October 11-18 Mariner of the Seas Review

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by Niwel

Wonderful review -- thank you for writing it up. Now I'm even more excited for our May cruise!

Question about the casino:
Is there smoking allowed and, if so, are there non-smoking nights? Our Jewel cruise in Northern Europe went non-smoking on the formal nights and it was so nice!

Re: Embarkation
We're used to sailing the Monarch, which occupied the "side berth" -- which one is Mariner at and how were the facilities?

There is smoking allowed in the casino, but I don't recall three being a non-smoking night. I'll look at the Compasses and see what they say. I do recall that there were not a lot of people smoking at the tables on this cruise.

The Mariner uses Berths 91 and 92, while, based on your description, the Monarch used Berth 93. To put in geographical terms, the Mariner berths roughly perpendicular to the harbor bridge. As far as we could tell, the facilities were pretty much fine. When we got to the ship, we walked right on board so didn't really use the embarkation hall. The one issue we had when debarking was with the number of cars trying load. That was the one area where I think that the facilities could use some work.

[4liberty]

Originally Posted by reallyitsmema

I understand your pain with the 18-20 group. My son has aged out of the teen area too and I am hoping that he will be able to find someone to hang out with for the week. We are considering bringing one of his friends depending on pricing so he can enjoy his week and not be stuck with us all week.

I've got two kids in this age group who were really bummed there was no way to easily meet others their age on our last cruise. They tried the singles group, but it skewed way too old for them. Historically, they'd always hung out with big groups of teens and had a blast, but on our last cruise they ended up mostly hanging out with us--it was sort of sad. If RCCL could organize a "college-age" meet and greet on the first night of cruises, that would be wonderful.

I have a question for those who have used Randi's Happy Horses. My husband really wants to do this during our March Mariner cruise, but I have a very bad history riding horses. Frankly, I'm afraid of those giant beasts (I also have a fear of heights), and they can sense my fear. They run when I want to walk; they wander off; once one even tried to roll over on me! Does Randi have any horses suitable for a dork like me? I'd like to make my DH happy, but I don't want to spend a few hours scared, frustrated, and totally miserable!

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by 4liberty

I have a question for those who have used Randi's Happy Horses. My husband really wants to do this during our March Mariner cruise, but I have a very bad history riding horses. Frankly, I'm afraid of those giant beasts (I also have a fear of heights), and they can sense my fear. They run when I want to walk; they wander off; once one even tried to roll over on me! Does Randi have any horses suitable for a dork like me? I'd like to make my DH happy, but I don't want to spend a few hours scared, frustrated, and totally miserable!

Randi's business partner Daniel and his son Tony are responsible for the horses. Daniel has been doing this for many years and matches each person individually with a suitable horse based on their experience and comfort levels. They also have plenty of people riding along with you to make sure that there are no problems with the horses.

Another option is you can let your husband ride while you wait at the beach-front restaurant. I think Randi says she charges about $15 per person for this, which is basically her cost of the taxis to get you to and from Stone Island where you ride. Randi doesn't usually ride any longer and she is a great person to sit with an talk for awhile while having a few cocktails.

[4liberty]

Thanks for the info, Uncle Fester!

[MorePlease]

Thank you for taking the time to write a great review.

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by MorePlease

Thank you for taking the time to write a great review.

You're welcome

[azdmelani]

Originally Posted by Uncle Fester

There is smoking allowed in the casino, but I don't recall three being a non-smoking night. I'll look at the Compasses and see what they say. I do recall that there were not a lot of people smoking at the tables on this cruise.

The Mariner uses Berths 91 and 92, while, based on your description, the Monarch used Berth 93. To put in geographical terms, the Mariner berths roughly perpendicular to the harbor bridge. As far as we could tell, the facilities were pretty much fine. When we got to the ship, we walked right on board so didn't really use the embarkation hall. The one issue we had when debarking was with the number of cars trying load. That was the one area where I think that the facilities could use some work.

There was a non smoking night on our Mariner cruise in October.

[akcruz]

Originally Posted by 4liberty

I've got two kids in this age group who were really bummed there was no way to easily meet others their age on our last cruise. They tried the singles group, but it skewed way too old for them. Historically, they'd always hung out with big groups of teens and had a blast, but on our last cruise they ended up mostly hanging out with us--it was sort of sad. If RCCL could organize a "college-age" meet and greet on the first night of cruises, that would be wonderful.

I have a question for those who have used Randi's Happy Horses. My husband really wants to do this during our March Mariner cruise, but I have a very bad history riding horses. Frankly, I'm afraid of those giant beasts (I also have a fear of heights), and they can sense my fear. They run when I want to walk; they wander off; once one even tried to roll over on me! Does Randi have any horses suitable for a dork like me? I'd like to make my DH happy, but I don't want to spend a few hours scared, frustrated, and totally miserable!

RCL does have a meet & mingle for the 18 - 20 year olds, unfortunately the first one is in the disco at about 11 pm. My daughter did go, but since it is fairly crowded and there is not a specific spot to meet up, she never found anyone else. They really need to have this in a separate lounge somewhere, or at least put a sign up as to where to meet. They also had another M&M on the promenade a different night. Again, no specific location. They have the right idea, its the execution that stinks.

As far as Randi's we rode with her in August and I say give it a try. We had a few very nervous people on our trip and they all ended up having a great time. There was also a 4 year old that rode, they had one person with her the entire time making sure she was ok. If it really is a concern, I would take Uncle Fester's advice and go along but hang out with Randi at Victor's. She is a great lady with a lot of interesting stories.

To the person asking about the casino, it was smoke free on formal nights during our cruise.

[CL-JW]

Good review Dan!

[4liberty]

Originally Posted by akcruz

RCL does have a meet & mingle for the 18 - 20 year olds, unfortunately the first one is in the disco at about 11 pm. My daughter did go, but since it is fairly crowded and there is not a specific spot to meet up, she never found anyone else. They really need to have this in a separate lounge somewhere, or at least put a sign up as to where to meet. They also had another M&M on the promenade a different night. Again, no specific location. They have the right idea, its the execution that stinks.

Thank you very much, akcruz...I will have my kids watch out for these gatherings! As for Randi, I think I may screw up my courage and give her excursion a try. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by CL-JW

Good review Dan!

Thanks

[PHXscuba]

Thanks to Uncle Fester for the review and all who contributed to this thread! We will be on essentially the same cruise in mid-October next year with our kids. You have no idea how many paragraphs I have move-blocked into my running "notes" for the trip.

I had worried about DS5 on Randi's horses, but this and other posts have convinced me that he's big enough and that we'll be well taken care of. He loves horses so getting to ride one would make his trip.

I especially appreciate the advice to press my not-so-social DS14 to go to the teen club first night. Many I can dangle the free arcade ...

PHXscuba

[wolfganghowell]

Thanks Fester, I found a great deal of info very helpful. Schooner, Pub and Casino are generally our after dinner spots and I appreciated the info. Can you tell me anything about the pool band? Is it Caribbean band/reggae or more pop standards? Thanks again.

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by wolfganghowell

Thanks Fester, I found a great deal of info very helpful. Schooner, Pub and Casino are generally our after dinner spots and I appreciated the info. Can you tell me anything about the pool band? Is it Caribbean band/reggae or more pop standards? Thanks again.

It's more Caribbean/reggae than pop, which is kind of funny since we are sailing in the Pacific and pretty far from the Caribbean. I kind of wonder why they don't have a Mariachi band, maybe not for the pool, but to have at different locations during the week.

I thought the pool band was actually really good. I had a good chance to speak with the lead singer during and after the muster drill since he was the one demo for our group on how to put on the lifejacket.
He thought it kind of funny that they continued with the ship when it moved to LA. They played some of the usual things but also some things by Peter Tosh and Sunny Ade.

[Darkwolfe]

Great review Fester! It has me looking forward to our run to Mexico in 14 months! Too long a wait!

[wolfganghowell]

Thanks Fester, that's what I was hoping. It may not be a Caribbean cruise but I like my UB40, Bob Marley and whatever else they can throw at me with steel drums.

[Little Dingy]

Thank you for that great review! Very good information - I especially liked what you had to say about the interior promenade staterooms as that's what we're considering. Thinking of booking Mariner OTS in February, Mexican Riviera.

Celia

[maitaiguy]

Thanks for taking the time to write a great review! We are in our first promenade cabin on our Mariner cruise. I booked it a week ago after reading many positive posts the last few months on CC.

Reggae band? Great! I don't care that we are a long way away from the Caribbean, it's just great music to listen to out by the pool!

Bring on the foo foo drinks!!!!! I can't wait..........

[Ninner]

Thanks Fester. This really helped. DH and I are leaving on the Mariner on the 22nd over Thanksgiving with DD (22) and DS (18). We can't wait. We too booked Promenade rooms on the 7th floor - adjoining - as it seemed fun to have a "window" so I'm glad your reviews of these rooms was satisfactory. I have talked with Randi about the horses as my daughter has some special needs, and she was absolutely fantastic - so accomodating. Said there'd be no problem. I myself am going on the Mazatlan Frank tour. Thanks again!

[Uncle Fester]

Originally Posted by Ninner

Thanks Fester. This really helped. DH and I are leaving on the Mariner on the 22nd over Thanksgiving with DD (22) and DS (18). We can't wait. We too booked Promenade rooms on the 7th floor - adjoining - as it seemed fun to have a "window" so I'm glad your reviews of these rooms was satisfactory. I have talked with Randi about the horses as my daughter has some special needs, and she was absolutely fantastic - so accomodating. Said there'd be no problem. I myself am going on the Mazatlan Frank tour. Thanks again!

Randi does a great job, especially with younger kids. She'll probably Tony or one of Daniel's granddaughters ride close by to keep an eye on her.

Also, while at Victors, if the kids want to use the beach, they have a couple of Boogie-Boards for their customers to use. You just have to ask.