A Mariner review 25 Nov - 2 Dec 2007

[FrancescaH]

My review will be a bit out of the norm as we have two major factors to consider. First of all I cruise using a power chair as I have cerebral palsy and bad balance on land so much worse at sea and I can't handle long distances. Our second is that we have a 3 year old son.

 

Our cabin:

We book an accessible junior suite now that our son is no longer a baby. There are 2 on the Mariner and both times we have been in 1308. There is enough room for my powerchair in the room and manual to be tucked in the closet with plenty of room left for our son to play. Our cabin attendant Jeremy needed a few reminders early in the week but came through like a champ. He couldn't track down a child life jacket the first 2 days and the chairs on the balcony were too hard for me to use so I needed a regular chair as opposed to the lower pseudo lounger type. We loved the new bedding!

 

Meet & Mingle:

We had around 100 registered, and over 3000 posts before we set sail. We did a brown bag gift exchange and a good portion of those who attended participated. We probably had a good 40-60 show up. Throughout the week we met up with other M&M members for shipboard events. I enjoyed knowing faces in the crowds.

 

Dining room:

We were in Rhapsody in Blue at table 301. Our waiter was Sanjeev and assistant waiter was Alfay. We had our best tablemates ever on this cruise. It was a family consisting of a great grandmother, grandmother, husband and wife, and their 3 kids aged 11, 10, and 6. Our son really took to the 11 year old girl which helped us keep his 3 year old impatience checked. Our food was served quickly but not rushed. Absolutely no complaints here. Halfway through the week a woman from a neighboring table complimented the parents at out table for the kids table manners which I as a parent appreciated.

 

Other dining:

We ate all breakfasts in the Windjammer, lunches were split between the Windjammer and dining room and we ate one night at Chops. We were always satisfied with the service we were given in each venue.

 

Ports:

Due to accessibility concerns, the ports are really not a concern as we rarely get off. On this sailing we stayed on the ship all week.

 

Ship Activities:

Day activities were well thought out. There was always something to do. We really appreciated that they held trivia events even while in port. Our son really appreciated the mini golf and I'm always happy with that because they had the foresight to make the majority of the course wheelchair accessible. We used the babysitting service on 3 nights to allow us to eat at Chops, participate in the Promenade dance party and the Quest. Once again I appreciated that the cruise director Drew did not make the audience stand through the Quest as our previous cruise director Becky had so I actually felt like I got to participate. Our only complaint was the lack of companion seating in Studio B. They left a good niche at the top beside the control room for wheelchairs but should keep some folding chairs handy as their is only one seat usable at each end of the first row for companions. Standouts among the staff were Katie, Justin and Simeon who were all helpful and chatty. When I was out without my son they often asked where he was.

 

Photography:

We love the photos we can get on board. I admit I usually spend 250-300 on photos every cruise. I can't resist the lack of sitting fees and that they have the release to where you can make as many copies as you wish. Our only complaint was that each night the white lifestyle set which has been my favorite the last 2 cruises was set for floor photos which is not an option for me. I will say we ended up with one great group of photos from a formal night setup that included a chaise and a generic wall/window backdrop. Thanks to the chaise I was actually able to stand for photos and use the chaise to maintain my balance instead of our normal with me sitting.

 

Overall:

We love the Mariner of the Seas and come back time and again because the port is only an hour away and the ship with her crew are excellent. As this was our 4th consecutive year sailing on her we really appreciate that so many of the staff, especially among the dining venues, stay with the ship and recognize us from year to year. A Windjammer supervisor remembered our son from 2 cruises back as a baby and the last visit when he was 2 as did the Windjammer manager. This ship really has become a home away from home for myself and my husband. Even our son longingly was looking through the scrapbook from our last voyage Sunday night as I think he missed it already.

 

Our photos:

http://www.david-and-francesca.com/cruises/cruise_2007.htm

 

We couldn't resist booking one last sailing on her in December of 2008 before she leaves for the west coast. I really hope the west coast cruisers enjoy her as much as we have over the years.

[katiel53]

Thanks for the review. Mariner is our favorite ship and I really enjoy reading reviews by people who feel the same as we do.

 

We too are going on her again next year. I am wondering what ship will replace her. Sailing from Pt. Canaveral is a breeze.

[kruz]

We love the Mariner of the Seas and come back time and again because the port is only an hour away and the ship with her crew are excellent. As this was our 4th consecutive year sailing on her we really appreciate that so many of the staff, especially among the dining venues, stay with the ship and recognize us from year to year. A Windjammer supervisor remembered our son from 2 cruises back as a baby and the last visit when he was 2 as did the Windjammer manager. This ship really has become a home away from home for myself and my husband. Even our son longingly was looking through the scrapbook from our last voyage Sunday night as I think he missed it already.

 

 

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[kidless]

I loved your review and pictures. Charlie is adorable!!! Thanks so much for sharing. We will be going on the Mariner for the first time in May and can not wait!!!

[kittymom65]

Welcome back, thanks for the review and pics.

I know all of us within driving distance are going to miss her terribly when she goes out west.

Your little one is a cutie pie!

[1HAPPYCRUISER]

What A Cute Kid!!! Lovely Family!

[stones902]

Question for any of you who have cruised on the Mariner out of Port Canaveral....

 

We are considering this ship / port for next year's trip in November. Traditionally, we like to spend at least a few days in port prior to the cruise. It's fun to get started on the tan and hit some of the local establishments. My question would be if you feel it is worth staying in Port Canaveral in November pre cruise? Is there enough to do or not?

 

For what it is worth...we're in our 40's and both pretty active.

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

[san4u2]

Great review. We will be sailing in June. How was debarking?

[Arizona Laura]

Francesca thanks for the review and the pics.

Will be on the Mariner Jan 13th.

Glad you had a good time and got to spend some time on your own as well.

Laura

[FrancescaH]

Question for any of you who have cruised on the Mariner out of Port Canaveral....

 

We are considering this ship / port for next year's trip in November. Traditionally, we like to spend at least a few days in port prior to the cruise. It's fun to get started on the tan and hit some of the local establishments. My question would be if you feel it is worth staying in Port Canaveral in November pre cruise? Is there enough to do or not?

 

For what it is worth...we're in our 40's and both pretty active.

 

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Cocoa Beach just to the south of Port Canaveral is a great place to visit/stay. Besides the beaches, if you are interested you can also visit the space center for a day. They have great exhibits and a bus tour of the facility.

[FrancescaH]

Great review. We will be sailing in June. How was debarking?

It was a smooth trip getting on and off the ship. With Yellow 1 tags (8:15 time bracket as listed for being called) we were in the car and driving home by 9:20.

[ckrobyn]

Francesca - excellent review!!! I got off the Mariner on November 18th, so looking at your pictures reminded me of our cruise! :D We also had Sanjeev as our waiter....looks like it was a different assistant than we had.

We loved the Mariner and hope to sail on her again someday :)

[caribbeancruiser90]

i also was on this cruise

it was the best cruise of my life

way too much fun!

ill be posting a review also soon.

[matt690]

Great review and pictures!

 

I just looked at your picture of the greeter at the Winjammer...

and that is Rebecca our waitress from the Mariner in August. She was one of our two best dining staff members we have ever had on a cruise, and we wrote that down so hopefully she gets proper recognition.

 

How was the band? For us, the band that we had didn't sing the popular songs, and they played for about two hours a day...

Also... our guest entertainment was only ok - especially since there was no variety - all singing-based acts... how/what was your nightly entertainment? We also only had one night of late night comedy?

 

Thanks again, and welcome home.

 

-Matt

[FrancescaH]

Great review and pictures!

 

I just looked at your picture of the greeter at the Winjammer...

and that is Rebecca our waitress from the Mariner in August. She was one of our two best dining staff members we have ever had on a cruise, and we wrote that down so hopefully she gets proper recognition.

 

How was the band? For us, the band that we had didn't sing the popular songs, and they played for about two hours a day...

Also... our guest entertainment was only ok - especially since there was no variety - all singing-based acts... how/what was your nightly entertainment? We also only had one night of late night comedy?

 

Thanks again, and welcome home.

 

-Matt

 

We saw a few bits of the main shows but missed much of the evening entertainment because of our son. I'm sure someone else will be able to chime in on the entertainers. The comedian early in the week was funny not that we saw the whole show. I can't wait for our next cruise as our son is bound to be completely potty trained by then as opposed to now and can therefore do Adventure Ocean :D

[matt690]

Thanks for your response...

 

btw - one of our favorite staffmembers from the picture... her name is Annamarie.

 

-Matt

[cruzincurt]

Francescah we were also on that cruise. We had a wonderful cruise for the second time on the Mariner and are booked again.

 

The fire in St. Maarten apparently was the orphanage in town that burned down that Wednesday leaving 23 children safe, unharmed, but homeless.

 

The "Happy Days" guy needs to hang up his mike, when your show revolves around doing impersonations of other singers, it's over. The comic on the last night was good.

[Patsfan3]

Francesca-

 

Thanks for the pictures. We are going on the Mariner the week after next. We saw some pictures someone else had that looked like part of the pool was blocked off as kind of a kiddie pool? We have a 2 and a half year old. Any info on kids stuff would be helpful!!

 

Thanks!!

[FrancescaH]

Francesca-

 

Thanks for the pictures. We are going on the Mariner the week after next. We saw some pictures someone else had that looked like part of the pool was blocked off as kind of a kiddie pool? We have a 2 and a half year old. Any info on kids stuff would be helpful!!

 

Thanks!!

 

Unless potty trained no pool for the little one on the Mariner. Make sure you go to the playgroup for toddlers 18 to 36 months (and some a little older who aren't potty trained as was the case with Charlie). It's in Cloud Nine on deck 14 at 10AM but make sure they haven't changed it. Everyday there are different Fisher-Price toys out for the kids to play with and it really helps limit how many toys you need to bring along. Charlie adored the mini golf course. When he was 25 months we played a couple of times all week... this time we played mini golf 1-2 times a day! There's a great water park for toddlers on Labadee... and while we didn't go on Cococay I'm sure they must have something equivalent which may help depending on which itinerary you're on. If your little one is easily distracted from eating at meal time, try the dining room for breakfast or lunch. We did lunch a couple of times in the dining room and Charlie ate more there than he did in the Windjammer when it was packed.

[Patsfan3]

We made potty training a mission after our last cruise. He loves the pool at the casino we frequent. I read about that play group, sounds good. We are going to Labadee, this is a private beach, correct? We will be skating alot-I hope! He has never mini golfed but it should be fun. He likes alot of activity so will probably be running down the promenade on a regular basis. We got a prom view cabin so that he could watch all the action. He is not an eater, doesnt like to sit still very long. But, he will look good in his tux!!!

[NancyB84]

Great review.... loved your pics. Your little guy is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are sailing on Mariner in Sept (our first Voyager Class ship). Thanks for taking the time to write a review...reading them makes the time go by between cruises.

[Betty anne]

Excellent review,as we are sailing on March 30th,with the Palmetto Educators Group cruise.

Since it is bring break,I had a few misgivings at first,but feel much better now,since reading your review. We don't usually cruise when students are out of school.

Thanks again.

BettyAnne

[Robkatcruisers]

Francescah we were also on that cruise. We had a wonderful cruise for the second time on the Mariner and are booked again.

 

The fire in St. Maarten apparently was the orphanage in town that burned down that Wednesday leaving 23 children safe, unharmed, but homeless.

 

The "Happy Days" guy needs to hang up his mike, when your show revolves around doing impersonations of other singers, it's over. The comic on the last night was good.

 

 

My DH and I were also there on St. Marteen on the sailing and are friends with Francesca...I asked my DH what he thought the smoke was. Even some of my pictures show the smoke in them. We also felt the earthquake that they had on that day as we were sitting in beach chairs across from Oulachi restaurant.

[Robkatcruisers]

We made potty training a mission after our last cruise. He loves the pool at the casino we frequent. I read about that play group, sounds good. We are going to Labadee, this is a private beach, correct? We will be skating alot-I hope! He has never mini golfed but it should be fun. He likes alot of activity so will probably be running down the promenade on a regular basis. We got a prom view cabin so that he could watch all the action. He is not an eater, doesnt like to sit still very long. But, he will look good in his tux!!!

 

 

DH and I had a promenade room deck six 6563 and it was above a store so no noise. The only noise we had was from the Parades but they are short and we went to bed way after they were over anyway. Promenade room bigger than one would think and it was great to look down at everyone as they were looking up and I would wave and they would laugh at being caught watching...much fun. We were directly across from Cafe Promenade and made friends with all of the staff so that when we would wake up in the morning to see what was going on down there they would always wave and motion for us to come down...lol:D