It's not a DCL ship, but.......

[outahere]

The web cam on www.local6.com is showing a shot of the new RCCL Mariner of the seas. Judging from how it looks compared to the DCL terminal, it is one BIG ship.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Mariner is the last of the Voyager-class ships. Until the Queen Mary 2 is launched at the end of the year, the Voyager-class ships are the largest passenger vessels around. They hold about 3100 passengers and weigh in at about 140,000 GRT, as opposed to 83,000 for the Magic and Wonder. Here are some pictures of Mariner before it left the yard:

http://www.cruisenewsdaily.com/nf31015mz.html

I've sailed on both Adventure and Explorer of the Seas (both Voyager-class ship). They were both really great cruises, and you can usually get a balcony room on one of these ships for about what an Oceanview room costs on DCL.

RCCL has contracted to build an "ultra-Voyager," which will be 160,000 GRT and hold 3600 people. It's supposed to be delivered in 2006.

 

[SeaSpray]

That ship looks HUGE! I'm excited because we're going on a 7-night Disney cruise next summer, then a 9-night cruise on the Voyager in summer 2005.

 

[kajohn]

Thanks for the link to the pictures! I love the Voyager class ships! We have sailed on the Voyager, and have trips planned for the Explorer and the Adventure in the next 14 months My favorite part is the fancy dining rooms. I just love being in such elegant surroundings!

 

[sitchu2]

Im so excited, to hear the news, but I missed the pic on the webcam, its not there anymore, I have been keeping my eye out because Im sailing Mariner this Feb.

here are some links to news about the mariner to anyone interested http://www.cruisecritic.com/virtual/virtual.cfm?ID=2#9

and http://www.cruisenewsdaily.com/nf31015mz.html


Im going to miss the magic, but Im sailing in a room with verandah witha family of 5 for 3900

on the magic it would have been double at least.

Its a consolation to know ill be back on the magic this summer!

Im going to do a comparison of the two experiences, we love disney and we dont like smokey casinos, so we will put rccl to the test!!

92 Days 10 Hrs 35 Mins 50 Secs

 

[hilltopfamily]

Wow--she (Mariner) really does look like a "mega" ship. Would love to hear reports from cruisers on her, now that the Magic has made me O.A.T.C.!

sitchu2:
we're interested in booking Mariner for summer of 2005 for our family of 5. Can you explain a bit about the possible stateroom choices with 5 people? They have rooms that accomodate 5?

On the Magic we did 2 connecting Cat. 10's & on our upcoming Carnival cruise we're doing 1 inside (quad) & 1 ocean view (double) right across from each other (no connecting rooms on this particular ship). Your price looks good for a family of 5 but since we'd be looking at cruising in the summer, I know pricing could be quite a bit different. thanks a bunch!

 

[kajohn]

Hilltopfamily,

I just booked my family on the Explorer, which is the same layout as the Mariner, for Presidents week in 05. This is a school holiday for many in the Northeast, so the rates are higher that week.

We booked two connecting cat. H cabins for our family of 5 and the price was approx. $4100. These are outside cabins, on deck 3.

The one drawback of RCCL is that there are not many connecting cabins, and many of the cabins do not sleep more than 2.

We thought about a balcony and an inside across the hall, but my youngest will only be 7 when we sail, and I was afraid he would be scared or wander off!

RCCL does have a family stateroom that sleeps 6 I believe, but there are only a few on each ship, they don't have a balcony, and they are much more expensive than booking two cabins.

I guess my point to all this is, if you want connecting cabins, book early, especially during peak family times i.e. school holidays and summer!

 

[sitchu2]

RCCL Mariner has an option called family oceanview stateroom. It will sleep I think up to six, and is on the very front of the ship with rather large (I am led to believe floor to cieling glass windows) but no verandah. These rooms price at a little bit more above a balcony but would still be way less then dcl cat 4 5 and 6.

Your other options remain the same , an inside and a balcony across the hall. and 2 adjoining balconys or 2 insides.

I am also led to believe that there is an early booking savings for the newer voyager ships for prime cruising seasons. I booked my cruise for this Feb, last Feb, and she has just arrived. What a long wait, but I have also been watching out for price changes and they have only went up not down.

I found the best prices available at costco travel so if you are a member I would check with them.

It may also be worth joining abc travel the $35 for 2 years may pay for itself, I have not seen what there cruise offerings are , but I am hearing only good things about abc.

Felicia