BarryC1 Cruise Review on Seven Seas Mariner on

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 209

Review summary

This "review" is more of an attempt to judge this cruise line and this particular ship vs. other cruise lines and their respective ships that we enjoy greatly. Namely; Holland America, Princess, Norwegian, Celebrity, etc., vs. the "luxury ships." Excellence is so subjective and personal that we wanted to approach the review with this thought in mind. Perhaps this review will help others make the decision a little easier between this ship vs. another.We boarded the motorcoach in Anchorage after an hour wait. They didn't check for vouchers ($110.00 total), which we found curious and off we went for a four-hour drive to board the ship in Seward. Typically this should be a three-hour tour but due to roadwork and the driver slowing down for any wildlife or roadkill it stretched into a ride from **** for both of us (we dislike buses-oops, I mean motorcoaches). Entering the security terminal was easy enough, afterwhich we were allowed on board where we were escorted to the theater for official check-in and card issue. During this time, the harpist played and we were served champagne in crystal glasses as we waited on a short line. Radisson had gentlemen available to stand and hold any carry-ons while you stood in line which was very nice for the older folks in line (and us too). After receiving our room keys and filling out the usual forms we were escorted by a young lady who took our roll-on to our suite.Now for the details, upon entering the room (all the suites have doorbells) we found a good bottle of the house "champagne" (French Crement de Loire) iced down with fresh fruit and flowers. The room was appointed with an assortment of crystal cocktail glasses, filled ice bucket, corkscrew, wine stopper and plastic Radisson stirring sticks. Radisson allows you to preorder your choice of complimentary liquor; we chose a liter of Dewars and a liter of Absolute. We were under the impression that one could have as much in-suite liquor complimentary as needed, but found that after that was gone you would be charged for any additional alcohol. Of course that was plenty for a week but we thought we needed to clarify this point. The mini-fridge contained cans of club soda, 7-up, diet Coke, Coke, bottled water, and 2 Heinekens. All but the beers were replenished daily at no charge. Interestingly, the steward always left the freshly filled ice bucket in the fridge -- great idea; more cruise lines need to do this. The suite reminds me of the mini-suites aboard the Grand Princess except for the down pillows and comforter and the large separate closet NOT by the suite entrance (which always drives me crazy), and of course the bath has real marble tile from floor to ceiling and a nice size tub with jets. Interestingly enough, the balcony had no glass on the outside, so you could hang your feet out. That really helped the nice Alaskan breeze to flow into the room. Afterward we noticed there wasn't any on the ship at all, not even on the upper deck, so watch your small children (if you're crazy enough to take them. We'd be paranoid and they would be bored to tears with the very limited children's program in Alaska). Oh yes, the balcony. There were two plastic chairs that reclined and the small table acts as your footrest should you decide totally relax and kick your feet up. Behind the curtains we found two large lounge type cushions to put on the chairs, which was a really nice surprise! Also, these were brought in for the evening so as not to be cold and wet the next morning. Privacy? Just don't lean on the rail and it's no problem.