Anders11 Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 I have a a cruise scheduled on Mariner next year because it has an itinerary I like but I’m wondering whether it may be a let down due to its size. I’ve previously cruised on Quantum class so Mariner will be a significant step down. What are people’s views on Mariner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Love Mariner. Just got off 15 days on her. The biggest disappointment, for me, was the entertainment. The shows were a bit lame....but I am not a song-and-dance kind of passenger. The rest is really good, IMO. Neesa, Ampurp85 and KJ777 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Any Voyager/Freedom class ship that has been amped is a great ship. Neesa and asquared17 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan79 Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Mariner is easily on my top 3 favorite ship list! I love it more than Quantum class, no question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 I will be on Mariner in Jan. She was my first Royal ship, and I was in love with her. Then I sailed a bunch of other ships and classes, and she went way down on my list. I am hoping it was just restarting issues, hence the Jan sailing. IMHO I think there will be some disappointment unless you temper your expectations. As @WAAAYTOOO stated the entertainment is sorely lacking. She has been amped and she isn't on the small side but there is an overall lack of entertainment/things to do in comparison with Quantum and Oasis class. Neesa 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anders11 Posted November 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 Thanks for the replies so far. What are the things you like about Mariner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel Posted November 1, 2023 Report Share Posted November 1, 2023 We were on Mariner for the first time in September and loved it. If I was forced to make a complaint about her, I would say the lack of specialty dining option. Chops Grille, Jamie's, and Izumi Hibachi were all great. Chef's Table was the only real other option for specialty dining outside of Johnny Rockets and Playmakers. I don't really consider those two specialty dining as they are very reasonably priced ala carte. Also note that Izumi only takes reservations for Izumi Hibachi and not for Izumi Sushi as there are only 6 chairs at the sushi bar available for Izumi Sushi. The rest of the restaurant is Hibachi. We had no trouble getting a seat the evening we walked in for Izumi Sushi. Would also have preferred to have El Loco Fresh versus Dog House on the pool deck. I hope this doesn't sound like rant because we would have no hesitation booking another cruise on Mariner. WAAAYTOOO and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 We also will be on Mariner next year and it's nice to get thoughts from past cruisers. Depending on the ship (not Mariner), we have had some really nice entertainers in the Schooner Bar and Boleros in the past. Sometimes it is very good, other times we have been disappointed. Since shows might be lacking, I'm hoping these two venues will be good, however I have a question. It appears that Schooner and Boleros are very close to the casino. Does anyone have experience with how smoky these places seem, due to the proximity? ChessE4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 @happy cruisers 2 the smoke is a lot. Often times people will just come to the edge and smoke, never actually playing. The actual smoke might not be too bad but the smell will be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 8 hours ago, happy cruisers 2 said: We also will be on Mariner next year and it's nice to get thoughts from past cruisers. Depending on the ship (not Mariner), we have had some really nice entertainers in the Schooner Bar and Boleros in the past. Sometimes it is very good, other times we have been disappointed. Since shows might be lacking, I'm hoping these two venues will be good, however I have a question. It appears that Schooner and Boleros are very close to the casino. Does anyone have experience with how smoky these places seem, due to the proximity? No smoke in Boleros. We danced a bit, sometimes sitting at Starbucks so music wasn't too loud. Overall, a great experience on Mariner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 It's disappointing that there can't be a better system for keeping the smoke and smell confined to the casino. I can deal with a little bit of the smell, but my wife can't. Would hate to think we can't hang out in venues adjacent to the casino. ChessE4, your experience with Boleros is encouraging though. I'll remain positive and hope for the best. There seem to be enough positive comments about Mariner that I do look forward to the cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjpoe Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 It'd be nice, but probably not, I've seen some heavy strips of plastic that you'd have to walk/wave through. If they install them at each entry way, so that might be a way to keep the smoke in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL8SWPR Posted November 2, 2023 Report Share Posted November 2, 2023 No complaints on Mariner. We were on Mariner in Jan. We did have one of the newer rooms on deck 11 (I think) around the Spa so things were newer. Having a Playmakers was nice. Mariner is a good ship and budget friendly compared to the newest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted November 3, 2023 Report Share Posted November 3, 2023 Mariner. A special place in our hearts for her. First cruise ever for myself and Mrs. Geezer last February. Sailing her again 11/6, not in a grand suite like first time, and certainly will be a bigger crowd than the capacity restricted first cruise. Not the amusement park like the Oasis ships, but as long as there's an adequate supply of gin and tonic, mojitos and the odd glass of bourbon and DiSorrano , we're good. And Mariner's just a few months out of drydock. Should I get the barnacles scraped off my hull? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted November 3, 2023 Report Share Posted November 3, 2023 Very glad to know that there are fans of Mariner out there! We're looking forward to a B2B on her in May and I've read that she's one of the best values in the fleet. Of course the ports are places we've been multiple times, but we always look forward to the cruise experience and ship. Nice to see the positive comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted November 4, 2023 Report Share Posted November 4, 2023 Mariner is a great ship. Good balance of size and things to do (doesn’t feel as busy as an oasis or quantum). It’s amped and refreshed. One of the few with the Tiki bar on the promenade. I chuckle when I read people concerned about having enough to do… this class was the largest in the world two decades ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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