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First Time Cruise by
Chris F from Longview, TX Sailing date: Jan 2012Pros: Food was great, lodging great Cons: This particular ship set up for a older crowd. Not the best for children. No fun water park for kids. This was our first cruise. We had an interior state room with a 2 yr old but there was enough room as long as you stayed organized. The food was great. We were told the only dining time was 8:30 when we booked. We tried to switch to earlier but didn't want the hassle. With a 2 yr old, dinning wasn't the best option anyway. There is a buffet and it was great every time. The pools are set up for more mature travellers and there is nothing for kids with regards to pools, but my daughter loved the hot tubs. We never saw much of the entertainemnt as we were in our state room by 8 each night. Ship QualityNice clean and orderly ship. Dining/FoodGreat food at the Buffet (Windjammer), never tried the dining room. Stateroom QualityWhat we expected for interior state room. Cleaned twice daily. Stay organized and you don't notice the limited space. Ship Staff QualityStae room attendant was amazing. Rest of the staff was very nice. Children's ProgramsNothing much for under 3 yrs.  1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  A wonderful and awesome cruise!!!!!! by
Sharon T. from La Porte, TX Sailing date: Jan 2012Pros: The shows, the food, and the crew were great. Cons: The wait for the elevators, we end up taking the stairs. We recently sailed on the Mariner of the Seas for the first time, and all I can say is "Wow!". We really like Royal Caribbean's style, service, and innovative ships. The Windjammer buffet really isn't a "buffet" anymore, now it's like a cool marketplace/food court with many more choices, stations you can approach from all sides (so no endless line!). Very wide-open and airy feeling, a huge step up from the typical ship buffet. We loved all the nightlife options. The shows were great. Our stateroom was cozy and had some new features (really liked the new shower 'door" vs the old curtains which always got the floor soaked). Lots of new storage elements have been added, easy to unpack and fell like there was a place for everything. Overall we have to say the ship was really impressive, the staff was wonderful as always, and even if you've sailed on Mariner of the Seas before, she's worth a second look. Ship Quality
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Relaxing cruise by
Lillian L. from Carlsbad, CA Sailing date: Jan 2011Pros: stellar service with Royal Caribbean -- all the crew so helpful and friendly! Cons: strange low-grade vibration on the ship, felt it almost constantly As always, Royal Caribbean ships are beautifully built and furnished. The crew was extremely helpful and friendly. Facilities clean and well-maintained. Ship Qualitysometimes elevators a little slow, but what do you expect when there are 3000+ passengers using them? Dining/FoodGreat food. Wait staff was superb. Always friendly and wanting to please. Can't say enough great things about the wait staff. Stateroom QualityClean, comfortable, well-maintained. Housekeeping service superb. Ship Staff QualityRCI always has the best crews. Entertainment & Activitiesgood quality of entertainment. Couldn't get in to see the ice show due to limited seating. Events in Studio B tended to fill up fast, so hard to get a seat unless you get there pretty early. 
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Mazatlan, MexicoTaxi drops you off at a jewelry store.....hmmmm...does RCI get a kick back from their sales? Despite that, Diamonds International does have a great selection -- ended up buying a nice watch and pearl necklace there, tax and duty free.
Don't Miss: Shrimp Factory restaurant -- on the main drag in the Golden Zone Puerto Vallarta, MexicoVery relaxing just walking around the cathedral area and the Malecon. Sand castle scuptures really nicely done. Don't miss Cafe de Tequila -- just off the main street, around the cornea from a friendly Huichol art shop.
Don't Miss: Cafe Tequila -- around the corner from the Huichol shop. Excellent food and salsa! Cabo San Lucas, MexicoThe port was built up a lot more than last time I was there. No complaints. Felt pretty safe walking around.
Don't Miss: Tequila shopping 5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Wonderful cruise by
A Traveler from California Sailing date: Dec 2010Pros: Service Cons: Food not the best Good service, good people
Most crew understandable
Ship QualityVery good captain Dining/FoodSome foods not of the best quality Stateroom QualityWell taken care of and clean, bed not totally comfortable.
Room steward excellent Ship Staff QualityCaptain very polite and friendly, as well as the rest of the staff Entertainment & ActivitiesNot the best of talent 4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Best Vacation for all tastes by
Andrea T. from Las Vegas Sailing date: Sep 2010Pros: Ocean front room without the traffic, sandy feet, and cost Cons: The mexican ports full of junk sellers, and the cruise ship full of junk sellers! This was my first cruise, I had no idea what to expect. Pulling into the port, I saw the ship and it took my breath away, it was so HUGE! Our room was wonderful, and perfect for two people, a balcony on the 8th deck, midship. Hardly any motion. The promenade, pools, and all areas were clean, impressive, and so cool!. We had an amazing first few days, just lounging in the solarium sans kids. Cool breeze, drink and good book in hand, it was bliss. We aren't participators in any silly games, i.e. belly flop contest, but it was a riot to watch and laugh. Shows were fun. Windjammer cafe, bleh, basic mediocre buffet food. Lunch in the rhapsody dining room, lame. Dinner in the dining room, wonderful! The coffee shop was always there as a back up for a quick snack. Frozen yogurt on the pool deck, great! Johnny rockets, fun and great food. The port days were scary. Cabo, a fishing town that had makeshift flea market setups selling (aggressively) the same crap over and over again. Dicey at best. We went on a snorkel excursion. meh. it was fun, but stressful, and I got stung by jellyfish, no biggy, they were tiny, but they sting. Mazatlan, went to the Aroma Spa, best massage EVER. No one speaks english except the receptionist, so be prepared. Annnnd dont drink the water they offer you after, just bring your own. Also, I had to walk back to the ship 1.5 miles in the swampy heat because my cab never came back to get me. No shops, lots of starring people, a few naked kids, and homeless people later, I made it back no harm no foul. But massage relaxation gone... lol Husband went mountain biking and brought back a tick. yuck, but he had fun. Puerto Vallarta, do the Unimog tour, it was a blast, I learned so much, and saw so much. Real culture, real towns! Not tourist traps. Leather shops were cool. Our guide Sandra was totally awesome! It was worth the price and after a full day, I was beat! Last two days at sea were relaxing and fun. Staff wasnt overly attentive or friendly, No one was fake kissing my butt. But our room attendant and waiter were really nice. I just was bothered sometimes by the continuous pushing of extra stuff, like alcohol, and dining in the upgraded restaurants. And the shops had a crappy selection of wares. They could make a good amount of money if they had a wider selection of merchandise, and cruise stuff. There jewelry store was barren, however the cheap jewelry was abundant. well, I'd probably cruise to a different country next time, but it was great for a first cruise. I will definately cruise again. Ship QualityClean, and well maintained. Dining/FoodFood was lacking and stale in most dining situations except dinner time. Not a whole lot of options. Stateroom QualityLoved our room, loved the layout. Lots of room for a cruise ship room. Ship Staff QualitySome were amazing, most were just gettin through the day of helping us endless tourists! Entertainment & ActivitiesSome were so fun, IceSkating was a blast. Husband loved the rockwall, and dodgeball. The dancing and shows were TOO late to go to.
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Mazatlan, MexicoPort and industry feeling to the town. Did not feel unsafe. AROMA SPA great.
Don't Miss: Aroma spa massage. The best. Puerto Vallarta, MexicoGreen and exotic feeling. Although the port is right across from a walmart/sams club. it feels more like a real city. Shopping isnt so in your face. UNIMOG tour was worth every penny.
Don't Miss: Go off the beaten path on the Unimog Tour, so COOL! Cabo San Lucas, Mexicoscary, hold on to your wallet,you stick out like the cruise ship sucker that you are. Do an excursion instead! I would have loved to go deep sea fishing. Snorkeling from a zodiac boat was fun.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Good cruise by
A Traveler from Seattle, WA Sailing date: Jun 2010Pros: Ship, activities, nice cabin Cons: Food Ship is big, well-maintained, and offers a lot of fun activities. Food could be better, and service was very good most of the time. Ship Quality
Dining/Food2 nights in the dining room were terrible. Sirloin steak should be missed. We found the buffet to be good, but we opted for salads & healthy fare. The burgers at the buffet did not look good; had pizza once & it was decent. Stateroom Quality
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Entertainment & ActivitiesAverage because there were activities (e.g. bingo, ice skating) that were very poorly organized. I would strongly suggest a chance for adults to ice skate without kids. We had been assured that with our names on the wait list we would skate the next day, only to be bumped again. The ice show is definitely recommended. Comedian is terrible.
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Mazatlan, MexicoWe walked around Mazatlan's Old Town. Didn't go to the Zona Dorada. Maz is a beautiful town, but run down more than the rest so many people don't like it. Visit the Malecon and the Cathedral.
Don't Miss: Cathedral, Malecon Puerto Vallarta, MexicoBeautiful tourist area, Malecon is worth seeing.
Don't Miss: Cathedral, sculptures at Malecon Cabo San Lucas, MexicoWe went through Cabo Sailing. Great time!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Excellent Cruise by
L. Torres from Alameda, CA Sailing date: Jul 2010Pros: Cabo & Mazatlan Cons: Weather on our way back to San Pedro (but this is out of our control) Overall impressions of this ship is great! I celebrated my 50th b-day with my family during this cruise and all I can say is it is the best birthday ever. My room was filled with decorations the day of my birthday and I've got fresh, beautiful red roses delivered to my room courtesy of my husband. I can't ask for anything more. Our stateroom attendant was superb. He kept our room nice and clean. Waiters and staff were great. Ship QualityThis is my third cruise, first two were with Carnival and this is my first with Royal Carribean. I must say RC is very elegant, huge, and immacculate. Dining/FoodWe enjoyed the food esp. at Windjammer. Also the 24 hour Cafe at the Promenade was excellent. Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff QualityOur stateroom attendant was superb! Our waiters were wonderful! Entertainment & ActivitiesI enjoyed the '70's disco, '80's, ice skating, but most esp. the game "Quest". It was hilarious. Children's ProgramsMy 11 mo. old grandson had fun at Cloud Nine.
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Mazatlan, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta, MexicoIt was raining when we got there. Couldn't do much.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
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It is a wonderful cruise by
Julie G. from Los Angeles, Ca Sailing date: May 2010Pros: Casinos and Mall Cons: Schooner Bar It is really wonderful cruise and since it is my first time and I am really surprise
about this ship. I would love to cruise again in Alaska in the future.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. I would recommend this cruise to my
friends and relatives. Overall it is excellent. Ship Quality
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Not so great..... by
Angelo J. from Washington, MI Sailing date: Apr 2010Pros: Very nice ship Cons: Food was sub standard to other Cruise Lines. Food at the buffet had plenty of variety, but was the same variety every day. Also way to windy, lost 4 days when to windy to be outside. With the itinerary, it seem like the last 2 days were a rush to get back to LA causing the wind to be even higher. So rough, the water was rocking right out of the pool. If all pacific cruises are this rough and windy, we will never go again Ship Quality
Dining/FoodMain dinning was fine. The buffet was sub standard. Stateroom QualityVery nice. Our attendant was very good. Ship Staff QualityStaff seemed to be dis-engaged until the last day. Not very freindly. Entertainment & ActivitiesWorst of all cruises I've been on. Very little variety, ships singers were aweful. Ford all the days we were stuck inside due to rough seas and wind, I would have expected much better. 3 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Great cruise for families! by
Dana M. from Salt Lake City, UT Sailing date: Apr 2010Pros: Amount and variety of activities Cons: Buffet food This ship is beautiful and in great condition! All the activities for kids kept my 9-year old child constantly entertained and having fun! The staff was wonderful! Ship QualityI loved the Promenade in the center of the ship, made me feel like I was in a Vegas hotel! I also loved the artwork they had in the halls and stairwells. Dining/FoodThe buffet lunches were 90% fried food. I stuck to salad bar everyday because of it! Stateroom QualityNice size rooms, in great condition! Ship Staff QualityWe loved our stateroom attendant as well as our dining room staff. Entertainment & Activities
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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