How I Spent 2/26 Week Sailing the Mariner

[WaldosPepper]

Coka, as usual you've got me howling with laughter! :D I'm glad you popped over to give us a heads up that you've got a review underway! As I recently returned from a fabulous journey aboard the Dawn, I'm nearly as envious as I usually am while reading one of your reports! :p So glad you and DBarry had an obviously fabulous time, which is precisely what we all expect of you. ;) Thanks for inviting us over here to be regaled in your usual fine fashion.

 

Glad you got out of ice fishing! Ours is too thin now, so yours can't be too far behind - which is great news for you! Can't wait to read the remainder of your voyage.

[NoVa Mimi]

Coka, your review is great! Sounds like you and Dbarry had a blast, we're all enjoying your antics and your writing skill a lot. Keep the laughs coming, can't wait to read more!

[weRready2go]

I had been holding off booking the Canopy Tour. Was not sure if I really wanted to do it. It is my 17 yo DD who came up with that one. After reading your review I decided that if you could do it, so could I. Still not sure that I want to do it, but I am booked.:eek:

 

My question is - we are scheduled to start tour at 10:30. It goes for 4 1/2 hours. Thinking I might get hungry sometime in there. Is there somewhere that we can leave snacks (bus maybe) to eat at the end of the trip or should I say fall?

[cathykb]

This is the most entertaining review I have ever read!!! Coka, you are fantastic!!

 

Thanks,

 

Cathy

[Honeymooner3310]

E-mail sent!

[Yvonne]

Great review! I'm really enjoying reading it, so looking forward to your last installments.

 

DH and I were on the 1/15 sailing of the Mariner, with his two sisters and their husbands, and out of our 5 cruises, this one was the best all the way around.

 

We, too, did the Original Canopy Tour in Jamaica and LOVED it! I am NOT a very adventurous person and I was really nervous at first, but after getting through the first zip I was fine and really enjoyed it. I did know about the "straight down" zip though, as I had asked questions about the excursion here before our cruise so I was prepared for it. It wasn't bad at all, since they control how fast you go down and it really wasn't that long of a zip either. I would do it again in a heartbeat. You mentioned using land rovers going up the mountain road, we had a BUS and it was an adventure just getting up the mountain! I have NO IDEA what would have happened had we met another vehicle!! It was an AWESOME excursion though, and we ended the day with a late lunch and a couple rounds of Margaritas at Margaritaville, it was the BEST cruise day we'd ever had!!

 

You mentioned they handed out maps before going to Labadee, nobody was handing them out when we went. :( Would have been nice to have one.

[dbarry]

I had been holding off booking the Canopy Tour. Was not sure if I really wanted to do it. It is my 17 yo DD who came up with that one. After reading your review I decided that if you could do it, so could I. Still not sure that I want to do it, but I am booked.:eek:

 

My question is - we are scheduled to start tour at 10:30. It goes for 4 1/2 hours. Thinking I might get hungry sometime in there. Is there somewhere that we can leave snacks (bus maybe) to eat at the end of the trip or should I say fall?

 

This tour was absolutely my favorite one to date! I am still having trouble believing that when someone told me to "step off" a 25 foot platform, I did! Ocho Rios was our third day of the cruise, I had become quite used to eating (and eating lots) by this time. Funny thing after the somewhat tiring walk down the trail to the first platform and then that first "leap of faith" I was not even aware of the fact that humans needed to eat! We carried a small backpack that we left with the tour people and it was there waiting on us after getting back to the truck. So, yes you can take a snack or two. I would just make them something small. Some have suggested bringing a camera and I did, but I only used it before and after the tour. They take about 7 pictures of each "zipper". They transfer them onto a CD. Very good quality and for the fourteen pictures of us and another 50 pictures of Jamaica's landscape, flowers, and animal life the charge for the CD was $25.00. Just a reminder, don't forget to tip these guides! We did, about $20 for the both of us. Have a great time. Of all the tours I have ever done this is one that I would definitely do again. I can't say that about some of the other fabulous tours I've done. Loved climbing the falls at Dunn's River and swimming with the Stingrays in Grand Cayman, but unless I was traveling with someone who had never been to these places before I would be looking for something else to do while visiting these places.

 

Darlene

[weRready2go]

Dbarry, thanks for the information. I have never been to Ocho Rios or Labadee so I was looking for something EXCITING. Sounds like I did ok. I was afraid that my body would get used to eating often and I would be hungry. I will just wait and eat when we get done. Again thanks.

[willydoit]

coka and dbarry,,,thanks so much for taking the time to put this review together.

 

Sounds like you 2 had a ball together on this cruise. Are you already planning your next one??:rolleyes:

[abbypa]

thanks so much for compasses they are great

[marinerminglers]

I didn't get the menus - but I have the Compass'. I am trying to upload both pictures and the Compass' on webshots. I thought I knew computers. There must be an easier way! It may take a while but I will keep working at it. Here are the Compass' (I think!)

 

Darlene

 

This thread has been great. Love the stories. I have been searching for a copy of the compass. I just have one question. Maybe I don't know what I am doing but I cant seem to enlarge it enought to read it on the screen. Any suggestions?

We are going on our first cruise in april and are doing the zip line in Jamaica. Oh my gosh I had no idea it would be so scary but that just makes me more excited to try.:o

[andyg]

in webshots

 

click on the icon of the one you want to look at

 

click on view full size on the bottom

 

this will open the picture again

 

click the picture and it will open to the full screen image

 

Andy

[ChoosinCruisin]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

 

You mentioned the small "gifts" you gave your servers midweek. Can you elaborate on what they were? We generally give something small from our home state, but wondered if there was something slightly more useful that may be appreciated.

 

Smooth Sailings All.

[Bandit236]

Thanks for a wonderful review. Dbarry I pulled your Compass up on the Webshot site, however, I can't seem to copy it. Is there something I'm doing wrong? or are they just made for viewing and not to be copied? Thanks for your help.

[dbarry]

Thanks for a wonderful review. Dbarry I pulled your Compass up on the Webshot site, however, I can't seem to copy it. Is there something I'm doing wrong? or are they just made for viewing and not to be copied? Thanks for your help.

 

Bandit - I am so very new to this web stuff- it may not be you, it may be me. In any case, I can't remember ever being able to copy the compass myself. But I usually just save the web page in my "favorites" folder and just read them on the computer. I also make notes on paper while I read. You wouldn't believe how many pieces of paper I have all over my desk as the cruise gets closer!:D

[dbarry]

On post #20 I entered the incorrect link, someday I may figure out how to do all of the good stuff you can do here! I was able to correct the mistake but unable to remove the "first" (incorrect) link. I think if someone clicks on the incorrect link they may connect to my personal web shots page and be unable to do anything. The highlighted link below is correct. I've posted a thread on how to correct this and I may contact the moderators with this problem. In the meantime, I will repost the correct link and I will use really big colorful letters to show the correct link. Please understand that I'm not yelling!

 

The correct link to my pictures on webshots is HERE.

 

 

 

 

Okay let's try this again Here are my Compass' Let me know if this works. If it doesn't, I'm done trying to figure out how it works for tonight.

 

Darlene

 

 

I think that it is working. I can always email them to you if you want them. Email me and I'll send them along.

 

 

[bbpark]

Read your post on the zip line excursion. You should be a professional write if you're not already ...

 

How strenuous is that excursion? How do you stop when you're at the end of one zip line? Is there much wear & tear on the body when you're starting & stopping? What if someone's not in the greatest of health? A Jamaican guy stops you manually on one of them? How the heck does that work? How fast are you really going when you slam into him?

 

Thanks for your great tips.

[jenny368]

Awesome review gals! We are going on the Mariner 4/16/06 to the Eastern Caribbean. I have really enjoyed reading your review so far. I will check back to see if you have finished it. :D

[coka]

bbpark, the only strenuous part of the zip-line is the walk to the first canopy. We walked down a steep slippery path with wooden planks for stairs. They did have a wooden railing. They billed the fastest zip at 25-30 mph which was the last one. Observations led me to believe you travel about 15 mph. The employees really do all the work. They set your equipment up for each zipline. Someone is there to catch you and to assist you. Another group was behind us when they were working fast to get us ahead...hence the one "hurried" zip. They holler or whistle to each other when they are ready for the next tourist to zip. The elderly couple in front of us did not free-fall. They did something to the rope that enabled them to gently go straight down. The guy at the bottom does some type of pulley maneuver to do this as well as to make you stop in mid-air. My eyes were closed so I did not see exactly how he did it. In my opinion, I do not think that someone who is not in the greatest of health should do it. Look at the level of "strenous activity" that they place on the RCCL tour brochure and use that as your guide. Lastly, you can place your gloved hand on the line in order to go slower. I never did that because they mentioned if you go too slow, then you might end up stuck in the middle hanging. Then you have to use your hands to guide you in.

 

DAY 5: Evening

 

Once back on ship Dbarry showed me two ice show tickets she picked up a few days earlier, hoping that I would change my mind about the ice show. Well, I could not disappoint her so we changed up for the 5:00pm performance. I remembered the comfortable seats and I supposed my afternoon nap could take place there! Every seat in Studio B is a good seat. Upon arrival, I was fortunate the temperature was not freezing. Surprisingly, you do not need a jacket, sweater or long pants to observe (you do need long pants to skate though).

 

I yawned as the show started and was settled back in my seat. Within two minutes I was sitting straighter. During the next five minutes I was smiling. Soon thereafter I was literally on the edge of my seat "ooohing and ahhhhing!" I could not breath as each skater amazingly performed their double loops, triple loops and other stunts. Their costumes were fascinating. The music was fantastic. The storyline (Ice Under The Big Top) captivated me the entire duration. I applauded! Watching an ice show live is WAY better than watching it on television. You can truly see and feel the power of the male skaters and the elegance of the female ones. I felt like I was twelve again and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much. At one point I kind of wished I had my own kid to be selected out on the ice and placed on the choo-choo train. Special ice skaters George and Anna dumbfounded me with their amazing magic and immediate costume changes. How wrong was I to not want to go? Was I the only one feeling like this was the greatest thing ever done on a cruise ship? I looked around and studied the audience's faces. Everyone had the same look on theirs and I knew the answer. Everyone from age four to ninety-four were enjoying the show. So, if you make it to one event and one event only on the Mariner, then I suggest making it to the Ice Show!

 

This evening was the second formal night. We dressed up and had more formal pictures taken. After dinner we attended "Pure Energy" starring the Royal Caribbean Singers and dancers. If you are to miss one show and miss one show only on the Mariner, then this is the show to miss! I like singing and dancing and they were okay. Nobody walked out. Even so, I am spoiled by Norwegian's Jean Ann Ryan productions and no cruiseline can top them yet in that area.

 

After the show we were in the Wig and Gavel to hear Jimmy Blakemore sing and play guitar to a full crowd. The crowd was loving him. He told stories and interacted with them as he sang. The audience joined in. We left to go to karaoke because one of our Dragon's Lair Diehard Sisters was going to sing. We had to make it through a few karaoke songs before she performed. We thought she was excellent! Kudos to her! We did not stay long after her performance because Dbarry and I have never quite figured out the karaoke attraction. I left vowing that I was going to learn the words to "These Boots Are Made For Walking" so that I could perform it on my next cruise. Nancy Sinatra could not sing and neither can I. If a crowd goes crazy over bad singing, then I should be a hit!

 

By this time the midnight Gala buffet was already taking place. We were not hungry and missed the photo session that you can attend prior to passengers digging in! I suspect the setting was pretty and I am confident the food was excellent.

 

Instead, we went to the Dragon's Lair for late-night dancing. When it seemed like the crowd dissipated, I was afraid they were going to close early again. Not tired, I ran back to my cabin and picked out some trance/techno CD's I brought with me. I went into the DJ booth and assured him that if he played particular songs I selected, that Dbarry and I could get people back out onto the dance floor. We did not disappoint him for the diehards ended up getting more passengers out there. We took on the role of cruise staff and everyone got into a circle as each individual went into the center to "do their wild thing." The pumped up music made people dance more which made people drink more which made the bar manager more happy which made him keep the disco open more! It worked for about another hour until the songs ran out. The young diehards thought Dbarry and I were real cool for keeping it going and getting DJ to play longer. Well, they will find out someday when they are middle-aged too that coolness has nothing to do with it. Cold hard cash does!

 

The disco closed and the diehards were still pumped up. Looked like this was going to be the one night where everyone was going to stay up until the morning. Cozumel was the next stop and we were just beaching it with no set time to be anywhere. Since we were staying up to watch the sun rise, then I suggested we all go to the top deck and play a few rounds of miniature golf that was open 24 hours. The drinkers ordered some beer from the casino and we all headed to the elevators. Dbarry usually plays blackjack on her cruises but it was hard to "get a seat" at the tables during the times she wanted to go. We noticed it was easier to get a seat there at 3:15am.

 

We never made it to our dawn miniature golf game. Thunder, lightning bolts and rain falling sideways put a damper on our plans. Actually, holding a metal club in the middle of a sea storm had more to do with canceling our tournament! We left the group when we suddenly remembered leaving our balcony door open (to let in all that fresh hot salty sea air)! Dbarry mentioned all week in ports that "we were on the wrong side." Upon returning to our cabin, we discovered that finally, we were on right side this time!

 

Coka

[dbarry]

Just posted some pictures from Labadee, click HERE

 

 

Darlene

[coka]

Friday was Cozumel day and we had breakfast in the dining room for the first time. I was ready for some egg's benedict! We sat on the first level and we enjoyed our tablemates.

 

We had to tender. Do not be alarmed by this. One could literally jump over the balcony and swim to shore. The Mariner was so close to what once used to be the pier that tendering was no bother. This was my first time at International Pier and I found most everything there that could be found downtown. I was somewhat impressed and pleasantly surprised by this. They negotiate at international pier just like they do downtown!

 

A van ride to Paradise Beach was 5 dollars per person. We saw the topless and broken trees along the way. Chankanub park was no longer there. Memories of my last October cruise on the Norwegian Sun came back as we were the last ship to leave hours before Hurricane Wilma pummeled Cozumel for days. Mother nature can be such a witch! Even so, Cozumel is back in business.

 

We stayed at Paradise Beach from 11:30-3:30pm. No fee to enter but eight dollars can get you a lounge chair, table and umbrella. Included in the fee you may use their kayaks, snorkel equipment and other stuff. Dbarry and I used the other stuff. We went out on the floating mats to work on our tan. We paddled out to the giant floating-climbing-iceburg-thing. Woo-Hoo! I conquered the iceburg! I almost got injured by falling climbers above me but I hung on! Reach by reach; step by step; stretch, grab and cling, I made it to the top! The only way down from the top is to jump or slide off into the water. I did a bit of both. Muscles I never knew I had before still ache as I type this review.

 

We then conquered the water tramboline. Someone had to show the youngsters that you alternate jumps in order to fly higher in the air. People jumped off the tramboline into the water when done. So I jumped off too when I was done. SMASH! My foot hit something in the water and I was afraid to look. I thanked God it was not my head that smashed into whatever because I could feel the saltwater burning it.

 

Why did I not find out the water depth? Hmmm, I have a scar on my back and a chipped tooth due to former water fun injuries. I should have remembered. I paddled over to some workers in a kayak and told them I hit something. They told me no coral and no cement blocks were by the tramboline. I wanted to shout and "remind" them that a freaking hurricane tore up their landscape not too long ago. Possibly a chunk of "something" is near the water tramboline??!!

 

Instead of being rude (while not knowing what my foot looked like), I pouted and finally held up my foot to them and said, "something did this...you may want to check what is out there." The surprise on their faces startled me when I showed them my foot. Then I looked down. I had a layer of skin missing on my toe and on the side of my foot. Blood arrived as the hot humid salty air hit it. They said, "You may want to check that out with First Aid at the Bar." I inquired, "What do they do...Pour tequila on it?"

 

As I slowly paddled in, I should have been more worried about being shark bait. Instead, I was more worried wondering how I was going to dance in my fancy shoes the last two nights onboard. On shore, there really was a first aid kit complete with cutie to bandage me up. Overall, the employees were very good to Dbarry and me. We spent the rest of Paradise Beach lounging in the sun. Dbarry ordered lunch and we had cocktails. Did I mention they come to your chair to take your orders? They also have a tiny shop to buy sandals, t-shirts and lotion. They did not have any "I Survived the Water Tramboline At Paradise Beach" t-shirts but I did buy one with a nice logo. Nice bathrooms, showers and huge bar area complete the package.

 

Overall, Paradise Beach is excellent. It is an extension of other beaches but more private and smaller. The eight dollars covered a lot. If you go to Playa Mia (or is del sol?), you can pay more for cab ride, more to get in and no umbrellas. I will be back in Cozumel in April and I will definitely go back. A little piece of me is still there!

 

Coka

[beachlady58]

Coka-

This is one of the best reviews that I have ever read - you all had a blast! I usually travel with family but I am thinking that I need a girls only excape cruise! You should write a book! I was just on your same route on the Radiance and I can re-live my cruise through your review! Thanks!:D

[Gisele]

Excellent review Coka and Darlene. I will be doing a b2b cruise at Easter time on the Mariner. I will not be as brave as both of you and do the kip line in Jamaica. Since I already have problems with both shoulders (had one operated on), I think I will skip this one.

 

How could you stay up so late at night after a full day of activities? By 12 pm, I cannot keep my eyes opened.

 

 

Gisele

[coka]

We do not drink and dancing re-energizes us!

Coka

[hygienist]

This is absolutely the BEST reveiw EVER!!!! I had to re-group after reading about the Zip Line tour. I needed tissue to wipe away the tears from all the laughing you caused! I was actually ROFLMAO!!! I felt like I was there with both of you!! Can I book with you on your next cruise???

I have been to Jamaica before and SWORE I would not go back, BUT you just changed my mind!!!

Cheers! I feel like I just had a vacation! Thanks I needed that!

Melinda