Mariner Of The Seas

Launched in 2003, Mariner of the Seas is the 5th Voyager-class Royal Caribbean ship, together with Adventure OTS, Explorer OTS, Navigator OTS and Voyager OTS.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US company, trademarked brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL, shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCCL's largest fleet as both numbers of vessels and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities). All Royal Caribbean liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 138,279-ton, 3,114-passenger cruise ship Mariner of the Seas is largely the same as her siblings, but Mariner was the first of its class to get Royal Advantage upgrade treatment as part of a US$300 million initiative to create uniformity across the Royal fleet and add signature elements represented first on the 5,400-guest Oasis-class vessels. As such, cruisers who sail on a Voyager-class ship are able to experience a number of twists beyond the signature ice rink, rock wall, and Royal Promenade.

Cruise itinerary program

Mariner of the Seas itinerary program is based on Asia cruises with roundtrip departures from Singapore, Shanghai, and Tianjin. Feature destinations are South Korea and Japan from China and Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam from Singapore.

In 2022, RCI scheduled for Mariner OTS a unique program from homeport Port Canaveral with 8-night cruises from Florida to Bermuda and Bahamas. The itinerary visits Kings Wharf Bermuda (2-day stay/overnight) plus Nassau (late-night departure) and CocoCay Island (full day stay). This unique itinerary was scheduled for the following departures (in 2022) - May 15 and 28, June 5, August 21, September 3 and 11, October 8 and 16.

Cabins

Most Mariner of the Seas staterooms are 150-ft2 sized Insides (480). Almost 50% of all passenger cabins have step-out balconies. The ship has a total of 1557 staterooms in 25 categories, including 26 wheelchair-accessible cabins. The ship's largest accommodations are Royal Suites (1335 ft2 / 120 m2).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Mariner of the Seas features a 3-deck main restaurant with music-themed design. Each of its three levels has an appropriate musical name. The von Trapp family tableau adds charm to the room. A nice touch is also the live music on the upper landing of the ship's staircase. However, the primary dining experience aboard Mariner includes two alternative restaurants. A steakhouse atmosphere is offered at Chops Grille. Giovanni's Table is an Italian themed restaurant that serves Caprese salad, herb focaccia, pasta, and braised meat dishes. Both are reservation-preferred eateries (book up early, since reservations can be made pre-cruise, online). Giovanni's levies a US$20 surcharge; Chops Grille is US$30.

Follows the complete list of Mariner of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

• Rhapsody In Blue Restaurant (735-seat aft Dining Room with fixed seating for Dinner; offers reservations-only DreamWorks character-themed breakfasts)
• Top Hat and Tails Restaurant (502-seat aft, dinner only Dining Room, with two fixed seatings)
• The Sound Of Music Restaurant (544-seat aft, dinner only Dining Room, with Club Dining at 6:00 or 8:30 p.m. and "Your Time Dining" 6:00-9:30 p.m.)
• Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (348-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7:00-11:30 a.m., Lunch 11.30-3:30 p.m. and Dinner 6.30-9:00 p.m.)
• Johnny Rockets Restaurant (72-seat burger bar, the extra fee applied)
• Giovanni’s Table (88-seat Italian specialty restaurant, reservations recommended)
• Chops Grille (80-seat steakhouse/seafood)
• Boardwalk Dog House (complimentary)
• Wig and Gavel Pub (29-seat traditional English/Irish pub bar)
• During refurbishment 2018 were added Jamie's Italian Restaurant (Mediterranean cuisine specialty dining venue), The Bamboo Room (Polynesia-themed cocktail bar lounge), Izumi Restaurant (Japanese cuisine specialty dining venue), Playmakers (sports bar / Arcade Games).
• Bamboo Room's specialty cocktails are at USD 14 each. Signature glassware costs USD 10. The most popular drinks are named Royal Zombie, Bamboo Swizzle, Navy Grog, Saturn Landing.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Mariner of the Seas ship's drydock in April 2012 added the RCI's signature venues Royal Babies and Tots Nursery (for toddlers/kids under 3 years), the casual, surcharge-free Boardwalk Dog House, the family-style Italian eatery Giovanni's Table (replaced the more stylish Portofino), the huge outdoor TV screen (by the swimming pool), as well as shipwide Wi-Fi, flat-panel TV's (in all staterooms), the Diamond Club (exclusive lounge for Diamond-level loyalty program members), interactive digital Wayfinder system (touch screens listing all onboard facilities, activities and customized directions).

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Mariner of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Royal Theatre (1362-seat, features two grand productions per night with dance, acrobatics, comedy, and game shows)
• Star Lounge (ship's secondary theatre, with a bar)
• Screening Room (60-seat cinema)
• Studio B Lounge (904-seat indoor ice-skating rink; also serves as a spot for ice shows, cooking demos, game parties)
• Disco and Nightclub (240-seat)
• Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery (art auctions are organized in the 308-seat Lotus Lounge)
• The Centrum (social hub); Boleros Lounge (74-seat); Next Cruise Lounge; Concierge Club (26-seat; suite and past guests only); Viking Crown Lounge and Bar; Jazz Club (40-seat); Diamond Club Lounge and Bar (27-seat, past guests only); Cloud 9 cocktail lounge (28-seat); Seven Hearts card room (30-seat)
• Schooner Bar (130-seat piano bar); Connoisseur Cigar Club (30-seat smoking lounge); Plaza Bar; Sky Bar
• Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade (complete with about 3 dozen TVs)
• Casino Royale (418-seat)
• The Golden Room (casino quests VIP lounge, invitation only)
• Cafe Promenade (105-seat, 24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks specialty coffees)
• Royal Promenade Boutiques (perfumes, jewelry, duty-free alcohol, general store, logo/souvenirs); Sea Trek Dive Shop
• Ben & Jerry’s (ice-cream parlor) 
• Royal Caribbean Online center (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 7 jacuzzis; 4 pools
• Solarium lounge (includes Park Cafe, pool bar and adults-only pool area); Solarium Bar
• Outdoor movie screen
• Video Games Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco club; Living Room teen lounge area; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
• Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall; Mariner Dunes Golf Course; Inline Roller Skating Track
• The Observatorium (Escape Room by Puzzle Break).

During refurbishment 2018 to the ship were added:

• RCI’s signature "Perfect Storm" waterslides (“Cyclone” and “Typhoon” / high-speed racing slides.), FlowRider (surfing simulator), Sky Pad (bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality headset). laser tag ("Battle for Planet Z" / glow-in-the-dark gaming room in the Studio B complex). The new water park and the duo of waterslides (called "Perfect Storm") were first introduced on the ships Liberty of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas (Oasis-class).
• “Splashaway Bay” kids aqua park / interactive water play area with cannons and geysers (replaced the Outdoor Youth Area “back deck”).
• "The Observatorium" (Escape Room by Puzzle Break) provides adventure game experiences (team-building exercises) for a group of players who solve a series of puzzles by using clues, hints and group strategy. The team is given a set time limit to solve the puzzle (secret plot hidden within the room).

Mariner OTS was constructed in 2003 in Turku Finland at Kvaerner Masa-Yards (now part of STX Europe / division of STX Holding, South Korea). Ship's godmother was Jean Drsicoll (US athlete). She has participated in four Summer Olympic games and won 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals in wheelchair racing. She also won the Boston Marathon 8 times, which is a record achieved by no one else. The naming ceremony took place on November the 14th at Port Canaveral (Orlando) Florida. After the naming ceremony, on the 16th of November, Mariner sailed on her maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean with destinations like Puerto Rico, Nassau, and Saint Maarten.

Being one of RCCL's really big ships, Mariner has the 4-deck high Royal Promenade, in size longer than a football field. This is one of the liner's most popular public places, and despite that, it has no windows it is still a breathtaking area dazzlingly illuminated all the time. The Mariner ship's decoration is "Art Noveau" style marked by beauty and simplicity.

Mariner OTS refurbishment 2018 review

Ship’s drydock 2018 refurbishment (May 8 - June 24, in Freeport Bahamas) resulted in the following deckplan changes:

• On Sports Deck 13, the RCI’s signature waterslides “Cyclone” and “Typhoon” (high-speed racing slides) were installed. Also on deck 13 was added FlowRider (surfing simulator), Sky Pad (bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality headset) and laser tag ("Battle for Planet Z" / glow-in-the-dark gaming room in the Studio B complex). The new water park and the duo of waterslides (called "Perfect Storm") were first introduced on the ships Liberty of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas (Oasis-class).
• On Spa Deck 12 (aft), the new “Slashaway Bay” kids aqua park was added. This is a new-design interactive water play area with cannons and geysers. It replaced the Outdoor Youth Area (aka “back deck”).
• On Deck 15, the "Skylight Chapel" (wedding room) was replaced with "The Observatorium" (Escape Room by Puzzle Break). The Escape Room provides adventure game experiences (team building exercises) for a group of players who solve a series of puzzles by using clues, hints and group strategy. The team is given a set time limit to solve the puzzle (secret plot hidden within the room).
• "The Golden Room" nightclub ((Deck 3 / lower level 1 of 2) was replaced with staterooms, while the upper level (Deck 4) was replaced with Izumi (Japanese restaurant at a fee, with Teppanyaki table-side grills).
• Photo Gallery was moved from Deck 4 to Deck 3. On Deck 4, replacing the Photo Gallery were added: "Playmakers Sports Bar" and Arcade Room.
• "Dragons Lair " nightclub ((Deck 3 / lower level 1 of 2) was replaced with staterooms, while the upper level (Deck 4) was replaced with Izumi (Japanese restaurant at a fee, with Teppanyaki table-side grills).
• Photo Gallery was moved from Deck 4 to Deck 3. On Deck 4, replacing the Photo Gallery were added: "Playmakers Sports Bar" and Arcade Room.
• (deck ?) Jamie's Italian Restaurant (Mediterranean cuisine speciality dining venue), The Bamboo Room (Polynesia-themed cocktail bar lounge), Playmakers (sports bar / Arcade Games)
• To the ship were also added new staterooms. All existing staterooms were renovated/updated.
• Refurbishment 2018 project cost USD 120 million.

Next YouTube video shows details on the ship's 2018 drydock refit in Freeport Bahamas.

Mariner OTS refurbishment 2012 review

The list of deckplan changes after drydock 2012 included:

• Cabin amenities were upgraded with new flat TVs added in all cruise staterooms.
• Digital signage (way finders) on several decks were installed. These touch-screen boards allow you to know your way around the ship.
• Wi-Fi coverage was upgraded to shipwide.
• On Lido Deck 11 (in the main pool area) a huge movie screen (outdoor theatre) was installed.
• On Lido Deck 11 (at Boardwalk) was added the Dog House (complimentary fast food bar).
• On deck 14 the “Diamond Club” lounge was added. This is a signature venue for “Crown & Anchor” (RCI loyalty program) members only.
• On deck 4 Giovanni’s Table (Italian Italian trattoria restaurant) was added.
• On Spa Deck 12 the Royal Caribbean’s signature Nursery was added.
• The onboard entertainment options were upgraded with the “DreamWorks Experience” (themed characters entertainment).
• Casino Lounge was renovated and upgraded with “Baccarat” and “Sic Bo” game tables.
• Vintages Bar was upgraded.
• More shopping options were added to the Royal Promenade boutique shopping arcade (now with the “Coach” bags store).