People who live on or near America’s west coast can take advantage of an unmatchable vacation treat. Cruise ships vie with each other to create an ultimate passenger experience, but Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has achieved the Wow! Factor by deploying its "Mariner of the Seas" to Los Angeles (as of February 22, 2009).
Mariner is the first Voyager-Class ship to sail from the West Coast. It offers 27 seven-night round-trip sailings to the Mexican Riviera: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. More cheers: RCCL joined with Robert Mondavi, Beringer Blass Wine Estates and Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery to expand its onboard Vintages wine bar, giving Mariner passengers access to affordable or rare wines.
I haven’t yet experienced Mariner of the Seas, but I recently returned from a round trip (from Fort Lauderdale) Western Caribbean cruise aboard Mariner’s sister ship, "Independence of the Seas," so I know these ships are…well…gorgeous. In one sea day, I can have a milkshake in Johnny Rockets diner, putt on the miniature golf course, attend a scrapbook workshop and wine tasting, get a massage and lounge by the three pools.
And Oh! the onboard amenities! An ice-skating rink and ice show, inline skating track, rock-climbing wall, basketball court, Broadway-style productions in the three-level Savoy theater, ten discos and lounges (some lively, some serene), fitness center and Spa, three-level dining room (with a “Sound of Music” theme), an Asian-fusion eatery called Jade, and two alternative restaurants, Chops Grille Steakhouse and Portofino.
Running 445 feet down the center of the ship, the Royal Promenade is longer than a football field. Interior guest rooms overlook the Promenade’s shops and restaurants, including a pub with Irish music, a Ben & Jerry’s, a café and a pizza parlor. I felt as though I were strolling a European boulevard, with “apartments” above.
The street fairs and parades are festive: stilt-walkers, clowns, mimes, the “Gods of Mt. Olympus” and themed floats wander the Promenade. Count me among the spectators who gave a standing ovation to the ship’s ice show, “Freeze Frame,” celebrating music and dance of the ‘40s-‘70s, and performed by 12 champion skaters, including six from the Russian National Team.
Unlike Mariner, the Independence has a 32’-wide x 40’-long Flow-rider surf simulator, but both ships are ideal for family cruising, thanks to the youth activity programs for ages six months to 17 years, and a vibrantly-colored children’s waterpark. Of the three ports-of-call on Independence, (Belize City; Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico), Costa Maya equals great family fun, thanks to vividly-costumed street dancers in the shopping square, and a small beach, both only a minute’s walk from the ship.
Amid the beauty of the Independence’s “floating staircases,” elegant décor and super-friendly/helpful staff and crew, I found only one negative about the ship: only two banks of elevators, prompting a lot of waiting, and a lot of walking to get from one end of the ship to the other. I wished for an escalator or even a “moving walkway” like the ones at airports. Nevertheless, a voyage of Independence (or Mariner) is a fabulous ride! ###