Mariner Eastern Review - great time!

[dhwheatl]

It's been almost a week since we've been home from our eastern caribbean cruise on the Mariner Nov.11 - 18. We (dh & I) had the best time - but how could you not???

We rented a car from Avis and drove to Port Canaveral and stayed overnight Sat. at Country Inn & Suites. No complaints. We were lucky and got to watch a rocket launch that night - that was quite a sight!

The ship was beautiful - I loved all the art work that was hung all over. We stayed in room 7636 - loved the balcony.

We both thought the food was good - but then anytime I don't have to cook, anything tastes great! We did the murder mystery @ Portofinos on Tuesday night. You start out up in Ellington's lounge and they serve you champagne & snacks while they do the play. After that you go down to Portofinos for dinner and then everyone tries to guess "who done it". The wine & champagne flowed freely :) I will have to say I was a bit looped by the time we were done but it sure was a good time - I would reccomend it if you're interested.

We went to most of the shows -the ice show was the best. There was a funny comedian one night. Played bingo several times but never won - same in the casino!

Coco Cay was beautiful. We had planned on doing the kayak adventure @ 1:30 but by then it had gotten pretty windy so they told us that it probably wouldn't be very enjoyable - by then everyone else except us that had signed up, canceled, so we decided to also - they refunded our money.

In St. Thomas we rented a car at the pier and went on our own - we've been there a couple times before. We went to Magens Bay, drove up to Mountain top and made a few other stops. My dh didn't like driving there - the roads were narrow and very steep and you drive on the left side. He was happy to get rid of the car when the time came!

We went on a tour in St. Maarten - saw both the french & dutch sides, swam at Orient beach and did lots of shopping.

The week sure flew by fast. Wish we could've stayed on for another week!

I'd be happy to answer any questions if anyone has any. If you have a cruise planned for the Mariner, you are definately in for a good time!

[DEBS@40]

Thanx for your review I,m sure we're gonna love the Mariner!

We're in 7598 36 days and counting.

 

Did you dine at Chops if so what was it like and was it worth the $

 

BTW do they have any scrummy yummy american carrot cake on board:)

[taegan]

We are going on the marinier and in the cabin below you 6636 how did you like your location and balcony

[shopperwhite]

did you go to the piano bar?? how was the entertainer? thanks.

[big al]

Thanx for your review I,m sure we're gonna love the Mariner!

We're in 7598 36 days and counting.

 

Did you dine at Chops if so what was it like and was it worth the $

 

BTW do they have any scrummy yummy american carrot cake on board:)

 

[/quote

 

Have done Chops & Portifinos both about 7-8 times and easily worth $20-in fact,it's worth probably $100...think about it-where else can you dine at a table for 2 with a view of the ocean,get an appetizer(like shrimp cocktail),soup,salad,bread(warm & fabulous!) & butter,entree(filet mignon /NY Strip WOW!),all the side dishes you want,AND dessert & coffee/tea with great service for $20???? A sandwich and a soda plus tip & taxes is almost $20!!! Don't miss it-make reservations AS SOON AS YOU GET ON or you'll get shut out! Difference between the dining room & Chops/Poritfinos is night & day.....

 

Big Al

[dhwheatl]

We had made a reservation for Chops for Friday night but ended up canceling it because one of the couples we ate with were celebrating their 50th anniversary that night. They were a really nice couple so we thought we'd eat in the dining room and help them celebrate. I've heard only good things about Chops though - next time we'll try it!

I don't remember any carrot cake - I'm sure I would've eaten some if there was - love it!

I loved the location of our room - you didn't have to walk too far to the stairs and elevator. Rarely felt the boat rock.

[dmpuszcz]

Thanx for your review I,m sure we're gonna love the Mariner!

We're in 7598 36 days and counting.

 

Did you dine at Chops if so what was it like and was it worth the $

 

BTW do they have any scrummy yummy american carrot cake on board:)

 

[/quote

 

Have done Chops & Portifinos both about 7-8 times and easily worth $20-in fact,it's worth probably $100...think about it-where else can you dine at a table for 2 with a view of the ocean,get an appetizer(like shrimp cocktail),soup,salad,bread(warm & fabulous!) & butter,entree(filet mignon /NY Strip WOW!),all the side dishes you want,AND dessert & coffee/tea with great service for $20???? A sandwich and a soda plus tip & taxes is almost $20!!! Don't miss it-make reservations AS SOON AS YOU GET ON or you'll get shut out! Difference between the dining room & Chops/Poritfinos is night & day.....

 

Big Al

DH & I were on the same cruise and absolutely loved it as well. This was the first time we went to Chops (actually went twice) and we loved it. Agnes was one of our servers and she was great. The filet mignon was the best steak I've ever had. Loved all the food and the mud pie was out of the world. Great experience.

[dmpuszcz]

did you go to the piano bar?? how was the entertainer? thanks.

I cannot remember the gentleman's name that is part of the Activities department (he works a lot at the BINGO and also danced in the Y-M-C-A numbers). Well he played the piano one evening and was FANTASTIC - does a little more classical numbers. He also did Name That Tune in one of the bars.

[orientodyssey]

Hi,

 

Thank you for sharing the experience. I will be on the same routing on MOS on Dec 9 and will also use Avis to reach the port. Can you tell me when did you arrive the port, and was there lots of waiting? How long is the shuttle bus from Avis location to the pier and do you have to wait a long time for the shuttle?

 

Just want to plan my arriving time..... Thanks......

[LSM1018]

Which nights are the best for eating at Chops or Portofino? Generally we would prefer to miss Caribbean and/or Italian nights in the dining room. Also, which night is formal night? Thanks!

[MAO]

We are going on the marinier and in the cabin below you 6636 how did you like your location and balcony

 

 

We are also in this cabin in January, hows the view from here?

[dhwheatl]

The Avis car rental place was maybe 2 or 3 miles away from the port. As we turned our car in, a shuttle was just leaving so we waited maybe 10-15 minutes for the next. It worked out well. We arrived at the port around 12:30. There was a line to get in but went pretty fast - I'd say from the time we dropped our luggage off to the time we boarded the ship was maybe 35 - 40 minutes.

[dhwheatl]

When you are in port - St. Thomas & St. Maarten - you have a very good view!

[mamaza]

We have 8322 (Hump) on Dec 8th (2008) wow, that's a long time away .. like only 378 days to go.

 

Thanks for the info.

[MAO]

Thanks! Now would be looking at the island or out to sea? And can you see forward on the ship or does the hump get in the way?

I really appriciate your help...:)

[ckrobyn]

I was also on this sailing and we had a wonderful time!!

 

If you want to see my pics - click the image below for the Mariner of the Seas album on Webshots :)

[dhwheatl]

Thanks! Now would be looking at the island or out to sea? And can you see forward on the ship or does the hump get in the way?

I really appriciate your help...:)

 

We were facing the islands. It was fun to see all the people running to get to the ship on time!

[MAO]

Cool thanks!

Wonder if you saw any sunsets?

Glad you had a good time, this will be our second time on Mariner, we missed soooo much the first time:)

[dhwheatl]

Cool thanks!

Wonder if you saw any sunsets?

Glad you had a good time, this will be our second time on Mariner, we missed soooo much the first time:)

 

Oh yes, we saw em. One late afternoon while at sea it rained for maybe 15 min. - afterwards there was this beautiful rainbow. Wish I had another cruise planned on the Mariner. I don't think there's anyway you'll see everything during that one week. I guess that would be a good excuse to sign up for another one!