Review - Mariner of the Seas 4/13-4/20/08 Eastern

[sugcarol]

I believe the Mariner will begin to switch from San Juan to Coco Cay starting in May. If anyone is doing this cruise going to Coco Cay, I would love to see the Cruise Compasses. Also would like to know the formal nights and the times for ice skating. Thanks.:p

[TxStacey]

The decor on the Mariner was different than on the Conquest. It was a little more upscale in that respect. Not so much like a Vegas Casino - more woods and more muted colors. I missed the grand atrium when we first boarded but the Promenade was great.

 

The service was wonderful but no better than what we received with Carnival. The only thing that was better in that area was the guest service desk. On the Conquest there was always a long line but not on the Mariner. They always had several people working so you didn't have to wait. They seemed a little more informed as well - quick to handle problems and answer questions.

 

I also thought the food was better on Carnival. I did like the hot items on the room service menu with RCI better but I missed the deli and pizza from the Conquest. I preferred the main dining room food on the Conquest. The Cafe Promenade on the Mariner is something different that I really liked- great little sandwiches and cookies/dessert anytime.

 

The cabin size is different on Mariner in some categories - My inlaws had an inside room that seemed much smaller in comparison to the inside we had on the Conquest and is listed as a lower square footage but there seemed to be more storage areas. There are cabinets behind the mirrors in the bathroom and vanity area.

 

Entertainment was very similar on both ships but RCI has the ice show which was outstanding and they have the parades down the promenade. They both have the belly flop contest, newlywed game, ice carving, etc.

 

Embarkation/debarkation was much quicker in Port Canaveral than what we experienced in Galveston as well but we sailed just after the ship moved there due to Hurricane Katrina. We were supposed to sail from New Orleans. The process might have improved since we were there.

 

Thanks Donna for the comparison..it was well balanced. I agree about sailing out of Port Canaveral vs Galveston. We were one of the last sailings for the Conquest out of New Orleans..That city was so awesome before Katrina..I feel very very fortunate to have seen it before all of the destruction. However..Galveston is our closest port and we have sailed out of it the most.. the only thing I like better about it is that the luggage is in that big warehouse and you just find it by color. In Port Canveral you have to wait for it to come out on the conveyor belt like at the airport.

[PH8]

I believe the Mariner will begin to switch from San Juan to Coco Cay starting in May. If anyone is doing this cruise going to Coco Cay, I would love to see the Cruise Compasses. Also would like to know the formal nights and the times for ice skating. Thanks.:p

It does go to CocoCay in May..I know thats where we are going on the May 11th cruise...........I am positive the formal nights(Monday and Friday) and skating times all stay the same...

[Chickadee32707]

Great review! We were on the same trip. I was disappointed with the desserts too...but you are SO right...the best was the chocolate/peanut butter dessert available for lunch in the dining room!:p

[hazeleyez3]

Thank you for the wonderful review...August cannot get here soon enough

 

Great review! We were on the same trip. I was disappointed with the desserts too...but you are SO right...the best was the chocolate/peanut butter dessert available for lunch in the dining room!:p

 

This chocolate/peanut butter dessert - is this available all days for lunch? I am a huge fan of the combination, so I don't want to miss it.

[Mysticks1]

Thank you for the wonderful review...August cannot get here soon enough

 

 

 

This chocolate/peanut butter dessert - is this available all days for lunch? I am a huge fan of the combination, so I don't want to miss it.

 

I am not sure as that was the only day we went to the dining room.

[Mysticks1]

the only thing I like better about it is that the luggage is in that big warehouse and you just find it by color. In Port Canveral you have to wait for it to come out on the conveyor belt like at the airport.

 

We lucked out on the luggage as we saw our three suitcases, all in a row coming around as we first walked up to the carousel. We carried our own off in Galveston as we had such a long drive.

[Celebrating29years]

Below are the coupon specials listed in the Compass for each day.

Day 1 - Seaweed Wrap ($160), Hot Stone Massage ($160), Ionithermie Treatment ($109) Micro Dermabrasion Facial ($120)

Day 2 - Teeth Whitening $199

Day 3 - Puerto Rico was $50 Off Ionithermie Algae-Detox ($109)

Day 4 - St. Maarten was $50 off any signature treatment booked and received that day.

Day 5 - St. Thomas was Teeth Whitening $199

Day 6 - At Sea - complimentary eye and neck collagen treatment with every signature facial booked today.

Day 7 - At Sea - $40 off any signature treatment booked and received today.

 

Flyer specials - last sea day combine any of the following for $99 (This is the one I should have taken:( )

20 min back massage

20 min scalp massage

20 min mini facial

20 min foot massage

20 min seaweed wrap

20 min hot stones massage

 

Thanks for the list - Am planning on spending some time in the spa most likely the day we're at st. thomas - when things are quiet and prices are better. the last sea day combo looks interesting though - I don't remember that from last time.

[ED MARY ANN]

Wonderful review we will be on mariner for oct 5th sailing western caribbean can't get here fast enough.

[sugcarol]

Thanks for the days of the formal nights. Now does anyone know the days and times of the ice skating? Thanks.:)

[Mysticks1]

Balcony is approx. 10' x 11'-12"

 

Looking aft from the porthole opening.

 

Looking up from the corner of the balcony - those are windows at the back of the windjammer.

 

Looking forward from the porthole opening.

 

Looking out from the cabin onto the balcony.

 

Looking out - curtains open

[Mysticks1]

Another angle of the balcony.

 

The cabin looking from the door.

 

Another view of the cabin.

 

Bathroom - Angle 1

 

Bathroom Angle 2

 

Cabin at night with the third bed down.

 

More photos of the ship and the ports to come later as I can get them uploaded.

[Lionesss]

Your review was very very enticing.

August cannot get here soon enough.

Did you feel crowded on the ship?

Did it take for ever to get off the ship and back on at the ports?

Thanks

Later

[Mysticks1]

Your review was very very enticing.

August cannot get here soon enough.

Did you feel crowded on the ship?

Did it take for ever to get off the ship and back on at the ports?

 

Thanks

 

Later

 

The only times the ship felt crowded were along the Promenade just as a show lets out or during the parades or right by the pool during prime sunning hours or when trying to get into and out of the ice show.

We didn't try to go ashore as soon as we docked. We waited a while for the crowds to leave since we only had one excursion booked and it was for the afternoon in St. Maarten. It was pretty much straight down and out and when returning we walked right back on and through security - no real waiting at all. We did notice when we left that there was more than one exit provided which allowed for more people to leave the ship much faster.

[Mysticks1]

Sailing into San Juan - El Morro Fort

 

Sailing past Old San Juan

 

El Morro from the ship

 

Leaving the ship in San Juan. Celebrity Millennium to the right.

 

 

 

Looking towards San Juan and the pier from the top of El Morro

 

A cannon facing the Atlantic

[Mysticks1]

Old Church in Old San Juan - built in the 1500's

 

Interesting Architecture in Old San Juan

 

 

 

 

[Mysticks1]

Ship parking lot - Mariner of the Seas - Celebrity Millennium - Costa Mediterranea - Carnival Glory

 

Celebrity Millennium backing out from the pier

[wantacruise]

Love the pictures! The balcony looks awesome--I would have a hard time going in the cabin--I'd want to stay on the balcony the entire cruise.

[Mysticks1]

Love the pictures! The balcony looks awesome--I would have a hard time going in the cabin--I'd want to stay on the balcony the entire cruise.

 

Thank you - I spent a lot of time on the balcony. In fact so much that I missed a lot of the activities and doing some things on the ship because I preferred just to sit there and enjoy the peace and quiet. The people next to us rarely came out on their balcony. The crew area on deck 5 was noisy at some time usually between dinner times as many of them were taking breaks at that time of day.

[Sarvowinner]

Thank you so much for the pics - especially of the cabin interior. They are the best I've seen of a Mariner cabin. The most unusual towel animals too, you must have had a very creative steward.

 

Looking so forward to our cruise next Jan.

[TxStacey]

Your Pictures are wonderful!! Please keep posting them!

[Mysticks1]

Carnival Glory and the Caribbean Princess arrived in St. Maarten before we did.

The water was beautiful there.

 

The view from our balcony.

 

 

[cbp2000]

Your pictures are absolutely beautiful!!!

[Mysticks1]

From this angle it looks like the Caribbean Princess is sitting in the middle of the mall area.

The ships in port from across the harbor area.

 

A look back at the beach area.

A resort in a beautiful location

[Mysticks1]

These were taken on a tour with Joyce Prince.

This one was from the car driving around the airport.

 

Taken from the beach just down from Sunset Bar and Grill

 

American Airlines Jet landing.