Just back from Mariner - Eastern - Great time, minor complaints

[CCJack]

We just returned from the Mariner, Aug 17, Eastern (the week before the diversion due to Gustav). Our weather was fantastic.

 

This was my 4th RCL cruise, and I have almost all positives to report !

 

The embarkation and debarkation was smoother than my other cruises. The food was very good, I do not know why people complain.

 

Chops was outstanding.

 

The entertainment was average (RCL dance productions) to excellent (ice show, as well as Spectrum - the motown music group, unfortunately Spectrum does not perform every week, they told me they only do 3 or 4 Mariner shows a year. They were great - standing ovation from the audience.)

 

The ship was very clean and staff fantastic.

 

Our aft balcony cabin (7688) was the best I have every had. We had no problems with the soot as others complain about, and the balcony is huge with a nice view of both facing rearward AND facing port.

 

I must complain about the soda card (you get charged for 8 days even though the last day they chase you off of the ship by about 8 or 9 am.) I also must complain about the Crown and Anchor coupons, some of them are insulting (25% off one ice cream cone - after booking 4 cruises with these people !! how about a free ice cream cone !!!)

 

Overall a great vacation...

 

Would be happy to answer any questions....

[CanuckCruizer]

jwithtwoboys - Glad you had a great time. We are going to be in that same cabin for an upcoming b2b! Couple of questions for you - was it just like a standard balcony size inside the cabin or do you think it was any bigger (sometimes the aft cabins can be a little bigger than the side ones)? Were you able to sunbathe on the balcony or was it shaded the entire time? Any details would be appreciated!!

 

Thanks,

 

Canuck

[CCJack]

The balcony for these aft cabins are huge, maybe 5 times the size of the balconies on the side of the ship. We had 3 lounge chairs that recline and maybe 3 regular chairs and 2 small tables and could have fit more furniture. It is mostly shady with a little bit of sun sometimes. I like the shade. There is plenty of sunny places on the ship, but not many shady places. Especially if you are traveling during the hot months. There are lots of photos of these balconies on the web. Note that these cabins are a long way from the stairs/elevators - for me this is an advantage, but some don't like that.

[Wine Luvuh]

Ooooo!! That is my favorite room on the Mariner!! :D

The room is the same size as a regular balcony room, I have heard that some of the ones higher up are a little bigger.

We were in that room in April and had plenty of sun but plenty of shade. You could position your chairs as you like.

GREAT choice for a b2b!!! :)

[wrp96]

I also must complain about the Crown and Anchor coupons, some of them are insulting (25% off one ice cream cone - after booking 4 cruises with these people !! how about a free ice cream cone !!!)

 

Well the value of the coupons does go up after you reach Platinum and then again at Diamond.

[CanuckCruizer]

jwith2boys - I know the balcony is huge - I mean the actual cabin INSIDE - was it pretty small or did it feel bigger - curious if it is bigger than a standard E1?

 

I was hoping for more sun - ha ha. Someone told me that you could actually sunbathe on it but you don't think so? We are doing a B2B in the Mexican Riviera.

 

I am still laughing at the 25% off the ice cream cone!! That was funny and also insulting!

 

Canuck

[CanuckCruizer]

Thanks, Wine Luvah - we can hardly wait!!! We just booked a B2B on the Oasis too - wish they had cabins like that on there! (Well, they do - but they cost thousands! lol And I still think that 7688 has a bigger balcony than most suites!). I know about the cabins higher up that are a bit bigger but had visions of walking into that pole in the night and knocking myself out!!:D

 

Canuck

[jmom5]

I have never been charged for eight days for the soda card, they always charge for seven, but then there is a 15% gratuity added to it. Hopefully that's what the charge was for, otherwise it is even more of a rip off if they charge for that eighth day:(

[CruisePrincess51]

jwith2boys...Glad you had a nice time on the Mariner...she is our favorite ship! We're set to sail on her in 3 weeks and will be trying Chops for the first time, glad to hear that it was good. Just hoping the weather holds and the storms are well past by then or who knows where we'll be going! :D But any place on a ship is better than being at home anyday!

 

CanuckCruizer...how are you! We sailed on Serenade with you to Hawaii a couple years ago...what a relaxing trip that was, after all the mishaps right before the trip (the kitchen fiasco) and just managing to finally get out to Vancouver. But it was a wonderful trip! :)

[apples78]

I'm so happy you had a good time! I am sailing on Sept 14 and am sooooo looking forward to a vacation. I don't even care if we have to sail to different ports, I will just be glad to be cruising!!

[uksimonusa]

Only ever been charged for 7 days on our soda card

[CanuckCruizer]

CruisePrincess - Well, it is nice to hear from you! Yes, the Serenade was a great trip! We just did a B2B on the Freedom last fall which was really good. We decided to book the Mariner for a B2B next year seeing that it is on the West Coast. Just booked a B2B on the Oasis too! I see you are going on the Mariner very soon! Hope that the weather is okay for you and that you have a wonderful time!!

 

Canuck

[CruisePrincess51]

Canuck...How did you like Freedom? We're thinking about booking her for next fall and Oasis with the family for the fall of 2010. Mariner by far though is our favorite ship...she is absolutely beautiful and you will love her! We're going to miss her when she makes the move to the west coast, but then that gives us a reason to book on her again for a whole new itinerary and also to visit some friends out on the west coast. I was glad to see you again on the boards...enjoy the Mariner! Thanks for the well wishes for our upcoming cruise...we're scheduled for the western route this time...but who knows where we'll end up with all the storms brewing out there. Hopefully they disappear by then. :)

[CanuckCruizer]

CruisePrincess - We loved The Freedom - I actually clapped upon entering The Promenade - lol - and it wasn't like I hadn't seen one before as we got married while on the Navigator! The staff were excellent - the best ever. The Flowrider was cool to watch (of course I didn't do it!!). You will love it! We are very excited for The Oasis too!! But, of course, it is two years away still. We are trying the Carnival Spirit on a B2B coming up soon (Mex. Riv.) - our 1st time on Carnival - a wee bit apprehensive but we heard the food was great and we like the itinerary.

 

I hope your Mariner cruise works out well for you (what with the storms:eek: ) and hope to meet up with you again on a ship one day!!

 

Canuck

[Fun@C]

We were on the same August 17 sailing on the mariner! Spectrum was fantastic! The ice show too! We were on deck 10 aft! Ahhhhhh!

[massfriends]

jwith2boys...Glad you had a nice time on the Mariner...she is our favorite ship! We're set to sail on her in 3 weeks and will be trying Chops for the first time, glad to hear that it was good. Just hoping the weather holds and the storms are well past by then or who knows where we'll be going! :D But any place on a ship is better than being at home anyday!

 

CanuckCruizer...how are you! We sailed on Serenade with you to Hawaii a couple years ago...what a relaxing trip that was, after all the mishaps right before the trip (the kitchen fiasco) and just managing to finally get out to Vancouver. But it was a wonderful trip! :)

 

I'll be in that great corner aft. 7688 exactly 3 weeks from Sunday.....:D

 

CruisePrincess, you should come over to our Roll Call, it's a pretty lively one with loads of great folks....we would love to have ya join us....the more the merrier....:) boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=605590&page=825

[CanuckCruizer]

massfriends - have a fabulous time in that cabin!!!!

 

Canuck

[CruiseAwayWithMe]

Most of the Crown & Anchor coupons are a rip off from all the Royal Caribeban's ships. It's just something to get you to buy. I only use the FREE crown & anchor coupons. :) I throw away all the ones where you get 10 percent off or 20 percent off. There should be some more free coupons in there, but what are you going to do? We had the diamond booklet. The casino coupons go fast. I used them all & only won on one of them. :rolleyes: Sorta a rip off for the casino coupons just to get you in playing. But, I had fun. I was on the Mariner (for the second time!) two months ago!! I can't believe it was that long ago. It feels like yesterday. But, I'm definitley ready to go again.