Review - Mariner of the Seas, March 17-24

[CruzieSue]

Just returned from Western Caribbean cruise aboard Mariner. Here is a condensed review (hopefully).

 

Pre-cruise: Stayed at the Staybridge Suites in Webster (about halfway between Houston and Galveston). Very nice hotel, very nice area with lots of restaurants and shopping very close by.

 

Parking: We used Galveston Park-N-Cruise and can highly recommend it. So convenient, just across the street, easy walk. Parked inside a building. We had no problems with damage to our vehicle or anything else.

 

Galveston embarkation: One word ... HORRIBLE.

 

The Mariner: Cruised on Voyager last year and Mariner is almost identical. Very easy to get around. The new interactive displays outside the elevators are very nice and used them several times to chart our path !! The big screen on the pool deck was nice. Nighttime movies are fun but only watched part of one (Skyfall - we had seen it before). The Dog House on the pool deck was a hit with my brother-in-law, I think he tried all of them!! Chops was pretty good - had better, had worse. Took about an hour and a half, a little longer than we care to sit while eating (and that's why we did NOT step foot in the Main Dining Room this time). Giovanni's Table was not that impressive for us and, again, took about 2 hours even though it was a very slow night and more than half the tables were empty. Ordered room service breakfast on the morning we had an early excursion. Not much to talk about - better in the Windjammer. Brother-in-law ordered room service a few times (usually as between meal snacks!!) and said the hamburger was very good. Only show we went to was the Ice Show and it was FABULOUS !!! Very impressed with what they can do in such a small space.

 

This was our 13-year old son's first cruise and he LOVED it. He spent most of his time in The Living Room and the Arcade. Made friends very quickly and had a blast!!!

 

Cozumel: We chose not to do an excursion. Got in line outside the port, took a taxi to San Miguel, walked around and shopped a little (mostly on the main drag, a little bit down a side street and in the plaza/square area which is very nice and quiet). Most of the vendors on the main drag are a bit pushy and insistent but a polite smile and wave and no thanks and keep going was no problem. We ate at Pancho's Backyard. Two of us liked our choices very much. Two of us (pickier eaters) were not impressed. The Strawberry Margarita is FABULOUS !!! :D

 

Cayman Islands: We did the stingray excursion with Moby Dick again and enjoyed it very much. The boat ride is worth the money even if you don't want to get in with the stingrays.

 

Falmouth, Jamaica: We did the Rio Bueno River Tubing with River Rapid Adventures (had to book through RC) and all of us LOVED IT !!! Beautiful scenery, clear and cool water, relaxing float trip with occasional "fun" rapids, beautiful, perfect beach after the tubing. Great people and great guide. Highly recommend this one for any age. :)

 

Disembarkation: We chose self-disembarking and it was extremely chaotic and unorganized. RC really needs to do something about streamlining this process. I think they try to blame it on the port and customs, but the main problem is while you're still on the boat. :(

 

I'll try to answer any questions about something more specific. Overall, we all LOVED our time on the Mariner. Can't wait until we can cruise again. :D

[ARCruisinNana]

Just returned from Western Caribbean cruise aboard Mariner. Here is a condensed review (hopefully).

 

Pre-cruise: Stayed at the Staybridge Suites in Webster (about halfway between Houston and Galveston). Very nice hotel, very nice area with lots of restaurants and shopping very close by.

 

Parking: We used Galveston Park-N-Cruise and can highly recommend it. So convenient, just across the street, easy walk. Parked inside a building. We had no problems with damage to our vehicle or anything else.

 

Galveston embarkation: One word ... HORRIBLE.

 

The Mariner: Cruised on Voyager last year and Mariner is almost identical. Very easy to get around. The new interactive displays outside the elevators are very nice and used them several times to chart our path !! The big screen on the pool deck was nice. Nighttime movies are fun but only watched part of one (Skyfall - we had seen it before). The Dog House on the pool deck was a hit with my brother-in-law, I think he tried all of them!! Chops was pretty good - had better, had worse. Took about an hour and a half, a little longer than we care to sit while eating (and that's why we did NOT step foot in the Main Dining Room this time). Giovanni's Table was not that impressive for us and, again, took about 2 hours even though it was a very slow night and more than half the tables were empty. Ordered room service breakfast on the morning we had an early excursion. Not much to talk about - better in the Windjammer. Brother-in-law ordered room service a few times (usually as between meal snacks!!) and said the hamburger was very good. Only show we went to was the Ice Show and it was FABULOUS !!! Very impressed with what they can do in such a small space.

 

This was our 13-year old son's first cruise and he LOVED it. He spent most of his time in The Living Room and the Arcade. Made friends very quickly and had a blast!!!

 

Cozumel: We chose not to do an excursion. Got in line outside the port, took a taxi to San Miguel, walked around and shopped a little (mostly on the main drag, a little bit down a side street and in the plaza/square area which is very nice and quiet). Most of the vendors on the main drag are a bit pushy and insistent but a polite smile and wave and no thanks and keep going was no problem. We ate at Pancho's Backyard. Two of us liked our choices very much. Two of us (pickier eaters) were not impressed. The Strawberry Margarita is FABULOUS !!! :D

 

Cayman Islands: We did the stingray excursion with Moby Dick again and enjoyed it very much. The boat ride is worth the money even if you don't want to get in with the stingrays.

 

Falmouth, Jamaica: We did the Rio Bueno River Tubing with River Rapid Adventures (had to book through RC) and all of us LOVED IT !!! Beautiful scenery, clear and cool water, relaxing float trip with occasional "fun" rapids, beautiful, perfect beach after the tubing. Great people and great guide. Highly recommend this one for any age. :)

 

Disembarkation: We chose self-disembarking and it was extremely chaotic and unorganized. RC really needs to do something about streamlining this process. I think they try to blame it on the port and customs, but the main problem is while you're still on the boat. :(

 

I'll try to answer any questions about something more specific. Overall, we all LOVED our time on the Mariner. Can't wait until we can cruise again. :D

Thanks for your review. We were also on this cruise and had a great time:D