Looking for advice on Mariner

[maitaiguy]

My DW and I will be celebrating a 'major' anniversary next May on Mariner. Need some advice.

Promenade cabin - Deck 7 for best views and low noise? Thinking about starboard side to stay away from pub noise.

Massage prices on port days? Couldn't find the info on RCI website. Really like to do a couples massage while in Mazatlan.

Loved Sabatinis on Caribbean Princess but Sterling Steakhouse wasn't as good. Is Portofinos better than Chops? We will do at least one night in a specialty restaurant on this trip possibly trying each one depending on what you all think.

Probably booking in the next day or two. Prices look pretty good but of course I'm always hoping for a price drop!!

I'm already looking forward to my maitai on embarkation day!

[cb at sea]

The promenade cabins aren't noisy...you should be just fine.

Portofinos seems to have the best "reviews"....they even have a great steak, that most think is better than Chops steaks....If you're only doing one specialty, I'd go for Portofino!

[John Henry on CC]

Originally Posted by maitaiguy

My DW and I will be celebrating a 'major' anniversary next May on Mariner. Need some advice.

Promenade cabin - Deck 7 for best views and low noise? Thinking about starboard side to stay away from pub noise.

Massage prices on port days? Couldn't find the info on RCI website. Really like to do a couples massage while in Mazatlan.

Loved Sabatinis on Caribbean Princess but Sterling Steakhouse wasn't as good. Is Portofinos better than Chops? We will do at least one night in a specialty restaurant on this trip possibly trying each one depending on what you all think.

Probably booking in the next day or two. Prices look pretty good but of course I'm always hoping for a price drop!!

I'm already looking forward to my maitai on embarkation day!

Have the massage IN Mazatlan. Prices are darn low.

[caribbeanboy]

Really great ship to celebrate a "major" anniversary. Bon voyage!

[maitaiguy]

Originally Posted by caribbeanboy

Really great ship to celebrate a "major" anniversary. Bon voyage!

Thanks Caribbeanboy!

I didn't want to put 30th anniversary because people would just assume I'm old!

Not old, my bride and I got married real young....yeah, that's it....not old....

[critterchick]

Originally Posted by maitaiguy

My DW and I will be celebrating a 'major' anniversary next May on Mariner. Need some advice.

Promenade cabin - Deck 7 for best views and low noise? Thinking about starboard side to stay away from pub noise.

Massage prices on port days? Couldn't find the info on RCI website. Really like to do a couples massage while in Mazatlan.

Loved Sabatinis on Caribbean Princess but Sterling Steakhouse wasn't as good. Is Portofinos better than Chops? We will do at least one night in a specialty restaurant on this trip possibly trying each one depending on what you all think.

Probably booking in the next day or two. Prices look pretty good but of course I'm always hoping for a price drop!!

I'm already looking forward to my maitai on embarkation day!

We get massages at the Aroma Spa in Mazatlan - the prices are dirt cheap (in September I paid $20 for 90 minutes; in December it was more like $37, but still inexpensive). A crewmember took me there the first time, and even the Captain has been spotted there - it's quite legit. Google it and you'll find it. The ship's prices are double or triple that, they short you on the treatment time so they can sell you massage oil or some other crap, and the techs aren't as well trained as they should be for the price. Aroma Spa does have a couples room.

I prefer Portofino by a whisker, but both restaurants are really good - I think your idea of trying both is a good one.

Can't help you with the cabin choice, though.

[ken987]

Wow Just my 2 cents..

Chops had way better food than Portofino's on the Mariner. I really think it differs from ship to ship. For example...on the Liberty...Portofino seems to have better reviews. I can say from my personal experience and of my 8 friends who have been on the Mariner....Go with CHOPS!

They will make you feel very special for sure!

And you know....why not just book both and make your own evaluation! Enjoy your time. I love the Mariner and plan to sail it again in the future.

[birdylady]

First, congrats on your upcoming Major Anniversary. As far as Chops vs Portifinos goes on Mariner, when sailed on her the first time we tried both. We really did not care for Poritifinos. The food was dry and just not great. Presentation was fantastic though. I will give them credit though for the BEST Tiramisu I have EVER had. Chops was excellent. The second time we sailed Mariner, we went to Chops twice. We wanted the Tiramisu but was told they can't 'cross over' the food items. But our server was very nice and gave us a covered plate to take back to our room.

Erika

[azdmelani]

We tried Chops on our Mariner cruise earlier this month and loved it!!

[SliderNc]

When I was on the Mariner in December last year, we ate at both Portofino's and Chops. I felt that the food was pretty good in both places and I don't think you can go wrong eating in either place. The service in both places is excellent as well.

If you go to Portofino, for desert, get the sampler.
If you go to Chops, for desert, get the mud pie.

My g/f bought me the RCCI Cook book when we were on the cruise last year and I've yet to try anything that I felt was good out of it. Some of the specialty restaurant recipes are in there.

Cabins: It's really up to you. To tell you the truth, for an anniversary and as cheap as balcony cabins are, I'd go for one of them in a heartbeat. Granted, I paid almost $300/pp more last year, I think it's a great value right now. But the promenade cabins on Deck 7 should be fine in terms of noise, etc.

My g/f got a massage and wrap while on the ship during one of the sea days, said it was ok, but not good enough for the money. I think they discount about 10% or so for port days if I remember the pricing correctly.

[sailor moon]

We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary on our March Mariner cruise! Alas, the teenage kiddos will be with us so we can't sneak off for a couples massage in Mazatlan.... We prefer Chops for the steak but both are good choices.

[maitaiguy]

Originally Posted by critterchick

We get massages at the Aroma Spa in Mazatlan - the prices are dirt cheap (in September I paid $20 for 90 minutes; in December it was more like $37, but still inexpensive). A crewmember took me there the first time, and even the Captain has been spotted there - it's quite legit. Google it and you'll find it. The ship's prices are double or triple that, they short you on the treatment time so they can sell you massage oil or some other crap, and the techs aren't as well trained as they should be for the price. Aroma Spa does have a couples room.

I prefer Portofino by a whisker, but both restaurants are really good - I think your idea of trying both is a good one.

Can't help you with the cabin choice, though.

The spa sounds fantastic! Does anyone know if there are any similar places in Cabo or Puerto Vallarta? (Start of hurricane season and trying to think ahead in case we miss a port).

I am lovin' the advice on this board!