Just Off Mariner - Excellent Getaway! Feel Free to Ask Questions

[flhokie]

DD (8), my mom and I just got off a 3 day sailing on Mariner. I submitted a review, but I'll give a summary here and feel free to ask questions.

 

The embarkation in Port Canaveral was the quickest and easiest we've experienced! 

 

The upgrades to the ship are great! The Windjammer never felt crowded (and the food was good). The waterslides, Flow Rider, climbing structure, sky pad and swings/hammocks were fun experiences. 

 

Despite what some crew members say, you do need reservations for laser tag. There is a standby line, but you can wait a long time in it. We asked about making reservations on embarkation day and were told you couldn't make reservations. 

 

We ate in the dining room each night. Service was great and so was the food. 

 

Our cabin attendant (Benny) was excellent. 

 

CoCo Cay is amazing! We did the water park and it was well worth it. 

 

Disembarkation was easy. They're using the facial recognition for customs/immigration. We just got our pictures taken and were on our way. 

 

Would highly recommend Mariner for a short getaway! 

 

 

[Evilgrin72]

Did you spend any time in the casino?  Looking specifically for video poker options and whether or not they have the blackjack games with the video dealers and the "Shoot to Win" bubble craps machines.  TIA if you can answer, if not, glad you had a great time!

[OceansOfTravels]

I am going on the Explorer, but they're in the same class and have the same build, so I will just ask my question here.

 

I am wondering, did you find the pools to be crowded on sea days? We have four sea days on our cruise, and will likely want to spend some time on deck, so we are wondering how crowded the pools will be. What about other things, like the Flowrider and sports areas? Were they packed as well? Just trying to plan some sea days! 🙂

[flhokie]

4 hours ago, Evilgrin72 said:

Did you spend any time in the casino?  Looking specifically for video poker options and whether or not they have the blackjack games with the video dealers and the "Shoot to Win" bubble craps machines.  TIA if you can answer, if not, glad you had a great time!

I don't recall seeing any video poker options, but I wasn't really looking (did walk through the slots many times and don't recall seeing any video poker). Sorry! 

 

I will say the casino was pretty crowded each night. 

[flhokie]

55 minutes ago, OceansOfTravels said:

I am going on the Explorer, but they're in the same class and have the same build, so I will just ask my question here.

 

I am wondering, did you find the pools to be crowded on sea days? We have four sea days on our cruise, and will likely want to spend some time on deck, so we are wondering how crowded the pools will be. What about other things, like the Flowrider and sports areas? Were they packed as well? Just trying to plan some sea days! 🙂

We didn't have any sea days (Nassau and CoCo Cay on a 3 day). We stayed on-board while at Nassau. The pool deck did get busier later in the afternoon, but never extremely crowded (and always plenty of seats).There were the 2 regular pools--typically one had mostly adults and the other had more children and families. There was also the pool in the solarium. Since I had DD, I didn't really get to spend time there. 

 

The Flowrider had a line each time it was open, but it wasn't horribly long. Sky Pad took reservations, but did have open times for those without reservations (just plan to stand in line for a while). Things like Flow Rider, water slides, Sky Pad and rock wall had some different hours (ex. 9- 11 & 1 - 4 or 10 - 2 and 4 - 7). I would think they'd be open longer hours on sea days.'Definitely try to get reservations for laser tag and Sky Pad. 

 

Overall, we never really felt crowded (and the ship was full). 

[Mikew0805]

7 hours ago, Evilgrin72 said:

Did you spend any time in the casino?  Looking specifically for video poker options and whether or not they have the blackjack games with the video dealers and the "Shoot to Win" bubble craps machines.  TIA if you can answer, if not, glad you had a great time!

Just off the ship today as well. The answer to your questions about the casino is... no & no.  Sorry. 

[Evilgrin72]

10 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

Just off the ship today as well. The answer to your questions about the casino is... no & no.  Sorry. 

Son of a.......

 

Thanks man.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the info.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[KYtravelholic]

Sailing Mariner next month. I cannot find anything online and RCCL didn't know when I called in. The SkyPad IS re-opened, right? I called Cruise Planner and they said no reservations for laser tag, FlowRider or SkyPad. For those above suggesting we need reservations, how did you make them? Thanks!

[karena1]

Loved Mariner, cruised on her a number of times before she moved to PC.  Now we have Navigator and absolutely love that ship

[flhokie]

4 hours ago, KYtravelholic said:

Sailing Mariner next month. I cannot find anything online and RCCL didn't know when I called in. The SkyPad IS re-opened, right? I called Cruise Planner and they said no reservations for laser tag, FlowRider or SkyPad. For those above suggesting we need reservations, how did you make them? Thanks!

SkyPad is definitely re-opened. Each day, at least one of the sessions said that priority was given to reservations. The app indicated that you could make reservations, but it never allowed it (always directed to guest services). I'm not sure how to successfully make reservations for it.

 

There is definitely confusion around Laser Tag reservations. We asked upon boarding where to make reservations and were told there was no need for reservations. That evening, when I tried to add it to my planner on the app, it made me make a reservation, but there was only 1 time left (during our dinner). We went to Studio B a little before 3:30 and were told that we could get in a standby line (there were around 18 people in front of us). We waited and finally got in with a group at 4:30 (so we cancelled our reservation for later). Those who had gotten reservations right after boarding said that you can get them at "the box office."

 

The only reservations for Flow Rider were for classes.

[myacuna]

Did you notice a push to purchase specialty dining on board? We are doing a 3 night in November and there are no good deals on the planner right now. We may just wait until we are on board to see what kind pf pricing we can get. I remember from other cruises, the wait staff were out in full force trying to get bookings so wondering if there is a deal to be had on board.

[kevinkingmd]

20 hours ago, KYtravelholic said:

Sailing Mariner next month. I cannot find anything online and RCCL didn't know when I called in. The SkyPad IS re-opened, right? I called Cruise Planner and they said no reservations for laser tag, FlowRider or SkyPad. For those above suggesting we need reservations, how did you make them? Thanks!

 

On Mariner in early July.  Can make reservations on board.  We made laser tag and SkyPad reservations on day 1.

 

SkyPad is open and jumping.

[kevinkingmd]

1 hour ago, myacuna said:

Did you notice a push to purchase specialty dining on board? We are doing a 3 night in November and there are no good deals on the planner right now. We may just wait until we are on board to see what kind pf pricing we can get. I remember from other cruises, the wait staff were out in full force trying to get bookings so wondering if there is a deal to be had on board.

 

B I G push to purchase speciality dining on board. Especially the first night.

[booplesnoople]

22 hours ago, KYtravelholic said:

Sailing Mariner next month. I cannot find anything online and RCCL didn't know when I called in. The SkyPad IS re-opened, right? I called Cruise Planner and they said no reservations for laser tag, FlowRider or SkyPad. For those above suggesting we need reservations, how did you make them? Thanks!

 

From what I've gathered from other people, once you embark there is a desk near the rock wall on deck 13 where you can sign up for laser tag, FlowRider and Skypad. In the app it gives "box office" times which should tell you when they're open and taking reservations. 

I don't get on Mariner until October, so all of this is unverified, but it's a starting place at least?

[flhokie]

7 hours ago, myacuna said:

Did you notice a push to purchase specialty dining on board? We are doing a 3 night in November and there are no good deals on the planner right now. We may just wait until we are on board to see what kind pf pricing we can get. I remember from other cruises, the wait staff were out in full force trying to get bookings so wondering if there is a deal to be had on board.

They did seem to be pushing specialty dining on board. There was something like 1 day unlimited specialty dining for $29.99 and kids free. We weren't really interested in specialty dining so we didn't pay close attention to details, but they were really pushing it. 

[CruisinCrow]

Thanks for the review.  We'll be on Mariner a month from today!  I didn't know about swings and hammocks.  Where are those located?

[royalcruiser60]

Do you know how much the drink package costs on this ship?

 

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, royalcruiser60 said:

Do you know how much the drink package costs on this ship?

 

Pricing is dynamic, but figure around $60-70/day.

[CruisinCrow]

35 minutes ago, royalcruiser60 said:

Do you know how much the drink package costs on this ship?

 

 

It ranged from $61 to $65 a day on our cruise planner.  I never saw it go below $61.

[flhokie]

We were able to get a package...internet + drink package for around $60 per day in advance.

[kelbell]

We got the Deluxe drink package about 2 months ago and it was $41. sailing in Dec.

Did you do the escape room?

[TomC21]

From what I understand, you don’t get your Sea Pass Cards until you’re able to access your cabins around 1:00pm. What do you use if you want to get a drink prior to that time? Your printed Set Sail Pass? It’s been awhile since we’ve sailed Royal.

thanks

Tom

[Biker19]

1 minute ago, TomC21 said:

Your printed Set Sail Pass?

This, or if available, the one in the RCI app.

Edited October 1, 2019 by Biker19

[seabeew]

9 hours ago, royalcruiser60 said:

Do you know how much the drink package costs on this ship?

 

Not the OP, but I was on the same sailing. The onboard cost was $82 with a second package 50% off. So the package was actually $61.50 pp plus gratuity. As started by others, the cruise planner price fluctuated between $61 and $65 plus gratuities if you booked during the last few months.