Low buck, spur of the moment trip, BEWARE OF THE FINAL BILLING PRACTICES!

Item: Mariner of the Seas
Rating: 3.8
Author: mandt830

Mariner of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

mandt830

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 37

Overall rating:

3.8 out of 5

Verified Review

4 Night Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 01, 2018

Ship: Mariner of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 6477

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Decent cruise especially given hurricane season discounts. It is well known that at the end of each cruise gratuities are added to each account. I have no issue with this practice. However, my interpretation of one account is one CC on file to be billed for on-board charges, thus one account. Royal Caribbean does not agree! I authorized my wife to also be a signer on the ship's account, which by RC this constitutes two accounts and consequently I was charged 2X the gratuities, plus all that I tipped during the cruise! I complained to customer service and was basically told to pound sand. Beware of this business practice! I am angry about this, but being a seasoned cruise taker know that complaining to the cruise lines about anything, (not that I am a chronic complainer- i am not!) especially after the trip, is a complete waste of time, so take heed from my words here and dont let them do this to you.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Very easy, well organized

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The drink plan is a total scam. You will be held hostage by your thirst if you do not participate.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

too much geared for kids and much less for adults.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Children's Programs

We stayed far from kids which was easy to do

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

On-board staff were excellent. Customer service TERRIBLE and HOSTILE!

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Basic medium cruiseliner, was clean and well maintained

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The cabin boy assigned was excellent. Attentative and very pleasant!

Ship tip

Elevators waste a significant amount of time, Take the stairs when possible!

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Miami, Florida

3 out of 5

No one takes a cruise to see Miami do they? If so I am sorry for them...

Thumbs Up 9

Nassau, Bahamas

4 out of 5

Thumbs Up 0

Cococay (Cruise Line's Private Island) Did not visit port

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

6 Comments

baronmom3 6 years ago

Water, teas, coffee, lemonade and juice in the am are free.

Thumbs Up 1

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BrayaWills 6 years ago

@marsha226. I think he says it’s a scam because you have no choice but to buy it. Otherwise there aren’t any drink options. My upcoming trip, will be my first time on RC, on previous cruises I didn’t buy a drink plan but there were other free juice options around the ship. So I guess I will be buying this one especially since it’s on sale right now.

Thumbs Up 0

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marsha226 6 years ago

Why is drink plan a scam? I do intend on getting it

Thumbs Up 0

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yailuv2cruise 6 years ago

Gratuities have always been per person/per day. I always suggest prepaying them so they are paid upfront with your booking!

Thumbs Up 3

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hookem72 6 years ago

Gratuities are charged per person per day.

Thumbs Up 2

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GospelCruiser 6 years ago

It is per person

Thumbs Up 2

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