Sunny Day at the Explorer of the Seas Pool — Kids Racing in the Pool on Explorer of the Seas

The Top Free Things To Do Onboard Mariner Of The Seas

Mariner of the Seas® offers plenty of complimentary cruise activities for guests of all ages

Published on May 22, 2024

If you’ve ever tried to plan a vacation on a budget, you’ve probably realized that compromise is the name of the game. Sometimes it’s opting for a more affordable meals, cutting back on activities and tours or even opting for a destination closer to home. This isn’t the case when it comes to cruising — especially onboard a cruise ship like Mariner of the Seas. I discovered long ago that cruising is a great way to maximize memories without maxing out my credit card, and ships like Mariner of the Seas make it easy to ensure everyone in my travel party has plenty to do throughout the journey.

Because it’s a smaller ship, it offers a really cool, intimate vibe that makes it easy to get to know my fellow cruisers. In other words, you’re guaranteed to make friends during your getaway, which makes every experience more memorable. What’s more, this ship is brimming with included onboard activities, such as a mini golf course with stunning sea views, a sports court with complimentary equipment available for use, a towering rock-climbing wall, glow-in-the-dark laser tag and award-winning shows and entertainment every night of your sailing. That’s in addition to some seriously crave-worthy restaurants serving up delicious global fare at no additional charge.

Interested in learning more about what my favorite Voyager Class cruise ship has to offer? Here's a high-level overview of the best free things to do onboard.

1. Unwind On The Pool Deck

If you’ve read any of my other cruise ship guides, you probably know that my favorite way to spend time on any sailing is to post up by the pool. While my husband loves the huge multiple pool decks onboard larger ships, like those in the Oasis and Quantum Classes, I prefer a smaller, more intimate scene — so the pool deck onboard Mariner of the Seas is totally my jam. Admission is complimentary and unlimited to guests, of course, and the vibe changes depending on the time of day. Arrive early for total tranquility and stay late into the afternoon for fun contests and musical performances.

2.Chill Out At The Solarium

If you want to elevate your pool day even more, head to the Solarium. This beautiful, oasis-like hideaway is free and open to guests aged 16 and older, so you can count on an atmosphere that’s more tranquil and serene than the livelier main pool deck. Both are located on Deck 11, and the Solarium has its own bar just steps away serving up all your favorite vacation libations. You can enjoy them at no additional charge if you’ve purchased a specialty beverage package.

3. Drop The Littles Ones Off At Adventure Ocean

Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean’s award-winning youth program, and it’s totally free. It operates a little like a day camp, grouping little cruisers aged three to 11 among their peers for an entire day of educational, supervised fun. It’s the perfect spot to leave your kiddos before you head to the Solarium or to the spa for a day of pampering.

4. Tee Off On Mariner Dunes

One of the top free things to do onboard Mariner of the Seas is to try out their mini golf course. Mariner Dunes is located on Deck 13, so you can expect gorgeous sea views from every hole. Rounds are free to all cruise guests, so you can tee off any time you like — though the prettiest time, in my opinion, is just around sunset for killer views.

5.Summit The Rock-Climbing Wall

If you’re craving a little bit of adrenaline and physical activity, harness up and try to scale the cruise ship’s towering rock-climbing wall. Standing 40 feet tall, it’s a wonderful complement (or replacement) for your daily workout routine. And if you make it all the way to the top, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most amazing views from the ship. The best part? It’s included in your cruise fare at no additional cost, so you can climb whenever you like throughout your cruise.

6. Hit The Sports Court

Like most Royal Caribbean ships, Mariner of the Seas has a sprawling sports court where you can practice your three-point shot, join a volleyball match with friends or family and even show off your pickleball skills. Equipment is complimentary and the sports court is free and open for everyone to use throughout your sailing — no reservations necessary.

7. Lace Up For An Afternoon Of Ice-Skating

The ice-skating rink onboard Mariner of the Seas is always a good time, especially if you’re sailing through warmer regions and want a little break from the heat. Onboard this cruise ship, it’s free — simply show up during the day, check out a pair of skates, and hit the ice. At night, the rink hosts stellar performances by the ship’s team of world-class figure skaters, so you can still enjoy the atmosphere without having to worry about keeping your balance.

8. Suit Up For An Epic Laser Tag Battle

I played laser tag often when I was in high school — there was a small course just a few miles from my house. At the time, I thought it was amazing. Then I discovered the laser tag course onboard Mariner of the Seas. With glow-in-the-dark obstacles and a plotline that pits robots against aliens, Battle for Planet Z^SM is hands down one of the coolest included onboard activities. Anyone aged five and up can get in on the action, making it a great option for parents traveling with kids.

9. Join A Wine Tasting

Even if you haven’t purchased a specialty beverage package, you can still enjoy a little vino at no additional cost during the ship’s wine tastings. Check your Cruise Compass to see when and where they’re being offered during your sailing, then get ready to taste your way through vintages from both well-known and obscure vineyards. Some of the wines you’ll taste are so exclusive, you can only get them on a Royal Caribbean sailing.

10. Let The Entertainment Team Wow You

Mariner of the Seas offers a great lineup of Broadway-style shows, all complimentary for cruise guests. There’s Gallery of Dreams, a wonderful theatrical journey through history around the world. It’s my personal favorite onboard. There’s also Center Stage, a variety revue that celebrates all styles of music, from jazz and swing to rock and roll. And at the ice arena, you can catch Ice Under the Big Top, which features the ship’s incredible figure skaters in a stunning showcase of acrobatics and stunts.

11. Savor All Kinds Of Delicious Flavor

Great food is a must for any vacation, in my book, and Mariner of the Seas doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find a wide variety of delicious and free dining options onboard, including free formal dining in the main dining room and casual global fare served buffet-style at Windjammer. If you’re in the mood for awesome hot dogs, head to Dog House — this guest-loved eatery serves up several different kinds of brats inspired by different foodie capitals, all free. And at Café Promenade, you can count on tasty bistro bites served 24/7 — it’s my go-to restaurant for late-night eats after a few hours spent dancing at the onboard nightclub.

There are so many great free things to do and free places to eat onboard Mariner of the Seas, it’s easy to plan what feels like an all-inclusive cruise vacation — especially if you purchase a specialty beverage package. See what else this Voyager Class favorite has to offer, or start browsing itineraries.