Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas

Marketing Assignment

Mike Diaczenko

6/23/2012

Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas was the first cruise ship that I have ever been on. The luxury is evident in not only the ship itself but also in the customer service that one receives from the moment you step on board, throughout the entire visit. In this paper, I will attempt to give you some insight as to what is on board, but also the quality for the money that you would receive on board.

When you first arrive to the pier for your cruise, it seems a little daunting. There are forklifts running everywhere, chain link fences set up, and a very large business looking building. At the front door of the building, there are two of the largest security guards that I have ever encountered. They are looking for “passports and boarding pass”. It almost feels like you are entering a concert or something similar. Once you get past the “doormen”, then things start to change.

Inside this building, the first thing that I noticed was the phenomenal air conditioning system that was running, the air felt so cool and inviting. You have to proceed through various “stations” taking care of things like customs, and getting your boarding card, etc. Once this is completed and they have all your information as well as having taken your mug shot for your identification card, you are then invited to “walk the gangway”.

From this point on, nothing is run of the mill. As you step on board, there are senior members of the crew waiting to care for your every need. From the plush carpets, to the shiny brass rails, to the tray of champagne (or sparkling wine) being offered to you, everything is set to start your holiday. Once you step past this grouping, there is just one more station, on board purchases, and then you are invited up to the Windjammer, on the deck eleven, to enjoy a buffet snack while your cabin is being prepared. At this last station, this is where some of the price exclusions become evident; they are looking for you to pre-purchase your non-alcoholic beverages for the cruise at this point, remembering that you had to clear through the office building area which took close to an hour, so the thought of buying a drink was a definite for most people.

As you enter the Windjammer, this is where the next level of amazement starts to settle in. The entire seating area is surrounded by windows giving you an amazing view of the water. The ships’ staffs are there ready to assist you with any of your needs. The buffet encompasses the inner circle of this large room, and boasts different food selections from around the world. What was the most amazing was that at each station there was a chef from