Mariner of the Seas Review

Mariner of the Seas is an affordable Caribbean cruise option with just enough action to make your short Caribbean vacation one to remember. One of Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships, Mariner of the Seas ticks all of the boxes for a great cruise: comfortable (if dated) rooms, solid free and specialty dining, and an array of activities like the Sky Pad bungee trampoline, a FlowRider surf simulator and lively pool deck. Mariner of the Seas' deck plans are also great at separating the buzzy action from cabins, making it easy to unwind.

In 2018, Mariner of the Seas underwent a massive renovation that gave public interiors a fresh look, from the grand Royal Theater to the Promenade and the pool deck. That all makes Royal Caribbean's two- to five-night itineraries on Mariner of the Seas a great bet for sunseekers needing a quick Caribbean escape.

Mariner of the Seas Deck Plans Spread Out the Fun

Mariner of the Seas deck plans are intelligently designed, making this smaller Royal Caribbean ship feel just the right size. Passengers can move about almost anywhere without crowd and elevators zip up and down to Windjammer Marketplace (the 180-degree-view buffet), pools, the gym, spa and other amenities from both forward and aft locations.

Food, drinks and entertainment are all within easy reach across Mariner of the Seas' 15 decks. But most of the action centers on Decks 4, 5 and 11, which hold the cruise ship's main public spaces (Honestly, though, almost every deck has at least one destination worth a visit).

Deck 11 is a go-to for almost everyone on board Mariner of the Seas. You'll find family-friendly pools, DJs, live reggae music, the adults-only Solarium Pool, and access to the kid-friendly FlowRider, Perfect Storm Waterslides and Sky Pad. Don't worry, though, Mariner of the Seas' deck plans separate the more raucous destinations from the more tranquil ones (like your cabin -- thankfully). 

The Royal Promenade is the centerpiece of Deck 5. Mariner's bright and busy thoroughfare is lined with shops, bars like the sharp The Bamboo Room and casual Playmaker's Sports Bar plus Cafe Promenade for free light bites throughout the day. You'll also find the Star Lounge here, which hosts nightly karaoke.

You'll also want to head downstairs to Deck 4 to visit some of Royal Caribbean's most iconic spots, including The Schooner Bar, which hosts piano music, lively singalongs and trivia every night. Royal Theater is right next door for song-and-dance shows as well as Mariner's riotous game show Love and Marriage. And if you're feeling lucky, have a go at the tables and slots in Casino Royale.

All in all, Mariner of the Seas' deck plans let you float from place to place, eat, grab drinks, play mini-golf and watch movies by the pool without elbowing through rowdy crowds or enduring long lines.

Mariner of the Seas Rooms Are Comfortable, but Dated

Rooms aboard Mariner of the Seas are comfortable. Expect hotel-worthy beds, banquettes or pull-out couches and enough storage space for the short itineraries that the ship makes. However, they're undeniably dated. Expect '90s-print curtains, light oak furnishings, and pink paneling. That being said, they are mostly free of major wear and tear.

Without a doubt, opt for a Mariner of the Seas Balcony room, with private outdoor space that measures around 42 to 50 square feet on average. You can choose between an Ocean View Balcony room or Spacious Ocean View Balcony room, though you're essentially getting the same amount of space. If you want a proper hotel-room sized cabin with a balcony, consider a Junior Suite upgrade.

Mariner of the Seas' cabins to avoid are generally Interior or inside rooms. The lack of natural light, combined with the aging decor, means that Interior Mariner of the Seas rooms aren't exactly bright and open. Instead, you're getting a quite stereotypical and cramped cruise room. You'll likely want to avoid rooms of Mariner of the Seas Deck 3 -- both Interior and Ocean View -- as it will put you on the same floor as the Royal Theater and Studio B, where the ice show happens.

Specialty Restaurants on Mariner of the Seas Shine

Mariner of the Seas dining is fairly great across the board, from the extensive breakfast buffet at Windjammer Cafe to dinners in the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants like Izumi, Chop's Grille and Jamie's Italian.

Royal Caribbean's Izumi is one of the most popular specialty restaurants on Mariner of the Seas if you're after high-energy hibachi dining. Izumi Sushi is located inside of the restaurant, and has a large assortment of rolls (which can be custom ordered for vegetarians and those who cannot eat gluten).

If you're after a romantic date night, the extensive menu of steaks at Chop's Grille is likely the best bet on Mariner of the Seas, though the fresh pastas at Jamie's Italian (named after Jamie Oliver, the celebrity chef) are definitely worth a meal.

Mariner of the Seas' free dining is also quite good. The breakfast buffets at Windjammer are extensive, with a huge array of international options and sweet treats. For dinner, you'll want to skip the rather empty buffet and opt for the beautiful Main Dining Room, where menus including crowd favorites like pastas and fish are executed with creative twists.

Royal Caribbean COVID-19 Rules

For the most up-to-date testing, masking and vaccination requirements about Mariner of the Seas, please refer to Royal Caribbean. You can also use Cruise Critic’s guide to masking, testing and vaccine requirements on the world’s major cruise lines as we know them.