WannaCruise

55 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

We were good once we took the meds

A while back they rolled out fleet wide menus for the MDR. They will all be similar regardless of what ship you sail. Unlike @Matt, I am #teamCK and quickly losing interest with the MDR.

I mentioned in a scope yesterday that Mariner and Indy are practically identical. Given a choice between the two, it really is a toss up. Unless you are a huge fan of Bamboo Room, which Indy does not have.

It is unlikely that you will get front row for HM or SY as those are usually reserved for Star class guests. But for a show like Grease, I actually prefer to sit further back. Kids and Hubby like the front. 

You will find as you spend more time here on these boards that there are quite a few of here from Ontario Canadians need to stick together here. @Matt thinks we all live in igloos

We love our igloo..lol

Sorry to hear that you are not as impressed with the MDR.  And of course, CK is only on Oasis (and I think Quantum) class.

Yes very true....the two are very similar.  Indy does have the kids pool/splash area which seems to help with crowds on sea days (and great for kids).  And Indy has Grease (and I loved Once Upon a Time as well).  But that back area with the Sky Pad and climbing thing, etc is identical.  I agree too that overall the ships are almost identical.  

Its funny though...on Mariner I found my way quickly and knew which way to go.  On Indy for some reason, I always felt lost.  Could be though, because on Indy we had a mid stateroom vs Mariner we were by aft elevators (so just knew go to the elevators and at Windjammer/waterslides/MDR side).

Hope you both enjoy your cruise!  Would love to see photos of those aft rooms when you return.

Loving your review and "re-living" Indy. Amazing photos.  Neat too how you can also compare Mariner and Indy as can relate tot eh comparison. 

Agree with your ice show comments with it being more fun on Mariner, and more skating skills on Indy.  But I loved the different era theme. If your cruise is like ours, they'll replay it again on the next sea day, but also in the day (although I think your cruise is one day longer so could be different).

And totally agree with you about getting seats on Indy. I lined up early but was also able to grab front row.  We have Symphony booked in March, and Harmony in the future too and with all these reserved seating options and crowd size, can imagine front row (and next couple) will be an impossible task.  Neat for you to compare the same show on different ships.

So sorry you and your daughter weren't feeling well..but good that the dramamine kicked in. Hope seas are smooth for you going forward. (Where are you from?  We're from Ontario)

3 hours ago, Sean C. said:

Did you check you Tube yet??? I did see a video a couple of months ago and the family loved the aft cabin on the Mariner. We just had a cabin on the starboard side on deck 6 just above the life boats and we loved it. Also check Jim Zim on you tube as he also talks about aft cabins on cruise ships also.  

Thanks.  Love Jim Zim's videos, and he's quite informative. Will look for it.

2 hours ago, KathyC said:

We're going to be in 7154! I'll try to remember to post pictures when I get back; we're sailing in April.  You an also follow along with me on Periscope @KathLuvsGH). 

Enjoy your cruise. Will add you on periscope.

40 minutes ago, Hoski said:

No engine noise or vibrations.  It was a really good size balcony.  We loved watching the ship leaving ports.

Great to hear.  Thanks.

8 minutes ago, twangster said:

I stayed in 9292 (I think) on Mariner and loved it.   Higher up doesn't have as much infrastructure blocking the aft view.  

I didn't feel vibrations, even when starting from a dead stop.  

Were you aft facing?  9292 looks like more central and it's starboard side.

10 hours ago, Hoski said:

We love aft balconies.  We recently did cabin 7392 on Navigator and loved it.  The views were great.

That looks like a nice wider balcony too.  Thanks for the feedback.  Did you feel the engine vibrations much?

Great review so far.  The CD was quite funny.  Neat you got a picture of the two of them in the candy shop.

Your room looks great...and although not a JS, at least its a step up from oceanview.  Spacious and great views with those windows.

How was the welcome show?  We found it odd that they only had one show first night and it conflicted with dinner time.

Just came across your review.  We were on Mariner in summer and DH and I got off Indy a few weeks ago.  We loved the ship...and perfect for your kids ages.  Looking forward to hearing more.

Ps - we stayed at Holiday Inn Express too.  Decent hotel for the price.

WhiteSoxFan, thanks so much for the photos!  These are great.  I've seen similar ones for the room one before, but the balcony gives me a good idea of size and shape.  Great that they give you both loungers and regular chairs (and I see what people mean when they say you can bump your head). Looks like you can see off to the side just slightly?

LS54S, thanks for posting. See what you mean by infrastructure.  I think the one we have booked goes right to the end of the side (i.e. no front area blocking where the Royal logo is) but is an odd shape balcony with angles from ontop.

LS54S, thank you so much for the pictures.  Is the one right above from deck 7 room 7688?  That certainly lessons the aft view.  Brilliance and Serenade view looks amazing....so peaceful. 

I think our view from 1688 does have infrastructure that is mentioned above (but not seeing the front of the ship like above) but we don't often get balconies so just seeing water for us is nice.  Since on these 4 day cruises,  Mariner is mostly staying still (moved at night) , we won't see the lovely wake and would prefer a side view of port.  However, we moved from a standard spacious balcony to this one for the extra space inside the room, which will work well for 2 adults and 2 kids.  Hoping it isn't too hot on the balcony (in August....prob will)

3 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I have not had the pleasure of an aft balcony yet, but...if I had one sailing out of Miami, I would not give that up even if there was some infrastructure in the way. The view out the aft while sailing out of Miami would be gorgeous! And like @FlowBro Ty said, the higher you go, the less obstructions. 

One thing to note is that some have reported on other forums that there is soot on aft balconies sometimes. Would that stop me? Probably not. I think the pros far outweigh the cons.

Thanks.  By the time we sail Mariner (summer 2020), its out of Port Canaveral.  But guess either way, we'd get a pretty sail away from our stateroom.

Good to know the higher the better. We typically go more central top to bottom, but will be nice being closer to pools, waterslides, etc (well, once we walk all the way down the hallway to the stairs....lol)

Thanks...would love to hear comments.  I'm guessing some love them, and some hate em. 

Deck 10 - one of those aft corner ones.

Anyone been in an aft facing balcony?  We just switched to one on Mariner as the room looks quite large.  My main concern is if the view is limited since you can only see behind you (and you are staying still more to handle moving on the short cruises).  Also , the walk is longer.

For those that have stayed in aft facing, do you like it?  Or prefer port/starboard balcony?

3 hours ago, whitsmom said:

I would rather have 2 bathrooms than the extra points. 

Thanks...we'll most likely keep the 2 rooms (which means 2 bathrooms) unless there is a big drop in the JS.

I actually think our kids will get a kick out of having their own room, and other times we've all been in the same stateroom.

38 minutes ago, melski94 said:

Navigator Standard JS on deck 9 297 sq ft with 64 sq ft balcony (j3/j4)

Navigator deck 11 JS  J3 (guessing 1154 and 1106 due to balcony size) 235 sq ft and 537 sq ft balcony

Navigator deck 11 J3 (guessing 1156 and 1108) JS 267 sq ft and 412 sq ft balcony 

I find it surprising as they look larger on the deck plans but deck 11 staterooms are actually smaller but the balconies more than make up for it.

Just an FYI, the balcony staterooms on deck 11 are also listed as smaller rooms with larger balconies. 

 

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info.  So the Navigator rooms on Deck 11 are smaller than standard JS (but with huge balcony).  Good to note as the room space is probably most important to us (of course the super huge balcony would be great too). They also seem an odd shape so wonder how the layout works inside?

On 12/19/2018 at 10:27 AM, Matt said:

The current 30% off offer runs through Dec 26, 2018.

That isn't to say that it wont be extended, or that the next offer will also offer 30% off. But officially it ends on Dec 26.

I like how the Royal site says the current sale ends in "5 hrs" (which makes it Dec 24).  But of course, you know tomorrow's numbers will be just like todays starting the countdown again until the next "sale".

5 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Awesome!

Just a note that Deck 11 on Mariner and Navigator are not the same.  The new JS on Mariner (1100, 1102, 1104, and 1106) are along the Starboard side and they do not have the large balconies like Navigator will.  The new JS on Navigator are right along the very front (kind of like the panoramic suites) and they have the larger balconies.

Ah yes thanks for clarifying.  Not sure how accurate the deck plan drawings are, but on Navigator, they are on the "corner " circle part (if that even makes sense...lol) and so by the shape, the room and balcony looks bigger.  On the Mariner, it looks like the standard rectangle room and balcony.

On 12/22/2018 at 10:13 AM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes, 1154, 1156, 1106, 1108.  We had 1102 on Mariner and although it was not the exact same setup, it was still very forward.  Same thing, 4 day cruise.  Motion was not noticeable at all.  We all loved the location on Deck 11.  Kids love being so close to the pool, soft serve ice cream and WJ.  And we were literally steps from the Solarium.

On Mariner, the new rooms are 1100, 1102 (one you mention), 1104 and 1106 right?  These seems to be the only rooms at this part of the ship so guessing these are pretty quiet.  (We have this ship booked too, but one balcony)

8 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

Yeah...we will make Platinum on our next cruise and I keep telling myself jumping to emerald IS NOT a good reason to book a gazillion cruises in the next year!   Diamond is a very very very long way away!  Jane

Lol...I hear you  (but still like the idea of booking a gazillion cruises for other reasons )

34 minutes ago, KathyC said:

There is barely any difference between Emerald & Platinum...so unless you are in a hurry to get to Diamond there is no rush to get to Emerald.  A couple of bottles of welcome waters is about it.  LOL 

True, thanks.  Diamond seems to be the only real benefit (except for bit more savings on balconies with each level) but we're obviously a long way from that.

I'm sure we'll keep our 2 promenades...unless the JS drops a good amount.

Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes, 1154, 1156, 1106, 1108.  We had 1102 on Mariner and although it was not the exact same setup, it was still very forward.  Same thing, 4 day cruise.  Motion was not noticeable at all.  We all loved the location on Deck 11.  Kids love being so close to the pool, soft serve ice cream and WJ.  And we were literally steps from the Solarium.

Great...thanks so much.  We'll definitely watch prices and those staterooms.  Only one is taken at this time.  We prefer being aft (so near the waterslides , Windjammer and dining room)....but then again if on deck 11, then you are horizontally close and can avoid those nasty elevators (or stairs that our kids complain of...lol)  Great to hear you also found movement a non-issue on a 4 day cruise with stops close.

1 minute ago, melski94 said:

I would prefer the 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms over 1 JS especially for that price.  I think $200 a night extra is quite excessive considering you don't get much besides double points.  Take what I say with a grain of salt as I hate sharing a room with my kids and rarely do it except for the pre  cruise hotel.  

We always get 2 rooms and are starting to get 3 rooms for our family of 6.  Our preference is 2 connecting JS but that configuration isn't available on all ships so we are going to 3 rooms as it isn't much more than the cost of 2.

Looking at booking Navigator in July!  Debating on if waiting until just after final payment as I'm already late to get a decent deal.

   

Yeah...2 bathrooms and extra space is nice (esp as our kids would get their own bed). Having said that, my younger one still needs help with the shower and drying her hair, so it's not like we can just say 'go shower' or 'brush your teeth' and saves much time (but our older one is 100% independent).

Yeah...2 JS would be great...but even one raises our budget a lot (we've been cruising more, so it lowers budget overall across them...esp with flight costs)

One thing I should mention though...we have 5 Royal bookings at the moment. When those are done, we will move up to Emerald.  If we move the Navigator to a JS, then with the double points, we would move up after the next 4 bookings.  But guess overall, it doesn't make much of a difference.

Good luck...I hope prices drop for you so you can book for a good deal!

PS - Unless you can successfully get a bid from royal-up for a small amount, then I don't see much point.  You don't get double points (if moving from lower-suite to suite class) and you don't get to select your room number.

16 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

@WannaCruise, I thought of one more reason that you might use to justify the upgrade...if you can grab one of the new JS cabins up on Deck 11, those balconies are huge!  More than double the size of a regular balcony.  That alone might be worth the upgrade.  And those cabins are newer so the furnishings and decor will be updated for sure.

Thanks for the mention!  I assume you mean the 4 corner-ish rooms at the front?  Some are available. Normally I would avoid forward, but with these 4 day cruises you are barely moving so probably not as big of a deal  i.e. since stops are close

Still a lot of difference so we'll probably see if it comes down at all (but avoid switching over our current booking to non-refundable so we have the option to swap)