Mariner Eastern Caribbean Review 5/27-6/3/07

[sj25]

We did not get stuck in traffic b/c he had us back in Phillipsburg at 3. When we left P-burg at 4:30 to head back to the ship, you are only a few blocks away. You could walk to the ship in 10 minutes from where we were if you wanted to. It was very well organized/scheduled by Bernard.

 

When people do the touring on their own, they don't realize when they try and get back to the ship for 6, that's when they hit traffic. The locals know everything and make sure you are back in plenty of time.

 

I emailed Bernard and told him to keep an eye out for your reservation request ;)

Thanks...I did get an email from him a little after 10 this morn....

I am looking forward to having him do our tour...and your review makes it sound like you had a really good tour.

thanks.

[dachshunddoglover]

Someone a couple posts back asked what day the Welcome Back party was. It was on Day 4 (Wednesday) at 5:15 for first seating and I think 7:45 for second seating. What surprised me was that it was Dress - Smart Casual ~ Jacket and Tie for men. There was no way my husband was going to put on a tie another day other than formal night. So, we did not go. The Crown and Anchor Diamond and Platnium Member party was on Friday night at 7:45 with dress being Formal, which was what you would already be wearing because it was formal night in the Dining Room. We did go to that and it was very nice.

 

** I loved Becky!

 

** The nudity at the beach was not too bad as stated before but even ONE naked person walking around is just so weird to me and something I did not want to see. Almost everyone we saw (4) were older and really needed to have clothes on.

 

It was a great time. I am taking my mom on this same cruise in September for a birthday surprise and I am so glad I get to go on this fantastic ship again. Hoping for Coco Cay in September.

 

E-Beth:D

[Kruuzin]

We were in the middle section of Orient beach and we maybe saw 3 topless women and one of them was walking along the beach. It certainly wasn't everywhere, but this is also the off season down there.

 

 

We were there during Feb. Vacation. There were enough naked people to make her just walk straight ahead and not look in either direction.

[Kruuzin]

I'm going to put our naked people/topless women count at about 20 or so. We were in the middle section and they seemed to be walking from the nudist resort to the main resort area.

 

Like I said, you could see them coming down the beach long before they got close. Even so, it would have been very easy to put 100' or more of distance between you and them. As a child, my mother (AKA the protective one) would've told me to turn away and I would have. My father (AKA the relaxed one) would've told me not to stare, to mind my own business and leave the people alone and I would have.

 

The VAST majority were topless women (maybe 2 or 3 men and 3 fully nude women???) and one would think that a 15 year old girl would know what that looks like and how to react... but I don't know how that works in your house. I must also add that the median age of those parading by was probably 60. I would view what we saw as cause for being mortified for an entirely different reason... hahaha!

 

 

There were a lot of younger naked people. That's not something that we run around doing at our house. She, even at 15, has led a very sheltered life. I don't think I should be criticized for the way my child would "act" around naked people.

[Stoodo]

I think people get way uptight about nudity.

 

Poncho: I'd have to agree about the Jackpot Jen thing. That was highly annoying when were on the Mariner last month. We had a different CD (Graham Seymour [who was very cool]) so I am disturbed to think how it will be next week for our 2nd Mariner voyage. Oh well.

[Nliedel]

:D Just noticed on my reply above, that I must have hit the angry face by mistake. Sorry about that! Definitely loved the review!

 

To the OP: FANTABULOUS REVIEW! Wonderful detail and a joy to read.

 

to Tiffany, Coco Cay gets missed about 15% of the time, I'd say. Grand Cayman is the same way. IMO Never marry yourself to any stop. Things can change. If you need to see Grand Cayman (and it's okay, flat and very dive oriented) then you should book a land vacation there. Too bad you can't book a few days on Coco Cay!

[birdylady]

JStewie23,

 

First, thank you for such a wonderful review. We were on the Mariner (also our first cruise) at the beginning of May and absolutely loved her. So much so that we are now talking about booking the Eastern cruise on her next year.

 

I had to share, you are not the only person with luggage issues. My borther, SIL, neice and parents were also on the cruise with us. Between them they had about 10 pieces of luggage to get at the luggage carrosel. We had 2. The porter already had their luggage loaded and ready to go the car when we got our FIRST piece. We were beige 1 (like them since they are Platinum or whatever). The next color was already coming out and no second piece of luggage. Luckily the porter came back after delivering their stuff and went in back and FOUND our other piece of luggage, but security wouldn't let him bring it to us. He personally put iton the carrosel and we waited a few more minutes and presto. Needless to say we REALLY appreciated his help and we gave him a nice tip! Interestingly enough, this was the same piece of luggage that never made it to our room the first day. Thankfully we had our own luggage tags as well since they were able to pull a laminated luggage tag off a cable tie (which oddly enough was still on the luggage).

 

Thanx again.

Erika

[jstewie23]

JStewie23,

 

First, thank you for such a wonderful review. We were on the Mariner (also our first cruise) at the beginning of May and absolutely loved her. So much so that we are now talking about booking the Eastern cruise on her next year.

 

I had to share, you are not the only person with luggage issues. My borther, SIL, neice and parents were also on the cruise with us. Between them they had about 10 pieces of luggage to get at the luggage carrosel. We had 2. The porter already had their luggage loaded and ready to go the car when we got our FIRST piece. We were beige 1 (like them since they are Platinum or whatever). The next color was already coming out and no second piece of luggage. Luckily the porter came back after delivering their stuff and went in back and FOUND our other piece of luggage, but security wouldn't let him bring it to us. He personally put iton the carrosel and we waited a few more minutes and presto. Needless to say we REALLY appreciated his help and we gave him a nice tip! Interestingly enough, this was the same piece of luggage that never made it to our room the first day. Thankfully we had our own luggage tags as well since they were able to pull a laminated luggage tag off a cable tie (which oddly enough was still on the luggage).

 

Thanx again.

Erika

 

That's pretty ironic b/c the one bag of ours that came out first on the carousel was the one that showed up 3 hours later in our stateroom than the other two when we boarded :)

[WeirdEyes]

Hey! Great review! This cruise was so much fun, wasn't it? Are you having a hard time with post-cruise depression as much as I am? ;)

[jstewie23]

Hey! Great review! This cruise was so much fun, wasn't it? Are you having a hard time with post-cruise depression as much as I am? ;)

 

It's very painful. I am trying to convince my better half to book another one already. She keeps reminding me we have to pay off the bar/casino bill from this one :p

[sangoofy]

Thanks for the great review! We sail MOS on July 8 and cannot wait to board!

 

Regarding San Juan stop- you say you got there around 3- how long were you there then?

 

Did you attend the Captains cocktail party? Can you give a few more details regarding the couples massage/.... such as cost, description etc?

 

Thanks again, I have added some of your tips and hints to my checklist.

[jstewie23]

Thanks for the great review! We sail MOS on July 8 and cannot wait to board!

 

Regarding San Juan stop- you say you got there around 3- how long were you there then?

 

Did you attend the Captains cocktail party? Can you give a few more details regarding the couples massage/.... such as cost, description etc?

 

Thanks again, I have added some of your tips and hints to my checklist.

 

We were in San Juan from 3-11.

 

We did go to the meet and greet with the Captain. He stands there while another staff member introduces you to him and then you get to meet him and shake his hand. You have a brief chat and then they take a picture. Also get free hors d'oeuvers.

 

The couples massage was nice. 2 beds in one room. 1 for the massage and 1 for the float. 25 minutes for each of us on each one. It was $179. They show you and tell you about the couple massage if you do the spa tour when you get on the ship. It was very nice. I had never had a massage before, so it kind of hurt a little bit! We scheduled it for Friday after all of the port days were so we had nothing to worry about. It was a very nice way to end the week.

[mrcruzer]

First of all, thank you for the WONDERFUL review. I appreciate your attention to detail and help with questions!

 

I'm sad to hear Wi-Fi isn't available in cabins. That really is too bad.

 

 

1. How large were the biggest tables in the main dining room?

2. Is the high number of passengers really noticable? If so, any particular locations?

3. Are you able to go to the observation pad (helipad) at the bow anytime of the day?

4. Did food cost extra in the Cafe Promenade?

5. Was there any place to get nachos?

6. What was your biggest dissapointment, anything regarding the ship.

 

 

thanks,

 

 

MC.

[jstewie23]

First of all, thank you for the WONDERFUL review. I appreciate your attention to detail and help with questions!

 

I'm sad to hear Wi-Fi isn't available in cabins. That really is too bad.

 

 

1. How large were the biggest tables in the main dining room?

2. Is the high number of passengers really noticable? If so, any particular locations?

3. Are you able to go to the observation pad (helipad) at the bow anytime of the day?

4. Did food cost extra in the Cafe Promenade?

5. Was there any place to get nachos?

6. What was your biggest dissapointment, anything regarding the ship.

 

 

thanks,

 

 

MC.

 

Hi MC.

 

1. I think the biggest table was for 10 people, at least that is the biggest one that I saw.

2. You had no idea there were that many people on the ship. We never had a problem getting a table for 2 in the Windjammer or two lounge chairs next to each other on the pool deck. The ship is so big that there are people everywhere at all times, but never too many at any one spot. Getting formal night pictures there was always a long line and they did it right by the dining room entrances, so that was a little crowded. The $5 blackjack table was usually full at night ;)

3. Not sure about the helipad. We did go to it as we were pulling into San Juan. It's awesome to stand there and watch the captain pilot that huge ship into a dock.

4. All food in the Cafe Promenade was free. If they have the tomato, mozzerella cheese, and pesto sandwich...get it!

5. I did not see nachos, or potato chips, or pretzles.

6. I guess I was most disappointed in Johnny Rockets. The burgers didn't have much taste and they didn't have cheese fries on the menu. I should say that I have been to JR a million times in NJ and love it, so I had high expectations, especially since there is $3.95 charge per person. Also disappointed that I never made it to the rock wall. I guess I will have to go on another cruise just to try it ;)

[mrcruzer]

Thank you for your quick reply! I'm sorry about so many inquiring questions, but attempting to convince an extremely PICKY travelling group of ours to sail her next January.

 

 

10 people is okay, I think it would have to make do. I believe our last cruise on Sapphire Princess had the same thing.

VERY relieved to hear that you don't notice the number of passengers too often-well over 3,000 is a daunting figure! (will just have to plan ahead to avoid the congestion you mentioned!)

 

 

Another couple questions:

 

1. Not sure if you will have the answer to this one, but for the youth video arcade, how are you charged? Seapass acocunt? Regular money?

2. Is there a Chocolate buffet? Other midnight buffets?

[mill231]

I can help out with these questions. The arcade has a machine that you put your seapass card in and you buy points to use. The more points, the cheaper they get.

 

They have 2 midnight buffets. One regular buffet with some ice carvings and fancy food and another midnight chocolate "grand galla buffet" that is really a lot of fancy carvings and a lot of chocolate.

 

I hope the op doesn't mind that I jumped in here. I'm just trying to be helpful.

[jstewie23]

I can help out with these questions. The arcade has a machine that you put your seapass card in and you buy points to use. The more points, the cheaper they get.

 

They have 2 midnight buffets. One regular buffet with some ice carvings and fancy food and another midnight chocolate "grand galla buffet" that is really a lot of fancy carvings and a lot of chocolate.

 

I hope the op doesn't mind that I jumped in here. I'm just trying to be helpful.

 

Don't mind at all. Thanks for helping out. I had no idea about the arcade anyway!

 

The first midnight buffet is on the pool deck and the 2nd one (the gala buffet) was in the dining room. There were 3 or 4 tables of chocolates and desserts. It was amazing. They said it took 300 man hours to get the gala buffet ready.

[mrcruzer]

That's great news! on Sapphire Princess, we were not informed of ANY midnight buffets! It was a disaster;)

 

 

Thanks for the arcade info too, I'm sure the kiddies will rack up the bill quite quickly:P

 

 

Are you still able to see your onboard spending account from the cabin tv?

[jtibbs]

Hello I loved your review and can't wait to see the mariner in person.I have a question about your room you had 9514 , how was it ,did you feel any movement at night ? We have 9218 and my dw is afraid we might feel some movement being that far foward. So any info would be great thanks

:)

[jstewie23]

That's great news! on Sapphire Princess, we were not informed of ANY midnight buffets! It was a disaster;)

 

 

Thanks for the arcade info too, I'm sure the kiddies will rack up the bill quite quickly:P

 

 

Are you still able to see your onboard spending account from the cabin tv?

 

Yep. You can do so much stuff from your tv...review your SeaPass account, order excursions, etc. It is really well developed.

[jstewie23]

Hello I loved your review and can't wait to see the mariner in person.I have a question about your room you had 9514 , how was it ,did you feel any movement at night ? We have 9218 and my dw is afraid we might feel some movement being that far foward. So any info would be great thanks

:)

 

I was very skeptical about being that far forward and I never get sea/motion sickness. The only time we felt the motion was when the seas were rough and even then you felt it everywhere on the ship. Once we got into calm waters we couldn't feel anything. We did bring Bonine and one of those sea bands, but neither I or my DW needed them.

 

Deck 9 is awesome. Perfect location b/c there is nothing above or below you but other cabins. Deck 9 has great artwork in the hallways too.

[kruz]

First of all, thank you for the WONDERFUL review. I appreciate your attention to detail and help with questions!

 

I'm sad to hear Wi-Fi isn't available in cabins. That really is too bad.

 

 

1. How large were the biggest tables in the main dining room?

2. Is the high number of passengers really noticable? If so, any particular locations?

3. Are you able to go to the observation pad (helipad) at the bow anytime of the day?

4. Did food cost extra in the Cafe Promenade?

5. Was there any place to get nachos?

6. What was your biggest dissapointment, anything regarding the ship.

 

 

thanks,

 

 

MC.

 

I can help with the nacho question...in the Windjammer during the afternoon "tea" time say 4:30 you can make your own nachos...

[Stoodo]

Yep. You can do so much stuff from your tv...review your SeaPass account, order excursions, etc. It is really well developed.

 

It works amazingly well considering it is running Windows 98 for the back end. (It crashed a few times, that's how I know) :)

[nbp]

Thanks for a great review!!

My DH and I are going in August on the Eastern route. We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We are in our late 40's and love live music and dancing. Can you tell me if there is a good place to go to at night to hear a live band or a piano bar or something like that.

Net

[jstewie23]

Thanks for a great review!!

My DH and I are going in August on the Eastern route. We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. We are in our late 40's and love live music and dancing. Can you tell me if there is a good place to go to at night to hear a live band or a piano bar or something like that.

Net

 

Boleros has latin dance music every night I think. There was always entertainment at Wig & Gavel. They did have piano players, but not sure at which bar exactly (Schooner, maybe). A lot of times they had entertainment on the pool decks as well.