Marvel of the Seas cruise ship overview: What to anticipate on board

Is Marvel of the Seas the last word cruise ship for household vacationers? As a mom of two, I’m properly conscious that my associates with youngsters search out Royal Caribbean’s monumental, attraction-laden Oasis-class cruise ships after they need to take their youngsters on a cruise. However I’d by no means sailed on one in every of these world’s largest cruise ships and was curious if I’d discover a 6,988-passenger behemoth endlessly entertaining with tons of enjoyable for youths and adults or an overcrowded mess.

The opposite burning query I had about Marvel of the Seas was the way it handled its highest-paying friends. I had a dialog on a small luxurious ship as soon as with an avid Royal Caribbean cruiser who stated she most well-liked crusing within the mass-market line’s costliest cabins as a result of it made her really feel like a VIP, getting particular perks and privileges different cruisers didn’t.

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When Marvel of the Seas debuted in March 2022, I had the chance to lastly get my Royal Caribbean Oasis-class questions answered. I set sail with my 8-year-old daughter in a Grand Suite to find what the most important ship on the planet has to supply youngsters, grown-ups and vacationers of all budgets.

Overview of Marvel of the Seas

Marvel of the Seas presently holds the title of largest cruise ship on the planet. It carries 5,734 friends at double occupancy (i.e., if each cabin held solely two individuals) and 6,988 passengers when utterly full. Add roughly 2,200 crew members, and you possibly can be crusing on a ship with 9,000-plus individuals on board.

It has 16 passenger decks, that are divided into eight neighborhoods. It additionally has two “holes” in the midst of the ship, so sure inside areas of the ship are literally open to the sky.

Associated: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

I found that the neighborhood idea is what makes a ship of this dimension simply navigable. Like sights are grouped collectively, and the totally different neighborhoods have totally different vibes. As an alternative of getting to recollect the place particular person eating places or theaters are, you be taught the place every neighborhood is and shortly can get oriented inside the big ship.

The Marvel of the Seas neighborhoods are:

Leisure Place (Deck 4)

This neighborhood holds the ship’s essential theater, comedy membership, ice skating rink and on line casino. The Diamond Membership for high-level Crown & Anchor loyalty membership members is right here as properly.

Royal Promenade (decks 5 and 6)

Royal Caribbean’s inside mall space options retailers, bars and meals shops, and is encircled by an outside operating observe. Don’t miss the kitschy Bionic Bar, the place the bartenders are robots, or the Rising Tide Bar, which travels elevator-style between the Royal Promenade and Central Park above. Free pizza at Sorrento’s and extra-charge espresso are right here as properly.

Vitality Spa and Health (decks 5 and 6)

Ahead of the Royal Promenade is Marvel of the Seas’ Vitality spa and health middle, with a salon, barbershop and thermal suite. Visitors can order contemporary juices and protein smoothies for a charge on the on-site Vitality Cafe earlier than or after their exercise or remedy.

Boardwalk (Deck 6)

This open-air neighborhood brings a carnival environment with its carousel, sizzling canine vendor, sweet retailer, sports activities bar and arcade, and Johnny Rockets outpost. The principle attraction is the AquaTheater, which is flanked by two mountain climbing partitions and the exit of the Final Abyss slide.

Central Park (Deck 8)

The second open-air neighborhood is probably my favourite on board. Central Park is a relaxed oasis on the bustling ship and is stuffed with residing bushes and crops. By day, you possibly can store for high-end jewellery or seize a chunk on the indoor-outdoor cafe or Italian restaurant. At evening, it’s the proper date evening vacation spot for a steak dinner or drinks on the wine bar.

Youth Zone (Deck 14)

When you’re cruising with younger youngsters, you’ll shortly get to know the sprawling Journey Ocean youngsters membership space. It’s obtained a drop-off nursery for infants and toddlers, a household play construction space and an enormous youth lounge with artwork and science areas and plenty of recreation house. The Puzzle Break escape room is correct exterior. Word that the arcade, Social100 teen membership and outside patio are usually not on this neighborhood, however on decks 16 and 17.

Pool and Sports activities Zone (decks 15 and 16)

Three swimming pools and quite a few sizzling tubs, an adults-only solarium, a youngsters splash space, waterslides, a surf simulator, playground, minigolf, sports activities deck, zip line and entrance to a 10-deck twisting mat slide make Marvel of the Seas’ higher decks a well-liked vacation spot for almost everybody on board. There are many meals and beverage choices right here, together with the massive Windjammer buffet, which suggests you don’t have to go away your lounger for lengthy while you get hungry or thirsty.

Suite Neighborhood (decks 17 and 18)

Marvel of the Seas is the primary Oasis-class ship to carry all of the suite facilities collectively right into a devoted neighborhood. It homes many, however not all, of the ships’ prime suites, an unique restaurant and lounge with bar and concierge desks, and a solar deck with a wading pool and sizzling tubs.

I’ve heard many individuals say they’d by no means set foot on a floating metropolis like Marvel of the Seas, however the fact is the ship doesn’t really feel overly crowded as a result of there are such a lot of locations for individuals to go. The Promenade feels as bustling as any common mall or Vegas on line casino resort you’ve ever strolled via, and sure, the swimming pools are sometimes full to the brim with individuals soup. You’ll need to line up early for AquaTheater reveals to get an affordable seat.

However I by no means struggled to discover a lounge chair or buffet desk, and Central Park at all times felt peaceable. Don’t let the scale of the ship intimidate you. There’s house for everybody.

What I beloved about Marvel of the Seas

Issues to do

I’m not the sort who can lie within the solar all day – I get bored, dehydrated and sunburned. So my favourite factor about cruising on the world’s largest cruise ship was that there was at all times one thing to do.

If I used to be feeling lively, I may attempt the zip line or Final Abyss dry slide or take a brisk stroll across the promenade. If I needed to linger with associates over a drink, I may attempt a unique bar each time. Even up on the pool deck, I used to be at all times transferring backwards and forwards from one of many essential swimming pools to the splash playground to the water slides and again. My daughter and I spent an hour ice skating, and I might have tried to summit the rock wall if it hadn’t been closed attributable to excessive winds after we had time to go.

My colleague Ashley Kosciolek, additionally on the crusing with us, made a degree to try every activity on board, and it took her greater than a day to pattern every part.

Exhibits

I’m additionally a theater buff and love to observe reveals of every kind. The standard of cruise ship reveals can differ, however Royal Caribbean excels on this division.

My daughter (and everybody else on board) was in awe of the acrobatic and high-diving present on the AquaTheater; you haven’t lived till you’ve seen somebody slackline excessive above a ship at sea. The ice skating present was so enjoyable, with such colourful costumes, we noticed it twice. The one essential theater present we noticed (“Voices”) was mediocre, however the preview of “The Effectors II,” which is now enjoying, regarded wonderful.

I wasn’t about to take a younger child to a comedy membership, so I missed that have, but it surely’s one other enjoyable possibility for folk who aren’t massive on musicals.

Suite Neighborhood

The Suite Neighborhood was additionally an enormous success, and cruisers who prefer to e book suites ought to select Marvel over the opposite Oasis-class ships for that reason. Each meal we ate at Coastal Kitchen, the suite-exclusive restaurant open for each mealtime, was superior to the primary eating room, and the employees went out of its method to concentrate to my daughter and accommodate any want.

The solar deck was beautiful, and if I hadn’t been touring with a younger baby who most well-liked the splash park, I’d have spent all my solar time lounging there. The concierges had been a terrific assist getting us present tickets and restaurant reservations, and whisking us off the ship within the best debarkation of all time.

Plus, the proximity of the Suite Lounge to our suite meant that we may simply pop over for a drink or snack every time we needed. My 8-year-old even ventured over there on her personal to choose up some breakfast one morning, and the employees was sort and useful to her.

Associated: 5 things I love about Royal Caribbean’s new suite neighborhood

Household-friendliness

Royal Caribbean has been paying nearer consideration to the wants of households with youngsters, and it reveals on Marvel. (The fruits of this focus would be the subsequent largest ship at sea, Icon of the Seas, debuting in 2024.)

All family-friendly cruise traces have youngsters golf equipment and meals choices for youths, however Royal Caribbean actually thought in regards to the association of issues on the ship. On the Boardwalk, yow will discover outside seating for Johnny Rockets, Playmakers Sports activities Bar (which has an extra-fee burger menu) and a complimentary sizzling canine venue subsequent to the carousel and a climbing construction for youths. Whereas I waited for meals to reach, my daughter may run, climb and journey round to get the wiggles out.

There’s a splash space for diapered youngsters, so that they have a cooldown possibility since they’re not allowed in the primary pool, and a grown-up can discover a lounge chair between the splash pool and the water slides and let the youngsters travel. A brand new playground house bleeds into the minigolf course, which is subsequent to the grab-and-go Mexican venue and close to the multistory slide entrance, so it is a straightforward place for households to arrange store.

Plus, the Journey Ocean youth services are big, with house for a number of actions to happen on the identical time. My daughter will not be at all times a fan of the youngsters golf equipment, actually because older youngsters would monopolize the video video games or as a result of everybody within the membership needed to do the identical exercise with out alternative. On Marvel of the Seas, she may select to do artwork or watch the science experiment if she didn’t really feel like operating round and enjoying video games.

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What I didn’t love about Marvel of the Seas

Small swimming pools

Each massive cruise ship suffers from the issue of overcrowded swimming pools, however even three swimming pools couldn’t deal with the sea-day crowds on Marvel. When you really feel like taking a dip, know that you simply’re going to share the pool with everybody from splashing, usually unsupervised youngsters to adults on their first or fifth drink of the day. The swimming pools are packed and bustling and in no way serene. At the least they do have lifeguards monitoring the waters.

No Broadway present

For years, Royal Caribbean has been placing condensed variations of common Broadway reveals on its ships. I’d seen “We Will Rock You” on Anthem of the Seas and was impressed by the standard of the efficiency (the script, much less so – however that’s not Royal’s fault). So I used to be disillusioned to be taught there’d be no big-name musical on Marvel of the Seas, regardless of its sister Oasis-class ships providing them.

Late-night meals

Meals waste is an enormous deal on cruise ships, and the trade as an entire has been transferring towards fewer late-night meals choices that individuals are inclined to order and never end. (Consider the demise knell of the notorious midnight buffet and elevated room service charges.) On this cruise, nonetheless, I discovered that when your child eats dinner at 6 p.m. after which performs within the youngsters membership till 10 p.m., she will probably be ravenous when she will get out, but pickings are slim.

If I picked her up early, we may maybe hit the buffet earlier than it closed. In any other case, the choices had been restricted to Sorrento’s 24/7 pizza and the pastries and fancy little sandwiches on the Cafe Promenade. I might have preferred some fruit or one thing that was not greasy but additionally child applicable, and it was undoubtedly onerous to seek out – particularly if I didn’t need to pay (which I didn’t). Actually, I want the buffet stayed open only a tad later to accommodate Journey Ocean’s closing hours.

Marvel of the Seas cabins and suites

Marvel of the Seas provides an array of cabins and suites to swimsuit any value level, from windowless inside cabins to ocean-facing balcony rooms and a plethora of suites, together with two-story loft lodging, suites with massive balconies going through the AquaTheater and the Final Household Suite. Like its Oasis-class sisters, it has unique-to-Royal interior-facing rooms with image home windows or balconies that overlook the Boardwalk and Central Park.

My colleagues on board had been booked into inside and balcony cabins, and reviewed their rooms favorably. I booked my daughter and myself right into a Grand Suite, the bottom stage of suite that certified for Sky-class perks, together with full entry to Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge.

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Our suite was a two-room suite, with the sleeping space separated from the residing space by a floor-length curtain that may very well be pulled throughout your entire width of the room. That meant I may learn or work on the sofa with the lights on whereas my daughter slept at midnight on the opposite facet of our suite. This setup is a bonus for household vacationers with totally different bedtimes.

Our room had two twin beds, however these might be pushed collectively right into a queen for {couples}. We every had our personal nightstand with drawers and bedside lights, in addition to U.S. and European shops and USB ports by the mattress. The format works higher with the beds collectively; my daughter’s pillows had been blocking her shops, ought to she have needed to make use of them.

Our suite was technically an accessible room, which I hadn’t realized when reserving. There was an emergency pull wire by one of many beds. The left facet of the mattress is just too near the lavatory wall to suit a wheelchair or walker, so vacationers utilizing mobility gadgets are restricted to the precise facet.

Throughout from the beds was a desk with drawers, topped with a Lavazza espresso maker and flanked by two slender closets with restricted shelving. One other closet stood kitty-corner to the lavatory door. The storage was ample for a weeklong Caribbean cruise, however I used to be disillusioned there wasn’t a bureau with deeper drawers (as there was in my colleague’s balcony room) or further shelf house for underwear and bathing fits.

We didn’t uncover the very best a part of the sleeping space till midway via our cruise – a TV that comes down from the ceiling!

The residing space had a three-seat sofa and two straightforward chairs with a espresso desk in between. A wall-mounted flat-screen TV was affixed above one other desk, this one with three deeper drawers and the minifridge.

The complete room was accomplished up in neutrals with some gold highlights. It undoubtedly felt extra like a luxurious lodge than an ordinary Royal Caribbean cruise cabin, however to be sincere, I discovered the decor a bit bland.

Our toilet was monumental (thanks, accessible room), with a roll-in bathe and seize bars round the bathroom. (And a telephone, for when nature calls …) The lavatory self-importance solely had one sink, not two, however did have a ton of shelf house behind the big mirror.

The bathe was geared up with wall dispensers of Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner and physique wash, which smelled beautiful. I attempted to arrange the pull-down bathe bench for leg-shaving functions, however I couldn’t determine it out; unsure if it was damaged or I’m simply helpless.

If I had one remorse about our cabin, it was that I spent subsequent to no time on the large balcony. It had a eating desk for 4, surrounded by cushioned wicker chairs, in addition to two much more comfortable wicker chairs with footstools flanking a drinks desk. It was the proper spot to learn a e book or take pleasure in room service breakfast, however we had been at all times on the go.

And that may be my largest takeaway tip for folk selecting cabins on Marvel of the Seas. With a lot to do on board, you’re not going to be in your room a lot. Take into account buying and selling down and staying within the smallest or least expensive room you’re completely happy in and saving your cash for eating places and experiences on board or excursions ashore.

Associated: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

That stated, I appreciated the perks that got here with the Grand Suite maybe greater than I did the extra-large room. We obtained complimentary Wi-Fi, precedence embarkation and disembarkation, free drinks and snacks at a nightly completely happy hour within the lounge, concierge service and precedence present seating (when you confirmed up early), and complimentary room service.

We additionally had unique entry to the Suite Lounge, Suite Solar Deck and Coastal Kitchen restaurant. We solely stopped briefly on the solar deck as a result of I pressured my daughter to go; its upscale vibe and lack of a swimming pool make it much less enticing to youngsters than the primary pool deck, however for adults, it’s a beautiful place to order a drink and chill on a lounge chair or in a sizzling tub.

We used the Suite Lounge to make requests of the concierge and to take pleasure in nibbles all through the day, however the completely happy hour snacks had been too fancy for my child, so we solely made it to the bar at no cost drinks as soon as. When you’re coming to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, come somewhat early to choose up a free cocktail or glass of wine, and take it with you to your desk.

Each my daughter and I agreed that Coastal Kitchen was the very best a part of the suite expertise. It was a calmer sit-down eating expertise than the primary eating room, and it was enjoyable to look out over the sports activities deck and Boardwalk whereas we waited for our meals. Every thing I ate was scrumptious, from among the greatest gnocchi I’ve ever tasted to pleasant balls of cheesecake.

The service right here was excellent. The waiters handled my daughter like a princess, bringing her bowls of berries and making her particular chocolate milk. After I requested for one thing apart from Tabasco for my scrambled eggs one morning, they ransacked the galley and introduced me each salsa and sambal to spice issues up.

Marvel of the Seas eating places and bars

Marvel of the Seas has extra eating places than you possibly can hope to dine in on a seven-night cruise and an equally massive variety of bars – all with their very own vibes and specialties. Choose your favorites and don’t fear about experiencing all of it.

Eating places

Royal Caribbean’s essential eating room is completely fantastic, however nothing particular. You may eat right here each evening and have an array of choices, or you possibly can skip it for the extra-fee specialty eating places and never really feel such as you’ve missed something.

The Windjammer buffet is massive and cut up into two sections, every overlooking the Boardwalk 9 decks under. Meals gadgets are set out in stations to maintain queues to a minimal, and I used to be happy with the choice every time I ate there. Some cruise ships have lengthy and slender buffets, the place you possibly can’t see past the part you’re in, so you need to do laps to be sure you haven’t missed something. The Windjammer is all arrange in a single open house, so you possibly can see all of the stations directly; it feels extra open and fewer claustrophobic this manner.

Marvel of the Seas has a number of included-in-your-fare cafe-style venues which might be excellent for quick meals or snacks. El Loco Contemporary by the minigolf course is a favourite for a fast lunch of tacos and quesadillas. Sorrento’s Pizza serves pies all day and evening on the Promenade; the pizza is ok however nothing particular. The Canine Home arms out sizzling canine and sausages on the Boardwalk, however we by no means discovered them open after we had been hungry.

Central Park Cafe is a beautiful place to seize a bagel or muffin for breakfast or a premade salad at lunchtime; the Promenade Cafe was our go-to for late-night pick-me-ups like cookies and finger sandwiches. I by no means made it to the Solarium Cafe within the solarium for Mediterranean fare (although I heard it was a superb place to go for wholesome salads).

And, after all, the world’s largest ship has an unlimited soft-serve ice cream station in the midst of the pool deck.

Further-fee eating places vary from informal to elegant, so that you’ve obtained choices on how a lot you need to spend on meals and what model of eatery you favor. If burgers are your factor, you will have competing choices on the Boardwalk, each with indoor and outside seating.

Johnny Rockets provides all method of burgers, sizzling canine and sandwiches, however is thought for its milkshakes and dancing waiters. My daughter would have eaten right here day by day if I used to be keen to maintain paying for warm canine and milkshakes.

Playmakers Sports activities Bar and Arcade focuses in your bar-food apps, like wings and nachos, with just a few burgers and two megadesserts price forking over the additional money. My daughter and I cut up the Campfire Cookie and she or he’s nonetheless speaking about that cookies-s’mores mashup.

Central Park is the hub for date evening, with 150 Central Park (the fanciest restaurant on board), Chops Grille (steakhouse) and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

We ate lunch at Giovanni’s, and the pizza put Sorrento’s to disgrace. The enormous meatball is seemingly wonderful (I don’t eat pork, so didn’t partake), and I admit to ordering the Nutella and banana stromboli for dessert off the youngsters menu and never regretting one chunk. At evening, don’t miss the wine bar throughout the park.

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ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

For a surreal expertise with the Mad Hatter and molecular gastronomy, Wonderland is a reservation should. Sushi followers can hit up Izumi, tucked away on Deck 4 by the on line casino.

Arms down, our favourite restaurant on board was The Mason Jar, Royal Caribbean’s new Southern consolation meals restaurant solely obtainable on Marvel of the Seas. It was such successful I hope they roll it out on different ships.

The additional-fee venue is open for brunch and dinner and has a full of life bar and sometimes a reside nation music band. The bar space is themed round a entrance porch, with rocking chairs, a swing and tables tucked into window areas, whereas the eating space within the again feels homey and relaxed.

The Mason Jar will not be a spot to rely your energy; we had brunch there and it was an indulgent feast. My daughter beloved her chocolate, peanut butter and banana French toast a lot she wouldn’t share a chunk; I adored the inventive cocktails and the jalapeno cornbread with pimento cheese unfold and whipped honey butter.

E-book early for a reservation or come off-hours for a seat on the bar. The principle disadvantage is the venue will get loud, particularly when the band is enjoying, so be ready to yell all of your conversations.

Bars

Solo father or mother journey with an 8-year-old gave me many causes to drink however few alternatives to really spend time in Marvel of the Seas’ many bars.

I used to be a fan of Giovanni’s Wine Bar, with indoor and outside seating in Central Park; it was a romantic spot, as is the all-outdoor Trellis Bar close by. I by no means obtained to journey the Rising Tide Bar and was disillusioned, but it surely’s not an attention-grabbing bar past its kitschy means to levitate.

You need to cease by the Bionic Bar to observe the robotic arms combine drinks. Nonetheless, the robots have a predilection for candy cocktails, and their drinks aren’t the very best. Higher to go to one of many many Lime & Coconut outposts on the pool deck. Its signature drink is scrumptious and refreshing (and you may get them in colourful memento pails), and the outside seating has a enjoyable resort vibe.

A few of my favourite drinks got here from restaurant bars. I didn’t need to splurge for a meal in Wonderland, however I met associates on the bar and loved a really pink cotton candy-topped Cheshire Cat Cosmo from the inventive cocktail menu.

The drinks at Mason Jar had been hands-down my favourite; my PB&J Previous Long-established got here with a mini crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a garnish. And, sure, you may get smoky drinks at each restaurant watering holes.

The Vue Bar is a brand new venue, cantilevered over the facet of the ship and changing a sizzling tub discovered on sister ships. I solely handed by, however phrase from my associates was that it was overly windy and the drinks had been the usual ones, not a particular menu.

When you like to bounce the evening away, the Music Corridor is a two-story membership with reside and DJ music and two bars. Catch the sport and a beer at Playmakers Sports activities Bar; there’s an arcade right here, too. The Cask & Clipper usually has reside music; the nautical-themed Schooner Bar is the place for trivia and a pianist; and the Latin-inspired Boleros is the place to get your salsa on.

You will get your caffeine repair at Starbucks or Cafe Promenade. Each serve Starbucks espresso for a charge, however the snacks at Cafe Promenade are free, whereas those at Starbucks price additional. You may order smoothies and juices for a value on the Vitality Cafe within the spa.

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Marvel of the Seas actions

Marvel of the Seas is the proper ship for folk with quick consideration spans or who must preserve lively to remain completely happy. There’s at all times one thing to do, and I’m not simply speaking bean bag toss and music trivia. Even higher, the vast majority of the actions are fee-free, so you possibly can play to your coronary heart’s content material with out worrying about operating up an enormous invoice.

A lot of the enjoyable is discovered on the uppermost decks of the ship. Along with a number of swimming pools and sizzling tubs, you’ll discover a splash playground for youths (plus a mini splash space for tykes in diapers) and three waterslides. Adults can take pleasure in swimming pools and sizzling tubs on the indoor 16-plus solarium.

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ASHLEY KOSCIOLEK/THE POINTS GUY

Crank the adrenaline up a notch behind the ship. I declined to attempt the FlowRider surf simulator, nor did I be a part of a recreation on the sports activities courtroom, however I did fly throughout the ship on the quick zip line that soars above the Boardwalk. (You need to look down — it’s wild.)

My daughter and I attempted the Final Abyss 10-story slide (dry, not moist) a number of occasions. You journey down on a mat, along with your ft tucked right into a fold on the backside. Don’t be nervous about it; it’s a lot slower than you suppose it could be from the tube’s size. I really wished it had been a bit sooner.

New on this ship is the Marvel Playscape climbing construction and play space for younger youngsters. Watching my daughter scramble up and down, I assumed that Royal Caribbean may have accomplished extra to make this space extra enjoyable for elementary-school-age youngsters. Because it stands, it’s targeted extra on the preschool set. Nonetheless, don’t miss the captain’s wheel that appears over the underside flooring of the play house. Spinning the wheel activates some hilarious pirate audio.

One other odd alternative is that the highest of the Marvel Playscape climbing space opens onto the Marvel Dunes minigolf course. As a result of the whimsical, underwater-themed placing space is multicolored and never inexperienced, many households don’t notice at first that it’s a golf course, and little youngsters had been climbing all around the obstacles.

The one essential outside exercise not on a prime deck is Marvel’s twin mountain climbing partitions. They flank the AquaTheater on the far finish of the Boardwalk. Wind prevented us from harnessing up and having a go, so be versatile if it is a prime attraction in your crusing.

The actions proceed indoors, too. At choose occasions (normally on sea days), the leisure employees provides ice skating periods and laser tag in Studio B, the ship’s indoor ice rink. (Not on the identical time, clearly, and a flooring and inflatable obstacles are added for laser tag.) Each are common, so enroll or get in line as early as doable. For ice skating, we waited in line to signal the waiver, however then got a time to return to do the precise skating.

A delegated escape room is situated subsequent to Journey Ocean, but it surely wasn’t but prepared on the maiden voyage. Arcade video games can be found by Playmakers and on Deck 16 subsequent door to El Loco Contemporary. And when you prefer to sing, a devoted karaoke lounge with each private and non-private periods might be discovered on the Royal Promenade.

For individuals who like gaming, there’s a on line casino on Deck 4 that I don’t suppose I ever noticed.

I by no means made it to the Vitality spa and health middle on decks 5 and 6, but it surely provides all of the R&R choices, from massages and saunas to yoga courses and treadmill runs.

And, after all, the ship’s leisure crew will lead trivia and different actions, particularly on sea days.

Marvel of the Seas reveals

Royal Caribbean is thought for its wonderful leisure, and the cruise line provides reveals that can’t be discovered on some other line. We discovered that they reside as much as the hype.

The AquaTheater present, “inTENse,” was filled with excessive diving, slacklining and synchronized dancing and swimming in varying-height swimming pools. My daughter couldn’t get sufficient of it, and I’ve to say, neither may I. Enjoyable truth: It’s the primary all-female AquaTheater solid. Arrive not less than a half-hour early when you care the place you sit. We sat at Playmakers one night and watched the road for the theater stretch all the way in which down the Boardwalk – and that was simply individuals with reservations.

The ice skating present, “365: The Seasons on Ice,” is a whimsical romp via the seasons, with enjoyable music, colourful costumes and spunky character. Don’t anticipate Olympic-caliber triple axels; it’s extra spectacular that the group manages to stage on a tiny rink on a transferring ship.

My daughter allowed me just one variety of the primary theater present, “Voices,” although associates who stayed weren’t overly impressed. We did see a preview of “The Effectors II” present and its light-up synchronized drone dance quantity, and that superhero-themed present regarded extra interesting.

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ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY

Additionally not but prepared for prime time on our crusing had been the parades down the Royal Promenade. We did catch a part of a rehearsal for a pirate-themed parade, and the “floats” and costumes had been enjoyable. When you’ve obtained little youngsters, preserve an eye fixed out for the parade in your day by day planner.

Throughout from the Studio B ice rink is The Attic, which hosts comedy reveals. Cruise ship comedy tends to be hit and miss; whether or not you take pleasure in it depends upon your humorousness meshing with that of the comic.

Marvel of the Seas itineraries and pricing

By way of not less than April 2025, Marvel of the Seas will sail alternating weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida (close to Orlando). Each cruise calls at Royal Caribbean’s non-public island within the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Jap Caribbean sailings go to St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Excellent Day. Western Caribbean cruises cease at Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Labadee, Haiti (a non-public seashore vacation spot); and Excellent Day.

A number of one-off sailings are six or eight nights or cease in alternate ports.

At the moment, beginning costs for windowless inside cabins vary from $780 to almost $1,400 per individual, primarily based on double occupancy. Christmas and New Yr’s sailings are much more costly. Beginning costs for balcony cabins vary from $1,000 to $1,700 per individual, however winter vacation and different common trip weeks can prime $2,000.

Suites begin at $2,200 per individual and take off from there, primarily based on sail date and suite kind. The ship’s sole Final Household Suite (a spacious two-deck loft suite tricked out with kid-friendly video games and sights) will set you again not less than $20,000 for the week.

What to know earlier than you go

Required paperwork

Since Marvel of the Seas is presently crusing round-trip from Florida, U.S. residents can sail with both a present passport or an official copy of their start certificates and a driver’s license or different government-issued picture I.D. Passports should be legitimate for not less than six months.

The title in your reservation should be the identical as what’s printed in your passport or different official proof of nationality. Double-check when you’ve just lately gotten married or go by a unique model of your title.

Gratuities

Marvel of the Seas friends will discover an automatic service gratuity of $16 to $18.50 per individual per day, relying in your cabin class, added to their onboard account and last invoice. You might be allowed to regulate this quantity on the Visitor Providers desk earlier than disembarking, however TPG doesn’t advocate this, even if you’re disillusioned by the service.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar and spa/salon payments. You shouldn’t really feel pressured so as to add a further tip.

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Wi-Fi

Royal Caribbean has one of many quickest Wi-Fi systems at sea, and you’ll reap the benefits of this on Marvel of the Seas. At the moment, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth begin at $17.99 per day per machine; nonetheless, costs do change over time. When you’re touring with household or sharing a room with associates, search for multidevice packages which might be cheaper on a per-device foundation. Sure suite friends obtain complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks earlier than you join a bundle.

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Carry-on drinks coverage

Each passenger of consuming age can carry a single bottle of wine or Champagne onto Marvel of the Seas at boarding, plus as much as a dozen commonplace cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks reminiscent of sodas. You may take pleasure in your wine at no additional price in your cabin or suite, however you will must pay a $15 corkage charge when you select to drink it at a restaurant, bar or lounge.

Smoking coverage

Smoking (together with e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and people who violate this rule will face a $250 cleansing charge.

Passengers can smoke in Marvel of the Seas’ casinos (cigarettes solely) and designated outside areas of the pool decks; there’s a separate nonsmoking part of the on line casino. The Central Park and the Boardwalk neighborhoods, although open to the sky, don’t supply smoking areas, nor does the jogging observe.

Laundry

Marvel of the Seas doesn’t supply self-service launderettes. Passengers will pay additional for laundry, urgent and dry cleansing providers.

Electrical shops

You will discover North American-style 110-volt shops and European-style 220-volt shops in cabins, together with USB ports, in all cabins. I preferred having shops by the mattress, in addition to the desk space.

Foreign money

The onboard forex is the U.S. greenback. You will not want money on Marvel of the Seas, although. Use your SeaPass card to cost any onboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions, and so on.) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will cost your bank card on file as soon as the cruise ends. You may examine your onboard invoice within the cruise line’s app, at Visitor Providers or by way of your in-cabin tv.

Ingesting age

You should be 21 to devour alcohol on Marvel of the Seas.

Costume code

Throughout the day, individuals costume casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic put on, informal sundresses and bathing fits are generally worn on board and ashore. Carry a cover-up to go from the pool again indoors.

A night costume code solely applies to Royal Caribbean’s essential eating room. On most nights, informal costume is appropriate, with denims and shorts acceptable in the primary eating room. (Swimwear, naked ft and tank-type T-shirts are usually not allowed.) One evening on our cruise was supposedly Caribbean-themed, but it surely wasn’t enforced. Nonetheless, a Hawaiian shirt isn’t misplaced on a tropical cruise.

Two nights had been deemed “costume your greatest” or formal, and you will find a spread of interpretations of dressy apparel. Ladies lean towards cocktail attire or trendy pants outfits, although you will see some floor-length robes. Males put on fits or sports activities coats or just button-down shirts with good slacks. Individuals actually get away with denims if they are a darkish coloration and paired with a jacket or dressy prime.

Children can get away with virtually something, so don’t fret about convincing your preschooler to placed on a button-down shirt.

Dressier nights are usually on sea days, usually the second and fifth or sixth evening of the cruise.

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Backside line

Marvel of the Seas is a cruise ship that appeals to lively households, {couples} and good friend teams. Whereas a lot of the enjoyable actions on board are included within the fare, you’ll pay additional if you wish to pattern lots of the eating places on board.

Cabins cowl a spread of value factors, however this common new ship will command the next value for a weeklong cruises than older ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet. Cruisers searching for extra luxurious digs and fewer fuss over chasing after reservations and ready in line for seats have a strong possibility in the event that they need to e book a Suite Neighborhood cabin, with entry to unique eating and deck areas.

The largest concern I had about Marvel was crowding and getting misplaced on such an enormous journey, however I discovered my fears to be unwarranted. Certain, you’ll discover competitors for the very best eating occasions and present tickets, however the ship didn’t really feel extra crowded than different massive ships, and the neighborhood format made it straightforward to seek out your method round.

I had a blast with my daughter on Marvel of the Seas and wouldn’t hesitate to advocate it to anybody searching for an lively, big-ship trip within the Caribbean.

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