Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 10 minutes ago, jackienav05 said: Thank you for providing insights and photos on this new ship! Our sailing is on Labor Day in a few weeks and I couldn't be more excited! My kids (5 and 7) are really excited to try the Skypad. By any chance did you run into any sales for the Escape Room challenge? I've never done one, and I am looking forward to participating in the one on the ship! Thanks again! There were no sales for the Escape room that we came across. Just specialty dining. Today we were offered kids eat free! bellemiche 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 17 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Kayla...all I can say is cruise like crazy before you have kids Solution...move to Ontario and become "ontarioguy" instead I can't remember, did you book the 3 or 4 night sailing? haha...if I move I am becoming "floridaguy".......I would be cruising every weekend! 4 day cruise...really hoping to go all out this winter and do a 7 day one..that's the goal..have seen some "cheap" airfare to San Juan out of Halifax so that may be the way to do it.... Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 16 minutes ago, melski94 said: Late to this party and binging on your blog today now that everyone is settled in school. Haven't even tried to watch your scopes but maybe in a few days! Great job on the blog and pictures! I can't believe your RT plane ticket price. That really makes it a great deal as that is around my price one way. I would agree with @JLMoran to somehow make it a B2B to make it worth the airfare. While I know Harmony is your favorite, would you go on Mariner again? For the price, it seems to be an great option. I would under the right conditions. I would still pick a 7+night sailing any day over Mariner but if I am looking for a quick getaway and the airfare is good then yes, I would definitely sail her again. antarec 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, JLMoran said: Unless I could arrange some kind of B2B on her, Was thinking the same thing Joe. You would almost have to do B2B which would be kind of nice too. Your girls would probably love it like it seems @Lovetocruise2002 seem to have. There's only 2 of us and that's what I was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I was in a good mood, but now not so much.... That would put a damper on your day! Now you have to just figure out how you can wiggle in another on Christmas break! LOL Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mworkman Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Just do what we're doing in Feb...Short Indy (4d) followed by Serenade (11d). Off one ship, back on another that same day...savings on airfare. accio7 and Sweety 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellemiche Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: The Boleros menu looks pretty standard to me. I like their peach Margarita there. And keep an eye on airfare. We paid less than $1000 for all 4 of us. About $232pp RT. from DTW. If only our flights for our March cruise on Harmony were that low!!! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, Boston Babe said: That would put a damper on your day! Now you have to just figure out how you can wiggle in another on Christmas break! LOL That definitely won't happen! We have too big of a family to leave them at Christmas. 1 hour ago, bellemiche said: If only our flights for our March cruise on Harmony were that low!!! I know! Whatever we saved this time we're going to more than make up for next cruise!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Spent the Sea day today lounging around. Nothing too interesting to report. Off to dinner shortly and the hoping to catch Billy Pando in the Schooner Bar later...80s tribute. We still have not packed a single thing. I think we are in denial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, mworkman said: Just do what we're doing in Feb...Short Indy (4d) followed by Serenade (11d). Off one ship, back on another that same day...savings on airfare. I Love it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Dinner Night 4: Wine List Menu: Greek Salad: Pork Tacos: Chicken Cordon Bleu: Garlic Tiger Shrimp: Tagliatelle: Probably the best dish this cruise. Warm Donuts: Overall dinners in the MDR were satisfactory. We were not "wowed" by anything but it was not terrible either. Service was beyond excellent. That was all to the credit of our waiter, Jonathan. Best waiter so far on any Royal Caribbean cruise, and that includes CK. And yes, I did miss CK bellemiche, twangster, Traveler and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 You ma'am have done an outstanding job blogging and taking photos. Thanks for taking the time. Lovetocruise2002 and bellemiche 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdiedrich Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 1 minute ago, twangster said: You ma'am have done an outstanding job blogging and taking photos. Thanks for taking the time. ^that! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRoman7 Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Thank you for the wine list photos!! Sorry you have to go home now... Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 20 minutes ago, twangster said: You ma'am have done an outstanding job blogging and taking photos. Thanks for taking the time. 16 minutes ago, vancouverdude said: ^that! I have said it before, and I will say it again...I have a fantastic mentor! I think he knows who he is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Woody Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: Dinner Night 4: Wine List Menu: Greek Salad: Pork Tacos: Chicken Cordon Bleu: Garlic Tiger Shrimp: Tagliatelle: Probably the best dish this cruise. Warm Donuts: Overall dinners in the MDR were satisfactory. We were not "wowed" by anything but it was not terrible either. Service was beyond excellent. That was all to the credit of our waiter, Jonathan. Best waiter so far on any Royal Caribbean cruise, and that includes CK. And yes, I did miss CK No Lobstar ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Woody Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Thank you for your blogging and taking your time !! Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 12 minutes ago, J. Woody said: No Lobstar ?? Short cruises on most lines don't include lobster. Typically 5+ nights. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Woody Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 4 minutes ago, twangster said: Short cruises on most lines don't include lobster. Typically 5+ nights. Thank you for let me know ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarec Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 8 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said: I would under the right conditions. I would still pick a 7+night sailing any day over Mariner but if I am looking for a quick getaway and the airfare is good then yes, I would definitely sail her again. Agree with you! Did you get to try the WJ for dinner? I was impressed with the WJ buffet offerings at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 34 minutes ago, antarec said: Agree with you! Did you get to try the WJ for dinner? I was impressed with the WJ buffet offerings at night. We are not really WJ dinner people. We prefer to sit down for dinner always. In all our cruises we haven't done WJ at night. bellemiche and accio7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 We wrapped up our last night on Mariner with a drink at the Schooner Bar. We were lucky as Billy Pando is on this sailing and he is well known amongst RCperiscopers so we had to check him out. Not much luck two nights ago as it was my daughter's bday and last night he did not play. So with our last night, we left the kids in the stateroom and headed down to see Billy. I've heard him on Periscope many times, and was already impressed. As a piano player myself, I simply love to just sit and listen. In person, and live, he did not disappoint. I could have sat for hours if I did not have my kids with me. Hopefully one day we will run into Billy again. To top off the evening and the cruise, I had my first Kraken Lava Flow in honour of @Matt and all who are sailing Mariner before him. I scoped it as requested by @PRC so those of you who are interested can watch the replay. Sad to report that I could not taste the difference between Kraken and any other rum. But then I am not a rum expert either. Lol. Matt, JLMoran, accio7 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Final Thoughts: I am repeating myself but overall, RC has a great product here in Mariner. As many of you know, I am a huge OA class fan and I am quite critical about the ships I sail. Happy to report that Mariner is smaller but does not feel that small. With all the new additions, she has an OA class feel to her. Rest assured, I am not turning into a small ship girl, but I would not hesitate at all to recommend Mariner to anyone, especially those sailing for the first time. The crew on this ship is excellent. Not one single crew member that I came across seemed overworked or tired or rude. All were excellent and friendly and very personable. The CD, Hugo, was a hoot! Such a character! An amazing amount of energy. Very funny and animated guy. My kids had a great time on Mariner. They really liked the Sky Pad. When we talked over dinner, they said they still prefer Anthem over Mariner because of the Sea Plex and the fact that they did not care for the salt water pools on Mariner. Other than that, they fully enjoyed themselves. One random thought I did have here regarding kids is that they should have put in Splashaway Bay. If I had younger kids, it would bother me that there would be not as many outdoor activities for the younger kids. My sister (her kids are 4,6) said that she would not sail Mariner for that very reason (lack of water activities for young kids). Our stateroom location on Deck 11 (1104) was a perfect location. The hallway was so quiet and private and it was great being so close to the solarium, pool, and WJ. It was nice having the room new and fresh. This sailing I did realize that with tween girls, it is getting very difficult to share a room with one bathroom. Thank goodness I have a patient husband. There were times this cruise where things got quite dicey with the kids. Lol. First world problems. Thank you all for following along with us this cruise. Like I've said before, having you with us makes it more fun. Sadly there really will be no more cruising or blogging for us for the next 6 1/2 months For real this time! Heading back into the classroom to shape our next generation. But the wait will be worth it because our next cruise over March break will be our very first Star Class sailing on my favourite ship, Harmony of the Seas. And of course, I will be back to blog and scope that kpersons09, JLMoran, RRoman7 and 7 others 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABT Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Thank you so much for being so generous with your time. My husband and I have really enjoyed your blogs and scopes. We prefer Oasis class ships as well however thanks to all your wonderful information we are considering booking the Mariner.Have a safe trip home and we are looking forward to hearing all about your Star class experience on Harmony next year. Lovetocruise2002 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 55 minutes ago, ABT said: Thank you so much for being so generous with your time. My husband and I have really enjoyed your blogs and scopes. We prefer Oasis class ships as well however thanks to all your wonderful information we are considering booking the Mariner.Have a safe trip home and we are looking forward to hearing all about your Star class experience on Harmony next year. Glad you enjoyed following along. If you haven't booked Mariner yet, stay tuned, @twangster is sailing her in a few weeks and he has a huge track record of making people spend money Deedeelynn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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