Mariner... best/worst/not to be missed?

[beachbum6264]

We're sailing on the Mariner next month, first RC in a while, and can't wait! I saw her during sail away on another ship and knew I was going one day:D

So... what is not to be missed? What can you do without? Give me more stuff to daydream about for the next few weeks....:D

[ottawapuppy]

We're sailing on the Mariner next month, first RC in a while, and can't wait!

So... what is not to be missed?

 

Dinner at Portofino.

Cinnamon Scrolls at the Promenade Cafe.

Washington Apple Martini.

Royal Delight coffee.

[nlcentralchmps03]

This is just my opinion of course, but I will give you a little run down of what I enjoyed on her.

 

Must do

Love and Marriage gameshow

The Quest

Liar's Club

Battle of the Sexes

Family Outdoor Nightclub with the Caribbean Buffet

 

 

 

 

 

Stuff I liked

Name that tune in the schooner bar

Trivia

Shows

70s Dance Party

Bingo

Bellyflop Competition

Karaoke

Ice Show (forgot about that)

[OGCFreddie]

Don't miss the ice show. They are always GREAT. Be sure to get tickets for that as soon as possible because they will be available only at certain times on a first come, first served basis and they DO reach capacity quickly. Keep your daily program handy as well! It will give you all the information you need about your particular sailing.

[mamacat3]

There is NOTHING will you not like about Mariner!!!!! Continue to daydream about all the good things that await you!!!!! Even though you may want to - don't wish your life away!!!!!

 

Happy cruising!!:)

[Loves_Dogs]

The ice show, 70's dance party, the bistro burger on the room service menu, any and all of their soups, those yummy sandwiches and pastries in the Promenade Cafe, I could go on and on. We loved Mariner and I just know you will have a great cruise!

[beachbum6264]

Taking notes here....:D

Tell me more about the 70's dance party (aging hippie child here;) )

[flagger]

Sadly, the tour that includes the glass bottom of the ship now has a $15 per person surcharge. Recent reports indicate they are not keeping it very clean. I would hate to have paid that money and not be able to see out when down there.

[Merion_Mom]

Sadly, the tour that includes the glass bottom of the ship now has a $15 per person surcharge. Recent reports indicate they are not keeping it very clean. I would hate to have paid that money and not be able to see out when down there.

 

flagger, I was trying to tell someone last night about the railing that you packed for your daughter.............

 

Here's the link, if you would be so kind as to advise these parents:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=806997

 

:)

[kristyintx]

Visit the Wig 'N Gavel Pub in the evenings. It's in the Royal Promenade and they have live music. We had a BLAST and spent several evenings there.

 

Have fun!

[mark290]

The very bow of the ship where the helicopter pad is. Go forward on

deck four and then up the steps. Especially cool/creepy at night.

 

Shuffle board on a sea day. Watch the sea go by and play

a game that easily incorporates drinking and gambling.

 

View from the Viking Crown Lounge, surprisingly few people up there.

 

Getting on board early the first day.

[mark290]

Sadly, the tour that includes the glass bottom of the ship now has a $15 per person surcharge. Recent reports indicate they are not keeping it very clean. I would hate to have paid that money and not be able to see out when down there.

 

You have to like the way RCI has stepped up to the plate to

compensate for the poor up keep of the glass bottom by adding

the fishing platform on the back. Only a $5 fee and the new Crown

& Anchor books have a coupon for free entry. My tip is to bring

some frozen shrimp on board to use as bait. The chef will prepare

your catch for you at no charge but I would recommend a $5 - $10

gratuity per fish.

[Cincy-David]

Stage yourself on the Helipad for the Sailaway, the views are great and very few people can find it on the first day. It is somewhat tricky. It took me a while (it was on my very first cruise). You can lean over the front rail and pretend you are the guy from the Titanic (bad reference I know) and can be King of the World....

 

Not sure if it was mentioned, but Quest and Battle of the Sexes are great on this class of ship. They have them in the ice rink and lots more people can play than when in one of the bars.

[beachbum6264]

You have to like the way RCI has stepped up to the plate to

compensate for the poor up keep of the glass bottom by adding

the fishing platform on the back. Only a $5 fee and the new Crown

& Anchor books have a coupon for free entry. My tip is to bring

some frozen shrimp on board to use as bait. The chef will prepare

your catch for you at no charge but I would recommend a $5 - $10

gratuity per fish.

 

So no more water skiing from the stern???:p

Do I have to bring my own fishing pole, or is that included? Can we cook our own fish if we bring our own grill - we will have our first balcony on this cruise ;)

Can I wear jeans while fishing (assuming it is not formal fishing night? :D )

[Clarea]

A quick way to get fore/aft on Mariner is to use Deck 4 outside. Sometimes the Promenade is very crowded, so just go down the stairs one deck and go outside.

[mark290]

So no more water skiing from the stern???:p

Do I have to bring my own fishing pole, or is that included? Can we cook our own fish if we bring our own grill - we will have our first balcony on this cruise ;)

Can I wear jeans while fishing (assuming it is not formal fishing night? :D )

 

Water skiing was an urban legend. It was tubing off the stern. This

was stopped because of the excess fuel it burned.

 

Fishing gear is provided and is actually quite good. Since this is a new

addition that not many people know about yet the gear has seen very little use. Remember to bring frozen shrimp. The fake bait they provide

is not very good.

 

Your own grill is fine as long as it is not charcoal, gas only.

 

The dress code is only a suggestion. You will not be turned away but

you may get some nasty looks. Unlike the dining room there is only one formal fishing night. The rest is cruise casual.

[veryhotred]

What is the Liar's Club?? I sail on the Mariner for Thanksgiving!!!

[sjmoss]

We're sailing on the Mariner next month, first RC in a while, and can't wait! I saw her during sail away on another ship and knew I was going one day:D

So... what is not to be missed? What can you do without? Give me more stuff to daydream about for the next few weeks....:D

 

Good to Great

Johnny Rockets

Portofino - Best meal I ever had at sea

Lunches in main dining room - so much better than dinner

Casino - won big

Kids Club - kids loved it

Coffee - much better than NCL

Ice show

Love and Marriage game show

Ship itself is very nice and well laid out

Pizza at promenade cafe late at night

 

Not so good to bad

 

Main dining room dinners - the only exception is the lobster tail (surprisingly good)

My waiter and assistant waiter - no personality and poor service

Cabin Steward - awful

Room - was quite dirty (could be due to the poor cabin steward)

Chops - way overrated and steak was very poor, only good thing on the menu were the side dishes and chocolate cake

[Fitnessmaniac]

This is just my opinion of course, but I will give you a little run down of what I enjoyed on her.

 

Must do

Love and Marriage gameshow

The Quest

Liar's Club

Battle of the Sexes

Family Outdoor Nightclub with the Caribbean Buffet

 

 

 

 

 

Stuff I liked

 

Name that tune in the schooner bar

Trivia

Shows

70s Dance Party

Bingo

Bellyflop Competition

Karaoke

Ice Show (forgot about that)

 

What's the "Liars Club?"

[Cincy-David]

What's the "Liars Club?"

 

 

Liars Club is an audience Participation comedy show put on by the Cruise Staff. It is a very simple concept, but with the right cruise staff paricipaing, it can be absolutely hilarious.

 

I know on our Radiance Cruise in Decembe, we laughed till we almost wet ourselves. Kirk and the staff were a riot....

 

It is set up with the pretense of a game show, but is really just a comedy skit that last for about an hour.

 

I highly recommend.

 

NOTE: Some content is slightly adult oriented (or was on our cruise), but OK for anyone over 12-13 depending on maturity. Just a little raunchy language.

 

Here is a picture of the staff and then my friend Kieth laughing himself into tears.

 

[jillybabes]

Oatmeal cookies from Cafe Promenade...and those little sandwiches, YUMMO!!! Later, Jill:cool:

[MariaoftheSeas]

Vintages- the wine bar in the promenade, the wine flights are a great way to try the different types of wine they also bring you some complimentary snacks

they also hold a wine tasting there as well.

 

I feel that Chops and Portifinos are a must do even if you only choose one you can't go wrong.

 

One thing to miss would be the spa. IMHO overpriced, low quality and a big sales pitch at the end. again just my own experiece last cruise was one of the first times I did not go to the spa and I did not miss it

Another miss would be the Shopping lectures and coupon books

 

You will love the Mariner it is my favorite ship, there is just something special about her!!!

[Cincy-David]

Oatmeal cookies from Cafe Promenade...and those little sandwiches, YUMMO!!! Later, Jill:cool:

 

Jill likes the Oatmeal, but I personally think the White Chocolate Chip in Dark Fudge is the best cookie.

 

Later,

Dave

[veryhotred]

Liars Club is an audience Participation comedy show put on by the Cruise Staff. It is a very simple concept, but with the right cruise staff paricipaing, it can be absolutely hilarious.

 

I know on our Radiance Cruise in Decembe, we laughed till we almost wet ourselves. Kirk and the staff were a riot....

 

It is set up with the pretense of a game show, but is really just a comedy skit that last for about an hour.

 

I highly recommend.

 

NOTE: Some content is slightly adult oriented (or was on our cruise), but OK for anyone over 12-13 depending on maturity. Just a little raunchy language.

 

Here is a picture of the staff and then my friend Kieth laughing himself into tears.

 

 

Thanks for the info..I will have to check into that when I board!!! Sounds like fun :)

[auntx4]

This is just my opinion of course, but I will give you a little run down of what I enjoyed on her.

 

Must do

Love and Marriage gameshow

The Quest

Liar's Club

Battle of the Sexes

Family Outdoor Nightclub with the Caribbean Buffet

 

 

 

 

 

Stuff I liked

 

Name that tune in the schooner bar

Trivia

Shows

70s Dance Party

Bingo

Bellyflop Competition

Karaoke

Ice Show (forgot about that)

 

nlcentralchmps03,

 

I agree with you on your list, I would only add the reef and wreck snorkel trip in Grand Cayman. We really enjoyed the reef because of the fish.