Tour the Mariner of the Seas - Part 1

The newest of the Voyager Class Ships, Mariner of the Seas was built in 2003. She weighs in at 138,279 tons and is 1,020 feet long. There are 15 decks, but Deck 1 is the crew deck and we aren't allowed there. The maximum capacity is 3,807 passengers (3,114 double occupancy) and she carries a crew of 1,213. Our sailing is not sold out so we will have way fewer than 3,111 other cruisers with us.

Let's begin on the lower decks and move up, shall we? Click the highlighted words for each large deck plan or click the pictures to see a larger image.



On Deck 2 are a few places of interest for us. Forward is where we'll find the lowest level of the Savoy Theater. It's the main show room that seats over 1,300 guests.

The Movie Theater and Conference Center are also on Deck 2.





Don't forget to bring your skates, because we will be doing our Triple Waxels and Quadruple Flutzes on the Ice Rink on Deck 2 Midship.



Heading back to the forward elevators and stairs, we go up to reach Deck 3. Here we find the main level of the Savoy Theater. If we use the aft elevators we'll find the Photo Gallery and the entrance to Studio B, a multi-use venue seating 900. This is where the seats are for the Ice Shows.



Moving aft we reach the lowest level of the main dining room, Rhapshody in Blue.



Since we're aft, we'll take those elevators up again and find ourselves on Deck 4. Now we're talking. Taking up the aft section is the second level of the main dining room, Top Hat & Tails.



Toward midship is Bolero's, a Latin Themed Bar and performance venue.



The casino is next and has its own bar.




Next we come to the upper level and entrance to the nightclub, Dragon's Lair. It is a 2 level club with the lower level and dance floor on Deck 3.



Next is the Schooner Bar. From there, walk forward to reach the upper level of the Savoy Theater.

Tour the Mariner of the Seas - Part 2

We left the Mariner of the Seas on Deck 4 forward near the Savoy Theater. We'll go up using either the forward stairs or the forward Centrum elevators.



The Royal Promenade begins on Deck 5, runs from front to back, and is 4 decks high. This is the reason for only 2 banks of elevators - forward and aft. If you are in the middle and want to move up or down a deck, you will have to hoof it by stairs.



Forward on Deck 5 is the Lotus Lounge. This is another performance venue - often the locale for Bingo, Quest, Ballroom dancing, etc. It has a bar and is a nice place to sit and chat if nothing is going on there.



If you need to catch your helicopter or want a nice forward view of where we're going, step outside from here and go to the bow where there is a nice helipad and observation area.



The cigar lounge, known as the Connoisseur Lounge is next. I believe it is the only place one can light up a stogie onboard. If you got 'em, smoke 'em.



We'll pass the forward Centrum Stairway,



some boutiques and the Cafe Promenade. This is the 24 hour food venue where you can get specialty coffees and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (both at a cost) and regular snacks, sandwiches, coffee, etc. that are included in your cruise fare.



Now this might end up being my home away from home. The Wig & Gavel Pub serves all kinds of drinks but of course their specialties are from the British Isles. On a cruise in June, this was a smoking allowed bar. Not many of them on this ship, by the way.



Right by the pub is the midship stairway if you feel the need to stairmaster for a bit.



There are more shops and then the wine bar, Vintages. I suppose we will hang here a bit, too. They have organized (and at a cost) wine tastings several times a week, and otherwise it's just a nice wine bar.

More shops, the RCI Logo Store, the General Store, etc. fill the rest of the Royal Promenade until you reach Guest Relations next to the Aft Centrum stairs and elevators, so if your key doesn't work, or you need some help, this is the place to go.



Right across from Guest Relations is the Champagne Bar. I have never been a fan of RCI Champagne Bars, but will give it a go if that's the consensus.



All the way aft is the third level of the main dining room, Sound Of Music.

On Deck 6 right at the Aft Centrum elevators and stairs you will find Business Services in case you need to send a fax.



Need something good to read? The Library is on Deck 7 directly above Business Services.



Need to check for email? RCI Online computer center is above the Library on Deck 8.

Tour the Mariner of the Seas - Part 3

On the last episode of Mariner of the Seas we were in the Computer Center checking our blogs and emails. Walk up a deck or use the elevator there and make sure you have your Sea Pass Card handy because we're going to



the Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 and you need your key to get inside. This lounge is open 24 hours a day and has latte, espresso, coffee machines, serves a continental breakfast in the mornings and is staffed with a dedicated concierge during certain hours. The concierge will assist us in all kinds of ways from making reservations, getting something for our room, to helping us figure out what to do on shore, and in the evenings, the concierge serves hors d'oeuvres and free wine and cocktails. (I think the cocktail hour is 5:30 to 8, but we will have to check that.) You're not supposed to take food or drink out of the lounge, but I have only seen that enforced during the cocktail hour. Hopefully we will have a great concierge on our sailing!

Now we're ready to go to Deck 10 and see our room. Take the elevator up a deck and go starboard and forward a bit from the elevators.






Here is a video of a Grand Suite on Mariner's sister ship. The rooms are practically identical in size and structure, but the decor is different ship to ship.

Tour the Mariner of the Seas - Part 4

Okay, we have dropped off our bags, checked out our suite, and are ready to move on. We'll take a right out of our cabin to use the forward elevator (or stairs) up to Deck 11 and see what's there.

Far forward is the Peek-a-boo Bridge. You can go there to watch the officers sail the ship.



Next we come to the Ship Shape Center. Here you will find all sorts of fitness equipment, exercise rooms, locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, and the spiral stairs leading up to the spa. No doubt I will be spending all my vacation time working out here since I am a slave to exercise.




Midship is the location for the Pool Bar, the 2 main swimming pools, some more whirlpools, and the pool bandstand.

Except for the main dining rooms and the Cafe Promenade on Deck 5, all of the no surcharge alternative dining venues are located in the aft section of Deck 11.



There is the Plaza Bar (sushi and drinks),



Jade (Asian Fusion),



Portofino (Italian, surcharge of $25),



Chops Grille (surcharge of $30),



and the all Royal Caribbean Windjammer Cafe. As I recall, there is NO outdoor seating for taking meals on the Voyager Class ships, and finding a table in the Windjammer was like running with the bulls at Pamplona. (Not that I've run with the bulls, but I have tried to find a table at the Windjammer and ended up bruised and bloodied.)

Once we've managed to get a bite to eat we can head up to Deck 12.



We'll find the kid and teen area aft on Deck 12. I doubt there will be many kids on our sailing, but you never know. The only thing we might try in this area is Johnny Rockets Diner. There is a $4.95 fee per diner and drinks are offered at menu prices.




Deck 12 is also where we will find the jogging track. I' ll jog forward right to the Sky Bar, thankyouverymuch.



Forward of the Sky Bar is the Spa. The spa is where you can have your hair done, get a mani/pedicure, have a massage, or just rest and relax.



Using the stairs near the spa you can go up to Deck 13 for some sunbathing. On all the European cruises we have been on, this is the topless sunbathing area. It can only be reached using the stairs and you cannot get to the aft section from here, you have to go down and back up to do that.

If topless sunbathing is not your cuppa, maybe it's a better idea to walk back towards midship on Deck 12 to go up to Deck 13.



Deck 13 is host to the rock climbing wall, the inline skating track, the sports courts, and mini-golf.

Only two decks to go, girls!






Deck 14 is entirely the Viking Crown. On the Mariner of the Seas it is broken up into smaller venues, but they all still have those amazing views we've come to love. We'll find a sport's bar, a card room, a jazz club, a small lounge, and a viewing area.




If one of you two single ladies meet Mr. Right, you can head up to Deck 15 and get hitched in the Wedding Chapel.



Heck, even if you meet Mr. Right Now, the chapel does seem kinda private and out of the way.