Mariner 9/2-9/9 Mini review - just some observations

[Eliot]

Mariner 9/2 Eastern Mini Review

 

Three Highlights First

 

1. Zip line course in St Maartan – WOW!!!! It waay exceeded our expectations. It is quite strenuous but just amazing.

 

2. Lightening Storm – we went out on the bow of the Ship and watched, in amazement, the 180 degree light show. It’s just impossible to explain what it looks like when multiple lightening strikes are happening all around you. Just awe inspiring.

 

3. St. John Beach Snorkel at Trunk Bay. We snorkeled about literally thousands of small silver fish. It was actually impossible to see through the mass of fish – again difficult to explain. We had about an hour and a little bit at Trunk Bay and that wasn’t enough time – we would have liked another hour to enjoy the beauty.

 

We were in JS 9324 – Keiven was our stateroom attendant. We loved the room and Keiven was great. I think that we will stay with size of cabin from now on.

 

Embarking and Disembarking – just amazingly smooth through that cruise. We never waited – it was incredibly easy and relaxed.

 

Food – we were second seating, Top Hat and Tails, table 424 – awful location – tucked in a corner by the station. We requested a change immediately, but after, we met our table mates – great folks, we decided to stay. Our server Ricky and his assistant Silvio were terrific. Food was good, presentation beautiful. We ate at Chops on the day we left St Thomas very nice and we had beautiful view leaving port

 

Throughout the ship service was friendly and helpful without being obsequious. Perhaps the only exception to the friendly service, ironically, was the guest relations desk – the few times I spoke with them, they were curt and I wasn’t speaking to them about a complaint – one time was just to turn in my Crown and Anchor app!

 

Entertainment was just ok. We went to all the shows. I think that the comedians are pretty limited as to content. (I get tired to the gender stereotype jokes - aka little woman spending money) One of the singers did a Sammy Davis Junior style show and that was very good. We did enjoy the ice show. Dennis was great – what a tough job. He was enthusiastic without going over the top.

 

Casino – had a great time playing Blackjack and Craps

 

Other excursions - Kayaking with Steve on Coco Cay was very fun. He actually picked up jelly fish to show that you can and we all were able to touch them – amazing.

 

Most of the people we saw observed the dress code – I thought people looked nice.

 

We got the soda cards and would do that again – it was very convenient to just stop by the nearest bar and get a soda or club soda.

 

I did the yoga and spinning class and they were just ok. I don’t think I would recommend them. Not a particularly friendly instructor and light on class content especially for $10. Not a good value.

 

Great trip!!!!

[nlcentralchmps03]

Nice mini review.

 

I agree about Trunk Bay. I could have stayed there all day long. It is a really great excursion.

 

Glad you enjoyed your trip!

[skyking]

Great little review...We board her Sunday for the 4th time:) I CANT WAIT!

[kruisin' kim]

Leaving Sunday, 9/16, and can't wait. Plan to do Trunk Bay on our own. St. Maarten - tour the beaches, especially looking forward to Maho Beach (airplanes). Where is the zipline? Coco Cay - another beach day. Just me and a freind are traveling, plan on having a relaxing, "ME" trip. ;)

Silly question....how much are soda cards? and can you purchase after on ship? Not sure if it will be worth it as I plan on consuming mostly alcoholic beverages in the evenings! How does it work? Can my friend "use" it? or did they come up w/ a clever way to avoid this?

Thanks for info...

kim:p

[skyking]

Leaving Sunday' date=' 9/16, and can't wait. Plan to do Trunk Bay on our own. St. Maarten - tour the beaches, especially looking forward to Maho Beach (airplanes). Where is the zipline? Coco Cay - another beach day. Just me and a freind are traveling, plan on having a relaxing, "ME" trip. ;)

Silly question....how much are soda cards? and can you purchase after on ship? Not sure if it will be worth it as I plan on consuming mostly alcoholic beverages in the evenings! How does it work? Can my friend "use" it? or did they come up w/ a clever way to avoid this?

Thanks for info...

kim:p[/quote']

 

Hey are you a part of our roll call??? You should check it out, we have a fun bunch of pirates.

[kruisin' kim]

I'm kinda new to this sight. I did look at the roll call forum...not sure what it is. :confused: , other than just that. But i'd love to join your band of "pirates"!

Kim:D

[wrp96]

The Roll Call is a place to talk to other CC members on the same cruise with you. Here's the link to your Roll Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=416000

[skyking]

The Roll Call is a place to talk to other CC members on the same cruise with you. Here's the link to your Roll Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=416000

 

THANKS:) You beat me to it....

 

 

Kim PLEASE come join us, again we are a HUGE group..Make sure you sign up for the meet and mingle, we have 120 already.

[Eliot]

The zip line course is in St Maarten. It's 9 zip lines and a total of 32 obstacles - like rope swings, rope bridges, cables, etc...

 

I think that the soda card was about $42 availabe the first day of the cruise. They put a sticker on your sea pass. We used them alot during the day for soda and club soda. My husband and I each had our own. I would have felt uncomfortable sharing one.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[kruisin' kim]

Thanks Tim! I'll check it out!

 

Wow! $42.00 for sodas, not sure if it's worth it, usually only do 1 or 2 a day, and, unfortunately, not a tea drinker! Guess I'll just buy as I need!

 

Where in St Maarten is the zipline course?

Kim

[wrp96]

Kim if you only drink 1 to 2 sodas a day the pass really isn't worth it. Sodas can be bought by the can for abour $1.75 plus 15% tip. They also have lemonade available in the Windjammer, in addition to the iced tea.

[Eliot]

Zip line is at the Loterie Tree Farm on St Maarten.

[cruzeluver]

We also just returned from the 9/2 sailing. I will submit my review once I finish it, but in a nutshell, wow!!! :p

 

This trip met or exceeded all of our expectations.

 

I agree with the OP that getting on and off the ship was a breeze, especially when you consider how many people we are talking about here!

 

The entertainment was a little hit and miss. The production company was brand spankin' new, so they only did one musical production show (Front Row), however it was very good. One of the comics was very mediocre, the others were much better. And Tony Tillman (the Sammy Davis Jr. guy) was incredible. The ice sow was everything people say, and more!!

[Merion_Mom]

We also just returned from the 9/2 sailing. I will submit my review once I finish it, but in a nutshell, wow!!! :p

 

This trip met or exceeded all of our expectations.

 

I agree with the OP that getting on and off the ship was a breeze, especially when you consider how many people we are talking about here!

 

The entertainment was a little hit and miss. The production company was brand spankin' new, so they only did one musical production show (Front Row), however it was very good. One of the comics was very mediocre, the others were much better. And Tony Tillman (the Sammy Davis Jr. guy) was incredible. The ice sow was everything people say, and more!!

 

There was a pig on the ice?!?!?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek:;) :D

[kittymom65]

OP--I agree with you about Trunk Bay, it is just heaven on earth, and so hard to describe it to people.

Thanks for the review of the Mariner! My DH and I were at Grills in PC waiving goodbye to you guys as you left!

[Mickeylee]

There was a pig on the ice?!?!?!??!?!?!?

 

You wouldn't think to look at them, but pigs are great skaters (figure skating only; they can't hold the hockey sticks). ;)

[rednancy1]

There was a pig on the ice?!?!?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek:;) :D

 

 

ROTFLMAO! Now wiping diet coke off my monitor. :D :D :D

[wrp96]

There was a pig on the ice?!?!?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek:;) :D

 

 

CAROL!!!!!

[SUNNY D]

Hi, I was wondering which time session you booked for the zipline? We will be there next week and are scheduled for the 9am zipline session. I was wondering if we would have time to go to the beach or go shopping afterwards. What time did you get back, if you took the 9am session? Thanks :)

[Eliot]

I think we met at about 9:30 (but I could be wrong) and we got iback n time to change clothes, have lunch in the Windjammer and then take the water taxi to town shop for awhile and have beer on at the beach in town and we still got back way before the 5:30 all aboard time. I don't know how long it would have been to go to another beach area. As we got back from the zip line the afternoon beach sensation was leaving so I think you should have time.

 

The zipline was amazing - much more than "just" a zip line!

 

Have a great time!

[GarrenS]

hi-

Great review - we are going on Mariner on 9/30 - this will be our 3rd trip on her.

Question for you - do you happen to remember what time people were able to get off the ship in St Thomas? We bypassed Coco Cay due to weather and ended up in San Juan, so we got there really early, but the schedule says 9 am, and I wondered if that was accurate?

 

Thanks!

Garren

[dorothyh]

We were on this cruise last week and were off the ship at 9:15 AM.

[buttrfly78]

I was on the 9/2 sailing also...it was GREAT! I loved trunk bay. We traveled there on our own and spent about 4 hours there. Nice and relaxing....not crowded at all! Maybe 50 people at most.

 

Andrea