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Just back yesterday from Mariner... 1st Grand Suite!!

Cruizlovers

By Cruizlovers,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Cruizlovers

Cruizlovers

Posted
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Just back yesterday from the Mariner, our first Grand Suite after 11 cruises! Just wanted to make a few comments. We had a GREAT cruise, as always, nothing is perfect and we are easy going people who can go with the flow, so I am not complaining just providing a little random feedback. Here goes!

 

- Grand Suite was ….grand! This is our first time and really enjoyed the extra space. We’ve only traveled in balcony cabins before but jumped into the suite to experience it. I’d have to say that the extra space allowed us to stay in our cabin with friends having a before dinner glass of wine and it was wonderful. The space in the bathroom was such a luxury! Speaking of wine, no problem getting two bottles on per stateroom.

- Our stateroom attendant was fine but not outstanding. Surprisingly we’ve had better and more attentive service in many of our balcony staterooms.

- Our first time experiencing the suite amenities onboard. Loved the Concierge Lounge, loved dining in Chops in the morning. I was surprised to learn that you could actually order breakfast in Chops, I was under the impression that you could only bring your food in from the Windjammer. Great omelet!

- Priority Embarkation and Priority Debarkation…. Terrible! You are better off debarking with the self-assist people. We had several hundred self-assist people debark before our “priority” group was debarked. I think that this must be better in other ports i.e. Ft. Lauderdale but in Galveston it is a joke. They’ve really got to get it together there. Embarkation was also a joke. They boarded D+ and Pinnacle first then everyone else with Priority. I thought suite guests were embarked separately, but guess not. This wasn’t a huge deal but I just wanted to inform others about the situation. Lots of waiting around for either embarkation or debarkation, be prepared!

- Overall with the “gold” card, I think you do get a little better service but I wouldn’t have a problem going back to a balcony anytime. We traveled with family that had two balcony cabins and received excellent service as well.

- Food is subjective, but I found that the food was ok to good, I think food was better on Allure and Oasis but that being said, we never went hungry. We ate in Giovanni’s and the food and service is excellent. Dining room was not great for lunch but better for dinner. Family members loved the hot dogs. Café Promenade food was great for snacks. I am ready to experience the new menu!

- MDR dress: This is such an amusing subject for me. I am amused that some cc members get so worked up and want to insist everyone dress formally on formal night or if not, go eat a hot dog. I personally don’t care for formal night as we’ve “been there, done that”. That being said I respect those that choose to dress up for dinner and think you look great! On formal night there were very few tuxes or gowns that I saw, I would estimate maybe 30% were dressed to the nines, the rest somewhat less to jeans and shorts. To the minority of you who want to banish those dressed in something other than tux/gowns to the Windjammer, I am afraid your days are numbered. I would say that on this cruise at least, the majority of people did not dress up and they went to the MDR anyway and were welcomed. We did see shorts, jeans and cowboy hats there. I focus on the people I am with and our dining experience. What you wear is irrelevant to me, live and let live. If you don’t bother my group, or me I don’t care what you wear. This subject has been beaten to death and I have no desire to have another discussion about it. ;)

- Shows were pretty good, we went to all of them. Had several headliners: Etta Mae (comedienne), Bowser (Sha Na Na fame) and A. J. Jamal (comedian). Enjoyed these every night. Ice show was also very good. No complaints!

- Parade: Ok, this was not fun but we went because we were with some first time cruisers otherwise we pass on the parades. Had to laugh at the older crowd that planted themselves on the few tables and chairs around the promenade and then were surprised when people started standing in front of them to see the parade. They started yelling for these people to “sit down” (where?) or “move” away so they could see the parade. Come on, people! Are you five years old?? What do you expect? My recommendation is to find a higher place to view the parade, upper decks where there are little balconies by the elevators is a great spot if you can get it! I saw some pitiful behavior by older people who should know better!

- Casino was fun, roulette dealers were great and we tipped well, won some and lost some, that is gambling! Hubby was playing next to someone who was playing Wheel of Fortune and she won $2700, she turned to my hubby and said “Am I going to have to pay tax on this?” Funny!

- Overall a great cruise, love the Voyager class ship, not too big, not too small! We’re already booked next year on Navigator out of Galveston although I hope they get the embark/debark situation figured out by then.

 

I’d be happy to answer any questions. Hope this was helpful for future Mariner cruisers! Thank you RCL for another memorable adventure!

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denamo

denamo

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Thanks so much for your random thoughts review. We are on the Mariner in three weeks and cruised her last season. Always good to hear updates.

 

I agree with your thoughts about the Galveston cruiseport when compared to others. We have cruised out of a number of other ports with Galveston having been our first one when we started with our cruise addiction. :) Galveston is always the one where we have to make sure our patience is definitely in tow! ;)

 

Thanks again for your Mariner thoughts.

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DebJ14

DebJ14

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Thanks for posting. We are in a GS on the Mariner in a little less than a month. I love the GS bathrooms and all the extra storage space. We spend alot of our time in the cabin and on the balcony and plan to do so again on the next cruise. After 47 cruises we're really not interested in the cruise activities.

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CruisinDawn

CruisinDawn

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Do you do Roatan, Belize & Cozumel or Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Falmouth? Would love to see a set of Compasses if you were on the Belize route.

 

Thanks for the review! Took note of disembark info. We are to meet our driver at 9am and want to be sure I don't run into a snag and miss our flight.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

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Cruizlovers

Cruizlovers

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We did the Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman route but sorry didn't get any compasses. They did offer the internet package, I think it was $149 for unlimited, one device. I just posted a video of the suite. I was looking for months but didn't find any good videos, hope you like it.

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05mak05

05mak05

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I really hate to even ask about Noro Virus? It was so bad last Dec/Jan out of Galveston. Of all things, I didn't get sick from Noro but instead had an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the disinfecting solution. We're hoping for a smooth embarkation this time around. Glad you had fun!

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39august

39august

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Re Noro Virus: Lots of encouragement to wash hands frequently and lots of Purell dispensers, but I didn't hear anything about people getting sick. And I must add that service staff at all levels were outstanding! I was also thrilled that both the Schooner Bar and the Viking Crown lounge were totally non-smoking. Of course, the pub was a smokers lounge...I couldn't even enter it for the smoke cloud. I do so like the usual entertainment in the pubs, but haven't been able to enjoy it the last few years except on Voyager, whose pub is non-smoking.

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Krazy4Kruisin'

Krazy4Kruisin'

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In November, We met Luca in Chops. Got called at 8:15, we were out of customs at 8:35 and on our way...

 

Who gets to meet in Chops for disembarking? Is it just suite persons, or just platinum/diamond +? We are just diamond, but others traveling in our group are all gold. One in our group has to be sure and get off early, because they have to drive back to Dallas for their daughter to catch her flight home.

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Krazy4Kruisin'

Krazy4Kruisin'

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We were also on your cruise and it was incredible! We hadn't cruised on RC since '04 and it was great to go again. We had a balcony on the hump and really enjoyed it. We're also booked on the Navigator for next year! :D

 

What cabin were you in? We also have a balcony on the hump. I think we are 8322.

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T_Bone2012

T_Bone2012

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Do you do Roatan, Belize & Cozumel or Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Falmouth? Would love to see a set of Compasses if you were on the Belize route.

 

Thanks for the review! Took note of disembark info. We are to meet our driver at 9am and want to be sure I don't run into a snag and miss our flight.

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

 

I have the daily cruise compass' from last January's cruise - the talent will all be different -

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1562644

 

I also wrote a long review with tons of photos.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566271

 

we have just moved our 1/13/13 cruise back to 2014 - Grand Cayman/ Jamaica / Cozumel itinerary.

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ARCruisinNana

ARCruisinNana

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Who gets to meet in Chops for disembarking? Is it just suite persons' date=' or just platinum/diamond +? We are just diamond, but others traveling in our group are all gold. One in our group has to be sure and get off early, because they have to drive back to Dallas for their daughter to catch her flight home.[/quote']

 

The Chops waiting area is for those staying in GS and above. The Diamond Concierge, Eric, was in the Lotus Lounge to help Diamond level when we departed Nov. 25. I don't know if that is the location every cruise. I don't think you would have a problem if a couple people are gold. If you really need to get off early you might want to do self assist. They get off first, but you have to carry all your luggage.

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CruisinDawn

CruisinDawn

Posted
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I have the daily cruise compass' from last January's cruise - the talent will all be different -

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1562644

 

I also wrote a long review with tons of photos.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1566271

 

we have just moved our 1/13/13 cruise back to 2014 - Grand Cayman/ Jamaica / Cozumel itinerary.

Thanks!!!

 

BonVoyage

Dawna

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Salasrocks

Salasrocks

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Hello.

 

We've never cruised out of Galveston, so this is new cheese for us. We fly into Houston.

 

Do you happen to know if there are any shared ride shuttles or Taxis that might be a better option than the RCI shuttle?

 

For example, in Fort Lauderdale, you can just grab a taxi for only $18 to get to the pier...if you land in Orlando, its cheaper to do a shared ride shuttle to the pier in Port Canaveral, etc...

 

Can you give any feedback/suggestions to this regard?

My mom and dad are going on the Mariner on 30Dec...

 

Thanks so much!

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