Musings on Mariner - A slow boat from China

[John&LaLa]

All for tonight, we closed down the Dragons Lair for the last public party before demo.

 

 

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[island lady]

Most importantly, who is taking care of Bella?

 

I think it's his son, as usual second home for sweet Bella when they cruise.

[John&LaLa]

His son, as usual second home for sweet Bella when they cruise.

Nope, neighbors. Greg moved back to Atlanta. Wanna buy a house on Merritt island?

 

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[island lady]

Nope, neighbors. Greg moved back to Atlanta. Wanna buy a house on Merritt island?

 

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LOL...I just sold the big house on the water I owned there for 20 years....yikes..no thanks! Don't miss the upkeep and work! :eek:

 

So good to hear you are finally enjoying yourselves after the transfer from hell you experienced. Hopefully all goes well from here and NO PIRATES!!

 

Love the photos...looked like a great time you had indeed! :cool:;p

[Snit13]

John, so glad you didn't fly to arrive day of cruise as so many do. DH was in aviation so we have had the pleasure of experiencing some of the issues you described. Some issues as passengers and others as the maintenance manager who had to get the plane fixed. Happy you are taking the ups and downs in stride. As with many I will be following you and Laura as you see the world.

 

Grace

[maryann2]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review, so sorry to hear about your flight problems.

I am flying to Singapore next March United - 17 hour flight from San Francisco.

 

I went through the Suez Canal last month (Costa neoRiviera). It was the first time for me and booked on the Costa Fortuna next March. Not loyal to Royal LOL.

 

I think I was on the Rhapsody TA with you.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

If that delay would have been with an European airline.... you would have gotten 1200 Euros plus hotel and meals(y) ;p

[Milwaukee Eight]

If that delay would have been with an European airline.... you would have gotten 1200 Euros plus hotel and meals(y) ;p

 

 

 

You mean if you were European on a European airline or anyone?

 

 

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[Thorben-Hendrik]

Anyone... regulation EC261

The EU does not discriminate!

It's customers first in the EU! ;p:D

Edited April 17, 2018 by Thorben-Hendrik

[Milwaukee Eight]

Anyone... regulation EC261

 

The EU does not discriminate!

 

It's customers first in the EU! ;p:D

 

 

 

Somehow someone is paying for this

 

 

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[A&L_Ont]

John, I forgot to mention earlier that I didn’t find the donut that you hid at Barefoot Beach the day before we got there. Good job.;):')

[Milwaukee Eight]

John, I forgot to mention earlier that I didn’t find the donut that you hid at Barefoot Beach the day before we got there. Good job.;):')

 

 

 

We didn’t find it either...

 

 

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[joand452]

Sorry your trip started so rough, but I’m looking forward to more.

 

Mariner was our first Royal cruise, and will always have a spot in my heart. Is she coming back to the East Coast?

 

 

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[SherriZ366]

Keep the great review going John. Looks like you and Laura are having a great time.

[xpcdoojk]

Sorry you missed MBS, glad you made it to the cruise.

 

JC

[Thorben-Hendrik]

Somehow someone is paying for this

 

 

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If you are on time fine - else you get $$$ - thats a good deal!

Good reason to avoid US airlines whenever you can!

You are not really paying for that - the corperations are just better organized as they have to focus on their performance and their cutomers and not so much on the CEO benefits!;p

[John&LaLa]

One last post on our trip to the Mariner.

 

Our cab ride from airport to the terminal was fairly easy. Just over 20 SGD. We actually arrived outside the terminal at the $15 mark on the meter. The terminal was overwhelmed with the Ovarian of the Seas being there, so it took a while to get to drop off point. Anyway we gave the cabbie 30 SGD and he seemed happy.

 

Once in terminal no priority for suites or Pinnacles through security, so we waited with everyone else. We were about an hour late for our 11:30 sign in, but it did not matter. Once through security, there was a shorter line for gold card passengers.

 

We also uploaded our photo during online check in, but they took our picture anyway. Not sure what was up with that. Once we had Seapass we boarded ship, then waited in line to drop off passports.

 

Finally on the ship. [emoji16]

 

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[John&LaLa]

First off I'd like to clarify something. The Mariner is in very good shape for a 15 year old ship. It doesn't reek of cigarettes, the cabins are not trashed, there are not roving groups of Chinese spitting all over the place, etc..

 

In fact, I only think we have around 100 Chinese passengers and they seem quite friendly.

 

Here are the numbers from the top tier event.

 

1987 C&A members

Gold 438

Platinum 283

Emerald 176

Diamond 422

Diamond + 422

Pinnacle 110

 

That makes 1,070 passengers eligible for the evening cocktail hour. [emoji33]

 

The following letter explains how they solved that problem.

 

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[John&LaLa]

We received this letter on day 2, not sure why it wasn't in the cabin on day 1

 

 

Tons of overflow space, 4 drinks instead of 3, and one free speciality coffee.

 

Downside for some is no D+ in the CL.

 

Overall a good solution in my book

 

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Edited April 18, 2018 by John&LaLa

[Clarea]

We received this letter on day 2, not sure why it wasn't in the cabin on day 1

 

Tons of overflow space, 4 drinks instead of 3, and one free speciality coffee.

 

Downside for some is no D+ in the CL.

 

Overall a good solution in my book

What about the DL/CL evening snacks John, just in the actual lounges, or in the overflow areas too?

[John&LaLa]

What about the DL/CL evening snacks John, just in the actual lounges, or in the overflow areas too?

Snacks in lounges, Ellington's, and both card rooms. Not sure about Schooner or Boleros, planning on going down to deck 4 tonight

 

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[John&LaLa]

Some signs around the ship.

 

 

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Edited April 18, 2018 by John&LaLa

[Thorben-Hendrik]

 

That makes 1,070 passengers eligible for the evening cocktail hour. [emoji33]

 

 

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Thats easy....I am quite sure there were about 3000 eligable on the Harmony TA....:D

 

WOW they are stingy with the coffee mneu - it was 1 free coffee any size or shape on the last TA - only exeption was liquor.

Now the exclude syrups...thats what I call REALY cheap!:eek:

Edited April 18, 2018 by Thorben-Hendrik

[Clarea]

Snacks in lounges, Ellington's, and both card rooms. Not sure about Schooner or Boleros, planning on going down to deck 4 tonight

So the entire VIking Crown is also an overflow?

[John&LaLa]

So the entire VIking Crown is also an overflow?

Yep, in Boleros now. No food, but Bud Light is available.

 

4:35, Not crowded at all.

 

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