New All Inclusive Liquor Policy on Mariner -- HOW DOES IT WORK?

[Aloha Cruiser]

Looking forward to my third time on the Mariner.

 

This will be the first time since the new "all inclusive" policy took effect at the beginning of 2007.

 

I'm just wondering how it works:

 

We're in a Penthouse C (sans Butler) --- Do you still have an in-suite set up?

 

I've heard you DO if you are a past passenger, even if you ARE NOT in a Butler suite. Does anyone know for sure?

 

Also, I've heard that you CANNOT get drinks delivered to the Suite via Room Service, but you CAN have a bottle delivered if you speak to your Stewardess.

 

It all sounds very confusing, so can anyone who's been on the Mariner recently shed some light on the subject?

 

Mahalo nui loa and Happy Mother's Day!

[BBfromCA]

Aloha,

 

I am currently onboard the Mariner in a "regular" Category D suite.

 

I can not answer the question about room delivery of drinks, as I did not give it a try.

 

Upon arrival to the room, a bottle of champagne was waiting. My housekeeper offered me the 2 bottles of alcohol/wine, per usual.

 

The refrigerator was stocked with: bottled water, club soda, tonic water, diet Coke, Coca-Cola, 7-UP, Budweiser and Heineken.

 

The only major change that I have noticed is that because all the bars offer free drinks, there are more people in the lounges during the pre-dinner hour, and that the pool bar is a bit more full throughout the afternoon.

[BILLP1]

We got what we wanted and wherever we wanted it..No one said no to us during the cruise...Room , restaurant ,

casino you name it and we were offered most of the popular brands..

[OrpingtonT]

For our part, on Mariner returning yesterday, the drinks are copious in variety and quantity. We were in a standard suite, there was no spirit in the in-room fridge as previously, but when we told our stewardess that we enjoyed a pre-dinner drink whilst preparing for evening meal, she brought us a comprensive list to choose from. Our gin for the gin & tonics was there that evening. We had no need to order anything further from room service by way of alcohol.

[kvisf]

We were also on the Mariner Panama Canal cruise terminating in San Francisco on May 12.

 

On embarkation our stewardess did not say anything about in-suite bar setup (we were in category E, standard non-butler), however when we asked her she took our order for two bottles of liquor and one of wine, all rpovided promptly that same day. A request for an additional bottle of wine later in the cruise was also fulfilled promptly. I think it depends a lot on the particular room attendant whether they call this to your attention or just wait for you to ask, and it's not clear whether or how they have been trained on this particular topic. And, regardless of training, individual personalities come into play, too. For example, we had to ask our stewardess for flowers after she has removed told old ones and left the empty vase with water still in it. I'm sure that's not supposed to be the standard. But, as with other aspects of the cruise, just ask for what you want if it isn't already there waiting for you. (Incidentally, we came nowhere close to finishing the liquor, since we did more drinking in the lounges than on our previous Regent cruise before all-inclusive.)

 

Apart from breakfasts we only used room service once, for lunch, and our request for two bloody marys was no problem. In general, room service was highly efficient, prompt and accommodating, judging by the way they handled our varying daily breakfast requests.

 

Brand availability encompasses all of the usual "premium" suspects. For example, the complimentary vodkas include Grey Goose, Chopin and Belvedere (as well as numerous others), gins are Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray and Beefeater, scotches include Chivas Regal, Johnny Walker red and black, bourbons include Makers Mark, Wild Turkey, and single malts include Glenfiddich, Macallan and Glenmorangie. For ultra-premiums expect to pay $9 and up per drink.

 

The included wines at meals covered the globe. The head sommelier, Marinela, is exceptionally knowledgeable and has assembled a generally excellent array of wines for the various restaurants. Those that I had any pre-cruise knowledge of would retail in California in the $15-20 per bottle range, as a crude benchmark of quality. If so inclined, check the premium wine list. Not terribly lengthy but well chosen and full of really fine wines, all attractively priced. For example, we had a Paul Hobbs Cabernet one evening ($60) that I had tasted within the past month at a San Francisco restaurant ($100).

 

Off topic but worth noting: Compass Rose was the star dining venue on this cruise. Executive Chef Mike Romhild runs a Ritz-Carlton class dining room with impeccable preparation, presentation and service. Signatures was excellent as always. Latitudes got mixed reactions from our group and wasn't terribly busy, but I thought it was very good.

 

Enjoy a wonderful cruise, Mariner is better than ever.

[Aloha Cruiser]

Thanks for your reply!

 

We did the Panama Canal cruise on the Voyager in December 2005 and thought it was amazing.

 

Can't wait to see the Mariner, she does look better than ever.

 

Cheers!

[cruzinstew]

I am confused. I thought Mariner was RCCL??? Wow I have seen so many people talk of her. All inclusive sound right up my alley, but I am not sure that Regent would fit my personality. I guess I'll have to do some research. Can anyone tell me what type of atmosphere/crowd sail her?

[linda_22003]

I am confused. I thought Mariner was RCCL??? Wow I have seen so many people talk of her. All inclusive sound right up my alley, but I am not sure that Regent would fit my personality. I guess I'll have to do some research. Can anyone tell me what type of atmosphere/crowd sail her?

 

Think of it as the "anti" Royal Caribbean or Carnival. That's why we chose it, because we wanted a smaller ship and a more "boutique" experience.

[cruzinstew]

Think of it as the "anti" Royal Caribbean or Carnival. That's why we chose it, because we wanted a smaller ship and a more "boutique" experience.

 

That's just it....I myself do not enjoy mega cruise ships. That being said, I DO like a lively atmosphere. I have post many times about my displeasure that the ships were getting bigger and bigger. I would be more than happy to see cruise lines go back to 50k - 75k size ships and that's a max. I just sailed GP and we never made it from bow to stern in 7 whole days, and she is now consided small???Yikes...

[OrpingtonT]

I am confused. I thought Mariner was RCCL??? Wow I have seen so many people talk of her. All inclusive sound right up my alley, but I am not sure that Regent would fit my personality. I guess I'll have to do some research. Can anyone tell me what type of atmosphere/crowd sail her?

 

The RCCL cruiser is Mariner of the Seas whereas Regents is Seven Seas Mariner. Regent offer all-suite balcony accommodation. No tipping, drinks all-inclusive, no extra charges for the two speciality restaurants, open seat dine alone or with whom you please and a staff to guest ratio of around 1 to every 3 guests. Not many children on board but a pleasant relaxed atmosphere.

[linda_22003]

Not many children on board but a pleasant relaxed atmosphere.

 

I think you meant to say, "Not many children on board, THEREFORE a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere." :p

[Jim B]

Regent cruises are a lot calmer than the mega ships.

They do have nightly entertainment, BUT it is way below what you

would find on the megas.

Someone looking at Regent (RSSC), need to realize that trying to compare them to the mega lines is apples to oranges.

Yes it costs more up front, but for what you receive included, your final bill at the end of the cruise probably won't be much more.

At least that is our experience and we will be going on our 6th RSSC in December.

[kvisf]

Cruzinstew:

 

The Seven Seas Mariner has carried what I would describe as a "mature" group of passengers on both of our cruises, including a surprising number of seniors with some mobility limitations, a few in wheelchairs etc. It speaks well of Regent that they accommodate such guests so well and afford a way to enjoy a first-class vacation and travel the world.

 

That's not to imply that the infirmary is the biggest accommodation on the ship. There was probably an equal proportion of younger people (20's-30's) on board, but the most passengers are in the 50-70 age range, active and ready to have a good time. We did a "canopy tour" (zip line) in Costa Rica, and I'd guess that about half of our group of 32 passengers was 60 plus, including a couple considerably older. One telling experience for us was that despite the all inclusive policy, we did not see a single instance of a passenger inebriated even to the point of slight embarrassment, while at the same time the lounges were full and buzzing with conversation before dinner.

 

The food and wine "Circles of Interest" program was very good on this trip, the enrichment lectures good to excellent (depending on your interests) and the entertainment ranged from so-so to very good.

 

Part of the appeal of this cruise was intangible -- a combination of spaciousness, elegant surroundings, very attentive service, superb dining, plenty of activities, and no nickel and diming chit signing.

 

All in all, our cruises on Mariner have been very good value for the money.

[BILLP1]

KVISF said it as well as can be said in her line part of the appeal is