MARINER: A nightmare or a dream?

[Crazsea]

Here's what I did.

I put a description of the Carnival Valor, The Royal Carribean Mariner of The Seas and a description of the Carival 8 night Legend on the table and asked my wife to help me choose WHICH ONE???? Now don't get me wrong, we love the fun on the Carnival ships(we're youngish fun 40's/50's), but change can be good!

 

My wife chose ****Mariner Of The Seas****!

Will we enjoy the difference on a RCCL ship?

 

Thank you all for your replies!

P.S. We personally hated our Celebrity experience!!!!

 

*****Jon & Patty*****

[Cruiserx6]

I think you will really like the Mariner.. My daughter just got off of it a couple of weeks ago and said it was their best cruise yet. We have never been on Carnival, but we did take 2 Celebrity Cruises. They are really nice but not for us. WE are in our 60's and like the options of having more things to do. Celebrity was a little too sedate for us. Food was great and our cabin was wonderful along with the service, but we went back to RCL. Try the Mariner I am sure you will be happy with it.

 

Carol

 

6 Rcl cruises

2 Celebrity

[imatarb]

We, too, are looking at the Mariner perhaps in Dec. 2005. Would like to take our 6-yr. old son with us, too. Seems like a great ship with plenty to do! I know that when I cruised RCL previously (10 years ago!) on the Monarch, I loved her. Seems to come full cirlce, as we're now anticipating an RCL cruise again.

 

Lisa

 

Monarch of the Seas - 1994

Royal Majesty - 1996

Carnival Victory - 2004

 

<MARQUEE>A day at sea is better than a day at work</MARQUEE>

[Florida Beach]

You will enjoy the Mariner of the Sea. Trust me

 

March 28, 2004 - Mariner of the Seas

July 4, 2004 - Sapphire Princess - Alaska

[superjerryw]

Your experience will be different in general since it is a different cruise line. Your experience will be vastly different because of the ship itself. There is nothing in the Carnival fleet that resembles the Mariner or any of the other Voyager class ships. You should have a great time.

 

 

Donuts, is there anything they can't do....

[cruzinpsycharnp]

superjerryw--do you own a Krispy Kreme?

 

till Mariner

Queen Elizabeth 1963

Florida 1966

Mardi Gras 1980

Holiday 1982

Tropicale 1999

Pride 2002

Grand Princess 2003

Mariner 2004

[sab1268]

We took a cruise on Explorer last year and are booked on Mariner next year. Royal Caribbean is the only line we have traveled. I think you will love it. We did and can't wait for the Mariner in March 2005.

Stacy

[Spicey477]

Hi there, first timer here (hopefully).

I had been really interested in going on the new Caribbean Princess in the early fall, and when I contacted at TA about it, they were heavily pushing for me to consider the Mariner instead. I don't see many RCL and Princess comparisons over on the Princess boards and I haven't seen one on here lately either. Of course everyone has a different opinion, but just a general idea is great!

 

Thanks!

[itrek]

I just got off the May 1 sailing on Caribbean Princess. Princess has it's advantages. For example, their ice cream is the best I've ever had and their food overall is slightly better than RCCL in my opinion. Princess also has fresh water pools.

 

On the down side, Caribbean Princess has a big theater that only seats 700 people. The ship holds 3200+ people so if they have 2 performances for a single show less than half the people can attend. I guess I've been spoiled with lines like RCCL where you don't need to get to the showroom 45 minutes in advance just to get a seat. I had a mini suite on the Caribbean Princess and it wasn't what I expected. It didn't seem much different than a D1 balcony suite on a Voyager class ship. There also wasn't near as much night life on the CP and there was no arcade which my teenager hated.

 

All in all, I guess it depends on what you're looking for in a cruise.

[dolfan1949]

We have been on Carnival twice and Princess 3 times, we are booked for January 9 2005 sailing of Mariner and can not wait.

[Crazsea]

This note is to ALL OF YOU that replied!

 

From the bottom of my heart, you Guys and Gals are great!

 

Every little tidbit of information that each and everyone of you have given me so far has convinced me that the Mariner and her sister ships ROCK!!!!

 

Thank you very much!!!!!!!

 

I feel confident that my Lovely bride has made a very good choice!

Thanks a million!!!!!!

[island lady]

ok guys..."she's back!!!"

sorry for the long absence, but I have been having a really tough time with the new job. (the old trusted company took a retirement..sigh...)and I have been having to actually work for a living...bummer .

I am now in need of help locating the best deal for my (gulp!!! ) 50th birthday cruise on the Mariner for June 5th of 2005.

Want to do it right with the Grand Suite, and looking for a deal...any help from you seasoned vets!!?? ??

Thanks,

Cheers!!

[Crazsea]

Hi island lady,

 

I've been looking at some pretty good deals at Cruise vacation center for 2005! They are a major advertiser on CC, and they have fair terms.

I hope this helps!

[cruisinisforme]

Having been on both cruise lines you will definitely enjoy the Mariner. I like both Royal and Carnival, but there are some things on RCC that Carnival does not do that makes me like them more. Their pools stay open 24 hours so you can go swimming anytime you want. They also have an adult only area for swimming which is nice if you want to get in the pool and not be splashed. Their room service menu is MUCH larger than Carnival. I was a little disappointed to find that both cruise lines apparently share the same jokes, thought when I made the switch I would find some new things but it was all the same. RCC also does more for past guests than carnival, but the topper is that you are going on a Voyager class ship, Carnival can't compare to this I just love them, there is so much to do I am going on my third one and I cant wait. Have fun.

 

Janet

 

Mariner of the Seas 3/04

Enchantment of the Seas 9/03

Explorer of the Seas 7/03

Carnival Triumph 2/03

Imagination 7/02

Jubilee 4/02

Sensation 2/98

Carnivale 10/91

 

Until we sail again on the Mariner

 

[Island Dreamer]

My first cruise was on Carnival and it truly was a fun ship. Everyone one from late thirties to 5 had a great time. (The newer ships are more glamorous.) We were celebrating our Anniversary, and the staff were exceptional in helping us celebrate.

 

I have never been on RCC but have a trip planned for November. I hear they are extremely glamorous and also have fantastic staff. I hope that pictures are worth a million words in this case. Radio has posted many pictures that are fabulous and don't compare to the mini shots on the RCC website.

 

Fantasy 5/01

[superjerryw]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cruzinpsycharnp:

superjerryw--do you own a Krispy Kreme?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

No Krispy Kreme's near me, just Dunkin Donuts every half mile.....

 

 

Donuts, is there anything they can't do....

[Ocean Boy]

I've said it many times and will once more... There is just nothing like a Voyager class ship. I've never done Carnival so I can't compare them but I have done Celebrity. I will say this... With the cruise experience that RCI, and in particular a Voyager ship, offers I don't have any real need to try Carnival.

 

These ships have it all. They are classy not gaudy. They have quiet areas and they have lively areas. You can have the sedate experience of Celebrity and a party atmosphere on the same ship. If you are the type of person who likes being physically active you cannot beat these ships. The gyms, rock climbing, roller blading, ice skating, basketball court etc.

 

Crazsea... I could write forever but it will do no good. You will never really understand what a Voyager ship is like until you try one for yourself. I've done Explorer and Mariner. Magnificant and awesome are words that vaguely convey how I feel about these ships.

[Crazsea]

All of you have me going crazy with excitement! You make the experience you've all had sound spectacular on the Voyager Class ships and we can't wait!

 

I guess this shouldn't be bothering me so much, but I'm thinking about switching over to Navigator Of The Seas because it leaves out of Miami as opposed to The Mariner leaving out of Port Canaveral. I am familiar with Miami and not at all familiar with Port Canaveral.

 

I have heard it is at least an hour and more just to get to Port Canaveral from Orlando International Airport. I wouldn't like that. Also heard the tranfers can cost up to $50.00 pp.

 

There is a possibility that we will fly in two days early, rent a car, and drive down to Key West for an overnight stay there before boarding the Navigator! I'd rather spend the extra money on the rental of the car and hotel than on transfers!

 

Thank you to everyone for sharing your excitement and ideas with us!!!!

*****Jon & Patty*****

[Candleonwater]

And here I am, worrying about the idea of cruising on the Navigator because I'm unfamiliar with the Miami port! Although I am curious as I used to live in Miami Beach and would love to see the ships from a different angle at that port!

 

In April it only took us 40 minutes from Disney World to PC... and in the past what I have found works best for us is (one way) rentals from Avis... although this can be pricey if you're traveling at a peak time.

 

<MARQUEE>Navigator of the Seas March 26, 2005</MARQUEE>

Mariner of the Seas 4/11/04

Disney Magic 12/01/01

[pinkrosesdeb]

candleonwater, the Miami port is great. It really is one of the easiest and most organized. We have done Miami, Ft. Laud. and Pt. Canav. Miami really has it down! Pt. Canaveral is still pretty new at handling the bigger ships but I think they are getting the hang of it. No matter where you sail out of you will love this class of ship. The Miami port is only about 15 mins. from the airport.

[Candleonwater]

pinkrosesdeb - it's that whole airport thing that I don't like! The idea of flying is bad enough, but if (like my most recent trip) I don't find a reasonable airfare... I don't have the option of hopping in the car and driving down to the port - the 13.5 hours from PC was pushing it! I am still trying to find out the differences between the Mariner and Navigator tho!

 

<MARQUEE>Navigator of the Seas March 26, 2005</MARQUEE>

Mariner of the Seas 4/11/04

Disney Magic 12/01/01

[ssantow]

We spent two weeks on the Mariner last December (back to back) and that was still not enough time to do and see everything this ship has to offer. Yes Mariner of the Seas is the best ship we have been on but still think Princess is the best cruise line overall.

 

Stan

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

"Cruising since 1987" but I lost track of all the cruises, and no one reads this section anyway...

Back to Back on the Jewel of the Seas 12/4/04 12/12/04

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Until Jewel of the Seas 12/04/04(part one)

 

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Until Jewel of the Seas 12/12/04(part two)

 

Click here for the Roll Call for the Jewel 12/04/2004

 

Click here for the Roll Call for the Jewel 12/12/2004

 

 

[island lady]

Thanks "Crazsea" I will check out their web site. The drive to Port Canaveral for me is (Whew!!), an exhausting 4 mile trip for me.

I am lucky to live so close, and also enjoy going down to the port to see them slide out to sea. I can hear their ship's horns from my house. Nice to save money on the airfare too!!

Cheers!

[FnyFACEnAL]

Island Lady,

Do you know if the Jettypark campground right nextdoor to Port Canaveral will park our travel trailer while we are on the ship if we camp there before or after the cruise?

Does anyone know if the Radisson will let us park our travel trailer and truck there while we cruise if we stay there?

THANKS!

[TX_HorseChick]

I've been on the Navigator of the Seas and the Mariner of the Seas is the exact same layout and the exact options of things to do. The Navigatior was awesome for my "whole" family. My grandparents, my parents, my aunt & uncle, my cusions, my siblings and I all went and to be quite honest with you we couldn't stop talking about all the intresting and fun things to do for about two weeks. I'm going on the Mariner on July 25, 2004 and boy am I ever so ready.