Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	420
Accommodation	200	155
Food	400	242
Service	400	286
Entertainment	100	83
Cruise	400	313

How this score is created

Mariner of the Seas is a stunning, large, floating leisure resort, sister to Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, which debuted between 1999 and 2003, respectively. The exterior design is not unlike an enlarged version of the company’s Vision-class ships.

The ship’s propulsion is derived from three pod units, powered by electric motors (two azimuthing, and one fixed at the centerline) instead of conventional rudders and propellers.

With large proportions, the ship provides more facilities and options, yet the ship manages to have a healthy passenger space ratio (the amount of space per passenger). Being a “non-Panamax” ship, it is simply too large to go through the Panama Canal, thus limiting its itineraries almost exclusively to the Caribbean (where only a few islands can accept it), or for use as a floating island resort. Spend the first few hours exploring all the many facilities and public spaces aboard this vessel and it will be time well spent.

Although Mariner of the Seas is a large ship, the cabin hallways are warm and attractive, with artwork cabinets and wavy lines to lead you along and break up the monotony. In fact, there are plenty of colorful, even whimsical, decorative touches to help you avoid what would be a very clinical environment.

Embarkation and disembarkation take place through two stations/access points, designed to minimize lines (that’s more than 1,500 people for each access point). Once inside the ship, you’ll need good walking shoes, particularly when you need to go from one end to the other – it really is quite a long way.

The four-decks-high Royal Promenade, which is 393.7 ft (120 meters) long, is the main interior focal point (it’s a good place to hang out, to meet someone, or to arrange to meet someone). The length of two football fields (American football, that is), it has two internal lobbies (atria) that rise to as many as 11 decks high. Restaurants, shops and entertainment locations front this winding street and interior “with-view” cabins look into it from above. It is designed loosely in the image of London’s fashionable Burlington Arcade – although there’s not a real brick in sight, and I wonder if the designers have ever visited the real thing. It is, however, an imaginative piece of design work, and most passengers (particularly those who enjoy shopping malls) enjoy it immensely.

The super-atrium houses a “traditional” pub (the Wig &?Gavel), with draft beer and plenty of “street-front” seating (North American passengers always seem to sit down, while British passengers prefer to stand at the bar). There is also a Champagne Bar, a Sidewalk Cafe (for continental breakfast, all-day pizzas, specialty coffees and desserts), Sprinkles (for round-the-clock ice cream and yoghurt), and a sports bar. There are also several shops – jewelry shop, gift shop, logo souvenir shop, and a Tommy Hilfiger signature store. Altogether, the Royal promenade is a nice place to see and be seen, and it sees action throughout the day and night. Comedy art has its place here, too, for ­example in the trompe l’oeil painter climbing up the walls. The Guest Reception and Shore Excursion counters are located at the aft end of the promenade, as is an ATM machine. Things to watch for: look up to see the large moving, asteroid-like sculpture (constantly growing and contracting). At times, street entertainers appear, and parades happen, while at other (carefully orchestrated) times it’s difficult to walk through the area as it is filled to the brim with shopping items – like a cheap bazaar.

Arched across the promenade is a captain’s balcony. Meanwhile, in the center of the promenade is a stairway that connects you to the deck below, where you’ll find the Schooner Bar (a piano lounge that is a feature of all RCI ships) and the colorful Casino Royale. This is naturally large and full of flashing lights and noises. Gaming includes blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, roulette, and craps, as well as 300 slot machines. Aft of the casino is Bolero’s Bar.

There’s also a regulation-size ice-skating rink (Studio B), featuring real, not fake, ice, with “bleacher” seating for up to 900, and the latest in broadcast facilities. Ice Follies shows are presented here. Slim pillars obstruct clear-view arena stage sight lines, however. If ice-skating in the Caribbean doesn’t appeal, you may enjoy the stunning two-deck library (open 24 hours a day). A grand $12 million was spent on permanent artwork. Drinking places include a neat Aquarium Bar, complete with 50 tons of glass and water in four large aquariums (whose combined value is over $1 million).

Drinking places include the small and intimate Champagne Bar, and a Connoisseur Club – for cigars and cognacs. Lovers of jazz might appreciate Ellington’s, an intimate room for cool music atop the ship in the Viking Crown Lounge, or the Schooner Bar piano lounge. Golfers might enjoy the golf bar, as they play the Mariner Dunes.

There is a large television studio, adjacent to rooms that can be used for trade show exhibit space, with conference center that seats 400 and a multi-media screening room that seats 60. Lovers could tie the knot in a wedding chapel in the sky, the Skylight Chapel (it’s located on the upper level of the Viking Crown Lounge, and even has wheelchair access via an electric stairway lift). Outdoors, the pool and open deck areas provide a resort-like environment.

Families with children are also well catered to, as facilities for children and teenagers are quite extensive. “Aquanauts” is for 3–5 year-olds; “Explorers” is for 6–8 year-olds; “Voyagers” is for 9–12 year-olds. Optix is a dedicated area for teenagers, including a daytime club (with several computers), soda bar, and dance floor. “Challenger’s Arcade” features an array of the latest video games. Paint and Clay is an arts and crafts center for younger children. Adjacent is Adventure Beach, an area for all the family; it includes swimming pools, a water slide and game areas outdoors.

In terms of sheer size, this ship dwarfs almost all other ships in the cruise industry, but in terms of personal service, the reverse tends to be the case, unless you happen to reside in one of the top suites. Royal Caribbean International does, however, try hard to provide a good standard of programmed service from its hotel service staff. Remember to take lots of extra pennies – you’ll need them to pay for all the additional-cost items.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008