Just Back From Mariner of the Seas - Very Impressed!

[my3kids]

Thank you for the report. I am most interested in the room comparision. We love the split bathrooms and think that the larger staterooms DCL has to offer will be another concern when cruising elsewhere.

Can you tell me your stateroom number. I am looking on the RC site and don't see a "Deluxe Balcony" class. We are a family of four and choose either a Cat 5 or 6 when sailing with DCL depending on price.

Thanks again

Look at the D1 category. This is the top verandah category and is just under the Junior Suite. JS is still a single room, but larger. I would = that to Disney's category 4 and the D1 to DCL's 5 & 6.

 

[my3kids]

Just a note when comparing the rooms, Buddy Bear. I think DCL gives the square footage of the balcony rooms including the outside verandah square footage. RCI gives the interior room space and the exterior deck space as seperate numbers.

 

[my3kids]

To see a photo of the Mariner D1 go to www.royalcaribbean.com and click on "Find a Cruise" from the top bar options. From there click ships, then Mariner or whichever ship you want to see, then Staterooms for a list of options. I have no idea how to post the picture but the site has photos, 360 tours and diagrams.

The description reads: Two twin beds (can convert into queen-size), private balcony, sitting area and a private bathroom. (206 sq. ft., balcony 42 sq. ft.)

Also includes minibar, vanity area, hair-dryer, TV, phone, computer jack, vanity table with an extendable working surface for laptop computers and 110/220 electrical outlets. Some have a Pullman bed and/or a sofa bed and can accommodate 3-4 guests. Some can also accommodate a rollaway bed or Pack 'n Play.

 

[GreatDaneMom]

It looks like I can finally come clean on this thread! DH and I have booked RCI's new ship "Freedom of the Seas" for December 2006. I love Disney and will always return to them when I cruise with young children (grandbabies are currently in production!!) But it pays to shop around if you have tweens or teens. Some of the other lines have beautiful ships, great activities, reviews equivalent to Disney's, and very attractive pricing.

We only hope that in time Disney will begin to adjust their prices to be competitive with the other lines at their level. We hope to cruise Disney again for a week in 2007 but I have to be honest and say that as a constantly researching consumer I'll be looking at what Disney's pricing is doing. After all, I'd rather take two really cool vacations a year instead of spending it all on one! But I can't blame Disney for charging a higher price if people are willing to pay it. The adorable mouse we know and love is big business.

 

[goofytoo]

So,
Since RC has this fixed pricing thing going on....
Is it really worth it to use a travel agent if you get the same price?

Does anyone know is it advantageous to book early to get the best price?
I know with Dsney the earlier the better but, I have heard that if you wait to the last minute you get a better deal.
I have trouble with this because all of the disney cruise vacation I have booked I have booked when the prices first come out that way I get the cabin I want.

What if the price goes down do they adjust it like Disney does?

We too are thinking of trying a RC in 2007 after 3 cruises with Disney 1 on the wonder and 2 on the Magic western.
I first want to see what happens with the pricing and itineraries when 2007 schedule comes out.

The southern route looks fun out of PR

 

[my3kids]

Royal Caribbean will also adjust your price if they lower theirs and yes, booking early does seem to offer better prices. Whether you use a TA is really an individual decision, I guess. We initially used one because of the $900 Master Card we go in return. Now, that wouldn't be an option, but cruisequick has been terrific with answers to questions so I would probably use them again solely for their great service. Rates could vary depending on whether an agent reserved group space, if they held cabins at an earlier price tier, or were offered some special deal from RCI that they could pass on to the customer.

 

[Weegl]

We were on the Mariner in March and really, really liked it. We will definitely go again.

There is ice cream at the pool areas. It is kind of tucked in by the doors.

If you want fruit, just go to Windjammers buffet and get all that you want.

There is also an adult pool area that is for those 16 and older.

I liked that fact that there were four hot tubs in the pool area--all good sized--as well as plenty of deck chairs. Didn't seem to see as much "chair saving" as we did on dcl.

My ds loved the tween area and activities plus the all night cafe that he and his friends could go to late night.

We did not book any excursions until we got on board and had no trouble. There were so many excursions that you could find something at every port. If you really, really want to do something, I would recommend booking, but we played it day by day and were not disappointed. Grand Cayman is the only one that I feel has limited excursions available. That will probably be a beach day for us next time.

Highly recommend rccl. Our neighbors have gone on rccl a lot--usually radiance class--and this was their first voyager class trip. They like both, though said the mariner offers more sports wise-ice rink, inline skating, rock wall, etc--and is definitely a bigger ship with lots of activities to do.

We had about 3500 on our ship (think capacity is 3800), but it didn't feel like it. The ship is so big and with so much to do, it doesn't seem crowded. I believe their newest ship will hold about 4300. Can't wait to go on it.

My point in my original post was that I liked those particular features better on DCL. I did not mean to imply that it wasn't available on the RCCL ship, I was just trying to offer my fair comparisions.

We had (so they said) a record of 3700 on board for our cruise. At no time did it feel crowded.

 

[txaggie94gigem]

i was wondering if they charge extra for ice skating, puttputt and rock wall...plus are there long lines there since these features are only open certain times each day? We are a family of six...what hours do they have for the kids clubs on the Mariner?

 

[inkkognito]

We did a Radiance class ship (Radiance itself, actually) to Alaska, and while it was nice, it didn't compared to Voyager class (which we've also done). There was lots of glass, which was nice for Alaska, but the only indoor pool was the supposed adults-only pool. Of course, it was constantly packed with kids because it was too cold for the outdoor pools. RCCL doesn't enforce any adults-only areas. The things I missed most of Radiance vs. Voyager were the ice rink (the show is phenomenal!!), the evening parades, and the gigantic whirlpool (I think it's called a thelassal or something like that).
Barb

 

[Weegl]

i was wondering if they charge extra for ice skating, puttputt and rock wall...plus are there long lines there since these features are only open certain times each day? We are a family of six...what hours do they have for the kids clubs on the Mariner?
__________________

No extra charge for the activities you listed and it was not that crowded at all.

The "Adventure Ocean" was open (on at sea days) 9AM - 12PM; 2PM - 5PM; 7PM-10PM...this was at no additional fee.

After 10PM each night, they offered the late night club until 1AM at $5.00/hr. per child. They did not offer scheduled meals those days.

On port days, the club was open from around 8AM to 5PM and offered a lunch/dinner option at Johnny Rockets for the kids. It appeared to me that many parents went ashore while the kids stayed on board.

 

[minniemoms]

I AM confused. Which ones go to Alaska, I heard Voyager, Mariner??? ARe there all Royal Carribbean? Any Princess ships? I guess I have been afraid I wouldn't like any other cruise ships. I love the shows on Disney, do you others have good shows, that are clean, or are they mostly "Adults Only" ?

 

[my3kids]

Royal Caribbean as well as most other lines keep a couple of ships in Alaska through the summer. I know Mariner is not in Alaska as she stays at Pt. Canaveral year round.

 

[CurtS]

my DD-13 was not satisfied with the kids programming on DCL for the tweens. I was quite surprised how much we loved Mariner of the Seas. My DD didn't really enjoy the programming on Mariner but had plenty to do ice skating and putt putting!

Thank you for letting me know about the teens club. My DS13 is also in the 'tween bracket and almost seemed bored at times with the Magic. He couldn't get into the teen club at the time we sailed (he was 12) and some of the Disney activities in the Oceaneers Club he wasn't interested in. I think the addition of ice skating and minature golf would be more to his liking.

Curt

 

[marylee15]

I am so glad I saw this post. We went on DCL in January and totally loved it. It was our first cruise and we just love the way we were treated definately want to do another cruise next year but no way can we afford DCL so soon. Is it my imagination or have they gone way - no pun intended - OVERBOARD on the prices? We are looking into doing Alaska next summer compared to DCL it is like almost half the price.

 

[Yankee914]

So glad I saw this post as well. We just came back from one of the last Western cruises that went out before the Magic went to California. Loved it as usual (this was our 3rd cruise). Our kids still love it but we found that now they are 15 and 11 there wasn't as much for them to do on the ship. We were curious about RCCL for our next trip and especially when we saw the HUGE increase in DCL prices it has made our decision easier.

I was curious as to embarking/disembarking and also what you thought about the rooms? Any other tips you could give for people that want to do RCCL -- I was there was a board for them like there is for DCL -- the info on these boards has been invaluable and made the trip planning so much easier!

 

[GreatDaneMom]

To Yankee914...

Go to the Cruise Critic website and select Boards from the menu bar at the top. They have discussion boards for all of the cruise lines there.

But you have to know that DIS is the best board for Disney info! This is one of the politest (AND SMARTEST!) groups I've ever encountered on the Internet.

 

[Weegl]

We traveled with firends whose kids were 13,12 & 10...They all had a great time and were constantly between the sports deck (in-line, rock climbing, ping pong, putt-putt, basketball, etc.) and the pool area.

The ship was full of "tweens" and I observed them having a great time.

As for the rooms, I found them to be quite nice with plenty of storage. I will say that the split baths on DCL are better, but as far as mainstream cruise cabins, the Mariner's were very nice...we were in a category D2 balcony and loved it!

 

[tezb]

This was our experience also...after having done 3 DCL cruises, we tried the Mariner for the first time last summer. We now have 3 teen boys and they were getting bored w/ DCL by the 3rd cruise. We too as parents of teens, were looking for more to do on a cruise..especially at night. The night life on DCL was almost non-existent after 11pm. We are not partiers, but wanted a variety of clubs/places to go late at night since our kids are older and we were on vacation. We found that on RCCL. Disney is a great cruise line and they are what got us hooked on cruising but we need something more now. Maybe we'll come back someday with the grandkids!!

 

[westjones]

Is this the ship that sails out of Port Canaveral?

Also, how did you book it? Can you book directly with RCCL?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[tchoney]

Can anyone tell me what the smoking policy is on Royal Caribbean?