Just back from Mariner, any questions?

[cassidyk]

Hello everyone! My husband and I have just returned from the 7 day eastern caribbean itinerary on Mariner of the Seas. I plan to write a full review but I know it will be a few days before I get a chance. But if anyone has any questions about specifics on the Mariner I will be happy to answer any that I can while everything is fresh in my mind. :-)

[babets]

Welcome back! I am sailing on the Western Caribbean in Dec on the Mariner and can hardly wait. What kind of room did you have? We are staying in an inside stateroom and was wondering about it.

[collegekid]

We're cruising on the Mariner, Western Caribbean. Looking forward to hearing all about your cruise!

[Tromler]

We are leaving for the mariner this sunday, eastern, this is our second time on mariner

 

what room did you have?

[cassidyk]

Babets,

We had an interior room on deck eight (stateroom #8335 to be exact) and I was very pleased with it. This was our first experience with an interior cabin, having had mostly ocean view and one balcony on previous cruises. And while the ocean view is nice I can't say that I missed the window that much. The cabin was small but I was very impressed with how effectively the spaced is used. There is lots of storage including some hidden in the mirrors of both the vanity and the bathroom. In addition having the curved shower doors in the bathroom is a massive improvement over the shower curtains that always seem to stick to you that we have had on previous cruises. I also liked having the couch/sitting area as it gave you somewhere else to sit besides the bed. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the interior cabin and would not hesitate to book one again.

Enjoy your cruise!

[lollyrn]

We will be on the same sailing. Have you joined our rollcall?

[shasha101]

Hello everyone! My husband and I have just returned from the 7 day eastern caribbean itinerary on Mariner of the Seas. I plan to write a full review but I know it will be a few days before I get a chance. But if anyone has any questions about specifics on the Mariner I will be happy to answer any that I can while everything is fresh in my mind. :-)

Well, first Welcome BacK! I what to know how did you get to the Port and what hotel if any can you suggest that I can stay at?

[gadiamondgal]

Welcome Back! Glad you had a wonderful time! I will be on the Mariner Eastern 10/15, and was wondering if you scheduled a sightseeing service in St. Thomas or St. Maarten, or did you just go with shuttles/taxies that were at the pier? How were the casinos? I am so excited about my trip!

[cassidyk]

Shasha101,

We used the transfer service offered by RCI to get to and from the airport to the port. We flew in the morning of our sailing so unfortunately I can't offer any help in the hotel department.

 

Gadiamondgal,

We did shore excursions offered through RCI in both St. Thomas and St. Martin. In St. Thomas we did the Coral World and Coral Sea excursion and I would not recommend it. Part of it was pretty good but overall it was very disappointing. In St. Martin we did the Wonders of St. Marrten tour and that was pretty good. You spend the first part of the tour at the St. Marrten animal park and the remainder touring the island via tour bus. As far as casinos, the only one we visited was the one on board and it was quite nice. It of course got crowded (and a little smokey) at night but it seemed to have plenty to suit a variety of gambling tastes.

[DonnaK]

Well, first Welcome BacK! I what to know how did you get to the Port and what hotel if any can you suggest that I can stay at?

 

We sailed Mariner on August 20, and arrived 2 days pre-cruise, so I hope it's OK if I jump in here to answer this question.

 

We rented a car from Budget at the Orlando airport. It's an easy 45 minute drive on one main highway. I highly recommend the new Residence Inn by Marriott in Port Canaveral - it was immaculate, reasonably priced, all-suites, breakfast included, nice pool/jacuzzi area, friendly service, and free internet access. The only drawback is that it isn't directly on the beach, but it's about 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The staff there directed us to an inexpensive, family-style restaurant called A NY Pizza House on Route 520, which was awesome (the bill for 5 of us was $24 including beverages).

 

On the morning of the cruise, I dropped the family and baggage off at the terminal, and returned the car to Budget in Port Canaveral. They shuttled me back to the ship - it took 20 minutes total.

[mill231]

What kind of rate did you get at the Marriott? I see on their website for next May it's $180 a night. My DH is a Fed. employee and even that rate is that high, which is very unusual.

[wdwhuckster]

hello ,

you said you used the rccl transport.. fly in same day , did you have to go get your luggage or was it tagged and rccl picked it up and brought it to ship?

thank you

[cassidyk]

Wdwhuckster,

You had to claim your luggage from the carousel in baggage claim and then there was a representative waiting to take you and your luggage (still carried by you at this point) down one floor to where the charter bus was waiting. Once you got downstairs you turned over your transfer voucher from your cruise document booklet and were issued a number. They then called for people to board by numbers. Once your number was called you gave your luggage to the driver to load and from that point you did not have to touch your luggage again.

[whitsmom]

Glad to hear that RCI transfers are still a good deal. We are going on our 4th RCI cruise this November and have always used RCI transfers. Even when we book our own air we have used it.

 

Our plane lands in MCO at 9:30 a.m. so I hope we don't have to wait a long time to get the transport full enough to leave for port. How long did you have to wait before the transport leave the airport?

 

whitsmom

[frudutx]

We just booked the week of 12/10 - 12/17 and I'm curious to know whether Mariner has the new bedding yet?

 

Thanks,

 

d

[PH8]

We just booked the week of 12/10 - 12/17 and I'm curious to know whether Mariner has the new bedding yet?

 

Thanks,

 

d

 

No........(we just got off the MA as well)

[cassidyk]

Whitsmom,

We only had to wait about 30 minutes or so once the bus starting loading (and that was just the time it took to get the luggage loaded) and our flight didn't arrive until a little after 11:00 so if you are arriving earlier in the morning I would not expect you to have to wait very long.

[shasha101]

We sailed Mariner on August 20, and arrived 2 days pre-cruise, so I hope it's OK if I jump in here to answer this question.

 

We rented a car from Budget at the Orlando airport. It's an easy 45 minute drive on one main highway. I highly recommend the new Residence Inn by Marriott in Port Canaveral - it was immaculate, reasonably priced, all-suites, breakfast included, nice pool/jacuzzi area, friendly service, and free internet access. The only drawback is that it isn't directly on the beach, but it's about 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The staff there directed us to an inexpensive, family-style restaurant called A NY Pizza House on Route 520, which was awesome (the bill for 5 of us was $24 including beverages).

 

On the morning of the cruise, I dropped the family and baggage off at the terminal, and returned the car to Budget in Port Canaveral. They shuttled me back to the ship - it took 20 minutes total.

Thanks and feel free to jump in anytime; your suggestions were very helpful. I sail in a few days so i need to get on the Ball.

[fishoutofwater]

This is our first RCCL cruise and I was wondering the day you board do you go to the dinning room or the buffet for lunch? They do serve lunch?

 

What else is there to do before you set sail? Pools open or do you just explore the ship?

[PH8]

The Windjammer opens up at noon for lunch(dining room is closed the first afternoon)...........

 

Enjoy the pools!! Bring poolwear and stuff to use and have fun.........shops at closed while in each port........

 

Exploring the ship is always fun too........plus they have tons of acutivites to acquaint you with the ship that first day.......

[cassidyk]

Fishoutofwater,

You go the buffet for lunch on the day you board and yes the pools are open at that time as well. Just be sure to pack your swimsuits in your carry ons so you are not waiting for your luggage.

[SherriZ366]

We sailed Mariner on August 20, and arrived 2 days pre-cruise, so I hope it's OK if I jump in here to answer this question.

 

We rented a car from Budget at the Orlando airport. It's an easy 45 minute drive on one main highway. I highly recommend the new Residence Inn by Marriott in Port Canaveral - it was immaculate, reasonably priced, all-suites, breakfast included, nice pool/jacuzzi area, friendly service, and free internet access. The only drawback is that it isn't directly on the beach, but it's about 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The staff there directed us to an inexpensive, family-style restaurant called A NY Pizza House on Route 520, which was awesome (the bill for 5 of us was $24 including beverages).

 

On the morning of the cruise, I dropped the family and baggage off at the terminal, and returned the car to Budget in Port Canaveral. They shuttled me back to the ship - it took 20 minutes total.

 

We're staying at the Residence Inn in January. Looks nice and have seen some posts about it being nice.

[sandrab]

Cassidyk -

 

We land in MCO at 11.30, a little after you did - what time did you arrive at the port, and what time did you board the ship?

 

Many thanks!

[cassidyk]

Sandrab,

We were at the port, off the bus and in line by 12:55 and were on board in our staterooms by about 1:45. Have fun!

[jarjus]

Cassidyk, How long of a bus ride is it to the Cruise Terminal??? Just wondering so i know to leave myself enough time when i book my airfare. If i arrive in Orlando @ 12:45 would that give us enough time to get to port canaveral cruise terminal?

 

thanks