If you have upcoming travel to any of IHG’s brands — which include Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, InterContinental and Hotel Indigo — an IHG cobranded card can save you hundreds of dollars year after year.

And that’s not even factoring in these new juicy welcome bonuses.

Let’s examine these welcome offers and determine which IHG One Rewards card is best for you.

If you stay at IHG properties at least a few times a year, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card may be the right choice for you.

Welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn 170,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is worth up to $850. This offer comes fairly close to the highest offer we’ve seen on this card.

Annual fee: $99

Earning rate: 10 points per dollar on IHG stays, 5 points per dollar on all other travel, 5 points per dollar on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and gas stations and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it: This card comes with a free night worth up to 40,000 points on each account anniversary and the option to top off your reward to redeem it for a more valuable night.

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Other important perks include automatic IHG Platinum Elite status (with a pathway to Diamond), up to $50 of United TravelBank cash per calendar year, reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus every four years and more — all for a $99 annual fee.

Factoring in the card’s fourth-night-free perk (when you use points to pay for three nights and get the fourth as a bonus) is an important consideration when thinking about the potential value you can get out of it. Reward nights start at just 10,000 points apiece, ranging from practical options in the U.S. to lodgings abroad in Berlin, Brazil and beyond.

To learn more, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier card.

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

If you only stay with IHG once or twice each year, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card may make more sense for you than IHG’s premium option.

Welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first three months from account opening.

According to TPG’s January 2025 valuations, this bonus is worth $500.

Annual fee: $0

Earning rate: 5 points per dollar on IHG stays, 3 points per dollar on utilities, dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services), select streaming services and gas stations, plus 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it: IHG’s no-annual-fee card, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card, offers automatic Silver Elite status and the ability to get a fourth night free on bookings where you pay with points. Plus, the current welcome bonus is solid for a card with no up-front, yearly cost.

To learn more, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Traveler card.

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

If you own your own business, you may want to consider the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

Welcome bonus: New cardholders can earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.

TPG’s January 2025 valuations peg those 140,000 IHG points at $700.

Annual fee: $99

Earning rate: 10 points per dollar on IHG stays, 5 points per dollar on travel, dining, gas, social media and search engine advertising and at office supply stores, plus 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Why we like it: The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card mimics many of the same great perks on the consumer IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

For instance, the annual free night award (worth up to 40,000 points) can be topped off with an unlimited number of points, and you’ll also enjoy elite perks thanks to automatic IHG Platinum Elite status.

Cardholders will also receive an additional free night award worth up to 40,000 points (that can also be topped off with additional points) after spending $60,000 each calendar year.

Other benefits include reimbursement for your application fee to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus once every four years, a fourth night free on award stays and up to $50 of United TravelBank credit each calendar year.

To learn more, check out our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier Business card.

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

For example, IHG One Rewards Premier and IHG One Rewards Premier Business cardholders will earn automatic IHG Platinum Elite status. You should be able to recoup the $99 annual fee on the consumer or business version of the Premier card if you spend more than a few nights a year at IHG properties through the benefits Platinum Elite status provides.

Fourth-night-reward benefit

All IHG One Rewards cardholders automatically get a fourth consecutive night reward. In short, the fourth night is complimentary when you redeem points for stays of four or more.

This benefit’s value depends on your travel style. This isn’t very useful for travelers who only book short hotel stays, but it can be incredibly worthwhile for travelers who stay long enough to utilize this perk. And this benefit has no cap on how many points you can save.

TPG’s January 2025 valuations peg IHG points at 0.5 cents each. Thus, a single fourth-night reward stay at a 20,000-point property saves you $100 worth of IHG points.

Category bonuses

The IHG One Rewards cards help you rack up points fast, thanks to their bonus categories — including gas, which can be an expensive recurring purchase for many households.

But it gets better than that. Since the IHG One Rewards Premier and the IHG One Rewards Premier Business grant you automatic Platinum Elite status, you’ll also earn a 60% points bonus on IHG hotel stays.

IHG One Rewards members earn 10 points per dollar spent at most properties, so the 60% elite bonus provides 16 points per dollar at IHG properties. Add that to the 10 points per dollar you earn with either card and you’ll get 26 points total per dollar spent on these cards on IHG hotel stays.

20% discount on buying points

Finally, if you need to top off your IHG points balance, you can get a 20% discount when you buy points with your card. Combined with the ability to top off free night certificates, this perk could be handy if you’re looking to save up your awards for aspirational stays.

Application rules

You can have multiple IHG credit cards, but know that the IHG One Rewards cards, like all other Chase cards, are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. This means if you’ve opened five or more personal credit card accounts across all banks in the last 24 months, Chase is unlikely to approve you.

Note that you also aren’t eligible if any of these exclusions apply to you:

• For personal cards: If you currently have a personal IHG One Rewards credit card (which includes the legacy IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card that’s no longer available to new applicants) or if you received a new cardholder bonus on any personal IHG credit card in the past 24 months.
• For the IHG Business card: You received a new cardmember bonus on this card in the last 24 months.

The information for the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

Bottom line

Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

JetBlue Airways is adding yet another type of premium seating option in a bid to boost profitability.

The New York-based carrier announced Thursday what it’s calling the EvenMore experience — a refreshed type of extra-legroom seat at the front of its economy cabins.

The EvenMore experience is now available during the booking process and will be available on all jets (except the soon-to-be-retired Embraer E190s) beginning Tuesday.

Travelers who purchase an EvenMore fare will enjoy a slew of perks during the travel experience, starting with priority security and early boarding. Once on board, travelers will be seated in extra-legroom seats (with up to 38 inches of pitch) and enjoy up to three free alcoholic drinks, an exclusive snack option (Tiny Tate’s chocolate chip cookies) and dedicated overhead bin space.

EvenMore flyers will also receive complimentary wired headphones.

Essentially, JetBlue is rebranding the existing Even More Space seats at the front of the aircraft as EvenMore (and presumably charging even more for those seats, too). A quick check of the current fare options shows that JetBlue isn’t charging an additional buy-up for EvenMore seats just yet, though that’ll probably be enabled shortly.

The EvenMore cabin will be at the front of the economy section. The seats that were previously marketed as Even More Space and were located mid-aircraft, overwing or designated as exit-row seats will be rebranded as “extra legroom.” These seats won’t confer any of the additional benefits of the EvenMore experience, except for a few extra inches of pitch.

JetBlue’s Mosaic elite members will have access to EvenMore at no additional charge. Mosaic 1 members can select these seats during check-in, while higher-tier elite members can pick EvenMore seats during booking. (Note that basic economy tickets will not be eligible for free EvenMore upgrades starting March 1.)

The rebranded “extra-legroom” seats will be available for free for all Mosaic members across all fares.

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Right now, EvenMore is available during booking exclusively for travelers who purchase their tickets on JetBlue’s website. Those who book on third-party websites and those who opt for a regular JetBlue fare can add EvenMore after purchase. Note that you can’t currently redeem TrueBlue points or travel credit for EvenMore, but that will be enabled later this year.

With this rebranding, JetBlue will now offer a whopping five different onboard experiences, further extracting as much revenue as possible from each customer.

The JetBlue seating hierarchy will become:

• Mint (lie-flat business class)
• EvenMore (extra-legroom economy with added perks)
• Extra-legroom seats (mid-aircraft and exit row with added pitch)
• Core preferred (standard economy seats in more favorable locations)
• Core (regular economy)

This move is JetBlue’s latest attempt to get back to profitability, and it largely mimics how Delta Air Lines markets its economy cabins. Delta is unique among the “Big Three” U.S. airlines in that it offers Comfort+ extra-legroom seats as an entirely separate cabin product during the booking process. Comfort+ seats also confer additional perks on board (elevated snacks and drinks), so it’s interesting to see JetBlue trying to move upmarket here and chase as much premium demand as possible.

In fact, JetBlue will also launch a domestic first-class recliner product in the coming months — yet another attempt to join the premium bandwagon that Delta (and United Airlines) have been talking about in recent years.

“It’s no secret that customers increasingly value unique experiences, so we’re bringing together great service and affordable fares into a competitive, elevated travel option. Building on the success of Even More Space, the new EvenMore offers new amenities that our customers will love, in addition to the extra legroom they enjoy today,” JetBlue President Marty St. George said in a statement.

Related reading:

Whether you’re new to the world of points and miles or just looking for the best ways to level up your current card portfolio, a strategic credit card pairing is one of the easiest ways to maximize your earning potential.

You’ve likely heard of the most popular card groupings — the Chase Trifecta and the Amex Trifecta — but these are far from the only ways to combine credit cards.

Let’s discuss how different credit cards work together to boost your spending and earning power and go over some of the best credit card combinations.

Related: The best business and personal credit card combinations

What makes the best credit card combination?

Several factors can make a good card combination, but most simply, a good pair is one in which both cards earn the same rewards but have different bonus categories. This way, you’ll be able to maximize your earnings across a wider range of purchases than you would with just one card.

Each card combination below is a great example of maximizing your earnings with two complementary cards.

Related: 7 of the best cards to pair with the Amex Gold

The Platinum Card® from American Express is great for travelers since it earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 each calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and comes with extensive airport lounge access, plus a slew of valuable statement credits. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

The American Express® Gold Card is a foodie’s dream card. It earns 4 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases each year, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter).

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It also comes with statement credits each calendar year for dining and takeout purchases. Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Why they’re a great combination: These cards work great together because you’ll earn more on flights with the Amex Platinum than you would with the Amex Gold alone (5 points per dollar spent rather than 3) and more at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets with the Gold than you would with the Platinum alone (4 points per dollar spent rather than 1; spending caps apply).

Additionally, the cards’ benefits and statement credits hardly overlap, meaning you’ll get tremendous value from having both cards. You can then transfer your Membership Rewards points to any of Amex’s 21 hotel and airline partners.

TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt loves this card pairing since it allows him to take advantage of generous lounge access benefits and high earnings on flights combined with bonus earnings on his worldwide dining and U.S. supermarket purchases. He gets even more value from his rewards with Amex’s frequent transfer bonuses.

The annual fee for the Amex Platinum is $695 (see rates and fees), while the annual fee for the Amex Gold is $325 (see rates and fees).

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and the Amex Gold.

Apply here: The Platinum Card from American Express
Apply here: American Express Gold Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our favorite travel rewards cards, earning 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery and takeout), select streaming and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart®, Target® and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar spent on most travel purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. Additionally, it comes with some valuable travel protections — all for a low $95 annual fee.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a great everyday card. It has no annual fee and earns 3% cash back per dollar spent on dining (including eligible delivery and takeout) and drugstore purchases and 1.5% back per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why they’re a great combination: Both cards allow you to earn an impressive return on dining purchases, but you’ll earn double on your non-Chase Travel℠ travel spending with the Sapphire Preferred versus the Freedom Unlimited. Where the Freedom Unlimited really shines is in its nonbonus spending.

By itself, the Freedom Unlimited earns cash-back rewards. However, if you also have the Sapphire Preferred, you can combine your rewards from the two cards and transfer them to any of Chase’s 14 travel partners for maximum value.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Apply here: Chase Freedom Unlimited

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) is a great all-around travel rewards card with broad bonus categories. New cardholders can earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

It earns 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar spent on other hotel purchases, 3 points per dollar on flight, restaurant, supermarket, gas station and electric vehicle charging station purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees) generally earns at a lower rate than the Citi Strata Premier: 5 ThankYou points per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through CitiTravel.com (through Dec. 31), 2 points per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 per year (then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

However, purchases on this card automatically round up to the nearest 10, so a $1 purchase will earn you 10 points — more than you would earn with the Strata Premier — making this a great card for small purchases that can rack up ThankYou rewards.

Why they’re a great combination: The Citi Strata Premier earns bonus points in an impressive number of categories, but the rounding nature of the Rewards+ makes it a better option for small purchases that don’t fall under any of the Strata Premier’s bonus categories.

Plus, the Rewards+ has limited redemption options on its own, but holding the Strata Premier allows you to transfer the points you earn to any of Citi’s transfer partners, increasing their redemption value.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Citi Rewards+ and Citi Strata Premier Card.

Apply here: Citi Strata Premier Card
Apply here: Citi Rewards+ Card

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of our favorite business cards. It earns 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined spending on shipping, internet, cable, travel, phone services and advertising.

Cardholders will also earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft purchases through March 2025 and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the premium sibling of the Chase Sapphire Preferred. With it, you’ll get Priority Pass lounge access and a $300 travel credit each year.

It earns 3 points per dollar spent on all travel purchases made outside of Chase Travel (after the annual $300 travel credit is received) and dining purchases (including takeout and eligible delivery), as well as 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Why they’re a great combination: If you have a lot of business expenses, pairing a business card with a personal card can work in your favor. With this combination, use your Ink Business Preferred for the first $150,000 in business purchases each year and your Sapphire Reserve for travel and dining purchases to maximize your 3 points per dollar earning opportunities across the board.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Ink Business Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and is a great option for everyday spending categories. The card earns 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and popular streaming services and 1% back on all other purchases.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a $95 annual fee. It earns 5 miles per dollar spent on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases, making it a good card for spending that doesn’t fall in other cards’ bonus categories.

Why they’re a great combination: Use your Savor for purchases in the 3% cash-back bonus categories and your Venture Rewards for all other purchases to earn 2 miles per dollar on them. With this duo, you can convert your Savor rewards to Capital One miles and transfer them to any of Capital One’s 15-plus hotel and airline partners.

To learn more, check out our full reviews of the Capital One Savor and Capital One Venture Rewards.

Learn more: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards
Learn more: Capital One Venture Rewards

If you already have a card that earns transferable rewards, pairing a card that earns rewards for one of its travel partners is a great option.

For instance, I earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, so I decided to get the World of Hyatt Credit Card to have Hyatt-specific benefits like elite status and a free night each year, as well as the ability to maximize my earning with both cards’ bonus categories.

Related: Best hotel cobranded cards

Diversify your rewards

While most combinations center around earning similar rewards, it’s also a good idea to earn different types of rewards. You could, for example, pair the Amex Gold with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

In this scenario, you would want to use your Amex Gold to earn bonus points on flights, dining at restaurants and on U.S. supermarket purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year for restaurants worldwide and up to $25,000 per calendar year for U.S. supermarkets, then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter) and your Venture X for your other purchases to earn 2 miles per dollar spent.

With this option, you can take advantage of both American Express and Capital One’s transfer partners, giving you even more flexibility in your reward redemptions.

Related: Guide to transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels

No annual fee

If you want to earn transferable rewards without paying an annual fee, pair the Capital One Savor and the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

The VentureOne earns 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases and allows you to turn your Savor rewards into transferable Capital One miles.

Related: Cashing in Capital One miles? How to get the maximum value when redeeming miles

Maximize bonus categories

If you’re OK with earning different types of rewards and want to make sure you’re maximizing all your purchases, you can set up your card portfolio with cards that earn bonus points in the categories you spend the most in.

For example, you might opt for the Chase Sapphire Reserve to earn 3 points per dollar spent on your travel purchases made outside of Chase Travel and dining purchases (bonus points for travel spending outside of Chase Travel are received after the $300 annual travel credit); the Citi Strata Premier Card to earn 3 points per dollar spent on your gas station and supermarket purchases; and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to earn 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

This combination would mean you’re getting a 3.7% to 6.15% return on all your spending, according to TPG’s January 2025 valuations.

Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category

Set up your ideal structure

Of course, different card combinations work well for different goals. Identifying your credit card goals will help you decide which qualities to focus on when you choose your next card.

For instance, if you want to minimize your annual fees while earning travel rewards, your best card pairs may differ from those listed above.

TPG senior points and miles writer Katie Genter pairs her Ink Business Preferred Credit Card with her Chase Freedom Unlimited, as it allows her to maximize her Chase Ultimate Rewards points while only paying one $95 annual fee.

Related: Everything you need to about Chase’s 5/24 rule

Bottom line

Related: Have one of the popular credit cards? Here are the others you should get to boost your points

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold, click here.

If Royal Caribbean‘s gigantic cruise ships feel like too much for your family, then the cruise line’s Mariner of the Seas might be a better fit. The 139,863-ton, 3,344-passenger ship is still a large ship with plenty of activities, restaurants and bars, but it’s on the smaller end of Royal Caribbean’s current fleet and therefore less intimidating than the line’s newer megaships.

Mariner is over 20 years old, but it was upgraded in 2018, adding an escape room, laser tag and a tiki bar. The ship is ideal for travelers looking for a good mix of relaxation and fun.

Some additional highlights found on Mariner and its sister ships in the Voyager Class (Voyager, Explorer, Adventure and Navigator of the Seas) are the FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall and an ice skating rink (open for daytime skating sessions and evening ice shows).

The vessel, based in Galveston, Texas, through January 2026, is great for families looking for a Caribbean getaway. Cruises range in length from four to seven nights. When I sailed from Port Canaveral, Florida, on the ship, I saw plenty of families with younger kids, multigenerational groups and friends traveling together. I sailed with my mom on a girls getaway, and Mariner of the Seas is great for that type of vacation, too.

Even though the ship is on the smaller side for Royal Caribbean, the only places that often felt crowded were the pools, which is typical of most of the line’s ships. If you want to bask in the sun on warm Caribbean days, I suggest getting a chair by the pool early.

On board, you can choose from multiple activities if you don’t want to spend the entire day on the pool deck. You can find live music and trivia games in the inside lounges or treat yourself to a spa day. As the sun sets over the horizon, the ship’s indoor spaces come to life. Don’t miss the astounding shows in the theater and ice skating rink. You can also dance the night away in the ship’s clubs and bars, or simply people-watch with a drink in hand.

The food on Mariner of the Seas is some of the best I’ve had on a Royal Caribbean ship. My mom and I made a point to dine in a mix of free restaurants, like the buffet and main dining room, and specialty options like Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. The celebrity chef partner restaurant is my favorite Italian specialty option currently available in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

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If you’re thinking about booking a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s smaller vessels, here’s what you need to know about Mariner of the Seas.

Mariner of the Seas cabins and suites

Mariner of the Seas offers four main accommodation styles on board: inside cabins without windows, ocean-view cabins with windows, balcony cabins with private outdoor sitting areas and suites with more amenities and a luxe feel.

Select rooms can sleep three, four or five people, ideal for families with young kids. Larger groups or families with older kids should consider booking connecting cabins for more space and additional bathrooms. If you’re looking for a cheaper room with a view, consider the Promenade View Interior, which has a window facing the Royal Promenade (an indoor thoroughfare filled with shops, bars and restaurants) for great people-watching (but not much privacy).

Solo travelers on a budget can avoid paying the solo supplement by booking a Studio Interior, which is sized for singles with a double bed.

In the ocean-view category, the Ultra Spacious Ocean View is great for larger groups since the rooms can accommodate up to six people on two king beds and two fold-down beds. (You’ll want to price out whether this option will save larger groups money over booking connecting rooms.) Panoramic Ocean View rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows for even more incredible views.

Related: 35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

On my Mariner of the Seas sailing, I stayed in an Ocean View Balcony cabin, which offers 198 square feet of space in the cabin, plus an additional 46 square feet of balcony space. The three-person cabin features a king bed and one fold-down or sofa bed. Some of these room styles can sleep four people with a double sofa bed.

Even though the room was a bit cramped and had one of the smallest cruise ship bathrooms I’ve seen in a while, I wasn’t in my room that much. I did like being able to have a morning cup of coffee or a glass of wine in the evening on the balcony. The private veranda was also a great spot for catching a sunset if the pool deck was still busy.

Cruisers looking for a luxurious cabin with more space can choose from a selection of suites, the smallest of which is a junior suite at 277 square feet inside and has a 46-square-foot balcony for four people. The largest suite is the Royal Suite, a one-bedroom, 1,260-square-foot cabin for up to four people, with a 224-square-foot balcony. For big families, the Grand Suite, a two-bedroom cabin for up to eight people, is 547 square feet inside and has a 192-square-foot balcony.

Mariner of the Seas has 26 accessible rooms across categories. These rooms feature doors with wider openings, ramped bathroom thresholds, roll-in showers, grab bars, accessible balconies and more.

Cabins are well maintained and feature neutral colors, pops of blue and light-colored wood accents. King beds can split into two twins upon request, and shelving and nightstands offer a place to store or charge electronics. Each cabin has a small bathroom with an enclosed shower (warning: this can feel very claustrophobic if you have towels hanging on the shower door), a small vanity with a sink, and a toilet. Suites also have a tub in the bathroom.

Suites offer more space and amenities, including access to the Concierge Lounge, which is available to suite guests except for those in junior suites. Here, you are privy to a nightly cocktail hour, plus hosts who can arrange special requests like specialty dining reservations or spa appointments.

Related: Royal Caribbean packing list: What to pack for a cruise, Royal Caribbean style

Mariner of the Seas restaurants

Mariner of the Seas has a great mix of included free dining and extra-cost specialty dining. I tried most of what the ship had to offer. Budget-conscious families could easily get away with eating at the included restaurants and be pleasantly surprised by each meal.

I kicked off my cruise with lunch at the additional-cost Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for celebrity chef restaurants and will always try one if it’s available on a ship. I loved the charming aesthetic of Jamie’s, and the food was equally as delish with dishes like prawn linguine and lasagna. Even better, I watched the chef make the pasta in-house, a welcome change from the typically not-so-great pasta dishes that grace a buffet. I loved Jamie’s Italian so much that I dined here again for dinner one night and tried the chianti-braised short ribs.

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Other extra-fee specialty restaurants on board Mariner of the Seas include a chef’s table venue (intimate, upscale dining), Chops Grille (steakhouse), Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, and Johnny Rockets. I dined at all but the chef’s table. Chops Grille is a skip for me since it’s been disappointing on multiple ships, and while Johnny Rockets is a fun spot for better burgers than you can get at the Windjammer buffet, it’s not a must-do. I did like my meal at Izumi, where I paired a few sushi rolls with a classic hibachi meal.

The onboard Starbucks and room service (except continental breakfast, which is included) are an additional cost.

Related: Royal Caribbean food: The ultimate cruise guide to restaurants and dining on board

Mariner of the Seas has a wide variety of included restaurants beyond the buffet and main dining room (where you can enjoy table service three meals a day). The Dog House features classic hot dogs and sausages, plus a build-your-own option thanks to a vast self-serve toppings bar. Cafe Promenade is the onboard deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The buffet, called the Windjammer Cafe, is filled with a variety of options from breakfast until late at night. You’ll find all the American breakfast classics there. Since I typically wake up with the sun, even on vacation, mornings in the Windjammer were usually peaceful, as people filed in sporadically. The buffet can get busy later in the morning once families and the late-night party crowd start showing up.

Lunch and dinner at the Windjammer rotate in cuisine, with American classics for lunch and dinner and dishes from around the world offered on themed nights. I always grabbed one of Royal Caribbean’s coconut ranger cookies to take to my cabin or the shows whenever they were available on the buffet.

Mariner of the Seas bars and lounges

Each of Mariner of the Seas’ bars and lounges has a distinct vibe, and some can be more lively than others depending on the time of day or activity taking place.

During the day, the pool bar is hopping with umbrella-clad cocktails lining the bar. Another great option near a pool is the bar in the adults-only Solarium area.

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Another bar worth seeking out is the Viking Crown Lounge, which serves cocktails and offers incredible panoramic views during the day and turns into a dance club at night.

The Schooner Bar is a staple across the Royal Caribbean fleet. The nautically themed bar is known for its Old-Fashioneds and Champagne-based cocktails. I love the Toasted Marshmallow Old Fashioned, which reminds me a bit of a s’more. You’ll find trivia games and nightly music there.

Boleros is Mariner’s hot spot for dancing to live Latin music. Head to the English Pub for a pint of beer or a cocktail made with beer. For more beers on tap, check out Playmakers Bar & Arcade, where you can sip your brew while watching the big game.

The Bamboo Room is a Royal Caribbean take on a classic tiki bar, complete with frozen and on-the-rocks cocktails. I love its pina colada, which is hand-shaken, and its Dark and Stormy.

The most exclusive spot on board is the Suite Lounge, which is reserved for those who have booked a Grand Suite-level cabin or higher.

Royal Caribbean sells drinks a la carte, or you can purchase a beverage package. The packages come in a range of options, including water packages, soft drink packages and packages that include everything from specialty coffee and bottled water to mocktails and cocktails.

Mariner of the Seas activities

Mariner of the Seas might not be as big as Royal Caribbean’s newer ships, but it still offers a ton to see and do. Thrill seekers will love the FlowRider, laser tag, rock climbing, ice skating and the dual racing waterslides. Plus, you won’t miss out on your daily dose of pickleball since there’s a court right on board.

Sign up for the ship’s escape room to flex your brain muscles after a day in the sun. Those looking for downtime or quieter fun can play cards in the library or enjoy live music of all types around the ship.

At the Royal Theater, catch full-scale productions with singing, dancing and live music. At Studio B, you can watch an ice skating show themed to the circus, complete with jaw-dropping effects, beautiful costumes and plenty of tricks.

Throughout the cruise, you’ll also see plenty of game shows, bingo sessions, trivia, dance classes, sports competitions and spa seminars. Just know that on sea days, activities tend to fill up quickly. I always try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for shows and activities. This also gives you enough time to order a drink from the bar before activities get started.

On my cruise, not all events started on time. I attended several trivia games and larger game shows that either started early or ended late. Because I try to arrive early for events, starting early wasn’t an issue for me (though it was for other guests who showed up on time), but the late endings sometimes caused a domino effect of being late for other things like comedy shows or shows in the Royal Theater.

The ship has three pools and six hot tubs. The outdoor Solarium area, reserved for guests 21 and older, features one of these pools, as well as two shaded hot tubs. It also offers a mix of loungers either in the sun or under a covering in the shade. (It’s not fully indoors like Solarium areas on other Royal Caribbean ships.)

Mariner of the Seas also has a casino, a fitness center, a full-service spa and a miniature golf course.

Mariner of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Note that the weather in Galveston can be chilly in the winter and early spring, and fog can roll in unexpectedly at the port. If you’re looking for an ideal time to sail, you’ll want to cruise between spring break and the start of summer; you’ll find fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures. In the fall, try booking a cruise for September or October before it gets too chilly.

Mariner of the Seas for families

Royal Caribbean is known for family-friendly cruises, and Mariner of the Seas is no exception. Besides the fun waterslides, adrenaline-pumping activities and kid-friendly dining, the ship also offers kids clubs for those ages 6 months to 17 years old. Tiny cruisers from 6 months to 3 years old can be booked into the ship’s Babies and Tots program, which offers a nursery drop-off with activities and toys for an added fee.

Adventure Ocean is the kids club on board for children ages 3 to 11. Here, kids will play games and do activities in smaller groups based on their ages. Activities might include science experiments, arts and crafts, sports tournaments, talent shows and dance parties with plenty of ice cream.

The Teen Lounge is the ideal hangout for those 13 to 17, though the activities are sometimes divided by age into smaller groups. Here, teens can play games, enjoy dance parties and participate in preplanned activities. Some teen events take place around the ship, including exclusive time on the FlowRider.

The teen club operates on a come-and-go basis, and teens can check themselves in and out.

Bottom line

Searches for winter sun destinations have surged by an extraordinary 5,000 per cent as Britons seek to escape the cold weather.

The best spots to escape to in the coming months have been shared.

Madrid was in the top four destinations

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Top 10 destinations for winter sun

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1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (7.06/10)
2. Bangkok, Thailand (6.83/10)
3. Buenos Aires, Argentina (6.69/10)
4. Madrid, Spain (6.03/10)
5. Lisbon, Portugal (5.96/10)
6. Barcelona, Spain (5.84/10)
7. Tokyo, Japan (5.72/10)
8. Rome, Italy (5.72/10)
9. Taipei, Taiwan (5.61/10)
10. Porto, Portugal (5.38/10)

Rio de Janeiro has claimed the top spot for winter sun, achieving a score of 7.06 out of 10.

The Brazilian city enjoys an average temperature of 23.8°C, making it an attractive escape from UK weather.

“Rio de Janeiro is not only a city rich in culture, but the local government has been pushing to make it a suitable place for remote workers, including connectivity and citywide 5G coverage,” experts said.

Bangkok secured second place with a score of 6.83/10, boasting the highest average temperature at 28°C.

The Thai capital offers excellent value for those hoping to get away, with Airbnb accommodation averaging £66 per night, the second-lowest in the rankings.

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The experts continued: “With stunning temples at every turn, contrasted with the infamous Khao San road, loved by backpackers and nomads alike, you’ll be spoilt for choice living in the Thai capital.”

The city also features impressive internet connectivity, with download speeds exceeding 242mbps.

Buenos Aires ranks third with a score of 6.69/10, offering exceptional value for digital nomads and holidaymakers alive.

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Barcelona was also recommended

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The Argentine capital boasts the lowest nightly Airbnb rates at just £55.14, alongside the most affordable beer prices at £1.18 per pint.

Average meal costs are a reasonable £6.29, making it an economical choice for long-term stays.

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The city’s public transport network is highly accessible, with 68% of the population living near transport links, “making travelling around the city an absolute breeze,” according to experts.

Britons do not need to travel so far to enjoy great weather, however, as destinations in Europe also made the top 10 list. Madrid claims fourth position with a score of 6.03/10.

“Despite its current rainy spell, temperatures in Madrid usually reach 16 degrees” by March, according to the experts, who added it is “ideal for working and enjoying Spanish sun, tapas, and sangria”.