Thread: Great Review With Pictures!!

Mary (MilliesMom) found this terrific review and said I could share it with all of you.

Cabin 3085:
I was located in cabin 3085 located on deck 3. I enjoyed a porthole cabin, however, the porthole was gigantic (almost the size of a typical window in a normal cabin) I had a very comfortable queen sized bed with excellent bedding. There were two nightstands and two reading lights that were quite effective. There was a large sitting area and coffee table. Across from the sitting area was a large desk area with 2 110v outlets (American) and 2 110v outlets (European). This proved to be an excellent feature as I had forgotten my extension cord and needed the two American outlets for my computer and printer. The Mariner offered “in cabin” Internet access for only $100 with unlimited access for the entire cruise. Of course, I immediately took advantage of the offer and the good news was that the telephone used to gain access came equipped with European sockets that worked perfectly. There is a television with a substantial amount of programming, a safe and ample storage for clothing items and miscellaneous items. A closet lines the cabin entraneway and offers a good amount of storage for hanging clothes as well as shoe and miscellaneous storage in the shelves on the right hand side.

The bathroom was well-designed and offered ample storage for toiletries and other items. The shower offered excellent temperature and water flow controls and I very much liked the sliding door that allowed you to completely enclose yourself while showering. There was no shower curtain interfering with your shower. I don’t understand why every cruise line doesn’t adopt this feature, as it makes showering so much more enjoyable.

Tom Ogg

Age: Baby Boomer
Occupation:Self Employed
Number of Cruises: Lots
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship: Mariner of the Seas
Sailing Date: March 12th, 2004
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

(here's more of his fantastic review loaded with photos)

Exploring the Mariner of the Seas
The best way to explore the Mariner is to start at the very top and work our way to the bottom, so that is how I will conduct the visual tour. So, if you will join me for a ride up the aft elevator to deck 14 and then walk up the stairwell to deck 15, this is where we will begin.
The Intimate Skylight Chapel Deck 15
Up the stairway from Ellington’s one finds the intimate Skylight Chapel. It gets its name from the stained glass skylight that resides over the pulpit.


Ellington's Deck 14
The main lounge here is named Ellington’s and it offers music, dancing and a good number of places to hang out and enjoy a cocktail. Ellington’s is just part of the Viking Crown Lounge. We had our “Welcome Aboard” cocktail party here at Ellington’s as it was a wonderful place to meet everyone. We also met here one night for a computer session and it was not at all crowded and proved to be an excellent place for an impromptu meeting that could easily accommodate all of us.



The 19th Hole To the rear on the starboard side lies another wonderful bar, the 19th Hole. On the port side of Ellington’s is a very intimate room with a piano bar named Cloud Nine that is used for receptions and is a popular place for a post wedding reception. It is very private. Just aft of Cloud Nine is the “Seven Hearts” card room. I never saw it busy at all.


The Mariner of the Seas Miniature Golf Course Deck 13
When I hear someone say ”I don’t know, I think I might get bored on a cruise” I think of deck 13. First let’s go all the way aft to the golf course. The Mariner offers a wonderful miniature golf course. You can simply grab a putter and a ball and play all you want. It is expansive and a downright fun course. On the port side of the gold course is the inline skating track where one can race around the Leman's type track as much as they would like. Directly in front of the miniature golf course is the golf simulator. While I didn’t get a chance to use it, those that did really enjoyed it.

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The Basket Ball Court and Royal Caribbean's Signature Rock Wall Standing in front of the golf simulator you can here the cheers from those climbing the rock wall that towers above you, but also the cheers from those playing basketball on the full basketball court (it is heavily used). Surrounding the area is a number of ping pong tables. I noticed a good number of families that were using them and having the time of their lives.


Another View of the Rock Wall This entire area of the ship is dedicated to sports and activities that you normally would not find on any other ship. Moving down the aft stairwell to deck 12, we enter the first deck that traverses the entire ship.


The "Back Deck" No Adults Allowed Deck 12
The very aft section of deck 12 (The Back Deck) is dedicated strictly for teenagers with no adults allowed.

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Johnny Rockets Main Entrance Johnny Rockets is a favorite with the teens and offers a full selection of burgers, fries, onion rings and malts. It has implemented a $3.95 cover charge per person for dining. (It's now $4.95 per person)


Dining Inside Johnny Rockets There are both typical indoor and outdoor dining options. The entire structure on the aft section of the ship contains the various kid’s clubs

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The Living Room, Part of the Adventure Ocean Youth Program The Living Room is designated specifically for the teens; but on the Mariner, all youth between the ages of 3 and 17 have a unique, fun and safe environment designed just for them
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Ocean's Video Zone Altogether, there is over 22,000 square feet dedicated to the Adventure Ocean Youth Program.

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The Walking and/or Jogging Track

Between the aft building and the forward building on deck 12 is a large area for sunbathing and a jogging/walking track that is heavily used.

Britta's Sky Bar

Britta’s Sky Bar resides in the center of the jogging track and is a great place for a refreshment out of doors.

The Mariner's ShipShape Spa

The Mariner’s “ShipShape Day Spa” resides in the forward section offering a full beauty salon and spa services.

"Peek-a-Boo Bridge"
Deck 11 is the first ship length deck on the Mariner and is also full of leisure opportunities. If we move down to deck 11 from deck 12 and go all the way forward, we are on top of the bridge and there is a very outstanding area where you can watch what is going on in the bridge area. Known as “Peek-a-Boo Bridge”, it is well worth a visit if you are interested in the operations of the ship.

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More from Tom Ogg:


ShipShape Fitness Center The ship’s “Ship Shape Fitness Center” resides on deck 11 and can be accessed either here or from the “Ship Shape Day Spa” on deck 12.


The Free Weight Area of the ShipeShape Fitness Center There is ample equipment for a good work out, but be aware, it can get crowded during the most popular times.


The ShipShape Fitness Center Don't miss the large Jacuzzi at the entrance to the Fitness Center if you want a little peace and quiet.


Solarium Pool and Jacuzzis Heading aft, one enters the Solarium. This is truly an excellent area, as the pool was open to the sunlight the entire trip while the surrounding lounge chairs were covered and offered protection from the sun. There are two large (I mean LARGE) Jacuzzis in the Solarium area and an active bar as well.


The Solarium Bar The Solarium Bar is always busy and well located within Solarium area. Aft of the Solarium is the main swimming pool/sunning area of the ship.

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The Mariner of the Sea's Pool Area

The pool area just doesn’t seem large enough for a ship this size, yet it was never so crowded that I couldn’t find a lounge chair. The Mariner has an interesting towel policy, as you are issued two beach/pool towels in your cabin at the beginning of the cruise, but are charged $20 if you lose one. While I am sure the ship is trying to control costs from laundering and replacing towels, the byproduct is that very few folks leave them on deck chairs when they depart. For this reason, it always seemed easy to locate an available lounge.

Another View of the Pool Area

There are 4 Jacuzzis (2 are huge) that are heavily used by everyone.

The Pool Bar

The pool area is always served by the bar staff and you never have to wait long if you want to order a drink.

Entrance to the Windjammer Cafe

Aft of the pool area is one of the main dining venues on the Mariner of the Seas.

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Portofino Restaurant

Upon entering the Windjammer Café, you will see the Portofino Restaurant on the port side and the entrance to Chops Grille on the starboard side.

Chops Grille

Both of these are specialty restaurants that require reservations and an extra gratuity. I did not get an opportunity to dine at either restaurant, but those that did raved about them. Moving aft we enter the area of the Windjammer buffet known as “Jade”. I loved this spot and ate here more than anywhere else. Jade offers Asian delicacies daily. One day might be Japanese sushi, the next Thai cuisine and the next curry dishes. There is always a noodle soup and several excellent choices of entrees daily. If you like Asian food, you will love Jade.

Windjammer Cafe

Aft of Jade is Royal Caribbean’s signature buffet, the Windjammer Café. The Windjammer is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers numerous choices. It is a major buffet with lots of different areas so you will want to explore it before settling into a line to start picking your dishes for your meal. The salad bar is good and there is always healthy choices offered at each meal. The Plaza Bar serves the entire area and there are always waiters on hand if you want a cocktail or glass of wine.

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Deck 10 is entirely made up of passenger cabins.
With the exception of the Concierge Club, Deck 9 is made up of all passenger cabins. The Concierge Club actually wears two different hats.
The Concierge Club
By day, it is where folks staying in suites at the Concierge level can make reservations for various things and use the concierge to help make their cruise more enjoyable. In the evening, it turns into a lounge where cocktails and other beverages, along with hot appetizers are served to those in the concierge level suites, as well as Diamond loyalty members.


Royal Caribbean On-Line Deck 8
With the exception of “Royal Caribbean Online”, the Mariner of the Sea’s Internet Café, the balance of deck 8 is made up of passenger cabins. The Internet Café itself is slow and cumbersome, but The Mariner of the Seas offers “in cabin” Internet access for a flat fee. I paid $100 for the cruise and was able to go on-line 24 hours a day with unlimited access. It is truly a great deal. However, they only have a limited number of sets of equipment to make it happen. If you want to get access, visit the Registration Desk as soon as you board to sign up for the service. While access is still slow, it doesn’t matter because you enjoy unlimited access for one low rate.


The Mariner of the Seas Library
With the exception of the library, Deck 7 is made up of all passenger cabins. The library offers a good selection of books, but is smaller than one would expect on a ship of this size.

Once again, Deck 6 features primarily passenger cabins. However, here is where you will find the Loyalty Ambassador and the ability to sign up for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society. I would highly recommend that you do sign up as the benefits are excellent. The Mariner of the Sea’s Business Service Center is located adjacent to the Loyalty Ambassador’s office as well.

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The Royal Promenade Deck 5
Oh boy! This is the deck that you will remember from this cruise (well, I am sure you will remember everything about this cruise). When you first see the Royal Promenade, it is simply breathtaking. It is difficult to believe that you are on a ship.

Three Stories of Wonderful Restaurants

Starting with the Sound of Music Dining Room at the very aft end of the ship. You realize that this is something special. The three-story dining room carries a different name on each deck to make it easier for folks to remember where their restaurant is. The dining room is simply beautiful and while large, is quite intimate

Guest Relations and the Tour Desk

Moving forward past the elevator banks, you enter the main part of the Royal Promenade. On your left is the popular Champagne Bar. This was one of my favorites, as they also have an excellent wine list to go with the Champagne that they serve. The bar is broken into small intimate areas for casual conversation. On the right and in front of the Champagne Bar, is the Centrum and on the starboard side you will find Guest Relations and the Tour Desk.

Moving forward, you pass the General Store on your starboard side and the Tommy Hilfiger logo store on your port side. Next to the General Store is the Royal Caribbean Logo Souvenir Shop where you can find everything imaginable with Royal Caribbean logos on it.

Vintages Wine Bar

Vintages Wine bar is directly across from the Logo Shop and I loved this particular venue. It is set up with a wonderful bar and several areas to sit in and relax. They have an excellent wine list and always have several chilled bottles available to try by the glass. If you like to drink wine, don’t miss this little jewel

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