Mariner Review 12/26 to 1/2, well sorta

[webbdavis]

First I want to echo what everyone has said about how wonderful the Mariner is. It truley is a marval. The activites and entertainment, as well as the food and the crew were in my opinon second to none.

 

With that said I will say that unfortunately my wife and I had to disembark early to do an unexpected health issue. We departed on the 5th day and thus I will not be able to comment on what happened after we left.

 

Embarkation and ist day:

 

Went very smooth. We bought a transfer from the MCO to the ship thru RC. Were cleared through security and were on the ship in about a half hour which is less then what it took my wife and I to get through JFK security. Once we were on board we went straigh to our inside stateroom on the eighth deck. Not a lot of rooom but very sufficient for our needs. We droped our bags and were off to have lunch in the windjammer. It was very good. After that we looked around the ship, went through the emergency drill, and after calling our familys to let them know how wonderful it was, we got dressed and went to dinner.

 

Now I know that there has been many a disscusion about the food on RC, all I can say is that we thought it was wonderful, at least what we had of it.

After dinner, we freshened up and went to the show which was very fun. They had Claudio duo, a blancing team which was wonderful as well as comedian Glen Hirsh who was also very funny. Afterwards we saw the parade and then went to bed.

 

Day 2: Nassau

 

My wife and woke up and had a wonderful breakfast and then went in to Nassau. We had such a good time. We took a cab to Paradise Island/Atlantis and saw the hotel, aquarium etc. We had a blast. We went back on the ship had a few drinks and went back to the room to relax. We left Nassau at around 2pm. I guess I should start off by saying this is where the trouble started. As I am sure many of you know the currents, or so I was told, in the Atlantic are rough. Well it would seem that not to long after we left port the ship was rocking around pretty badly. So bad that DW got seasick right around that time we were at dinner as our lobster and shrimp was being delivered. Well I escorted my wife back to our room with lobster and shrimp for me and hers is she felt better. She went to bed, I enjoyed the lobster and shrimp(very good) and that was that day. I will tell you this the seas did not bother me all that much.

 

Day 3: At sea

Well all I can really say about today is that the seas got worse or at lease it seemed like it did. My DW stayed in the room trying to rest. I did venture out a little. The day really was a waste. I should note that I talked to other guests and ships crew and found out that a lot of people were getting seasick. I will say that at night I went to see Steven Scott do a comedy routine that was hilarious.

 

Day 4: St. Thomas

 

My DW was feeling better. The water got calmer the closer we got to the carribean sea. We had breakfast on the ship and then we went to the shops. Had a lot of fun. We booked a excursion to go snorkeling and sailing on the castaway girl. It was so much fun. We went that night to Chops(highly reccomended), then to the Ice show again incredible.

In the middle of the night my wife woke me up with a medical issue that I will not get into here. We went to the ships hosipital. A quick side bar for anyone concerened about going on a RC ship with regards to a medical crisis. Dr. Litterman(sic?) and the nurses were very supportive and provided top notch medical care. He did what he could then sent us on our way. We went to sleep soon there after

 

Day 5, St. MArrten

My DW woke me up around ten and back to the hospital we went. To make a long story short we ended up going to the hospital on the Island.

After a short time she was released, we went back to the ship, then got off, this time permanently because both the ships doctor and my wife and I felt it would not be good to stay because if any further problems occured it would be impossible to get off the ship because we would be at sea.

 

Closing comments:

Again let me reiterate this is a beautiful ship. Threre is so much to do, it could make you go dizzy just thinking about it. For those of you going on this ship or any of its sister ships, you are very lucky, enjoy yourself.

 

I hope this review/life story helped. There is many things I left out do to time restrictions. If you have any questions post them and I will try to answer them .

 

Thanks for taking your time to read this:)

[Sea Island Lady]

So sorry to hear that your honeymoon was interupted and I hope your wife is OK now.

Sounds like you have a great attitude about your cruise, even with all the trouble you had. ;)

[firstcruise05]

I went to look in your profile to see where the previous poster determined that this was your honeymoon and I saw that you share a birthday with my Fiancee! Very cool. He turns the big 3-0 this year on Jan. 21st. We are going on our honeymoon on the Mariner in October and I can't wait. I'm sorry your trip was cut short but your high praise for the ship makes me reassured that I picked a great cruise. I hope your wife is feeling better and that you get to take a longer vacation sometime in the near future.

[zooma]

So sorry that your wife was ill and that your trip was cut short. May I ask whether you or she tried any seasickness remedies (bonine, patch, sea bands, etc.) before or when she got sick on Day 2/3? Just curious whether those things really work when the seas are that rough.

[suni]

I just got off the Mariner as well. It was fabulous....incredible actually. We had 4 18-20 yr. olds with us. They had an awesome time.

 

Yes, the waves were huge. One of the kids took bonine one day....otherwise, no problems at all.

 

The food was very good. We have sailed RCCL 5 times, this was the best ever....service was great, room steward friendly and responsive. It was perfect.

 

Entertainment was very good. The ice show was a not to miss experience. Quest was absolutely HILARIOUS.......as was the Love and Marriage shows. Beware....Quest is DEFINITELY for ADULTS ONLY!!!!

 

New Years was exciting and festive. Pool part was fun and the weather was great!

 

The only thing I can say at all negative was I thought Simeon, the cruise director was just OK. It always seeme like he was in a rush to get to the next thing. Very tight schedule for them, but it could have been a bit more relaxed.

 

Gotta go......so much laundry!!!!!

[suni]

Another thing that could have been improved on......there were tons of small kids in the spas all the time. Very out of control kids......where are the parents?????

[webbdavis]

My wife and I did use the Transcope patch. She had to take it off because it was making her feel light headed. She switched to Bonine which helped a little.

Glad to here you had fun Suni. I agree though, Simon was rushed and maybe a little corney. As for the kids the only truly annoying part with regards to kids would be the constant pushing of every elevator buttons. It made it that much worse since this happened when we were trying to get down to the medical facility.

[teethcleaner]

Web Davis - We were also on the cruise. I as so sorry about your wife. I hope she is doing better. I know the first night someone at our table had to go back to their cabin. Even our assistant cabin attendant said she was not feeling great on Tuesday. She said it was the constant moving. It sure was windy. Tried to walk outside on the 12th deck and felt I was going to get blown overboard.

[RM]

Hope that your wife is feeling better and that you will again return to the sea.

[ArcticZ]

quick question, Simon the curise director is he a English guy that likes to say "Ya Baby"?? we were on EOS last year and had a english cd that nobody in my group really liked. were going on MOS next month and hoping to not have the same cd.. thxs

 

thanks for the review, sorry your wife wasen't feeling good on her curise..

[pamssanity]

Thanks fofr the info-- hope your wife is improved and you will get to enjoy a total cruise in the near future-- Am heading for my first cruise 1/30--

[BobbieSu]

Thanks fofr the info-- hope your wife is improved and you will get to enjoy a total cruise in the near future-- Am heading for my first cruise 1/30--

 

pamsanity, a little OT, however wondered which ship you are on for departure 1/30. We are also leaving 1/30 on Explorer of the sea.

 

Su