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The newly amped up Mariner of the Seas® is packed with more ways to play on the most maxed-out short getaway ever. Launch yourself into a virtual world on a new bungee trampoline experience – Sky Pad®. Hang ten on the newly added FlowRider® surf simulator or race down The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides. Bond over family-style Tuscan eats at Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, or kick off date night at The Bamboo Room. Ditch the road trip for an action-packed cruise ship, with quick cruises sailing from Orlando.
My family began sailing 22 years ago on Carnival and watched as it steadily declined into a floating horror show. After 5 sailings with them I stopped and hadn't sailed in 8 years. So when I booked this cruise I was very nervous about comments made on this site that Royal is "going the way of Carnival". I had braced myself for a terrible eperience. So I am relieved to report that, as someone who had never sailed on Royal, whatever perceived decline it has gone through in the eyes of long time Royal customers, it is still miles ahead of Carnival in the eyes of someone who had only sailed Carnival previously. The Terminal/Boarding: The Royal terminal in Galveston is in great condition; it is almost impossible to describe how easy and fast this was. I will say that the Galveston staff are not overly friendly in my experience, but by no means discourteous or rude. But a few more smiles "hellos" and "great to see you"s would not have gone unnoticed. The Ship: Mariner of the Seas is in fantastic condition. I was actually a bit surprised by how well maintained the ship is given its age. Our balcony cabin has dated decor and the balcony itself is showing some signs of age, but not anything approaching unacceptable; the bathroom was in good condition and I was pleased to find proper shower doors and not a curtain. The crew is friendly and attentive. For my husband and I, the size was perfect for us and we found the ship easy to learn and navigate. The Entertainment: I was frankly shocked at how well produced these shows are for a cruise line, especially the ice skating production. The talent itself in the main theater is probably no more than "better than average" as far as cruise theaters go, but the quality of the production itself was really quite good. The food: Overall very good, but this is where I have docked a star. For our first morning we decided to order a free continental breakfast to our room so we could enjoy the balcony. I ordered it for quite early, 630am, to try and insure freshness. This was a failure. The food arrived promptly, but the toast, bagle, and english muffin were simply inedible. We also requested butter, jam, and honey. We received one pat of butter, one small "take away" style container of jam and one of honey. It was extremely disappointing, not that any amount of butter or jam could have saved the bread. We were also very underwhelmed by lunch in the MDR which we only did once. To be very honest, I would have preferred a fresh McDonalds premium chicken sandwich to the one I was served there. Having said that, the Windjammer buffet was always well stocked, the staff friendly and very attentive, the area always clean, and the food ranged from a solid "good" to "quite good" especially the deserts. Dinners in MDR were always great and the service was very good also. Cafe Promenade was also delightful. Well staffed and always clean. The pizza was good and always fresh and so were the pastry/baked selections (also complimentary). We had dinner at Chops on night 3 and we were extremely happy with the quality of service and food. Frankly one of the finest meals we had had in a long time and well worth the money. Destinations: We opted to not do an excursion in Costa Maya and isntead try to enjoy the terminal and some time on board. The terminal is clean and we always felt safe, but at the end of the day it is basically a tourist trap and a purpose built for cruisers. We bought our customary fridge magnet and headed back to the ship to enjoy the hot tub and pool while the on board crowds were thin. In Cozumel, chose to buy day passes to a resort a short taxi ride up the coast. We purchased this directly through the resort and not the through Royal. Allegro Resort was fantastic and we highly recommend it as an "off menu" alternative to typical excursions, especially if you are looking for something that includes a private beach, food, and alcohol. I believe we paid about $60 each. Overall, I am extremely happy to give this experience 4/5 stars. We have already discussed planning future cruises with Royal.
First time cruiser, doubter at first, but because of our experience with Royal on the Mariner we are hooked! Wonderful staff, specifically our servers in the dining area Dani & Ariani, Rowena our attendant, and head waiter Anant. They made our first trip unforgettable. Our group definitely misses them:) Wonderful service from the entire ship staff. Our few little issues were fixed without problems. Enjoyed the Chef’s Dinner, all of the Indian cuisine, and Windjammer options. Sure there were some items to skip like biscuits & gravy, but the fresh pineapple and corn beef hash made up for it. The attendants offered coffee which was always appreciated. Easy to board and exit. Good entertainment with the ice show specifically. Musicians and singers were top tier. We had interior room, no window, and thought it was just fine for a first time, but we’ll get a balcony for sure next time. The excursions were well handled and made easy to find where we wanted to go.
Advice for first time Cruisers (like me). I am currently on Mariner, we go into Cozumel in a couple hours. Since this was our first time and I'm learning as I go, I thought I'd share some of the things I wish I had known before the cruise: Our Stateroom is in the Aft just a couple rooms from the back of the ship. The walk to the elevators with a bum left knee and my husband having severe RA and set for a hip replacement after we get back home was torturous. We ended up renting an e scooter to ensure we wouldn't be totally crippled before going home. Anyone with mobility issues needs to stay in the mid ship area, those rooms are closest to the elevators. The public restrooms aboard the ship do not have grab bars and the toilets are all low to the ground, making it next to impossible for people with mobility issues. Once you get in your Stateroom ask your room attendant for an extra mattress topper because the beds are hard; almost like laying on a board. Your room attendant will be your best friend for a few days, the RC staff are all exceptional and makes your cruise fun and comfortable so don't be afraid to ask. They are glad to accommodate. I got the extra mattress cover, a fan, extra towels etc. I will be leaving our attendant an additional $100 even though we prepaid everything, I believe in praising those who go out of their way for us. I leave him a daily $20, a thank you note and a little token from the Choctaw Nation every day because he has treated us like Royalty , most staff do as well. Don't overpack. I brought 2 suitcases full of clothes and do not have time to wear them all. Even though there's no bottled water in your Stateroom, you can go to any of the bars and request a bottle of water. That's all I drink so I was happy to snag a bottle every time we got out and bring it back to the Stateroom Bring your own toiletries, RC provides an all in one bodywash/shampoo and conditioner. It doesn't lather good but it smells great! Bring a Bath Mat for the shower. The floors are quite slippery and the shower is tubular and very small. It gets the job done but it doesn't encourage long, hot showers I found the water pressure to be a challenge especially when washing a thick head of hair, Its difficult to get the shampoo out because of water pressure. The bathroom is very small but manageable if you utilize the shelves to the left of sink, plenty of place to organize and store toiletries. The room, while small does offer some great storage spaces so I suggest you empty your suitcases as soon as they arrive to your Stateroom and store the empty suitcases either under the bed or in the closet. Speaking on closets, that's where your life jacket is located in case you need to use one. Lastly, don't have high expectations of the food on this ship Its mediocre at best, being a native Texan and also a cook I can tell you it lacks spices, pretty bland actually. We went to the Buffet once, it was packed with people and very noisy. We won't be going back there. The dining rooms are the place to be, the waitstaff are fabulous and ensure you get exactly what you want and will return things you do not want. I can say the bread is delicious and kuddos to the pastry chef. Dessert and Bread are first class and elegant in presentation and make up for the lack of spices and taste. If you want a nice, quiet experience always choose the Dining Room. The cruise has much to offer with activities and just overall beauty. Don't be afraid to explore and make new friends, we all have much in common as we sail through the Gulf of Mexico, it's one of the best ways to travel stress freestress free! Don't forget the Duck Hunt! I hid about 20 ducks and most have been found. Just another fun thing to do that engages your shipmates with each other! Don't miss the sailaway, it truly sets the tone for the entire cruise! Get up and dance, sing and participate. Engage your fellow shipmates even if it's a simple smile, nod of the head or quick hello. You never know if strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. Lastly ..enjoy yourself!
I am Diamond status on RC. I have also cruised on many other cruise lines including luxury lines. I absolutely loved this ship! I was amazed how clean it was and how well kept. The carpets were in perfect condition as well as the furniture. The staff was extremely accommodating and very friendly. The entertainment was wonderful. I thought the RC dancers and orchestra did a fabulous job. I also enjoyed attending the game shows, bingo and the piano bar. The embarkation and disembarkation were both smooth and seamless. We had the drink package and really enjoyed the wine, champagne and mixed drinks. We ate at Chop's and The Italian Restaurant for dinner- both were good. The main dining room was wonderful for dinner too. The Windjammer Buffet was delicious for breakfast and for lunch. I was very pleased with the variety and quality of the food. I found the bed very comfortable. I didn't care for the pillow, but my cabin steward delivered a nice feather pillow to my room upon my request.
Redefining the cruising experience one room at a time. Our staterooms are an alluring escape from the non-stop action that our cruise ships are known for. From our spectacular views to our deluxe amenities, a stay with us is like nothing else at sea.
You’ll find endless ways to please your palate onboard. Savour a taste of Italy in Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. Say 'Konnichiwa' to fresh sushi and sashimi at Izumi. And sweeten up your getaway with creamy milkshakes and a side of classic Americana at Johnny Rockets®. Or go big for brunch with a behind-the-scenes galley tour at the Bottomless Galley Brunch.
Enrichment programs, or ‘Explorer Academy’ classes cover a wide range of topics, from wine tasting to casino tuition.
Get ready, because the newly amped Mariner of the Seas® is packed with unexpected ways to spend your time onboard – and the name of the game is tech on every deck. From a bungee trampoline experience where you strap on a VR headset and choose from a new world to explore, to glow-in-the-dark laser tag where you battle for control of the last planet for lightyears around to a planetary Royal Escape Room challenge.
The ship features a fantastic array of health and fitness facilities including a spa, fitness centre, rock climbing wall and much more.
Royal Caribbean International's cruise ships offer a wide range of options for the whole family, as well as a great range of just-for-kids options.
