Mariner of the Seas

Mariner of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean International ship that entered service in 2003, carrying around 4,250 guests. She is one of five Voyager class ships and was delivered to Royal Caribbean by Kvaerner Masa Yards in Turku, Finland. Her godmother is American Paralympic athlete Jean Driscoll, who won the Boston Marathon eight times.

Life on board combines plenty of active attractions with quieter places to slow down. The ship has four swimming pools and seven Jacuzzis, while the adults only Solarium offers a calmer setting with its own pool and bar. A 2018 refurbishment added several of the ship's more adventurous attractions, including the Perfect Storm water slides, FlowRider surf simulator and Battle for Planet Z laser tag. There is also a sports court with basketball and table tennis, a golf simulator, jogging track, rock climbing wall and mini golf.

Families have plenty of dedicated spaces of their own. Adventure Ocean provides activities for children, while older youngsters have a teen disco and lounge. There is also a nursery for Royal Babies and Tots. An arcade provides another option when you want a break from the outdoor activities, while The Observatorium by Puzzle Break gives groups the chance to tackle an escape room together.

Dining ranges from casual meals to speciality restaurants. Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver serves family style Italian dishes, while The Bamboo Room has a tiki inspired setting for drinks. In the evening, the ice skating rink becomes an entertainment venue, with performances from the ship's skating team.

Accommodation covers a range of tastes and budgets, from interior cabins to larger suites. There are also a few details around the ship that reward curious passengers. The Peek a Boo Bridge at the bow provides a view from an unusual position, while the forward helipad on Deck 5 is another spot worth seeking out.