Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 11:02:45 -0400
From: "Muriel Roux" <rroux@nc.rr.com>
Subject: Review - Mariner of the Seas - August 1 - 8, 2004

The cruise ship itself is beautiful. Very clean, spacious and comfortable state rooms.  Entertainment was first rate. Ice shows and music/comedy shows were very enjoyable.  All excursions were well organized and shopping previews on ship were very helpful.

Dining was a disappointment. The food quality was not good. The steaks, chops, and even the duck was tough and not cooked to order. It was similar to cafeteria style cuisine, you could get as much as you wanted, but not very tasty. Even the chicken masrala was cooked in jerk seasonings and not edible! The service was adequate. Our table for four was small and close beside two very large, loud and demanding tables. They received prompt attention, but we continually had to wait for them to get service ahead of us.

We cruised with our two teenage daughters and were billed for everything from soda (even the soda"passes" are an additional $32.50 per person), internet use, dining at "Johnny Rockets" was an additional fee per person, to the bottled water that cost $3.50 per bottle! We were surprised by how quickly these additional fees add up.

They did enjoy the teen rooms with games and sporting activities.

Overall visiting the ports of call were the highlights of our trip.

Vintages, the wine bar on board, was wonderful however.

The casinos were fun, but the slot machines were slow to pay off. The odds were not very good for the guest, but most of us know that going in!

There was no lack of picture taking and we have many photo memories.

I don't think that I would travel on Royal Caribbean again, basically because of the disappointing cuisine.

United We Stand