Firstrcelyse

9 minutes ago, twangster said:

It depends.  Is that a 3 night sailing?  Is it an 8 night sailing?  Is a holiday involved?

It could be a great deal or it could be not a great deal.  

A lot of what Mariner does is short sailings that do see higher prices for the drink package.  However Mariner does have a handful of longer sailings as well.   Don't compare that to what others are paying for a 7 night cruise if it is a 3 night cruise.  Royal doesn't work that way.  

One thing... I believe it when it says it will be $89 on board if it is a short sailing.  So if $62 plus 18% gratuity is a price you are willing to pay and find value at that price, book it and watch for price drops.  

FYI - The "standard" pre-cruise discount is 25% from on board rates.  

We're going on a 5 night voyage, and embarkment day is on New Year's Day. Does the ship do special things for holidays?

Hi everyone, 

Is this a decent price for the deluxe beverage package? I know that I can cancel and rebuy if the price drops, but I don't feel any need to rush and purchase unless the initial price is pretty decent. 

1 hour ago, Falling_Down said:

If you're sailing out of Port Canaveral (or just missing lobster night from all the cancelled cruises like I do) there's an AYCE lobster place about 50 minutes away in Orlando. It's like pre-gaming (or post-gaming if your stomach can handle it) for the real deal on the boat 

And what's the name of this magical place

Hi everyone, 

Are there any adult-only beach pass, all inclusive options on Cozumel? 

13 minutes ago, twangster said:

Where do you live?

In North America:

Prior to final payment you can have you price adjusted unless it was the taxes and port fees that dropped in price.  

Once final payment has been made you may be able to get a price adjustment in the form of an OBC or On Board Credit through the Best Price Guarantee program.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/best-price-guarantee-policy

This program can be dependent where you live as individual countries have different consumer protection laws.

Also note that depending on your category of cabin it may not have dropped in price.  Sometimes they may offer a guarantee cabin within your cabin type.  For example if you are booked in a 4D balcony and they begin to offer a balcony guarantee fare that may not qualify and switching categories isn't always the best choice or possible.    

I would also suggest you call your travel agent as the price adjustment may only be available if the cheaper rate is still present when they call Royal Caribbean.  If they take several days to act on your request the price adjustment may not be available anymore.

I sent her a message last night. I'm working with MEI and Kathy's been very helpful! 

Hi everyone, 

As per some of the advice in this group, I've been monitoring the price of my cruise like a hawk. I noticed that the price dropped on my trip so I took some screenshots and sent them to my travel agent. Is that the right thing to do? What happens when you do actually find a cheaper price? Is there financial reimbursement or OBC from RC? 

6 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

Highly recommend that you don't use the ala carte restaurant in place of a specialty restaurant.  Just go and pay ala carte.  But if you want to do Izumi Hibachi as one of your specialty restaurants you can, but they will charge you $10 at the restaurant.

Thanks! I think that we're going to do chops and Jamie's and then potentially by a lunch pass for izumis. Although player makers looks like it's actually really good as well, so we might try to squeak that in too!! 

2 hours ago, barjpoe said:

remember that $35 is per person, even if you order the most expensive items on the menu to eat. you'd be just about breaking even. That's a lot of Sushi

So since I bought the chops plus one package, is the $35 in addition to two specialty restaurants, or is it chops plus a $35 credit if we choose an a la carte restaurant as the second?

15 minutes ago, Jill said:

Yes wait for a sale. You can book now and cancel and rebook if it goes lower. 
 

I would possibly consider doing the 3 night dining as that’ll get you all 3: Chops, Jaime’s and Izumi. If you stick with. Chops + 1, I’d probably go with Izumi over Jaime’s. 
 

Coco beach club: honestly I don’t think you’ll see it lower than $106. I had it for $90 on a now cancelled cruise and $66 for our first cancelled cruise May 2020. I now have it for $106 but our travel friends laid an egg and missed that sale. It went up to $160. Next “sale” it didn’t even drop. Stayed at $160. 

Thank you! That's super helpful. I'll probably move forward with a dining package, but wait on the beverage and Beach Club package. I don't think either of those can get higher, but I'll probably only wait a couple weeks though on the beach club. 

Hi everyone, 

Can somebody explain to me the sushi / hibachi situation? Everywhere I've read izumi is not included, but this is looking like it could be in some way? Is the 35 dollars instead of the second restaurant? Or is it an additional perk?

8 minutes ago, SmoothJ24 said:

My advice is to keep on looking, and wait for deals. That XX% off is non-sense and doesn't mean much.

Even the Chops +1? That's the only one I was considering locking in. Also, I wasn't sure how exclusive the Coco Cay Beach club is. Those prices are horrible, but we also really would like to go there. 

Hey everyone,

We're sailing on January 1, 2022 on the Mariner. These are the items were considering purchasing for our 5 night trip. None of these prices look particularly good to me, but I'm new at this. I would appreciate any input or feedback! Thank you!

I have a bunch of random dining questions so I'm just going to throw them all in here:

1. Is it actually worth it to buy a dining plan for a five night cruise?

2. Thinking about purchasing the chops plus one option. Has anyone ever done this and enjoyed it?

3. Does the $35 come with the chops plus one plan? Does it still not apply to izumi? Would it work for lobster in the main dining room? The reason I'm asking is because there's such limited dining on our ship, there aren't too many a la carte options that I'm aware of... I'm sure there are many lol

4. We're thinking about purchasing a beach club pass. How's the food at the beach club? I heard it's worth the purchase just for that! 

5. With the dining plan, I know you have to schedule your first choice either the first or second night. What night would you guys recommend skipping the MDR? Right now, my plan is to eat in the main dining room on the first night, and the two port days, specialty dining during sea days. Is there any specific days you would also recommend going to the MDR?

Would anyone recommend Sanford or Orlando International? 

Also any specific hotels with airport and ship port shuttle services? It would be nice to find an all-in-one! 

Hi everyone, 

Does anyone have any dining recommendations on a five night voyage? I believe that in addition to the staples, WJ, and MDR the Mariner offers Chops, Izumi, Jamie's, Playmakers, Bamboo Room and Doghouse. 

Where should we eat when?

Any places you would avoid or prioritize?

Is it best to eat breakfast and lunch in the wing jammer?

Trying to figure out dining packages still...

Open to any tips, too! 

8 hours ago, melmar02 said:

We've never done an excursion through the ship. We usually go on our own to Paradise Beach or we go with an independent dive operator if we don't have the kids. 

Are you looking for a beach day, something adventurous, shopping? 

Should have been more specific, has anyone used any excursion companies that they really like? Or does everyone stick with Royal Caribbean excursions?

We'll be on the Mariner headed to Cozumel in January, what excursions do you recommend? 

Hi everyone!

My partner and I are going on a 5 night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day trip this coming winter on the Mariner. I've only cruised once, 15 years ago on RC! He, on the other hand, has never been on a cruise!

We would like any advice that anyone can provide in regard to cruise start with flying in, to how to make the best of your last day while coming into port and everything in between. Thank you!