We're loyal to Royal - maybe you could call it "love at first sailing" or simply an addiction... but from the first moment we stepped foot onboard a Royal Carribean Cruise in our early twenties, we knew we wanted to continue with them as loyal passengers. Now almost 30, we have taken 5 Royal Carribean Cruises out of 3 different ports: Florida, California and Texas.
Our most recent cruise we just returned home from today off the Mariner of the Seas and we we're sad this cruise fell short of fabulous. We had taken this route before on another ship before they replaced the Key West port with Falmouth Jamaica and had a fantastic time... however from start to finish this trip was a nightmare.
We invited another young couple to come on their first cruise with us onboard the Mariner. We met up at Hobby Airport - anxious and excited to embark. When we checked out of our hotel and headed to the port, we quickly were notified that there would be a delay getting on the ship. At first we didn't mind and kept great spirits but after a total of 4 hours crammed into the port building waiting to get on, we quickly felt annoyed and confused. There were no real announcements beyond hear-say as to what exactly the situation was. Vaguely, we found out that someone was ill on the last trip and they had to clean up the ship. We weren't told that there was risk involved before we were finally let on. Once we were comfortably onboard, the Captain announced that there was a virus "Nurovirus" that circulated previously and to wash our hands. Well, by day 4 not only did someone get sick on OUR cruise, but a total of 74 people became ill and ended up in the hospital despite the ship's efforts to sanitize and contain the problem.
Large Ocean View Stateroom - Cabin 9202 was great. Floor shape added walking room. You do have to close your curtains in the evening as the light interferes with the bridge navigation. View from window was of the front of the ship, helicopter pad and ocean. No complaints beyond the shower head always popping off the wall so don't get bonked in the head.
The room is a little ways from the elevators, but generally a quiet section.