We're planning on an Alaska cruise next June. This will be our first time on Mariner, and I'd appreciate recommendations about choice of a cabin. For a G cabin on the land side, nothing forward of 769 is available. Is there any reason to be concerned about an aft cabin like this on Mariner? Any noise or smoke concerns about being located above the Connoisseur Club? We could move up a deck to an F cabin slightly more forward, 859; is that worth the $400 difference in price? I'd welcome any thoughts or advice.

-- Eric

Any cabin on Mariner is great (except maybe 1060 ;) ). I would never pay more than a Cat H. As for land side in Alaska, didn't find that it really mattered. You go in and out of channels and bays that you probably have an equal chance of seeing land on both sides. The day between Hubbard Glacier and Seward you are too far out to sea to have much of a view.

If I got to choose any cabin on Mariner, I would choose a Cat G (but only pay for H) around the rear stairwell. That stairwell is really convenient and is a "double wide" so it is easy to pass people. Of course, the Cat H are also good with access via casino stairwell to Stars Lounge and the Garden Promenade.

How do you manage to pay for an H and get a G?

On our first trip, due to Radisson changing a previously booked trip, they gave us a Cat F and let us pay for a Cat H. On our next trip on Mariner, we paid for a Cat H guarantee and ended up in a Cat E. The next time, we paid for a Cat H guarantee and ended up in a Cat D. The first time we actually paid for anything higher than a Cat H on Mariner was PANDA as we were late booking so we paid for and received a Cat G )we waitlisted a Cat H guarantee but it never cleared).

On Voyager, we have always paid for and received Cat H but once on a guarantee we ended up in a Cat F.

I see no difference in either the Mariner or Voyager between Cat H through Cat D so why pay the extra money...

....at least my opinion. ;)

Thanks, Marc, that's helpful. We're inclined to go the the G cabin for the reason you stated -- why pay more for the same size cabin slightly higher?

Even though Mariner doesn't have the aft vibration concerns that Voyager does, we were wondering whether to have any concern that 769 is pretty far aft (my wife tends to get seasick in moderately rough seas), versus being slightly closer to midship a deck higher. And because of my wife's sensitivity to smoke, whether there's any smoke smell that filters up from the Connoisseur Club directly below 769.

If anyone has additional thoughts, I'd welcome them. Gotta get this thing booked before the current pricing expires in a few days!

-- Eric

Another issue on Mariner is whether to go for a tub and shower cabin, or a shower only. The ceiling above the bathtubs is only about 6' and a little bit above the bottom of the tubs on Mariner, and the bottoms themselves are higher than the bathroom floor. Also the tubs are deeper than standard American tubs, making getting out on to a wet floor a distinct challenge; great care is essential. On a long South American circumnavigation some years ago, I learned to 'shower while crouching', (I'm 6'2") so we always get a shower-only suite on Mariner. Shower-only suites used to be available in Category F and above only, but somewhere I read that some G and H suites will be converted this year. I think bath ‘style’ is the key consideration in selecting your cabin on Mariner.

I was somewhat aware of the shower vs. tub issue, and definitely prefer the shower -- but I didn't realize the height in the tub was sow low. As I'm 6', that could be an annoyance. Thanks for that additional information.

I ended up booking an F suite with shower, partly for the shower, partly to avoid being directly above the Connoisseur Club common space, and partly to be closer to mid-ship. I'm still not sure that's worth an extra $400, but in the end, I figured I'd rather end up second-guessing myself for spending a little more money than was necessary than second-guessing myself over one of those factors affecting our complete enjoyment of the trip.

(Susan from B&K said her information about the upcoming dry dock changes for deck seven showed only four G cabins being converted from showers to tubs. They're all on the port side, and we wanted starboard for this northbound Alaska trip, so that didn't help us any.)

-- Eric

If you are going for a Cat F, I really like 872 or 873 as they are near a cross hallway and also near stairs/elevators. One other added benefit is that they are right by the ice machine that the stewardesses use for filling ice buckets. I would sneak in during the day so I could refill my ice bucket while stewardesses were taking their well deserved rest.

Marc: thanks for the vote on cabin 873 as that is the one I selected for my upcoming Mariner cruise. Selected it purely based on location and now I find that it has the added benefits of a crosswalk and and ice machine! Please tell me I won't be hearing the sounds of ice buckets being filled day & night :ohmy:

The ice machine is in a store room. You have to go inside and door closes behind you so no noise. Only there for stewardesses so only in morning and dinner time when they do their service.

On our Alaska cruise this past May, we booked an H and ended up with G745. That was a great location, and we see no need to book more than an H. We're bath people, so we wouldn't have booked a shower only cabin. We didn't notice any problem with the bathtub either for a bath or a shower; but, then, I'm 5'7" and Joan is five feet even.

In Alaska, it doesn't matter which side of the ship you're on.

Just home from Osaka to Hong Kong on the Mariner. We had H GTY and ended up in G, #824. Very convenient location, close to front elevators, stairs and laundry room! We had not been on the Mariner since summer of 07. It really does need an upgrade, stained carpet, worn upholstery, etc. We are sure it will be wonderful after the refurb. Happy Cruising

Konagolfer: I am hoping from your screen name that you really are a golfer and could maybe help me out with something. Do the golfer "types" tend to sail RSSC? I booked this cruise thinking it would be more likely that the country club set would be part of the pax.... and I might be able to find some golfers on board to set up golf outings with. So far, it has been like pulling teeth to even find anyone on the boards (here/CC, etc.) who "chats" much less plays golf! :eek:

Your opinions would be appreciated -- thanks! Linda