AWAY FROM SA: My 5-Day Caribbean Escape Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas
GALVESTON, TX (April 2025) — I recently took a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, and from the second I walked into the beautiful, bright terminal at the Port of Galveston, I knew this trip was going to be something special.
The terminal itself is tall and stunning. I took the escalator up to the check-in area where the process was incredibly easy—just showed my passport, scanned my boarding pass, and smiled for a quick photo. That image becomes your ID for when you re-board the ship after excursions. Once checked in, I was off to explore what would be my floating home for the next five days.
Mariner of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class. It’s a medium-sized ship, but it’s packed with everything you could possibly need. Even though it can accommodate up to 6,000 guests, it never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Here’s my experience deck-by-deck:
Deck 1: Medical & Port Access
This is where you get off at port stops and where the Medical Center is located. I recommend bringing your own motion sickness meds—though they do offer basics if you forget.
Deck 2: Conference & Theater
Home to the Conference Center and lower level of the Royal Theater. I didn’t attend any conferences, but the shows were solid entertainment.
Deck 3: Shows & Staterooms
This is where I watched one of the ice-skating shows at Studio B—super impressive. It also has the Art Gallery and some interior/ocean-view staterooms.
Deck 4: Dining & Casino Vibes
The middle dining room level is here, along with Izumi and the casino. I also discovered the hidden helipad—an absolute gem! It’s a quiet spot with benches and wide-open views. Yes, I had my little Titanic moment—no railing climbing though!
Deck 5: The Action Hub
The Royal Promenade is here. This place is alive day and night. I grabbed snacks at Café Promenade and watched sports at Playmakers. One of my favorite finds was the Peek-a-Boo Bridge—you can look right into where the captain steers the ship. Sometimes the blinds are drawn, though.
Decks 6–10: Where You Sleep
I stayed on one of these decks, and the room was cozy but efficient. Pro tip: unpack your stuff and slide your suitcase under the bed—tons of room there. Deck 8 has the RC Online internet café. Deck 10 is home to the captain’s bridge and more premium suites.
Deck 11: Pool Deck & Buffet Heaven
This is where I spent a lot of my downtime. The main pool was lively, the Solarium was peaceful, and the Windjammer buffet was my go-to for quick bites. They greet you with a “Washie, Washie! Yummy, Yummy!” which is quirky but memorable. Each day had a new food theme—one night was Italian, another was tacos. There’s also Jamie’s Italian and Chops Grille if you want to splurge a little.
Deck 12: Wellness & Youth
While I didn’t hit the spa or gym this time, I walked through and it looked well-equipped. The Adventure Ocean area seemed like a hit for families traveling with kids.
Deck 13: All About Adrenaline
This is the fun deck! I tried out the FlowRider surf simulator, watched people race down the waterslides, and even played mini golf. Great for blowing off steam.
Deck 14: Best Views at Sea
I stopped in at the Viking Crown Lounge to catch the views, and at night it transforms into Ellington’s, a nightclub at sea—absolutely stunning, especially at sunset. There are also exclusive lounges for suite guests and loyalty members.
Deck 15: Puzzle Time
I did the puzzle room and it was called The Observatory. You take a flight of stairs up into the room to watch a brief safety video and to get a summary of what’s happening in the game. Next, your group goes inside of the escape room together where you have about 1 hour to figure out clues and solve the puzzle. Your team must work together to figure out some challenging puzzles, so hope that you have some brains in your group. You could easily get lost on what’s going on, but that’s the fun of it too. Once you’re done, if you complete the puzzle, you’ll get a high five from the game’s master.
Main Dining Room Tips
There are three levels of the dining room. I dined here a few nights and had great service every time. If you’re traveling with others, request a table together early in the cruise. Also, be aware of the service charge that gets added—totally worth it though. Just wear resort casual and you’ll be fine—leave the swimwear for the pool.
Other Eats: Johnny Rockets, Playmakers, and Pizza
Johnny Rockets is in the back of the ship and serves up burgers and shakes for a small fee. Playmakers is great for wings and bar food. And if you’re like me and need a slice late at night, Sorrento’s pizza hits the spot.
Bars & Drink Package Tips
There’s no shortage of bars on Mariner of the Seas if you want to enjoy a cocktail or two. If you didn’t purchase the drink package, just be mindful—individual drink charges add up fast. If you do opt for the alcohol drink package, note that everyone staying in your stateroom must purchase it too, even if they don’t drink. Definitely factor that into your budget before sailing!
What to Pack (And What NOT to)
Don’t bring: power strips, bottled water, beer, or hard liquor. They’ll take it.
Do bring: one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne (carry-on only).
Must-haves: USB nightlight (only one port in the room!), a power converter, magnetic hooks for hanging stuff, a fan (USB or battery-powered), mesh laundry bag, and air freshener if you’re sharing a room.
Use a lanyard for your SeaPass card—it’s your ID, room key, wallet, and casino tracker all in one.
Get plastic sleeves for your luggage tags—they can fall off otherwise.
Wi-Fi & Phones
I bought the Voom internet plan for one device. You can switch devices, but only one works at a time unless you pay for more connections. The speed was okay—not blazing, but good enough for social media and texting.
As soon as we sailed away, I put my phone on airplane mode to avoid those crazy roaming charges. Then I used Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as needed.
Casino & SeaPass Hack
Ran out of cash? No problem—your SeaPass works at the casino too. You can get a “cash advance” in $20 increments right from the machines.
Pool Etiquette & Movie Nights
You can’t save chairs with towels or personal items. If you walk away for a swim, don’t be surprised if your spot is gone. Keep your things safe in your room or with a buddy. And definitely catch one of the outdoor movies—they show them on the big screen at night. Watching a film under the stars while floating at sea? Magical.
Whether it was my first cup of coffee on the deck at sunrise or watching the horizon from the helipad, this trip was unforgettable. Mariner of the Seas truly made this Western Caribbean cruise something special.
If you’re looking for a getaway that mixes adventure, relaxation, and plenty of “wow,” I can’t recommend it enough.
Because sometimes, the best way to experience life is to be Away From SA.
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