First Cruise Experience

Item: Mariner of the Seas
Rating: 4.9
Author: Wine4Me

Mariner of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Wine4Me

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 10

Overall rating:

4.9 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 05, 2024

Ship: Mariner of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8291

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 month ago

Review summary

Overall it was an excellent first cruise experience. I'm not sure we are a "cruise family", but we enjoyed the trip very much.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Incredibly well organized, 20 minutes from parking to onboard ship

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Although I personally found the food to be underseasoned, I tend to prefer bolder flavors, so I'm sure that it was great for most people. The Chops Grille was very nice and my kids enjoyed the wide variety of foods at the buffets. I did love our waiters introducing us to the different Indian foods that were offered during dinner service, it was very tasty.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Everyone enjoyed the water slides, the spa and fitness were good, but I wasn't prepared for the constant upsell during every interaction with them. I suppose it's a necessary evil of the revenue model now...

Entertainment

5 out of 5

We loved the pianist that would ride up and down the elevators every evening.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The service staff was so wonderful. Our waiters, Viraj and Mahesh, were absolute treasures! Even though we had my time dining, they made sure that we were seated with them every night. Mahesh even sought us out during the breakfast buffet service. I cannot say enough nice things about them.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

We liked having the birdseye view of the promenade, and loved that the cabin was nice and cool in the evenings, much cooler than the balcony room our family also had across the hall.