Ok, so Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas doesn’t exactly have the wow factor it used to flaunt in its heydays, what with immense vessels setting sail nowadays.  But its size isn’t something to scoff at either, and in an industry dominated with big shots, it makes no pretense of competing with larger-class ships.  In fact, it does quite the opposite: it makes you feel that you’re onboard a ship which is smaller than its actual size, with well designed interiors, strategic hot spots, and never-ending activity which makes sea days anything but the main perk of the voyage.

In fact, there are plenty of public areas to keep you onboard even during port calls, and the ship’s main Promenade is lined with shops and lounges of all assortments.  Apart from the usual ‘shameless plug’ merchandise and duty-free items on sale at the shops, there are more than seven clubs and lounges which accommodate most tastes and preferences.  You won’t miss the newly-furnished Vintages wine bar, an authentic-looking wine cellar which seems out of place amidst the hubbub.  The British pub-inspired Wig and Gavel bar, and the cigar bar (Connoisseur’s Lounge) are also worth noting.  You can also take a respite from the bustle at the reclusive cinema one deck below the Promenade, or watch ice-skating productions at Studio B.

Te dining areas are well-designed, but you are still out of luck if you want a table for two.  The traditional way of dining on scheduled times and with set tablemates are unfortunately still implemented here, especially during dinners, but at least the other meals are open-seating affairs.  Your menu options at the main dining areas range from serviceable to downright bad (you might want to pass on the ranch steaks, a joke of an entree even for the crew).  The food is much more appealing elsewhere on board, particularly the buffets at Windjammer café, the freshest sushi at Jade, the steaks at Chops Grille, and pretty much everything on the Italian-themed Portofino.

The Voyager-class’ trend of affording the cruiser reasonable accommodation options still applies to Mariner of the Seas, and it has a surprising number of balcony staterooms to boot (707 out of the 1,557 cabins).  Cabins are suites, externals, or interiors; some cabins also have a commanding view of the atrium, which are great for people watching, but can be a curse for light sleepers.  Verandahs on the upper decks protrude from the ship structure, providing a truly al fresco ambiance.  And since Voyager ships are designed to encourage passengers to spend more time keeping occupied ‘outside’ – on deck or anywhere else apart from their own rooms, it dedicates an entire deck to recreation, with amenities like a rock climbing wall, a regulation-size basketball court, a rollerblading rink, and a miniature golf area.  It has handicap-friendly pools with hydraulic lifts, an adults-only solarium with a comfy lounge area and two whirlpools, and Steiner-franchise spas.  The two-level ShipShape area is also a boon for exercise buffs, since there are plenty of equipments here to keep you sweating even during peak hours.  It seems that the Mariner is a solid leisure package at sea, and whether you’ve been to much larger ships or the ship is your first cruise, you won’t have a single moment of idleness onboard.