How To Have The Best Family Vacation Onboard Mariner Of The Seas

This top-rated cruise ship offers plenty of opportunities for family bonding

By Amanda Mesa | Published on February 16, 2024

The best family vacation is one that doesn’t require tons of research, planning and price-comparing. It’s why I’ve long turned to cruises whenever I’ve had to pull together a trip with family — especially one that involves travelers of all ages. One of my top cruise ships for family escapes is Mariner of the Seas®. For starters, it’s on the smaller side — which I personally prefer because it offers a more intimate vibe that makes it easy to meet other families during my sailing. It’s also been Amplified with all kinds of unique cruise attractions for kids, cruise activities for teens and great restaurants and bars — like The Bamboo Room, one of my personal favorites.

This Voyager Class beauty truly offers something for everyone, from hours of thrills on exhilarating waterslides, an epic glow-in-the-dark laser tag course and the iconic FlowRider® surf simulator, to chill outdoor movie nights, amateur-friendly mini golf and a hopping pool scene. And the ship’s cruise dining options are unparalleled. You’ll find casual, complimentary eats onboard at Dog House, Windjammer and Café Promenade, in addition to elevated specialty restaurants like Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Izumi Hibachi and Sushi — both perfect for a special family dinner. Here are just some of the many reasons why Mariner of the Seas offers some of the best family cruises out there.

1. Endless Thrills For Daredevils

For many kids, fun is all about the thrill factor. It’s why amusement parks and water parks are so popular among the younger set. Fortunately, Mariner of the Seas offers plenty for young daredevils — and thrill-seeking adults, too. The ship is home to The Perfect Storm℠, two exhilarating twin racer slides called Typhone^SM and Cyclone^SMthat feature white-knuckle turns and long, translucent stretches that yield dazzling sea views.

There’s also the FlowRider, a surf simulator that funnels more than 30,000 gallons of water all day, every day to create rushing, rip-roaring swells you can ride boogie-style on your belly or upright on your feet. Kids or parents who prefer to watch from the sidelines can post up in the surrounding stadium seating to cheer on the surfers — and get splashed in the process.

One of my go-to activities when I’m sailing on Mariner of the Seas is the cruise ship’s glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience, Battle for Planet Z^SM. It’s one of the top cruise activities for families onboard, and like the waterslides and surf simulator, it’s totally complimentary for cruise guests. Guests are put on a team — the remnant of a robot civilization, or an alien scouting party seeking refuge from a meganova. The mission is simple: battle the opposing team for dominion of the last planet for light years around.

2. A Fabulous Pool Scene

If you’ve read any of my other cruise guides, you probably already know that my favorite hangout at sea is the pool. A great pool scene ranks high up on my list of vacation priorities — right below a great food scene. I’m pleased to report that the pool area onboard Mariner of the Seas passed my vibe check the very first time I sailed on the ship. There are two pools on the main deck flanked by whirlpools, plus a separate lagoon-like pool and whirlpools in the adults-only Solarium (where I like to retreat when I’m craving a little peace and tranquility). The cruise staff ensures there’s always something cool going on near the main pool, whether it’s a DJ-driven pool party, a bellyflop competition or a pop-up musical performance.

3. Convenient Childcare Options At Your Fingertips

If you’re traveling with little ones, you’ll be happy to know that this cruise ship offers complimentary childcare for kids aged three to 11. It’s part of Adventure Ocean®, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning youth program that features supervised activities like science experiments, arts and crafts and more. The program breaks kids out into groups depending on their age so they can bond with other likeminded explorers. There’s the Aquanauts group for kids aged three to five, the Explorers group for kids aged six to eight and the Voyagers group for kids aged nine to 11.

Cruising with a baby? The ship also offers a nursery for tiny travelers aged 6 to 36 months. It’s called the Royal Babies & Tots program, and it’s available for an additional fee. Finally, teens will be happy to discover the ship offers a swanky lounge just for them that’s perfect for mingling, listening to cool tunes and playing video games. Tell them to check the Cruise Planner for daily events and activities.

4. Delicious Dining For Every Palate

The best cruises for families typically have great food in common, and this ship is no exception. Mariner of the Seas is home to a wide range of incredible restaurants, so you can rest assured everyone in your group is bound to find something satisfying. The complimentary Windjammer serves a rotating, buffet-style selection of international eats and comfort foods every day during breakfast, lunch and dinner. And the Main Dining Room dials up dinner every night with a multi-course feast spotlighting delicacies from around the world.

During the day, you can also pop by Café Promenade for free grab-and-go bistro bites like yummy sandwiches, decadent pastries and flavorful appetizers. Or savor artisanal bratwursts by the pool at the complimentary Dog House.

The specialty restaurant scene is equally impressive. Make a reservation at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi for Far East flavors prepped tableside by master chefs in a dazzling culinary display. Or gather ‘round authentic Old World dishes at Jamie’s Italian. If you’re craving a contemporary steakhouse experience, you’ll rave about the prime cuts and succulent seafood offered at the legendary Chops Grille℠. And for hearty burgers and homespun milkshakes, it doesn’t get better than Johnny Rockets®.

5. Family-Friendly Cruise Entertainment That Deserves An Encore

One of the best things about family-friendly cruises onboard Mariner of the Seas is the ship’s entertainment lineup. There’s Gallery of Dreams, a riveting musical that celebrates history around the world and across time — from Mozart’s Austria to the Wild, Wild West and beyond. And there’s Center Stage, a showstopping variety review that incorporates different styles of dance and music. One of the coolest shows (pun intended) is Ice Under the Big Top, an ice-skating spectacular featuring world-class figure skaters from all over the world. The best part? All of these shows are included in your cruise fare.

These are just some of the many reasons why Mariner of the Seas earns top marks for me when it comes to family-friendly vacations. See where and when the ship sails, or discover all of its many onboard activities, attractions and dining options. Once you’ve found the perfect itinerary for your next family getaway, get ready for endless opportunities to make memories onboard.