Mariner of the Seas Summer 2024 What We Loved About Our Cruise!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

thefreezedriedfoodie.com --purchase my e-book cookbook here!

[@Allthathingss]

Fellow Texan here! What a fantastic review!!! I had to keep reminding myself that you are NOT a full-time cruise vlogger. I was stunned by your thorough review & excellent photos of the food you enjoyed!!! Well, done!!! Your love of bacon is deeply felt!!! I RESEARCH EVERY CRUISE WITH FOOD BEING ON THE TOP OF THE LIST!!!! We are planning on cruising her in February ❤. GREAT VIDEO!!! I'm going to checkout your main channel! Blessings

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Thank you so much!! Very kind of you to say! I hope you enjoy your cruise!! How exciting!💚

[@heatherstein9576]

agreed she did a wonderful job! I am binging these videos becuase its my first cruise in Jan and I can't wait!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@heatherstein9576 hope you have a great cruise!!

[@WhiteBoxFarm]

Another fantastic video! Feel like you should be a cruise ship ambassador. Your coverage, voice, tips and enthusiasm are great! Will subscribe to your channel and check out the other content. Thank you for doing this video!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Gosh, I really appreciate that!! Thank you! 😃

[@stacieg2919]

Your gratefulness is so refreshing! Great video.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Very kind of you to say! Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@LongTimeCruisers]

Excellent video! We leave on the Mariner this Thursday, so your video was a fun preview since this will be our first time on this ship.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Oh my goodness, that's so exciting!! You're going to love it!! We had such a great time. Thanks for the comment! 😊

[@jeanhudspeth6332]

What a great and informative video! Thank you for posting this, makes me super excited for my RC cruise in February!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

That is so kind of you to say!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video 😊 Have a wonderful cruise!!🎉🎉

[@carmensolis1066]

Beautiful! My husband and I love cruises and this video was very informative. Thanks for sharing😊

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@carmensolis1066 You're so welcome! Aren't they just marvelous??🏝

[@carmensolis6851]

Love going on cruises! They are great!❤

[@drumoore9380]

Helpful video! What a great cruise!!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@drumoore9380 Yes!!💚

[@xoxokota]

going on my first rc first cruise ever with my family in 43 days, excited to go, ty for this post

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@xoxokota How exciting!!🎉🎉 I hope you enjoy your cruise!!

[@spookyghost2772]

great video, super thorough and helpful!!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@spookyghost2772 thank you!!

[@mrstraceyehodge]

We are leaving on the ship on Thursday! Thank you for the thorough overview!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

🤩How exciting!! Have a wonderful cruise! 🎉🎉

[@christinaonamission]

This video was so helpful. My husband and I are taking the same trip in just a few weeks. Thank you for helping me feel relaxed and informed! ❤

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Absolutely!! I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[@neko-nee7008]

Thank you for the great video! I’m going on that ship in a few months and super excited to learn about what shows are good or not, as well as the food!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Yay!! I hope you love it!!! We thought the ice show was #1, the "family-friendly" comedy show was super funny (although I think he is leaving the ship soon), the orchestra was TOP NOTCH, and our least favorite was the Gallery of Dreams Main Show. And again, not the fault of the performers -- they were very talented. It was a beautiful set too. We spoke to multiple people about the show afterwards and no one raved about it. In fact, one gentleman said the plot was, "Completely incomprehensible" but still entertaining. Anyway, thanks for the comment and enjoy your cruise!

[@anthonyonthemove]

Awesome commentary and amazing images to match. Really enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

You bet! Thank you!!😁

[@pamelajones1135]

Will be on the Mariner this December! Thank you for such a great video I really enjoyed it!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@pamelajones1135 I'm so happy to hear that! Yay! Enjoy your cruise!!😎

[@elizabethsuewatson5715]

Will be taking the same cruise soon. Thanks for your review.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Absolutely! And have a wonderful time!!

[@poptart4207]

I went on the same cruise right before you where costa maya ended up being the port to cancel over all a full day getting cancelled so it ended up being a 4 day cruise that hurricane sucked but my family pushed through it and still went on the cruise the next day it was fs a 10/10 would still recommend because the did everything to make up for the day we missed making the cruise shorter even giving everyone a full days refund i ended up getting 500 back of on bored credit and when we left they sent me the rest of the money I didn’t use the day we got off the boat saving me sooo much money

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Oh wow!! Sounds like they did their best to make up for it. Good to know! Glad you enjoyed your cruise despite the loss of a day!

[@bradjoiner3414]

We have sailed on Mariner many times. Bang/buck its probably my favorite ship. This 5 night itinerary when it sailed out of Canaveral was a favorite. In Costa Maya, Maya Chan beach resort is amazing.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

That's a great tip! Thank you. When I looked into Maya Chan, it was already fully booked for the day. I really want to go back!!

[@bradjoiner3414]

@@freezedriedfoodie it fills up quickly. The ride there is like a scene out of Breaking Bad, but the resort is so relaxing. Unlike any we’ve done before. They keep the numbers low and the service is great. The taco bar is worth the trip by itself. I really enjoyed this video, many strive to be negative these days and this was opposite of that.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@bradjoiner3414 😂Breaking Bad! I'll keep that in mind on the way!! Sounds like an ideal place. A taco bar is exactly the kind of thing that calls my name. Thanks for the kind comments.

[@tamikahill4778]

Great video and attention to detail. I will be sailing on Nov 7-11. Thanks alot

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Thank you so much!! Hope you enjoy your cruise!!🎉🎉

[@stevereffey9958]

going on Monday., Loved your video.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

How exciting!! Have a great time!!🎉🎉

[@sf3413]

This is fantastic! We actually have 3 cruises booked on Mariner in the next 6 months. We love cruising but not paying for flights. Thanks so much!!!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@sf3413 Oh my goodness, 3 cruises!!! How fun!! I hope you enjoy every minute!🎉🎉

[@ilsamedina5611]

My niece and myself cruise this past July 22nd thru July 27th in The Mariner. We have a fantastic time.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

How fun! It's a beautiful ship with fantastic crew 😊

[@hisservantstnt]

I loved "way outside the ordinary"❤

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Gosh, it's true! We felt so blessed to be there🥰

[@hisservantstnt]

Johnny rockets not free

[@hisservantstnt]

​@@freezedriedfoodiethanks for replying back...my wife and I are going on our 1st cruise in October...on the same ship...you did a wonderful video

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@hisservantstnt correct. I think we paid $18 for the meal which includes a side, a main, and a drink. But my milkshakes were included in my refreshment package so those were "free" to me, lol. I had pre-paid for the non-alcoholic drink package. I sometimes went to Johnny Rockets twice a day for milkshakes to get my money's worth.😆

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@hisservantstnt Yay!! I hope y'all love it!! We surely did!

[@rainkingatx]

Just subscribed to you and Life Well Cruised !! Great video. Only tips are I’d keep them to under 15 mins and I want to hear more things you didn’t like and what to avoid. All the good things gushing is nice but what to avoid is key. Thanks!!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@rainkingatx great tip! Thanks!!

[@danneejoboislander2994]

Please come back to the Island and visit us. Most people think of our beach but we are so much more. I am blessed to live in the same neighborhood you drove through when referring to the architecture. I enjoyed your video. Thanks!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Awww, that's awesome! Thanks for the invitation... we'll definitely be back!!🥰

[@robbie75713]

We leave Saturday for this cruise!! 🚢 We didn’t want to do an excursion alone since we were two ladies and my granddaughter - thank you for mentioning swimming at Señor frog!! I was wondering if there was somewhere we could get in the water without paying. I assume we are just expected to purchase a drink or food there??

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Oh, I hope you all have a fabulous time!! So exciting! And the entrance stairs to get down into the water is in a public area off a sidewalk/boardwalk, lots of people going in and out. You don't have to purchase anything from the restaurant, although I'm sure they'd appreciate it. There's also a ladder leading into the water from the sidewalk caddy-corner to those stairs. It's totally a public area. My husband used it but I don't recommend it -- the ladder rungs stop short of the water, which makes it difficult to get in and out, especially with waves. So I'd say, definitely use the wide set of stairs. And I'd wear water shoes since there are some rocks, uneven ground, etc. I loved my water shoes, lol! The water is gorgeous and so relaxing! Happy cruising!!

[@shuyiyan1482]

Thank you for sharing! This is awesome! qq about the room: What's the type of your room? Are yours Suite or Balcony type? If its Balcony, there are two options Spacious Ocean View Balcony Guarantee and Ocean View Balcony, do you know the difference? Thanks a lot!!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Thank you! Our room is in a category called a Panoramic Oceanview. It's not a suite or a balcony. I think that particular type is only on Deck 12.

[@tracybennett840]

Thank you for sharing. We leave on Mariner Sept 2 my 51st birthday and this was helpful. Did you add a food package or can you pay at Johnny Rockets? Is the seated dining included with basic dining or did you have to include and upgrade?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

How exciting!! And Happy Birthday! I hope you love your cruise! Those are great questions... We did not add a food package and simply paid at Johnny Rockets whenever we ate there. I think it's $18 flat charge which includes a starter (fries), a main (cheeseburger), and a drink (soda). No need to carry cash because they don't accept it. They always ask for your sea pass card so we wore ours on lanyards anytime we left the room. They just swipe the card and the system knows what you've paid for already. For instance, I had a refreshment package (non-alcoholic) that included Johnny Rocket's shakes. So every day when I went for a milkshake (yes, I said every day 😂), they asked for my card, swiped it, and it didn't add a charge to my account. But if you don't have a refreshment package and you order a shake, it goes on your bill which you pay for with your credit card that's attached to your account. That's where the tip charges go as well. The main dining room is included in your cruise fare as well as the Windjammer buffet. There's no additional charge. The Cafe Promenade is also included (pizza, sandwiches, desserts). There's soft serve and a hot dog stand by the pool, too, all included. You can check your account daily on the app to make sure the charges are correct. If you see something that you would like to dispute, you can do that at Guest Services anytime before you get off the ship. We found our account to be accurate and didn't need to resolve any issues. If you want to visit a specialty restaurant, like the Hibachi place, the steak house, or the Italian place, I suggest reservations. Johnny Rockets never seemed too crowded and we didn't have trouble getting a booth. Hope this is helpful. Anyway, have a great cruise!!🌺

[@dfw.hannah5313]

I was so used to the Cozumel pier so that walk on the Costa Maya pier was a shocker 😳🥵🤣

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Riiiight??!!😂I had heard it was 1/3 of a mile or more but somehow it seems longer in that heat!

[@daniella7356]

Do you need to pay/buy something in Ellington for you to enjoy the couch and view?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@daniella7356 great question! And the answer is no. It's just available seating. The bar isn't always open either.

[@dashcolbert835]

Would you say there were a good amount of people on the ship? We are going for a bach in April and wanted to make sure we will have a good time.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

The ship was full when we sailed. It might depend on the time of year, but I think it's a pretty popular itinerary. There seemed to be all sorts of people and groups. Family vacationers, couples, friend groups, etc. By the end of the cruise, everyone was friends with everyone else! Lol😍 I hope you have a wonderful time!

[@drewed1781]

Do you tip those porters at the beginning who take your luggage?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

We did! There were 4 of us and we tipped the porter $10. I think it's optional and appreciated.

[@daniella7356]

Are the swimming pools in costa maya free? How about seeing those animals in the aviary?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@daniella7356 the pools are free! I think the aviary costs about $15 or so.

[@hollycole4511]

Considering this cruise. Never cruises before, therefore I feel like midship is a safe choice for placement. What should I expect if we get a room closer to the front of ship?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Hi there! I think it might depend more on the sea conditions than anything. We were at the very front of the ship and very high up and had no issues at all, but we had calm waters. But like I said in the video, I'm not a frequent cruiser and don't have much experience. We've only been on 2 cruises in the past 7 years and both of them, we were in the same room. We love the room. I did wear a patch but I'm the only one in my family who does. No one felt any movement. I've heard that mid-ship is the best for that kind of thing. I hope you have calm waters!

[@nicolemyles1984]

I hope I’m not asking a question someone’s already asked but how do you book the panoramic view? Like what name is it under? We always book a balcony but I would rather this because it’s way more room.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

That's such a great question! When I booked the cruise, I used the Royal Caribbean website. I chose Mariner, picked a certain sailing date, clicked on Ocean View Room, then Panoramic Ocean View, then chose deck 12, then the diagram/picture with the available rooms popped up and we clicked on 1864. There's only 2 rooms like it on the ship. That one and it's mirror on the other side of the ship. So I actually chose our sail date based on when that particular cabin was available 😂😂 I liked it better than a balcony because it stays cool all the time (because you can't open the door and let heat in 😅) and because it's so spacious. And get this! It's the same price as the other Panoramic View rooms that only have 2 big windows. Room 1864 has 5 windows!! I just happened to book it the first time we took our girls on Royal when they were in middle school, and it was so perfect, I looked for it again when we sailed this last time. Love that cabin so much!!!❤

[@ratanrajsinghdeo]

How is Spa in this cruise ? Do they have Medi Spa Clinic for advanced treatment like Botox and Fillers ?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Hi! I didn't ever visit the spa, so I'm not sure what treatments are available. There's a FB group for Mariner of the Seas that I joined before we cruised to ask questions about the food and beverages. That might be a good place to ask about the spa.

[@nicholecoferriely8500]

I’m looking into booking that exact room! I love the views. But I’m worried about feeling too much motion since it’s at the very front of the ship. Did the rocking bother anyone?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Great question! I wondered the same thing after reading about some people's experiences. We did not feel any motion whatsoever, other than the gentle push off when leaving ports and the overall vibration of motors. It didn't bother anyone. Literally no rocking. It was smooth! The cool thing about cabin #1864 is that it costs the same as every other regular cabin in that category. I'm not sure why, because it's clearly better and bigger, but I'm not complaining!! There are only 2 cabins like it on the ship. That one and the mirror one on the other side. It's an anomaly and so fun! Happy cruising!!

[@nicholecoferriely8500]

@@freezedriedfoodie thanks!! ☺️

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@nicholecoferriely8500 you bet!

[@TylerKnight-xo2dl]

I'm going on the ship December 5th

[@TylerKnight-xo2dl]

Going for 4 days

[@freezedriedfoodie]

We had such a great time, I hope you enjoy your cruise!

[@daniella7356]

We are planning to bring only 1 large luggage. Can we just bring it inside the ship with us without leaving it to the porter?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@daniella7356 absolutely! You'll have to lug it around with you everywhere though 😄 The rooms won't be available until 1 pm, so keep that in mind.

[@daniella7356]

@@freezedriedfoodie what is the earliest time can you usually go inside the ship?

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@daniella7356 you can complete the official check-in for your cruise 45 days prior to sailing. The earlier you check in, the earlier your suggested boarding time will be. I set a reminder on my phone for 45 days out and checked in as soon as I could. Our suggested boarding time was 11:30. When we arrived, the port workers welcomed everyone into the cruise terminal and were telling us all that Galveston has open-boarding. They said come anytime and you will not be denied boarding. They give those specific times as suggestions to prevent over-crowding. But it seems anyone can get onboard at pretty much any time. They have to clear the ship from the last cruise, but I think 11:00 is about right for getting on board.

[@raulruly]

LOL they should not be putting the napkin on your lap, it should be the first thing you do when you sit down.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

🤣

[@ljacobs357]

I found the Mariner to be very loud, with very few quiet places. Jamie’s was very good but Chop’s overpriced for what it is. Service is very good but lacks finesse. Cabin showers are very small. The ship is OK for families but there is nothing relaxing about it.

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Yes, it's great for families! It can definitely be a challenge to find relaxing spots. The more "quiet" places we found were Ellington's Lounge on Deck 14, the library, the conversation spot hidden behind the Starbucks, and surprisingly, the outdoor Promenade Deck (of course that's windy but it wasn't busy). And there didn't seem to be many people on Deck 12 in the sun loungers. We found the showers at the gym to be ideal because they're so nice, much bigger, and were never being used. Mostly we relaxed in our room because of our amazing view. We called it our "million dollar view." 😊

[@sb-jq1rl]

Galveston is ugly, especially the beaches....Brown water!

[@freezedriedfoodie]

The brown water... I can't imagine swimming in it 😆

[@typure81]

Stop it lol we love our Galveston. 😂😂😂😂😅

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@typure81 😂my niece just moved there! She is learning all about the city.

[@typure81]

@@freezedriedfoodie It’s great with the exception of the brown water that I use to swim in as a kid. The AUDACITY of my parents. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@freezedriedfoodie]

@@typure81 🤣🤣 Love your sense of humor!!😂😂

[@guanacocruz765]

Going 🎉pronto 🎉🎉🎉myb2003

[@freezedriedfoodie]

Fun!!🎉