Just Off Mariner...Ali We Miss You!!!

[LaceyLady]

Hi all, just returned from Mariner yesterday and thought I would write a short review of our cruise. It consisted of myself with 25 cruises, 5 on the Mariner, my best friend Tracey with approx. 7 cruises and her 11 yr old son Jordun.

We drove from Tampa Bay Fl. which took under three hours, spent only minutes in embarking and we were on the ship by 12:30 pm.

The Mariner is still a very pretty ship, the Royal Promenade being our favorite deck as always.

 

I am disabled due to a recent knee replacement and I tried for two months and several phone calls to secure a handicapped cabin, but was repeatly told there were none available :o( We were given an ocean view cabin on deck three room 3548 for the three of us. Being we have been on the Mariner several times we figured it would be okay for the three of us and my wheelchair. NOT QUITE. We were very surprised upon entering the room to see how much smaller it was than all the other ocean view cabins we had in the past. There was barely room for the three of us, forget about the wheelchair. I did call the guest relations desk and tell them of our dilema, and they said they would get back to us this evening if anything better came up.

Well about 6:00 pm they did call and low and behold had a handicapped cabin not taken. (Remember, I had tried for 2 mts to get one, but who knows)

So I packed up some of the stuff I had unpacked and dragged what we had with us downstairs to deck two to the handicapped room. BIG DIFFERENCE. It not only accomadated the three of us but my wheelchair as well. so thank you G.R.desk for finding us that room.

 

We did not get to stop at CoCo Cay as usual due to the winds and rough high seas so instead we diverted to Puerto Rico . Unfortunately to make up some time Capt. Johnny turned on all engines and really put the pedal to the metal because for 2 solid days the ship was rocking and rolling all over, and I for one got a little queasy, as well as some others. After getting to PR we got back into the normal "cruising" mode, thank God. By the way Capt. Johnny is still a blast and as nice as always.

 

Next, I'd like to talk about our WONDERFUL and handsome Waiter Ali ;o) and our asst' waiter Muharo.

They were SUPERB. Ali was not only a fabulous waiter but warm, friendly, interesting and funny as well and again easy on the eyes ladies , lol.

 

He told us stories of his "free time" and the crews parties after hours, we actually had hoped we sneak to one of their parties instead of ours, lol. Those people sure know how to have fun when they have some time to party!!

So again thank you Ali for seven days of looking forward to coming to dinner and having you as our waiter, and thank you Muharo for how efficient you were and for the cute lil magic tricks you showed Jordun, he loved them.

 

Now a quick mention of the food. You were right, the food DID take a little turn downward. The menu selection is not quite as good as it was in the past, as one example I was DYING for the night at dinner that we had the Rack of Lamb, it is my FAVORITE dinner of the week. Not to be, our waiter Ali told us the Rack of Lamb had been removed and in its place a lamb steak .

That was very disappointing but you make due. The portions have been definately made smaller and its true the desserts with the exception of mybe one or two were not too impressive. The one thing we were very surprised about was how UNinpressive they had made the Gala Midnight Buffet, compared to only a year ago !! Other than some sliced meats in a tray, some unknown salads, bowl of small shrimp, pate, and a few other items, that was about it for the buffet. Even the desserts had been cut down big time.

Enough about the food.

 

Our stateroom attendant Salvi (sp) was wonderful, there was one day Traysee and I were not feeling well and he actually brought us flowers!! That was really nice and made our day, so we showed him our appreciation come tip night.

The casino was tighter than a clam shell, but like dopes we still blew our money in there every night. Tracey broke out about even.

 

My favorite port is St. Marten, great little casinos, 11.99 cartons of cigarettes and very cheap liquor, who cannot love this island?

 

We did go to the Ice Show, Karaoke, name that tune, Mens sexiest legs, Womens best biceps, but unfortunately didnt make any night shows. Overall I would give this Cruise a "7" compared to the "9" I had given it last year, but I'm sure all who go on will enjoy it and make their own fun.

Hope this wasn't to longgggggg, and it helped a little. By the way for any of you that go to the Dragons Lair...... DJ Anthony is one HOT HOT HOT guy !!

 

Safe Cruising,

Laceylady

[bbw187]

Glad you had a great cruise and they accommodated your cabin request. How long did you have in SJU?

[kimark]

Did you do any shore excursions, either by yourself or thru RCCL? They have casinos in St. Marteen?

[LaceyLady]

BBW - We were in San Juan from approx. 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm Tuesday night. Most all of the shops close at 5 or 6:00 pm in San Juan and our Stateroom attendant recommended women not go alone into town with children so we stayed close to the ship.

 

My Girlfriend and her son went on the 2 1/2 hour sight seeing tour in St Thomas. It took you to the top of the mountain, made a cpl of stops along the way pointing out different sights and than dropped you off at the shopping plaza. I believe the cost was around 25.00 for adults and 18.00 for children.

[LaceyLady]

Kimark- Yes, St. Marteen Dutch side has many Casinos. When you get off the ship just go by cab or ferry boat to Front Street ( a 5 minute ride or 3.00 pp each way). Front Street is all restaurants, shopping, bars, jewerly stores and about 7 or 8 casinos. They actually PAY off too, lol !!

[kimark]

Probably better than on the ship. You learn something everyday. Thanks for the info.

[dagadget]

Kimark- Yes, St. Marteen Dutch side has many Casinos. When you get off the ship just go by cab or ferry boat to Front Street ( a 5 minute ride or 3.00 pp each way). Front Street is all restaurants, shopping, bars, jewerly stores and about 7 or 8 casinos. They actually PAY off too, lol !!

 

 

Hello Laceylady

 

Nice review. We also had a great time on Mariner and i have posted a review in 2 places. Until next cruise :D

 

 

David

[LaceyLady]

Hi David and thank you. I'm happy that you also had a nice time on the Mariner. I guess you would have to try awfully hard not to!!

One thing I did forget to mention was Portafinos. WOW. They begin by bringing you different breads with a few different toppings for it. Than I started out with the tiger shrimp appertizer over risotto and it was excellant. My 2nd course was a baby spinach and pear salad with walnuts and gorganzola cheese, great as well. The 3rd course was their pasta with mushroom sauce and slices of truffles, it was out of this world, than my main entree was the seafood skewer. It had a 2oz piece of lobster, a few shrimp, a couple of scallops and salmon. I dont eat salmon so they gave me an extra piece of lobster. I had this over shrimp risotto rice and some veggies.

 

Than we were given a small dish of lemon sorbet to cleanse our palate and last but not least was dessert. I had the Tiramisu, it came in a thin chocolate bowl about the size of a tea cup and the dessert was inside of it. Wonderful. Our waiters was Chris and Rudy and they were very good. It was well worth the 20.00 pp surcharge and we also gave an additional 10.00 tip for the excellant service.

 

Lacey

[bbw187]

laceylady,

 

Thanks for the info on SJU. I haven't been there in years so if we miss Coco Cay and end up there I'll be careful. Did it rain on your cruise at all? Mostly concerned about the days at sea. Also, did you do any spa services?

[dagadget]

Hi David and thank you. I'm happy that you also had a nice time on the Mariner. I guess you would have to try awfully hard not to!!

One thing I did forget to mention was Portafinos. WOW. They begin by bringing you different breads with a few different toppings for it. Than I started out with the tiger shrimp appertizer over risotto and it was excellant. My 2nd course was a baby spinach and pear salad with walnuts and gorganzola cheese, great as well. The 3rd course was their pasta with mushroom sauce and slices of truffles, it was out of this world, than my main entree was the seafood skewer. It had a 2oz piece of lobster, a few shrimp, a couple of scallops and salmon. I dont eat salmon so they gave me an extra piece of lobster. I had this over shrimp risotto rice and some veggies.

 

Than we were given a small dish of lemon sorbet to cleanse our palate and last but not least was dessert. I had the Tiramisu, it came in a thin chocolate bowl about the size of a tea cup and the dessert was inside of it. Wonderful. Our waiters was Chris and Rudy and they were very good. It was well worth the 20.00 pp surcharge and we also gave an additional 10.00 tip for the excellant service.

 

Lacey

Wow sounds good we thought about chops and Portofino but just never did get there. I did ask about it when i saw people coming out of both and everyone was all smiles when they did come out.

 

David