Mariner of the Seas is the fifth and final of the Voyager Class ships launched and brought into service by Royal Caribbean. Like her sisters she is post-Panamax and unable to cruise into the Panama Canal or navigate smaller ports. Her sheer size gifts her the coin-of-phrase “hotel at sea”, once you have seen Mariner up close you’ll agree that she is more of a “floating city”.Parts of Mariner’s interior are styled so closely to land examples that in some cases – such as walking down the Royal Promenade, you’ll easily forget that you are on-board a ship, and feel more as though you are on a city high-street.Mariner comes with the signature on-board ice rink, basketball court, jogging track, roller-blade track and outdoor rock climbing wall that appear throughout all of the Voyager class ships. There is also a mini-golf course, Broadway style theatre The Savoy and an Ocean Adventure area for families and children. There is so much to do on-board Mariner that it’s likely you’ll end up missing some activities because you simply can’t find the time. Something worth mentioning is the Solarium, an adult(s) only pool area, and the perfect place to truly relax.
Dining on-board Mariner is a combination of formal and informal eateries. Mariner’s three-tiered main restaurants are lavish and grand in appearance, the service is as you would expect from a luxury cruise with friendly an attentive staff. The Rhapsody in Blue, Top Hat and Tails and The Sound of Music are all located towards the aft of the ship on decks 3, 4 and 5. The Windjammer Cafe, one of Royal Caribbean Internationals signature restaurants is a more informal buffet style service and a popular venue to eat, as well as Jonny Rockets the popular burger bar and 50’s style informal restaurant where you can find American style burgers, hot-dogs and fries. Mariner of the Seas has (like her sister ships) a two tier Spa and fitness centre, after you have used these facilities be sure to check out the “peek-a-boo” bridge where you will get a glimpse behind the scenes of the ships bridge and the crew hard at work navigating the behemoth vessel. Staterooms are very spacious with much more room than you would expect from a ship carrying such a large number of passengers. Each stateroom is bright and clean and comes with popular amenities, a TV/ Radio, on-suite shower facilities and the obligatory survival hair-dryer.