Neutral in composure, ready to be amazed, I ventured down this adventure aboard The Mariner of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s largest cruise ship home porting in Asia, starting her maiden Asian season from Singapore.
Having never been on a cruise before, I really didn’t know what to expect but within seconds of boarding the ship, the sleek interior and ambience of the magnificent cruise ship coupled with its homely and genuinely friendly staff, spoke volumes. As far as first impressions go, I was instantly enthralled.
If you are a person who loves to spend some time relaxing in luxury and pure entertainment with your family aboard a truly magical cruise, then this is definitely for you.
For a generous dose of sun, sea and memorable vacation moments, you need to look no further than the Mariner of the Seas, which offers a series of Southeast Asian cruises that combines Royal Caribbean International’s signature great service, innovative facilities, exciting itineraries and welcoming staterooms.
Day 1 : Sat June 1 (evening)
We began our cruise by attending the compulsory safety drill which according to Captain Flemming B. Nielson Master, highlighted their foremost priority onboard – the safety of the passengers, crew and the ship.
Following the drill, we ventured to our staterooms, which although small, are equipped with everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay.
The staterooms make up a total of 1,557 (Ocean View: 939 & Interior: 618) and convert to Royal king size bed configuration and have a private bath, vanity area, closed-circuit, flat panel LED televisions, electric mini-bar, hair dryers and individually controlled air-conditioning.
After freshening up, we proceeded to our dinner venue, which on that particular night was Giovanni’s Table, a community style Italian restaurant where service is beyond par and bordering on unreal. A casual Italian trattoria with indoor and al fresco seating, Giovanni's Table offers rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including toasted herb focaccia, pastas, braised meat dishes and stews, served family-style. Special mention must be made of the waiters who attended our table, who with their friendly, cheerful and entertaining nature, ensured we were not only treated to good food, but also an overall good dining experience.
The ambience at nights on The Mariner of the Seas gears up a notch when entertainment venues come alive with sing-alongs, discos, live music and much more. Guests leave their casual attire in the staterooms and opt for more elegant, formal clothing.
Day 2 : June 2
For breakfast on Day 2, we opted for Room service and were treated to a feast in bed. Morning, noon, night, whenever you like, you can order up room service 24/7. Enjoy breakfast in bed, cheesecake on your balcony, or a delicious dinner right in the comfort of your stateroom.
The highlight of Day 2 was the shore excursion of Malaysia, as we docked at Port Klang. The excursion took us to bustling Kuala Lumpur, offering a blend of native Malaysian, Chinese Imperial ad European influences. The city is rich with culture and has earned a reputation as a must see world destination.
Back onboard, it was once again dinner time, and this evening we dined at one of the main dining rooms that offered a sweeping multi-level ambience, wonderful cuisine and extraordinary personal service; the latter of which was soon becoming a trademark of the entire cruise.
Day 3: June 3
We awoke to the thought of a fun filled breakfast with the Dreamworks characters, a sure hit amongst the kids aboard the cruise. The dining experience, especially tailored for children offers an entertaining experience with kids’ favourite characters from Shrek, Madagascar, Kungfu Panda and more. Food was certainly forgotten by the kids as they ran up to the front and joined their favourite Dreamworks characters in dance, merrymaking and photo opportunities.!
Lunch on Day 3 was scheduled at Windjammer Café, a culinary destination loaded with an array of delicious food for every meal and snack time – all with spectacular views and a comfortable, casual atmosphere.
The much talked about and awaited Ice Show was next on our agenda and we made our way to the venue in eagerness. Royal Caribbean is the first and only cruise line with ice skating rinks right onboard and complimentary ice spectaculars featuring professional skaters that amaze with jumps, lifts, and spins. And amazed we were with a spectacular set of skaters who kept the crowd going.
All the eating did work up a guilty conscience, now and then, so off I went to the gym, ready to burn off some calories. If you are one for an active lifestyle, the cruise offers not one, but many activities for you.
Fitness centre
An experience like no other, getting in ship shape, fully loaded with the latest weight systems and cardio equipment – with a sweeping ocean view while you work up a sweat.
Other options include;
· Ice skating
· Fitness classes
· Mini golf
· Sports court and tournaments
· Boxing
· Jogging
· Inline skating
· Table tennis
· Scuba in the pool
Dinner again was at Giovani’s Table, where we were wooed by the ambience, staff and exceptional food. Other dining options include;
Rhapsody In Blue
The Sound of Music
Top Hat and Tails
Windjammer Café
Jade
Café Promenade
Chops Grille Steakhouse 80 and more.
Day 4 : June 4
Day 4 dawned with the bittersweet realization that my vacation was soon to be over and I had to bid adieu to the magnificent ship that had housed me for the past few days.
After a quick breakfast at Windjammer Café, it was soon time to say goodbye.
With memories that’ll last a lifetime, new friends made onboard and an experience that can’t really be penned into words, I bid adieu to the Mariner of the Seas.
Relaxation on board the Mariner of the Seas comes in various shapes and sizes, where you can escape from land and nurture mind, body and spirit with personalised service.
Pool deck
Soak up the sun or savour the shade on expanded pool decks, featuring complimentary loungers, live music, and the opportunity for a frosty cocktail.
Whirlpools
Every ship boasts multiple whirlpools – and several feature unique cantilevered whirlpools, extending 13 feet beyond the side of the ship for a unique at-sea perspective.
Vitality Spa
A luxurious sanctuary boasting signature treatments, medi-spa services, and a full-service salon to make you glow from the inside out.
In your stateroom
Your own private haven, every stateroom features movies, news, and sports channels, plus room service for convenient dining at any hour.
Library and card room
Peace, quiet, and your next great read – find it all at the well-stocked library, featuring a variety of genres, plus tables for cards and board games. Everything's complimentary for your enjoyment.
Café Latte-tudes
Caffeine fix, coffee break, or after-dinner cappuccino – drop by this café for sweets, people watching and specialty coffee beverages.
Connect with the sea
With floor-to-ceiling windows, open air decks, and off-the-beaten-path outdoor spaces, there are plenty of peaceful places to take in the waves, sunrise to sunset.
Mariner of the Seas Fast Facts
· The ship was built at Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Turku, Finland
· 138,279 GRT (Gross register tonnage)
· 1,020 feet long
· 157.5 feet wide
· 29 feet draft
· 22 knots cruising speed
· 15 passenger decks
· 3,807 guests
· 1,185 crew (comprising a wide group of nationalities such as Philippines, Spanish, Indian and more)
What to pack
Camera
Sunscreen
Swimsuit
For the first day,
Pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, workout clothes, and any medications you may need. That way you don't have to wait for your checked bags to arrive in your stateroom.
On-board attire
Shorts, t-shirts, slacks, trousers, casual skirts, blouses and sundresses are all perfect during the day, whether indoors or out.
For lounging by the pool, pack two bathing suits and a pair of casual shoes (e.g., flip-flops, sandals, sneakers). You'll also need some casual shorts and a couple of t-shirts or a cover-up for getting to and from the pool areas.
If you're planning to visit the onboard fitness centre, be sure to bring extra shorts, t-shirts and socks that you won't mind working out in - plus a pair of tennis or running shoes/sneakers.
Dinner attire
Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women
Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women
Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women
Onshore attire
You'll need comfortable walking shoes, as well as a hat and sunscreen for protection from the sun.
Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry firsts never-before-seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.
AMENITIES available on board
Vitality Spa & Fitness Center
Royal Promenade Boutiques
Art & Photo Gallery
Three Pools
Six Whirlpools
Florist
Medical Center
Rock-climbing Wall
Sports Court Nine-hole Miniature Golf
Course
Golf Simulator
Ice Skating Rink
Jogging Path
Outdoor Movie Screen
Video Game Room
Peek-a-Boo Bridge
Royal Caribbean Online Internet Centre
Comments
Captain Flemming B. Nielsen, Master
“My responsibility as captain primarily is the safety of the guests, crew and the ship. Our ships are some of the most beautiful in the world and this you can see in the architecture within. As for future plans, we’d possibly go to any port where there’s a possibility of accommodating us.”
Gordon Shenk, Hotel Director
“I’ve been sailing for 39 years. As far as staff is concerned, we have nationalities on board the ship, which helps in familiarising with guests aboard. We off all our staff onboard training; the first week on their job is very hectic for them. It’s quite a challenging yet harmonious job for me as I have a good support team, dvisional heads who know their business.”
Jimmy Rhodes, Cruise Director
“I’m from Alabama and I started as a dancer on the ship. I’ve been a cruise director for 10 years now. The most popular activities on board include the Ice Show and much more but the number one best feature is actually its crew – who absolutely and honestly love what they do.”
For further information regarding this cruise contact Hemas Travels Pte Ltd
Text by Jennifer Rodrigo
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0 Comments
Upendran says:
Sep 18, 2013 at 12:00 amPlease send the rates