soccermommie Posted June 27, 2011 #1226 Share Posted June 27, 2011 We were on Mariner in May, and she looks lovely - very well maintained. We had absolutely no problems at all with anything. The service was great. The ship was fabulous. Embarkation was painless. Debarkation was the absolute best we have experienced in 10 cruises with 3 different lines. We were on the itinerary that included Sicily, Athens, Rhodes, Ephesus, Istanbul, and Naples, and it was a fabulous cruise - definitely ranks as one of our best vacations ever. We loved all the ports; although Istanbul was our least favorite, and we would have been fine with one day there rather than two. Leaving from Civitavecchia and, therefore, being able to easily spend some time in Rome before and after the cruise was the absolute icing on the cake. Crowds were not horrible at any of the ports/sites, and the weather was perfect in mid-May. I'm not sure you would have the same experience in July though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rutheth Posted June 27, 2011 #1227 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Thanks - that's good news about the condition of the ship. We would be on a different itinerary - Genoa, Ajaccio, Cannes, Barcelona, Palma. Unfortunately we are restricted to holidays as we are both primary school teachers so just school holidays for us!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinDawn Posted July 9, 2011 #1228 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Thinking about a Mariner cruise once it comes to Galveston but had a few questions. Does it have a Diamond Lounge or just the Concierge Lounge? Looked at the deck plans and didn't see one. Parents are Diamond and we enjoy hanging with them for a coctail before dinner. Is there a "Sweet Suite" and if so what cabin# is it? BonVoyage Dawna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted July 9, 2011 #1229 Share Posted July 9, 2011 Thinking about a Mariner cruise once it comes to Galveston but had a few questions. Does it have a Diamond Lounge or just the Concierge Lounge? Looked at the deck plans and didn't see one. Parents are Diamond and we enjoy hanging with them for a coctail before dinner. Is there a "Sweet Suite" and if so what cabin# is it? BonVoyage Dawna There is no Sweet Suite, that is only on the Freedom class ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinDawn Posted July 9, 2011 #1230 Share Posted July 9, 2011 There is no Sweet Suite, that is only on the Freedom class ships.Ah the Mariner is a Voyager calss, darn :( What about a Diamond Lounge? None? just the Diamond Event each night? BonVoyage Dawna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles4515 Posted July 10, 2011 #1231 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Ah the Mariner is a Voyager calss, darn :( What about a Diamond Lounge? None? just the Diamond Event each night? BonVoyage Dawna No Diamond Lounge either on Voyager class ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimnbigd Posted July 15, 2011 #1232 Share Posted July 15, 2011 I'm booked for March 25, 2012. I've done the Voyager OTS 5 times from Galveston. The Voyager had fixed dining times of 5:30pm and 8pm. I looks like the Mariner will be 6pm and 8:30pm. I wonder if the MDR waiters will sing "Deep in the Heart of Texas" like they did on the Voyager? I will miss Derek Lewis in the English pub. I heard the Mariner's pub is smoking and that is why Derek is staying with the Voyager for now. I wonder how much the smoke smell drifts into the main Royal Promenade area? Hopefully not any more than the smoke from the casino drifting up the middle staircase to the Royal Promenade. If the pub ever changes to non-smoking, I hope Derek comes back to Galveston and the Mariner. Mariner has Chops, and Jade in the buffet (Asian food). I believe it has a larger teen area too. Anyone know of other differences between the Mariner and the Voyager? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfganghowell Posted July 15, 2011 #1233 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Differences - Instead of the sports bar on the promenade it has Vintages Wine Bar. The pool decor is quite festive - I liked it a lot. I forget the artist but its very "mod" in a good way. :) The disco is Dragons Lair and it has a medieval castle theme to it - different from The Vault on Voyager. The sports bar is located in the aft corner of the Viking Crown Lounge. The casino does tickets instead of coins on the machines. That's all the changes I can think of. I am with you on Derek - he will be sorely missed by the Galveston cruise regulars. I emailed RCCL to ask about the entertainers for Galveston but they aren't releasing any information yet. We got spoiled by that 8 pm dinner time, it'll be strange to do 8:30 again for some reason. Hopefully, the Mariner staff will communicate with the Voyager staff to get a feel for the Galveston market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joandian Posted July 15, 2011 #1234 Share Posted July 15, 2011 We've just booked BTBs. The Transatlantic in May 2012 and then the Holy Land/Egypt cruise. I thought we would be able to sail out of Galveston but it's leaving from Miami. Not too worried about that and I'm really looking forward to those 27 days on Mariner :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted July 15, 2011 #1235 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Differences - Instead of the sports bar on the promenade it has Vintages Wine Bar. The pool decor is quite festive - I liked it a lot. I forget the artist but its very "mod" in a good way. :) The disco is Dragons Lair and it has a medieval castle theme to it - different from The Vault on Voyager. The sports bar is located in the aft corner of the Viking Crown Lounge. The casino does tickets instead of coins on the machines. That's all the changes I can think of. I am with you on Derek - he will be sorely missed by the Galveston cruise regulars. I emailed RCCL to ask about the entertainers for Galveston but they aren't releasing any information yet. We got spoiled by that 8 pm dinner time, it'll be strange to do 8:30 again for some reason. Hopefully, the Mariner staff will communicate with the Voyager staff to get a feel for the Galveston market. If you are comparing Voyager to Mariner, then all the Mariner balconies are outside the structure of the ship and thus are more open. The Mariner does not have the little kid's pool in the back, so now the teen area is larger. The Mariner does not have a car in the Royal Promenade - it has a wine press. Here is a link to about 130+ photos of the Voyager of the Seas ... http://travel.webshots.com/album/572171722COXidV And here is a link to over 500 photos of the Mariner of the Seas ... http://travel.webshots.com/album/573273143cjeyif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoblond Posted July 16, 2011 #1236 Share Posted July 16, 2011 Differences - Instead of the sports bar on the promenade it has Vintages Wine Bar. Hi Wolfie, Does the Wine Bar have dispensers or am I thinking of another ship? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfganghowell Posted July 17, 2011 #1237 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Hi geo hope you have been well! I think you are thinking of Celebrity. maybe Oasis class has dispensers but I don't think Mariner does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoblond Posted July 18, 2011 #1238 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Hi geo hope you have been well! I think you are thinking of Celebrity. maybe Oasis class has dispensers but I don't think Mariner does. Yes Wolfie we've been well, thank you. We are excited about the Mariner and I hope we love it as much as the Voyager! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jst Posted July 19, 2011 #1239 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Does anyone know who the Concierge and Cruise Director might be when she comes to Galveston:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saveapenny Posted August 5, 2011 #1240 Share Posted August 5, 2011 We have booked for the 3rd October X gty is it worth £250 each to upgrade to W gty? First time RCCL cruisers :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle_lover Posted August 5, 2011 #1241 Share Posted August 5, 2011 So excited to see the Mariner arrive in Galveston in November (?) Quick question if anyone knows. What type of sodas do the offer with the soda card? Do they have coke zero on board? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfganghowell Posted August 8, 2011 #1242 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Turtle, if no one gets you an answer we're cruising before you and we drink Coke Zero so I'll be able to report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmer Posted August 8, 2011 #1243 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Just off Mariner a few weeks ago and they didn't have Coke Zero. It was Diet Coke on the soda fountain and in cans too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgonquin Posted August 9, 2011 #1244 Share Posted August 9, 2011 Just off Mariner a few weeks ago and they didn't have Coke Zero. It was Diet Coke on the soda fountain and in cans too. I wonder if the selections change when she returns stateside? Different availability based on distributors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle_lover Posted August 9, 2011 #1245 Share Posted August 9, 2011 @Everyone....Thanks for all the answers. Seems that diet coke it is...maybe I will cross my fingers for either coke zero or sprite zero. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turtle_lover Posted August 13, 2011 #1246 Share Posted August 13, 2011 @swmr- Would you mind telling me what types of main courses/sides were served in the mdr/ windjammer? Seems like many of the food dishes I see photos/descriptions of on many RC cruises have mushrooms in them (which I love, but hubby is very allergic to)...and help on the newest menu choices would be really appreciated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ksma23 Posted August 16, 2011 #1247 Share Posted August 16, 2011 Not sure if this question has been asked...if so I apologize for asking again. I see that the Mariner is slated for dry dock in April 2012 and I was wondering if anyone knows what will be done during this time? Is it expected to be just new linens, furniture, etc. Or is there a possibility of major changes to the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazwella Posted October 12, 2011 #1248 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Just off Mariner a few weeks ago and they didn't have Coke Zero. It was Diet Coke on the soda fountain and in cans too. This is my first cruise on RCCL and I'm curious if they have fountain drinks or is everything in cans (like Carnival)? I much prefer fountain sodas so that might sway me to buy a soda card. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising Capones Posted October 17, 2011 #1249 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Does the Mariner have Self serve soda fountains on their pool deck as the Freedom Class and some other ships, or do you always have to go to a bar to get your soda filled? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequim88 Posted October 17, 2011 #1250 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Is it expected to be just new linens, furniture, etc. Or is there a possibility of major changes to the ship? I have been scouring the web and threads on this subject and have yet to find a concrete answer but... Just speculating - Mariner is NOT scheduled as part of the Royal Advantage upgrade program but is listed as slated for lesser improvement. As a relatively newer ship and 2nd Generation of Voyager class it is a lot closer in many repsects to Freedom Class so in a sense already upgraded. So upcoming dry dock is probably mostly hull and mechanical and maybe some refresh of furnishings. Probably a fair amount of painting as well. Whatever they do I hope it is on-time because we sail immediatley after - hence my interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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