Mariner of the Seas Review

Magnificent First Cruise

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
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QuebecLA
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Sep 2009
Cabin: Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony

This was our very first cruise. Since we live in L.A., we decided on a cruise that departed LA for even warmer weather. We wanted to go for a week, so that narrowed it down to Mexican Riviera. Prices were good so we booked 3 balcony staterooms on the 7th and 8th decks. The two rooms on deck 8 were connected by a door so 4 of us could go back and forth between the two cabins without going into the hall.

EMBARKATION: Embarkation was easy. We arrived at 11:10 am and were on the ship within 30 minutes. Porter met us at the drop off point and took all our bags and made out baggage labels for us. Extremely helpful. We got on the ship with our carry on luggage. After reading reviews, all of us decided to bring one change of clothes which would be suitable for dining the first night in case our luggage was delayed. We tried to get into our cabins at 12 noon but were asked to come back at 1 PM so we decided to head for the Windjammer buffet on deck 11 for lunch.

FOOD: Now I had read many reviews on this site stating that the Windjammer buffet food was mediocre at best. After trying it, I really don't understand where these reviewers were coming from. The Windjammer buffets were wonderful, both lunch and dinner. I mean they are buffets, so I didn't expect more than buffet food. I was surprised. The quality of this buffet's food easily surpassed most mid range restaurant food. This is not your local buffet restaurant like Home Town Buffet. The variety here is unbelievable and the quality very, very good. I could have easily eaten all three meals at this buffet and have been happy on my cruise. I was also afraid that there wouldn't be enough healthy foods on the cruise but was I wrong. Fresh fruit everywhere, sugar-free desserts to die for every day. Royal Caribbean is obviously aware of the fact that many of its guests are health conscious but do not want to starve. I had beautiful fresh fruit every morning. Delicious grapefruit wedges along with every other type fruit you could think of. Oatmeal stations, egg stations, all sorts of breakfast meats. Tremendous varieties for lunch as well. Ice water, Iced Tea, and Lemondade were free, as were coffee and tea. Soda and alcohol must be paid for. I didn't have a glass of soda during the entire cruise and didn't miss it one bit. The lemonade and ice tea were delicious. Of course they had every sort of unhealthy food you could wish for as well, though I stayed away from it. The selection of healthy choices was so good that I wasn't even tempted.

Cabin Review

Superior Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D1

Great cabin. Small bathroom but very functional. Plenty of cabinet space strategically placed in cabin. Large sofa converts to additional bed but we didn't open it. No complaints at all.

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