Mariner vs. Voyager or Navigator?

[CruiserPat]

I've been reading the critiques of Voyager and Navigator, and it sounds like they really need some refurbushing. How does the Mariner compare? We're on the Oct. 18, 2006 Mariner cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore, and I haven't heard many comments about the ship, service, etc. This will be our first RSSC cruise.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

I have been on all three of the ships. Mariner has been re-furbished recently. I am going on her again next week. I hear she is in beautiful shape.

 

In June I was on the Voyager for 10 days. Other than maybe needing some carpet replaced because it has been cleaned continually, the ship was complete perfection. I booked the crossing for November 2007 and so did several of my friends.

 

In 2004, I did two cruises on the Navigator. It was time for some of the soft goods to be replaced but overall the ship was in very good shape and elegant. I have friends who just were on the same cruise with posters who posted here. I hope they will post their experience because they told me that they had an opposite experience on board. I will be on the Navigator in December.

 

My personal opinion is that if you have unreal expectations then nothing will ever be right.

[NCCruzQueen]

My personal opinion is that if you have unreal expectations then nothing will ever be right.

 

Well said, ChatKat.

 

I was on the Mariner last month. The new hotel manager was busy getting the ship spiffed up. We had cocktails with him one night and he has big plans for the Mariner.

 

Beth

[Iamboatman]

The Navigator is in mid-refurbish now, so what I saw a few weeks ago probably is not going to be what will be seen in a few months.

 

I was on the Mariner last summer and she looked in fine shape. The suites are well laid out and equipped. The bathrooms are very nice (most only have bathtubs, but the gain in real estate over the Navigator was worth the tradeoff). The main dining room is much nicer (and two additional alternative restaurants a plus). The public areas are also much better designed.

 

My issues on the Mariner related to some service issues; not the ship itself. If those have been ironed out over the past year you will have a wonderful time on a wonderful ship.

[CruiserPat]

Thanks all for your comments. I feel a lot better. We are looking forward to the trip, and since it is our first cruise, we don't have many expectations. I'm sure everything will be great!