This was a fun and relaxing three day cruise that leaves you wanting more. I enjoyed the ship and the great service, but I prefer a longer cruise. This would be a great first cruise.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation was fast and easy. No complaints there.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
The food on the ship was fine. I ate in the Main Dining Room for breakfast and dinner. Had breakfast and lunch in the wind jammer once each. I thought the food tasted better and the selection was better on Royal's mega ships. However, I know they may scale down for a 3 day cruise. Service was better on this ship than on the mega ships.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
I thought I wouldn't like a smaller ship, but I really enjoyed myself on the Mariner. Always do the Quest! It's a fun way to end the cruise. I enjoyed watching movies on the sun deck as well. I can only compare it to the Acqua Theatre on the mega ships where you have to sit in a seat to watch a movie. I preferred lounging in the lounge chairs for the movies.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
This was a very short cruise so I only saw the comedian on the first night and him and the cruise director were pretty good. I thought the cruise director was more entertaining than the comedian. I didn't make it to the second adult's only comedy show, which could've made a difference.
Children's Programs
5 out of 5
My four year nephew went to the kids club and loved it!
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Service on this ship was excellent. Dinner was quicker and more personable. The wait staff didn't seem as rushed as the staff on the mega ships. However, since this was a short cruise, I didn't see my cabin steward that often.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Loved this ship. Very clean with nice updates. The rooms are not updated, but they are adequate.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
This was my first time having a oceanview balcony and I loved it! I'm willing to get this room again.
I did the Blue Lagoon Beach excursion and had a wonderful time. There's a 30-40 minute ferry ride to the area. I was on one of the first ferries to get to the island. It's a big area with plenty of places to lounge. I found an area by the hammocks in the shade. Lunch was provided, which consisted of a buffet which had burgers, hot dogs, chicken, plantains and salad. It was decent food. There were five ships in Nassau that day so several more ferries came to Blue Lagoon and people on the later ferries may have had to search for seating. On the ferry ride back they point out the celebrity mansions which was fun and interesting.
Thought Coco Cay was wonderful. I had a bungalow on chill island and it was great. The concierge, Don, was the best. It did rain briefly while we were there so the curtains on the bungalow were handy. People are not lying about the sea gulls. They do surround the eating area and they did steal my nephew's hamburger, which we laughed about. The food was good with a nice selection. There are shuttles to take you to and from the ship. You do wait in a line to get on a shuttle to get back on the ship, so it seems they organized it before my trip. Someone in our party did get stung by a jellyfish on chill island as they are in the shallow water. They do have a first aid area that has a spray for stings.
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