RCCL Mariner anyone?

[shmoogrrrl]

After seeing the prices of DCL for 2006, we will probably be looking to try RCCL in 2006.

I didn't want to try another line until my daughter was three, so she could be in the kids program. I don't like the idea of having a babysitter in our room! Of course, if Katie ever gets a Brother or Sister, that will put us right back where we started!

 

[hopelea]

I priced RCCL for my family of four in a superior ocean view stateroom, $2500.............Oct 2005.... DCL $3600 for a CAT 10.

We are taking one more DC in April of 2005, then we are going to try something new. I just hope I don't feel sad when we pull into PC and see the Magic sitting there and we aren't on it!!!

Hope

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by LisaGoeke
We're booked on the Mariner for 10/9/05 and I'm really looking forward to it! We got a great price on our cabin, $3,400 for all six of us! I'm been on RCI in the past (before kids) so I'm hoping it is still a great line and that the kids will enjoy it too!

We're on this sailing too! We booked the Royal Suite on the Mariner for the same cost as a Cat 3 on the Magic. Are you in the Royal Family Suite? We chose the Mariner as our son will be 19 when we sail, and DCL just doesn't offer much for his age group. On the Mariner he can use the rock wall, skating rink, etc.

Anne

 

[LisaGoeke]

Originally posted by ducklite
We're on this sailing too! We booked the Royal Suite on the Mariner for the same cost as a Cat 3 on the Magic. Are you in the Royal Family Suite? We chose the Mariner as our son will be 19 when we sail, and DCL just doesn't offer much for his age group. On the Mariner he can use the rock wall, skating rink, etc.

Anne

Oh My Gosh, how neat is that. We're going with some friends, who are also a family of six, and they've got the other Royal Suite booked. I was very surprised at the low price they were quoted for the biggest room on board. Yeah, I'm jealous!

That is so neat to find someone else who is going on that cruise, especially to find them here on the Disboards!

 

[ducklite]

How funny! We're traveling with a family of four as well, mom and dad will be in the verandah cabin next to the RS and their teen boys are in an inside cabin just down the hall. See you onboard!

Anne

 

[zeke11]

Maybe we need a separate board here for ex-Dis'ers - LOL! I'm about to join the ranks after our horrid experience on the Wonder of 9/27.

Kris

 

[disneygal58]

Hope,
That was my fear, too. We are sailing on Sunday, not Saturday, so we will see the Wonder, not the Magic. And I don't think that we are in Cozumel on the same day as DCL!

Dawn

 

[prymsu]

No you have to pay for your soda, but you can buy a soda card. If I am remembering correctly it is free in the dining rooms.

I don't remember anywhere on any of the chips having to pay for food.

There is also no charge for room service, other than a tip just like DCL.

I don't remember the exact hours of the kids clubs, but they are pretty much the same as other cruise lines.

Hope this helps.

 

[dobelover]

I have been on RCCL twice and Magic/Wonder 7 times. I am sailing on Magic in 12/04 and RCCL, out of Baltimore, 8/05. I prefer DCL but sailing out of my home town is easier and less expensive. Also different ports of call.
Sue

 

[HookedonMagic]

Jayhawks,

In March, there was a $3.95 surcharge for food at Johnny Rockets (plus a charge for shakes and soda.) There is also a charge for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's ($3.00 per scoop), although there is a free self-serve soft serve machine right next door (which was, unfortunately, broken for much of our sailing!) At dinner, iced tea and water are complimentary, there is a charge for all other drinks. You can purchase a soda card.

Also, another poster thought I implied that there was a $20.00 pp charge for dinner. That is NOT the case. The $20.00 pp charge is for Mariner's specialty restaurants only (which are wonderful...perfect service and delicious meals...the apple pie in Chops is the BEST I have ever had!) WE felt the charge was worth the vastly better meals and CHOSE to eat in the specialty restaurants three nights. Just OUR experience.

Also, I thought of another plus for Mariner. The Windjammer Cafe is HUGE and serves a very nice breakfast buffet...Topsiders looks sooooo small and crowded, in comparison.

I hope you ALL enjoy terrific sailings on RCCL!

 

[hopelea]

I think I talked my dh into booking RCCL for October 9, 2005. Now my big question is do I book 2 inside rooms or one balcony room. We are only a family of four. We don't mind being close. It would be nice to have the extra bath, but since I have never been able to afford a balcony with DCL, I think I am leaning that direction!

Hope

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by HookedonMagic
Also, another poster thought I implied that there was a $20.00 pp charge for dinner. That is NOT the case. The $20.00 pp charge is for Mariner's specialty restaurants only (which are wonderful...perfect service and delicious meals...the apple pie in Chops is the BEST I have ever had!) WE felt the charge was worth the vastly better meals and CHOSE to eat in the specialty restaurants three nights. Just OUR experience.

DCL only lets you reserve 1 dinner at Palo on a given cruise. Do the same restrictions apply to the specialty restaurants on RCCL? Any issues doing a "resssie rush" when getting onboard?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[MO64RN]

Hopelea,
We are going on the Mariner next week. We booked 2 inside rooms for very close to what one outside room would have cost us and definitely less than what one DCL Cat 10 room would cost on Disney with a FL res rate. Our kids are a little older now and the Disney Staterooms are a little tight. Not to mention it will be nice to have a little more privacy.

Dh and I had a Verandah on Disney last month. It was great. But with the kids going with us I much rather have the extra space.

 

[hopelea]

I have never had a balcony, always wanted one, couldn't afford on with DCL. Our girls will only be 11 & 9. I just don't know, there are good points for both rooms.

I will probably go with a balcony, maybe!!

 

[HookedonMagic]

smchan,

I asked the same question on cruise critic before sailing Mariner. No one seemed to know what I meant by "ressie rush!" LOL Shortly after boarding, we found our way to Chops and Portifino. We walked in and booked a dinner in each restaurant. Later in the week, when we decided we wanted to enjoy a second meal at Chops, we stopped by and made the third reservation. During our sailing, neither restaurant was particularly busy, but the hostess did tell us it was always a good idea to make reservations early. Also, at that time, there was no limit on the number of reservations you could make.

Along the same line, there didn't seem to be a "ressie rush" at the spa, either. I didn't plan on doing any treatments, so I didn't make any ressies the first day. Later in the cruise I decided to try a facial. When I called the spa I was offered my choice of times for the treatment (just like on Disney, the spa offers port day specials...check your onboard guide.)

Hopelea,

If you decide to go with the inside staterooms, you might want to consider the Promenade staterooms. That category stateroom is only offered on the Voyager-class RCCL ships. They offer a "view" of the ship's promenade so you'll have a "ring-side" seat for the two promenade parades. We had connecting promenade staterooms during our cruise and thought they were quite nice.

 

[hopelea]

I did notice the promenade staterooms. They look great. I could get two for about $100 more than a balcony. I just don't know what to do. I hate booking so far in advance. I just paid off my April 2005 cruise and I am already thinking abou the next one!!
My DH thinks I am losing my mind!!

 

[smchan]

Originally posted by HookedonMagic
I asked the same question on cruise critic before sailing Mariner. No one seemed to know what I meant by "ressie rush!" ...

Thank you HoM, for the help. I'm trying hard to sell my wife on the notion of a RCCL cruise. She's a big time Disney fan, and we've only ever done DCL. She is refusing to budge! Given the prices differences I see, though, it's going to come down to another line, fewer cruises, or nothing at all. Given that I've fallen in love with cruise vacations, I guess my kids and I will go cruising without her if she doesn't bend on this one.

Frankly, I found the night time adult entertainment on DCL to be a bit dull, so I'm especially anxious to try another line that might cater to adults better than DCL.

OTOH, I did enjoy seeing recent movies on DCL; something I don't get to do much of at home. But I'm not sure it's worth the premium, especially since I can't get hot, buttered popcorn on board.

Sam

 

[zeke11]

Hi -

I'm also a big Disney fan and we just returned from the Disney cruise on 9/27.

I am looking for another line now and RCL seems to be a great choice.

Plus you'll save a lot of money over DCL.

Kris

 

[westjones]

I wish there could be a board like this set up for RCCL (afterall, there is a Seaworld & Universal Studios board on DIS).

I would like to look at RCCL once my twins turn 13. I understand they have a seperate program for the 12-14 year olds on RCCL (on Disney the teens are group 13-17--I would prefer less of an age gap).

So if anyone has any influence over the moderators of DIS, could you suggest adding a RCCL board? That would be great!

I would love to hear reports after you guys try RCCL!

DJ

 

[travellady]

westjones - there is a great board with cruise info, that includes many postings about RCCL. It's called www.cruisecritic.com. Not run by the same folks as the disboards but every bit as informative.

Since I have a DCL cruise planned as well as 2 RCCL, I hop between the 2 boards frequently.