Mariner Review 3/23/08 (kinda long)

[kgrassel]

Just off the Mariner....

First, some background: This was our 3rd sailing on the Mariner, all 3 going west. Traveling were Mom and Dad (us), our daughter (17) and her 3 best friends (17,18,18), our "cruise daughters". One cruise daughter was a cruise virgin, one had been on Mariner with us in '06, the other was new to Royal Caribbean but not new to cruising. Senior year, Spring Break.

 

Basics: Cruise director Drew Devine did a great job. Captain Johnny (and his Chinese friend ;) were in command. I was glad to sail with him again. Last time we had Captain Per.

 

Embarkation:

Fast and easy until the longish line for Sea Pass pictures. That took almost 30 min. On board by 12:15pm.

 

Dining Service:

 

First floor, table 357. Waiter was Mark, assistant was Michelle. Mark was top notch. In conversation we learned he has a degree in mechanical engineering and also was pre-med. Plans to do this no more than 10 years then go back to school. Michelle was so-so. Pleasant enough, but not ready for prime time. Our head waiter was much more involved than most I've experienced and we really enjoyed him. Orhan (or something like that) was his name. He made one cruise daughter's birthday special.

 

Food:

 

Food was good but not spectacular. Good variety and the girls were able to try many new things. Changing entrees and getting seconds was no problem. Windjammer was as usual...good fast food as an alternative. Excellent for a quick breakfast before walking a mile for your ship shape dollar!

Cafe Promenade is still a great place for a late night snack!

 

Cabin and Cabin Service:

 

We were in balcony 8276, and our steward was Raymond. He did a great job and the towel animals were plentiful! The last night we got a stingray...a ray from Ray. We wanted for nothing, and the small bottle of rum in the cupboard was quietly overlooked. Absolutely LOVED the new bedding. I want it.

 

Room Service:

 

Only used it once. I had asked for a plate of pineapple, 2 sweet rolls, and OJ. I got a fruit plate with a bit of pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, melon and orange. I got 1 sweet roll and 1 plain roll. I did get the oj. When I asked the waiter how I could be more clear with my order, he told me that that's just the way the fruit comes. That was one indication that maybe some of the "anything for you" attitude might be changing. He did offer to go back and get more pineapple.

 

Excursions:

 

Ocho Rios: Did the falls and tubing with Marva Shaw. Excellent value for the money. Included Mahogany Beach which our whole group could have done without. There were 15 in our group and we had Jay (Marva's son) and a tour guide. I would absolutely go with Marva again.

 

Grand Cayman: Booked the Thriller boat excursion through the ship. Great time! Could have gotten it cheaper booking direct but I had trouble getting an answer from them online so I was leery. After meeting the operators, I would book directly next time and save $24 per person.

 

Cozumel: Wow! Booked the dolphin swim adventure directly with Dolphin Discovery.Since we had 6 people we got an additional 5% discount. They included transportation and entry into Chankanaab park, which is rebuilt and beautiful. We saved a ton of money booking direct, over $50 per person. The experience was unforgettable.

 

 

Crown and Anchor:

 

Platinum gift was a ballcap. Cute and useful.

Very disappointed with the "youth" C&A program as it applies to teens. Had enrolled my DD in response to an email and she was pleased to have her own card and number. However, they have instituted a "youth" coupon book which is mostly appropriate for an 8 year old. Sorry, but my 17 year old does not care to get free "slime" with a $50 purchase, and she is not interested in arcade games. There is no Johnny Rockets coupon, and the free internet coupon is in the kid's area, where her friends could not go, being over 18.

 

When I expressed my disappointment to the C&A ambassador, Colleen, she just said her hands were tied and she could not give her the regular Platinum book since she was under 18 and there were alcohol coupons in it. Makes no sense, since the drinking age is 21. Using that rationale, the 18 year olds shouldn't have it either. A quick trip to Guest Relations solved the problems. Apparently, their hands AREN't tied. A good solution would be to come up with a teen book.

 

Entertainment:

 

We had Tony Dano, John Joseph and Johnny B, and a woman named Judy who was hysterical! Overall, very good. I'd like to see them change up the production shows. Same stuff from 18 months ago. I miss the cruize comics.

 

Smoke:

 

First, let me say that I HATE smoke. My DH teases me that I could smell it a block away with the windows closed. That said, we had NO PROBLEMS at all. I had been worried about the balcony, but was not bothered one bit. I did not notice an increase in balcony smoking at all. I was disappointed that they did not offer a smoke-free casino night like people have been talking about.

 

Spring Break Impact: The ship was full, and had many groups of kids like ours..seniors whose parents don't buy into the whole go to mexico and party yourselves silly hype.

 

The bartenders were strict with id checks. In addition to having to show your seapass, they were also asking for picture id.

The only problem I had with the whole heightened security thing was when someone challenged one of my cruise daughters while she was playing the slots in the casino. He demanded to see her picture ID, and she didn't have it with her. She would have had to go all the way back to the cabin to get it and it wasn't worth her trouble. So she was required to leave the casino, even though she was of age to be there.

 

I did not witness nor hear of any problem or unruly behavior by the kids.

 

 

Summary: The Mariner looks better maintained than she did 18 months ago. Unfortunately, the theme for the cruise seemed to be "rude".. The teenagers were fine...it was some of the adults who were out of line. Chairhogs out in full force, adults talking loudly non stop during shows and karaoke, adults sitting on the stairs making it difficult for people to descend safely because they were blocking the railings "because we want to". But all that annoyance was minor and the great far outweighed the bad.

 

Of course our girls (the karaoke "Fab Four") ended up making friends. Over 3000 people on that ship and they end up hanging out with boys from...15 miles down the road from home (the karaoke "Lost Boys")! I'm thinking we could have set up karaoke in the food court of our mall and saved TONS of money for that same result!

 

Overall, we had a great time! Feel free to ask any questions!

[bmccarthy]

Glad you guys enjoyed the cruise as much as my husband and I and our friends did. The Marva Shaw tour was wonderful and we enjoyed hanging out with your group that day. We ran into your daughter and her friends around the ship quite a few times after that. They seemed to really enjoy themselves too.

 

So do you guys have any future cruises booked or in the plans? We are done till after the baby comes, hopefully either next spring break or maybe summer.

 

Beth :o

[mrsaknar]

Thank you VERY much for your complete review... We are leaving this weekend for our first cruise ~ and excited to have our first cruise be on the Mariner!! I do have a couple questions if you don't mind...

 

Did you try either Chops or Portofino? We are trying to decide which nights to visit these restaurants. Was there a 'least favorite' meal in the dining room? Tell me more about Marva Shaw and your tour with her. We have a day booked with her in Jamaica also.

 

My DH is rather nervous that I booked with a local, as he has heard rather negative things about Jamaicans. I assured him that she comes highly recommended and seemed quite professional when I have e-mailed with her. Do you mind if I ask how much you tipped her? Did you just leave your stuff in her van while at DRF and tubing?

 

Thank for your input, I appreciate it and these message boards so much!

[nccruiser24]

whats a ship shape dollar?

[hazeleyez3]

Was the balcony a deluxe or a superior?

 

Is the Sea Pass pictures are for the card?

 

Was there a long line for the "welcome aboard" photo? Are you able to bypass it (my husband and I never buy those pictures anyway).

[Atty]

Thank you VERY much for your complete review... We are leaving this weekend for our first cruise ~ and excited to have our first cruise be on the Mariner!! I do have a couple questions if you don't mind...

 

Did you try either Chops or Portofino? We are trying to decide which nights to visit these restaurants. Was there a 'least favorite' meal in the dining room? Tell me more about Marva Shaw and your tour with her. We have a day booked with her in Jamaica also.

 

My DH is rather nervous that I booked with a local, as he has heard rather negative things about Jamaicans. I assured him that she comes highly recommended and seemed quite professional when I have e-mailed with her. Do you mind if I ask how much you tipped her? Did you just leave your stuff in her van while at DRF and tubing?

 

Thank for your input, I appreciate it and these message boards so much!

 

If you can do both Chops and Portofino, then I would just to try them. Having done both, I prefer Chops and the Chops on Mariner was great (I was on the same sailing). We did Chops on the "Italian Night" which was the day we were in Labadee.

[Atty]

Just off the Mariner....

Of course our girls (the karaoke "Fab Four") ended up making friends. Over 3000 people on that ship and they end up hanging out with boys from...15 miles down the road from home (the karaoke "Lost Boys")! I'm thinking we could have set up karaoke in the food court of our mall and saved TONS of money for that same result!

 

 

I saw the girls strut their stuff on the last night of karaoke but didn't realize they were Cruise Critic people. Very Cool

[Atty]

Was the balcony a deluxe or a superior?

 

Is the Sea Pass pictures are for the card?

 

Was there a long line for the "welcome aboard" photo? Are you able to bypass it (my husband and I never buy those pictures anyway).

 

You don't have to do the welcome aboard photo. My wife and I never get them taken. Although if there is a line, it may be hard to bypass it until you get close to the front because of the way things are set up.

[pmfan]

Loved reading your Mariner review.

[kittymom65]

Great review, brought back lots of great memories of our last Mariner cruise.

Thank you for posting!

[kgrassel]

We ate at Chops on Wed. night which was "international night", formerly called Caribbean night. It was outstanding....I've never eaten at Portofino's, their menu is more seafood/italian oriented.

 

No worries booking with Marva! She is an independent tour operator who is affiliated with JUTA, the main tour cooperative on the island. Just remind hubby that your ship tour would go with a JUTA member, too, but you'd just get to pay more for it! We tipped her son $30. We left our stuff in the van and had no problems! Have fun!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you VERY much for your complete review... We are leaving this weekend for our first cruise ~ and excited to have our first cruise be on the Mariner!! I do have a couple questions if you don't mind...

 

Did you try either Chops or Portofino? We are trying to decide which nights to visit these restaurants. Was there a 'least favorite' meal in the dining room? Tell me more about Marva Shaw and your tour with her. We have a day booked with her in Jamaica also.

 

My DH is rather nervous that I booked with a local, as he has heard rather negative things about Jamaicans. I assured him that she comes highly recommended and seemed quite professional when I have e-mailed with her. Do you mind if I ask how much you tipped her? Did you just leave your stuff in her van while at DRF and tubing?

 

Thank for your input, I appreciate it and these message boards so much!

[kgrassel]

whats a ship shape dollar?

 

A ship shape dollar is money you earn by doing onboard physical activities, like exercise classes, walking a mile, etc. You can find them on the Cruise Compass by looking for a little symbol next to the activity. On the last day you spend them on logo items on the sports deck. This time we got a visor, some key chains, and a towel.

[kgrassel]

Glad you guys enjoyed the cruise as much as my husband and I and our friends did. The Marva Shaw tour was wonderful and we enjoyed hanging out with your group that day. We ran into your daughter and her friends around the ship quite a few times after that. They seemed to really enjoy themselves too.

 

So do you guys have any future cruises booked or in the plans? We are done till after the baby comes, hopefully either next spring break or maybe summer.

 

Beth :o

 

Hey Beth!!

 

We enjoyed hanging out with you guys, too! We're going to try to plan something for just before Christmas, and then hopefully again in Feb. Good luck with the baby..dont blink, cuz next thing you know he/she will be singing karaoke on Royal Caribbean! Kathy

[mrsaknar]

Thank you for your encouragement on touring Ocho Rios with Marva Shaw or her son. Even though my husband is nervous about us going with an independent he also trusts me and am certain that he will thank me at the end of the day for a great experience!!

[Wine Luvuh]

mrsaknar...come and join us on our Roll Call!! Also, have you signed up for the Meet and Mingle yet?

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=534057

[mrsaknar]

Thank you ~ I have been reading the meet and mingle boards daily also.... This is our first cruise and I am SOOOO excited and ready!!!

[cruisnpat]

Thanks for the great review.

[flagal106]

the review was great.how was labdee?if you have a laptop how much is internet connection in the cabin. will be sailing sunday. susie