Mariner of the Seas

As a cruise industry powerhouse, Royal Caribbean International has a lengthy, stellar history of innovation stemming from its 1969 founding by three Norwegian shipping companies. Song of Norway, Royal Caribbean’s first ship, made waves in 1970 as the first passenger vessel purpose-built for warm weather cruising. Song of Norway also boasted the first cocktail lounge cantilevered from its smokestack, launching the Viking Crown Lounge as an architectural signature for every Royal Caribbean vessel. A 1988 merger with Admiral Cruises spurred growth, made all the more notable by debut of the 2,350-passenger Sovereign of the Seas – the first with a dazzling atrium. After becoming a publicly traded company in 1993 while bringing more glittering ships into service, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1997 changed its name to Royal Caribbean International to reflect widening global interests. In 1999, RCI made headlines with introduction of the then-largest cruise ship ever, Voyager of the Seas, boasting the first rock climbing wall at sea with an ice skating rink below. RCI's “get out there” campaign touts “way more than a cruise” with ever-expanding options in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, and Europe. With Cunard's Queen Mary 2 from Carnival Corporation presently holding the record of world’s largest cruise ship, RCI will reclaim the title with delivery of its first Ultra Voyager ship, set for May, 2006. Past guests of Royal Caribbean ships are eligible for future benefits as members of the Crown & Anchor Society, with special onboard events and other perks.

Quick View

Entering service in 2003 as the fifth of RCI's Voyager class, Mariner of the Seas boasts expanded dining and entertainment options, a signature rock-climbing wall, an inline skating track, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade – an interior shopping, dining, and entertaining boulevard. Mariner of the Seas also has an ice skating rink with spectacular ice shows, a 1,350-seat Broadway-style theater, a miniature golf course, and one of the largest fitness and spa complexes at sea. Mariner’s older sisters are Voyager of the Seas (debuting in 1999), Explorer of the Seas (2000), Adventure of the Seas (2001) and Navigator of the Seas (2002). Mariner of the Seas, the largest ship sailing from Florida’s Port Canaveral, sails 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean round-trip alternating itineraries. Eastern sailings include calls in Nassau, St. Thomas and Philipsburg. Western sailings include calls in Ocho Rios, George Town and Cozumel.

About Gratuities
Recommended gratuities per person, per day are $3.50 for the waiter, $2 for the assistant waiter, 75 cents for the headwaiter, and $3.50 for the stateroom attendant. A 15 percent tip is automatically added to bar checks. Gratuities may be pre-paid by having them added to the reservation, or added to the onboard Sea Pass account, or paid in cash at the end of the cruise. Envelopes for gratuities are provided in staterooms on the last night of the cruise.

Disabled Access
Mariner of the Seas’ godmother, Jean Driscoll, is a world-class athlete, Olympian, Paralympian and advocate for persons with disabilities. RCI’s Accessible Seas program is designed to make travel more pleasant and convenient for all. Braille menus and stairwell banister deck numbers, automatic doors, hydraulic pool/Jacuzzi lifts, extra-wide corridors, and special devices for the hearing and visually impaired are on board. Mariner also has 26 staterooms in various categories with a variety of accessibility features such as roll-in showers.

Ship Features

Voyager-class vessels such as Mariner of the Seas will forever go down in history as the first cruise ships with rock-climbing walls and skating rinks, triple-tier dining rooms, nine-hole miniature golf courses, and regulation-sized basketball courts. Mariner of the Seas also has three swimming pools, and more than a dozen bars, many along the Royal Promenade. Despite being a megaship, the allows 3,000 or so passengers to roam the ship with ease.

Staterooms
Cabins range from inside, ocean view, family ocean view, atrium view (overlooking the Royal Promenade), superior ocean view with a private balcony, superior ocean view suites, and royal family suites (with two bedrooms, two baths).

Stateroom amenities
All staterooms have TV, radio, phone, private bath with shower, and mini-bar, and higher categories have bathtubs and more.

Kid & Teen Stuff
The complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth Program is designed to blend educational activity with entertainment for ages 3 to 17. To participate, children must be potty trained. Kids-only meals, a TV station with programming just for kids, lots of great play areas and a nightclub for teens are part of the program. With Adventure Ocean, parents get free time for adult activity while reserving plenty of time for family activity. Baby sitting, including group sitting and in-cabin sitting, can be arranged.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
A triple-tiered main dining room serves five-course meals in. Alternative venues include Chop’s Grille, Portofino Restaurant, and Johnny Rockets, a ‘50s diner with booths, counters and a juke box. There is 24-hour room service, ShipShape menus highlight health options, Kosher selections can be requested, and either adult or child soda / juice packages can be purchased.

Sports / Health / Fitness
A 200-foot rock-climbing wall challenges experts as well as beginners. Spa packages for men and women combine facials, cleansing massages, aroma stone therapy and more. A nine-hole golf course is near the basketball court.

Entertainment
Rising four-stories and serving as the heart of the ship, the Royal Promenade is lined with shops and bars. Studio B, a 900-seat ice skating rink, dazzles with ice extravaganzas, fashion reviews and more. The five-deck Savoy Theater presents nightly Broadway-style shows.

Casino
An expansive gaming area includes slots, roulette, dice, blackjack and poker.

Bars
RCI’s signature Viking Crown Lounge awaits from its smokestack. Other watering holes include Vintages wine bar and the Connoisseurs Club, along the Royal Promenade.