1st Time on the Mariner of the Sea - Honeymoon Cruise

[blueyedkat]

This is only my second post on a forum, so I am sorry if I am unfamiliar with the routine/rules.. but I have a few questions and I am hoping you can help.. or at least point me in the right direction.

 

We are looking forward to our honeymoon cruise on the Mariner of the Seas on September 9th. I have already booked our excursions and have a few concerns becuase I am told the cruise excursions are very overcrowded.. has anyone taken the cruise excursions?? This is my third cruise and my soon-to-be husbands first and I hope he enjoys cruising as much as I do.. I know you can't plan for everything but I like to be prepared. :p

 

I am also wondering which dinner is best to go to..?? I reserved the first seating and not being familiar with what the activites/show times are etc., I don't know if the first or second dinner seating is better.. is one more rushed that the other??? I would love to hear your thoughts!:D

 

Also, I can't find anything to verify if there is a casino on this ship..??

[LLSullie]

Congratulation on your upcoming wedding and welcome to cruisecritic!

 

Always a casino .... what is your itinerary and try the Roll Call for your cruise. Let everyone know what excursions you've signed up for ... they'll let ya know if they're good ones or if they've used private companies.

 

Again, Congratulations ! ! ! !

[baileya]

Congrats on your upcoming marriage. We just got off the Mariner on Sunday. We always do excursions through the cruise line. I know it is a little more expensive and sometimes crowded but I like the gurantee that the ship will wait on us if something were to happen. We did three excursions and did not find any of them to be over crowded. We really enjoyed each excursion that we went on. I prefer main seating in the dinning room, however I think it just depends on what your normal schedule is. We usually eat around six so that works best for us.

[cb at sea]

You will be able to see all the shows no matter which seating you pick. Early seating goes to the shows AFTER dinner. Late seating goes BEFORE. Pick the dining time that best reflects when you eat at home. Your tummy will thank you!

Excursion crowding depends on the excursion!!!! We've never felt "herded" on any of our excursions that have been booked through the ship.

If you're just doing the beach, you won't need an excursion at all! Just take a cab and do your own thing. (Of course, it's a good idea to research your ports so you'll know what things you'd like to do! Library's are great for this--the guide books are free--Fodor's and Frommer's both publish great guides)

All RCI ships have casinos! Good luck!

[irb33785]

We always do late dining because it allows us time to relax before dinner. We are not rushed to return and be dressed by 6:30. We also enjoy dancing after dinner and are more night people than early morning. We find that we never go hungry on a ship, so the 8:30 hour doesn't mean that we haven't eaten since lunch.

[MGilly]

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! In regard to dining times, we've done both, and there are benefits to each. You won't feel rushed at ALL during late dining - they don't have another seating to get ready for. BUT you might not be hungry for the midnight buffets (if they are something that would appeal to you). As far as excursions go, if you want to just tour the ports of call, you will spend a lot less money and find virtually no crowds at all if you hire a taxi right at the pier. If it's adventure you want, you probably would be better off with a ship-sponsored excursion. I'm sure they've checked out the different companies and would only use reputable ones. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time! Take lots of photos, and enjoy!

[MCLuv2Cruise]

Congratulations!

 

My husband and I have always booked excursions through RCCL and have never had any trouble with overcrowding. As for the dinner seating, we prefer the late seating because there are more people are age (20's and 30's) and we never feel rushed after being in port.

 

Hope this helps...have a great time! :)

 

~Christina

[cruisinisforme]

I've been on the mariner four times and have booked many excursions, I do not find them overcrowded at all.

 

As for dinner, its really a personal choice. I have done both early and late seatings for different reasons. If you are choosing early seating, take into consideration that you will need to be back in from the islands with time to change and go to dinner.

 

I usually choose late on the mariner, this way I can come in and have time to shower and relax before dinner..and of course I love going to the sailaway parties.

 

But....you finish dinner at 1000 at night that can be hard too, so again its a personal choice

 

Congratulations on your marriage

[Uplink]

We did our honeymoon on Navigator last year. Make sure you let them know that you are on your honeymoon. The have special activities just for honeymooners. They were fun and we met a lot of people.

Late seating is better because it allows you more shore time. We sometimes felt rushed getting to the late seating, never would have made it to the early one! If you are hungry before dinner, Windjammer is open for a snack.

[blueyedkat]

As usual, all of you were a really BIG help! thak you so much for your thoughts and suggestions.. ;)