Mariner Of The Seas question

[belle19]

thinking of making this cruise, we have done Sovereign a couple of times and port caniveral is an easy drive. any how have any of you done the eastern and western cruise? pros and cons of both? don't know much about Mariner but what i find on RCCL looks really nice.

[FrancescaH]

We live in the Orlando 'burbs so it's convenient for us too. The Sovereign was our first cruise and we went on to try the Voyager out of Miami and have done the Mariner twice and are cruising on her again in 6 weeks. Have you tried a Voyager class ship yet? It's a whole other feel and we prefer it. The ports the Mariner hits are pretty and the ship is huge therefore loaded with things to do. We've done both eastern and western.

[jerick]

Mariner of the Seas is a GREAT ship! We've done both Eastern and Western. Pros and cons are hard to define, because they are different for everyone. I like both itineraries.

 

Note that I will use the word "GENERALLY". I'm just giving my impressions of the differences between the itineraries in general. There are exceptions to all of these.

 

You are more likely to dock in Eastern ports. You are more likely to be tendered in Western. Western ports, with some exceptions, are generally less prosperous. Many Western ports of Mexico and Central American countries. Many Eastern ports are associated with the U.S. or European countries.

 

Snorkling and scuba diving are generally better in Western ports. If you want a beautiful beach experience, you will probably do better in Eastern ports.

 

YMMV.

[RM]

Love the Mariner as well as the Sovereign. As far as ports go I find eastern great for beaches but western for water activities. I love St. Martin and Cozumel so either is fine with me.

[Beachcruzer]

If you enjoyed the Sovereign, you should absolutely LOVE the Mariner. When we went on the Sovereign years ago, we had a good cruise but thought the ship was old and worn out. We went on the Mariner this summer and absolutely loved it. We went on the Western and enjoyed all the ports. We will definitely be going back on the Mariner!

[JTJ]

Eastern is a rougher ride, 2 1/2 ports, two sea days in a row (more ops to lose $ in casino), less crowded, great snorkeling/diving, no hurricane damage above & below waterline, & cheap liquer. Western has 3 1/2 ports, very crowded (especially GC & Coz), lots of hurricane damage in GC & Coz, OR & Coz have badgering venders & lots of drug offers. I like them both but prefer the Western because of the Labadee stop to buy tin shingle artwork and ORs to buy hardwood carvings. BTW: you can see the Eastern ports + the Southern ports if you fly to SJ and start from there avoiding the rough ride down.