Mariner of the Seas 5 Night Singapore Cruise

[missskybird]

RCL has the following on the overview for the above cruise:

Please note: This product has been sold almost exclusively to guests from Asia; therefore services and products have been added to accommodate their cultural preferences in terms of food, beverages and entertainment. While English language assistance will be provided, the local language will be the primary language spoken on board. Please check with your local consulate or embassy regarding visa requirements.

 

I am wanting to know from fellow cruisers who have taken cruises in Asia if they have found that Westerners were not really catered to and what problems they encountered, if any. Your feedback would be appreciated.

[Keith1010]

You may want to post this on the RCI Board as well.

 

Keith

[Chelseapop]

Singapore is very much westernised anyway with english being very widely spoken. I would expect a large amount of asian passengers, after all it is sailing out of asia. I for one am looking forward to the wide array of asian foods - after all, isn't that why we go to asia? (apart from the cheap shopping) (We are sailing on the Mariner out of Singapore Feb 14). Royal Caribbean is an international cruise line and is used to catering to all nationalities. Just enjoy whatever happens and go with the flow. It's an adventure - enjoy and relax.:o

[SWANOZ]

If it is orientated towards asians there may be alot of gambling. Many of the short cruises in asia are primarily gambling cruises. Jennifer

[Chelseapop]

I have read that some of the bars are being done away with during the refit to enable the casino to be extended. But we don't gamble so it won't affect us either way. If heaps of people are in the casino all the time makes more room everywhere else on the ship ie pool area etc. It is a very large ship.;)

[JohnPaulla]

Each home port is different and cater to different clients.

Singapore is more "westernised", but expect some "Asianisation"...think of the positives -- you have the pool and the deck to yourselves.

Shangahi will be different, so is Sydney....

Just enjoy...

:)

[timtam2]

Thats why Ive booked 3 cruises on Mariner - to experience something a bit different and I'm looking forward to the Asian food choices :)

[Iluvcruising2]

We have sailed out of Singapore thrice.

 

Twice from Singapore to Shanghai, re-positioning. (Legend of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas)

 

The third was a 7-nighter ex Singapore.

 

Other than Singapore, on Royal, we have sailed out of Sydney, Australia once on the Voyager and once out of Dubai on the Brilliance.

 

If I were to compare the cruises out of Singapore to the cruises we took out of Australia & Dubai, I would say that there were far more similarities compared to differences.

 

Food-wise, in the MDR, it was pretty much the same menu. Windjammer had more Asian choices for the cruises out of Singapore compared to the Dubai and Sydney cruise, but the Western staples are always there.

 

Entertainment-wise, also similar. The Production shows were more or less the same.

 

The key differences would be the passengers you meet on board.

 

Announcements were always in English first, though when you sail out of Asia, there will be a Mandarin version right after.

[Iluvcruising2]

I have read that some of the bars are being done away with during the refit to enable the casino to be extended. But we don't gamble so it won't affect us either way. If heaps of people are in the casino all the time makes more room everywhere else on the ship ie pool area etc. It is a very large ship.;)

 

Westerners may enjoy sailing out of Asia because the bars are emptier and the pool is also more empty especially during the day.

 

The following pictures give you a good idea.

 

More pictures of the pool area during a sea day. These were taken about noon.

 

Notice, it wasn’t crowded at all. And this was a sea day.

 

You could have a row of deck chairs to yourself, if you so desired.

 

Ok, if one row wasn’t enough, you could have two rows.

What are you waiting for? Come, take a cruise out of Singapore!

 

Check out my reviews for some more pics.

[timtam2]

Excellent! No need to worry about finding a lounger in a good position then :)

[Iluvcruising2]

Excellent! No need to worry about finding a lounger in a good position then :)

 

You could sleep across several loungers!

 

It is very interesting to observe, these cultural differences.

 

Happy cruising!

[JimAOk1945]

This cruise sounds wonderful! We have enjoyed two cruises on the Mariner out of Galveston, TX. Maybe we will sail on her again.

Happy cruising everyone. It's a great way to see the world! :)

[keg1990r]

Singapore is very much westernised anyway with english being very widely spoken. I would expect a large amount of asian passengers, after all it is sailing out of asia. I for one am looking forward to the wide array of asian foods - after all, isn't that why we go to asia? (apart from the cheap shopping) (We are sailing on the Mariner out of Singapore Feb 14). Royal Caribbean is an international cruise line and is used to catering to all nationalities. Just enjoy whatever happens and go with the flow. It's an adventure - enjoy and relax.:o

 

We are on the same cruise out of Singapore 7 nites but i am sure its Feb 15 anyway am looking forward to having a great cruise

[Chelseapop]

Sorry Keg 1990r, you are right - it is the 15th Feb. One day I'll find a keyboard that can spell/type correctly. LOL:p

[jason3695]

I'm thinking about going on this cruise on the 15th as well.

 

I'm an American living in Singapore. I've cruised twice from here, once on RCL. The localization of the cruise is barely noticeable. The food is the big difference but there is still a vast western selection. To me it hardly seemed less of a selection then cruises in the west actually.

 

I would highly recommend cruising out of Singapore. It's a great city to see and the new state of the art cruise terminal is right in the middle of the action. You should totally do this. Hope to see you on board!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using the Cruise Critic Forums App

[keg1990r]

If you do decide to go on the cruise Jason don't forget to register for the meet & mingle its a great way to catch up with fellow cruise critic members