Having only been on Orient's Marco Polo and RSSC's Navigator, both physically the same size, with Navigator of course having fewer pax, it seems as though Mariner will be really BIG! I'm hoping you veterans will give me some input about the ship: favorite places, observation points (for Alaska,) anything at all you think would be helpful. I've been reading everything for over a year now, (how much I've retained is another story,) but would love to hear any Mariner "tips" you all might have!

As always, thanks for the help!

Kathy, I have only toured the Navigator but it didn't seem much smaller than the Mariner to me. I am not good with distances and measurements so the Mariner might seem waaaay bigger to other people but for me, I couldn't tell the difference!

While I love the Navigator, I agree with Karen and really don't find the Mariner that much larger. The Observation Lounge is floor to ceiling windows on the front of the ship so it makes for great views.

We loved Mariner's Observation Lounge for viewing the fjords in Chile...especially early in the morning with coffee/hot chocolate, breakfast goodies and harp music in the background. Really nice! I'm sure it would be the same experience for Alaska.

The Observation and Horizon lounges are terrific. The Mariner is my favorite over the Navigator. There is a promenade off the library/computer area that seems to be a great place to congregate. You can play games or do puzzles or read a book and everyone seems to go by the area so it's a good place to see and be seen. They put in a coffee bar there since we sailed her in 2003 - they used to just keep a pot of coffee and some pastries there as well.

Agree with ChatKat - we loved both those lounges and the promenade area, it was the place to be. Didn't feel the Mariner was too big, in fact I kind of thought it was just about the right size (sort of like Goldilocks haha).

Another Kathy - agree that the difference in size between the Navigator and the Mariner is not that apparent once you're aboard. Both are considerably smaller than the mega ships operated by the major cruise lines. And I also agree that the promenade area by the computer center is a great place to hang out - you pretty much see everybody walk by at some point. :)

Masaki

The Mariner carries 30% more passengers than the Navigator (700 vs. 490), but the individual suites are about 15% larger on Navigator (301 sq.ft. vs. 356 sq.ft.). The real downer IMHO is most baths on the Mariner lack the separate shower found on Navigator (and Voyager, incidentally), and the tubs are high and deep, making them difficult to get in and out of. In addition, the tubs have a low "overhead", causing tall people (like me - 6'2") to learn to "shower while crouching". To RSSC’s credit, they have recognized this issue and have converted some of the tubs to walk-in showers.

One real advantage is the two additional restaurants available on Mariner: Signatures and Latitudes. On an Alaska cruise during its inaugural season (2001), my wife and I had a truly outstanding meal in Signatures, one of the best meals we've ever had, afloat or ashore. That's a real accomplishment, as we've enjoyed a couple of Michelin 3 star restaurants in Paris, and some of the best places in the states as well.

We’ve sailed in both ships twice, and are booked for two more cruises in Mariner this fall – Singapore to Sydney and then Auckland to LA. We like both ships, probably with a slight nod to Mariner. You won’t go wrong on either, or on the Voyager either, for that matter.

The Mariner is MUCH smaller than the mega-ships, and queueing is hardly a problem. Signatures was a highlight - like a good expensive NY restaurant, with impeccable service and no check to wait for. The Voyager Lounge was great at the Hubbard Glacier - arrive early for a good seat. The Horizon Lounge was the place for tea and trivia [and scones with clotted cream]. I haven't been on the Navigator - leaving soon on the PG and a little concerned that it'll be too small, but I found the Mariner and the R7 that I also cruised on ideal.

I agree that for me the PG was too small for my tastes. The Mariner has been my favorite overall ship, but my comparisons are either RCCL, Princess, Celebrity vs Mariner, PG and Navigator.

For what it is worth I loved the Mariner, Voyager and Diamond but Voyager my favorite -

The ideal ship--for me--would be the Mariner with Voyager bathrooms! When we were in Alaska on the Mariner, the captain pointed out that he was able to maneuver the ship in the glaciers in ways that big ships could never do. It is able to go very close, for one, and he steers the boat back and forth so that people on both sides get a great view! We stayed outside see we could see AND hear the roar of the glacier. Fantastic!

Thanks all, for your input. Because of the cabin size differential vs. Navigator, we opted for Cat. C, and we've got the shower problem covered with a "remodeled" new shower. DH is 6'4" so that's important, even though 1st choice was starboard and only port was available in that category.

A Signatures reservation is definitely a first priority along with bridge, engine room control and galley tour! This cruise promises to be so busy I don't know how much promenade sitting time will be available, but I'll check it out. I have a feeling that I'll be in the Observation Lounge during Hubbard Glacier and he'll be outside with the camera; as much time as he's "played" with it, we'd better have some awesome pix!

Departing 7/19 for Vancouver, 4 night post-ccruise Denali, arriving ATL 8/1 and hope to have a wondrous tale to tell! :D

Kathy...you're going to love a "C" cabin. Our first RSSC cruise was on the Mariner in that category. It is a marvelous layout, roomy, so much storage and if you have the remodeled bathroom, perfect! I took photos (way back in Oct 2003 I think)of our cabin...they are posted on the ofoto site - if you want to see them.



It was a 26 day cruise and we felt so comfortable, it was hard to leave.

Kathy,

I wish I could go along as your butleress!! The day we went to Hubbard Glacier, it was sunny and gorgeous out. We always ate lunch on the balcony of the Verandah and at lunchtime that day, you could see the glaciers in the far distance. It was a beautiful sight!

After lunch, we put on our layers, with wind jackets, gloves, ear covers, etc. and went up to the top deck. It was very windy and very cold as we sailed closer toward the glacier. It was so beautiful seeing all the huge chunks of floating ice with the mother and baby seals sunning themselves.

Once the ship got close to the glacier, we took off all our outer layers and stayed outside the entire time as the ship made slow turns. I will never forget it!

The hot chocolate was great, too! I advise you to stay outside if the weather is nice.

Have an awesome Alaska adventure!

You will definitely love that C category room - twice the size of the standard suites. We had a B on our Mariner cruise and just loved it.

Have a great trip - will be anxious to hear all about it, we booked MUSH for next year, and haven't been to Alaska since 1987.

We too got spoiled with a C cabin on MINT so for the 62 day S.A. trip on the Mariner we also booked a C. After reading that some of the bathrooms have been remodeled with a shower only, I called RSSC to find out what our configuration is (#902) and was told ours still has the tub/shower combination. I was happy to hear this! I like having the option to soak or to shower as we never had any problem with the size of the tub/shower combination. (Tom is 5'9" and I'm 5' 2 1/2" so we're not so tall)

Kathy, I think you're going to love the Mariner! Funny, we too have cruised on the Orient Marco Polo...not too many of us around!

I have to agree with the others. You will absolutely love the penthouse. Paige and I probably made a mistake having this on our first cruise and are now 'downgrading' to a standard on the Navigator. Either way, I am sure you and we will have a blast.

Anthony

Ginny, HA! HA! I wouldn't know what to do with a butleress, but maybe we can learn from Beth when she tells us about her Baltic cruise!

Marcie,
Somehow I remember that you had been on Marco Polo (maybe from you intro;) it was a good cruise but the cabins certainly leave a lot to be desired. On your 62 day, I'm sure you'll really enjoy the extra space.

Anthony,
We were very happy with cabin on Navigator, but didn't want to go smaller; how spoiled we become!

Margo,
Thanks for the pix; you're right, mirrors everywhere! Am sure I saw those when you first posted them, and re-enjoyed your cruise again - Lois must have been a character!

JoAnn,
Will report on our 'not-so-active" excursions and will try to learn about others!
,

I make it real hard to guess which is my favorite ship! All the cabins are vibration-free. My DH is 6 ft. tall and has no problem with the shower. We expect to be on at the end of October until early December.
M.

We loved the penthouse. It is our favorite room type of any of the ships. If only it had the Voyager bathrooms, it would be perfect. The Mariner is a very smooth sailing ship and we really like it a lot.

When we travel basic cabin, we prefer the Voyager as they are configured perfectly.

You should have a wonderful time.