Mariner of the Seas Review 12/12/10 - Pics Included

[Mary09]

Nice review!

 

You might've met the men in my party. Michael is the guy in the Guinness shirt in your first Wig & Gavel photo. My dad was the old guy in the electric scooter, on oxygen, often sitting with Michael. We liked that place, too. I about fell over when I saw they had Murphy's stout. Mmm! Me being a non-smoker with a 10 year old girl in tow, I didn't spend much time in there. I'm sorry I missed Shane. We were in bed early most nights and up real early, for some reason.

 

I'm totally with you on PV being awesome and Mazatlan and Cabo could be ship days. Also we loved the ventriloquist and found the production show a bit of a yawner. And the promenade was also a favorite.

 

Oh, I wanted to mention in my review but you have a pic... Every time I walked by that xmas tree I thought of the discussion here where LAFFNVEGAS thought the 'hole' in the tree was odd, and all I could think was 'what about the top six feet of the tree having no gold ornaments like the rest of the tree?' (We care absolutely nothing about those things, by the way. Just a funny observation.)

 

Our waiter also told us of a recent cruiser who complained so much about the menus that the head waiter spent time with her each night going over the following night's menus and arranging special accommodations for her, to make sure she was happy. Then at the end of the cruise she still had the attitude 'the food all sucked'. I had to wonder if that was anyone we read here. :D

[Poorplaya]

Hi Donovan...thank you for such a wonderful review! You and your wife make such a cute couple.:)

 

My question is in regards to the differences between Carnival and RCI. I know you mention the television, which matters some to me, because hubby sometimes spends time in the room laying around :o. I have not been on RCI and I am looking now at some different class ships.

 

We are not very picky cruisers and often go with the flow, so tell me some more differences/similiarities please? Thanks!

 

I found more variety in the TV with RCI, ESPN, TNT, many different movies, music channels, just more available then just ship direction, ship tv, and so forth. Other differences were just overall more friendly staff, food was a step up for sure, different types of activities to do, and many more places to enjoy a nice drink and listen to all different types of music and so forth. Much more variety on this ship in all categories. Hope this helps, anything else, just let me know.

[Poorplaya]

Thank you to rest of your for your comments about the review and pictures. This was my first review and I have read so many others from people like Bionicman and so forth who post such great reviews with great pictures and have truly enjoyed reading all of these other reviews. Thank you again to everyone.

[Poorplaya]

Nice review!

 

You might've met the men in my party. Michael is the guy in the Guinness shirt in your first Wig & Gavel photo. My dad was the old guy in the electric scooter, on oxygen, often sitting with Michael. We liked that place, too. I about fell over when I saw they had Murphy's stout. Mmm! Me being a non-smoker with a 10 year old girl in tow, I didn't spend much time in there. I'm sorry I missed Shane. We were in bed early most nights and up real early, for some reason.

 

I'm totally with you on PV being awesome and Mazatlan and Cabo could be ship days. Also we loved the ventriloquist and found the production show a bit of a yawner. And the promenade was also a favorite.

 

Oh, I wanted to mention in my review but you have a pic... Every time I walked by that xmas tree I thought of the discussion here where LAFFNVEGAS thought the 'hole' in the tree was odd, and all I could think was 'what about the top six feet of the tree having no gold ornaments like the rest of the tree?' (We care absolutely nothing about those things, by the way. Just a funny observation.)

 

Our waiter also told us of a recent cruiser who complained so much about the menus that the head waiter spent time with her each night going over the following night's menus and arranging special accommodations for her, to make sure she was happy. Then at the end of the cruise she still had the attitude 'the food all sucked'. I had to wonder if that was anyone we read here. :D

 

I don't know if I met them, but I recognize the one in the guiness shirt and the description of the other man, they might know my parents more, they always got the "ALICE" Song started with Shane, what a great guy he is. Sorry you missed his music, he was awesome.

[Poorplaya]

Great review Donovan. I expect I'll be found in the Wig and Gavel a few times myself. Not much longer and the last MR cruise for Mariner will sail!

 

You'll love the Wig if you've never been in it before, great atmosphere.

[Darkwolfe]

You'll love the Wig if you've never been in it before, great atmosphere.

 

Been in its counterpart on Voyager but it's been a few years. No worries though!

[Az's Cruising Nana]

Sorry we missed it.... did you meet up with any of our AZ Cruisers??? Thanks for the review.

 

Sue

[off2ctheworld]

We were also on this cruise and had a WONDERFUL time! Thanks to Nonnie for arranging the Meet n Greet and everyone who arranged the gatherings-lots of great memories! As this was our first cruise with Royal Caribbean, we were excited to see the differences between it and another line we had sailed.

 

We are not disappointed with Mariner! She was a well run-efficient ship. Shame she is leaving our west coast.

 

Thanks Donovan for your excellent review and pictures. Brings back happy memories!

[AngelKappie]

Great Review!!!!!! :D

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Mariner!!!! She was our first cruise!!!!! she is a beauty!!!!!;)

 

Would love to get back on her again someday!

[allthatjazz]

Love the pics! We are sailing her on 1/9/11 and this is my favorite ship! This will be our 3rd cruise on Mariner, but it will my first cruise as a diamond member!!!:):):):)

[Poorplaya]

Sorry we missed it.... did you meet up with any of our AZ Cruisers??? Thanks for the review.

 

Sue

 

Yep we got to go to the meet and greet which had lots of AZ cruisers there, great time at Ellington's bar, so many people turned out for the Meet and Greet, it was a great time.

[Carguylee]

Thanks for sharing the pics. We will be on her Jan 2012!

[cruisldy]

A wonderful, well written review Donovan. The pictures were delightful.

 

My husband and I sailed the Mariner on November 11-21 and at that time the Wig and Gavel had changed to non-smoking. Did they change it back again to a smoking bar? We are both smokers so didn't go in there.

[LBumb]

great pics we too loved the Mariner

[Annie01]

Hello, you mentioned paying the taxi driver various amounts in the ports, was that in US dollars? It looked like it was but just wanted to make sure. Was mexican pesos needed at any of the Mexican establishments or was US dollars acceptable?

 

Thank you too for the info on the TV also! I have a 19 year old son who might like to veg out in front of the TV a time or two on our upcomming cruise. I had no idea what the TV viewing was like.

 

Cheers!

Erika

[Poorplaya]

Hello, you mentioned paying the taxi driver various amounts in the ports, was that in US dollars? It looked like it was but just wanted to make sure. Was mexican pesos needed at any of the Mexican establishments or was US dollars acceptable?

 

Thank you too for the info on the TV also! I have a 19 year old son who might like to veg out in front of the TV a time or two on our upcomming cruise. I had no idea what the TV viewing was like.

 

Cheers!

Erika

 

Yes that was in US dollars, now some places if you use US dollars cannot give change in US dollars, most can but some can't so be prepared for pesos in return or take just a small amount with you if you would like, we really had no problems using american cash at all there, just make sure you have lots of smaller bills likes 10's 5's and 1's. And yes, you can barter with the majority of vendors in stores and all taxi drivers, and with the taxi drivers, if they say no, just say ok then and walk away, most will tell you ok after that like the guy we paid $15 for to take 9 of us back to the ship, he wanted $25 and we walked off, he followed and said ok he'd take $15.

 

A wonderful, well written review Donovan. The pictures were delightful.

 

My husband and I sailed the Mariner on November 11-21 and at that time the Wig and Gavel had changed to non-smoking. Did they change it back again to a smoking bar? We are both smokers so didn't go in there.

 

Yes the Wig & Gavel for the time being is a smoking bar, as you can see from one of the pictures of me smoking while very very intoxicated, I had no troubles getting ash trays nor did anyone else around me. I hope they dont change that, it was nice to be able to smoke, drink, and hear gear music all at once.

[Annie01]

Yes that was in US dollars, now some places if you use US dollars cannot give change in US dollars, most can but some can't so be prepared for pesos in return or take just a small amount with you if you would like, we really had no problems using american cash at all there, just make sure you have lots of smaller bills likes 10's 5's and 1's. And yes, you can barter with the majority of vendors in stores and all taxi drivers, and with the taxi drivers, if they say no, just say ok then and walk away, most will tell you ok after that like the guy we paid $15 for to take 9 of us back to the ship, he wanted $25 and we walked off, he followed and said ok he'd take $15.

 

 

Great! Thank you very much for the advice!

 

Erika

[bplazo]

Love your pictures and review!

[sjcruiser]

Thanks for posting the review and pics. Really enjoyed them.

[Poorplaya]

Thanks everyone for the comments, I'm glad everyone seemed to like it. Happy holiday's to everyone.

[uksimonusa]

Day 6 & 7: Sea Day

The next two sea days for us were quite relaxing for us; we got a late start to both days sleeping in a bit without having to stop at any ports. The wife and my mother played in the day 6 slot tournament, my wife made it to the finals but did not win unfortunately, the grand prize was a cruise for 2 on the Freedom of the seas for the Royal slot tournament which I thought was a crazy prize.

After the slot tournament it was lunch at good ol’ Johnny Rockets. Great food there, very busy, but we loved it, my wife and mother even got up to dance with the waiters, it was surely amusing.

Dinner that night was our second formal night; it was a very nice night. The rest of the time was spent relaxing around the ship, gambling in the casino, and spending time in the Wig & Gavel.

We did check out the Variety show on day 6, it was ok, but not something I would highly recommend you get great seats for on your next cruise.

 

Great review, do you remember the name of the bar server in the photo above?

[Aldeya]

Great review, excellent pictures. Thank you !:)

[Piepkorn]

Hello, you mentioned paying the taxi driver various amounts in the ports, was that in US dollars? It looked like it was but just wanted to make sure. Was mexican pesos needed at any of the Mexican establishments or was US dollars acceptable?

 

Even in the outlying towns, they take US $. During the PV stop, our driver took us to San Sebastian, about 90 minutes out of PV, and all the merchants and food vendors took US $ no problemo. Like someone else said, have lots of small denominations of US $ to avoid getting change in pesos.

 

We have found the only thing you really need pesos for is the bus.

 

Dave

[ccletzgo]

Nice review. I am really sad that RCCL wont be doing a Mex Riv cruise anymore.:(

[Poorplaya]

Great review, do you remember the name of the bar server in the photo above?

 

Her name was Sue Anne, and she was really really nice to everyone there in our group. We were also there virtually every night so she got to know us pretty quickly.