And identical to that, our Caribbean cruise with my household is over. Insert the entire feelings right here. It was a surpriseful journey on the Marvel of the Seas, and I’d completely advocate this ship, our itinerary, and gathering your whole household for per week and crusing away for an journey of a lifetime! We weren’t certain how it might go along with an virtually one and a half 12 months previous, however I do know that we walked away feeling prefer it exceeded all expectations [a little more on how to cruise with a toddler below!]
Should you’d prefer to see video of our time on the ship, be sure you checkout the Cruise Spotlight on my Instagram account right here! This was our third cruise that Shawn and I’ve traveled on collectively and we’d completely do it once more — be aware: I do favor to area out cruising each few years. We love them, but it surely’s a means of touring I don’t must do yearly. We’ve discovered spacing them out each few years makes them extra pleasant!
Earlier than diving in, I ought to be aware that nothing about this journey was sponsored however merely private pleasure! I booked / deliberate / and skilled all of it 😉
Royal Caribbean Marvel of the Seas. Now we have traveled on Royal Caribbean twice earlier than and completely beloved it so we determined to go this route once more! We love Royal Caribbean because the ships are extremely clear, the workers could be very pleasant, the meals is scrumptious and the leisure is firstclass. The ship was unimaginable and didn’t disappoint. The Marvel of the Seas is a part of the Oasis Class [there are 6 ships in this class] and they’re all very comparable. The set-up of this class of Royal Caribbean ships is by neighborhood – you’ve got the Royal Promenade, Central Park [my FAVORITE area on the boat!], Boardwalk, Pool & Sports activities Zone, Leisure Place, Vitality Spa, Adults Solely Solarium and Youngsters Zone. Whereas the ship is gigantic and there are a LOT of individuals on the ship [with crew I believe it’s around 8,000], because of the entire totally different areas and neighborhoods, it fortunately doesn’t really feel too crowded or packed. My dad and mom usually journey on smaller cruise ships they usually have been involved they weren’t going to love the large ship, nonetheless, they did say that with how unfold out every thing is, they really actually loved the big ship and would do it once more!
7 nights, Japanese Caribbean Cruise. We sailed from Port Canaveral, FL to CocoCay, Bahamas [Royal Caribbean’s Private Island], San Juan, Puerto Rico and St Marteen! Extra to come back on what we did at every cease beneath! Notice: The Marvel of the Seas is shifting its port to Miami for future bookings!
Shore Excursions: This was our first time on a ship the place we didn’t guide any shore excursions. With having Crew, we didn’t need to decide to any schedule off the boat and there weren’t a ton of choices that we thought he may simply get pleasure from! Nevertheless, we did get off the boat at two of the three stops which I’ll share in additional element beneath! Notice: If you’re reserving excursions, you are able to do so all simply by means of the Royal Caribbean app! That is additionally the place you may guide eating, drink packages, present reservations, buy WiFi, and many others!
- CocoCay, Bahamas – That is Royal Caribbean’s island within the Bahamas and it was a lot enjoyable! We merely received off the ship and went to the enormous Oasis Lagoon pool to drift round with Crew! There was a pool bar we may order drinks from and the entire meals on the eating places are included in your ship’s value so that you don’t need to pay! You may pay for excursions right here [there is a waterpark you can do, my parents did a kayak tour, etc] or you may simply lounge on the seashore or pool without spending a dime! It made for a soothing and enjoyable cease!
- San Juan, Puerto Rico – This was our first time to Puerto Rico so we undoubtedly wished to get off the ship to stroll round and expertise the town in order that’s precisely what we did! We strolled the previous streets [literally, Crew in his stroller] and simply took within the structure, retailers, and many others! All without spending a dime, no value to get off and do that!
- St Marteen – Now we have truly been to St Marteen a number of instances, so we opted to remain on the ship at the present time and benefit from the empty boat whereas most poeple have been out and about! My sister’s household did do a catamaran journey that took them snorkeling and it was their favourite a part of the journey!
How We Booked: We did use a buddy who’s a journey agent as we have been reserving the cruise for 3 households [us, my parents and my sister’s family]. This simply helped make issues extra seamless, nonetheless, up to now when reserving for simply ourselves, we’ve at all times booked immediately by means of RoyalCaribbean.com as I discovered that the pricing was comparable [if not the same] by means of totally different on-line journey businesses!
Boarding The Ship: Previous to departure, you’ll be able to checkin on-line by way of the Royal Caribbean app. At the moment you enter your passport data and take a selfie of your self. On the port the place you board, every thing is completed by facial recognition and it actually took about two minutes for us to get on the ship. The identical was true for departing on the finish of the journey!
We splurged and opted to remain within the Proprietor’s Suite [room 1832 to be exact] and it was unimaginable. This room sort is included of their Sky Suite Class which affords a LOT of fantastic facilities which I’ll get into! As a result of we had Crew with us, it was necessary for us to have a room that will enable us to expertise the comforts of house, in order that we may maintain him on his regular sleep schedule [and allow us the ability to enjoy the room while he slept]! This room sort has a pleasant dimension mini room [think of it as a nice closet] that match a pack n play completely. We have been capable of have him in there throughout naps and bedtime and be capable to perform about our room [the living room and our bedroom] simply advantageous! One other bonus: it has a bath within the lavatory which meant straightforward bathing for him! Moreover, the balcony is HUGE and we love having fun with our time outdoors! Yet another large bonus: the quantity of cupboard space on this room was insane. We couldn’t practically use all of it. Usually on a cruise ship there’s rather a lot left to be desired for cupboard space and wow, this had cupboards and closet in all places you’d flip round!
Lots of people have requested about the price of reserving this room and whereas the associated fee is at all times going to fluctuate relying in your actual journey dates and itinerary, it seems to be like on common it’s about 5x the price of your fundamental inside stateroom. I’ll clarify what else you get with this suite in a second [aside from the incredible room itself]!
While you guide sure suite ranges [Star or Sky] you’ll have entry to Coastal Kitchen [a suite guest only dining room] for breakfast, lunch or dinner which serves wonderful meals, all without spending a dime. Moreover, you’ll have entry to the Suite Lounge for complimentary cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres each night from 4-8 [fun fact: you can enjoy free beer and wine at any time in the lounge!] My favourite amenity was getting access to the Suite Solar Deck which was a LARGE personal space for suite company solely to put out. The realm additionally had it’s personal bar, bogs, sizzling tub, soaking pool, and tons of lounge chairs and couches. This was a lifesaver as we by no means needed to fear about saving chairs or not having a spot to put for the day. Further suite facilities embody having your individual concierge who’re there for something that you could be want, free limitless excessive pace web, precedence boarding and departure [this was insane – it took approximately two minutes to get on and off the ship, including at shore stops!] and some different enjoyable extras like Malin + Goetz toiletries, luxurious pillow prime mattress, and extra! Due to all of this, it made the journey SO stress-free and allowed us to get pleasure from each second with out ever feeling like we have been crowded amongst 1000’s of individuals. Value each greenback in our opinion!
suite solar deck
suite lounge pool
suite eating room and lounge
On the Marvel of the Seas there are 7 complimentary eating choices and 12 specialty eating places [this means that they have a cost to eat there – each restaurant has its own flat fee, ie: $25 per person and it ranges on the specific restaurant for the cost. Once you pay the flat fee, you can order anything / everything off the menu]! For breakfast we both at all times ate within the Coastal Kitchen [suite guests only] or had room service delivered proper to our balcony! For lunch, we visited the Windjammer Cafe, El Loco Contemporary, Johnny Rockets, or Central Park Cafe! For dinner, we usually ate as a household in the principle eating room [we did the reserved seating for 5:00 pm], however you can even go for later, or do my-time eating, which suggests you may go anytime between 6 and 9:30 pm!] We did eat at one specialty restaurant on the ship, The Mason Jar, which was good and is admittedly enjoyable with dwell nation music! Listed here are the specialty eating places we ate at up to now on different ships and my ideas:
- Giovanni’s Italian – YUM. This was considered one of my [actually, it was] my favourite meal of the complete journey. Shawn ordered the truffle pasta and I ordered the lasagna. Each have been scrumptious however that truffle pasta, MY MOUTH IS WATERING THINKING ABOUT IT. So good. The garlic bread for an appetizer was additionally scrumptious. And dessert, completely order the brownie. You’re welcome.
- Chops Grille – That is the steakhouse on the ship and actually, it’s good, however I don’t know if both of us LOVED it. In order for you a steak whereas on the ship, I’d advocate going to Hooked and getting it there [Shawn got surf & turf at Hooked and said the steak there tasted better than the one at Chops!]
- 150 Central Park – If nothing else, go right here for a Tableside Central Park Martini, oh my, sure. Shawn and I each actually preferred our meal right here and would eat there once more! We ordered two desserts [oops, we accidentally did this every night] they usually have been so good.
- Wonderland – Speak about an expertise. Should you’re on the lookout for a eating expertise in contrast to something you’ve ever encountered, that is undoubtedly one thing to attempt. It’s primarily based out of Alice in Wonderland [complete with the Mad Hatter who comes around and talks to you] with meals ready in a means you’ve most probably by no means had. I’ll say, it’s odd consuming issues that you just aren’t completely certain what it’s, nonetheless, every thing tasted good! I don’t assume we might pay to eat right here once more simply because we’ve skilled it as soon as, however would advocate if you would like one thing completely distinctive!
- Hooked – This was Shawn’s favourite meal of the journey and my second favourite [aka, we loved it]. The nautical vibe of the restaurant was proper down my alley and whereas it’s a seafood restaurant, the hen I ordered was excellent [don’t worry – Shawn had seafood and loved it]! The macaroni and cheese was so good and the Boston Creme Pie was scrumptious for dessert!
- Izumi – That is the hibachi / sushi restaurant! The perfect a part of the meal was our chef on the hibachi desk who made it so entertaining and enjoyable! The meals was good, nonetheless, the worth per individual to eat right here is kind of excessive I felt like. I don’t consider we might select to eat once more at Izumi except we simply did the sushi, as we’ve got native hibachi locations we like simply as a lot!
- Bottomless Galley Brunch – We additionally opted to guide this brunch one morning as this can be a means to enter the Galley and see behind the scenes within the kitchen space and be taught extra about how they serve meals to 1000’s of individuals each week. It ends with a brunch and bottomless mimosas. A enjoyable technique to see components of the ship not all people else does! ps. Pack closed toe footwear for this!
Formal Nights Notice: There have been two formal nights on our 7-night cruise. I really feel prefer it’s actually as much as you ways fancy [or not] you need to get. All of us women in our household wore a gown and the blokes wore a button up shirt and both pants or shorts! You may see extra on outfits right here!
Drink Packages: When cruising, alcohol, pop and bottled water usually isn’t included in your value. They do supply drink packages you could buy at a reduction both upfront or on the primary day of the cruise. We opted to easily do the Refreshment Bundle [and only I did this] to have the ability to get pop, bottled water, smoothies, espresso drinks from Starbucks, and many others! I actually don’t know if we have been cash forward or to not purchase the bundle – we simply didn’t eat a ton of something beverage clever it appeared [outside of bottled water] so it actually simply relies on whether or not or not you assume you’ll be consuming and the way a lot on if it’s value it or not! Enjoyable reality: You might be allowed to carry 2 bottles of wine on the ship [I believe this is per person]! Convey your individual wine opener to keep away from an uncorking charge!
All the reveals are free which is very nice — I’ll say, the Marvel of the Seas leisure was inferior to a number of the different Royal Caribbean ships we’ve been on! We did guide every thing upfront for the complete group, but in addition realized as soon as on the ship that in case you are a set visitor, you don’t have to order and also you merely present up 20 minutes prior to point out time they usually have a reserved part for suite company solely!
- InTense – That is the Aquatheater present and one of the best present of the cruise! Completely see this!
- 365 Seasons – Ice Skating Present, all of us loved this!
- Voices – We needed to depart due to Crew’s bedtime, nonetheless, my household actually loved this!
- The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn – None of us actually received into this one!
- Comedy Present, guide upfront
- Love & Marriage Sport Present [this is so funny]
- Quest Sport Present [adult only scavenger hunt, also hilarious]
- Battle of the Sexes Sport Present
- Dwell music on the Pub
- Silent Dance Celebration [my sister’s family attended and had so much fun!]
- Film Nights [a couple of the nights they will play movies either outside at the Aqua Theater or inside the Royal theater – while we didn’t go, it’s a relaxing evening activity you can partake in!]
Central Park was our favourite “neighborhood” on the ship – it’s so peaceable and stress-free!
Adults Solely Solarium
Except for the entire reveals, bars / lounges, eating places, there are a ton of different issues you are able to do to remain entertained whereas on board. Listed here are a few of these issues….
- Swimming pools & Sizzling Tubs – There are a number of smaller swimming pools and a ton of sizzling tubs on the ship! I’ve had a number of individuals ask about if you must mark your spot on a chair early as a way to get one and I’d say so long as you have been out by 9-10 am you ought to be okay! By the afternoon, it was packed. On the suite deck, you possibly can go up anytime and simply discover a spot! The Adults Solely Solarium is a enjoyable spot with a small pool, sizzling tubs and bar that additionally has a ton of chairs to put out on!
- Splash Pads For Youthful Youngsters – Any youngster that’s nonetheless in diapers and never potty skilled shouldn’t be allowed within the swimming pools, nonetheless, the splash pad was an excellent spot to chill off and hold with Crew! He beloved it!
- On line casino
- Purchasing
- BINGO
- Spa
- Health Middle
- Waterslides
- Zip Line
- Flowrider Browsing
- Mini Golf / Basketball / Pickleball / Ping Pong
- Arcade
- Carousel
I may go on for this, so as a substitute of together with ALL of that proper right here – I’ll merely allow you to click on right here to see ALL of the outfits that I packed and what I’d advocate for taking with you!
I’ve obtained lots of questions on whether or not children are allowed on this ship and/or within the suite areas. The reply to each of these is sure! Royal Caribbean has a childcare program, Journey Ocean, from 6:30 am – 10 pm that solely fees $6 per hour per youngster for childcare. They do actions with the children all day and maintain them entertained. We did register Crew, nonetheless, we by no means ended up taking him [perks of traveling with family ;)]! We did be taught that within the 6-36 month previous class they restrict the # of kids to six and there are 2 caretakers always! The older children appeared to find it irresistible from what I may see! There are additionally simply so many issues for teenagers to do on the boat, that they shouldn’t have an issue being entertained!
Childcare Room for 6-36 months
WiFi: Sure, you may have wifi on the ship! This got here without spending a dime with our room, nonetheless, in case you have a room that doesn’t supply this without spending a dime, you should buy it per day or for the week! The wifi labored nice on my cellphone however was a bit slower on my laptop computer. We did at all times flip our telephones onto airplane mode when at sea to keep away from roaming fees [you can still text via iMessage with airplane mode on and can also use WiFi].
Movement Illness: Our seas have been very calm throughout our crusing, nonetheless, I may minimally really feel the ship shifting one night. We did take non-drowsy Dramamine with us and took it the primary day as a preventative to keep away from something, however neither of us ever felt sick from the movement. Needless to say these ships are very massive so that you don’t discover the motion all an excessive amount of.
Avoiding Germs: There are hand sanitizing stations EVERYWHERE. Additionally, when consuming in the principle eating rooms or any buffet type restaurant, it’s required to scrub your fingers first [they have hand washing stations as you walk into the restaurants]. I additionally packed sanitizing hand wipes to make use of often and to wipe off our telephones. The ship was immaculate and I used to be by no means frightened about selecting up a illness from anyone!
Gratuities: Gratuities are charged to you each day [$14.50 – $17.50 per person per day depending on your room type] which you’ll both pre-pay earlier than your cruise or on the finish after they add it to your folio. Tipping past that is optionally available. We did discover ourselves tipping our bartender that we ordered from on daily basis after which wait workers within the night if we thought they did an excellent job. We additionally left an additional tip for our housekeeper [they clean your room twice a day] however once more, that is completely optionally available and as much as you!
Total Value: Whereas I don’t assume it’s useful to offer you a precise value of our journey because it’s going to be totally different for everyone [sailing dates, cruising itinerary, room type, shore excursions, dining and beverage packages, etc will all vary] this was considered one of our costlier holidays [by the time it was all said and done with flights, hotel the night before, suite room, dining and drinks, gratuities, etc]. You may completely make cruising as inexpensive or as dear as you need, it’s fully as much as you!
If there are questions that I didn’t reply, ask away and I’m comfortable to assist! Total, we beloved each second and are so grateful for our time away collectively! Who’s able to set sail now? Prepared, set, GO!
