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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Wed May 7th, 2008 11:15 pm | 1st Post |
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Okay, so we're stuck for a cruise in March. NCL Gem is only 7 nights, lousy itinerary. There's nothing else out of NYC -- and then there's EOS out of Bayonne. We have many (12 or 13?) cruises on NCL, two on HAL. Prefer NCL!!
So, what can you experts tell me?
Dining -- fixed or anytime or both? Specialty restaurants and cost? How would you rate the food, as compared to NCL -- or HAL? How hard is it to get a table for two (or 3, we may bring DD)?
Dress code?
How does entertainment compare to NCL? HAL was ugh... Activities? Is there a caribbean band on the pool deck? How hard is it to get into the ice show(s)? DD will LOVE this! What about skating there? Do you have to pay? Many announcements throughout the day?
Can we order a BAR SETUP?? From what I read elsewhere, I think I already know the answer to this -- in that case, how strict are they about bringing liquor on board?
How's the room service menu? Got a copy?
What about suite amenities? Specifically in a Junior Suite. Access to concierge lounge? How does the concierge compare to NCL? Are there butlers? What are the amenities in the cabin -- robes, toiletries, fruit basket/wine? Will three adults be able to move around in a JS? Is there a curtain separating the bed from the couch?
Is there a cigar bar on board? I already know the smoking policies, and don't have a problem. But are there lounges on board that allow smoking or are smokers relegated to outside?
Is there a dome over the pool? I think I might have seen that on RCCL website, but not sure it was specific to this ship -- is the pool water heated?
How do the drink prices compare to HAL or NCL?
This ship is HUGE!!! And LOTS of passengers! Will we feel crowded? Sail date is tentatively 3/6.
I'm sure I'll think of more -- how's that for a start?
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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Adios
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 01:13 am | 2nd Post |
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Last edited on Thu May 8th, 2008 01:15 am by Adios
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Adios
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 01:34 am | 3rd Post |
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Welove2cruise2 wrote: Okay, so we're stuck for a cruise in March. NCL Gem is only 7 nights, lousy itinerary. There's nothing else out of NYC -- and then there's EOS out of Bayonne. We have many (12 or 13?) cruises on NCL, two on HAL. Prefer NCL!!
So, what can you experts tell me?
Dining -- fixed or anytime or both? Specialty restaurants and cost? How would you rate the food, as compared to NCL -- or HAL? How hard is it to get a table for two (or 3, we may bring DD)? The dining times are fixed. RCI does have three ships currently going through a trial period with As You Wish dining but the Explorer is not one of them. There is one specialty dining room on the Explorer and it is Portofino. The cost is $20.00 per person and books rather quickly for the week. There is also a Johnny Rocket's on board that charges $3.95 per person cover charge with beverages extra. I have never had a problem getting a table for two. RCI has always been good to take care of any requests. Just let your TA know at the time of booking to put in the request and then follow up once on board.
Dress code? There will be formal nights on board and the number of nights will depend on the itinerary. The rest will be casual. Shorts are not allowed in the dining room even though you will see some.
How does entertainment compare to NCL? HAL was ugh... Activities? Is there a caribbean band on the pool deck? How hard is it to get into the ice show(s)? DD will LOVE this! What about skating there? Do you have to pay? Many announcements throughout the day?
I found the entertainment to be very good. Typical cruise ship shows like Vegas style shows but the ice show is really good. Tickets will be given out the first sea day around 10:00 in the morning. There will be at least three to four shows during the week. Again, it depends on the length of cruise. Check your Cruise Compass for times that the ice rink is opened up to the public. There is no charge but you must wear long pants to skate. No more announcements than I have heard on NCL but more than HAL.
Can we order a BAR SETUP?? From what I read elsewhere, I think I already know the answer to this -- in that case, how strict are they about bringing liquor on board?
No bar setup and no alcohol can be brought on board unless you smuggle.
How's the room service menu? Got a copy?
For breakfast you can order hot items like eggs, bacon, sausage. You can also order certain items off of the dinner menu. Below is the menu that is available 24 hours a day. 
What about suite amenities? Specifically in a Junior Suite. Access to concierge lounge? How does the concierge compare to NCL? Are there butlers? What are the amenities in the cabin -- robes, toiletries, fruit basket/wine? Will three adults be able to move around in a JS? Is there a curtain separating the bed from the couch?
RCI does not have butlers. Of course I did not find the buter on the Dawn nothing more than a glorified room steward. Robes will be given if you ask. A JS is not considered a true suite. The only thing that comes with the cabin is priority check-in and boarding plus two cruise credits. Plenty of room in a JS.
Is there a cigar bar on board? I already know the smoking policies, and don't have a problem. But are there lounges on board that allow smoking or are smokers relegated to outside?
Yes there is a cigar bar on board. No smoking in the cabins but you can on the balconies.
Is there a dome over the pool? I think I might have seen that on RCCL website, but not sure it was specific to this ship -- is the pool water heated? The Voyager and Freedom class do not have a magradome over the Solarium. It is open. It is nice that they do have a place for adults. The pools are not heated and pools on the Voyager class ships are salt water.
How do the drink prices compare to HAL or NCL? About the same. They have a drink of the day special.
This ship is HUGE!!! And LOTS of passengers! Will we feel crowded? Sail date is tentatively 3/6.
I'm sure I'll think of more -- how's that for a start?
Yes the ship is large but RCI dedicates more space to their passengers than most cruise lines. I have never felt crowded on the Voyager or Freedom class ships. The only time that you may feel crowded is during the parades on the Royal Promenade but they only last about fifteen minutes.
I have some photos of a JS in my link below. They are of the Navigator of the Seas but they will give you an idea of the size of the cabin.
http://cruisingator.smugmug.com/
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 06:34 pm | 4th Post |
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Wow! Thanks for the great info!
Is there a Chop's Steakhouse on this ship?
I'll be back when I have more!
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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Adios
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Posted: Thu May 8th, 2008 07:19 pm | 5th Post |
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No Chops.
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erby2283
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 04:39 pm | 6th Post |
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Since I Just booked the Mariner, can someone tell me whatever they want to share about this ship or RCCL? I've only cruise NCL and Princess. What class ship is she? What does that class mean? What's free, what's extra....etc.
Thanks 
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Next Cruise - Crown Princess 11/30/08
After that - RCCL Mariner of the Seas 5/3/09
Previous Cruises:
Crown Princess 11/07
NCL Jewel 11/06
NCL Jewel 11/05
NCL Majesty 11/04
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TheWog
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 04:51 pm | 7th Post |
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erby2283 wrote: Since I Just booked the Mariner, can someone tell me whatever they want to share about this ship or RCCL? I've only cruise NCL and Princess. What class ship is she? What does that class mean? What's free, what's extra....etc.
Thanks
Mariner is a Voyager class ship. Was the largest until the Freedom class came out. It has an ice skating rink. Rock climbing wall. Many pools, etc. Used to be based in Port Canaveral until moving. Johnny Rockets is a small fee restaurant - $3.95 person. There are 2 other fee restaurants (I think its 2). Chops and Portofino. You should make reservations when you board. They are supposed to be excellent and worth it. The main dining room will have early and late dinner. There is a buffet you can go to and I think room service of tonight's dinners. You can room service in the morning or go up to the buffet or breakfast in the main dining room. There is a middle centrum type area with shops and there is usually a parade through it at night. You should go see the Quest show if it is happening on board. A lot of fun. Don't ask what it is, just go.
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Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
Where's my frozen umbrella drink?
Ice cream should be a food group.
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AD Peterson
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 05:11 pm | 8th Post |
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TheWog wrote: erby2283 wrote: Since I Just booked the Mariner, can someone tell me whatever they want to share about this ship or RCCL? I've only cruise NCL and Princess. What class ship is she? What does that class mean? What's free, what's extra....etc.
Thanks
Mariner is a Voyager class ship. Was the largest until the Freedom class came out. It has an ice skating rink. Rock climbing wall. Many pools, etc. Used to be based in Port Canaveral until moving. Johnny Rockets is a small fee restaurant - $3.95 person. There are 2 other fee restaurants (I think its 2). Chops and Portofino. You should make reservations when you board. They are supposed to be excellent and worth it. The main dining room will have early and late dinner. There is a buffet you can go to and I think room service of tonight's dinners. You can room service in the morning or go up to the buffet or breakfast in the main dining room. There is a middle centrum type area with shops and there is usually a parade through it at night. You should go see the Quest show if it is happening on board. A lot of fun. Don't ask what it is, just go.
The Quest show and ice skating show should not be missed.
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Future Cruises:
NCL Pearl May 2008
RCCL Liberty of Seas Oct 08
NCL Pearl April 2009
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erby2283
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 05:14 pm | 9th Post |
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| Is the ice skating free?
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Next Cruise - Crown Princess 11/30/08
After that - RCCL Mariner of the Seas 5/3/09
Previous Cruises:
Crown Princess 11/07
NCL Jewel 11/06
NCL Jewel 11/05
NCL Majesty 11/04
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TheWog
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Posted: Thu May 15th, 2008 05:15 pm | 10th Post |
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erby2283 wrote: Is the ice skating free?
yes, you just have to get the tickets - the compass will tell you where and when to get them. You need to wear long pants too.
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Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.
Where's my frozen umbrella drink?
Ice cream should be a food group.
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hstrybuf
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Posted: Fri May 16th, 2008 12:25 am | 11th Post |
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| Definitely give Chops a try! We thought Johnny Rockets was fun for a one time experience.
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Deb - Research, research, research!
My pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/hstrycrsr
Liberty 10/07; Miracle 10/06; Navigator OTS 10/04; Legend 04/04; Grand Princess 09/03; Dawn Princess 01/03; Enchantment OTS 10/02; Destiny 01/02; Sensation 10/99
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glgolfer
Cruiser
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 03:37 pm | 12th Post |
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Here's some pictures of both the Explorer and the Mariner.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/452007004ijOoGW
http://travel.webshots.com/album/452007054NXKzPq
http://travel.webshots.com/album/547456253WtStqD
The labs are no longer operating on the Explorer. There is a fun Rube Goldberg machine in the Viking Crown Lounge. If it is still there and working, don't miss it. It's been a while since we were on the Explorer.
The Promenade will be very crowded during the Captains cocktail party, the parades and one end when they have the sale tables out. Other than that, we've felt less crowded on the Voyager and Freedom class than any other.
The Windjammer also has some of the dinner items on the menu if you don't want to dress up for the dining room on formal night. The WJ also has servers in the evening.
The Cafe Promenade has small sandwiches, pastries, cookies, pizza, fruit, etc. 23 hours a day. Do not, repeat, do not try the cookies.
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30+ cruises all over the world
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Welove2cruise2
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 04:02 pm | 13th Post |
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Do you have to pay for the food at the Cafe Promenade?
Can you get cappucino in the dining room for no fee?
COOKIES???!!!
____________________
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"I'll take the deck of a ship any time..." Jimmy Buffett
Next: Dream 7/20/08
Majesty 10/00 & 01, 7/03 & 04, 5/05, 6/06, 9/06, 7/07 Dawn 11/04, 10/05, 3/07 Spirit 11/06 Noordam 10/07, 3/08
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glgolfer
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 04:08 pm | 14th Post |
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Cafe Promenade food is free.
All specialty coffees cost. If you're a Crown & Anchor Diamond member or in a Grand Suite or higher, you can access the Concierge Lounge that has free cappuccino and espresso.
The problem with the cookies is the route back to you cabin at night will somehow go by the Cafe no matter where you are on the ship or where you cabin is to get 3 or 4 to take with you.
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30+ cruises all over the world
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nhrich
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Posted: Thu May 22nd, 2008 04:52 pm | 15th Post |
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glgolfer wrote: The problem with the cookies is the route back to you cabin at night will somehow go by the Cafe no matter where you are on the ship or where you cabin is to get 3 or 4 to take with you.
Somehow, I don't remember that ever being a "problem". 
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Rich, ACC
Carefree Vacations
http://www.carefree-vacations.net
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