Was on Mariner for the 6/6/04 sailing and am back

[m&m1]

We had a group of 20 - including children from ages 6 - 17. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer and will try to get a review up in a few days.

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[TexasTwoSteps]

How was the weather?

 

 

[Nanatravel]

Who won the Karaoke Contest?

 

My cousin (newly weds Jeff & Miranda) were on that cruise, too. They are both great performers. I will look forward to your reveiw. I can't wait to sail on the Mariner in the near future.

 

Celebrity Millennium 2/22/04

Carnival Conquest 10/26/2003

Carnival Legend 4/11/2003

Carnival Pride 2/23/2002

Celebrity Galaxy 11/2001

Grand Princess 3/2001

Celebrity Millennium 9/9/2000

Sea Princess 2/22/1999

Vison of the Seas 10/28/1998

Rhapsody of the Seas 3/1998

Celebrity Century 3/1997

Celebrity Zenith 11/1996

Legend of the Seas 6/1995

Celebrity Horizon 4/1994

 

 

[m&m1]

Did not watch the karaoke so I can't tell you about that one. I'll ask my dd though - she says they had a male and a female winner, and then an overall performance winner that was a woman she thinks is named Kelly.

 

 

Weather was really very nice - it was overcast almost every day (first sailing day/evening was sunny and the first sea day was sunny with a shower or two) but we appreciated not getting burnt to a crisp while swimming with the rays and riding the wave runners, etc... On the way back, our last sea day was sunny enough to get burnt. Port days were overcast with the exception of Cozumel - it was a rained out day. We watched the radar on the tv each night and were certain we would have rain every day, but each day (exccept Cozumel) the system moved out. We only had one really rough night where a lot of people were affected by the motion. I stayed on Bonine the whole time (I have equilibrium problems anyway) and was fine.

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[cruiselovinfamily]

Did you sail the Eastern or the Western itinerary?

 

Were there any children in your group, age 12 or 14?

 

 

until the Mariner of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean

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until the Brilliance of the Seas - Panama Canal

 

 

RCCL Sun Viking to Western Carib*Oct'81 honeymoon

Carnival Tropicale to Mexican Riviera* Sep 1984

NCL Norway to Eastern Carib * Feb 1986

Premier Oceanic to Bahamas(Big Red Boat)* May 2000

RCCL Adventure to Southern Carib * Aug 2002

RCCL Explorer to Eastern Caribbean * Feb 2003

RCCL Radiance to Alaska * Aug 2003

RCCL Serenade to Canada * Sep 2003

RCCL Explorer to Western Carib * Feb 2004

RCCL Mariner to Eastern Carib * Aug 2004

Disney Wonder to the Bahamas * Nov 2004

RCCL Brilliance to Panama Canal * Feb 2005

[m&m1]

We sailed western and yes, we had twelve year olds and 14 yr. olds - including my dd. Any questions?

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[laurashelby]

Hi...can't wait for your review! Did you have any problems with the cabin stewards being spread too thin..or do they have all that worked out now?

 

Did your 12 and 14 year old take part in the teen activities?

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

Roll Call: Mariner 7/11/04...Please Join Us!

 

 

Enchanted Seas 9/93

Atlantic 12/94

Majestic 4/95

Grandeur of the Seas 8/97

Paradise 8/99

Ocean Princess 8/00

Navigator of the Seas 10/03

 

 

 

Countdown 'till the Mariner 7/11/04!!

 

 

[m&m1]

Our cabin steward, Alfred, and his assistant, Curtiss were wonderful! They missed only one request we made, but it was no big deal. They filled many other requests with smiles on their faces. Even our 17 yr. old son left comments about how Alfred made his vacation much more enjoyable.

 

As for participation by my 14 yr. old (the 12 yr. olds were not mine but were with our group) - she like many others was made to go to the fist night's activities. She met some people and they chose to use the teen canter as a meeting spot but did not really participate in the organized activities other than the dancing. I must comment though - the supervision in the teen center is next to nothing and the actions/activities of some needed some supervising. I can give you an idea of the organized activities if you like.

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[laurashelby]

Thanks M&M....I had a friend who was on the 5/30 sailing of the Mariner bring back some of the teen activity sheets. Was just wondering how the kids liked the activites....or thought they were "lame" or something! (lol!) My friend had older kids (18 and 21)...so they didn't participate anyway.

 

Thanks,

Laura

 

Roll Call: Mariner 7/11/04...Please Join Us!

 

 

Enchanted Seas 9/93

Atlantic 12/94

Majestic 4/95

Grandeur of the Seas 8/97

Paradise 8/99

Ocean Princess 8/00

Navigator of the Seas 10/03

 

 

 

Countdown 'till the Mariner 7/11/04!!

 

 

[khank]

We were also on this cruise and had an awesome time.

Nanatravel - My DH was one of the Karaoke finalists. I think your cousin may have won for the males. The person who won sang Are you Lonesome Tonight. The overall winner was Danielle? who was incredible! She definitely should pursue singing as a career!

Our cabin steward did a good job. We had to ask for ice a couple of times, which he took care of immediately. We had cute towel animals after the first couple of nights and our room was cleaned very promptly. We boarded the ship around 11:30ish and were in our room a little after 1:00. Our luggage arrived about 2:00 which was wonderful as I had everything unpacked well before dinner.

Our daughters 12 & 14 met others the first night and had a great time. They used the teen room as a meeting place and participated in some of the organized activities. I agree that there was little to no supervision of this age group. We had certain rules they had to follow and all went well.

[triplemom3]

How did your 6 yr olds enjoy it? And did they swim with the stingrays?

 

Any cruise is better than working!

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Voyager behind us, Mariner in front of us!

 

[m&m1]

Triplemom - the 6 and 7 yr. olds had blast! They both participated in a lot of the organized activities including parades organized just for the kids down the promenade. The 6 yr. old swam with the stingrays. Her initial reaction was to climb up her dad and perch, but after they let her see what was going on and did a little coaxing, she was down there with the best of them and loved it. Her family went on the 3 hour stingray only tour where we went on the 3 hour stingray and coral gardens tour. Our tours (both booked through the ship) were at the same time - and I tell you this because I had asked specifically if our tour would go to where one can stand and feed the rays or if we would have to swim the whole time. I was told the depth of the water was due to maritime conditions - tides and such - and that there was only one stingay city, but their tour went to where they could stand and ours went to where we had to swim and we certainly couldn't see each other or each other's boats. I would definitley have rather gone to where I could stand. While we had a good time feeding them and swimming with them, they actually got to hold them and such.

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[triplemom3]

Thanks, m&m1. I was worried that they'd be too scared, but your response helps alot. Glad that you had a great time!

 

Any cruise is better than working!

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Voyager behind us, Mariner in front of us!

 

[cruiselovinfamily]

On past cruises, my now 14-year-old found that when he went to an "organized" teen activity, it was most often not held. That's because none of the RCCL counselors showed-up. I am curious as to which organized activities your teen went, if the RCCL people came, if the activity was actually held, etc. It's to the point now that he doesn't even want to go the 1st night, although we insist that he does.

 

 

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until the Brilliance of the Seas - Panama Canal

 

 

RCCL Sun Viking to Western Carib*Oct'81 honeymoon

Carnival Tropicale to Mexican Riviera* Sep 1984

NCL Norway to Eastern Carib * Feb 1986

Premier Oceanic to Bahamas(Big Red Boat)* May 2000

RCCL Adventure to Southern Carib * Aug 2002

RCCL Explorer to Eastern Caribbean * Feb 2003

RCCL Radiance to Alaska * Aug 2003

RCCL Serenade to Canada * Sep 2003

RCCL Explorer to Western Carib * Feb 2004

RCCL Mariner to Eastern Carib * Aug 2004

Disney Wonder to the Bahamas * Nov 2004

RCCL Brilliance to Panama Canal * Feb 2005

[RM]

My 17 year old has never had a problem the first night going and meeting people. Yes, they have cancelled activities but that's due to low participation. Some kids don't like games, hot tub parties, movies, dancing others do. You can't please everyone.

 

I'll be on the Mariner next week and will check it out.

 

Up next Mariner of the Seas

Then Jewel of the Seas

[khank]

Most of the activities that my 12 & 14 yo went to were held. They played several games - quest, scavenger hunt, etc., had dance parties and ice skated. Some activities they chose not to participate in and they hung out in the living room with their friends. They really enjoyed the teen area. I had to force my 14 yo to go the first night as she can be shy meeting new people and after that night I had to beg her to spend some time with us. She even wanted to skip dessert and leave dinner early! There were a few nights that they could have dinner as a group in the Windjammer, but we insisted on dinner as a family and they also had to do the excursions with us.

[Nanatravel]

thanks khank. We probably won't see the newlyweds for a few months. I can't wait to sail the Mariner some day.

 

Celebrity Millennium 2/22/04

Carnival Conquest 10/26/2003

Carnival Legend 4/11/2003

Carnival Pride 2/23/2002

Celebrity Galaxy 11/2001

Grand Princess 3/2001

Celebrity Millennium 9/9/2000

Sea Princess 2/22/1999

Vison of the Seas 10/28/1998

Rhapsody of the Seas 3/1998

Celebrity Century 3/1997

Celebrity Zenith 11/1996

Legend of the Seas 6/1995

Celebrity Horizon 4/1994

 

 

[cruiselovinfamily]

RM,

 

Can't wait to hear all about your cruise! Would definitely appreciate any info on the teen program... My son experienced the canceled activities on the Explorer and the Radiance. Maybe Mariner will be better, who knows? I think the problem is that all the teens are selective in what they want to do and don't attend on a regular basis.

 

 

until the Mariner of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean

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until the Brilliance of the Seas - Panama Canal

 

 

RCCL Sun Viking to Western Carib*Oct'81 honeymoon

Carnival Tropicale to Mexican Riviera* Sep 1984

NCL Norway to Eastern Carib * Feb 1986

Premier Oceanic to Bahamas(Big Red Boat)* May 2000

RCCL Adventure to Southern Carib * Aug 2002

RCCL Explorer to Eastern Caribbean * Feb 2003

RCCL Radiance to Alaska * Aug 2003

RCCL Serenade to Canada * Sep 2003

RCCL Explorer to Western Carib * Feb 2004

RCCL Mariner to Eastern Carib * Aug 2004

Disney Wonder to the Bahamas * Nov 2004

RCCL Brilliance to Panama Canal * Feb 2005

[EBFURR]

Hey there m&m1 and everybody. We were on the cruise and our 11 yr old daughter had the time of her life. She made so many new friends and they are exchanging emails, etc. now. she went to the Living Room and Fuel and participated in some of the activities. She is 11, but is fairly mature so they let her hang with the 12 yr old crowd. She mainly like the dances, especially the "prom" on the second formal night where they even had a king & queen (a boy got queen, girl got king, go figure!). They did some line dancing, etc. She said that some of the activities were not done because no one wanted to, but they all had fun anyway. She liked the staff. At that age they pretty much check themselves in & out. We used Motorola walkie talkies (5 mile range kind) and always knew where she was. It was a great time & we will be posting some observations when we have time - lots of work to catch up on. The Mariner will not disappoint if you go in with a positive outlook.

 

We saw the karaoke replay on the TV and the Elvis guy who won was very, very good.

 

Our cabin service was among the best we ever had. Towel animals every night, except the first. Always had ice. He came in at least three times per day; I could tell by the fresh towels. We often saw him & the other staff in the halls as we went in & out out and were always greeted with a smile and a cheerful greeting. We never saw him in our room, we just knew he had been there. In a word: perfect.

 

m&m1, Brittany was thrilled to be able to meet your daughter on Peat Taylor's bus, even if it was only briefly. She was excited to meet another cheerleader. Happy sailing to all!

[jdkey]

cruzjunkie,

hubby says if you were close enough to see him in the Mr Sexy Legs contest why didn't you join him in making a fool of himself?! I put his medal on his mirror so he can see it. Took pictures hope to print them before he deletes them from the camera. He said if you want a copy of that sunrise let me know & he will email it to you. He looked for you sunday but we were off by 7:50 am. We had a great time on Mariner.

M&M

may have met you at the meet & mingle, we saw mick from your group everywhere we went it seemed. saw several in those great t-shirts you guys had. whoever designed them did a good job.

Deb

 

Mariner of the Seas!

[m&m1]

Jdkey - none of our group made it to the Meet & Mingle. In fact my family never got the invitations. I think it is because I didn't register with my legal name like our cruise docs had. At any rate, none of us were there. Oh, and we didn't have a Mick with us at all, but I hope he was nice.

 

What I want to know is if anyone from our roll call group has a 16 yr. old son named Chris????

 

Cruise addict in the making

 

MOS June 6, 2004

[jdkey]

sorry m&m got you mixed up w/another group. there were about 20 of them and they had these great t-shirts one of them designed. oh well sounds like you all had a great time too.

Deb

 

Mariner of the Seas!

[EBFURR]

Well, Mrs. Cruzjunkie was on the "front row". I heard your hubby's name and walked over to get a look and, sure enough, it was him! Mrs. CJ tried to get me to do it, but you know how shy I am. Any photos would be appreciated, I will make sure the email is in my profile. We just picked up 11 rolls from processing. Some are really good, some not so hot; I am going to fire our photographer. We had a great time meeting you guys. I am getting ready to start looking into the same cruise, same time, next year!

[EBFURR]

Hey jdkey, I can not figure out how to get my email address to show up on my profile. How do you exchange emails on CC? Really want to see the pics. DO NOT let him delete them!

[m&m1]

jdkey - I want to see your pictures too - please! Where can I see them?

 

Cruise addict in the making -scratch that... Officially a Cruise Addict

 

MOS June 6, 2004