Mariner of the Seas--a few questions

[willieg]

Thinking about a cruise next year on Mariner and I have a few questions.  Do you have to make reservations for all shows and activities? Does the MTD work well?

My experience on HOS was a disaster. Too much stress and rushing about. We are looking for a more relaxing experience.

How bad is the smoke in the casino? Do you have to walk through the casino?

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

The Mariner is one of my favorite ships, so I am admittedly biased. 😉 Unless something changes in the COVID era, you don't reserve shows, but you can reserve some activities such as the virtual reality bungee-trampoline thing. The overall pace is definitely not as hectic as the Oasis class ships.  I've never done MTD so I can't help you there.

 

I avoid smoke like the plague, so I've never been in the casino--but I guess that means you don't have to walk through it, since I've been on the ship three times! 😄

Edited July 31, 2021 by la_croisiere_s'amuse

[ptf2009]

Does anyone know anything about the Oct.11-15 sailing? The roll call was minimal and not current.

[jefngeo01]

The Mariner of the Seas casino is mid ship on deck 4. If you want to walk from aft to forward on deck 4 - you do have to walk through the casino.  For example; if you were on deck 4 at Boleros and wanted to walk forward to the Schooner Bar - you would have to walk through the casino. To avoid the casino you would go up to deck 5 - walk from aft to forward and then back down to deck 4. 

[florida eagle]

On 7/31/2021 at 9:47 AM, la_croisiere_s'amuse said:

The Mariner is one of my favorite ships, so I am admittedly biased. 😉 Unless something changes in the COVID era, you don't reserve shows, but you can reserve some activities such as the virtual reality bungee-trampoline thing. The overall pace is definitely not as hectic as the Oasis class ships.  I've never done MTD so I can't help you there.

 

I avoid smoke like the plague, so I've never been in the casino--but I guess that means you don't have to walk through it, since I've been on the ship three times! 😄

When Mariner went to Port Canaveral, I read an article it was Amped Up and meant to attract a high percentage of younger passengers on 3 and 4 days cruises. I have been on the Explorer and the Liberty ships from other Florida ports and that was not the case although there were younger people there. A different vibe is present with different groups of people.

[LEMJMcC]

8 minutes ago, florida eagle said:

When Mariner went to Port Canaveral, I read an article it was Amped Up and meant to attract a high percentage of younger passengers on 3 and 4 days cruises. I have been on the Explorer and the Liberty ships from other Florida ports and that was not the case although there were younger people there. A different vibe is present with different groups of people.

What does Amped Up mean specifically for Mariner?  We're booked for December so I'm just curious as I've not been on it before.  How's it compare to Brilliance and Freedom?

Thanks.

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

3 minutes ago, florida eagle said:

When Mariner went to Port Canaveral, I read an article it was Amped Up and meant to attract a high percentage of younger passengers on 3 and 4 days cruises. 

 

A different vibe is present with different groups of people.

Definitely true that the passenger demographics can create a different vibe!  I've only been on the Mariner once after the "amplification," but that cruise was consistent with my overall experience with 3-day vs. 4-day cruises: the 3-day itineraries falling over weekends do often become floating frat parties (I gave them a couple of tries but eventually just gave up), but 4-day itineraries are shorter versions of what you would find on a 7-day cruise. Our 4-day on the Mariner was the usual mix of everything from kiddos to retirees.

 

Of course, this is only one cruiser's experience and your mileage may vary. 🙂

[florida eagle]

Just now, LEMJMcC said:

What does Amped Up mean specifically for Mariner?  We're booked for December so I'm just curious as I've not been on it before.  How's it compare to Brilliance and Freedom?

Thanks.

Royal has put money into several ships. Approximately 100 million dollars or more or so over the last few years in refurbishments. Covid supposedly reduced it on some of the ships scheduled. the negative is building more cabins and taking out some public areas as it is always the case. On the promenade they took out a couple of stores and put a sports bar in called Playtimes I believe. It has pool tables and foosball probably to pay for. It has pay for food but liquor is covered under a liquor package if bought. There may be extra pay restarunts and there is an expanded water slide and some VR entertainment on the back rear of the ship. You can look it up and see what was before and after. 

[ampurp85]

Mariner was my first and only RCG ship that I was able to sail on before the shutdown. To answer your questions. Only oasis and quantum class ships did reservations for shows and such. On Mariner if you had the Key or were staying in a suite they had seats reserved. Now for the restart you have to book entertainment once you are aboard. Idk when you are travelling but if it goes back to that, it will still not be available in the planner. With MTD ymmv, we had no issues. I originally booked the same time in the planner but on a few nights, with the show schedules, we just walked up and got a table. As far as the casino, we went twice. The first time the smoke was pretty nonexistent, but that was during a sea day. We went in the evening and left after 5 min because I cannot handle the smell at all. The mariner is a very nice size ship, I was able to get my baring's pretty fast. I have about 80 days to my first oasis class so I don't know whether I can say Mariner will be more relaxing....however I can say it was very relaxing to me.