The Seven Seas Mariner is sleek, spacious, contemporary and elegant. It has one of the highest space to passenger ratios of any cruise ship, and passengers can always find a quiet spot onboard the Seven Seas Mariner. The cruise ship provides each of the 700 passengers onboard with a memorable experience both in the suites and in the common areas. Wood, glass, and chrome give the ship its decidedly modern look.
When you first enter the Mariner via the gangway to the reception area on deck 5, the powerful atrium soars above you all the way to deck 12, topped off with a large skylight dome. Let's take a look at the common areas on the inside of the ship.
Seven Seas Mariner - Constellation Theater
The spacious Constellation Theater is on deck 5. It is extremely comfortable, with every seat giving a good view of the stage. A small table is accessible to each seat, and drinks are served during the shows. There is also a balcony with seating on deck 6. The nightly shows were at 9:45 each evening and consisted of singing, dancing or comedy. We found them enjoyable and of good variety.
Seven Seas Mariner - Lounges, Bars, and Nightclubs
The Seven Seas Mariner has 7 bars and lounges. The open hours of each are posted in the daily "Passages" newsletter, but you can find a drink in one of them from mid-morning until late in the evening. Starting at the top of the ship, the Observation Lounge on deck 12 gives visitors a great view of where the ship is heading.
The pianist and guitarist provide guests with quiet listening music from after dinner until after midnight. The Pool Bar on deck 11 is open throughout the day, and is the most casual area on the ship. The Mariner Lounge is just outside the Compass Rose and Latitudes restaurants, and is primarily used for pre-dinner drinks and as a gathering area to meet your dinner companions. The Horizon Lounge is a popular multi-functional place, serving early-riser breakfast, snacks, tea, and drinks. Before dinner or after the evening show, many on the ship drift there to dance. The Connoisseur Club is just off the Horizon Lounge. It is really just a small room for cigar smokers, but I thought its overstuffed chairs and faux fireplace were a perfect decor. The humidor is stocked with Cuban cigars (available for purchase). For those looking for more action, the Stars Nightclub offers disco music until the wee hours of the morning. The Stars Nightclub has its own stairway up to the casino, which also features a small bar for gamblers.
Seven Seas Mariner - Activity Areas
The pool area on the Seven Seas Mariner was large and more than adequate for a ship its size. There are Jacuzzis around the pool, and tables and chairs for al fresco dining from the pool grill. On our cruise, there were plenty of chaises to go around. With every suite having its own balcony, I think many passengers sat and read or relaxed in the privacy of their own balcony area. There is a wide jogging/walking track on deck 12, along with a paddle tennis court and a golf driving net. The fitness center has workout machines and an aerobics area used for classes and free weights. For those who love to play cards or board games, there is a nice card room. The Seven Seas Mariner also has a small casino, with slot machines and all other casino games.
Seven Seas Mariner - Quiet Areas
The library area off the gallery is light and open, with books and DVDs. The Coffee Corner nearby seems to stay busy all day, serving continental breakfast and specialty coffees in the morning and cookies in the afternoon. The computer room is next to the library. There were computers in the computer classroom, and also in the library area. The computer instructor gives computer classes several times on the cruise. One new addition is wireless Internet access throughout the ship. The fee is the same as if you are using the Seven Seas Mariner's computers to access the Web. I always travel with my notebook computer, and it was nice to be able to compose the emails in my suite and then upload them using the wireless access.
There are a few chairs in the library area, but I think many passengers chose other quiet places on the ship for reading. A beauty salon and Carita Spa were both very popular for those trying to stay (or get) in shape or those who enjoy a spa experience while on a cruise.