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Recap - Mariner 4 Night Bahamas - Sept. 21, 2018


twangster

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Time to move indoors.

Main Dining Room

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Seeing how this is a sea day, all the shops were open.

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The main logo shop has also received an update and is very modern and fresh compared to this shop on other ships.

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Down to deck 4.  (Saving The Bamboo Room and Playmakers for later).  The elevators retain the day of the week signs on the floor.

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Boleros

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Cigars for sale in the corner of Boleros in a humidor.

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Starbucks is opposite of Boleros but I'm going to give it a post of it's own.

Through the casino to the Schooner Bar.

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Some of the selections available at the Schooner Bar

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Starbucks

This Starbucks is most like a regular Starbucks you might find within a store or mall on land as any I've seen on a ship.

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A common question and source of confusion relates to the Starbucks app, Rewards and purchases at Starbucks on the ships that have them.

This varies by ship, so this applies to Mariner only.  You can use the app or rewards to accumulate stars but if you are going to walk away with something in your hand, it is being charged to your SeaPass card - period.  You can't redeem rewards, use a gift card or the balance in the app for on-board purchases.  SeaPass card only.

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49 minutes ago, twangster said:

This varies by ship, so this applies to Mariner only.  You can use the app or rewards to accumulate stars but if you are going to walk away with something in your hand, it is being charged to your SeaPass card - period.  You can't redeem rewards, use a gift card or the balance in the app for on-board purchases.  SeaPass card only.

Huh, color me surprised! I think this is the first case I've seen where even if you use the SBUX app, you still have to pay on your SeaPass.

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Playmakers

The new sports bar on Mariner of the Seas is a great place to catch a game or just hang out.  The bar participates in Diamond Happy Hour for those who are Diamond or higher in the Crown and Anchor Society.  

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Menu:

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Pigskin sliders (in the name of research):

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The bar staff in Playmakers are great and super friendly.  I decided to enjoy diamond happy hour here and I always tip cash for these 'free' drinks.  After using my three free drinks, magically another appeared before my eyes! 

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Playmakers is a great new addition to Mariner and I am looking forward to experiencing Playmakers on Symphony.  

The only thing that they need to think about is the live music in the Promenade.  The bands who perform in the Promenade set up right outside of Playmakers. 

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When they get rocking they are quite loud inside Playmakers.  To compensate, Playmakers cranks up the sports featured on the larger TVs.  That combination makes it an assault on your ears and it's nearly impossible to hold a conversation or order a drink without using sign language.  

Here is a short sample of what I am talking about:

You can sort of hear the ball game at times through the music but both are very loud.

Other than that, Playmakers is great.

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The Bamboo Room

New and exclusive to Mariner at this time, The Bamboo Room replaces Vintages, the wine bar.

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This table features a video display with a beautiful ocean video loop playing.

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#itstikitime

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The Bamboo Room by itself just about justifies the drink package since the special bamboo cocktails are $14 plus gratuity.  That adds up fast without the drink package.  Since the drink package covers drinks up to $12 or $13, an extra buck or two is nothing for those with the deluxe drink package.

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Freestyle drink dispensers were added to Mariner.  They can be found within the Windjammer but also on the Promenade.  They are coded to work with the drink cups that come with a drink package (Soda, Refreshment or Deluxe).

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Promenade forward on deck 5 with the Schooner Bar and Izumi just visible one deck down on deck 4.

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Located at the forward end of the Promenade on deck 5 is the Star Lounge

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A former smoking room has been converted into a Library.

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Just now, Traveler said:

Questions , is 9:45 flight from Miami is doable with self disembarkation , considering I need to be at the airport at around 8 am and I do not have fast track for custom ?

A 9:45am flight, especially an international flight may be too tight.   Technically it's doable if the stars align and every thing goes smoothly.  There is no margin for error.  As a frequent flier myself I think that may be a little too tight for my liking.  In my case I was through customs and at the curb at 7:15am after the cruise.  With Miami traffic a flight that early is really asking for something to foul up your day.   

Does Fast Track apply when departing from Miami after a cruise?

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1 minute ago, twangster said:

A 9:45am flight, especially an international flight may be too tight.   Technically it's doable if the stars align and every thing goes smoothly.  There is no margin for error.  As a frequent flier myself I think that may be a little too tight for my liking.  In my case I was through customs and at the curb at 7:15am after the cruise.  With Miami traffic a flight that early is really asking for something to foul up your day.   

Does Fast Track apply when departing from Miami after a cruise

Thanks , it's a domestic flight (to Newark) the later flight will cost us extra 50 K miles , other option is 12:15 from Palm Beach but I guess it's also risky.

 

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On 9/27/2018 at 6:19 PM, firebuck said:

Just curious - I've seen mention of this wall of pictures in the bamboo room - what do you need to do to get a picture on said wall?  If it's a drinking challenge, I"m in!

It's a net.

 

I'm not sure what the official criteria is.   I was talking with the bar staff and mentioned I was bribed to remove the photo of @CruiseLifeRick.  We laughed about it (and Rick in general) and before I knew it a few cocktails later I was having my picture taken.  

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Just now, Traveler said:

Thanks , it's a domestic flight (to Newark) the later flight will cost us extra 50 K miles , other option is 12:15 from Palm Beach but I guess it's also risky.

 

For domestic I would do a 9:45am flight but keep in mind I have elite status with my airline.  That allows me to fly standby and move to the top of the standby list.  If I miss a flight because the ship is late or fog or a traffic accident they'll take care of me. 

You have to be prepared to accept the consequences of missing the flight.  If that risk is acceptable is a question only you can answer.

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11pm - 80's party in the Promenade

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I'll refrain from adding a couple of photos from Playmakers that I can't recall taking or explain how I got them on my phone after this.  At some point after midnight I decided I needed to start packing.  These short cruises suck.   Packing under the influence sucks worse.

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Day 5 - Miami

I woke to find us at the pier in Miami.  On this occasion Mariner already did the turn and was pointed East.  From my aft balcony I had a great view of the Miami skyline.

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I went to the Windjammer at 6:30am for a final meal.  

Self disembark line started off at 6:45am.  By 7am I was off the ship and by 7:15am through customs outside at the curb hailing a Lyft ride.

At 7:37am I was at the Hertz office downtown renting my car for the drive to Port Canaveral and Enchantment of the Seas.  

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Summary

I had heard great things about Mariner and they were all true.  Having now seen what "AMPED" means I'm looking forward to Navigator and beyond.

There is nothing that would prevent me from sailing Mariner again.  I might even do the same excursions - scuba dive in Cococay and the 737 jet simulator in Nassau.

Next time I'll likely do a B2B or maybe even a B2B2B.  Four nights is too short.  I imagine the 3 night weekend cruises are probably pretty lively.  If I lived locally, Mariner would be dangerous to my bank account.  

Given a choice of a small ship 3/4 Bahamas cruise or Mariner it would be Mariner every time.  

For short cruises like this I can see getting the drink package on Mariner.  

If you haven't sailed or booked Mariner yet the only question is... why not?

Thanks for following along and I hope you've enjoyed it.

Twangster out. 

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12 minutes ago, twangster said:

I had heard great things about Mariner and they were all true.  Having now seen what "AMPED" means I'm looking forward to Navigator and beyond.

 

12 minutes ago, twangster said:

Given a choice of a small ship 3/4 Bahamas cruise or Mariner it would be Mariner every time.  

Don't forget there's going to be Indy soon too (4/5 night sailings).  I was just talking with my kids this afternoon and I have a feeling Indy will be even better than Mariner.  Did you keep that booking?

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56 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Don't forget there's going to be Indy soon too (4/5 night sailings).  I was just talking with my kids this afternoon and I have a feeling Indy will be even better than Mariner.  Did you keep that booking?

For now.  I've got airfare booked and it involves a group cruise on a different ship afterwards.  That limits my options.  I could do Disney but a solo man with a camera doing Disney has creep written all over it ? 

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Thanks for the recap and (as always) awesome photos!

I'm sad to see that the Tiki Bar completely replaced Vintages. I can see why on a ship like this, since it's all short cruises and likely to draw a younger crowd. Plus it seems Vintages just has never been a spot one would describe as "lively". But if every ship in the AMPED program, Voyager and Freedom and Oasis class alike, is going to lose Vintages and get a Tiki Bar in its place, I have to ask: Where am I supposed to go for a nice glass of wine not on the regular MDR list when I'm on one of these ships? I don't really drink cocktails (well, outside of margaritas and mojitos), and wine / beer are my go-to beverages at dinner or lunch.

Oh, wait... wine isn't a drink Millennials have. Yeah, never mind. ?

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6 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Thanks for the recap and (as always) awesome photos!

I'm sad to see that the Tiki Bar completely replaced Vintages. I can see why on a ship like this, since it's all short cruises and likely to draw a younger crowd. Plus it seems Vintages just has never been a spot one would describe as "lively". But if every ship in the AMPED program, Voyager and Freedom and Oasis class alike, is going to lose Vintages and get a Tiki Bar in its place, I have to ask: Where am I supposed to go for a nice glass of wine not on the regular MDR list when I'm on one of these ships? I don't really drink cocktails (well, outside of margaritas and mojitos), and wine / beer are my go-to beverages at dinner or lunch.

Oh, wait... wine isn't a drink Millennials have. Yeah, never mind. ?

I feel your pain, but carrying around a series of more expensive wines that few drink becomes a business decision.  Not all ships to be AMPED are destined for the Bahamas and a Tiki bar won't fit well everywhere.  

You've always got Oasis.  Oh, wait...

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1 hour ago, twangster said:

You've always got Oasis.

That's being AMPED as well, no? Just Oasis and Allure, as the oldest two, but thought I'd read that when the AMPED program was announced?

1 hour ago, twangster said:

carrying around a series of more expensive wines that few drink becomes a business decision.

So much for wine getting better (and thereby more expensive) with age... ? 

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1 minute ago, JLMoran said:

That's being AMPED as well, no? Just Oasis and Allure, as the oldest two, but thought I'd read that when the AMPED program was announced? 

You read right. Oasis is getting amped in fall 2019 and Allure the following year. No word on vintages staying or going. I personally think Bamboo Room would look strange in CP though.

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11 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Oh, wait... wine isn't a drink Millennials have. Yeah, never mind. ?

I've heard that is not true. I live about an hour from the wineries on Long Island and am a wine club member at one of them - plenty of millenials. Not sure they are wine club members but neither was I in my 20's-30's. But I hear you, I really enjoyed Vintages.

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On 9/26/2018 at 9:49 PM, twangster said:

I spent the afternoon working then went to dinner.  

I saw a kids menu so took a picture for any parents wondering what the MDR is like for kids:

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Adult menu:

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Wedge Salad:

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Forgot to take pictures of the remaining courses but the Beef Tenderloin was good.  

Thanks for showing the kids menu. 10/21/18 on Mariner 

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On 9/27/2018 at 6:42 PM, twangster said:

11pm - 80's party in the Promenade

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I'll refrain from adding a couple of photos from Playmakers that I can't recall taking or explain how I got them on my phone after this.  At some point after midnight I decided I needed to start packing.  These short cruises suck.   Packing under the influence sucks worse.

Is the 80's theme night a regular thing?? If so, might just have to pack for that... ?

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11 hours ago, twangster said:

Yes, I believe so.  80's party on the last night usually.  70's party the first night.

Nice to know they have 2 different theme nights like that..I always enjoyed the 70's parties but then on my last Royal cruise on Navigator it was just an 80's party..which was still fun but nice to know they do both on Marnier.....

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2 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

Nice to know they have 2 different theme nights like that..I always enjoyed the 70's parties but then on my last Royal cruise on Navigator it was just an 80's party..which was still fun but nice to know they do both on Marnier.....

I checked a cruise compass from a recent 3 night cruise and it also featured both 70's and 80's party.  

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=279

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