Mariner vs. Navigator- Anyone been on Both with Insights?

[bocacruiser]

I'd love to hear from someone who has been on both of these ships who could give any insights/opinions to which one would be a better choice.

[lv2cruisgrl]

We have been on both and loved them both. For us the Navigator was decorated the best. It is just stunning everywhere you go on it. The Mariner has a great crew. The capt is very freindly as is his staff. Choose either you cant go wrong in my book!!

[Inshape]

Choose the one in which the travel is easier to get to. Mariner is fantastic...but it does not have the kids slide.... I do not know if that is important to you. We love Mariner cause I love Port Canaveral...easier for us to fly into Orlando ( direct flights from VA) where all other Fl ports would be one stop[ making it a longer destination. So we stick with mariner---going on her again !

[BaMARox1991]

I have been on both Navigator and Mariner, and IMO they are two of the best ships that Royal Caribbean has. We sailed on Mariner last July and we were on Navigator last week.

The cruises were just about equal, but my favorite ship is the Mariner. I don't know about now since Freedom came out, but the crew on Mariner was outstanding. The ship was also in perfect condition, but that has been a year now and the ship was less than two years old.

We also had an awesome cruise on Navigator. Navigator is almost identical to Mariner, except for the decoration of the pool area, a little more colorful on Mariner. She really is in great shape for a ship nearly four years old. They do a great job keeping her up. The crew was also great on Navigator, with the exception of a couple bar tenders, which is understandable. We really liked Graham, the cruise director, too.

 

Both are outstanding ships. I would personally go with Mariner, just because she is a year younger, but you can't go wrong with either ship. The main difference in them is the Eastern Caribbean itenerary.

[BaMARox1991]

I just finished my Navigator of the Seas album on webshots, Mariner is also on there if you want to check it out. The address is:

http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

[MEGADAN]

We've sailed both and I honestly did not find many differences between them. They are both beautiful ships. You can't go wrong with either.

[SherriZ366]

We have also sailed both -- Navigator once and Mariner twice. We thought the decor on Navigator was prettier -- especially in the Royal Promenade and the Casino. The staff was a little friendlier on Mariner. Great dining room service from all dining room levels -- waiter, asst. waiter and Asst. M'aitre D'. We loved Captain Johnny -- especially his bridge talks with his Chinese Friend. We are booked on Mariner for the 3rd time in Jan. but part of the reason for booking her again is that it is a 4 - 4 1/2 hour drive for us. We liked the Navigator's Eastern itinerary and looking into booking her for Jan. 13 but she was pretty full and the 7-8 hour drive was a factor. You can't go wrong with either ship -- a big plus is that the balconies are glass not closed in like Voyager, Explorer and Adventurer.

[NYCrews]

I've been on Mariner once and Navigator three times - but not necessarily because I liked it better. The two ships are virtually the same. I think the pool deck on Mariner is nicer due to all the artwork by Romero Britto. Other than that, I would choose the cruise based on the itinerary that you liked better. Either way, you can't go wrong

[DonnaC1]

I just finished my Navigator of the Seas album on webshots, Mariner is also on there if you want to check it out. The address is:

http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

 

Loved your pictures of NOS, BaMARox! Makes me even more excited for our cruise on her at the end of this year.

 

Donna

[BaMARox1991]

Loved your pictures of NOS, BaMARox! Makes me even more excited for our cruise on her at the end of this year.

 

Donna

 

Thanks. It was a great cruise :D

[TennisLover]

I just finished my Navigator of the Seas album on webshots, Mariner is also on there if you want to check it out. The address is:

http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

 

 

Great pictures! Did you write a review of your Navigator cruise? We're going on the same cruise in February.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post!

[uksimonusa]

Navigator, Mariner, pretty much the same ship, sailed on Mariner last May and was booked to sail her again this May, unforseen circumstances made us cancel, and the Navigator Eastern was the only other one that fitted our revised timeline, we were a bit worried that the Navigator was a year older than the Mariner and it was a year since we sailed the Mariner, so in effect, there was 2 years more wear and tear on the Navigator, but boy, were we wrong, the Navigator showed no signs of wear, had a wonderful cruise and met some really great people.

 

The best way to choose between the two, in my opinion, would be based on itinery, dates, and price, also is it easier for you to get to PC or Miami

 

Have a great cruise

[WeirdEyes]

I've sailed both ships and I prefer the Mariner for several reasons: 1) Cruise Director Becky Thompson is AWESOME!; 2) Sails out of Port Canavarel instead of Miami; 3) Crew was friendlier; and 4) CAPTAIN JOHNNY!!!!!

[cpcruiser]

I just finished my Navigator of the Seas album on webshots, Mariner is also on there if you want to check it out. The address is:

http://community.webshots.com/user/bamarox1991

 

What beach were you at in Nassau? What beach do you recommend in Nassau? Liked your pictures, thanks for sharing with everyone.

[BaMARox1991]

Great pictures! Did you write a review of your Navigator cruise? We're going on the same cruise in February.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post!

 

Yes I did write a review for Navigator. Heres the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=364874

[BaMARox1991]

What beach were you at in Nassau? What beach do you recommend in Nassau? Liked your pictures, thanks for sharing with everyone.

 

We got off the ship in Nassau, went through the terminal off of the pier and there are tons of taxis, alot like the International Pier in Cozumel. We took a taxi to Atlantis and asked how to get to the public beach next to Atlantis and everybody was really helpful and it was a fairly short walk. I don't know the name of the beach but I think it must be fairly popular, there were probably a hundred people from the Mariner on the beach. We swam for a while and got some sun and just walked back to Atlantis and got a cab back. We will definatly do it again next time we go to Nassau, it was the nicest beach I have ever been to, sand was white as I have ever seen and the water was gorgeous. It was really easy and I think the cabs just costed about $8 each way.

[TennisLover]

Thanks for the review. I actually read it earlier this week. Didn't realize you were the same poster. THanks again!

[maggieq]

This is only from our experience though. The nos is the first rccl ship we took so of course we were thrilled with it.

 

We like Sat to Sat cruises so this ship was better for us. Also, the NOS is closer to port and airport.

 

Either way, you'll have a good time.

[Borat]

been on both the Navigator and Mariner...ships are pretty similar, but the crew on Mariner was noticably stronger..by that i mean friendlier and more memorable. Either way itll be a great vacation.

[3seass]

We have been on both and loved each one. The navigator had better service than the Mariner but the Mariner had Captian Johny and he is awesome with his quick whit. Both ships are beautiful and are the same size. We liked that the Mainer sailed from Port Canveral and it was a non-stop flight the other we had to change planes and Port Canveral has a lot to see and beautiful beaches as we go the day before to enjoy FLA. You'll love which ever you do I would look for the best deal.

Good Luck........

[CruiseEnthusiast]

I have been on both ships. I would have to say that if i had to chose , I'd say Mariner. It is a newer ship. I also liked the crew/staff better on the Mariner. Both are beautiful ships and exactly the same in size. I just prefer the newer to the older. THe Navigator suite that we had (owners suite ) had torn fabric on the bedding and the sofas were worn looking. The Mariner was much less worn out looking. We had sailed on Navigator easter break so perhaps that sways my decision a bit. I am sailing on the Mariner again in December 2006. Will post my opinion then about it now that it is a bit older ( 1 1/2 years later). I think I'd pick my cruise by the itinerary rather than the ship!!!

[Maybebell]

WE have been on both and they both are simply GREAT!! They are very much alike, but there were a couple of things that I liked better on each of the ships. I Loved the captain better on the Mariner. Captain Johnny was so wonderful. You saw him alot around the ship, and he would stop and talk to everyone. The cruise director we had was Becky and anyone that has sailed with her will agree she is the best. However I liked the Navigators days better. You left and returned on Saturdays which is better for us working monday. The mariner left sunday and returned sunday. Which made a long day of traveling and going to work the next day. The ships are pretty much the same. Our first cruise was on Navigator and of course that is always your best cruise.

 

Navigator of the Seas 5/2003

Mariner of the Seas 11/2005