Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas wraps up the beautiful and popular Voyager class with a ship that departs solely from Galveston and New Orleans, giving Gulf Coast travelers plenty of options to enjoy the Caribbean on a mid-sized ship with pretty affordable fares. Mariner isn’t as big as the Icon or Oasis classes, but it still offers lots of entertainment for families and children on a ship that’s easy to move around. So, is Mariner a worthy candidate that finishes the Voyager Class with student honors, or is there something it could do better? Let’s check it out.

What we like about Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas is, above all, a pretty great family ship packed with the kind of cool entertainment options that defined Royal Caribbean in the 2000s. It’s perfect for guests who want to have fun and don’t mind paying $500 instead of $1000 for a ship that offers plenty of activities, even if it skips the crazy new stuff like bumper cars or two-hour Broadway musicals.

Onboard you’ll find multiple waterslides, an ice rink, a laser tag arena, the SkyPad virtual reality center, a rock climbing wall, an escape room, a mini-golf course, and a full-on Kids Club. You won’t find a huge waterpark or anything close to it, but as you can see, there’s still plenty for families to do, and that’s extra important for a ship that focuses only on the Caribbean.

Entertainment is also pretty solid, and some of the best across the Voyager Class ships. The ice show is a standout, blending circus acts, acrobatics, and the incredible skills of performers spinning across the rink. There’s also a theatrical production called Art of Exploration, which feels like stepping into a DeLorean and traveling back in time, as a young artist sketches pieces inspired by cultures from centuries ago that come to life on stage. Add in trivia nights, dance classes, a library, and late-night disco parties, and you’ve got entertainment for both the laid-back crowd and those looking for high energy fun.

There’s also a good mix of complimentary restaurants and specialty dining onboard. Food quality, however, seems to vary a lot if you look at guest comments online. Some people on Reddit say the food in the Main Dining Room isn’t that great, while reviews on Cruise Critic often mention that the quality is above average. In the end, it feels pretty subjective. 

The dining options themselves, though, are quite diverse. You’ve got specialty venues like Chef’s Table, Chops Grille, Jamie’s Italian, and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi - an upgraded version of Izumi that serves steaks and more than just sushi. Add to that a Johnny Rockets, Starbucks, and the Dog House hot dog stand, and you basically cover the spectrum from Italian to steakhouses to Japanese. An elegant French restaurant wouldn’t really make sense on this ship, but I do think it’s missing a Mexican option with tacos and burritos. It also has a great new Tiki Bar and a lively Playmakers bar that always draws a crowd.

What we don’t like about Mariner of the Seas

Do keep in mind that this is an older ship, and the 2018 updates didn’t change the overall design or the fact that many things onboard are over twenty years old. Stained carpets aren’t uncommon, and you’ll notice dents in the walls and a bit of rust in public spaces or even in your stateroom. The cabins also show their age with dated décor, odd curtains around the bed, and tiny bathrooms. If you’re sailing on Mariner of the Seas and want a little more breathing room, it’s worth booking a balcony cabin.

Conclusion

Mariner of the Seas is amazing - easily one of, if not the best, Voyager Class ships in the fleet. It packs tons of entertainment for the price, some really good specialty restaurants, and the 2018 update gave it a fresh, modern look. You really can’t go wrong with it for a family vacation.