slbojustice Posted August 22, 2007 #1 Share Posted August 22, 2007 My wife and I are about to embark on the Western itinerary with the Mariner, and from reading these boards, there are a number of tasks that should be done as soon as we get on the ship to get the best seats, times etc.. I have 4 questions regarding that. I know that probably all these have been answered before, but doing a search gets way too time consuming to plow through. So those of you who know the answers or have an opinion, I would love to get your insight. Here they are: 1. What night is ice show and do you get tickets right when you board to make sure you get in? 2. We want to do massages on the first sea day, I don't believe I can make reservations before I board, but do I do it right when I board? If so, which is better couples massage (cheaper) or two deep tissue massages? 3. Opinion on what night for Chops and Potofino's. I know there are a number of differing opinions due to ports, formal night etc... but ideally I don't want our reservations to conflict with a) Lobster in the dinning room b) ice show and c) any other "must see" entertainment. Also, if there is a night where the food selection is not especially good in the dining room, like the old Caribbean night, I would love to know. I just don't want to make reservations and then feel I should have done them another night due to missing something . (which will always be the case I am sure) 4. Anything else you can think of that we should do / reserve immediatly when we board? OK, OK, that was more than 4 questions, but any of your experienced opinions would be helpful. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted August 22, 2007 #2 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Ok--the ice show tickets will be announced as to when to pick them up. That is NOT something you need to do upon boarding! There are tickets for EVERYONE!!! The divide each dinner seating into 2 shows, as the theatre won't seat everyone at once. You only go to 1 show--they are all the same. Specialty restaurant reservations can be made when you board, either in person or on the cabin phone. There will be a Cruise Compass in your room, which gives an overview of the trip. Read it. Then you will know which nights may be best for you. If you have good tablemates, you may want to forgo the specialty restaurant in favor of staying with your new friends!!(That's happened to us before!) Can't comment on the spa-- The next thing you should do is get a drink and relax! Don't overstress about these little items! It is a vacation--if you don't get to do everything, you will do it on your next cruise--there will be another!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katiel53 Posted August 22, 2007 #3 Share Posted August 22, 2007 The Compass will tell you when you can pick up ice tickets. The Wednesday night dinner is still the weakest night to me, so that's a good night to go to Chops or Portofino. If you aren't sure, when you board go to the restaurant and ask about the menus for the week. They can help you. Also, I know you don't want to do a search, but there are menus posted on CC. I don't have a price list for the spa, but once again there are prices posted on CC. The only other thing I have seen mentioned to do when first onboard is to check out your table in the dining room. We haven't ever done it, but some people are really particular about how many people are at their table and where the table is. Mariner is a great ship and I know you will enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reijo Posted August 22, 2007 #4 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Ok--the ice show tickets will be announced as to when to pick them up. That is NOT something you need to do upon boarding! There are tickets for EVERYONE!!! The divide each dinner seating into 2 shows, as the theatre won't seat everyone at once. You only go to 1 show--they are all the same.Specialty restaurant reservations can be made when you board, either in person or on the cabin phone. There will be a Cruise Compass in your room, which gives an overview of the trip. Read it. Then you will know which nights may be best for you. If you have good tablemates, you may want to forgo the specialty restaurant in favor of staying with your new friends!!(That's happened to us before!) Can't comment on the spa-- The next thing you should do is get a drink and relax! Don't overstress about these little items! It is a vacation--if you don't get to do everything, you will do it on your next cruise--there will be another!!!! Unless there have been changes since our last two cruises on Mariner, there are NOT enough tickets for everyone. You need to be sure to be available to pick up tickets as soon as it is announced that they are available. It might even be mentioned in the Compass. I know of a number of people who were unable to go to the show because they didn't get the tickets right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGCFreddie Posted August 22, 2007 #5 Share Posted August 22, 2007 The menus may help you decide what night to do the specialty restaurants as well. Last I read, these were the current menus (thanks to Sue L and little britain ;) ) Day One - Sunday Starters Melon and Mango – Drizzled with ginger syrup Melon and Proscuitto Smoked Fish Tapenade – Smoked fish, onions, capers, fresh herbs, served with crostini coulis Vidalia Onion Tart – sweet onions and gruyere cheese baked in pastry with red pepper Tuscan Tomato Soup – Thick rustic soup swirled with basil pesto Saigon Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken broth with lemon grass, ginger, noodles and julienne vegetables Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho – Garnished with chopped celery and cucumber Salad Spinach Salad – with plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and toasted pine nuts Traditional Caesar Salad Entrees Shrimp Ravioli – In a cream coconut lime lobster sauce with wilted spinach and crispy fried leeks Stuffed Chicken Breast – filled with prosciutto and brie, served with red pimento relish Slow Roasted prime Rib – with baked potato and horseradish au jus Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Quesadilla – Folded in a flour tortilla with Manchego cheese and tomato and cilantro salsa Chef Signature Entrée Royal Herb Crusted Fillet of Atlantic Cod – with light cream saffron champagne sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes and scallions Deserts Ivory Chocolate Fondue – full of mixed berries with a crunchy biscuit Apple pie a la Mode – Slices of spiced golden delicious apples baked in a double crust pasry topped with vanilla ice cream Savarin – rum soaked yeast cake filled with banana cream, finished with orange wedges, kadota figs, and chocolate chips Low Fat Tropical Fruit salad – marinated in grand marnier Sugar Fee Swan Chantilly – a pastry swan filled with sugar free whipped cream served with apricot puree Day 2 - Monday Starters Orange Carpaccio – orange slices, red onions, watercress, feta cheese and cumin mint yogurt Shrimp Cocktail royal – with cocktail sauce Escargots Bourguignonne – baked snails in garlic herb butter Lobster Bisque – finished with cognac and whipped cream Oxtail Broth – beefy broth and aged sherry, served with a crispy cheese twist Chilled Golden Pear – Garnished with dried cranberries Caesar salad Entrees Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo – Linguini pasta folded in a creamy wild mushroom and white truffle sauce Golden Sea Bass – Pan Seared fillet, Spanish sofrito, black olive polenta and fried capers Roasted Duck – with black currant sauce, red cabbage and croquette potatoes Eggplant Mozzarella Tower – with chunky plum tomato sauce and balsamic glaze Chef Signature Entrée Filet of Beef – creamy whipped potatoes and crimini mushrooms with green peppercorn sauce Deserts Grand Marnier Soufflé Double Strawberry Cheesecake Cherries Jubilee Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake Day 3 - Tuesday Starters Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil Antipasti – Cured Italian ham, seasonal melon, grilled vegetables, marinated Portobello mushrooms, baked caramelized garlic Scallop Risotto – Sauteed sea scallops over Charred sweet corn and mascarpone risotto Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup – with rye bread croutons Minestrone – A rich Italian soup of vegetables, tomato, and pasta Chilled Strawberry Bisque – garnished with fresh mint Salad Insalata Mista – Mixed greens, zucchini, red bell peppers and black olives Traditional Caesar Salad Entrees Rigatoni Pasta – with spiced chorizo sausage, red and green peppers, grilled corn, olive oil and basil Garlic Tiger Shrimp – Garlic herb baked with seasonal vegetables Chicken Marsala – Marsala mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables Vegetarian Chili – With jalapeno corn bread, grated cheese and sour cream Chefs Signature Entrée Lamb Shank with Rosemary – Slowly braised with garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted vegetables Deserts Warm Chocolate Cake Raspberry Panna Cotta Tiramisu Low Fat Angel Food Cake Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake Day 4 - Wednesday Starters Mozzarella Salad – over arugula with a tomato basil salsa Melon with Proscuitto Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Scallop and Mussels Gratin – seared with Pernod Bouillabaisse Tuscan White Bean Soup Vichyssoise Mesulun and Fennel Salad Entrees Ravioli Mare Monte – filled with cheese in a crabmeat mushroom sauce Baked Perch – with sautéed spinach, balsamic and parmesan roasted potatoes and lemon sauce Royal Sirloin – on a baked eggplant, zucchini and vegetable medley with Sicilian onions and pepper olive salsa Vegetable paella – saffron rice with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and asparagus tips, garnished with black olives and chopped scallions Chef Signature Entrée Coq au Vin – with mushrooms, bacon, caramelized baby inions, grilled polenta and crispy pancetta Deserts Crème Catalan Spanish Orange Almond Cake Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart Low Fat French Apple Flan Sugar Free Chocolate Panna Cotta Day 5 - Thursday Starters Fired Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – with roasted marinated zucchini and toasted pita Shrimp Cocktail Melon Proscuitto Spinach Sweet Potato Dip – served warm with crisp tortilla chips Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup – with crème fraiche and fried sage Onion Soup – Caramalized onions in beed broth with Gruyere toast Chilled Forest Berries and Buttermilk soup – a combination of fresh berries blended with buttermilk Salad Greek Salad for the Table Entrees Grey Goose Vodka and Smoked Salmson Cream Pasta - Creamy sauce tossed with orechhiette pasta, finished with mushrooms and crushed tomatoes Roasted Turkey – with apple bread dressing, pan gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce Grilled NY Strip Steak – Bearnaise sauce, fried potato wedges and zucchini Indian Vegetable Curry – braised spiced garden vegetables with steamed rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce Chef Signature Entrée Mahi Mahi Tempura – Lightly battered and fried with homemade sweet and sour sauce, stir fried vegetables Deserts Brownie Madness Key Lime Pie Banana and Crunchy Nut Parfait Sugar Free Key Lime Pie Low Fat Strawberry Shortcake Day 6 - Friday Starters Sun Ripened Pineapple - Sliced Pineapple, Sun dried apricot ricotta and black pepper Citrus Cured Salmon - Thinly Slices with a dill cucumber salad Creamed Wild Mushrooms in Puff pastry – crimini and oyster mushrooms in flaky pastry Cream of Asparagus – Garnished with crunchy almonds Double Duck Consomme – with julienne vegetables and aged port Roasted Peach Soup – Finished with fresh strawberries Entrees New England Bay Scallops and Ziti – topped with Portobello mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper pesto Fisherman’s Plate – A broiled lobster tail and garlicky shrimp with broccoli florets Slow Roasted Aged Prime Rib – cut thick served with baked potato Asian Fried Tofu – with sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and red curry sauce Chef Signature Entrée Thai BBQ Chicken Breast Deserts Desert Sampler – a trio of exquisite tastes Low fat Berry Mousse Sugar Free Red Berry Tart Day 7 - Saturday Starters Exotic Fruits Crab and Shrimp Salad Melon Proscuitto Beef and Veal Tortallacci Jalapeño Potato Soup Chicken consommé Chilled Cranberry and Mango soup Seasonal Greens Caesar Salad Entrees Penne Tarantina – tossed in chunky tomato-garlic sauce, with mussels, shrimp and scallop Parmesan Crusted Turkey Tenderloin with sage mustard Sauce Slow Roasted Beef Shoulder Fillet – with marscapone roasted potatoes and Shiraz reduction Asparagus and Brie Tart – grilled plum tomato, arugula, red pepper essence and chive oil Chef Signature Entrée Cornmeal Dusted Talapia with Japanese ratatouille and garlic wasabi aioli Deserts Choco-Chino Trilogy BBB Magic Mango Parfit Low Fat Exotic Pineapple and Coconut Cake Steamed Sugar Free Vanilla and Berry Custard Alternative Selections always available Ziti with Marinara Sauce Broiled Fillet of Norwegian Salmon Grilled Chicken Breast with seasonal herbs Grilled Black Angus Top Sirloin with herb butter Ice Cream, Sugar Free Ice Cream and sherbet selections Cheese selection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_nyc Posted August 22, 2007 #6 Share Posted August 22, 2007 My wife and I are about to embark on the Western itinerary with the Mariner, and from reading these boards, there are a number of tasks that should be done as soon as we get on the ship to get the best seats, times etc.. I have 4 questions regarding that. I know that probably all these have been answered before, but doing a search gets way too time consuming to plow through. So those of you who know the answers or have an opinion, I would love to get your insight. Here they are: 1. What night is ice show and do you get tickets right when you board to make sure you get in? The ice shows are Wednesday & Thursday 5:00 pm & 9:00 pm (if I remember correctly), 2 shows each of those days and the tickets are given out at Studio B Monday morning between 9:00 am & 10:00 am. 2. We want to do massages on the first sea day, I don't believe I can make reservations before I board, but do I do it right when I board? If so, which is better couples massage (cheaper) or two deep tissue massages? We booked the day of embarkation for the couples massage...I think it was $269 for 50 minutes. 3. Opinion on what night for Chops and Potofino's. I know there are a number of differing opinions due to ports, formal night etc... but ideally I don't want our reservations to conflict with a) Lobster in the dinning room b) ice show and c) any other "must see" entertainment. Also, if there is a night where the food selection is not especially good in the dining room, like the old Caribbean night, I would love to know. I just don't want to make reservations and then feel I should have done them another night due to missing something. (which will always be the case I am sure) We did Chops on Tuesday night and Portofino's on Wednesday night. Did the Ice Show at 5:00 pm on Thursday. We had Main seating for dinner and had to rush a bit to get dressed for formal night and get to the dinning room. Lobster is Friday night (you can ask for 2 or 3 lobster tails). Tuesday night I believe is Italian night which is OK to miss if you are going to Portofino's and Wednesday I believe is the other weak dinner choice. All of the shows are pretty good, the Love & Marriage show is so funny as is Quest. 4. Anything else you can think of that we should do / reserve immediatly when we board? Go to reserve your specialty restaurants and spa. Check out your dinning table and dinning time to make sure you have what you wanted, example: a table for 2 instead of a table for 8, etc.; main seating as opposed to late seating. OK, OK, that was more than 4 questions, but any of your experienced opinions would be helpful. Thanks! Bring a power strip if you need to charge more than one thing at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted August 22, 2007 #7 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Are you sailing with us this upcoming weekend (Aug 26)? If so, please post on our roll call and meet some of your fellow cruiser: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=418857 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginrom Posted August 22, 2007 #8 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Am I the only one who thinks that the lobster they serve on the ship just isn't all that good? I'd skip that night and go to one of the speciality restaurants instead. I've tried it each time I've cruised and it's always the same, blah... Just me two cents.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stimpsonjcat Posted August 22, 2007 #9 Share Posted August 22, 2007 is the above menu the same for all Mariner sailings? Will this be the menu for the Sept 2 sailing? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGCFreddie Posted August 22, 2007 #10 Share Posted August 22, 2007 is the above menu the same for all Mariner sailings? Will this be the menu for the Sept 2 sailing? Thanks! From what I understand, this is the same menu for all of the 7-night cruises with RCI. You take care of the Mariner, stimpsonjcat! We'll be following you in two weeks! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken_nyc Posted August 22, 2007 #11 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Am I the only one who thinks that the lobster they serve on the ship just isn't all that good? I'd skip that night and go to one of the speciality restaurants instead. I've tried it each time I've cruised and it's always the same, blah...Just me two cents.... Well just possibly...it is a matter of individual taste. Everyone at our table thought it was very good. In comparison to Carnival's lobster night it was awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanatochase Posted August 22, 2007 #12 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Someone just wrote that the menus are posted on CC...I'm new to this, Where are they posted? I'd like to see menus for Chops and Portofino is anyone has them. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzr4vr Posted August 22, 2007 #13 Share Posted August 22, 2007 I'll give my opinion on the spa. If you want the first sea day, go to the spa when you embark and reserve your time. That way, you are better able to pick 'your' time. Regarding the couples massage, my wife and I did that once, and were disappointed. Of course, any massage is good; however, we both felt that individual sessions would have afforded better relaxation and no disturbance. Our opinions only. Whatever you do, just enjoy it. Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QTMichele Posted August 22, 2007 #14 Share Posted August 22, 2007 A thought to ponder when making reservations for the specialty restaurants... book them on the night of your choice, but book them for a time that is near your regular dining time. This will help ensure you don't miss any shows. This shouldn't be an issue with most shows, but it could be an issue with the ice show (it was for us - there was only one ice show that didn't conflict with our schedule ;)). Have a lovely time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joand452 Posted August 22, 2007 #15 Share Posted August 22, 2007 We decided to sleep in rather than get in line for the ice show tickets on that first sea day (Monday morning). That was a mistake! There were no tickets left after that Monday morning. Are there really not enough seats for everyone for two shows or do people go to both shows? Maybe they could do a third show and "assign" a show for each cabin. We were so disappointed not to be able to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QTMichele Posted August 22, 2007 #16 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Joan, I wish I could speak from more than my one time experience! ;) I can tell you that there were several vacant seats in the show we went to (not a lot, but enough for a few families). My advice to those who don't get tickets is to go to the shows to see if there are extra seats available. With luck, there will be. Good luck next time! (BTW, I had every intention of sleeping in on that first sea day; however, we were up at the crack of dawn from excitement!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdylady Posted August 23, 2007 #17 Share Posted August 23, 2007 As far as the massage goes, we were the 5/6/07 Western Mariner and we booked the couples massage in a private cabana in Labadee. It was excellent. It cost us $249 plus tip (ken_nyc is more current so his price might be more accurate now). It would have cost the same for the on-board couples, but then that one only gave 25 minutes each with the remaining time a a 'floating' bed (waterbed?). Not what I had in mind. The beach was wonderful, up on a hill overlooking the ocean and it was actually lightly raining so the sounds were so soothing. Much better than a CD. I would suggest once you've boarded go to the Spa ASAP to book your spa session (same with salon, especially if you want something for a formal night, they book FAST). Have a SUPER trip. Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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