attendance at the main event/headline shows. Four or five years ago you had to get to the shows at least 20 minutes early to get three or four seats together. But over the past few years it seems to be getting easier to find seats. On this recent cruise, the theater was never anywhere close to packed. The one exception was the ice show, which seemed to be very full. Have you noticed this trend too? If so, Why do you think it is happening? Or am I just imagining it?

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Mariner of the Seas Cabins- Renovated?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Hello!

     

    I was just wondering if they also renovated the cabins on the newly renovated Mariner of the Seas? Has anyone been on to tell? My fiance and I are thinking of doing this cruise in December. Thank you!:cool::cool:clear.png?emoji-cool-1690

     

     

     

    The rooms didn’t seem to be especially new. They weren’t worn out or anything, but they certainly weren’t overhauled.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Guessing a completely different "dress code" was in play for that. ;)

     

     

     

    Anyway back to the formal night thing, the whole world is more casual than it used to be. My company just went jeans every day this past January, and even though I am a pretty frumpy type, I still think everyone looks terrible, but on the other hand now I know what it feels like to be the old person stuck in the past. ;p

     

     

     

    Then there is the issue of airline luggage.

     

     

     

    Back in the day when flights were cheapish and often not full, there was space in the overheads, and if not, everyone could check all the bags they wanted. Bringing along a full wardrobe including garment bags and shoes to match every outfit was part of the ritual.

     

     

     

    Now we are crammed into little, expensive seats with backpacks wedged in front of our feet, trying to keep suitcases under 40 pounds and x by y by z dimensions, planning to use the $35 laundry special to wash our underwear halfway through so we don't run out, and bringing one pair of decent black sandals, one pair of flip flops, one pair of sneakers to get through a week. I can't imagine dealing with suits and wrinkled gowns anymore. The capris and sundresses I bring will likely have to do double duty as day and evening attire.

     

     

     

    🤣

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I would be more focused on how you want to enjoy your cruise, and less focused on what random strangers might think of you.

     

     

     

    Besides, unless you're literally talking about wearing an enourmous ball gown or a tux with tails, gloves and a top hat, no one will even really notice. I mean, I'm assuming you're not wanting to get dressed up and go to Johnny Rockets?

     

     

     

    So I don’t really “focus” on anything. What I enjoy is being part of a community that elects to have at least one special, upscale night. If we’re not all, or at least mostly all, or at the very least, many of us participating, then I’d feel like a fish out of water.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    OP (or anyone else on Mariner)...Did you have any breakfasts/lunches in the dining room? Or stick to Windjammer? If so, which did you find better?

     

     

     

    We do most of our dining in the MDR. Breakfast service was slow, and the menu very limited. Lunch was the exact opposite, quick service and delicious options, including the Tutti salad.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Hi,

     

     

     

    Thanks for your review. I am booked on the Mariner for December 2018. Does the ship still have an ice show? I am curious if they have decided to have an ice show on these short cruises.

     

     

     

    Chuck

     

     

     

    Yes there was an ice show. You have to pay attention to the cruise planner to see when it is. It was not publicized very well. Its time we’re in conflict with other things we wanted to do, so we didn’t make it.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted · Edited by SamFritz

    Thanks for the feedback. We're going in August (4 day) and can't wait.

    So glad to hear of the entertainment . Our last cruise was Allure so wondering how it'll compare (I know...no Broadway or Aqua show).

    Too bad about your interactive tv. That would be frustrating. Bad luck with a room but you would think they would check things like that.

     

    Where are the hammocks? Is this a solarium thing or can be used by anyone?

     

    PS - I don't mind formal night either (and may at least bring a sun dress...which I don't typically wear).

     

     

     

    The interactive TV was out on the whole ship, not just our room.

     

    The hammocks are starboard aft on the sports deck, near the flow rider. Available to all.

     

    Mini Golf was up in front. I’m not sure how it compares to Adventure’s, but it was nice and new.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Did you ask someone about that? It may have been just a temporary issue with the first sailing.

     

     

     

    All they would say was that they took Eggs Benedict off the menu so they could “focus on the other items.” I was mostly just joking in the Diamond Lounge about my disappointment, but the Concierge took me seriously and was very worried. She called the H&B Director and they did special order Eggs Benedict for me on the final day.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    AMPLIFIED MARINER: Quick Hits and Misses

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We were on Mariner’s first 4 day Bahamas sailing out of Miami. Just wanted to give some quick first impressions:

     

    The hits:

    1. The ship is in great condition. Almost everything looks like new.

     

    2. The water slides, flow rider, hammocks, new mini-golf course etc. all provide a lot of action and fun for families.

     

    3. Less space devoted to retail sales on the promenade. The sports bar replaced one upscale shop.

     

    4.Great entertainment line up. If you ever have a chance to see Resurrection: A Journey Tribute you must. DW and I went back for the second show.

     

    5. Very friendly and good service.

     

    6. Quick and easy embarkation and debarkation.

     

    The Misses:

    1.No Eggs Benedict in the MDR for breakfast. (Please tell me this isn’t fleet wide.)

     

    2. The interactive TV was not working, so you could not use it for ordering room service, reserving excursions, checking stateroom balances, watch PPV movies etc.

     

    3. When Coco Cay is fully upgraded it will be an amazing family experience. Until the the ports of call are nothing to write home about.

     

    We missed not having a formal night. I know some will be glad to hear that it is off the agenda, but we like to get dressed up at least once on a cruise.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

×
×
  • Create New...