Mariner 4/25/04 Review

We left NY in the wee hours of the morning, landed in Melbourne, rented a car and drove to Cape Canaveral. We got lunch and t-shirts at Ron Jon’s Surf Shop and napped. We headed downstairs to the Radisson’s tiki bar area for a group dinner with Cruise Critic friends. We all had a nice dinner and tried to decipher each other’s accents and apparently, some of us talk faster than others (right, Travis?). The Radisson was nothing amazing but certainly suitable and very close to the pier. We could see the Mariner from our room in the morning so that was nice to wake up to. I read some comments where people were concerned with noise because of the pool and kids running around but we had no problem. But our room didn’t face the pool so that might have help.

Boarding couldn’t have been easier. We had a suite and didn’t have to wait in line at all. Got our sea pass, successfully avoided the photographer and settled quickly into our home away from home for the week. We explored the ship a little and got lunch at the Windjammer. We were very impressed with the Windjammer. It’s nicer than any other buffet-type eatery on a ship that I’ve ever seen. Plenty of seats, every option imaginable in particular for breakfast and I ate lunch there most days too. Checked it out one night for dinner but ended up at Johnny Rockets instead. For dinner, they set up the tables with tablecloths and make it look more like a restaurant than during the day. Although I think this was only for the Jade section as the it wasn’t for the entire room. For all meals, people come around with the free drinks (iced tea, lemonade, juice in the morning) which is a nice little feature, you know, because I like being slovenly on vacation and the less I have to do for myself, the better.

Our cruise critic group had our own little sail away party at the 19th Hole sports bar where we got to meet most of the people we hadn’t seen at the Radisson. That was followed by the dreaded Muster drill. They have these unfortunate life jackets on the Mariner with these padded strap things that wrap around your neck. My claustrophobic self almost freaked out and a lady passed out in one section but it did go relatively quickly and painlessly. I think some people mustered in the dining room but ours was on one of the decks and around 4:30 pm. Sail away was pretty soon after that then it was time to get ready for dinner which we had in the dining room. Great waiter and assistant waiter. Had the dreaded ranch steak. Didn’t order it again after the first night.

Day two landed us in the Bahamas. We took a water taxi to Atlantis and just walked around. Spent most of the time looking at the aquarium which is nice. I would never feel the need to spend a week there. I just don’t like the Bahamas in general. It was also formal night. Had filet mignon three times on the trip, in the dining room, Chops and Portifino’s and the one in the dining room was the best BY FAR.

Day three was at sea. We had our cruise critics meet and mingle and it was weird b/c most of the people who won the raffle prizes, none of us had ever heard of! Went to Chops for dinner. Wasn’t impressed and would not feel the need to eat at one again on another Royal Caribbean ship. Filet mignon had no taste and all the sides are served family style. Company was great but we all could have saved a sawbuck! Went to my first Quest which was LOL funny. I won’t give to much away for people who have never been but I recommend going if you haven’t been. Let’s just say I saw an elderly man dirty dancing with another elderly man. The former also removed his pants before the show was over. For his efforts, he got a keychain.

Day four we docked in St. Thomas and took the ferry to St. John and then rented an open air taxi kind of thing for a tour. It rained off and on and they’ve got some crazy roads in St. John. With the rain, we had some trouble getting up hills and saw some rental cars that were stuck. St. John is pretty but one trip is enough. There’s not much to do there. The whole island is practically open space. We ferried back and ate lunch at the Hard Rock Café then did some shopping.

St. Maarten was next on the agenda and we rented a car and did some shopping in Marigot on the French side and Philipsburg on the Dutch side. In the evening we went to the ice skating show “Ice Under the Big Top.†It’s obviously a circus theme and well worth seeing. It truly is amazing what they can do in that small of a space. It was also the perfect length as if it went any longer, it would have become boring. Don’t believe people when they tell you it’s sold out. While the room was full, there were certainly seats left, especially lots of one-seaters.

Another at sea day. Yum! I love my at sea days. In the afternoon we went to the horse auction where our cruise critic group became the proud owners of Pending O’Gender (who went on to become the big winner!) We then played miniature golf which was really fun. I stink at miniature golf but I love playing it. We sat for a while and watched the rock climbing. I would have liked to at least try it but when no one was watching! That night we did Portifino’s. Dessert was the best part if you ask me. They do make the Caesar Salad fresh at the table but it was only so-so.

Last day was at sea as well. I woke up not feeling great. Quite a few people from Cruise Critics did not feel well on at least one day. I did want to try the in-line skating so I did that. Skates didn’t fit that well, 9’s were too big, 8’s too tight but I went around about 10 times and it was really fun. Ended up back in my room down for the count and missed the infamous horse race ïŒ But I hear it was terribly exciting and a real come from behind win.

We had one last Cruise Critic get together on the helipad where we were given the boot b/c we were drinking and the Captain could see us. We all gave him a big wave and headed to the Schooner Bar instead. Nice last dinner in the dining room then it was bags in the hall time. I spent the last night watching Matt Yee who’s a hoot. If he’s ever on a ship your on, be sure to catch him. I can’t even explain him very well but he’s hysterical and somehow, we ended up at his piano screaming the song I WILL SURVIVE to disturbed on-lookers.

Embarkation went smoothly but somewhat slowly Some people didn’t get off the ship until after 11. Others who used the new early option where you carry your own bags off were in their car by 8.

The Mariner is a beautiful ship. Still shiny and new. Big but I never felt overwhelmed or crowded or waited in line very long for anything. I was completely enamored of the artwork. I’ve never seen more unique stuff on a ship. Make sure you check it out. Each floor had its own theme. Captain Johnny was funny. I got a kick out of their putting the day of the week in the elevator and it came in handy more than once.

We also did Johnny Rockets and I was not impressed. The onion rings were good but definitely not worth paying for. We went in there late one night for a milkshake and I talked to two of the staff who couldn’t have been friendlier but they said it was tough when things were so quiet because the time went so slowly. I asked when they got in and off and their day started at 11:30 am and they didn’t get off until 1:00 am! They said working in the dining room would be considered a promotion. I would have liked to talk to them more. They were both lovely and happy to chat.

Didn’t do any shopping in any of the promenade stores. Got a piece of cake one night at the Café Promenade. I didn’t have it but I heard the pizza was good. The two parades were cute. Watched the second one from the 10th floor b/c our room was right by the hallway balcony and that ended up being a much better, less crowded view than being on the 5th floor.

They have a really nice movie theater but they only played movies a couple of times and they were movies that were already on the tv. I would have checked it out if they had played something I wanted to see. We sat in there when there was nothing playing and the seats were really comfy.

After nine cruises we got our first towel animals. My roommate was very excited about this! We got a dog, rabbit, elephant and monkey. Very cute.

Casino was big and I broke even there and with the horse winnings, came out ahead. Gots to love the ponies.

I’m sure I’m missing a 100 things but that’s all I got for now.

Welcome back!! Thanks for your review

Navigator of the Seas 6/26/04

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Thanks for the review. We are sailing in October and were a bit worried about all of the Radisson complaints, but I am a bit more confidant with your review. We are traveling with 5, and there aren't many choices in hotel rooms. Most cut off at 4 persons. Great review!

Any cruise is better than working!

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Voyager behind us, Mariner in front of us!

Great review! We are doing this itinerary in Oct/05. Such a long time to wait

JB

Sun Viking 8/83,Premier 8/86

Disney 8/01, Rhapsody 8/03, Monarch 12/03, Splendour 4/04,

UPCOMING CRUISES:

Enchantment of the Seas 9/04

Rhapsody of the Seas 11/04

Radiance of the Seas 5/05 - Alaska

Mariner of the Seas 10/05

Thanks for the welcome back and kinds words.

I hope the Radisson works well for you Triplemom. We had no problems at all but I've read many of the same complaints. It's a big place. At least 8 buildings that I know of. We were in building two if that helps. Didn't hear any noise AND woke up to a great view of the Mariner and the Disney ship.

Hope you and Sailor have GREAT trips! Feel free to ask any questions. My e-mail if you need it is Feline0452@aol.com