MARINER OF THE SEAS, JUST OFF

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Just left the Mariner of the Seas.  Great ship and crew.  Drew was an excellent Cruise Director, the best we have ever seen.  Ship was very clean and numerous workers kept it that way constantly with the exception of the public men's rooms.  These needed cleaning more often and fumes came up through all the urinals, probably due to low water use design.

Really only two shows, a Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons tribute which was excellent and an Argentian comedy/performance one-man show,  On the final day is a variety show which has a not to miss ending.  Also sat in the Love and Marriage show which was very entertaining.  Any smaller shows in the Star Lounge required you to be there 30 minutes ahead as it is a small venue.  We were on a casino cruise so spent a lot of time there.  No, we did not win; just lots of ups and more downs.  Only problem was the smoke.  Constant and everywhere including some cigars.  Some machines had a small no smoking sign on them but that disappeared as soon as the money went in.  No staff member enforced the no smoking machines.

Specialty Dining:  My suggestion is don't.  I saw that the price had gone to 50% off for this 8 day cruise and signed up as we had loved it on the Allure.  Should have researched it first.  There were only 3 specialty restaurants available.  Chops Grill, the Hibachi and Jamie"s Italian which replaced Giovanni's, our favorite.  Went to Jamie's to sign up for the week and found there was an extra $10 charge per person for the Hibachi.  So we signed up for alternating nights at Chops and Jamie's.  Chops was nice though their ribeye was average at best.  The next night was Jamie's Italian.  Giovanni's it is not.  Designed to be an Italian kitchen with waiters in jeans, no table clothes, and wooden chairs.  Service was slow as only 3 servers and instead of being in sections, they waited on tables from the front to the back.  Interestingly there were 4 managers and a hostess.  Not a great balance.  The food:  Terrible!  The lasagna was ground beef between lasagna noodles with some cheeses on top that was broiled leaving grease.  No ricotta cheese, no tomato sauce of any kind.  Just a dry stack.  I had 3 bites and couldn't stomach any more.  My wife's bolegnese was not better.  We left to cancel the specialty package for the balance of the cruise.  Took 2 times to guest services to get it to go away though was charged full price for each dinner which came to half of what we paid for the whole 8 days.  Dining room was excellent the rest of the week.  Lobster night was crowded but really good plus the waiter kept asking my wife if she wanted more.  I had the tenderloin and it was the best I've ever had on a cruise ship.  

Room steward was also excellent.  Entire crew was so friendly.  Really liked the piano that moved around to different elevators.

[Marie51]

Thanks for your review. We will be on the mariner next week so I am wondering if the ship sailed full?

[molly361]

Just off the Mariner as well.  Great cruise and staff.  Cruise director is Marc Walker

[LinRon3]

We are on Mariner Aug 29th [hopefully anyway; checking the radar].  Were there any production shows on the Mariner?  How about ice skating shows?  we've seen the Frankie Valli n 4 seasons tribute before [not sure what ship though, ha]; good entertainment.  

[nzdisneymom]

Welcome back.  Does the Mariner adjust to the local time zones or stay on *shop time*?  We sail Sep 3 and wondered for when we go to Bermuda.

 

Was there fresh orange juice available in Windjammers for people with the various drink packages?

 

How was the safety drill check-in?

 

Any suggestions for what not to miss for 1st-time-Mariners??

 

Thanks again for your review.

 

[VirginiaIsForCruisers]

24 minutes ago, nzdisneymom said:

Welcome back.  Does the Mariner adjust to the local time zones or stay on *shop time*?  We sail Sep 3 and wondered for when we go to Bermuda.

 

Was there fresh orange juice available in Windjammers for people with the various drink packages?

 

How was the safety drill check-in?

 

Any suggestions for what not to miss for 1st-time-Mariners??

 

Thanks again for your review.

 

The ship changed times when I sailed on her earlier this year.

 

I was able to get fresh squeezed juice at the bar at the front of Windjammer.

 

I did the safety drill on the app, went and checked in at my muster station as soon as I stepped on the ship. It took maybe two minutes. Very easy.

 

 

[kstom1]

I was also on this cruise.  The ship was FULL!  Seats anywhere except for the theater were full! I really liked the juggler show. My kids were disappointed that the sky pad VR wasn’t working and had to wait 2 hours for laser tag.  Otherwise a fun trip!

[Lady_E]

41 minutes ago, kstom1 said:

I was also on this cruise.  The ship was FULL!  Seats anywhere except for the theater were full! I really liked the juggler show. My kids were disappointed that the sky pad VR wasn’t working and had to wait 2 hours for laser tag.  Otherwise a fun trip!

Ugh we sail Sept 11. Hoping it's not as full as ours is a longer cruise.