Mariner of the Seas Review

Great Spring Break Cruise

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
User Avatar
KAP
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Mar 2012
Cabin: Interior Stateroom
Traveled with children

We are a family of four. Our daughter is 16 and our son is 11. We have been on numerous cruises and have always enjoyed them so we decided a year ago it was time to go on another one. Our budget was limited so I looked into cruises with a lower price going to ports we had never been to before. Mariner of the Seas out of Galveston fit the bill.

We booked an interior stateroom on deck 12 for all four of us. Total cost $1,876 plus $316 in taxes and fees. The stateroom was a little tight for four of us but it worked out fine. I would never try this with four adults. The kids slept on the fold down bunk beds. Deck 10 was perfect because the pool deck and Windjammer was just one floor up so we didn't have to bother with the elevators. We were also at the front of the ship and the elevators at the front of the ship were less crowded than the back of the ship.

The Galveston port is a bit of a challenge for someone from the Northwest. We were using our Alaska air miles so we had to fly into Bush International airport which is 70 miles from Galveston. There is no inexpensive way to get there. Since we were coming in a day early and would have all day Sunday before we flew back,we opted for a rental car for 8 days. I won a bid on Priceline for $230 which was about the same cost as a taxi, towncar or shuttle. This allowed for a wider selection of hotels for the night before. Galveston hotels are expensive in March. We stayed in a Super 8 in League city the night before the cruise. The hotel was basic and nothing fancy but was easy to find (right by highway 45). It was right by a great local seafood restaurant,Sudie's Catfish and Seafood House. There were several fast food joints nearby and a Kroger grocery store for last minute purchases Traffic was fairly light on a Saturday night so it took a little less than an hour to get to the hotel from the airport.The next morning we woke up to fog and I was worried the ship would be delayed getting into port. I checked the roll call thread on cruise critic and a kind poster noted that the ship had made it into port so we were good to go. It was about a 20 minute drive to Galveston. We spent the morning driving the Galveston beach front and walking around historic downtown Galveston. It was a pleasant way to spend two or three hours. Finally about 12:30 we decided to head to the ship. I had made reservations at Galveston Park and Cruise for $50 for the week. This parking was directly across the street from the Mariner so we could just walk to the ship (we did have to cross a somewhat busy street with no cross walk). I noticed several lots advertising parking for $35 nearby.

Cabin Review

Interior Stateroom

Cabin L

Great location for access to pool deck and Windjammer. First area to disembark. Very quite. Cabin works for 2 adults and 2 children but not for 4 adults.

previous reviewnext review

Find a Mariner of the Seas Cruise from $278

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.