My ds12 and I just got back from a RCCL cruise on the Mariner of the Seas. It is a voyager class ship. I highly recommend it! We got a lot for what we paid.
My son enjoyed the tween activities--he was considered a navigator (12-14). They have a separate area set aside for the kids. On one side are the younger groups. The playrooms are nice and large and they have access to outside deck areas for activities as well. The kids all seemed to be having a great time. They were able to be inside and outside and went up to Windjammers for snacks as well.
On the other side are the tween/teen areas--no parents allowed! There is always staff and at night security around. There were activities during the day and night. Two of the nights the group could eat together at Windjammers (like Topsiders) if they wanted to. One level up from them was the basketball/volleyball court, mini golf, inline skating, rock climbing wall. The arcade was also close by as was Johnny Rockets. They did not have to wear wristbands and could come/go as they pleased. The ship had a cafe that was open 24hours on the promenade and served pizza from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. as well as other goodies, of course. There was self-serve custard one flight down from their area. If you got the soda package they could get drinks in the tween/teen area as well as at any of the bars.
He and his new friends had a blast! They liked going down and getting pizza and cookies. He liked the activities that they had as well as just hanging out in the "living room" and watching tv and talking. He was not bored at all like he had been at times on the
disney cruise as some of the activities in his group (10-12) were not very fun/too babyish for him at 11plus. The RCCL activities were more geared to the middle school/junior high set. They had swim parties, dance parties, scavenger hunts, quiz games, etc. Oh, yes, there was even ice skating available on certain days of the cruise. I rarely saw a kid who looked upset/unhappy on the cruise.
As for more bars and the casino. Yes, they are there, but you hardly notice them. They are scattered along the ship and have music at different times of the day, and are very tastefully done. You really almost forget that they are there. It wasn't like going into a separate area as on disney. It was great to have them as you could stop and get a soda quickly. You could sit and relax and enjoy the music. There was one that was more for the late teens/twenties set and it was more secluded. Then there was another one that was up higher and overlooked the pool area where you could go to relax and get away from the hustle/bustle of the day.
The casino was no big deal. We had to walk through it to get from one particular area of the ship to another, but for most people it was a quick walk through and that was it. Noone thought much about it. Actually, you could have gotten to those two areas without walking through the casino if you really, really wanted to avoid the place.
We enjoyed going to the art auction on the ship. It was fun to learn about painters, who is hot, etc, and watch the bidding practice. We also got a free print at the end.
We enjoyed the dining. It was a different menu every night and the waiters had a parade one night and sang another. One night they brought the little kids in to do a short program and sing and parade for us. All the chefs came out another night. We didn't mind going to the same place every night at all.
There was even a tea from 3-5 every day at Windjammers which was great for those of us who had late sitting. The poolside buffet and grand buffet were great!
The shows are different than disney. The welcome and farewell show were great for all ages as was the ice show--we could have gone to that one twice,we liked it so much. The other music shows and comedy acts were appropriate for all ages, but probably enjoyed more by adults/older tweens/teens that kids. There were also plenty of family activities on board as well.
We liked our disney cruise and will probably do another one again sometime. But for now, RCCL meets our needs and the needs of our tween/soon to be teen son. And, at the price, it can't be beat!
Hearing that MIckey horn would definitely tempt me! I have until Monday (28th) to decide. Anyone have any input on the ports that Mariner sails into? Thanks.
