Emmandjay

We were on this cruise, trying out Princess for the first time - very impressed! Our luggage was delivered to our mini suite door with no searching for it. We also had a problem with the television in the room, but our steward got it sorted on the next day. Looking forward to reading your review day by day - hope you had as good a time as we did.

Yes you can book on board - just go to the reception desk of whichever restaurant you want to book. Don't leave it too late as they do get popular. From memory the Dining Club was about £35pp or £45pp for the pairing night.

Agree with the above. Also, on our recent cruise on Explorer, the more expensive evening was their pairing menu - more courses and a different wine with each. Would certainly recommend this.

Some antibacterial wipes - clean all the surfaces and touch points when you first get into the cabin as its better to be safe than sorry. A packet of your favourite biscuits to enjoy with your tea/coffee on the balcony. Enjoy your cruise.

Another area not yet mentioned is Scandinavia and the Baltics. It's a shame cruises can't go to St Petersburg any more, but Helsinki, Stockholm, Tallin, Copenhagen and Norway's fjords are all interesting to visit and all are places where the ship docks close by.

Recently back from a week on Explorer. We ate in the Dining Club twice - it was really good and well worth the extra money. Beautifully presented food, a more imaginative menu and really attentive service. The tasting menu with wine pairings was on the 'dress to impress' night, which happened to be the sea day. Would definitely recommend.

Came back yesterday. Great cruise and superb weather apart from some very heavy rain at Corfu yesterday morning. We arrived at Corfu late morning and there were long queues at passport control (spilling out of the building). At Bristol yesterday passport control almost empty but a long long wait for the baggage. If the ship was at capacity it didn't cause any problems - never any queues get off or back on the ship. Sometimes finding a lounger in a sunny spot the afternoon wasn't easy, but everyone seemed happy. Staff were all unfailingly cheerful whatever time of day.

We're with you Dinglebert as we havn't flown since Covid. I seem to be taking so much paper printouts, my hand luggage is getting full! We fly to Corfu on Friday so we have to do our Chronomics tests on Thursday - more paper! Have a good cruise.

Thanks for the advice. Yes it's all coming back to me now. Must buy some small containers!

Probably having a senior moment here but it's been about five years since our last (and only) Marella cruise. We tend to cruise mainly from Southampton. What happens about cases on the last night - do we have to put them outside the cabin ? If so, what about the stuff we need for the morning which can't go in the plane hand luggage because of the liquids. Any help from you seasoned Marella cruisers would be appreciated. With printing out so many documents and getting tested (Corfu) this cruise is becoming quite stressful!

Also on this sailing. As Chart Room Princess says, no proof of negative test is required, as per our latest email. We shall test ourselves at home on Friday and Saturday just to make sure.

Thank you Kynance for your excellent reply. We have our first Cunard cruise in a few weeks and the question of Gala nights dress has been occupying my thoughts more and more. I have several dressy tops which can be paired with black trousers. You have set my mind at rest that these will be acceptable on Gala evenings and I can now concentrate on the rest of the packing!