We sailed the fist time ever on Royal Caribbean line, as we have always sailed previously on Carnival, Cunard, and/ or Celebrity. This was our first time on RCI, as our friends wanted us to "try" the Mariner of the Seas ( out of Galveston )as they had sailed on the sister ship, Voyager of the Seas previously.

The ship is beautiful, large, and very nice in all aspects. However, We were very unhappy with the boarding problems experienced on 11/25/2012 in Galveston. The staff had zero control and allowed line jumpers, and people just went in the terminal ahead of us that had been in line over two hours prior to the doors being opened.

Once we were able to go on board, we were very impressed with the ship, as I have said, however as we walked around touring the spaces, we were constantly asked to buy a "special cocktail".....which was the first of the "non stop hustle" by the cruise staff... Everywhere we went for the next week, we were asked by someone to purchase something. Even in the main dining room there were "special purchase items" on the menu ?????, - something we have never seen before. Read more