Mariner, Easten or Westen?

[jamessa]

I am looking at booking the Mariner next Oct and I am wondering if people have a suggestion as to which cruise I should book.

 

Eastern Ports of Call: Port Canaveral, Florida; Cococay, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Canaveral, Fl

 

Western Ports of Call: Port Canaveral, Florida; Labadee, Haiti; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Port Canaveral, Florida

 

I have only been to Coco Cay out of those. The Eastern is cheaper and has one less port of call.

 

Thanks

[lv2bcruzin]

We actually booked the Mariner for Oct. 14 '07 which is the eastern itinerary, while on our cruise last week. We just did a port intensive cruise, only 1 day at sea, so we are actually looking forward to more days at sea. We did the Explorer with 2 days at sea and wasn't able to experience the entire ship.

 

Grand Cayman, Cozumel, St. Thomas and St. Maarten are some of my favorite islands, so for me it would come down to price and how many days at sea I want.

[Christy1120]

I am going on the Western in Feb. Same ship and everything. I can tell you how it is!!! St. Maartin is an awesome island. Great shopping and great prices. I would love to go there again.

[dirtgirl]

I've done both Eastern and Western on the Mariner. The Eastern was more relaxing - that extra sea day makes a difference. On the other hand, the Western was more exciting (or we picked more exciting things to do, lol). You will have a great time on either!

[jules815]

We did the eastern on Mariner this past June and loved it. The 3 days at sea were nice. This June we're doing Mariner again, but going on the western route with only 2 sea days. It will only be our second cruise, so we wanted to try the different itinerary. Whatever you decide, enjoy your cruise!

[daveky]

I think it's a personal preference on which you choose, eastern, western and of course southern. I break them down into those categories. Everyone has a personal favorite based on what they like to do. My favorite is western because I like those islands. Western seems to be more beach oriented than eastern where eastern can me more shopping (even though offers both beach and good shoping). Will actually be doing the eastern on the Mariner in May 2007 and did the western this year on the same ship. I like to mix it up. Been on all of the different routes many many times. You will really like Labadee. Very relexaing, just like Cococay (except for the snorkeling, not as good). I think everyone should try each route at least once to get their own opinion, then you will gravitate to a particular route as you cruise more and more.

 

Dave

[jules815]

Wow Dave! You've been on a lot of cruises!! I see you're going to sail on Mariner a second time too. :)

 

I'm really looking forward to trying the Western itinerary; we've never been to any of the ports. I've already been looking at a southern itinerary for the future, and there's also a 10 day, exotic Caribbean that looks pretty nice too.

[jamessa]

How do you like the Mariner?

[jules815]

Our family loved the Mariner. It was our first cruise, so really don't have anything to compare it to, but we thought the ship was beautiful, clean and in very good condition. (She's the newest Voyager class ship.) Mariner will be going into dry dock in April and at that time will get all the new bedding. Just in time for our next cruise.

 

Because we had such a great time, we decided to do it again with a different itinerary. Also, the location of Port Canaveral makes it easy for us to tie in a few days visit with my parents in Port Orange.

 

The Voyager class ship worked well for our family; we have two teenagers, and there was a lot for all of us to do. We were never bored, but it's not so big that we felt overwhelmed either. I'm looking forward to trying a Radience class ship sometime in the future as well.

[lauren0309]

My first choice would be Southern even though its not one of your choices. My next choice would be Eastern. We werent too impressed with Western.

[daveky]

My first choice would be Southern even though its not one of your choices. My next choice would be Eastern. We werent too impressed with Western.

 

Actually, for ports of call, my favorite is southern. I guess I should have elaborated. RCCL in the summer only sails on s outhern route from San Juan from Sunday to Sunday. Due to time constraints, I just about have to be back in the office on Monday morning. With the long flight back from San Juan on Sunday and a 3 hour drive home from the airport (live a long way from any major airport), I get home late and as I get older, it's a killer to get to work the next morning.

So, I usually do the southern about 1 every 3 years and sail eastern and western usually Saturday to Saturday to give me Sunday back home to recuperate. Not as young as I use to be (lol).

With they would do a Saturday to Saturday southern, but I guess RCCL has to have that extra day on Saturday to make sure all flights make it in, especially from west coast.

 

Dave

[cruisinchick1]

Eastern is so much nicer than Westen Carib. You will love St. Maarten, and the people there are awesome, much nicer than anywhere in the Western Carib. Prices ares much better on shopping by far in the Eastern vs. western Carib.

St. thomas, go to Sapphire Beach if you want quiet or Magen's Bay if you don't mind a busy beach, it is paradise !!!! Beaches are much nicer than anywhere in the Western Carib.

We have been on 74 cruises and have done our fair share in both areas, we much prefer the Eastern.

Enjoy!

[piercetc4]

it depends on what you like to do in port- do you shop, take excursions, tour the island , snorkel, dive, boat, jet skii, hang at the beach and relax-

 

we have done eastern and western several times- been each way on mariner- we prefer eastern - doc 2 times and tender once - love the extra sea days and love the beaches in st thomas and especially st maarten so that is our fav based on what we like to do- we also like cozumel but the rest of the islands on western we could take or leave-

come check out our roll call for oct 14 2007 eastern- we have several visiting there already!

[jamessa]

Well here is what I can tell you. The people going with us are mostly older. Me and my wife are the youngest at 31 and 32. There will be one 9 year old too. We are taking both of our parents and possibly her grandmother. I might also have an aunt going. Thier ages range from 50 - 80. I don't think they would care too much about beaches and shopping might be for them. They are really going to be into the ship as this is a first cruise for all of them. We just got off the Sovereign and loved it. I did not care for the Ports of call, but the ship was wonderfull. Coco cay was nice, but we live 10 min. from Pensacola beach so the beach thing is nothing new to us.

[srqace]

We would book the Eastern itinerary because there are 3 sea days. We would prefer no ports at all, just days at sea. We rarely even get off the ship in port though I get off in St Thomas and go to the liquor store in Havensight mMall and buy some good single malt scotch to bring home since it is so much less expensive there.

[jamessa]

We would book the Eastern itinerary because there are 3 sea days. We would prefer no ports at all, just days at sea. We rarely even get off the ship in port though I get off in St Thomas and go to the liquor store in Havensight mMall and buy some good single malt scotch to bring home since it is so much less expensive there.

 

Ill keep that in mind, What type of scotch do you drink?

[srqace]

Here at home it is Johnny Walker Red. The price for single malt is out of my range here.

In St Thomas I pick from the Single Malts that are in stock, no one particular brand. Big time savings over prices here in Florida.

The Mariner docks in Havensight (hope they don't change the location:) )

so the shops are conviently within just a short walk.

[piercetc4]

how well do the 70 -80 yr olds get around-

labadee- tendered - beach day- local crafts- pushy sales people/begging and annoying to me personally- stayed away from that area...lol

ocho rios- climb the falls, and ? , and margaritaville

grand caymen- shopping okay- no great deals here from what i have seen- tendered- swim with the rays, dive , snorkel -

cozumel- docked- shopping downtown and at pier- nice beaches- others may disagree but we love cozumel-

 

cococay- have not been yet

st thomas- has some nice tours of the island, shopping, beaches- black beards castle here and some other pirates too- want to say bluebeard but surely not? we have done tour and have done beach day- both were great

st maarten- only been to the beach here- orient beach- was so much fun the first time that we just go back there each trip- others can answer about other things here-

also- check out the port area of this site to see what others are doing to see if any of it sounds fun to your group-

 

either way you are going on a cruise and it will be FUN- mariner is an awesome ship- lots to do for all age groups and interests-

btw- we have a condo at orange beach and still go to the beach wherever we cruise to- can't get away from the beach........lol.........

[jamessa]

how well do the 70 -80 yr olds get around-

labadee- tendered - beach day- local crafts- pushy sales people/begging and annoying to me personally- stayed away from that area...lol

ocho rios- climb the falls, and ? , and margaritaville

grand caymen- shopping okay- no great deals here from what i have seen- tendered- swim with the rays, dive , snorkel -

cozumel- docked- shopping downtown and at pier- nice beaches- others may disagree but we love cozumel-

 

cococay- have not been yet

st thomas- has some nice tours of the island, shopping, beaches- black beards castle here and some other pirates too- want to say bluebeard but surely not? we have done tour and have done beach day- both were great

st maarten- only been to the beach here- orient beach- was so much fun the first time that we just go back there each trip- others can answer about other things here-

also- check out the port area of this site to see what others are doing to see if any of it sounds fun to your group-

 

either way you are going on a cruise and it will be FUN- mariner is an awesome ship- lots to do for all age groups and interests-

btw- we have a condo at orange beach and still go to the beach wherever we cruise to- can't get away from the beach........lol.........

 

They get around just fine. I don't think they will do a bunch of climbing though. Sounds like the Eastern will be best for them.

 

I was thinking about taking Carnival our of N.O., but I don't know if I could bring myself to go on their lines.

 

I love Orange beach. We are actually closer to Perdido Key than Pensacola Beach. I go to the Giggling Grouper in Orange beach alot. MumM!

[florida cruiser girl]

The Mariner is an awesome ship, went last Christmas, but we had a special Eastern itinerary...it was longer as well to accomodate. I have been to St Thomas previously and liked it very much, loved St. Maartan!!! Yet I enjoyed the relaxation of Labadee, and really enjoyed Jamaica. If I were forced to choose....between the 2, I would probaby choose the Eastern. Enjoy it whatever you decide!!

[florida cruiser girl]

The Mariner is an awesome ship, went last Christmas, but we had a special Eastern itinerary...it was longer as well to accomodate. I have been to St Thomas previously and liked it very much, loved St. Maartan!!! Yet I enjoyed the relaxation of Labadee, and really enjoyed Jamaica. If I were forced to choose....between the 2, I would probaby choose the Eastern. Enjoy it whatever you decide!!

[Lyncruiser]

We book whichever itinerary goes to Labadee -- makes for an awesome beach day!

[katiel53]

We have been on many cruises and were on Mariner Eastern last week. St. Thomas has the great shopping as well as the beaches. We love St. Martin as we like the casinos as well as the shopping. There are also beaches, but we shop and go the casinos. Well, I have to re-phrase that. I shop, DH goes to the casino and I join him.

 

We have also been to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Ocho Rios. We haven't been to Labadee though. I love GC, stayed there for a week, think Cozumel is ok, and Ocho Rios is a port I could miss and not miss it.

 

Whichever you choose on Mariner, you will have a grand time. It's a great ship and there are so many things to do. We are booked again for Eastern two more times. Guess that shows we like Eastern.

 

We also did many Southern Caribbean trips. Those that go to Aruba, Curacao are among our favorites. I also liked Isla Margarita. We did those last year so we will sail from our "home port" a while and geez if something comes up that's a great value to someplace else, we will jump on it.

 

No matter which you choose, enjoy it.

 

Katie

 

PS Please try to go to Portofino or Chops. They are worth every penny.

[jamessa]

I think we have decided tobook the Oct. 28th sailing to the east. I thank everyone for their input it REALLY helped me make my decision.

[piercetc4]

jamessa- glad you chose rci over carnival- that carnival ship out of nola is small- the mariner is great size with more to do and less ocean motion- less sea sickness i would think- congrats on your decision and have a great time