Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas

Dan and I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and I loved every minute of it! Currently, Mariner of the Seas is sailing out of Port Canaveral, which is about 45 minutes from Orlando. This is a great port for us since it is so close and makes sailing very convenient. Mariner of the Seas’ current itinerary features short getaways with 2,3, and 4-night sailings to Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean’s private island) as well as Nassau, Bahamas. If you’re looking for a quick getaway and want to check out a newly amped-up Mariner of the Seas, this ship is for you!

Mariner of the Seas is one of the five Voyager-class cruise ships. This ship can accommodate about 4,000 passengers, but it never feels like that many people are on the ship. In early 2018, this ship underwent a major renovation and overhaul to create new onboard experiences that tailor to everyone in your family or group that is traveling.

Ports of Call:

Currently, Mariner of the Seas docks at Perfect Day at CocoCay. This is Royal Caribbean’s private island is absolutely amazing. Royal Caribbean recently underwent a major overhaul on this island as well, and you can definitely tell! Read more about Royal Caribbean’s private island HERE.

Nassau, Bahamas is another port of call that Mariner of the Seas visits. Nassau has many shore excursions, experiences, etc. for you and your family to participate in. If you have spent time in Nassau before, another option is to spend your day on the ship enjoying all the amenities that the ship has to offer.

Rooms:

Mariner of the Seas offers rooms with the interior, oceanview, or balcony views. Ocean View rooms offer porthole windows, and balcony views offer a balcony to walk on attached to your room. This sailing, we opted for an interior room because the price was too good to pass up and since we knew we wouldn’t be in the room that much anyway, we were ok with only having a photo above our bed instead of an actual view.

Activities:

The main pool area is the largest section of the ship offering an area for swimming, so it can get crowded at times. However, I never really felt that there were tons of people all around, so it wasn’t too hard to find a pool chair on the top deck, especially since both days we were docked and a lot of people were off the ship. The pool area also offered hot tubs and had a venue for live music set up right in front of the pools. The main pool area also offered day beds that you could lounge on a swell as your typical pool loungers. There is also an area reserved for suite guests.

Mariner of the Seas also has 2 waterslides. They hover over the ship’s edge which of course scares me, but they are so fun and totally worth giving a try. The lines were definitely short when the ship is docked because so many people are off the ship. The Flowrider is also fun if you are willing to take on the challenge in front of a bunch of people.

The Skypad is another fun addition that Mariner of the Seas added to their ship. The SkyPad holds 4 trampolines attached with bungee cords. Ages 5 and up are allowed to jump and ages 7 and up are allowed to experience the virtual reality bungee jump inside the Skypad. The Virtual Reality experience inside the Skypad allows you to choose from different games. Each game is about 3 minutes long, so if you are wanting to try out multiples games or jumps, you will have to get back in line.

The Rock Climbing Wall is available for beginners through advanced climbers and offers views from the top that are unlike any other view from the ship, about 40 feet in the air! Remember, you will need closed-toed shoes for this activity!

Did you know that Mariner of the Seas offers an Escape Room on their ship?! This is so different and something fun to do, especially if you want to escape the sun and heat for a bit and enjoy a different activity, whether you choose to do this on your own with other people or with your family. There is an additional charge to play in the Escape Room.

Laser Tag: This fast-paced activity is fun for families and kids and is included in your cruise fare.

Studio B Ice Rink: Enjoy free skating at specific times. Make sure you bring your long pants and a long sleeve shirt while you skate. You will be required to wear a helmet if you plan to skate. This is also included in the cost of your cruise fare. There is also an ice skating show that you can catch at least twice during your cruise. These ice skaters are amazing and have great skills! Try to get to the studio early since the theater is small. You’ll definitely want a good seat!

The SPA is another great way to fully relax and rejuvenate. The spa on Mariner of the Seas has many different services to enjoy including massages, facials, manicures/pedicures, etc.

Theater: The Royal Theater is where you can enjoy Broadway-style productions in the evening. Usually, there are two shows every night so that both seatings at dinner can be able to see the entertainment that is offered for that evening. There is also a bar inside so that way you can also enjoy a beverage during the show.

Challengers Arcade: This arcade is open 24 hours and has tons of games to play.

Nightlife:

There is so much entertainment when sailing on Mariner of the Seas. You can enjoy different clubs and lounges, and some even offer live music! The British Pub (Barnacle & Barrel) offers a guitar singer and great European beer.

The Schooner Bar turns into a piano bar where a piano player can take your requests. Boleros features Latin dance music where you can get your salsa on. The Bamboo Room is a fun bar with tiki vibes that makes it feel as if you’re in a tropical paradise while on Mariner of the Seas.

Ellington’s offers jazz music, and Studio B becomes a late-night dance party with a DJ. One of my favorite nights is the 70’s Disco Party on the Royal Promenade at the Royal Caribbean entertainment staff throws. It is so fun and they do a great job of getting everyone in the mood to party.

Dining on Mariner of the Seas:

Free Dining On Board

If you’re a buffet person, the Windjammer is going to be your place to go. This is your cruise buffet location. While I’m not a fan of buffets and choose to eat elsewhere when on a cruise, Royal Caribbean does a great job of keeping the area clean and offering many selections for food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The dining room is a great place to enjoy your dinner on the ship each night. The dining room also offers breakfast (if you can manage to get up early enough to dine) and then they also offer lunch on your days at sea. The dining room offers an appetizer, main course, and dessert for your meals. The food ranges from meats, seafood, salads, soups, etc.

When eating in the main dining room, you can choose to have an early seating (around 5:30) or a late seating (about 8:15) each night. There is also the “My Time” dining option which allows you to pick your own time when you eat each night. I highly recommend this option so that way you can plan your own days how you want to spend them. We still make a reservation for dining each night just to have but know it can be modified depending on what you want to do and when you want to do it.

Boardwalk Dog House: The Boardwalk Dog House serves brats, sausages, and sides. This is a great place for kids to pick up something good to eat since it is right near the pool

Arctic Zone: This snack station serves soft-serve frozen yogurt

Café Promenade: The Café Promenade is located on the Royal Promenade and offers breakfast items in the morning, sandwiches, pizzas, and cake in the afternoon and evening. There is also a self-serve station with coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. There is a coffee bar located right next to Café Promenade that offers coffee for separate purchase.

Dining with a Fee:

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: This is a Japanese themed restaurant that serves hibachi as well as sushi. We did enjoy the hibachi experience while on this sailing. It was a great experience and something different that is a great way to change up your dining on a longer sailing. I did love it, but actually prefer the self-order from a menu and then to be able to cook from a hot stone at some of the other Izumi locations on other ships. Reservations are strongly recommended. I would definitely make reservations the day you board your ship.

Playmakers Sports & Arcade: This sports bar is located right on the Royal Promenade and offers beer, cocktails, and a selection of bar food like wings and sliders. Playmakers is open from 2 PM to 2 AM.

Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver: Jamie’s Italian offers Tuscan inspired dishes created by one of Britain’s famous chefs. We didn’t eat here, but I do know the next time I’m on a ship with this restaurant, I will definitely be eating here. This menu looked delicious! Reservations are strongly recommended. I would definitely make reservations the day you board your ship.

Chops Grille: This is the ship’s steakhouse that serves steak, surf and turf, and delicious sides. This steakhouse is amazing and the food is so good! I highly recommend eating here if you have the option to! Reservations are strongly recommended. I would definitely make reservations the day you board your ship.

Chef’s Table: An intimate spot on board for a limited number of guests, which includes a five-course menu and wine tasting

Johnny Rockets: Johnny Rockets is a great location for lunch. We always eat here after laying by the pool for a little bit and makes it a great casual spot to eat at. This burger joint serves great burgers, onion rings, fries, and shakes. Johnny Rockets charges an expensive cover and you can order as much as you want (or until you’re full!)

Café Promenade: Enjoy a snack, pastry, or sandwich throughout the day or night. You’ll also find a great spot for coffee here too! All snacks are included in the cost of your cruise.

Starbucks: Enjoy some of your favorite Starbucks coffees for a small fee.

Adventure Ocean For Kids & Teens

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Youth Program divides kids into age-appropriate groups. Only children 3 and older who are fully toilet trained may participate. Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5) can enjoy activities like an alphabet scavenger hunt, storytime and Adventure Theater acting classes by Camp Broadway. Explorers (ages 6 to 8) can play backward bingo, make their own surfboards and take part in basic science activities. Voyagers (ages 9 to 11) can play foosball and capture the flag, as well as take part in science experiments Voyager level kids can start to sign themselves in and out of the program if their parents give permission for them to do so. In the evening, Adventure Dining lets the kids dine with the Adventure Ocean staff and friends, giving their parents a break for dinner.

The Late Night Party Zone is a group babysitting program and is available until 2 AM. Age-appropriate activities are provided and there is a quiet option for Aquanauts.

Teens are divided into two groups, as well: Tweens (ages 12 to 14) and teens (ages 15 to 17) Activities are also designed for tweens and teens which include mixers and icebreakers, a selfie scavenger hunt, card games, party games and activities that run from 9:30 AM to 1:00 AM. Other activities include Perfect Storm water slide races, game shows, and themed parties. On shore days at CocoCay, there are teen activities onboard and onshore as well.

There’s also a teen dance club called Fuel where kids can show off their dance moves. There’s also a space called The Living Room, which is a lounge area just for teens.

Next Cruise

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