Just back from the Mariner

[Sacramento Cruiser]

Just arrived back from a week on Mariner. It was a pretty relaxing week with my wife. We have been on several cruises before (Carnival, NCL and RCL).

 

Mariner was nice - by the end of the week was definately nice to get away from the crowds and lines and the "buy buy buy frenzy" though. Think next time we might try a smaller ship or a more premium line.

 

We had a PR stateroom on deck 8 midship - attendent did their job but was rarely seen. Cabin was well maintained. Old school TVs (no flat screens)

 

Food in the MDR was pretty blah for the most part compared to prior cruises but was edible. Service in MDR was great but waiters seemed pretty rushed. Most disgusting thing was the Dulce de leche cheesecake that jiggled. I don't know about you but cheesecake I have had does not usually jiggle. Almost like a jello cheesecake......

 

Windjammer was usually pretty bad.

 

For all you honey stung chicken lovers it was on the room service menu...(and I didn't find it as great as some people have made it out to be - prefer KFC..)

 

Did the mystery dinner. Drank enough wine to make it worthwhile but probably wouldn't fork over the 50 bucks next time.

 

Food at Portfino and Chops was a notch above the MDR but I wouldn't put Chops on par with a good land based chain steakhouse (i.e. Ruths or Mortons) or italian retaurant (i.e. Il Fornaio, etc.).

 

Johnny Rockets wasn't as good as the land based locations - burger was dry and overcooked.

 

Entertainment was about on par with past experience. Couple of comedy shows, couple of production shows - missed the headliners.

 

We went swimming with the dolphins in Cabo and did ATVs on Stone Island for shore excursions (both through the ship). Had lunch at La Palapa and walked around downtown in PV. Both excursions were great. Would recommend doing somekind of excursion in Mazatlan.

 

Casino was pretty tight. Had a bit of luck the last day and was able to recoup some losses.

 

Overall the vacation was about what I had been expecting and given the price we paid it was a great value. The week was fun just don't go into it expecting champagne dreams on a beer budget. If anyone has any question let me know.

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

We had a PR stateroom on deck 8 midship - attendent did their job but was rarely seen. Cabin was well maintained. Old school TVs (no flat screens)

 

Food in the MDR was pretty blah for the most part compared to prior cruises but was edible. Service in MDR was great but waiters seemed pretty rushed. Most disgusting thing was the Dulce de leche cheesecake that jiggled. I don't know about you but cheesecake I have had does not usually jiggle. Almost like a jello cheesecake......

 

Windjammer was usually pretty bad.

 

For all you honey stung chicken lovers it was on the room service menu...(and I didn't find it as great as some people have made it out to be - prefer KFC..)

 

Johnny Rockets wasn't as good as the land based locations - burger was dry and overcooked.

 

So how did you like your PR room on deck 8? Was it loud or noisy? Probably noisy during the parade but how about other "normal" times? Was deck 8 too high for a view? Would deck 7 be better?

 

Was JR ever busy? Would you recommend it even with the cover charge?

 

Did you eat in the MDR every night?

Thanks

[ncb106]

How was the Latin band

[MarkSeattle]

How was the Latin band

 

I was onboard the prior week; the latin band always had a good sized crowd dancing, so I assume everyone liked it, not my thing so I just walked through the area... It was in the lounge just across from the purser's desk.

[Puffinater]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Always good to read different perspectives of the cruise.

[Puffinater]

I was onboard the prior week; the latin band always had a good sized crowd dancing, so I assume everyone liked it, not my thing so I just walked through the area... It was in the lounge just across from the purser's desk.

 

Boleros is on deck 4. Guest Relations desk is on deck 5. The Champagne Bar is opposite Guest Relations.

[LBumb]

how cold were last two days back to la la land.

[MarkSeattle]

Boleros is on deck 4. Guest Relations desk is on deck 5. The Champagne Bar is opposite Guest Relations.

 

Yeah, that's what I meant, lol; I knew it was on deck 4... make it across and down the stairs :)

 

how cold were last two days back to la la land.

 

On the May 3rd return they were very windy and a little cool (up to 70 mph relative winds), less windy on Saturday than Friday; but still not much chance to really use the pool or outdoor areas since there are so few sheltered areas, even the solarium was windy as heck in most spots. Crew I talked with said this was common lately on the return as the return route is further out, cooler water, etc.

[Sacramento Cruiser]

So how did you like your PR room on deck 8? Was it loud or noisy? Probably noisy during the parade but how about other "normal" times? Was deck 8 too high for a view? Would deck 7 be better?

 

Was JR ever busy? Would you recommend it even with the cover charge?

 

Did you eat in the MDR every night?

Thanks

 

Deck 8 was a little high for goo floor views of the promenade. Didn't really notice any noise except during the "parades"

 

We ate at JR in port for lunch during the Mazatlan stop. It was pretty empty then and never noticed it being busy. Don't think I would spring for the cover again given they have hamburgers and hotdogs in the WJ and the quality wasn't great at JR.

 

We ate in Portofino's for the mystery dinner on night 1. Chops on night 2 and 7. MDR every other night.

[Sacramento Cruiser]

How was the Latin band

 

 

They sounded good when passing through to the casino....

[Sacramento Cruiser]

how cold were last two days back to la la land.

 

The last two days were chilly with 50 knot relative winds across the deck. Not a whole lot of people out by the pool the last two days returning.

[gbcruise]

Thank you for the review. What are the seas like from LA concerning sea sickness the first day out?

[Sacramento Cruiser]

Thank you for the review. What are the seas like from LA concerning sea sickness the first day out?

 

The "worst" rocking was on the last day coming back into LA but it wasn't too bad. From what I have heard this seems to be the recurring pattern on this route. First day out wasnt bad at all. Did see lots of people with earpatches on though.

[bonnie&clydecruzers]

Thank you for the review. What are the seas like from LA concerning sea sickness the first day out?

 

The first sea day heading down to Cabo is the best. Its the last sea day you have to worry about. Thats the day the ship will be rockin'.

[DizneyKroozer]

We went swimming with the dolphins in Cabo...

 

OMG you weren't in our group, were you? (Red group, 12 noon). It was a blast, wasn't it?!

 

We were in a PR room on deck 8 as well... we probably passed you about a million times last week.

 

I agree with just about everything you said too. Service was great, food not that impressive, and the wind on the last day was crazy cold.

[Amee]

Thank you for the review. Going June 6th, first cruise