HELLO EVERYONE.. I know this post is rather late and that I almost break my New Year's Resolution again (Not like others are going well anyway).. I've been pretty busy but I've made some (I really meant A LOT of) time aside for the post and the video (LOTS OF WORK). This is the first time I'm making a video out of short films and I would say that there are still huge room for improvement. The video is very shaky and I only thought about the stabilize video option after I'm done so rip me. Will recreate the video if I'm free enough in the future. But for now.. Recommended not to watch it on full screen.. I will try harder to film better during my upcoming Bangkok trip. (Another thing is that the video editor KEPT CLOSING and I DIDN'T SAVE. Swear I almost suffered heart attacks.) Nonetheless here we go:
Royal Caribbean Cruise - Mariner of the Seas, 5D4N to Phuket.
After the trip, my only comment about the cruise is that it is overrated. 'Royal Caribbean' cruise, but actually almost everything inside the cruise isn't 'royal'-liked at all. The best thing about the cruise will be the service.
Tips
Here are some tips/advices to take note of to fully enjoy the cruise trip.
1. There is no need to change US currency. Before you go onboard, the staff will ask you if you want to settle your bills by cash or credit card. You can just opt for credit card and then she will help you link your Seapass to your credit card. The bill will be sent to you or you can check it from time to time at the guest reception, after confirmation then the bill will be sent to you as per normal in your monthly credit card bill.
2. Always keep your Seapass with you. You will have to go through several rounds of verification especially when going onboard and the staff will need your Seapass. You need that to access your stateroom et cetera too.
3. Always check the Cruise compass. It is very important to check the compass as all the featured events and activities throughout the day will be stated inside. Not only that, the dress code for the day during dinner, information on time change (You'll have to take note of the time change if you're cruising to a country of different time zone), opening hours of the galleries and dining areas are all stated inside.
4. Book early for activities like Ice Skating else the vacancies fills up pretty quickly.
5. Don't stuff yourself with too much food in just one meal as there are a lot of food to try in different dining area and there are just too many meals you can take onboard (How does buffet supper and 24hr cafe sound?).
6. Book an excursion if your cruise trip is more than 4 days.
Service
The services provided are 10/10. You have the same attendant to help you out throughout your entire cruise trip, you will also have the same waiter to serve you in the main dining room. If he is busy, you still have a assistant waiter to serve you. Most of the staff are really polite and courteous. They would greet you and help you out as much as it is still within their limit.
Stateroom
It is VERY small. I've been to Superstar Virgo twice and their rooms are definitely bigger than Mariner's. The washroom is squeezy too so I really wonder how those bigger sized wash themselves if not at the pool.. The aircondition is never cold and the water is also warm even though you adjust it to the coldest. There are a lot of hangers provided though, so you need not bring it. Aside from that, two very important things to take note else it will really ruin your trip:
1. Bring your own toothbrush and toothpaste
2. Bring a correct adaptor or usb (to charge your phones et cetera at the back of the TV)
Food
You will never go hungry.. There is mainly 2 place to eat which is The Dining Room and Windjammer (buffet style). Windjammer has longer opening time and lots of selection but it is always the same few kind throughout the days. I don't really get people who pay extra to dine in specialty restaurants though. Because the scenery you'll be getting is really bout the same. Food wise, the complimentary ones ain't bad too so.. ye. Also room service is free as long as you don't order between 12am to 5am. Ye, so you eat till you're full, eat till you drop.
Shopping
Everything onboard is charged in USD. So actually everything is quite expensive. I've bought a Nine West bag (66USD?) and a Michael Kors bag (340USD after 10% off). My family bought 2 watches and 8 other watch sets. Usually there will be sales at the Royal Promenade especially on the last sailing day. During my trip there was this 1 hour sale for watch sets. 1 box will be 30USD but if you buy 4 boxes, it will only be 88USD. If you're keen to buy anything from the sale, it is best to be there at least 30 minutes earlier and if you're not 'auntie' enough, you will probably end up with everything else people doesn't want.
Excursion
You can only choose 1 excursion to go to as all the excursion meeting time is almost the same. I went on a shopping tour (PK26 Shopping Tour) which cost 30.75USD per adult. The tour brings us to Pornthip Sea Store, T-shirts wholesaler and Jungceylon Shopping Complex. I would say its a total waste of money. The trip is boring and there isn't really anything interesting to buy and the time given for us to look around is quite short. Only thing that is still alright will be our friendly tour guide - Godi. I will still recommend going on another excursion rather than staying in the cruise though.
Entertainment
It is still alright but I was expecting more entertainment late into the night. There are movies showing from time to time in the screening room, then there are production showtimes, magic show, before dinner.
Customs
Clearing the customs is actually very fast and convenient for Singaporeans. When going onboard there are forms that you would have to fill up but when going back, it is super fast. I did not check-in my luggage so I will have to help myself with the luggage. That way I need not wait for 2 hours just for my luggage to be ready at the Marina Cruise Center. It took me less than 10 minutes to leave the cruise + center.
I will rate my overall experience: 3/5. I wouldn't recommend anyone there but if there were to be promotions (I've paid 3k for 4pax) which makes it really cheap then I guess ye, should go for the experience. I will now let the pictures do the talking, enjoy!
