Cruise Critic's On Mariner Now! Got Questions?

[DebbieH103]

I assumed the Prime 7 question was rhetorical. For a long time, everyone thought it was going to be Prime Seven, and there was a lot of discussion that they did this venue because the members wanted it.j

 

Thanks for the interesting stories about the galley. I love to hear all the tidbits. I think the provisions people must have some fascinating tales to tell. Can you imagine ordering things for all of those people to come to so many places? What a joy it must be for the chefs to see all the new and exciting things arive. I know a lot of it might get to be routine, but it's not quite the same as the ole' Sysco truck coming to the back door, either.

 

I think there is a consensus that a clarification on the conversion to showers is needed.

 

We enjoyed our ATV trip in St. Barths. They took us up there to watch the planes as part of the tour. They sure are low.

 

I hope your group is having a fabulous time. From the style of your writing, it sounds like at least you are. Thanks for checking in with us so often and letting us share the trip.

[Cruise Business Review]

Okay, here's the latest scoop on the renovation strategy for Seven Seas Mariner!

 

I checked the status of the suite refits, and RSSC confirmed that bathroom refurbishments will continue. However, the next drydock will not take a place before two or two and half years from now. So, even after that drydock, perhaps no more than another 60 bathrooms will be fixed…. It is a very expensive and also time consuming effort to do that during a single drydocking, so it is not an intent to fix all the bathrooms with shower-only configuration.

 

At least for now :)

 

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

I had a great day on St. Barth's (renting a car was a blast, I got all over the island) and will fill you in tomorrow. But I have to admit the airport set-up was pretty fascinating. The planes (all smaller ones, no long hauls) basically swoop in over the mountain, directly over a two lane road, and then dive down the mountain to the airstrip. They get so close when they're coming over -- I read somewhere that a man was actually killed when walking underneath. He was hit in the head by a plane's landing gear!

 

I don't think I'd be hanging out directly under the plans (and I'd probably find another beach).

 

Governours Beach (sp?) is reputed to be the most beautiful on the island and it definitely was but....

 

I'll tell you tomorrow.

 

Thanks for all the great posts and nice words.

 

Teijo

 

 

I read somewhere that there are signs on the beach telling people not to sunbathe under the path of the planes, but we sure didn't see any. I agree with you....looks like an accident waiting to happen.

[Hambagahle]

. First among them is the introduction of the all-new restaurant called Prime 7. I’ll furnish more specific menu info later – but it’s a really nice change from Latitudes, a sort of Asian-fusion place, which it replaces.

 

The design of the new restaurant is really superb and elegant, a lot of tables for two, and with comfy deep-brown leather seats. The restaurant has its own galley, which was missing in the Latitudes era. That’s a big deal; having its own galley directly translates to a higher level of cuisine.

 

Teijo -

 

Two points - 1. Latitudes in the Mariner (as well as Voyager) had its own galley before the transformation! the galleys were different - that on Mariner was closed in, on Voyager it was open. But when I took the Cordon Bleu course on Mariner in 2005, the galley was certainly there!

2. Mariner's coffee bar is not new either. It was there (and we loved it) last year when we were on the Latin American cruise. On the other hand, Voyager's IS new. I wish Navigator had one too!!

[Anna B.]

PaulaJK: Since you have been to both Hotel Guanahani and Eden Rock how do they compare? We've been to Eden Rock for lunch, but maybe it's time for a change. We aren't interested in renting a car either. If we take a taxi all the way to The Guanahani will we be able to get one for the trip back to the port? Thanks in advance,

 

Kathy

[Cruise Business Review]

There’s a noticeable difference between a world cruise and just a regular one. You know how, sometimes, on regular cruises it takes passengers a while to develop camaraderie with other passengers? Like, everyone’s at tables for two the first couple of nights and then by the end of the cruise most people are dining in groups?

 

What’s really special about the ambience onboard here is that on the first night or two it the big tables were already filled up. That’s because there is a cadre of world cruise regulars and they do the “same time next year” (that’s a favorite movie of my wife’s with Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn) thing. You overhear conversations all the time that sort of start in mid-sentence because people are already friends, having met on previous voyages.

 

I’m told that this is the ninth year that RSSC has held a world cruise so that’s plenty of time for people to establish it as a traditional yearly rite of passage. Andrew Poulton, RSSC’s marketing director, tells me that for some taking a three month world cruise every year is their interpretation of having a winter home somewhere warm. The difference being that in this winter home there are no chores ☺ -- and you get to wake up in a different place every day.

 

I think it’s tempting!

 

By the way, Cruise Critic has a fun story from last year’s world cruise on Seven Seas Voyager; it’s here:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=689.

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

Good morning, everyone, this time from Roseau, Dominica. I’m heading out later on an aerial tram excursion through Dominica’s rainforest.

 

Yesterday I visited St. Barths for the first time and as mentioned rented a car. I probably should have just taken an island tour but I wanted to poke around on my own for a couple of reasons. First, a car rental is actually one of the options that RSSC’s tour office offers so I didn’t have to find a car rental agency and go through that hassle. This way I filled out the papers beforehand, and then picked up the car keys on the pier. Secondly, the port call was such a long one yesterday (departure time at 9:00 p.m.), so there was no need to worry about missing the ship.

 

Thirdly, since the island was totally new to me, I thought it would be great just drive and look good photo opportunities.

 

I already knew that I wanted to go to photograph the planes at the famous and incredible airport. However, I asked friends onboard for extra suggestions: Gouverneur’s Beach was mentioned by one as perhaps the most beautiful beach in the world, so I decided to find the place with a help of Google Earth map…. And as St. Barth’s is part of France, I understood why my pal thought it was beautiful (it’s a topless beach).

 

Driving in St. Barths is rather challenging as the roads are hilly and narrow, and there are good photo opportunities everywhere (though island planners forgot about offering parking opportunities). Thankfully, I had a very small Hyundai, which was easier to maneuver on the island’s narrow, winding streets. Some other friends onboard also did RSSC’s rental car option and they chose the somewhat larger Chrysler PT Cruiser Cabriolet; it was the same price but I didn’t want a bigger car. We each paid around USD 150,- including insurance and collision damage waiver.

 

After some time at the airport videoing and photographing propeller planes that were landing, I ended up at the beach at St. Jean which actually was more charming (beyond a pretty harbor, there were cafes and shops and it was more active) than the Gouverneur beach on the southern part of the island though there wasn’t much of a topless scene!

 

This is the beach at the other end of the runway, and it seems to be forbidden to swim just at the end of the runway, but people can freely use the beach.

 

With driving and photographing for about six hours, I needed to fill the tank and return the car and that didn’t cost too much: exactly 2 euros and 90 cents. The return of the car was on the tender pier as well.

 

This left me some time to look around Gustavia, the island’s main “city”. The place, although now French, remembered me of home (I’m from Finland) and not just because of the architecture. While walking on the Ostra Strandgatan, which was named during the island’s Swedish period, it made me feel homesick (in Finland we have two national languages – Swedish and Finnish).

 

Back onboard (St. Barth’s is a tender port by the way) there was a festive outdoor barbecue at La Veranda from 7 – 9 p.m. and it was really gorgeous with the lights of St. Barths twinkling in the background. It seemed like every passenger was there! It was the first time the ship felt – not crowded, that’s not the right word – but bustling and busy. And the temperatures were warm, there was little wind (we didn’t sail away until 9 p.m.) and it was just…magic. At least until it started to rain, LOL, and we all moved inside.

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

I promise I will get to all of your questions by tomorrow, at the latest! Keep them coming...though I get off tomorrow in Barbados so you should send questions to me today....

 

Teijo

[wripro]

Travelcat2,

 

Having spent two weeks on St. Bart's I can definitely say a car is the best way to get around and see the whole island. It's quite small and worth exploring entirely. The beaches are exquisite though some of them require a hike to get to and you might not have enough time in one day. As for dining, I know you think you will be dining on Regent but the food and atmosphere at many restaurants on ST. Bart's is spectacular and worth a lunch. It is after all, a part of France. Would you go to Paris and not eat there because you will be dining on Regent?

[DebbieH103]

Thanks for the continued commentary. That is good to know about the specifics of the car rental thru Regent. They certainly seemed to have made it convenient.

 

I'm interested in your thoughts of Dominica.

 

The tub/shower situation is a relief and more in line with what we'd heard. I really hope they take a "see how it goes" with it.

[PaulaJK]

Kathy,

 

I suggest that you check the Guanahani web site. The view that they present on their web page is the view from the luncheon spot [i forget its name]. It has sliding glass panels that separate it from the pool...which then has a deck [on the other side] and then the beach. So you are looking at both pool & beach/sea. I find it extremely pleasant. They keep the glass panels open [weather permitting] and you get lovely island breezes. This is the windy side of the island. You can then spend time before or after walking the beach which is 'just ok' and not my favorite on SXB.

 

Eden Rock is also quite lovely and I can't really contrast the two...perhaps better beach at ER and better setting/cuisine at Le G....but really mostly equal.

 

You can get a taxi from town and have them return to collect you. This worked perfectly for us. Also you could have the hotel call a cab for you. Neither hotel, as far as I know, has any taxis sitting out front, at the ready.

 

Trying to see all of the beaches as well as other parts of the island along with shopping all day would not make a wonderful day for me but I certainly respect that it would for some others. And for those who love French cuisine, moules, crepes and steak frites await if desired.

 

Chaque a chacun.

[Anna B.]

PaulaJK:

 

Thanks so much for your reply. It was exactly the information I have been looking for. Because we've been to the Eden Rock it would to be easy to go back to a sure thing. However,The Guanahani looks beautiful. I think we will definitely opt for the better setting/cuisine this time and save the beach for another island.

 

Kathy

[editor@cruisecritic]

Has anyone ever been to Maya's? I've heard great things about it.

 

Last time I was on the island (last year on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral) I was starving for protein at 11:30 a.m. and wound up at the Jimmy Buffet joint in Gustavia. It's called Le Select. It was mediocre. I always regret a missed "interesting" meal opportunity and I guess I regret that one!

 

Carolyn

 

PS I've been to lunch at Eden Rock and loved it. Also been to Guanahani for a cocktail (I spent a few days on the island some years back on a non-cruise related trip -- and oh, by the way, flew in! I think my eyes were closed for the landing). Thought Guanahani was painfully pretentious. But the setting is beautiful and it was a few years back and so it could be better now.

[canadagal]

Teijo, I'm looking forward to hearing what you did in Dominica. It's one of my fave Caribbean islands but it also has one of the most hilliest topography of any island I've ever visited and makes St. Barts look tame in comparison. PaulaJk, there is no way I would ever think of you and the word anaemic in the same definition. Your candid reporting or your recent cruise dispelled that theory and to now hear that you actually had the kahunnies to fly into St. Barts and experience that terrifying flight is more then I would ever attempt.

You are braver then I.

I'm also relieved to hear that for now that the bath tub conversion is not complete and for all cabins.

Pat

[editor@cruisecritic]

One more p.s. We have a port profile on St. Barth's and would really appreciate any discoveries, fun places, great lunching suggestions, you have so we can update it! It's here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=9.

 

Carolyn

[OrpingtonT]

Last time I was on the island (last year on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral) I was starving for protein at 11:30 a.m. and wound up at the Jimmy Buffet joint in Gustavia. Carolyn

 

 

When you say "starving for protein" what exactly do you mean? Did you fancy a hamburger, leg of chicken, pork chop, tofu, bowl of goulash, all of these?

 

Just interested.

[editor@cruisecritic]

LOL, all of them but Le Select's particularly known for its burgers so that's what I had there. With a rum punch :) -- the punch was my "fruit" for the morning.

 

Carolyn

 

When you say "starving for protein" what exactly do you mean? Did you fancy a hamburger, leg of chicken, pork chop, tofu, bowl of goulash, all of these?

 

Just interested.

[Cruise Business Review]

Hi, the ship is now docked at Barbados and our small gang of journalists debarked today. The others headed straight to the airport but I'm staying over one night. I'm at a hotel -- so the Internet is really fast and I'm going to get caught up on all the answers I promised.

 

If there's anything you want to know about Barbados, ask away!

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

The shops opened the other day; they’re operated by a new concessionaire called Harding Bros. I think I wrote about Harding Bros. earlier this week (I’ve lost track at this point!) but it also operates the boutiques on Celebrity’s new Solstice.

 

Overall, I don’t see a big difference on the merchandise here than on other ships I've been on, except the logo stuff is perhaps cheaper than normally on the mass market ships: As an example, I paid USD 39.99 for my Regent tennis shirt.

 

Meanwhile, the casino is operated by Casinos Austria and Carita, a French spa company, has stayed on to manage Seven Seas Mariner’s spa.

 

One interesting thing: there is no photo concession or “professional” photographer onboard – which means no annoying requests to pose with pirates as you walk down the gangplank or to get out of your chair in the Compass Rose to have a photo snapped of your dining companions.

 

Bring your camera!

 

RSSC’s Andrew Poulton told us that the reason for eliminating the photo gallery/photographer is that it just didn’t represent the upscale RSSC vibe. Other luxury ships take the same approach (my wife was on UK luxury line Hebridean Spirit and there was no photographer there, too). The lack of one isn’t really missed as long as you come prepared with your own camera – and I think nowadays most everyone does that anyway.

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

Hi, Hambagahle, thanks for the info -- I have dug a little deeper into the galley issue. According to cruise line folks onboard, Seven Seas Mariner did not have a “proper” galley next to the Latitudes (rather it was a pantry-type of facility). Now the restaurant is supported by a fully-equipped hot galley, which at least in my experience, was a reason for the very high food quality.

 

You are right about the Coffee Connection. It was actually added to Seven Seas Mariner on the previous dry dock some two years ago.

 

To answer another question: I was asked about the sound levels of the newly combined library and coffee bar; the area’s got a wooden floor so could be kind of noisy when crowded or when people are moving chairs around.

 

Teijo

 

. First among them is the introduction of the all-new restaurant called Prime 7. I’ll furnish more specific menu info later – but it’s a really nice change from Latitudes, a sort of Asian-fusion place, which it replaces.

 

The design of the new restaurant is really superb and elegant, a lot of tables for two, and with comfy deep-brown leather seats. The restaurant has its own galley, which was missing in the Latitudes era. That’s a big deal; having its own galley directly translates to a higher level of cuisine.

 

Teijo -

 

Two points - 1. Latitudes in the Mariner (as well as Voyager) had its own galley before the transformation! the galleys were different - that on Mariner was closed in, on Voyager it was open. But when I took the Cordon Bleu course on Mariner in 2005, the galley was certainly there!

2. Mariner's coffee bar is not new either. It was there (and we loved it) last year when we were on the Latin American cruise. On the other hand, Voyager's IS new. I wish Navigator had one too!!

[PaulaJK]

I have always found the photographers on the upscale lines to be non-intrusive. And there have always been passengers who have enjoyed/purchased both candid and scenery based photos and lined up, usually on formal nights, to have portraits taken professionally....so I really don't fully embrace that suddenly this didn't fit with upscale cruising. Business, profits and space issues perhaps................and trust me Teiojo, posing with pirates, cancan dancers,etc has never been a part of the upscale lines [at least in my experience ]. I may be in the minority when I state that my digital photos [as much as I enjoy the immediacy of seeing them] do not equal a professional photographer's once printed.

[Cruise Business Review]

Hi PaulaJK,

 

Thank you your opinions on photographers. Most of the cruise lines, especially smaller ones have outsourced photographic services. Based on revenues, those concessions need to take a lot of pictures to make a selling point for the guests, and therefore there are “Kodak” moments around almost every corner.

 

I do appreciate the opportunity to buy a professional photo, when I, for example, arrive in a new port-of-call, but I am sure that RSSC will reconsider its decision if passenger demand arises.

 

Teijo

 

 

I have always found the photographers on the upscale lines to be non-intrusive. And there have always been passengers who have enjoyed/purchased both candid and scenery based photos and lined up, usually on formal nights, to have portraits taken professionally....so I really don't fully embrace that suddenly this didn't fit with upscale cruising. Business, profits and space issues perhaps................and trust me Teiojo, posing with pirates, cancan dancers,etc has never been a part of the upscale lines [at least in my experience ]. I may be in the minority when I state that my digital photos [as much as I enjoy the immediacy of seeing them] do not equal a professional photographer's once printed.

[Cruise Business Review]

You are right about Dominica… It’s a beautiful island, and a large part of it is a rainforest. It’s been said that Dominica was the model for the garden of Eden though that is not necessarily true. Still it tells you that it’s a lush, gorgeous place with a rainforest, dense vegetation, waterfalls, freshwater pools and bubbling hot springs from the active underwater volcanoes surrounding the island.

 

Roseau, where cruise ships dock, is one of those places you go through to get to the more interesting spots on the island.

 

In Dominica I took the ship’s tour for the rainforest aerial tram. We were taken into the jungle and drove up a 1,900-ft. mountain where we boarded the open-air tram. The cars reminded me of ski lifts and you literally skim over tree tops. It’s gorgeous.

 

When you get to the end of the ride you’re in Morne Trois Pitons Natural Park, which is one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The scariest part of the day (if you have a fear of heights) is also the most exhilarating – you walk over a 300 ft. high suspension bridge that’s over the Breakfast River Gorge; the bridge moves and shakes as you walk along!

 

Happy to answer any questions about this tour....

 

Teijo

[Cruise Business Review]

As I write this from my hotel room in Barbados, I can see Seven Seas Mariner slipping out of the port on its way to its next call – Brazil’s Fortaleza. The ship has three sea days to go before it gets there.

 

I finally got to Signatures, the ship’s Cordon Bleu-affiliated restaurant, last night. Normally, when the ship is fully booked, Regent tries to limit the number of visits to its two specialty restaurants to one (each) a week so that all guests have a chance to try them out. And even when we were only half full, both Prime 7 and Signatures were still full; they’re obviously popular.

 

If there’s a lot of new stuff to talk about with Prime 7, fans of Signatures will be happy to know that there aren’t many, if any, significant changes here. The atmosphere is very relaxed, in an elegant way, because, European style, each diner “owns” his table for the night (which means that there aren’t numerous seating’s throughout the evening and that translates into a no-rush, no-hurry kind of experience).

 

Last night, I started with scallops marinated in herb oil, spring onions and mashed potatoes. For my second appetizer I had foie gras terrine with prune marmalade (the famous mushroom soup here delicious too). For the main course I tried the very tender beef tournedos Rossini. You may be surprised that there was any room left for dessert but a “why not” attitude prevailed and I’m glad it did. The Tahitian crème brulee was, perhaps, the best dessert I had onboard this week.

 

Tonight’s planned casual dinner at the Hilton’s pool grill pales in comparison.

 

Teijo

[OrpingtonT]

As I write this from my hotel room in Barbados, I can see Seven Seas Mariner slipping out of the port on its way to its next call – Brazil’s Fortaleza. The ship has three sea days to go before it gets there.

 

I finally got to Signatures, the ship’s Cordon Bleu-affiliated restaurant, last night. Normally, when the ship is fully booked, Regent tries to limit the number of visits to its two specialty restaurants to one (each) a week so that all guests have a chance to try them out. And even when we were only half full, both Prime 7 and Signatures were still full; they’re obviously popular.

 

If there’s a lot of new stuff to talk about with Prime 7, fans of Signatures will be happy to know that there aren’t many, if any, significant changes here. The atmosphere is very relaxed, in an elegant way, because, European style, each diner “owns” his table for the night (which means that there aren’t numerous seating’s throughout the evening and that translates into a no-rush, no-hurry kind of experience).

 

Last night, I started with scallops marinated in herb oil, spring onions and mashed potatoes. For my second appetizer I had foie gras terrine with prune marmalade (the famous mushroom soup here delicious too). For the main course I tried the very tender beef tournedos Rossini. You may be surprised that there was any room left for dessert but a “why not” attitude prevailed and I’m glad it did. The Tahitian crème brulee was, perhaps, the best dessert I had onboard this week.

 

Tonight’s planned casual dinner at the Hilton’s pool grill pales in comparison.

 

Teijo

 

What a dreadful job you have to do. But I suppose someones got to do it!:p