A few ???? regarding the Mariner of the Seas

[FamilyMatters]

We are set to sail on RCs Mariner of the Seas--Western Carribbean--on July 16. We are a family of four--two daughters ages 7 and 9. We have only cruised once on the Disney's Magic 3 night cruise when the girls were 3 and 5. Enjoyed it a lot. We are excited yet don't know what to expect with a 7 night cruise with two in tow. Our questions:

1. do the children's program begin on the first day to enable parents to dine at CHOPS or Portofino? Do we need to sign them up immediately upon embarking?

2. Does the ship post a daily itinerary of the ships activites ahead of sailing so we can semi-plan our days before sailing?

3. When are the "lobster nights" in the main dining rooms we have heard so much about?

4. We have not seen much posted information regarding the spa and fitness centers on the ship. Anyone got any info on them--other than the spa treatments being overpriced?

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mrgabriel]

2. Does the ship post a daily itinerary of the ships activites ahead of sailing so we can semi-plan our days before sailing?

 

3. When are the "lobster nights" in the main dining rooms we have heard so much about?

 

4. We have not seen much posted information regarding the spa and fitness centers on the ship. Anyone got any info on them--other than the spa treatments being overpriced?

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Can't help you on the first question - our kids are kitties, and the cruise line frowns upon us bringing the cats with us! :eek:

 

Each evening you will get a "Cruise Compass" in your stateroom. This includes all of the activities for the next day. In addition, on the first day, the Cruise Compass includes Cruise Highlights that includes the special events and things not to be missed. In the Cruise Highlights you can make note of things like the Ice Show (really great entertainment), and when you can get tickets for the ice show. They are free, but are usually all scooped up when they become available later in the week!

 

Note that there are a couple of evening performances that are suggested for Adults only ... and they really are for Adults. You'd be covering your kids' ears the whole time!:)

 

Lobster night was Friday night.

 

The fitness center is EXCELLENT. They have high quality Life Fitness equipment including treadmills, elliptical trainers, and bikes. In addition there is Parabody equipment and free weights. There is a huge whirlpool in the middle of the gym, a sprung floor exercise room, and separate men's and women's lockers. Children aren't allowed in the ShipShape centre (the workout area). We hit the gym either early in the morning (like 6:30 am), or later in the afternoon when we were in port. The ShipShape center is FREE to use, but there are a few classes (spinning, yoga on the beach) that have a $10 charge. I took the yoga on the beach class in Labadee and it was really fun - just like being in a yoga video!

 

The spa prices are a bit high, in my estimation. I do not have an exact list of prices - but as much as you would pay at a moderate spa in a city. They do have specials on certain procedures during the week.

 

Just a note - we found the best prices for golf-shirts and tee-shirts in Cozumel. DH bought several bright coloured shirts, and I was afraid they would run in the wash. They have not - and he paid only $10 each for them. There were also some good prices for costume jewellery there.

 

You will love, love, love Mariner. We had the best time - and are going back in the fall!

[kittyg]

We are set to sail on RCs Mariner of the Seas--Western Carribbean--on July 16. We are a family of four--two daughters ages 7 and 9. We have only cruised once on the Disney's Magic 3 night cruise when the girls were 3 and 5. Enjoyed it a lot. We are excited yet don't know what to expect with a 7 night cruise with two in tow. Our questions:

1. do the children's program begin on the first day to enable parents to dine at CHOPS or Portofino? Do we need to sign them up immediately upon embarking?

2. Does the ship post a daily itinerary of the ships activites ahead of sailing so we can semi-plan our days before sailing?

3. When are the "lobster nights" in the main dining rooms we have heard so much about?

4. We have not seen much posted information regarding the spa and fitness centers on the ship. Anyone got any info on them--other than the spa treatments being overpriced?

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Mariner 05/28/06 Eastern

 

No kids club the first day - there is a show where they introduce it in Studio B, and then sign up that night or just the first time you attend.

 

Our formal nights were M & F. Kids club hosted a free dinner M,W,F. Lobster night was F. Ice Show was W or F. We signed up for 2nd seating and many nights took the munchkin for pizza or WJ early, then to AO at 7 so we were free for dinner.

 

Kids club closes from 12-2 and 5-7.

 

Fitness center was nice, spa was ok. We did a massage for $120 in a small room, but one of the best I've received. Also did foot & ankle massage 30 minutes for $39.

[glennjudy1]

Kids club closes from 12-2 and 5-7.

 

I didn't realize that, I thought I had heard that the kids club was open the whole day. That's a bummer since that was one of the reasons we decided to do try RC. Disney kept the kids through lunch which was great and then we only picked them up for dinner. Norwegian did the closed for lunch and dinner and it was definitely not as convenient.

[DrSeuss]

Hi Familymatters - come and join our roll call for the Meet & Mingle for the 16th July Cruise. Click on the Meet and Mingle link above and find us under the ships name. We are travelling with our son who is 5 and have not cruised before.

[shrimp0]

Adventure Ocean closes 12-2 only on sea days. They will be open the whole morning through afternoon on port days. They do close from 5-7 every day. You can have your children stay in AO while you go on an excursion... they will take them to the promenade or windjammer for lunch.