happy cruisers 2 Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 Will soon be on Mariner for the first time. Boarding probably around 11 or 11:30. Do you guys have any recommendations for where you like to head immediately to sit, get something light to eat, have a drink or two on Mariner? (Thinking something away from the hubbub of the WJ and the masses.) We like to sit and relax a while before the cabins open up. We're diamond and will have an owner's suite, if that opens up any additional possibilities for a place to do as I mentioned in that first hour or two aboard. Thanks for any suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 I usually spring for the extra cost and get some food at Playmakers. There aren't any complimentary options that really are away from the masses on that ship class unfortunately. Ampurp85, dr martini, TXCoastPatriot and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted March 30 Author Report Share Posted March 30 11 hours ago, AshleyDillo said: I usually spring for the extra cost and get some food at Playmakers. Thanks, AshleyDillo. I was thinking this might be one option. PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Of The Seas Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 Last trip on Mariner (11/23) , the minute we completed the muster drill routine, we entered the ship and fixed my gaze on the Schooner Bar, which was not busy. Since we tend to check in around 1230, it wasn't long after we finished our drinks and the cabins were open for occupancy. Went to our cabin, dumped the carry on and backpack, attacked the cheese platter we ordered; that held us until dinner at the MDR. Baked Alaska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 You can always consider pre-purchasing lunch at a specialty restaurant. This is what we do. Yes, it's additional $$ but it is so worth it for a calm, enjoyable boarding day reward. Prices have gone up but lunch is still one of the few bargains left on Royal Caribbean. Ryan79, Momof4crazytocruise, foxrunner and 5 others 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjpoe Posted March 30 Report Share Posted March 30 5 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: You can always consider pre-purchasing lunch at a specialty restaurant. This is what we do. Yes, it's additional $$ but it is so worth it for a calm, enjoyable boarding day reward. Prices have gone up but lunch is still one of the few bargains left on Royal Caribbean. I've heard that its National Lunch Day on the Saturday before Mom's day (5/11) so Royal may run a special pricing that day. foxrunner, WAAAYTOOO, ChessE4 and 1 other 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted March 31 Author Report Share Posted March 31 11 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said: You can always consider pre-purchasing lunch at a specialty restaurant. Had thought about that, but we probably wouldn't want that amount of food while waiting for cabins to become available. Will keep it in mind though. Thanks! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Started doing specialty lunch on embarkation day a few years ago and will never do it differently again. Worth it for the quiet, no chaos experience. It's just the best. TXCoastPatriot and Bmac 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 This past Jan when we were on Mariner, we went to Playmakers. The lunch wasn't too heavy, although I prefer a heavier embarkation lunch since I don't eat until after 8pm. It wasn't too crowded, and it was very relaxing. RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotarni Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 Last year, Mariner was "testing" an embarkation lunch in the MDR... we tried it and it was very good, and more importantly, it was quiet and not crowded. We're going on in a couple weeks, not sure they're doing that anymore, and/if it's still the same quiet/uncrowded experience. RCIfan1912 and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 12 minutes ago, Snotarni said: Last year, Mariner was "testing" an embarkation lunch in the MDR... we tried it and it was very good, and more importantly, it was quiet and not crowded. We're going on in a couple weeks, not sure they're doing that anymore, and/if it's still the same quiet/uncrowded experience. Agree. We tried it too and it was surprisingly good. RCIfan1912 and Snotarni 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: Agree. We tried it too and it was surprisingly good. Oh I like that idea, wish that stuck and expanded to other ships. Snotarni and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampurp85 Posted April 1 Report Share Posted April 1 6 hours ago, Snotarni said: Last year, Mariner was "testing" an embarkation lunch in the MDR... we tried it and it was very good, and more importantly, it was quiet and not crowded. We're going on in a couple weeks, not sure they're doing that anymore, and/if it's still the same quiet/uncrowded experience. They didn't offer it on any recent sailings, I asked about it in Jan and everyone (crew members) was unsure if it would be back. PPPJJ-GCVAB, Snotarni and RCIfan1912 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billdauterive Posted April 2 Report Share Posted April 2 On 3/30/2024 at 9:45 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: You can always consider pre-purchasing lunch at a specialty restaurant. This is what we do. Yes, it's additional $$ but it is so worth it for a calm, enjoyable boarding day reward. Prices have gone up but lunch is still one of the few bargains left on Royal Caribbean. This is my go to move as well. RCIfan1912 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruisers 2 Posted April 17 Author Report Share Posted April 17 On 3/30/2024 at 9:45 AM, WAAAYTOOO said: You can always consider pre-purchasing lunch at a specialty restaurant. This is what we do. Yes, it's additional $$ but it is so worth it for a calm, enjoyable boarding day reward. WAAAYTOOO, you guys (and others) have convinced us that this should be our plan. We'll be on Mariner, so chose to book Jamie's. Thanks for your help! RCIfan1912, PPPJJ-GCVAB and WAAAYTOOO 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCIfan1912 Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 7 hours ago, happy cruisers 2 said: WAAAYTOOO, you guys (and others) have convinced us that this should be our plan. We'll be on Mariner, so chose to book Jamie's. Thanks for your help! We had Jamie's on Anthem a few months ago for lunch on embarkation day and it was excellent. So relaxing, nice and quiet. There were people that came up to the hostess to eat there but were turned away, reservations only. It was busy but still relaxing and delicious. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmac Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 Specialty dining on embarkation day is definitely the way to go. The wife and I have been doing this for the last few cruises, it makes everything much calmer and you're away from the chaos. Also by the time you finish lunch the ship has had a chance to calm down. So much more relaxing. RCIfan1912 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 The windjammer isn't chaotic unless you are in line right when it opens. OCSC Mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 18 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: The windjammer isn't chaotic unless you are in line right when it opens. Every time I post something about how the WJ isn’t busy or chaotic when it first opens I get crickets so I basically gave up. It takes a while for people to board, explore, find their way around, take care of issues, etc. I love being one of the first people there. PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 Just now, OCSC Mike said: Every time I post something about how the WJ isn’t busy or chaotic when it first opens I get crickets so I basically gave up. It takes a while for people to board, explore, find their way around, take care of issues, etc. I love being one of the first people there. We always go in about 10 minutes after it opens. No lines, plenty of window seats available. OCSC Mike and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 1 minute ago, smokeybandit said: We always go in about 10 minutes after it opens. No lines, plenty of window seats available. Yep, yep, and yep. PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted April 20 Report Share Posted April 20 51 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: We always go in about 10 minutes after it opens. No lines, plenty of window seats available. Same...sometimes I board before it's even open and there's never a rush when they open the doors. PPPJJ-GCVAB and OCSC Mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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