Mariner Disappointment

[CruisingCaraCat]

Need to get my 2 cents in here.

 

I have sailed the Mariner 8 times total (last being in April). She is definitely the best ship afloat and one of the main reaons is the crew. I have not experienced a better, friendlier group on the water.

 

I also miss the Komics but if you can't find something to entertain you on board I think you are not trying hard enough.

 

As far as the menu I have not noticed a change in the 'scope' on the Mariner. If you sailed 6-7 years ago you might have noticed that there were more items on the ship's menus then than now. As far as the bread the large basket they bring around (multiple times) has much more of a variety than the baskets on the tables ever did. (Don't miss the savory bites)

 

As far as Celebrity - it is definitely a different product and a differenct experience. That doesn't mean bad though.

[cruisinisforme]

The bar staff has received awards three years in a row for the best service fleet wide. When I was on the ship a few weeks ago they showed me the award they received. Like I said....the staff is the entire reason I cruise this ship.

 

I think if you look at these boards you will find many many people have sailed this ship many times. I have been on her 5 times, but that is nothing compared to others. My two friends have sailed on her 9 times together and always love it.

 

I think a few comments by people who had a bad cruise for whatever reason should not discourage anyone. I can find negative comments on just about every ship in the fleet, and you can also find just as many good ones. I certainly would not let something like this impact how i felt or my experience on a ship.

 

Years ago we went on the Jubilee. It was the worse ship, it smelled like sewer, we had so many problems...but if you ask any of the 8 people that were with me...it was one of our most fun trips...cant let things like that stop you from having a good time, a good time is what you make of it.

[HB Cruiser]

I am one of the earlier posters that stated we were less than happy with the attitude of the crew.

 

PLEASE go with with an open mind and plan on enjoying your cruise, I am sure you will have a GREAT time. I chimed in only because I wanted to state my experience on this ship. Everyone's experience is different. The week we were on the ship was when Liberty started sailing and I am sure there were some unhappy staff then.

 

A lot of the cruise experience is the attitude you take upon entering the ship. If you take all the negative (mine included) with you, you might have a negative cruise. DON'T DO THIS!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Tim

[cruisinisforme]

 

A lot of the cruise experience is the attitude you take upon entering the ship. If you take all the negative (mine included) with you, you might have a negative cruise. DON'T DO THIS!!! ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Tim

 

I totally agree with you on that, cruising, land vacations...anything you do!

[gadaboutgal]

We sailed the Mariner 9/2-9. We also sailed it September a year ago-and saw no decline in service or amenities since then. We thought it was still a great cruise. We thought the theatre entertainment was better than last years. Thought the food was very good in the dining room-even better than some of our other recent RCL cruises. Chops and Portafino were, also, excellent. Yes, the experience was not the same-I would hope not-cruises would get really boring if there were absolutely no changes ever.

[mediator]

We were on the 9-2- sailing as well. We also sailed it in June and 3 times last year. I found that on this sailing I thought the activities were pretty bad. I felt (and I did note them in the comments) that most of them were tiedto a service: ie spa, gambling, digital camera (how many digital camera seminars can you have in a week !!!) It was like an infomercial under the disguuise of an activity. ARts and crafts disappears which had been offered in June as well as the scrapbooking. One very tacky thing they did was after the wine tasting, the lady did an infomercial for teeth whitening and talking about how wine stains the teeth!! That I thought was lame. With that said, I would not stop sailing her again, but I thought the activites were so so. Staff to me seemed friendly, however, after 5 times, there was so recognition of you.

[piercetc4]

we will be on the mariner our 3rd time in 3 weeks and can't wait! we have always had a great time on her- i can relate to reading a neg. post about a ship and then worrying about how it will be- we just did the sovereign last week- had a blast on her as well- we went looking for the positives and we found many -

if you love to cruise, you will love the mariner- go and have a wonderful time!

[clevelandrocks1r]

We were on the Mariner on the 7/22 cruise and had a fantastic time. The crew were excellent! If you take part in some of the activities, you get to know them and make instant friends. Our wait staff was excellent(Jitin), as were the activities directors(Karl & Jake) and the cruise director (Dennis). I would sail on the Mariner again in a heartbeat!

[FrancescaH]

In terms of the staff, I will say I have always appreciated them. Especially in the Windjammer on the last cruise I had multiple employees approach me saying they recognized us from our 2 previous cruises on the ship. We chatted daily and were treated very well with them making a point of helping us with tables and drinks. On the last night I sought photos with a few of them because they are in large part what made the trip so great. When I told them of our booking for this coming November, many said they were looking forward to seeing us again. I hope many of them are still there.

[ainoh]

That is interesting... I am seeing that comment quite a bit (not particularly Celebrity, but a whole world of different things): it can be very easy to get caught up in advertising and even rave reviews on bulletin boards... and end up with very high expectations that would be very hard to meet.

 

Out of interest, what did you not like about the Celebrity cruise? We haven't sailed Celebrity at all yet (have done Mariner, Monarch, Grand Priness a couple of time, HAL - wasn't over the moon with HAL...) - so would be interested in your opinions :)

 

Boo

 

We were also very disappointed with Celebrity Cruises. We were on the Summit. We thought the ship was very tacky. We didn't like the menu choices at the lunch buffet.The dinners we not that great, the lobster was tough and our steak was still frozenin the middle. That was our first and last cruise on the Celebrity. I think we'll stay with Royal Caribbean.

[katiel53]

We have sailed Mariner twice and are going again in a little over 3 weeks as well as October 2008. I think there are things that change on all ships. I guess I never paid attention to the Kruise Comics. We don't go to a lot of shows. We spend more time in the casino.

 

Last November though, in the casino, I could hear Matt Yee in the lounge right off the casino. He was so funny. On my way to my cabin, I had to stand and listen a bit. I do wish he'd be on one of our future cruises.

 

My husband love being able to sail from Pt Canaveral as we can drive to the ship and not have to worry about luggage etc.

 

Before we started on RCI, we sailed many, many cruises on Celebrity. RCI is far more casual, which I guess when one is retired, is more important. We no longer have to dress for our jobs. My clothing is just casual for the most part although we both have "dress up" clothes.

 

We take those for the formal nights, but the rest of the week is not jackets, ties etc. as is the requested attire on Celebrity. I wish, although I know it's not popular, that all the cruiselines, except for the Seabourn's and Oceania's changed to no formal nights. Would sure make us happy.

 

Anyway, do not worry about Mariner. We are soooooooooo looking forward to Oct. 14. Enjoy.

[zwanzig]

I have sailed Mariner twice: August 2006 and August 2007. Both cruises were great, and both times we had great staff. In fact, I would venture to say that the staff (esp. the CD staff) was better on the 2007 cruise than in 2006.

 

(Here's an example of great, personable service: In 2006 our assistant waiter was Agung from Indonesia. When we sat down at our table this year on the first night, we were shocked to see that Agung was again our assistant waiter! What was even more shocking was that he remembered us, after a year's worth of seeing new faces week after week! It was amazing, and he was genuinely happy to see us. It was a really touching experience!)

 

But still, even though the staff was great, I felt a tiny bit disappointed by this year's cruise in some areas. The food was not as good to me, and overall things weren't as impressive. I remember this same thing happened to me a few years back when I did the same cruise (Grandeur) two years in a row. I think there's something about the excitement of a new ship and seeing new things that really adds to the cruise. This year I knew where everything was, what it all looked like, what the menus would be, etc.

 

There are sooo many factors that can go into someone's perception of their trip. For me, I missed the element of surprise in discovering a new ship, which I think contributed to my disappointment. Also, I have made major dietary changes in the past year and don't eat the way I used to; I think this is why the food disappointed me. But someone who did not make these changes in his/her life or did not care about being on a ship for the first time would not notice these differences. You can't really let one person's perception cloud your own - the only thing you can do is go and have your own experience. :)

 

Even though I felt a tiny bit disappointed in things that I loved about last year's cruise, I still had a great time and would go on Mariner again. She's a great ship, and the staff are great. I enjoyed this cruise for different reasons and in different ways, which made it a special trip, rather than just a repeat of last year.

 

Hope this helps! :)

 

P.S. I forgot to mention my biggest disappointment about the Mariner this year: no more Henry!!! :mad:;)

[cruzincurt]

I guess I'm different. No loss of one single thing would make me not want to cruise again. Kruise Komics? Never heard of them, so don't miss 'em.

 

Some people choose a ship because of the CD. After 21 cruises, I can't name or remember a single one of them. Different strokes for different folks I guess. As long as the ship leaves the dock, I'm happy.

 

When cruising, I get to share 24/7 with my DW of 33 years. We have little time together because of work schedules. We don't rely on any CD, show, or activity to make our cruise our vacation and entertain us. Nothing like a quiet ship on port days.

 

Mariner, here we come again. Hope we get that table for 2 we requested. And we don't care who the Captain might be. How can someone be "let down" by who the Captain is???

[JanineM]

That is interesting... I am seeing that comment quite a bit (not particularly Celebrity, but a whole world of different things): it can be very easy to get caught up in advertising and even rave reviews on bulletin boards... and end up with very high expectations that would be very hard to meet.

 

Out of interest, what did you not like about the Celebrity cruise? We haven't sailed Celebrity at all yet (have done Mariner, Monarch, Grand Priness a couple of time, HAL - wasn't over the moon with HAL...) - so would be interested in your opinions :)

 

Boo

 

Prior to our Celebrity cruise I was really caught up in all of the hype on the boards and on the website/commercials. I was generally expecting a much higher level of service. We have been spoiled by Mariner. Our servers are always so friendly and welcoming, and on X they were more aloof. Some of the staff were great, others were just plain poor servers. I can't say I have ever encountered a staff member on Mariner that I would call "poor servers".

 

We were also disappointed to be seated at a table for 2. It was really hard to meet people and socialize on this particular cruise. It could be because it was a 10-nighter, and also because we were among the younger people on the ship.

 

There were other things - all minor - but they added up to a touch of disappointment. That's all.

 

To those who are concerned about sailing on Mariner - don't be! She is a wonderful ship and the staff are excellent. We have never had a complaint about staff on Mariner. On our last cruise we took a couple who had never cruised and they LOVED it. Another traveling companion was a woman whose last cruise was horrible (Carnival), and she was expecting a crummy time, but she kept saying how FABULOUS the cruise was.

 

We have sailed twice under Captain Johnny and once under Captain Per. I was expecting to be let down by Captain Per but he is a genuinely friendly guy.

 

I guess the lesson learned from the combination of the Celebrity experience and our Mariner experiences is to go into it with an open mind and don't set yourself up with "too" high expectations.

[cruisersunsetbrat]

My DH and I took our 1st ever RCCL cruise on Mariner in May 2007. We have cruised several times (NCL, Carnival) and were excited about Royal Caribbean because we were told how much better the food, the entertainment, the boat itself was compared to other lines. Never again. We paid more for this cruise (extra $250 PP for the cruise vs. Carnival) and we were very disappointed.

 

FOOD/DINING ROOM

The food was OK. Side vegetable dish of mushy, overcooked spinach was gross. The entrees were OK. The desserts were not really appealing. Espresso was extra :( Carnival = free.

 

I have cancer and had just finished radiation treatment and tried several times prior to the cruise (and after we boarded) to switch to earlier dining due to being exhausted and not "up to" a late - 8:15 p.m. dinner (all that was "available") - no help whatsoever. At first we were told there should be no problem getting switched but ultimately were told they could not (or would not???) switch us.

 

CABIN

Our cabin bathroom faucet had some interesting "yellow" water that - at first the Purser's Desk said not to drink but then took it to a back office for a second opinion, came back and said it was perfectly safe to drink (yeah). Our cabin steward was MIA. Basically had to track him down for something as simple as a bucket of ice. Our television in our room never worked right. The maintenance guys were in there every night and finally decided if we did not move the TV (angle it towards the bed), we could get it to stay on.

 

NCL is OK. Carnival is better. The food, the staff, the entertainment, $$ for the cruise. We will never sail Royal Caribbean again. We were very disappointed.

 

The only positives on this ship were (1) shower door vs. curtain. (2) sliding door on balcony vs. standard hinged door (3) the ice skating show was amazing and (4) Sutali (bartender outside the casino) is the best.

 

Carnival is much better. Better price, better food, better service.

[cruzincurt]

Consider the ship cost mega-millions, it is safe, clean, has the latest life safety and navigation features.

 

Hot/cold food 24/7, clean towels/toilets twice a day, numerous music and entertainment venues, heating and airconditioning, low passenger/crew ratio, clean, bug free bedding, unpack the suitcases once, casino, gym, ice skating, video gaming, spa, swimming pools, basketball, lounge chairs, bars, bars, bars, fast food,.....etc.

 

What is a big complaint for never cruising on that ship again?...the steward didn't fill my ice bucket.

 

Compare that to any land vacation where YOU have to go down the hall in your PJ's to find the dirty ice machine.

 

 

"Staff to me seemed friendly, however, after 5 times, there was no recognition of you." You, and the other 166,000 people that sailed on her each year?

[Cruising89143]

My DH and I took our 1st ever RCCL cruise on Mariner in May 2007. We have cruised several times (NCL, Carnival) and were excited about Royal Caribbean because we were told how much better the food, the entertainment, the boat itself was compared to other lines. Never again. We paid more for this cruise (extra $250 PP for the cruise vs. Carnival) and we were very disappointed.

 

FOOD/DINING ROOM

The food was OK. Side vegetable dish of mushy, overcooked spinach was gross. The entrees were OK. The desserts were not really appealing. Espresso was extra :( Carnival = free.

 

I have cancer and had just finished radiation treatment and tried several times prior to the cruise (and after we boarded) to switch to earlier dining due to being exhausted and not "up to" a late - 8:15 p.m. dinner (all that was "available") - no help whatsoever. At first we were told there should be no problem getting switched but ultimately were told they could not (or would not???) switch us.

 

CABIN

Our cabin bathroom faucet had some interesting "yellow" water that - at first the Purser's Desk said not to drink but then took it to a back office for a second opinion, came back and said it was perfectly safe to drink (yeah). Our cabin steward was MIA. Basically had to track him down for something as simple as a bucket of ice. Our television in our room never worked right. The maintenance guys were in there every night and finally decided if we did not move the TV (angle it towards the bed), we could get it to stay on.

 

NCL is OK. Carnival is better. The food, the staff, the entertainment, $$ for the cruise. We will never sail Royal Caribbean again. We were very disappointed.

 

The only positives on this ship were (1) shower door vs. curtain. (2) sliding door on balcony vs. standard hinged door (3) the ice skating show was amazing and (4) Sutali (bartender outside the casino) is the best.

 

Carnival is much better. Better price, better food, better service.

 

Just goes to show how we all see and experience things differently. I cruised with Carnival for 11 years on 16 cruises. Tried RCI's Navigator of the Seas back in 04 and have never looked at Carnival again. I found just the opposite. Better service, much more friendly crew, nicer and MUCH cleaner ships along with a better past guest program on RCI. Give me a RCI ship anyday over anything that Carnival currently has in service.:)

 

To Wewant2bcruzin, go into your cruise with an open mind. Everything you read on the boards is just the opinion of other posters. It doesn't mean that we are right or wrong. We all have difference expectations. When it comes to food, each and every person has different taste buds. What one person finds to be bad another person may enjoy. Be sure to come back and let us know how you liked it.

[captjaneway]

Need to get my 2 cents in here.

 

As far as the menu I have not noticed a change in the 'scope' on the Mariner. If you sailed 6-7 years ago you might have noticed that there were more items on the ship's menus then than now. As far as the bread the large basket they bring around (multiple times) has much more of a variety than the baskets on the tables ever did. (Don't miss the savory bites)

 

Absolutly! Last April on the Mariner all of my travel companions asked for the same bread choice night after night. I kept switching it up, and although everything was wonderful when I finally got to the savory bites by night 5 I wished I had asked for my choice plus savory bites every night. Amaizing! Oh well there is still next April.:D

[trishalee]

Were the "savory bites" those marvelous, tiny, shiny brown ones? They truly were THE BEST! I ate them every night. Our servers had no idea what they were.:D

[minnie00]

We were on the Sept 2nd sailing and really found just the opposite. We found the crew to be friendly and the service was great. We only had 1 prior cruise on Princess to compare to, but we were impressed by the overall general friendliness.

I just wrote a review and talked about a few crew members who really made the trip better for us.

The food menus looked the same as the ones I have seen posted all over the boards...so don't know if they changed.

The food was decent imho for cruise food.

read my review ! we really loved our trip on the Mariner;)

[JKHawaii]

Thanks to everyone for their input. It's interesting that everyone has a different opinion of what makes a great cruise. (for example, bread baskets on the table). From sifting through these posts, it appears that the Mariner is still a good choice for a cruise. On my prior Mariner cruises, the positive attitude of the crew impressed me. It seemed to me that Capt Johnny's leadership filtered down to the whole crew. Hopefully, that hasn't changed. At the same time, it appears that RCCL has implemented cost-cutting measures not only with the Mariner, but accross the fleet. I guess the high fuel costs and expense of pumping out billion dollar mega-ships are taking their toll.

[skyking]

A friend of mine recently returned from the Sep 2-9 sailing of the Mariner. He said he was disappointed with this cruise compared to his previous Mariner cruise. He said there were fewer menu choices on this cruise. He also said some of the things he enjoyed on his previous cruise (for example, the Kruise Komics) were missing from his recent cruise. I was wondering if other veteran Mariner cruisers have the same perception? It's been a couple of years since I cruised on the Mariner. I was planning on taking another cruise before she rotates to the West Coast, but now I'm having second thoughts.

 

ABSOLUTELY 100% no wayyyyy....We just got off the Mariner last Sunday and it was the 4th and the BEST time we have had on her.

[CrazyCruiseCanuck]

ABSOLUTELY 100% no wayyyyy....We just got off the Mariner last Sunday and it was the 4th and the BEST time we have had on her.

 

Hey, Tim, I'm with you,baby!

 

Another "Pirate of the Mariner" checking in....this was my 8th cruise with Royal, first on the Mariner. Although my personal taste leans toward the smaller ships (Vision class - can't beat the service!), I was pleasantly surprised with my experience on the Mariner. I had sailed the Voyager in 2005 and was not impressed at all with the service, but the Mariner was topnotch. From the barstaff, to the purser's desk, the waiters (kudos to Madan and Jesus, table 532 ), to my cabin steward, who knew I was sailing alone and made sure he complimented me when I was all dressed up for Formal night.:D

 

Had a woderful time, and can't wait until the reunion cruise in September '08.

 

Oh, and I'm also on the 46-day repo in 2009.....stay tuned.

[bchalker]

A week long cruise ruined bacause of "not enough menu choices"? Dinidng room, Windjammer, Sorento's, Johnny Rockets, Portofino, Chops, room service, and who knows what else. Sheeesh!

[Ocean Boy]

A week long cruise ruined bacause of "not enough menu choices"? Dinidng room, Windjammer, Sorento's, Johnny Rockets, Portofino, Chops, room service, and who knows what else. Sheeesh!

 

No Sorento's on Mariner. Maybe that was the deal breaker!