Mariner of the Seas Resturants after Dry dock?

[Dani4Hedgies]

Hey fellow cruiser we are heading out on the Mariner end of Nov and was just wondering for those lucky ones who have already been on her after dry dock would give us a run down aka your opinions on the restaurants ans what we can expect in each. Thanks so much!

[39august]

Giovani's Table is now where Portofino's was. Do a search for the menu. A Boardwalk Dog House was added on the pool deck. I believe those are the only dining changes.

[peteukmcr]

And we enjoyed Giovanni's so much we visited twice in one week!

[jonath]

MARINER of the SEAS

Now Available - Finished May 2, 2012

• Outdoor movie screen
  
• Updated Vintages wine bar
  
• Boardwalk Dog House
  
• Giovanni’s Table
  
• Digital Signage
  
• Pervasive Wi-Fi
  
• Flat-screen TVs
  
• Thomas Kinkade Gallery™
  
• Diamond Club
  
• Nursery
  

 

RCblog .com ship-upgrade-list-and-schedule

[Dani4Hedgies]

Thanks Pete that is what I was after :D

 

Thanks for listing all the new restaurants Jonath and 39 :).

 

I am hoping to have people who had been on the Mariner within the last couple months to posted about the kinds of food at all the different restaurants (both new and old) and what they and those in their party had thought of it and if they would suggest it for a first time cruiser family?

 

Like we LOVE sushi but have heard that Jade has changed and can't find out if the sushi is still there, if it is basic chain sushi rolls or if we should expect it to be like at a sushi restaurant (rolls,sashimi,ect)?

[Sequim88]

We were on first cruise right after DD and were aprehensive about the change from Portofino (loved that Seafood Skewer) to Giovanni's Table. But we tried it twice in the 15nt cruise and it was really quite good. The Osso Bucco was much better than MDR with large bone and lots of yummy marrow to spread on bread. Since the venue was so new it was not real crowded and the staff was extremely helpful. The dessert selection was huge and they offered as much of whatever you wanted so you could make your own sampler. We had been afraid the atmosphere would not be as elegant as Portofino when we heard it was sort of country casual but not so - very pleasant with interesting planter/partition panels along the windows.

 

Boardwalk Dog House was OK for q quick snack and had a nice selection of hot dogs and sausages. Could have used a little more selection in beers or had beer on tap rather than just bottles. Also it is located on the side of pool area that allows smoking which made using the tables around there less attractive. Our main problem with BDH was we did not want to replace lunch with it but were usually too full from meals to be ready for a bratwurst or sausage.

 

Vintages was interesting with the dispensers and such but some of the prices for a small glass were :eek:. We're not wine fans that much anyway.

 

Not sure if they redecorated Chops in the renovation and if that was different from prior but we hated the setup. We were seated (even though the place was nearly empty) right in front of the opening to the kitchen with the bright flouresent lights shining out on our table - totally ruining the atmosphere, not to mention being headache inducing. Aside form the light there was also the yelling and screaming by the kitchen staff having an argument. Had the Petite Filet and as I ordered a diner was walking out and subtley shook his head. I should have taken the hint - it was really bad. First bad Chops experience we have ever had. :( We would still go to Chops but would refuse seating in front of the kitchen and I would stick to usual Porterhouse even if I can't eat it all.

 

Related to the above eating venues was the really great information displays all over the place. Touch screen access to MDR menu and menus for specialty places. Made it a lot easier to decide which nights to do Giovanni's or Chops and not miss favorites in MDR. Because Giovanni's was so new we could not make advance reservations prior to the cruise. Only downside to the displays was they timed out too fast so we had to page forward-backward quick to reset and have time to read menus.

[Dani4Hedgies]

Sequim88,

Thank you so much that is a HUGE help as we were trying to decide between Chops and Giovanni's Table for our "Special Date Night" and after reading your post we will definably try out Giovanni's table. Is Dog House only open during lunch for a few hours or open all the time? And look forward to checking out the touch screen menus and planning our day that way.

[peteukmcr]

Sequim88,

Thank you so much that is a HUGE help as we were trying to decide between Chops and Giovanni's Table for our "Special Date Night" and after reading your post we will definably try out Giovanni's table. Is Dog House only open during lunch for a few hours or open all the time? And look forward to checking out the touch screen menus and planning our day that way.

On our sailing the Dog House was open daily from 11:30 am until either 5:30 pm or 6 pm, somedays 6:30 pm. It was listed in the Cruise Compass as a snack venue.

[Dani4Hedgies]

Pete,

Sweet hopefully it will open those times again as that would be perfect for us as we like our "main dinner" late at night and like a hot dog/sausage to snack on around 3 :D