review of Mariner vs. Magic

[ashtravel]

That's what I like to hear! I think any cruise experience can be a positive one if you make the best of it. At the beginning of my cruise on the Mariner, I was worried I would be constantly comparing it to Disney and be really disappointed. But I realized that just being on that big, beautiful ship was such a blessing to my family. We were so greatful that we made it there safely and that we all were there as a family and having a great time. There is a special place in my heart for Disney and I miss all the friends we have made on the Magic but I think it is important to try new things and go out of that "comfort zone". I really want to try Carnival and Celebrity. I want to instill in my children a desire to travel and try new things . My parents did that with me and I feel I owe that to my boys. But for now, I have wonderful memories of the Magic and the Mariner and would take a cruise again tomorrow on either ship....even in an inside cabin!

 

[Chattyaholic]

Thanks, everyone, for the comparisons between Disney and RCI. I'm really enjoying reading everyone's opinions about the ships, as DH and I have done 3 Disney cruises (LOVED them!) but we're now booked on RCI's Mariner of the Seas with two other couples for next January and hearing everyone's opinions is really helpful. I KNOW we're going to have a GREAT time, and I'm so excited about trying another cruise line. Can't wait!!!

 

[tchoney]

I have sailed on the Magic 4 times in the past 3 years and recently had the opportunity to sail on the Mariner Nov. 21-28. I do want to say up front that I am a home-based cruise travel agent.

Things the Mariner does better.

I would really like to talk with you. Could you PM me?

Thanks!
Tina

 

[ashtravel]

You are going to have a wonderful time. My boys still talk about that cruise and want to know when we are going again. My only advice is to bring hand sanitizer with you and make sure your family washes their hands before every meal. The norwalk virus did hit the Mariner recently (as it did the Magic a few years back). With so many people on board, your safest bet to stay healthy is to wash your hands. I carried a bottle of it in my shoulder bag and left it on the table so we could clean our hands after every trip to the buffet line. We didn't have a problem the entire cruise.
Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Cherylbug]

I, too, want to thank everybody for their reviews between the Magic and the Mariner. My family has been on 7 DCL cruises and our first cruise with RCI on the Mariner is in June of this year. We are all very excited!!

 

[sweet angel]

We were booked for November '05 on the Mariner, but I switched to the Navigator because I found out that there was a "Hogs on the High Seas" rally of 1500 people booked on the same cruise. Probably would've been a good time, but I was afraid of problems.

 

[lookingforward]

I will always recommend the Voyager class RCCL ships to those with teens and active pre-teens. My son loved DCL but thought the Voyager had more to offer him. My 5 year old also enjoyed the RCCL kids club a little more because it was not so dark (she if fearful) and they moved about the ship more. Just my families opinions. I plan of doing a disney land vacation (AKL concierge here we come!) and a Mariner cruise for my husband's 50th. Not too sure if that is what he had in mind but I can talk him into anything!