Recent Mariner Cruisers (since 16 June)

[rickdent]

I have read posts stating no cigarettes or liquor were for sale in the shops, is this still true? How was Genoa on a Sunday? I can't seem to find much information about Genoa on port boards.

What did you do in Palma and Valencia? Again, not much on ports boards.

Finally, which nights were formal? Thanks....

Rick

[ChelleNJon]

Cruising on the Mariner the end of this month and have the same questions!

 

Jon

[pennys mum]

It is possible that no duty free being sold as all ports of call are in the EU.

I know that if we fly to the EU from the UK we cannot purchase duty free at the airports on either end.

You should be able to buy it when flying home as duty free is allowed and also on the way out, but no alcohol as they will take it from you when boarding.

[rickdent]

It is an "aha' moment, we've never been on an all-EU cruise before, so that explains it. Any other answers to the other questions?

Rick

[Ned11]

I was on the Mariner from the 9-16th June. I saw cigarettes for sale in the shop on the Royal Promenade.

Genoa was all open on Sunday. We went to the Aquarium and the Cathedral.

In Palma, we did the Drachs Cave excursion. There is the Cathedral and castle on the hill.

In Valencia, I went to the Ford plant as I work for Ford. I then went to the North of the city where the towers are (Torres?). And then walked right through the centre to the south. It was lovely.

Enjoy!!:D

[weliketocruise86]

1. No cigarettes for sale in the shops but you could buy individual packs of 20 at the cafe promenade.

 

2. In Genoa we took the train to S.Margherita then onto Portofino by boat, got the info on here somewhere (let me know if you are interested in this)

 

3. In Palma we took the bus from outside the port gates into the centre of Palma 1.50 euro each it is the number 1 bus to the airport. Wandered to the cathedral.

 

4. In Valencia there is a FREE courtesy bus to the main cruise terminal, it is then a short walk to catch the bus into the centre of Valencia, again this was 1.5o euro. Took the hop on hop off bus.

 

5. The formal nights are Day 3 Cannes and Day 5 Valencia

 

TIP - you do not need to take the shuttles offered by Royal Caribbean ($10 per person x 4 in Palma, Valencia, Barcelona and Genoa). It was a bit chaotic in Valencia but this was because they were still dismantling the seating etc from the F1 grand prix.

[rickdent]

Thanks to all who have responded! :) Your information is helpful to us. Hope you had a great time. We are very much looking forward to our cruise.

Rick

[peteukmcr]

1. No cigarettes for sale in the shops but you could buy individual packs of 20 at the cafe promenade.

 

2. In Genoa we took the train to S.Margherita then onto Portofino by boat, got the info on here somewhere (let me know if you are interested in this)

 

3. In Palma we took the bus from outside the port gates into the centre of Palma 1.50 euro each it is the number 1 bus to the airport. Wandered to the cathedral.

 

4. In Valencia there is a FREE courtesy bus to the main cruise terminal, it is then a short walk to catch the bus into the centre of Valencia, again this was 1.5o euro. Took the hop on hop off bus.

 

5. The formal nights are Day 3 Cannes and Day 5 Valencia

 

TIP - you do not need to take the shuttles offered by Royal Caribbean ($10 per person x 4 in Palma, Valencia, Barcelona and Genoa). It was a bit chaotic in Valencia but this was because they were still dismantling the seating etc from the F1 grand prix.

Many thanks for your feedback. This is exactly the info I need for our sailing on Mariner on Aug 25th. Much appreciated, especialiy the formal nights.

 

Was the $10 shuttle charge each way or return? Didn't think we needed it for Palma, but was unsure for Valencia.

 

As for Genoa, definitely interested in the details of your shore excursion if you do find the details.

 

Did they have a "white pool party" on any of the nights?

 

In general, did you enjoy the cruise? It's a last minute decision for us and we haven't sailed on Mariner for 8 years and I know she's had updates done recently.

 

Thanks again.

[peteukmcr]

1. No cigarettes for sale in the shops but you could buy individual packs of 20 at the cafe promenade.

 

2. In Genoa we took the train to S.Margherita then onto Portofino by boat, got the info on here somewhere (let me know if you are interested in this)

 

3. In Palma we took the bus from outside the port gates into the centre of Palma 1.50 euro each it is the number 1 bus to the airport. Wandered to the cathedral.

 

4. In Valencia there is a FREE courtesy bus to the main cruise terminal, it is then a short walk to catch the bus into the centre of Valencia, again this was 1.5o euro. Took the hop on hop off bus.

 

5. The formal nights are Day 3 Cannes and Day 5 Valencia

 

TIP - you do not need to take the shuttles offered by Royal Caribbean ($10 per person x 4 in Palma, Valencia, Barcelona and Genoa). It was a bit chaotic in Valencia but this was because they were still dismantling the seating etc from the F1 grand prix.

Apologies, but I have one more question! Was there any VAT added to your beverages bills on top of the standard 15% gratuity?

[hillsprint]

While the ship is in Spanish territorial waters, you get charged an additional 8% tax on any drinks.

[weliketocruise86]

Many thanks for your feedback. This is exactly the info I need for our sailing on Mariner on Aug 25th. Much appreciated, especialiy the formal nights.

 

Was the $10 shuttle charge each way or return? Didn't think we needed it for Palma, but was unsure for Valencia.

 

As for Genoa, definitely interested in the details of your shore excursion if you do find the details.

 

Did they have a "white pool party" on any of the nights?

 

In general, did you enjoy the cruise? It's a last minute decision for us and we haven't sailed on Mariner for 8 years and I know she's had updates done recently.

 

Thanks again.

 

Hi Pete, you're welcome.

 

The shuttle was per day unlimited transfers. They had some kind of deal, all four shuttles for $40 (I think the saving was $7) . We were not sure about Valencia but if you are used to finding you own way around you will be fine, as I said I think it would have been more straight forward without all the F1 stuff going on. The free port shuttle is an orange bus when you get off the free shuttle there is a tourist information desk just inside the building on the left.

 

They did have a 'White Night Party' on Day 4 Barcelona, there was also a 70's night on the Royal Promenade Day 7 Sea Day.

 

Sorry, don't know about the VAT on the drinks as we used the new Diamond Lounge.

 

We really enjoyed the Mariner, to be honest we didn't plan this cruise but it was cheaper than a weeks AI to Turkey so we jumped at the chance and it offered a couple of ports which we had not visited before. The big screen was great for the England v Italy match (apart from the result :rolleyes:), tried the hot dogs and enjoyed the Diamond lounge (only 36 passengers Diamond and above so was not overcrowded), the touch screen ship info was handy too at times. The ice show was on Day 4 (8pm and 10pm) and Day 7 (3pm and 5pm) but we didn't actually go in the end.

 

I will get together all the information regarding Genoa/Portofino and post it in the Ports of Call section later in the week.

 

Enjoy :)

[Ned11]

Have a look at these:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1655008&highlight=mariner+pictures

 

I took some pictures of the Mariner if you want to have a look.

[peteukmcr]

Hi Pete, you're welcome.

 

The shuttle was per day unlimited transfers. They had some kind of deal, all four shuttles for $40 (I think the saving was $7) . We were not sure about Valencia but if you are used to finding you own way around you will be fine, as I said I think it would have been more straight forward without all the F1 stuff going on. The free port shuttle is an orange bus when you get off the free shuttle there is a tourist information desk just inside the building on the left.

 

They did have a 'White Night Party' on Day 4 Barcelona, there was also a 70's night on the Royal Promenade Day 7 Sea Day.

 

Sorry, don't know about the VAT on the drinks as we used the new Diamond Lounge.

 

We really enjoyed the Mariner, to be honest we didn't plan this cruise but it was cheaper than a weeks AI to Turkey so we jumped at the chance and it offered a couple of ports which we had not visited before. The big screen was great for the England v Italy match (apart from the result :rolleyes:), tried the hot dogs and enjoyed the Diamond lounge (only 36 passengers Diamond and above so was not overcrowded), the touch screen ship info was handy too at times. The ice show was on Day 4 (8pm and 10pm) and Day 7 (3pm and 5pm) but we didn't actually go in the end.

 

I will get together all the information regarding Genoa/Portofino and post it in the Ports of Call section later in the week.

 

Enjoy :)

Many thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. We're like you that we didn't plan this and we got a guarantee balcony for a good price and when we deducted the online booking discount and our Diamond balcony discount it couldn't be ignored. We're looking forward to the Diamond lounge too. Surprised the white party is when we're in Barcelona as its a late departure from port but then again makes a good sailaway party I suppose as it normally doesnt start until late.

[peteukmcr]

While the ship is in Spanish territorial waters, you get charged an additional 8% tax on any drinks.

Thanks for the feedback, so at least for the first 3 days we won't be charged. We're used to being charged througout the cruise when the ship departs from Barcelona even though we visited France and Italy.

[rickdent]

With the recent refurb, did they update the casino at all? Or is it still coin and dollar($20, 50...) operated for the slots? Any paper ticket machines? Thanks

Rick

[Ned11]

With the recent refurb, did they update the casino at all? Or is it still coin and dollar($20, 50...) operated for the slots? Any paper ticket machines? Thanks

Rick

 

Still notes and coins!