Daily life on board..What to expect

[magicallyfun]

Hello from snowy Utah. My wife and I are going on our first cruise, Mariner of the sea, next month. What is a normal day like on board. I have been reading evry book about cruises I can find and am afraid I may be blowing the whole experience up too big. So what can one expect from a day nat sea.

 

 

magic

[Iluvjo]

You will have the time of your life. Bring casual clothes, that is what most wear with the exception of the main dinning.

 

You will have fun trust me.

[Donna - dsw]

There will be a daily planner given to you each night with the acitivites for the next day.

 

My typical sea day goes like this;

- sleep in

- eat a nice breakfast (usually the MDR)

- find a lounge chair by the pool

- they usually have some fun stuff going on pool side

- read a book

- take a stroll around the ship

- check out the gift shops / they usually have sale on sea days

- take in a movie

- hit bingo

ect.

 

spa, gym,

 

There is plenty do to - just whatever you want

[cruznjan]

You'll receive a daily list of activities. You can pick and choose what you want to do, including nothing at all. :D Enjoy!

[KBD1516]

Hello from snowy Utah. My wife and I are going on our first cruise, Mariner of the sea, next month. What is a normal day like on board. I have been reading evry book about cruises I can find and am afraid I may be blowing the whole experience up too big. So what can one expect from a day nat sea.

 

 

magic

 

 

This is an old event calendar that I made up for a 3 day cruise -- it will give you an idea of things you can expect. The Mariner is much bigger and the cruise is longer but at least this may help a bit with some info.

 

 

EVENT CALENDAR - MONARCH OF THE SEAS

DAY

DATE

PORT



Fri





Port Canaveral, FL





Sat





Nassau, Bahamas





Sun





Coco Cay, Bahamas





Mon





Port Canaveral, FL





 

ARRIVE

DEPART

5:00pm

11:00am

11:59pm

8:00am

5:00pm

6:30am

 





FRIDAY



N00N Check in at the Royal Caribbean pier at Port Canaveral

Parking is $15 per day, must be paid in advance.

Don’t leave food in your car (you might get ants)



Bring your passport or birth certificate.

Photo ID

Set Sail pass (signed)

Credit card that you paid with





LUGGAGE You can check your luggage with the porters outside

It will be outside your room by evening.

Use a carry on for those items you might need this afternoon

(camera, medicine, bathing suit, sunscreen)



CHECK IN You will be given a ship ID card like a credit card as room key.

Your picture will be taken as you go on board and will be on file.

You need this ID to open your door and to get on and off the boat.

Go find your room and make sure the key works.



LUNCH Go to the buffet on the top deck and have lunch..

Shorts are always okay in the buffet area.



Pool Towels are available in your room and by the pool.



4:30 MUSTER –go to your emergency station.

Cruise line staff will direct you to the correct location.



5:00 Go up to deck 11 for sailaway – watch the ship leave port



6:15 early dinner will be in the dining room on deck 2 or 3

Your dining room and table assignment will be on your ship ID card

No shorts or bathing suits in the dining room.

If you do not eat in the dining room, try to let your waiter know

The buffet is available at every meal time. Pizza parlor open.





Evening There will be various entertainments on board –

Check the Course Compass for what’s available and where it is.

This on board newsletter will be delivered to your room every day

It will have times and places for all the activities and events.

The Rock Wall is only open at certain times.

 

 

10:00 QUEST – a game that the audience participates in by groups – funny

DO NOT MISS THIS. Times and days can vary.

 

 



SATURDAY NASSAU



Breakfast room service – you can leave an order on your cabin door the night before

No charge (you can tip whoever brings it )

They will call you when it is on the way to your room.



Buffet – on the top deck, available all morning



Dining room – hours 6:00 – 8:00 (check the actual times) – menu



11:00 Dock at Nassau –

Take your ship ID card and photo ID with you

(you will need it to get back on board)

You can walk from the ship into town (1 block) and walk around

There’s a Straw Market right on the waterfront.

Regular taxi or water taxi to Atlantis if you want to go there.

Excursions (activities off the ship) are an extra personal cost.



Lunch in town or you can walk back and eat on the ship



TIPS You will not need to tip. You will be asked for a lump sum of about $10 per person per day for tips – this will be distributed among the crew. You should pay your tips or sign for them for your room by noon on Sunday. Information and envelopes will be in your room.



Dinner

6:15 Formal dinner – wear something you might wear to church

This will be a nice meal with fancy desserts.



Atlantis – after 6:00 PM, the world famous aquarium will be open for

FREE. Take a cab (about $5 per person) to Atlantis. The walk-through aquarium can be seen one level down from the lobby. Casino is pretty





On board Shows in the theater (early and a late show)

Music and dancing in various places onboard, casino



MIDNIGHT buffet, music, ice cream bar on the pool deck.

Watch the ship sail away from Nassau



 

 



SUNDAY COCO CAY = private island beach day

If it is windy or seas are rough, you will have activities on board.



8:00 AM Ship will be anchored out in the water

You will take a small boat (a tender) to the private island

(take your ship ID)

These go back and forth every half hour or so.

Coco Cay belongs to Royal Caribbean with beaches, chairs, hammocks.

Take your beach towels from the room with you.

A barbeque lunch is catered from the ship for lunch from 11 to 1 ( free.)

Very small straw market = the only place you need cash



3:30 last tender boat to the ship from the island



5:00 Sailaway



6:15 dinner





Evening Entertainment and shows, casino, bingo





Midnight Put your packed suitcases out in the hall with the colored tags you will have been given. Keep a small case for the clothes and things you will need that night and the next morning.

 

 



MONDAY



8:00 You must exit your cabin by 8 AM. Take your personal effects with you.

Breakfast buffet will be available until about 10.

DISEMBARKATION Wait for your color group to be called. You can wait on the pool deck. You will get off the ship and go to the luggage area to get your own luggage, which you will walk out with. If a customs agent wants to inspect your luggage, you are required to comply. If no one stops you, you can walk out of the building and go to your transportation home.

 

[RUBBER DUCK]

There are plenty of activities so depending on if you are an active or go-go-go vacationer or a relax and be content doing nothing vacationer you should be happy. the daily Compass is a good reference. We like to hi-lite what we want to do, but typically lose it somewhere. Definately try some things that you might not think about-go see the art auction. I'm not into art, but the way they describe stuff is kinda neat. I love just sitting and watching people too. The inside bars often have some sort of trivia or musician and the pools often have some kind of games while at sea.

 

They give you options, you can do what you want with them.

[waterbug123]

Hello from snowy Utah. My wife and I are going on our first cruise, Mariner of the sea, next month. What is a normal day like on board.

 

It can be as busy or as carefree as you wish. On sea days the pool area will be hopping. The pool band will play at various times during the afternoon, alternating with various pool games...volleyball tourney, belly flop contest, hairy leg contest etc. On port days you probably won't see the band til it gets near sailaway time, and likely won't see the various contests, as many folks are on shore.

 

Likewise the fitness center and jogging track will be busier on sea days, especially in the morning hours. Sea days will also bring assorted indoor entertainment ranging from gift shop sales that often spill over into the promenade area, bingo, trivia/Wii/sudoko and other contests, demonstrations like ice carving, napkin folding etc., and dance or gaming lessons. Weather permitting the rock wall is open during the day, and if you like to be active, you can also enjoy miniature golf, basketball, shuffleboard, ping pong, and I think there is inline skating on the Mariner (I know it's on Voyager, not sure if its on all Voyager class ships or not). The casino will also be open on sea days.

 

At night there are various shows in the theaters and lounges...theatrical song and dance shows, comedians, karaoke, love & marriage show, Quest (sort of a scavenger hunt for adults), and ice shows. The casino will be open, piano entertainment in the Schooner bar, the disco will get going around 11p or so, probably a singer with guitar in the pub, Latin band and dancing in Bolero's, and one night will be a big Caribbean themed party on the pool deck. The shops will be open at night as well.

[Jasperdo]

As others have said, how much you do on sea day is entirely up to you. You can be lazy or take part in all kinds of fun activities. Here's a link to the daily Cruise Compasses from my Mariner cruise back in December. It will give you a good idea of what to expect. Have a great cruise. The Mariner is a beautiful ship.

 

[COMBOY]

No such thing as a normal day...but here is one day's activities from RCCL Radiance of the Seas' newsletter.The Mariner will have similar activities. You will get a copy in your stateroom the night prior.

MORNING ACTIVITIES

24 hours Fairways Of Radiance Golf Open Deck 13

24 hours Sabbath Service Sign-Up - Guest Relations Deck 4

6:00 am - 11:00 pm ShipShape Center Open Deck 12

7:00 am Walk-A-Mile - Sky Bar Deck 12

7:30 am Sunrise Stretch - ShipShape Center Deck 12

8:00 am - 8:45 am Wheels In Motion ($10 fee) - ShipShape Center Deck 12

8:00 am - 8:00 pm Beauty Salon Open Deck 11

8:00 am - 8:00 pm Radiance Day Spa Open Deck 11

9:00 am Baggo Tournament (sign-up 8:45 am) - Country Club Deck 12

9:00 am - 9:45 am Shape Up, Step Up - ShipShape Center Deck 12

9:00 am - 1:00 pm Loyalty Ambassador Available Deck 12

9:00 am - 6:00 pm Basketball Court Open Deck 12

9:00 am - 6:00 pm Country Club/Golf Simulator Open Deck 12

9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sports Court Open Deck 12

9:00 am - 11:00 pm Photo Gallery & Camera Shop Open Deck 5

9:00 am - 11:00 pm Shops On Board (Tax & Duty Free) Open Deck 5

10:00 am Intro To Pilates - ShipShape Center Deck 12

10:00 am - sharp! Napkin Folding Class - Colony Club Deck 6

10:00 am - 10:30 am Bad Hair Days No More! - Day Spa Deck 11

10:00 am - noon Explorations! Open (also available on RCTV) Deck 4

10:00 am - noon Rock Climbing Wall Open Deck 13

10:00 am - wee hours Casino Royale Slots Open Deck 6

10:30 am Sit To Be Fit - Colony Club Deck 6

10:30 am - 11:00 am Secrets To A Flat Stomach - ShipShape Center Deck 12

10:45 am - 11:00 am Cash & Casino Bingo, Cards On Sale - Colony Club Deck 6

11:00 am Cash And Casino Bingo, Games Begin - Colony Club Deck 6

11:00 am Couples Massage Workshop - Day Spa Deck 11

 

AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

1:00 pm Belly Flop Competition - Main Pool Deck 11

1:00 pm Adult Basketball Knockout (sign-up 12:45 pm) -

Country Club Deck 12

1:00 pm Slot Tournament - Casino Royale Deck 6

1:00 pm - late Casino Royale Tables Open Deck 6

1:15 pm Diamond & Gemstone Seminar - Hollywood Odyssey Deck 13

1:15 pm - 1:30 pm Horse Racing For Cash - Betting Windows - Poolside Deck 11

1:30 pm Horse Racing & Horse Auction - Poolside Deck 11

2:00 pm Art Preview - Centrum Deck 4

2:00 pm Ancient Art of Reflexology - Hollywood Odyssey Deck 13

2:00 pm Blackjack Tournament - Casino Royale Deck 6

2:00 pm Movie -Bruce Almighty - Scoreboard Cinema Deck 6

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Rock Climbing Wall Open Deck 13

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Loyalty Ambassador Available Deck 12

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm Beginner’s Salsa Dance Class - Colony Club Deck 6

2:30 pm Champagne Art Auction - Centrum Deck 4

3:00 pm Ice Carving Demonstration - Poolside Deck 11

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm Paradise Bingo - Cards on Sale - Colony Club Deck 6

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Hollywood 5 Minute Makeovers - Day Spa Deck 11

3:15 pm Informal Bridge Play - Windjammer Café (Starboard) Deck 11

3:15 pm Paradise Bingo, Games Begin - Colony Club Deck 6

3:30 pm Service Clubs Meeting - Schooner Bar Deck 6

4:00 pm Walk-A-Mile - Sky Bar Deck 12

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm Core Motion ($10 Fee) - ShipShape Center Deck 12

4:15 pm Adventure Family Bingo - Adventure Ocean Deck 12

4:30 pm Trivia Challenge - Hollywood Odyssey Deck 13

5:00 pm Movie - Head Of State - Scoreboard Cinema Deck 6

5:00 pm - 5:45 pm Pathway To Yoga ($10 fee) - ShipShape Center Deck 12

5:30 pm Friends Of Bill W. Meeting - Windjammer Café

(Starboard Side) Deck 11

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Big Band Dance Music - Colony Club Deck 6

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Black & White and Saloon Costume Portraits - Centrum Deck 5

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm Explorations! Open (also available on RCTV) Deck 4

 

EVENING ACTIVITIES

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Roses and Fresh Flowers Available - Centrum Deck 5

7:30 pm Headliner Showtime (pre-dinner) - Second Seating Guests -

Aurora Theatre Decks 5, 6

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Big Band Dance Music - Colony Club Deck 6

7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Port & Shopping Tips - Port & Shopping Desk Deck 5

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Tuxedo Rentals Available - Centrum Deck 5

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Black & White and Saloon Costume Portraits - Centrum Deck 5

8:00 pm Movie - Head Of State - Scoreboard Cinema Deck 6

8:15 pm Singles Mix ‘N Mingle - Centrum Deck 6

8:15 pm - 8:45 pm Country Line Dance Class - Centrum Deck 4

8:45 pm Adventure Ocean Pirate Parade - Aurora Theatre Deck 5

9:00 pm Headliner Showtime – Main Seating Guests -

Aurora Theatre Decks 5, 6

9:45 pm - midnight Basketball Court Open Deck 12

10:00 pm - 11:00 pm Black & White and Saloon Costume Portraits - Centrum Deck 5

10:00 pm - midnight Cigar Aficionados - Sky Bar (weather permitting) Deck 12

10:00 pm - 12:15 am Wild West Dance Party - Colony Club Deck 6

10:00 pm - wee hours Dance The Night Away - Starquest Deck 13

10:45 pm Radiance Quest - Colony Club Deck 6

11:00 pm Movie - Bruce Almighty - Scoreboard Cinema Deck 6

 

MUSIC AND DANCING

Live Bands & DJ’s

Rosario Strings Rosario Strings

5:30 pm – 6:15 pm

Centrum Lobby, Deck 4

Trio Montreal Trio Montreal

7:45 pm – 8:45 pm, 9:45 pm – 12:30 am*

Hot Spices Hot Spices

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm, 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Poolside, Deck 11

Intermissionist Pavel Pletenik

5:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Schooner Bar, Deck 6

Rosario Strings Rosario Strings

6:30 pm – 7:15 pm, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Piano Entertainer David Curtis

9:45 pm – 1:00 am*

Martini Jazz Session Radiance of the Seas Orchestra

10:00 pm – 11:00 pm, 11:30 pm – 12:30 am

Hollywood Odyssey, Deck 13

 

BREAKFAST

7:00 am - 11:00 am Windjammer Café Deck 11

7:30 am - 9:30 am Cascades Dining Room Deck 4

LUNCH

11:00 am - 3:00 pm Windjammer Café Deck 11

Cascades Dining Room Closed for Lunch

DINNER FORMAL

6:00 pm Main Seating, Cascades Dining Room Decks 4, 5

8:30 pm Second Seating, Cascades Dining Room Decks 4, 5

6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Casual Dining, Windjammer Café Deck 11

Please note that bare feet and tank tops are not permitted in these venues at dinner.

SPECIALTY DINING

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Chops Grille, The Best Steak on the High Seas Deck 6

$20 dining fee per person applies, gratuities included

(Reservations recommended, Dial 3340 or use RCTV)

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Portofino, Intimate Italian Dining Deck 6

$20 dining fee per person applies, gratuities included

(Reservations recommended, Dial 3341 or use RCTV)

Dress Suggestion: Smart Casual. Guests 13 years and older are welcome. Please allow approximately

two hours for dining. Cancellation with less than 24 hours notice will be charged a minimum fee of $10.

SNACKS

11:30 am - 6:30 pm Solarium Café Deck 11

noon - 3:00 pm Seaview Café Deck 12

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Afternoon Snacks, Windjammer Café Deck 11

9:00 pm - 2:00 am Seaview Café Deck 12

11:30 pm - 12:30 am Late Night Delights, Various Lounges

[Jerseyboy1]

So what can one expect from a day at sea.

 

You can expect the following:

 

most of the chairs by the pool to be occupied after 10 AM (chair hogs)

 

to be pushed around or butted in front of in the buffet line

 

screaming kids running up and down the halls

 

drunks making fools of themselves.....:)

[sunandsnow]

Spring in Utah - you gotta love it. NOT! You will have a great time on your cruise. RCCL is a great cruise line and your ports are fun. As mentioned, read the compass and mark the things that interest you. On our cruise in March on Liberty of the Seas, I told our 16 yr old sons to try something new and eat something you've never tried before every day. New experiences always make for fun memories. Also, take time and relax - you are on vacation!

[cb at sea]

Think of it as being at a resort....because that's really what it is! The pool and public areas (and casino) are available whenever you feel like it! Eat when you wish, drink when you wish, nap, read, participate in Bingo, shop...whatever! It's really no different than being at a nice resort (other than the rooms being smaller than most hotels!)

[gerif]

We always ask our room steward for two Cruise Compases and bring colored highlighters so we can each highlight the activities we don't want to miss (DH likes to keep a clean copy for the scrapbook). Sometimes we both want to do the same things, sometimes different activities. We usually do this before going to bed the night before.

[Jasperdo]

We always ask our room steward for two Cruise Compases and bring colored highlighters so we can each highlight the activities we don't want to miss (DH likes to keep a clean copy for the scrapbook). Sometimes we both want to do the same things, sometimes different activities. We usually do this before going to bed the night before.

I usually do the same thing, except that I get the second copy of the Compass down at the Guest Relations desk. I like to highlight one and fold it in my pocket. The other copy I keep and bring home.

[Holey]

O.M.G! We are indy in June, do you think their will be the same thigs?

[Jolimont]

After 15 years in Utah I must say southern France's sun was much appreciated today. We're in full spring planting season here, working on a tan already!

 

Cruises are wonderful. There are pools, a spa, food, visits, looking around, shopping, activities. I like to read, walk on deck, take photos, tan, listen to bands, so long as you leave your cabin there's always something to do.

 

Enjoy!