First cruise on Mariner in Asia

[Thornbird]

We're taking our first cruise ever in 2 weeks, on Mariner OTS out of Singapore, and I'm stressing out about a few things. The website isn't working properly and is telling me that there is no entertainment on the whole cruise. That can't be right can it?

Other questions:

We don't tip here, so I am useless at it. On previous travels I'm pretty sure I've messed it up, so I thought I was making it easy doing pre-paid. But I read something about envelopes and giving things to the servers at the end. Does that mean that even though I've already paid, I still have to do the awkward handing over of something to everyone? Will they not get their tip if I don't physically give them the slips from the envelope? I'm going to be wrangling a 3 yr old and an absent minded husband, how am I meant to find everyone on disembarkation day?

Do I have to sign up for the kids club prior to getting on board, or just turn up and put her name down?

Can we put different credit cards on mine and my husband's sea pass card?

We have one docked and one tendered port. I think we are doing a ship excursion for the docked one, if we explore on our own how do we avoid losing half the day waiting to tender?

What is available to do on the embarkation day? Does the kids club open or not until the next day?

 

Wow, so many questions, I'm sorry I really have been trying to do my homework but booking was a bit of a last minute decision and I just cant' find all the info I want.

 

Thanks

[cruiserking]

We're taking our first cruise ever in 2 weeks, on Mariner OTS out of Singapore, and I'm stressing out about a few things. The website isn't working properly and is telling me that there is no entertainment on the whole cruise. That can't be right can it?

Other questions:

We don't tip here, so I am useless at it. On previous travels I'm pretty sure I've messed it up, so I thought I was making it easy doing pre-paid. But I read something about envelopes and giving things to the servers at the end. Does that mean that even though I've already paid, I still have to do the awkward handing over of something to everyone? Will they not get their tip if I don't physically give them the slips from the envelope? I'm going to be wrangling a 3 yr old and an absent minded husband, how am I meant to find everyone on disembarkation day?

Do I have to sign up for the kids club prior to getting on board, or just turn up and put her name down?

Can we put different credit cards on mine and my husband's sea pass card?

We have one docked and one tendered port. I think we are doing a ship excursion for the docked one, if we explore on our own how do we avoid losing half the day waiting to tender?

What is available to do on the embarkation day? Does the kids club open or not until the next day?

 

Wow, so many questions, I'm sorry I really have been trying to do my homework but booking was a bit of a last minute decision and I just cant' find all the info I want.

 

Thanks

 

You needn't stress about anything Thornbird. You are about to embark on a wonderful cruise adventure.

 

Shows: There will be plenty of entertainment on board the ship. Each evening there is a complementary production in the main theater either a Broadway style show or an individual performer like a magician or a comedian. You can get tickets for the ice skating show once you are on board.

 

Tipping: I usually give the cabin steward a minimum of $20 depending on the length of the cruise and the service provided. I give around the same to the waiter and assistant in the dining room.

 

Tendering: Does not take half the day. The first tenders leave quite early in the morning, usually those passengers booked on Royal Caribbean excursions and suite passengers get first dibs. The trip into port is quick usually three or four minutes.

 

Just make sure you booking with a reputable company and that you will return to the ship in plenty of time. Many people book private tours, I have too but, only when the ship overnights in a port. If you book directly with the cruise line the ship will wait for you if the excursion is late returning.

 

Kids Clubs: Yes, you can sign up it once you board the Mariner.

 

Credit Cards: Typically the cruise line takes one credit card for a family but, I believe you might have the option of splitting them. I'm sure someone on these boards will have the answer.

 

Roll Call: Have you joined the roll call for your cruise? Go to the Roll Call section and look for Royal Caribbean then click on Mariner and scroll down until you find your cruise date. This is a great way to chat with other people on your cruise maybe even join in on an excursion.

 

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Jonathan

[TonRin]

Hi Thombird,

I cant answer all your questions but I'll try on a couple. You dont need to tip anyone if you dont want too. I was on Mariner with my wife in early 2014 and we tipped a few people on the first day. I tipped my room attendant, i tipped a great filipino bartender I met in the schooner bar and I tipped the MDR maitre-de who came in very handy later in the cruise when i wanted a table for 13 people. Once i tipped these guys, service was excellent. Some call it bribery.. Who cares.. I got what I needed from them, and they got more of a tip. Us Aussies arent used to it, but simply just keep some smaller US notes and give them out if your happy with the service.. If you can afford it.. If not, dont. Most staff will bend over backwards for you anyway.

Im not sure about the duel credit cards.. I had a CC on my booking but still paid the final bill in cash. Easy to do. One booking is one CC i think.

I didnt have any kids, so cant help you with the kids club sorry.

What itinerary are you doing? We did Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam on B2B cruises. If you have any other questions, ask away!

 

Cheers

[curcurt]

If you pre-paid your tips, nothing needs to be done. When you buy a drunk on-board the tip is already added.

 

This review lists some of the entertainment you should expect http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2195111&highlight=review

[Ken at the beach]

At check in just tell them you want different credit cards for each person. No problem.

[TonRin]

Definately look at the Roll Call like Jonathan says and register for a meet and mingle if you cruise is 7 days or longer. You have to get 25 people to have a meet and mingle party though. I still have some great friends that we sailed with that we met through Roll Call and meet and mingle.

The shows will be great. They were awesome on our cruise. Just get there early as most Asians are punctual!

Also be prepared for some pushing in the Windjammer buffet and casino. Think about having 20 brother and sisters fighting for the same piece of bread at dinner and you will understand how Asians live.. I am married to a Filipino so I know.. Not all, but some will seem pushy.. Just smile and laugh it off. Its your holiday. Dont let them get to you no matter how frustrating the situation is..

Most tenders will be away by 8am.

[Thornbird]

You guys are awesome, I didn't expect responses so quickly. Thanks!

SO I have looked and joined my roll call, but there were only two of us on it, so not the most useful!

We have two ports, Port Klang and Phuket. For Klang, I didn't feel comfortable doing our own thing, as it's a long way to Kuala Lumpur, and the traffic is unpredictable, plus it's a short stop - only 7 to 3 , so it seemed too risky to go solo. Phuket I'm undecided, none of the tours really grab me, and we might even decide to stay on the ship.

 

Oh, a few more questions -

Can my 3yo try ice skating? I love ice skating - it was a huge treat when we were kids, but I probably haven't been in about 20 years!

I know the Chops Grille, Giovannis and Johnny rocket have an additional charge, what about the other cafes?

 

 

I'm not too worried about the differences with Asian culture - it will probably be more of a culture shock dealing with the American customs on the ship. The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is that smoking is a lot more popular, and I hate smoke, but I'll deal with that.

[TonRin]

We didnt do Phuket but we did do KL and Port Klang. We did a private tour which was at our own pace bt we didnt set sail till 5 pm so had more time. Seriously KL didnt do anything for us. My opinion, only 3 things to see.. Batu Caves, KL Tower and the Kings Palace gate! You will get photos of Petronas Towers from the drive around town.. And KL Tower you can just turn up and go up. Petronas Tower you have to pre purchase and if your late you miss out with no refund I am led to believe. Batu Caves was interesting. Alot of steps but worth the climb. Watch for the monkeys, they can be vicious. The Kings Palace Gate, you cant go in but you can see the palace from the gate. Give the guards on horses a monetry tip and they will let you take photos with them and you can pat the horses. No tips, and as you go to take the pic, they will turn away. Even the horses turn away. Funny to watch.

Again not sure about kiddy skating. Im sure they wont mind but not sure if they will have little skates and helmets or not!

Not really many American customs on the ship other than the tipping really we found. Alot of Asians will typically eat, sleep and gamble.

 

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[Diplomacy]

Tipping:

You have the option of raising or lowering your tip at guest services. If you'd rather do that, and not mess with the envelopes, then by all means. The Prepaids are pooled grats, and the envelopes are sometimes pooled and sometimes not pooled... But if you feel awkward dealing with grats and envelopes, then don't. There is also apparently a form at the front desk you can ask for so that you can divy up your prepaids. The power is yours.

 

Just know that your crew makes only about $2 per hour besides tips, so its good to tip generously, and imagine yourself providing the same level of service that you were provided on that salary... Because of the way tipping is handled (the pooled nature), it's often likened to a service charge, moreso than a tip in the traditional sense.

 

Entertainment:

I highly doubt there will be zero entertainment. The production show is likely to be a magic or singing act of some kind, and not a theater performance

 

Dining:

There are a handful of venues aboard the mariner that offer food besides the MDR and the windjammer, for the most part they are all upcharges. There is a notable exception though, and that is cafe sorrentos on the main promenade. There is also a hotdog stand and self-serve frozen yogurt on the pool deck. Consider bringing your own toppings, if you and your 3 y.o. are into soft serve ^_)^

 

If I were to rate Sorrentos food, I'd give them a D. Not exactly joie de vivre.

Edited October 31, 2015 by Diplomacy

[Ashland]

We did the Mariner Singapore-Shanghai this past March...seems like many of your questions have been answered above...anything else I might be able to help with...ask away !!

 

Hope you have time in Singapore to eat at the nightly street stalls at Lau Pa Sat...the best satay we've ever had...easy to get there using the MRT. Enjoy !!!

[cruiserinsg]

You guys are awesome, I didn't expect responses so quickly. Thanks!

SO I have looked and joined my roll call, but there were only two of us on it, so not the most useful!

We have two ports, Port Klang and Phuket. For Klang, I didn't feel comfortable doing our own thing, as it's a long way to Kuala Lumpur, and the traffic is unpredictable, plus it's a short stop - only 7 to 3 , so it seemed too risky to go solo. Phuket I'm undecided, none of the tours really grab me, and we might even decide to stay on the ship.

 

Oh, a few more questions -

Can my 3yo try ice skating? I love ice skating - it was a huge treat when we were kids, but I probably haven't been in about 20 years!

I know the Chops Grille, Giovannis and Johnny rocket have an additional charge, what about the other cafes?

 

 

I'm not too worried about the differences with Asian culture - it will probably be more of a culture shock dealing with the American customs on the ship. The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is that smoking is a lot more popular, and I hate smoke, but I'll deal with that.

 

Just off from the Mariner a few days ago. Our 3+ did Ice Skating. If I'm not mistaken, the smallest boot size is Size 9.

[Thornbird]

That's great news CruiserinSG, she's a size 9 so she should be good to go!

Everything is coming together now so I'm starting to relax and look forward to it, we still haven't booked anything for Phuket, but worst case we'll hang out in Patong and just have a wander around. Thanks for all the help and advice, if I think of anything else I'm sure I'll be back.

I'm getting so excited now - this time next week we'll be on our plane!!

[138east]

That's great news CruiserinSG, she's a size 9 so she should be good to go!

Everything is coming together now so I'm starting to relax and look forward to it, we still haven't booked anything for Phuket, but worst case we'll hang out in Patong and just have a wander around. Thanks for all the help and advice, if I think of anything else I'm sure I'll be back.

I'm getting so excited now - this time next week we'll be on our plane!!

 

Long pants are required for all ice skaters.

[cruiserinsg]

That's great news CruiserinSG, she's a size 9 so she should be good to go!

Everything is coming together now so I'm starting to relax and look forward to it, we still haven't booked anything for Phuket, but worst case we'll hang out in Patong and just have a wander around. Thanks for all the help and advice, if I think of anything else I'm sure I'll be back.

I'm getting so excited now - this time next week we'll be on our plane!!

 

Long pants are required for all ice skaters.

 

Yup and get the knee and elbow protections too. Socks are required as well. :)

 

We did walking tour at Phuket. Most shops are open at around 11am, Thailand Time. Foot massage is around 250 baht. :)