Jump to content

Enchantment vs Mariner --- Pros and Cons


Recommended Posts

I've been on both, albeit the Mariner was many years ago.  We were on the Enchantment last spring and I believe the it was in dry dock in December and it needed a bit of sprucing up but I'm sure it looks great now.   I like the Enchantment a lot but personally I'd pick the Mariner as it will have more amenities and things to do (much bigger ship).   A discriminator would be the cost of transportation to to and from the port.    For instance  if you can drive to the Enchantment but have to fly to the Mariner, that might swing things to the Enchantment.  But you really can't go wrong with either.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Marnier is newer and depending on when you are looking at going, she is going through a lot of upgrades. There is lots of info and threads on here about all the new things she will have.

 

So if your comparing it mostly on which ship has more to offer its Marnier(as you have already stated price/itinerary is pretty much the same)

 

That being said, Enchantment is one of my fav ships and been on her many times. But Marnier will have a lot more to do and see hands down!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

51 minutes ago, mbk999 said:

Orlando equates to Port Canaveral (45 miles from MCO).   However Orlando gives you more stuff to tack on pre-cruise....   

I can't speak for Cleveland but it's cheaper for me to get to Orlando or Fort Lauderdale than Miami.   

Same is true flying out of Baltimore on Southwest...... Since BWI is a hub, there are many more flights to MCO than anywhere else in Florida.  I call it the "Disney Effect"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, coneyraven said:

Same is true flying out of Baltimore on Southwest...... Since BWI is a hub, there are many more flights to MCO than anywhere else in Florida.  I call it the "Disney Effect"

Yep, I have done BWI to MCO many times.    And BWI to FLL works well too.   I've just about given up on United out of Dulles, mainly due to cost

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We've been on Enchantment several times, and was on Mariner a long time ago....I believe 2007...   I'm kinda excited to try Mariner again on a short 4 night in the near future but in my opinion either will serve the purpose just fine.   We were on Enchantment last August and the exterior of the ship was looking pretty run down, needed new paint bad but they've since fixed all that and it looks great now.  

For a 3-4 night itinerary I almost think Mariner would be overwhelming although interesting if someone wasn't used to a ship of that size on a short cruise.  But, it is marketing genius on RCs part.....folks would want to get another taste of a larger ship and its array of amenities again and likely on a longer itinerary if it was their first time.

As for the flights, we live near Cincinnati so its usually significantly cheaper if leaving out of Miami to fly to FLL and catch a shuttle to the port in Miami.   Seems either Frontier or Allegiant or a combination of the two can get us a quite inexpensive non stop ticket.   As for the ride to the port of miami.... have used a small company called SAS Transportation quite a few times and have found their prices and service to be great but I'm sure theres many others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

22 minutes ago, twangster said:

Not to throw a wrench in the machinery but I've noticed Oasis class has 3 and 4 night itineraries in 2019 :3_grin:

Just got off Oasis in October, and going on Harmony this June.  We love the mega-ships. The only reason we’re taking this one is that the casino comp’ed us a room for a 4-nighter.   The ultimate is going to see the Oasis-class do the southern route. ??????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, twangster said:

Not to throw a wrench in the machinery but I've noticed Oasis class has 3 and 4 night itineraries in 2019 :3_grin:

Considering doing Disney resorts a few days before and then a 4-nt on one of the Oasis Class ships. 

Is there reasoning behind these "taster" itineraries for June 2019?  Photography and media ops?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, jurrjurr said:

Considering doing Disney resorts a few days before and then a 4-nt on one of the Oasis Class ships. 

Is there reasoning behind these "taster" itineraries for June 2019?  Photography and media ops?

Only speculation on my part - the short Florida cruise market has traditionally been served by each cruise line's older, smaller fleet.  Royal has demonstrated they intend to shake that up by putting a re-imagined Mariner (and even Navigator for a little bit) into the short cruise market.  Bringing mega ships into the mix is consistent with that concept. 

Many people use short cruises as small, affordable getaways.   Using the oldest & smallest ships doesn't introduce new cruisers in this market to the best of the fleet, or create the desire to fall in love with cruising and save up for a longer cruise. 

Create brand loyalty and introduce new cruisers to Wow! - this is what I believe this move is trying to accomplish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, twangster said:

Many people use short cruises as small, affordable getaways.   Using the oldest & smallest ships doesn't introduce new cruisers in this market to the best of the fleet, or create the desire to fall in love with cruising and save up for a longer cruise

I agree with this statement, speculation or not.  Not that the smaller ships aren't nice or don't have their charms (and they were our introduction) but if you're new to cruising and see all the advertisements showing zip lining, I-Fly, ice skating, water shows, and then you get on a ship w/o any of those, it might feel a little like a bait and switch.  Granted it's still incumbent on people to understand what ship they are going on but people are people.   Providing them with a similar experience to the week long vacations would be a good strategy to hook people in (imo).  

And a combo Disney/Universal and short cruise is a great vacation, preferably the cruise at the end.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/13/2018 at 11:38 AM, mbk999 said:

I agree with this statement, speculation or not.  Not that the smaller ships aren't nice or don't have their charms (and they were our introduction) but if you're new to cruising and see all the advertisements showing zip lining, I-Fly, ice skating, water shows, and then you get on a ship w/o any of those, it might feel a little like a bait and switch.  Granted it's still incumbent on people to understand what ship they are going on but people are people.   Providing them with a similar experience to the week long vacations would be a good strategy to hook people in (imo).  

And a combo Disney/Universal and short cruise is a great vacation, preferably the cruise at the end.

Heck even if you knew it didn't have these you may get on board and realize you wish it had them. When we were on NCL after my family talked up cruising to my wife, we both ended up very disappointed because of the fact that nothing was as expected. I'm lucky she gave me another shot and I think she's happy she tried again as the last one was great. I am not someone into the too small and older ships, I think Mariner (or maybe her sister ships) would be the smallest I would ever go, but at the same time, I'm not sure I'm ready for Oasis quite yet. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would have to say Enchantment would absolutely be my choice I have always had a special place in my heart for her a great cruising ship with many of the crew the same despite the numerous updates she has undergone. I led an email barrage to royal to move the majesty to Miami and bring enchantment to Canaveral which it seems has finally come to pass I'm sure our emails had absolutely nothing to do with it but I will take it anyway I can get it . I was totally amazed when they were able to cut the ship in half insert a whole new section lengthening the ship quite a bit and adding around 70 new cabins if my recall is correct and I looked for quite a bit to find where she was cut but it is not obvious I love this ship and I will take every opportunity I get to sail her when she officially relocates to Canaveral it is just to far to drive to Miami for a 3 to 4 day cruise 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...