twangster

I hope not, totally ruins the boardwalk balcony experience.

I had a 2pm reservation. I left my cabin on the ship at 1:30pm. I was there at 1:50pm. I'm a fast walker though.

My wait was 5 mins coming off Mariner last week. They have a designated area for this near the right end of the curb side area. I was at Terminal G. Exit customs, head towards curb, turn right and go 50 yards. FL cars do not use a front license plate so pay attention to make of car and color. In my case my driver must have been at a pit stop. They appeared to be on Dodge Island where the port is, but they didn't move for a while, then they started moving. I always hate when a driver is sitting in a restaurant or on their sofa at home accepting rides. Not all drivers do this so it varies but there were plenty of cars appearing to be available in the app. Mariner is expected to move to Terminal A in the coming months but I can't imagine the wait times will be any different.

What? Are you nuts? Just kidding ?

That works for people driving to the port, but for Uber/Lyft riders it can become important to use the specific terminal when requesting a ride. I had a driver once who would only take me to the absolute spot the app said to and would not deviate to the actual terminal. Technically he was correct and his pay is based on miles and time so while it was just off a tad bit he was technically correct in taking me to the exact spot I requested. For Uber/Lyft I determine the terminal then enter that in Uber/Lyft such as "terminal G port of Miami " and it usually finds that exact terminal in the app at that point. If you just enter "Port of Miami" in Uber/Lyft you'll likely end up at the admin office building for the port.

https://seaport2.miamidade.gov/dailydock/Default.aspx Entering Nov. 12 for start and end date yields the PDF attached below. On that date, Mariner is currently scheduled to use the new Crown of Miami terminal A. (55-E). Right now that terminal is not open yet so it's not an official terminal. Consequently that terminal isn't officially terminal "A" yet. Once it opens this report should say "A (55-E)" or something to that effect. Manifest_Print 11-12-18.pdf

Both before, but not in loft suites or any suite.

A lot of people are crabby with bartenders. I've been to crowded bars on land where you have to wait and figure out who's up next. It seems some people on ships never use bars or have never experienced this so when it happens on ship they are uppity about it. "I have to wait? But I'm on vacation, unacceptable!" Being friendly with bar staff especially when they are slammed and not always but sometimes throwing in an extra tip is always noticed. With your tip showing with your SeaPass card and innocently asking "Can you make it a double?" can sometimes achieve results. Demanding or expecting it likely won't. A smile and eye contact goes a long way.

Technically, ordering a double is not covered or allowed by the drink package. Drinks such as LIIT will have multiple shots in them. In practice, many bartenders will pour into a shot glass and then add a bit more when pouring the shot glass into your glass. That's not always the case though. Ordering a drink with a single bill as a cash tip will often yield stronger drinks. The drink package includes 18% gratuity so an additional tip is not required, but more often than not a tip yields better bar service. Being generous on day one and using the same bar frequently will sometimes causes the bar staff to remember you if you tip (and that you don't). That can have a lasting effect. Maybe not a full double pour but often stronger drinks. To be honest though, there tends to be plenty of opportunity to consume drinks. Making them double may get you there faster but over the course of the day regular drink availability is generally more than enough to get the job done.

You see @JLMoran ? You are running out of time to become an Oasis believer.

So... the Thermal Spa pass is back! But... You must select a specific time of day and that becomes the time of day, every day, you can visit the spa, for 15 minutes (in theory). If you book this, make sure you are available every day at that time. I called RCI to confirm this. I had such high hopes...

Oh dear, I'm not sure you'll like a loft suite. NOT! You are spoiling yourself. Just be warned it doesn't get much better, even with a Genie. Those cabins are pretty special. I'll be on Oasis twice before then. If there is anything you want pictures of, let me know.

I feel your pain, but carrying around a series of more expensive wines that few drink becomes a business decision. Not all ships to be AMPED are destined for the Bahamas and a Tiki bar won't fit well everywhere. You've always got Oasis. Oh, wait...

For now. I've got airfare booked and it involves a group cruise on a different ship afterwards. That limits my options. I could do Disney but a solo man with a camera doing Disney has creep written all over it ?

Summary I had heard great things about Mariner and they were all true. Having now seen what "AMPED" means I'm looking forward to Navigator and beyond. There is nothing that would prevent me from sailing Mariner again. I might even do the same excursions - scuba dive in Cococay and the 737 jet simulator in Nassau. Next time I'll likely do a B2B or maybe even a B2B2B. Four nights is too short. I imagine the 3 night weekend cruises are probably pretty lively. If I lived locally, Mariner would be dangerous to my bank account. Given a choice of a small ship 3/4 Bahamas cruise or Mariner it would be Mariner every time. For short cruises like this I can see getting the drink package on Mariner. If you haven't sailed or booked Mariner yet the only question is... why not? Thanks for following along and I hope you've enjoyed it. Twangster out.

Day 5 - Miami I woke to find us at the pier in Miami. On this occasion Mariner already did the turn and was pointed East. From my aft balcony I had a great view of the Miami skyline. I went to the Windjammer at 6:30am for a final meal. Self disembark line started off at 6:45am. By 7am I was off the ship and by 7:15am through customs outside at the curb hailing a Lyft ride. At 7:37am I was at the Hertz office downtown renting my car for the drive to Port Canaveral and Enchantment of the Seas.

11pm - 80's party in the Promenade I'll refrain from adding a couple of photos from Playmakers that I can't recall taking or explain how I got them on my phone after this. At some point after midnight I decided I needed to start packing. These short cruises suck. Packing under the influence sucks worse.

Day 4 - Dinner I started with the Asian Style Pork Tacos because I've never had them before. Then I completely forgot to take more pictures.

For domestic I would do a 9:45am flight but keep in mind I have elite status with my airline. That allows me to fly standby and move to the top of the standby list. If I miss a flight because the ship is late or fog or a traffic accident they'll take care of me. You have to be prepared to accept the consequences of missing the flight. If that risk is acceptable is a question only you can answer.

It's a net. I'm not sure what the official criteria is. I was talking with the bar staff and mentioned I was bribed to remove the photo of @CruiseLifeRick. We laughed about it (and Rick in general) and before I knew it a few cocktails later I was having my picture taken.

A 9:45am flight, especially an international flight may be too tight. Technically it's doable if the stars align and every thing goes smoothly. There is no margin for error. As a frequent flier myself I think that may be a little too tight for my liking. In my case I was through customs and at the curb at 7:15am after the cruise. With Miami traffic a flight that early is really asking for something to foul up your day. Does Fast Track apply when departing from Miami after a cruise?

Freestyle drink dispensers were added to Mariner. They can be found within the Windjammer but also on the Promenade. They are coded to work with the drink cups that come with a drink package (Soda, Refreshment or Deluxe). Promenade forward on deck 5 with the Schooner Bar and Izumi just visible one deck down on deck 4. Located at the forward end of the Promenade on deck 5 is the Star Lounge A former smoking room has been converted into a Library.

Barnacle and Barrel Pub Mariner retains it's pub in the old English style found on many Royal Caribbean ships. Check the Cruise Compass for times when live music is available in the pub.

The Bamboo Room New and exclusive to Mariner at this time, The Bamboo Room replaces Vintages, the wine bar. This table features a video display with a beautiful ocean video loop playing. #itstikitime The Bamboo Room by itself just about justifies the drink package since the special bamboo cocktails are $14 plus gratuity. That adds up fast without the drink package. Since the drink package covers drinks up to $12 or $13, an extra buck or two is nothing for those with the deluxe drink package.

Playmakers The new sports bar on Mariner of the Seas is a great place to catch a game or just hang out. The bar participates in Diamond Happy Hour for those who are Diamond or higher in the Crown and Anchor Society. Menu: Pigskin sliders (in the name of research): The bar staff in Playmakers are great and super friendly. I decided to enjoy diamond happy hour here and I always tip cash for these 'free' drinks. After using my three free drinks, magically another appeared before my eyes! Playmakers is a great new addition to Mariner and I am looking forward to experiencing Playmakers on Symphony. The only thing that they need to think about is the live music in the Promenade. The bands who perform in the Promenade set up right outside of Playmakers. When they get rocking they are quite loud inside Playmakers. To compensate, Playmakers cranks up the sports featured on the larger TVs. That combination makes it an assault on your ears and it's nearly impossible to hold a conversation or order a drink without using sign language. Here is a short sample of what I am talking about: You can sort of hear the ball game at times through the music but both are very loud. Other than that, Playmakers is great.