Even after 55+ cruises around the world, Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas remains one of my favorite ships. I’ve sailed aboard this Voyager class ship with family and friends at many different stages of my life, making new memories each time. After four cruises onboard, it’s safe to say I have a soft spot for this ship!
My first sailing on Mariner of the Seas was 20 years ago in 2006, and I remember being amazed that a cruise ship could have an ice skating rink! In 2017, my now-husband and I sailed around Southeast Asia during our college break to visit Thailand and Malaysia.
I loved the ship so much that I couldn’t wait to sail on it again. A few years later, I returned with my sister for a Bahamas getaway in 2022, then joined friends for a cruise to Cozumel in 2023.
In my opinion, Mariner of the Seas has something for everyone, which is especially nice when you’re traveling with a group.
Of course, four sailings have also given me plenty of time to notice the ship’s shortcomings. The dated cabins haven’t changed, the lines can be long, and the crowded pool deck can be difficult to navigate. Even so, I’ve had wonderful vacations onboard and loved sharing the experience with different people while exploring very different itineraries.
Here’s what keeps bringing me back to Mariner of the Seas, and things to consider if you’re planning to book a cruise on this classic Voyager ship.
Mariner has always felt like a comfortable size to me
I’ve always enjoyed Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class ships, and they continue to be one of my favorites. There’s enough happening onboard to keep me entertained, but I don’t feel like I need an entire week just to figure out where everything is located.
Mariner of the Seas debuted in 2003, so she’s well into her twenties now. She was considered enormous when she first started sailing, although Royal Caribbean’s newer ships have certainly changed our definition of a big cruise ship.
Personally, I still find plenty to enjoy onboard. The Royal Promenade is always lively, making it one of my favorite features. Having cafés, bars, and shops along one central stretch makes it easy to grab a coffee, meet for a drink, or wander around after dinner.
Some sailings on Mariner of the Seas have been about the destinations, while others have been about enjoying the ship. For me, that’s part of the ship’s appeal!
During our 2017 Southeast Asia cruise, my husband and I spent our days exploring Thailand and Malaysia before returning to Mariner of the Seas each evening. After visiting temples and floating villages, we loved coming back to the ship as a home base.
On our recent Caribbean sailings, the ship itself was a bigger part of the vacation, as we spent more time onboard. We were there to enjoy the restaurants, spend time together, and squeeze in a few days away. I love that you can do both when booking a cruise on Mariner of the Seas.
The newer additions gave me more reasons to return
I’ve sailed aboard Mariner of the Seas both before and after her massive $120 million amplification. In 2018, Royal Caribbean added waterslides, new restaurants and bars, and more activities throughout the ship. Having sailed onboard before those upgrades, I was excited to see what had changed when my sister, Angie, and I returned in 2022.
I was excited to experience all of the additions during my recent cruises on Mariner of the Seas! For instance, the Bamboo Room quickly became a favorite for cocktails, and we made a point to visit Playmakers for its much-hyped campfire cookie (which was fabulous, by the way!). I liked having more places to spend time together, especially in the evenings.
I also tried the Perfect Storm waterslides with my sister after returning from our day at Perfect Day CocoCay. Most people were still ashore, so we walked right up without waiting. We both agreed that the slides on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships were more thrilling, but we still had fun twisting down the slides.
Along with the slides, Mariner of the Seas has a FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, mini golf, laser tag, an escape room, and ice skating in Studio B. For an older ship, there’s a lot to keep you busy!
This variety is something I’ve appreciated when sailing with different groups of people. You can spend the afternoon trying activities, relaxing by the pool, or meeting for a drink without everyone needing to follow the same schedule. Personally, I’m sometimes just as happy watching people attempt the FlowRider as I am trying something myself!
The cabins showed their age, but ours was comfortable
If you’re expecting a newly designed cabin with modern finishes and convenient charging ports everywhere, Mariner of the Seas might leave you disappointed. During my recent cruise, I booked an inside guarantee and was assigned cabin 8371 toward the back of the ship.
The decor looked very similar to what I remembered from my 2017 sailing. Walking inside brought back memories of the Voyager Class cabins we stayed in growing up, although I realize nostalgia probably isn’t everyone’s preferred decorating style.
Even still, the room was fine for our short cruise. We had comfortable beds, plenty of storage, and a couch. Naturally, the couch slowly became a home for our clothes and bags, but we appreciated having it.
My sister and I barely filled the closet during our 4-night cruise, and there was enough shelving and drawer space to properly unpack. For two people who mainly needed somewhere to sleep, shower, and get ready, the cabin had what we needed.
The charging situation was less convenient. Our room lacked the USB ports I had grown accustomed to on newer ships, so we were constantly switching between charging our phones and laptops.
I was happy with what we received for the price. Someone planning to spend more time relaxing in their room might feel differently.
The Bamboo Room became one of our favorite spots onboard
Of all the new additions on Mariner of the Seas, The Bamboo Room was one of the biggest hits. The bar’s tropical decor, colorful booths, wicker lights, and greenery made it an inviting place to settle in for a cocktail. During my first visit, I ordered the On the Run cocktail, which arrived in a fun plastic pouch, while my sister went with a classic piña colada.
We enjoyed it enough that we returned three nights during our 4-night cruise! One afternoon, Café Promenade had a long line and Playmakers was busy, but The Bamboo Room was nearly empty. We happily settled in for cocktails while waiting for our campfire cookie at Playmakers. I tried the Royal Zombie that time, which came in an adorable tiki cup and had hints of black licorice.
If you’re sailing on Mariner of the Seas, I highly recommend visiting The Bamboo Room during your cruise. It’s a great place to gather for fun drinks that you won’t find anywhere else onboard.
I found plenty to eat without paying extra, but enjoyed the splurges
Growing up, my family rarely ate at specialty restaurants on cruises. We had already paid for meals with our cruise fare, and we were happy eating in the main dining room. My husband and I took the same approach when we sailed on Mariner as college students trying to save money. Specialty dining wasn’t something we needed to enjoy the trip.
Over time, I’ve grown to appreciate an occasional dinner somewhere different. I was happy to spend a little extra during my recent Mariner of the Seas cruises at Chops Grille and Jamie’s Italian.
At Chops Grille, my filet was tender and flavorful, and we ordered plenty of sides. My sister ordered the roasted chicken, which she also enjoyed. Between the two of us, we tried three different desserts on the menu (why not?!). The warm chocolate cake was my favorite, while the cheesecake didn’t do much for me.
Jamie’s Italian was another fantastic dinner, especially as big fans of Italian food. We ordered smaller portions of several pastas, and the truffle pasta was our favorite. By the time we finished dessert, we were certainly getting our money’s worth!
Finally, we couldn’t resist trying the campfire cookie at Playmakers after hearing how delicious it was. When we visited, we were told the kitchen was busy and our cookie could take about 45 minutes. Normally, that would sound like an unreasonable amount of time to wait for dessert. However, we grabbed a drink at The Bamboo Room and came back for our treat.
The warm cookie with ice cream was one of the best things we ate during the cruise. I’m happy to report that our patience was rewarded and it was worth the extra charge!
A smaller ship doesn’t necessarily mean fewer crowds
One of my biggest surprises during our Bahamas cruise was how busy the ship felt. We had booked an inexpensive sailing shortly before departure, so I assumed the low price meant there would be plenty of empty cabins. Apparently, I hadn’t given enough thought to our cruise falling just after Easter and toward the end of spring break season!
There were a lot of families onboard, and the crowds were noticeable around the ship. Café Promenade had long lines at times, some activities had waits, and arriving just before the ice show meant we ended up with bad seats. Needless to say, I recommend getting to Studio B early for seats if you plan to see the ice show (and you absolutely should!).
The Solarium was particularly frustrating. My sister and I hoped to relax on one of the daybeds, but repeatedly found them covered with belongings while no one was using them. At one point, we spent an hour in the area without seeing anyone actually lie on the beds being saved.
I don’t expect to have the pool deck to myself, but watching prime seating sit empty while people look for somewhere to relax gets old quickly. The Solarium is reserved for guests 18 and older, although an adults-only space doesn’t necessarily mean a quiet one.
Thankfully, it wasn’t always busy. We generally had no trouble finding a breakfast table in the Windjammer, and returning from port before most passengers gave us a chance to try the waterslides without waiting.
I still thoroughly enjoyed the cruise, but it reminded me that sailing dates and school holidays can shape the experience just as much as the ship you choose.
The entertainment is still part of the appeal for me
I remember being amazed that Mariner of the Seas had an ice skating rink when I first sailed with my family in 2006. I’ve taken many cruises since then, but I still look forward to Royal Caribbean’s ice shows whenever they’re offered onboard.
Watching the skaters perform jumps and spins while we’re sailing at sea never gets old! I loved watching Ice Under the Big Top in Studio B, which has a circus theme with elaborate costumes, playful moments for the kids, and plenty of impressive skating.
We both enjoyed the show, although arriving just before it started left us sitting behind a large pole. Next time, I would give myself more time to find a seat with a better view.
The Royal Theater offers more evening entertainment, including Gallery of Dreams and visiting performers such as comedians, musicians, and jugglers. Along with the production shows, you can find live music, karaoke, trivia, and themed parties around the ship.
Would I sail on Mariner of the Seas again?
After four cruises with family and friends, I would happily consider a fifth sailing on Mariner of the Seas. I’ve enjoyed the ship while exploring Southeast Asia, taking a quick Bahamas getaway, and cruising to Cozumel with friends. Having something for everyone is a big reason we’ve kept coming back.
I think Mariner of the Seas is a great choice for travelers who want plenty of activities, dining options, and evening entertainment at a price that leaves room in the budget for other parts of the trip. You can enjoy the included restaurants, spend an afternoon by the pool, and catch an ice show without feeling like you need to keep spending money to have fun.
An older ship can offer excellent value, especially if you’re looking for an affordable getaway. Personally, I prefer Royal Caribbean’s Voyager Class ships over its Radiance and Vision Class ships because I enjoy the additional amenities and entertainment options.
Mariner of the Seas has enough to keep everyone bus, and I appreciate having plenty of choices onboard without needing to book one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.
Of course, I’ve had my frustrations with the crowds and dated cabins, but they haven’t kept me from coming back. After four sailings, I still think Mariner of the Seas offers a vacation I’d happily repeat. Give me a good itinerary, a reasonable fare, and someone fun to travel with, and I’ll gladly meet them for another cocktail at The Bamboo Room!
