Dcl Vs. Mariner Of The Seas

[Hans Solo]

We started with a 3 night Wonder and have sailed with the Magic on an Eastern & Western for the past 3 years. We love DCL but we are going to give the RCCL Mariner of Seas a try.

Our questions are about embarkation. We have been spending the night before at the Radisson so we can get to the port early. We always are at the terminal lot by 10:00AM to get into the terminal before the crowd. Will we be able to follow our routine with RCCL? What time would you suggest for arriving at the RCCL terminal?

We have been in Cruise Terminal 9/10 once on a tour but can't remember if there was a coffee/drink shop in the waitng area. Did you see anything like the one in the DCL terminal?

Can you drop the family and baggage off first then go park?

Thanks for your report.

 

[MO64RN]

Hans Solo,
As I stated in my report the embarktion procedure is a bit more difficult then Disney. I do not think 10am will be a problem. We got there about 11am and I was surprised how many people were already lined up so perhaps you will do better than we did. There was a long line of cars waiting to drop off the baggage. Head in double parking so it was time consuming.

You do drop the family and baggage off first then off to the parking garage. Once we entered the terminal everything went so fast and we boarded right away. I don't recall seeing a coffee shop but there were some machines outside of the terminal.

Let me know how you enjoy the trip when you get back.

 

[Carol36]

Hey MO64Rn!

I was on the Mariner two weeks before you! I was on 9-28 crusie, which was delayed by two days because of "Jeanne"! We still had a blast! I can't wait to go back, although I will have to!!

The food was good, especially the lobster and shrimp. We ended up in Chops and I had the filet mignon, also! I have to agree with you MO64Rn! It was superb! I also liked the coffee, contrary to everything that I had read before leaving.

I feel the same about the shows, especially the ice show! We left the children, so I can't say anything about their clubs and activities! I know that I would love to take them on the Mariner. We are booked for the Magic next December. My DC have only been on the Wonder and loved it! I kind of feel pulled in between the Mariner and the Magic because my DC are 16, 14, 12, and 9. None really enjoyed the kid's or teen clubs, but loved the cruise itself. What do you think MO64RN?

I am glad that you had such a wonderful cruise!

Carol

 

[MO64RN]

My kids seemed to enjoy the Mariner more. They are 11 and 14 and not gone to the Disney Kids clubs in many years. The programming on mariner seemed better. There was also more for them to do on the ship.

 

[huckster]

was checking and comparing . sounds like you drove. do you know anything about rccl transfers from airport? as we would be flying in . do they pick up your luggage, as does dcl so yo have no worries?? thanks

 

[MO64RN]

RCI does offer airport transfers to the pier however I do not know much about it since we have never utilized this service on either cruise line.

 

[ashtravel]

I am a travel agent and I have cruised on the Disney Magic 4 times with my husband and now 9 year old twin boys. We last sailed in August , 2003 and had a wonderful time. Each time was better than the last.
We are finally sailing on the Mariner on Nov. 7 and I am very excited. I have had many clients sail on the Mariner and have a wonderful time. I now find myself asking them questions about their cruise.
Thank you for sharing your experience comparing Disney to the Mariner. I have a feeling my boys will have a better time since they weren't really happy with the kids program on Disney the last time we sailed.
Do you have any other pointers that you would like to share? I do have a quick question. What type of drinks were availble at the Windjammer(I keep wanting to type Topsiders) if you don't drink sodas? Do they serve punch or lemonade? I hate for my kids to drink nothing but soda the whole trip.
Again, thank you for sharing and I will be sure to share my review when I return.
Ashley

 

[MO64RN]

Ashley,
Windjammer served water, ice tea, coffee, and I think some juices. It is definitely worth it to buy the soda program if your kids drink it.

Pointers:
The first nights dinner was ok. If you are going to chops or portofinos that would be the night to do it. Definitely go to one or the other or both.

Make sure you bring enough extra clothes as there are no self laundry facilities.

Bring some canned sodas and bottled water for your refrigorator in your stateroom.

Do not miss the ice show.

Do not miss Quest.

Go to one of the art auctions. Quite interesting.

Pay your tips early.

Finally, if you are shopping buy the $20 discount book. You will get a free tote bag at DelSol which is worth the $20. You will also get a coupon for a free piece of art at the auction.

 

[ashtravel]

Thank you for those pointers. What is Quest and why do you say pay your tips early? And do you remember when Italian night was? I am definately going to treat my husband to Chops. He loves steak. He can't eat dairy products so I thought we would go when it is Italian night since he can't eat cheese. I like your idea of going the first night but we have early dining and I didn't think the kids program was opening during dining .
Thanks again.
Ashley

 

[MO64RN]

Ashley,
The Quest is an Adults only gameshow/scavenger hunt on day 3 at 10pm in studio B. It was an hysterical show. Don't miss it.

We had early seating also. You can make your chops reservation at any time so your kids can be in the club. I think Thurday night was the italian night.

The night we went to chops our kids dined in the dining room together for our regular seating. We told the waiters the day before they would do that.

For your kids ages they also had on a few nights "Adventure in Dining"where the kids that age group dine together in Johnny Rockets at 6pm. They need to be pre registered for this though.

Have fun on your cruise and let me know what you think when you get home.

 

[ashtravel]

Thank you again for sharing all that information with me. Since I've only really done Disney, it's a little nerve-racking to try a new ship. We made so many friends on the Magic and it always felt comfortable to go back. When the ship was in Norfolk last year in drydock, we took some of the crew members to the places they needed to go (the bank, TJ Max, Walmart) It was nice to treat them for a change. I feel a little bit guilty but , as a travel agent, I need to go on other cruise lines.
I will be sure to share my review with you. Again, thank you for all your helpful hints.
Ashley

 

[@GoofyNut]

All I've done is DCL and was thinking of trying another line ... Thank You for all the info.

 

[ashtravel]

I really believe there are other ships as nice ,if not nicer than Disney. As I've said, my family has been on the Magic 4 times and each time was better than the last. But my boys, now 9, weren't really crazy about the kids program. They were a little bored , to be honest. And I was really tired of seeing the same shows everytime. I couldn't believe Rich Pupura? was still on the ship! But it always feels like home. I love the smell of the ship when you first walk on. And Castaway is a dream. But I know we are going to have a great time on the Mariner. I'll be sure to share my experience here. This board has always been so helpful to me when I've planned my Disney cruises. I appreciate everyone's love of Disney Cruise line. It's very hard to beat.

 

[tezb]

Hi maureen,

Was your cruise director Becky? I agree, she was more involved in ALL activities esp the night ones and everyone knew her by name and wanted to chat w/ her! It reminded me of The Love Boat and Julie McCoy....Glad you liked the Mariner. We will probably stick w/ RCCL when we are able to cruise again.

 

[MO64RN]

Kirk was the cruise director. He was very nice and funny. Very involved in the activities.

 

[mlj'smom]

Hi! My kids (11,8,5) weren't real thrilled with the Wonder kid's clubs, either. But, they love to swim, but HATE salt water.......so, how are the pools on the Mariner? Do they have a cool slide, and are they fresh water, or salt? Thanks so much for your report and all of your answers!

 

[disneygatorfan]

I've never been on Mariner, but I have been on her sister ship, and the pools ARE salt water, and I don't remember any slides.. I remember two pools on one deck, and then there was an adult only pool.

 

[MO64RN]

No slides and I am not sure about the water. I read some where RCI was changing to Fresh water. Don't know if this was done yet or not. I didn't really notice.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Are the pools like the Goofy pool, pretty deep? Or was there one that was shallow enough for the little kids to splash in like the Mickey pool? Thanks!

 

[MO64RN]

I don't think there was a pool as shallow as the Mickey Pool. But I could be wrong. I didn't really pay attention to that since my kids are older.