Mariner of the Seas From Singapore 10/22/15- Complete Picture Review!

[gapearl]

I had late seating in The Sound of Music dining room on deck 5. The only thing I was unhappy with this cruise was my MDR experience the first night. First, I was not shown to my table, just pointed in the direction of where it was, despite the fact that there were 3 hosts at the check in stand. I got to my table and realized it was a 4 top with only a couple there. It would have been way too awkward for me to just sit my happy self down like hey y'all, so I went back to the host to ask if I could get a different table, a large one, since I was traveling solo. He said he had a large table with 4 people from Singapore and 2 people from Australia. Cool, I'll take it. Again I was not taken to it but had to find it myself. The two couples from Singapore were there. Looking back in hindsight, I should have seated myself and given it a try at least for one night, but I was already feeling like an intruder from the first table with a couple and still had that feeling with a second table of couples. When I cruise solo on Carnival, I'm always seated with other solo travelers or at least at a table with small groups of 1-2 friends roughly my age and not with couples. I was ready to say screw it and just go to the Windjammer for dinner, but I saw a table with empty seats that had two girls my age and I asked the host if I sit there. Along with them was a group of friends from Ecuador, so it turned out to be a good table in the end. I just wish I had been seated here or at a similar table from the beginning and not been made to feel like I was a fifth wheel at two other tables.

 

I didn't get a picture of the dinner menu as I was just too frazzled. I didn't order an appetizer and had the pasta with pomodoro sauce for my entree. It was ok, nothing spectacular.

 

 

 

For dessert I had the creme brûlée with a cup of coffee.

 

 

I did enjoy the conversation with my tables mates. I thought I had a long day of traveling until the Ecuador group told me their travel story- Ecuador to Miami to Newark to Hong Kong to Singapore. They win! The other two girls were friends from the US. One lived in Germany for a few years before moving back to Missouri and the other has been living in London for a few years. I thought that was great and told them how I've been considering moving to Latin America myself for maybe a year or two.

 

After dinner selfie.

 

 

After everyone finished dessert, they split leaving me at the table by myself. There's that awkward feeling again. I'm used to hey let's go get a drink or hey let's go see the show with new friends from dinner on my solo cruises. I realized this would definitely not be one of those trips and I would truly be on my own all week. C'est la vie. I went to the welcome aboard show that had already started and I wasn't getting into what I was seeing. I passed through the casino and figured there's nothing else to do, how about lose some money? I lost fifty bucks quicker than a Kardashian loses a husband. I finished the night in the Dragon's Lair nightclub and had a couple of drinks while chatting with a big group of people from several different countries across southern Africa.

 

Cafe Promenade is where you will find 24 hour pizza, sandwiches, dessert and coffee.

 

 

I had this at least once a day- cheese pizza, chocolate muffin, and a mini cheesecake.

 

[gapearl]

I forgot to post the Cruise Compass at the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is anyone out there in Cruise Critic Land reading this? Y'all let me know that you are and that I'm not just writing this for my health. LOL

 

Up next is day 2 in Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

[gapearl]

Woo!! Haven't read yet, about to start just had to tell you how happy I am To find another gapearl review! I have read all your other reviews several times each, looking forward to diving in!

 

I sailed the Mariner back in 07 (OMG was that really already 8 years ago?!) absolutely loved her

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Thank you! It's amazing how fast time flies from cruise to cruise. I can't believe my first ship was just 8 years ago, and now I'm up to #15.

 

So glad you're doing this, with Carnival Going to Asia in 2018- about when my senior trip will be- I am almost positive that I'll choose that as my destination and I can't wait to see what you have to say.

 

I can't wait to see Carnival's itineraries when they move to Asia. That will definitely be the senior trip of a lifetime! I never got one so you're pretty lucky to get one this big. :)

[gapearl]

Thanks for the great review. I love all the detail about Singapore. I'm hoping to include Singapore as part of my mega milestone birthday bash in 2018 for my 29th (with 21 years experience) birthday :D

 

Haha I like that! I think this year I said it's the 6th anniversary of my 29th birthday. :D You'll have a great 29th birthday (AGAIN!) in Singapore!

 

Just found this thread, and I'm hooked! I've never taken a cruise in Asia so very much looking forward to reading about your experience.

 

You have a wonderful way with words, and your passion for life is obvious. Thanks for letting us enjoy your travels vicariously!

 

Thanks for stopping by! Is an Asia cruise on your radar at all? I appreciate all the kind words and hope you enjoy the rest. :)

[gapearl]

I hopped on over from the Carnival hoping to find your review! I found it, so excited!!!

 

Thanks for coming over! I need to go post the link to this over there like I promised. I'm sure my readers would love to see this. :)

[Cruzin-K]

I lost fifty bucks quicker than a Kardashian loses a husband.

 

Bwahahaha! [emoji14]

 

Just a comment that on almost all my solo cruises I've spend most of my time alone, even on my 40th bday cruise on Carnival where I was at a dinner table w 7 other solos. Everyone just goes their separate ways after dinner, and that's fine with me. One reason I like cruising solo is so I can do what I want, when I want.

 

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[Setting sail for fun]

Enjoying every minute..... Looking forward to DAY 2!

[Lovetwocruz2009]

Enjoying your review. :)

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[AXiDMonica]

I am definitely reading! I came over from the CCL boards looking for this too! lol :D Loving your new adventure!

[jzad]

I forgot to post the Cruise Compass at the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is anyone out there in Cruise Critic Land reading this? Y'all let me know that you are and that I'm not just writing this for my health. LOL

 

Up next is day 2 in Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

 

Following along as always Kim! Great job, this is a unique cruise, very interesting to see your pics and thoughts!

[Boozebabe]

I forgot to post the Cruise Compass at the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is anyone out there in Cruise Critic Land reading this? Y'all let me know that you are and that I'm not just writing this for my health. LOL

 

Up next is day 2 in Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

 

Oh yes I'm here. Sick as dog today with a cold and sore throat in my jammies on a cruise with you.

[top golfer]

I'm reading it as well Kimberly, it's a brilliant review so far i wish i was there with you.

[gambler]

Following along, Thank-you

[Karlou]

I'm loving this review! I would love, love to do this itinerary! I'm curious, though....did something happen to posts #108-120?

[Karlou]

Never mind....I found them. So glad! [emoji5]️

[SenatorsFan]

I'm still here, Kim! I love that pink dress you were wearing on your last day in Singapore. That's one of my colours, too! :cool::)

Heather

[gapearl]

Bwahahaha! [emoji14]

 

Just a comment that on almost all my solo cruises I've spend most of my time alone, even on my 40th bday cruise on Carnival where I was at a dinner table w 7 other solos. Everyone just goes their separate ways after dinner, and that's fine with me. One reason I like cruising solo is so I can do what I want, when I want.

 

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

I have to crack a joke on the Kardashians every review. lol :p I love traveling solo because I always meet people along the way, so I can spend time by myself when I want to and can hang out a little when I want to as well. I'll admit I was a little disappointed to not have clicked with anyone, but it surely didn't ruin my trip. I'll still continue to travel solo as long as I'm single. I'm about to start planning an African safari next :)

 

I am absolutely reading this. I love all of your reviews Kim!

 

Thanks for following along. :)

[gapearl]

Enjoying every minute..... Looking forward to DAY 2!

 

Awesome! I'm uploading my pictures now for day 2 and hoping I can get them edited and posted before Scandal comes on tonight!

 

Enjoying your review. :)

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

Thanks for coming by to read another one. :)

[gapearl]

I am definitely reading! I came over from the CCL boards looking for this too! lol :D Loving your new adventure!

 

Thanks for migrating over here! I'm glad you're enjoying this.

 

Following along as always Kim! Great job, this is a unique cruise, very interesting to see your pics and thoughts!

 

Thanks a lot! Yes, this was a very unique cruise, one a lot of people wouldn't think to take. Hopefully others will begin to think outside of the cruise box a little. :)

[gapearl]

Oh yes I'm here. Sick as dog today with a cold and sore throat in my jammies on a cruise with you.

 

Oh no, I hope you get better soon!

 

I'm reading it as well Kimberly, it's a brilliant review so far i wish i was there with you.

 

Thank you Golfer!

[gapearl]

Following along, Thank-you

 

Thanks for reading!

 

I'm loving this review! I would love, love to do this itinerary! I'm curious, though....did something happen to posts #108-120?

 

Hi Karlou! You made me nervous for a minute! I went back and checked those posts and everything seems to be fine. Were they not showing up earlier or something?

[gapearl]

Never mind....I found them. So glad! [emoji5]️

 

Oh ok, just saw this after I responded to your first comments. Whew! :)

 

I'm still here, Kim! I love that pink dress you were wearing on your last day in Singapore. That's one of my colours, too! :cool::)

Heather

 

Thanks Heather! That was from Express, one of my favorite stores. :)

[eveanddavid]

Yes we are reading it all and loving it ! Look forward to you next page ! Thankyou for time and energy here ,we are hanging on every word as the reviews on cc are so bad atm for this cruise and we are cruising on 22 nd Jan ,interesting that maybe I cant bring 2 bottles of wine will have to look into that one x

[TonRin]

Great review so far Kim. We sailed on mariner out of Singapore in 2014 and had a great time. Will be interesting to hear what you thought of Malaysia. We found it interesting, but 1 day was plenty. Wish you had been on our cruise, we had a group of about 20 from CC that spent a lot of time together during the cruise. We had a blast.

 

Brings back so many memories seeing your photos. Great work!

We are sailing on Quantum out of Shanghai in March for 13 nights (B2B). Can't wait!

 

Cheers

[Thornbird]

I'm loving this review, so glad you've got the embarkation done in time for me to read - we fly out this afternoon for our Mariner adventure. YAY! I'm disappointed about the wine as we had planned to take advantage of that. Also disappointed that Singapore doesn't do cruise terminals as well as they do airports, AND that all the stuff I want to do on Day 1 finishes before I'm likely to get on the ship. Oh man! Never mind, still super excited and knowing these things ahead of time will make things a bit smoother when we get there hopefully.

 

On the other hand, you've made me look forward to our days in Singapore itself even more, so that's a plus. Your style of travel / interests are quite different from mine (esp with a toddler in tow) but great insights nonetheless.

 

I love your mention of people wanting to take photos with you, it reminds me of traveling to Brisbane (Queensland in Australia) which has a lot of Asian tourists. At some touristy spots people kept asking if they could take pics of my blond haired, blue eyed (and rather cute) little girl, as she was such a novelty to them. Take it as a compliment, that they see you as an exotic beauty :)

 

Looking forward to reading more, hopefully I'll get a chance to catch up on the thread before we embark.