Mariner or Liberty 11/07

[vesw01]

There is about a thousand dollar difference between the two for 2 adults and 5 kids - 2 inside connecting rooms. IT is the same

 

Do you think it is worth the extra cost - we will be doing a mini family reunion - parents, sister and her husband, my brother and his gf, me dh and our 5 kids 14,13,5,4,3,

 

or should we save the money for other things?

[QTMichele]

Is it in your budget to do Liberty AND participate in the fee activities & misc. experiences (alternative dining, excursions, spa, drinks, casino)? Do you want the feel of a newer & bigger ship? Does the port matter (not sure which port Liberty sails from?)?

 

I haven't been on either ship (or any ship for that matter!), but I'm going on the Mariner in February. My husband and I were in a similar situation (Mariner or Freedom) and decided upon the Mariner for a few reasons. We have family in Orlando so it was a bonus that Mariner leaves from Port Canaveral. The extra money wasn't an issue, but I AM thrifty and am glad we're saving the extra money that Freedom would have cost us. Also, we had a better selection of rooms to choose from on the Mariner as Freedom is so popular right now.

 

Good luck deciding! I'm sure you'll have a great cruise regardless of which ship you pick!

[LizC]

Liberty would be my choice. But is price is the issue I am sure you will love Mariner.

[gkrebs]

For 142 per person, go on the Liberty

[JetsJetsJets]

I don't see reducing the increase to the price per person when one person is paying the total..5 are kids!

I am debating the same thing..for me it will cost me about 500 to "upgrade" to the Liberty from the Mariner in April 2008. Same Itinery except it leaves from Miami... Is it worth it?:confused:

My family is 2 adults 2 teens..Our friends on same cruise have 2 kids around age 10.

Not trying to hijack this thread but I having the same debate.

BTW, Deck 10 JS with an interior across the hall for kids on the Mariner.

[nlcentralchmps03]

We had to make the exact same decision.

 

We are traveling with a large group of people from my house in Orlando.

 

We really didn't want to take three cars down to Miami, so we decided to stay close and do the 45 minute drive over the 4 hour drive.

 

Plus, we didn't want to pay the extra money to travel on a newer ship.

[nlcentralchmps03]

Just when I thought the boards were getting better, I get that stinkin' double post! :(

[bobjudy1]

MY HUSBAND AND I JUST LOVED THE MARINER and leaving from the Cape is soooo much easier..save the extra money and use it on the shore excursions.....!

[bigsky]

Haven't been on the Liberty, but the Mariner...2nd time this yr. It's a wonderful ship! She's not that old and also going into dry dock in May..not sure when you were thinking of going. I say save the money, go on the Mariner this time and try the Liberty when it's less money. If we were talking about a few hundred, I'd say the Liberty. But 1,000 can be spent on other stuff...like excursions and other stuff.

Also, PC is such a nice port to leave from (our favorite)...that's a bonus in itself. Easy to get in and out. If you stay an extra day after the cruise, you can take the kids to Walt Disney World....or Kennedy Space Center.

 

Have fun!

[nlcentralchmps03]

Haven't been on the Liberty, but the Mariner...2nd time this yr. It's a wonderful ship! She's not that old and also going into dry dock in May..not sure when you were thinking of going. I say save the money, go on the Mariner this time and try the Liberty when it's less money. If we were talking about a few hundred, I'd say the Liberty. But 1,000 can be spent on other stuff...like excursions and other stuff.

Also, PC is such a nice port to leave from (our favorite)...that's a bonus in itself. Easy to get in and out. If you stay an extra day after the cruise, you can take the kids to Walt Disney World....or Kennedy Space Center.

 

Have fun!

I thought the dry dock was in April?

 

I am probably wrong.

 

Do you know the exact date of the dry dock?

[Lowcountrygal]

I'd say the Mariner too and save the $$.

 

I'm trying to plan my next cruise and am having the same dilemma. We've been aboard the Mariner 3 x already and have always been very satisfied. I'd love to try either the Freedom or Liberty, but can't justify the extra expense. I would rather apply the savings to a future cruise! :)

 

The Teen program is EXCELLENT aboard the Mariner and Port Canaveral is a breeze to negotiate when compared to Miami or worse, Fort Lauderdale. In addition, if you are fortunate enough to sail with Captain Johnny aboard the Mariner, you will note a high morale amongst the crew and his humorous ways always!

 

Good luck and enjoy whichever cruise you choose!

 

Rose

[nlcentralchmps03]

I thought the dry dock was in April?

 

I am probably wrong.

 

Do you know the exact date of the dry dock?

I just looked and the dry dock will take place from 4/29/07-5/6/07, in Freeport.

[FunCruiser56]

If you have not experienced a Voyager Class ship then go with the Mariner. We sailed on the Navigator 2 yrs ago and just loved the ship. For what you will save you will not notice any difference and have the $$ for spending.

If your in Orlando then you save on driving and gas too, we have driven from Orlando - Miami and it is a long drive, not so bad before the cruise because your excited about it but that drive after....soooo long.

 

We are sailing on the Liberty in October and it was our 2nd choice- we wanted the Navigator again or the Mariner. NOS is in Europe and the Mariner is booked for a private function the week we go. It was not so much the price but we like the Voyager Class ships. I am sure we will have a great time on the Liberty too..

 

Bev

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I'd say the Mariner too and save the $$.

 

I'm trying to plan my next cruise and am having the same dilemma. We've been aboard the Mariner 3 x already and have always been very satisfied. I'd love to try either the Freedom or Liberty, but can't justify the extra expense. I would rather apply the savings to a future cruise! :)

 

The Teen program is EXCELLENT aboard the Mariner and Port Canaveral is a breeze to negotiate when compared to Miami or worse, Fort Lauderdale. In addition, if you are fortunate enough to sail with Captain Johnny aboard the Mariner, you will note a high morale amongst the crew and his humorous ways always!

 

Good luck and enjoy whichever cruise you choose!

 

Rose

 

we were booked on the Mariner for 9/2007 but changed to the Liberty. We only had to pay $50pp extra. I guess since school is back at that time the prices were less.

 

what are your concerns with cruising from Fort Lauderdale? I have cruised from there a few times and thought it very easy and convenient. We are cruising from there in June.

 

Bill

[Lowcountrygal]

we were booked on the Mariner for 9/2007 but changed to the Liberty. We only had to pay $50pp extra. I guess since school is back at that time the prices were less.

 

what are your concerns with cruising from Fort Lauderdale? I have cruised from there a few times and thought it very easy and convenient. We are cruising from there in June.

 

Bill

 

Bill,

We cruised from Port Everglades for the first time last month, in fact our cruise was exactly 4 weeks ago today. I think what added to our unfavorable experience was trying to embark at one of the more busy times of year....there were at least 9 ships all leaving that day along with the Radiance! The traffic snarls were unbelievable, parking lots full with no signs indicating such, poor signage regarding other available lots, long wait for shuttle service, etc. It was nothing like anything we've ever experienced and had us feeling so overwhelmed just getting to the ship! Perhaps it's not always like this, at least I hope so. The traffic jams followed us all along the cruise as many of these ships were shadowing us in the same ports making for tendering to be at a snail's pace in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

Rose

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Bill,

We cruised from Port Everglades for the first time last month, in fact our cruise was exactly 4 weeks ago today. I think what added to our unfavorable experience was trying to embark at one of the more busy times of year....there were at least 9 ships all leaving that day along with the Radiance! The traffic snarls were unbelievable, parking lots full with no signs indicating such, poor signage regarding other available lots, long wait for shuttle service, etc. It was nothing like anything we've ever experienced and had us feeling so overwhelmed just getting to the ship! Perhaps it's not always like this, at least I hope so. The traffic jams followed us all along the cruise as many of these ships were shadowing us in the same ports making for tendering to be at a snail's pace in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

 

Rose

 

Rose,

we usually cruise in the summer when there are usually no more than 3 ships in port. I'm sure that is the difference. Having 9 ships in port would surely put a strain on services.

 

Bill

[Lowcountrygal]

Rose,

we usually cruise in the summer when there are usually no more than 3 ships in port. I'm sure that is the difference. Having 9 ships in port would surely put a strain on services.

 

Bill

 

Yes, it did strain services. Even the staff was commenting on tying (or breaking) the record for amount of ships at Port Everglades at one time!

 

Having had that experience, I don't think I want to cruise around the holidays anymore! :( It's nice to know that at other times Port Everglades is typically more manageable and orderly.

 

Rose

[jimmyatc]

The Mariner and the crew are absolutely fantastic. The Liberty crew can be as good, but definitely not better than the Mariner crew. The itineraries are the same. The ships are almost identical in the amenities onboard...it's just bigger. Port Canaveral is a plus, but it's not a big difference from Ft Lauderdale. I have also heard more complaints on these boards about long lines on the Freedom (dinner, buffet, tenders, ice show, etc.) than on any Voyager class ship.

 

So the bottom line is --- You will be paying $1000 more for the Flowrider and a boxing ring....which you might not even use. The suggestion to use the extra money on excursions is a great one. Mariner would be my choice.

 

Have a great time on whichever one you choose :D