Club Reports: Sail-Away Party, 70’s Disco Party, Boleros, Ellington’s Nightclub (RCI Mariner of the Seas)

By now you know that if I’m traveling I like to share entertainment choices in the various cities or ships I’m on. Wasn’t really planning for any more cruises until the end of the year but when I spotted this special 2-night sailing of Royal Caribbean‘s massive Mariner of the Seas ,on a weekend, from Port Canaveral, who could stay home? So here we were at yet another Sail-Away Party!
Leading the festivities, DJ Marcello (BR).
The ship’s animation team was here.
Some of them, anyway.
But where was the DJ? This is something that really pisses me off about Royal Caribbean. As you’ve seen, Carnival, MSC, NCL, even Margaritaville at Sea all feature their DJ’s. At the Sail-Away parties, the DJ is right out there by the pool and dance floor. For some reason on Royal Caribbean, they are hidden somewhere. We found Marcello off to the side by the Lifeguard Station! A few years ago on one RCI sailing we found the DJ in a broom closet under the stairs! Crazy! In this era of the DJ, they should be featuring their DJ’s!
No surprises at this pool party since it contained the same Sail-Away songs we’ve heard so many times including the “Cupid Shuffle”.
“The Wobble”
“Electric Slide”
And the “Cha Cha Slide”. You got to give the people what they want!
Lots of classic Top 40; it was kind of like a night at Atlantic Dance Hall but without the Hip Hop.
A good time was had by all.
The Royal Promenade is a feature found on many Royal Caribbean ships. Located in the center of the ship, it’s filled with shops, food venues and bars. Last night it was home to the 70’s Disco Inferno party!
We spotted the Cruise Director for the first time.
And some of the 70’s-inspired staff was down on the floor.
And then, OMG, there they were! The Village People (USA)!
Performing “In The Navy” but then staying around for the rest of the show.
Promenade was packed for the show! Songs included “Night Fever”, “Boogie Shoes”, “Funkytown”, “The Hustle”, “Shake Your Booty”, “Knock on Wood” and many more!
Of course every 70’s Party has to have “YMCA”.
A good time was had by all. Except those in Promenade-view rooms. Yeah, they’re sound proofed but there’s only so much you can do.
Boleros is a Latin-themed bar that was added to Royal Caribbean ships about a decade ago. We dropped by for a few minutes.
Red Label Band (BR) was on the stage playing mostly Top 40 music.
There was a small contingent on the dance floor.
The bar was busy too.
Closing out the night at the club’s main dance club, Ellington’s.
DJ Marcello was in the much more prominent booth compared to at the pool.
Just one couple on the dance floor when we arrived.
But when the DJ put on some Bad Bunny (USA), the dance floor exploded!
Ellington’s has a shiny disco ball above the dance floor so you know the place is legit.
Like everywhere on this ship, a good time was had by all.