RCCLs Mariner of the Seas compared to the Magic

[Cherylbug]

We originally wanted to go on one of the cruises out of California for next summer but we got a quote from RCCL for the Mariner of the Seas for HALF the price for what DCL wanted for their cruise. The prices quoted was for a D2 cabin with a balcony on the Mariner and for a cat 6 cabin with a varanda on the Magic. Of course we decided to go on the Mariner. This will be our first RCCL cruise and we was wondering if anyone had any good/bad experiences with them. How is the Mariner of the Seas compared to the Magic? Is the food and entertainment comparable? There will be 8 of us total with 5 adults, one 16 year old girl, one 11 year old girl and one 9 year old boy. Will everyone be able to enjoy this cruise? We've been on 7 DCL cruises and are really addicted to Disney but the prices they're wanting for their California cruises are unreasonable, in my opinion (no flames please). We got a price quote from them on one afternoon and by the next day at 8am our travel agent called them to book and they had already raised the price by over $2000.00. She told them that was not the price they quoted her at 5pm the previous day and they told her the prices seem to change by the HOUR! So a word of warning, if you're planning on booking for a Cali cruise, do so at the time they give you the price quote bcz if you don't the price may be much higher when you do decide to book.

 

[winnyis]

I sailed on both the Magic and the Navigator of the Seas (sister ship of Mariner) and loved the Navigator. My kids really enjoyed the kids clubs and often begged to go there. (kids were 8 & 5 at the time). The food was on par with the magic. The 2 alternative dining venues were really good - especially Chops Steak House - best steak I have ever had. I got an excellent price on an oceanview cabin and was able to upgrade at the pier to a family oceanview for $50 more. That same cabin would have cost me $1700 more had I originally booked it.

Only thing I didnt like was Labadee...too many rocks -and the natives in the marketplace were very very pushy... grabbing people into their shops etc.... I walked out after just a few minutes. Next time I wont even get off the ship in Labade

While my next 2 cruises are on the Magic.. I would not hesitate to book a voyager class ship again...

Ginny

 

[wink]

We were also hoping to do a Magic cruise, but just booked a 7 day Eastern Carribean on the Mariner for October 2005. It's a long way away, but the price was amazing. For our family of 4, a 7 day cruise with a balcony on Mariner cost us less than the 4 day Wonder cruise (with a balcony also) that we took last year.

We absolutely love Disney, but for the price difference, we can do a 7 day Mariner PLUS a 4 day Wonder for about the same price as a 7 day Magic cruise. Two cruises sound better than one to me

Anyway, while we'll miss the charm of Disney, I'm sure if we go with an open mind we'll have a great time. Hope you do too!

 

[CB4U]

I'm another Disney cruise lover. We just sailed our 2nd 7 day Western 4/24 on the Magic and loved it.

My curiosity got the best of me and I received a price quote aboard RCCL's Mariner sailing from Port Canaveral for the same 7 day Western April '05.

RCCL quoted $4,642.25 for two rooms - verandah room for hubby and me and one room for the three kids across the hall. One room for the 5 of us in their Grand Suite (concierge) would be $5,552.25. That's even less than we just paid for one cat. 4 room this year w/Disney. Next year on Disney (same cruise date, Western) it would be upwards of $8,000. While I feel so guilty about not sailing w/Disney again that is quite a large savings we can put towards college.

 

[wovenwonder]

I have pics and comparissons noted for The Magic and RCCL Navigator on my website [linked in my signature].

 

[Cherylbug]

Hi Wink...We are going with an open mind too so I'm sure all will have a great time. From pictures I've seen of Mariner, she is gorgeous!!

CB4U...Don't feel guilty for choosing another cruise line. We've cruised with DCL 7 times, with the first one in 1999, and we don't. We really wanted to cruise with them next summer but feel they are trying to take advantage of their cruisers by jacking the price way up. You've got to do what's best for you. We have 8 family members going, our cost for the DCL cruise would've been a little over $20,000.00 for 3 catagory 6 veranda cabins, that's not including airfare or airport transfers. The quote for us on RCCL with 2 D2 cabins and 1 D1 cabin was $11,000.00. Since we live in Atlanta we can drive to Port Canaveral so we don't have to fly. To us, that's a lot of money saved. Hopefully the Magic will be home for the summer of 2006 and we will probably sail her again, that's if we don't fall in love with RCCL. I've heard really good things about them. Disney is the only cruise line we've sailed with so it will be hard not comparing them to each other.

 

[dis4me]

Those of you who booked RCL with whom did you book with. Is there anyone out there similar to DU?

 

[winnyis]

When I booked the Navigator I used Neil at crucon.com. He was very good and did give me over $200 off what RCI was quoting at the time.

 

[jordgubben]

Are the things like the rock wall, mini-golf, figure skating, inline skating, etc. all included in the price of the RCCL cruise or is that extra.

I just booked a cruise on the Disney Magic for next april but now I'm wondering if I should have gone with RCCL. The price difference is definitely something to consider and it looks like the Mariner of the Seas is much bigger than the Magic, is that right?

 

[dis4me]

Thanks winnyis I see you are from NJ Did you cruise teacher's convention week. That is the week we are looking for this year.We hae done the Magic the las 2 November but I think we need a change and if the price difference is that much i will be a welcome change

 

[CB4U]

jordgubben,

I spoke w/RCCL directly. Yes, rock climbing wall etc was included. In fact, in the concierge room, they will make all of the reservations for the rock wall, ice shows etc. for us.

 

[winnyis]

Most of the people on the ship were either from NJ or NY. Nice mix of families, couples, etc... My kids had a BLAST. Met another NJ family that lives 1/2 hour away from us and our kids still see each other all the time.

There were enough kids for them to have fun but not so many that you felt overpowered.

I paid $2500 for an oceanview Category H and then was able to upgrade to the Category E - Family Oceanview Suite for $50 more at the pier. Definately cheaper than Disney.

 

[mac_tlc]

We have sailed the Magic three times and also the Voyager-class ships three times (Explorer, Navigator, Mariner) with a trip on the Voyager scheduled for this October out of NJ. I have a fairly detailed comparison on my web site. Anyone interested can e-mail me for the link.

I think the Voyager class ships are tremendous, with much more to do for adults. The price difference can be dramatic at times, as noted in some of the posts above. If you have a definiite need for some pixie dust, Disney style, go to WDW before your Mariner sailing !!!!

mac_tlc

 

[jordgubben]

would love to see that website.

 

[indymom1]

I just emailed you...Thanks

 

[ksmom]

I'd like to see the site too, we're going Explorer since Disney changed

 

[tezb]

After only crusing DCL (3 times) we are going on the Mariner next month! DCL was getting too expensive for family of 5 and my teen boys were actually getting bored and needing more to do...so were us adults. Anyway, will post after our cruise on 6/20/04.

 

[webray]

Wow, you all are doing exactly what we were thinking.

We want to do a family cruise..but, disney, just way too expensive for all of us. We have been looking at RCCL, and we can do a concierge room or a balcony room for way less than what disney is charging. We have cruised disney twice, and hubby and I have two more disney cruises booked...but, we felt..for our 20 somethings..there would be a whole lot more to do on RCCL. And also..some new ports for hubby and I.

Thanks for all the great info..I guess I better get the dates nailed down and get us booked.

 

[dis4me]

tezb Will be interested in hear about your trip when you return. Have a great time.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i havent sailed disney yet..but did RCCL two times..first time was grandeur of the seas...second was majesty..loved them!