MrLoLoLo

Thanks all. So as its only a 6hr stop over, I think its a case of get off ship for a little walk to the "one street" cafes/shops and chill, or a trip to Olympia then, and that would have to be a tour, as don't think the bike tour would go that far.

Any one been to Katakalon on the cruise? Just wondering what to do on the stop. For some reason its a late arrival, and only have 6hrs in port. I've looked on the TUI excursions, and seen a beach which is 30m away, and a bike tour.

Anyone does any of these? Wonder why its this beach as seems there is closer ones.

It doesn't state what or where you go on the bike tour, is it worth it?

thanks

5 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

You must still have a moral responsibility not to film people. Fully understand that you probably know the regulations but not everyone does unfortunately we have drones regulary over our property. Sorry if I have offended you but its a sore point with us. 

I don’t film people, no, no interest, I prefer landscapes. 
 

I’m afraid I can’t control everyone, only myself and I respect the laws. You can’t tarnish everyone with the same brush, sore point or not. 
 

Anyway, I can’t take it so happy days (for some)

3 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

That would be great enjoying a nice drink/snack on your balcony whilst being filmed for someone's pleasure 🙄

? No, it would be to take with me on excursions. Knowing the laws like I do I wouldn’t film when on the cruise or docked anyway. 
 

That’s trouble sometimes, people challenge you and tell you, can’t do that here, but actually don’t know the laws which we are required to. 

14 minutes ago, davecttr said:

Afraid not, item 21 on this list

 

https://tui-briefs-app.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/attached_file/86155/Thomson_Cruises_Prohibited_Items.pdf

Thanks, where is that post from please? As although I don’t doubt it, it’s saved on AWS, and seems old. It it available on TUI website. 
 

Appreciate info though, pity as would have been good to take. 

Flying with TUI and cruise with Marella, as a package. 
 

I’ve found info for drones for n TUI flight and they are allowed in hand luggage. However just had email back from a TUI shop saying they are not allowed on board the ship. 
 

Has anyone boarded with a drone? I’ve asked where this info is written down, but wondered if anyone else had info, or tried etc. 

Its only a small drone under 250g, so is allowed to fly in most places. 

thanks. 

Marella Explorer 2 are balcony cabins on deck 8/9/10 overlooked? which is best ones to get? I've read that on deck 8 you may not get a twin bed, which I need, and not really bothered where it is so wasn't going to pay £50 to choose.

Yeh will mess around thanks. You say there’s a £400 discount, is that just the “inbuilt” TUI one or a separate promo code? If so where is it, what specifically for please. 
 

Thanks

1 hour ago, howmuch! said:

Those prices don't include the £400 discount, which for that particular cruise, you would make 2 separate bookings, in order to benefit from £400 off each booking

Thanks for that, that would be a no brainier if that price then yes. 

I just thought a balcony would be bigger but you’re correct it’s too small for 4 adults so going to have to be 2 cabins. It’s just I really fancied a balcony. 
 

Where is the discount please? A code? For all cruises?

Cruised a while ago yes and we did have 2 cabins. As you say it’s tight! I’m sure there was a fold down in the cabin, at least 1 and I thought then would be squeezed to have another body in. 
 

I thought that having the balcony would make the cabin bigger, seems to on other cruises, but looking at descriptions seems 16m² for both?

What is the general guidance and guidelines, as it’s a minefield for TUI Marella cruises?
 

On the actually ship do you not need masks now anywhere?

Flying from UK arriving in the country (Malta or Croatia)do you need tests?

At ports and countries you stop at, do you need tests as well? Do you have to pay for them? Book them first?

What happens when you come back aboard, are you tested again, who pays etc?

Any other comments/help on it all please?

Ah really, so still seems a lot of restrictions and costs attributed to it. 
 

Looking at TUI (Marrlla) and PO cruises). It’s difficult to attain what the rules are. Which is your preferred line to connect to the rules you state please?

On cruises now what is the general guidance and guidelines as it’s a minefield. 
 

On the actually ship do you not need masks now anywhere?

At ports and countries you stop at, what do you need tests as well? Do you have to pay for them? Book them first?

What happens when you come back aboard, are you tested again, who pays etc?

Any other comments/help on it all please?

Looking at inside/outside cabins on Explorer 2 and they say 16m². Looking at Balcony option also says 16m² though, presume that’s not including the balcony?

Worry is it’s now 4 adults (2 “kids” of 20+ age), and I’m worried all won’t fit in and be a bit awkward?

The balcony upgrade is £900 so very expensive, I thought it would also mean the cabin would be larger but doesn’t seem to be? Is that correct?

Also it seems inside/outside have fold down beds if for 4, which again I think the “kids” would struggle with. Is the balcony proper floor beds, and if so then as both inside and balcony are shown as 16M² then the balcony cabin must be much smaller?

Any one been in both? Any pics or comments appreciated. 

58 minutes ago, Sarah1974 said:

coffee / tea are free in the buffet restaurant and main dining room as is water and I think some fruit juices at breakfast; all other drinks - alcohol, speciality coffees etc incur a charge.  You can buy drinks as you go if you'd rather that than the package (and prices are similar to UK pub prices).  The drinks package is £39.95 per person per day and you have to have it every day (e,g. you can't opt out of paying on port days), and both adults in the cabin have to have it. I think the daily limit is 15 alcoholic drinks per day with the package

Thanks didn’t see that package, probably wouldn’t then as would have to pay for 4 packages. 
 

So if you go to buffet you can just grab a coffee or water (what type as in bottled, tap etc?) whenever want? That’s what we did on TUI. Can you bring it out of buffet?

Yes I can’t see any of the prices, always seem to do that. Is there no drinks at all included? Also can’t find the added drinks package price either. But yes probably not use as you say be off every time could anyway. 
 

So all tips are included for everything, I’m just trying to get an overall price. Probably wouldn’t do the extra speciality restaurants either as rather just done offshore. 

Just seems strange compared to TUI same time, Aug, that (apart from added drink prices), it’s around £1400 cheaper. 

New to cruising really, only been on a TUI one where everything was included, tips, service charges etc. 

Looking now TUI cruises are really expensive this year, like most tbh because of everything that’s going on. 
 

So not sure on how others work, all

i can find on PO site is “no need to tip””. So just wanting to know of there is any other charges. I like on TUI how everything is included, prefer that upfront. 
 

Looks like drinks are not included on PO. Paying for 4 will become expensive, so what is guide price, for alcohol and soft drinks, coffee etc. 

Thanks

Great info thanks for that. So worth not doing the Thomson and do the mini bus at cruise terminal instead, for Gibraltar one?

All I had read was it's hard to get back down in time from rock, as really busy and people have missed their cruise before!

Take it you can get off bus at top and spend some time, or do you stick with the same bus? If so how long in total is the tour? Sounds better than the Thomson one with all the stops as well.

Doing the Spirit of Iberia cruise, leaving and returning to Malaga it visits...

Porto - PORTUGAL

Lisbon - PORTUGAL

Portimao - PORTUGAL

Cadiz (for Seville) - SPAIN

Gibraltar - GIBRALTAR.

Any recommendations for excursions on this stops please? So TUI ones or own?

Would like to go to top of rock to see the monkeys and views, warned off someone to do official tour as hard to get back down.

Anything else a must do please?

Thanks

Thats the right type ,two pin round. No per cabin could vary, probably at least two but unless anyone has stopped in every cabin hard to be definitive.

Great thanks. Good point on number ha ha!!

Hi

On the spirit can anyone confirm what type of sockets they are please, ideally with a pic or exact type, and also how many are in each standard cabin please? Is this the type? (see attached pic)

I will need some more adapters as seems the holiday fairy has lost them again this year!

Thanks

Good afternoon I'm just wondering did you go ahead and book your cruise ?

We are doing the same cruise and leave on June 3rd 2018, its our 1st cruise and are wondering about trips etc.

Lovely to read so many lovely comments, you are all very helpful.

Did yeh for July. If you could post back when back and sorted would love to hear from you on what you think, trips, and any tips please.

Regarding trips think defo do cable car on Gibraltar, heard gets really busy and need to pre-book as get fast tracked then.

Others haven't looked yet tbh, may just see how goes.

No - Majesty is 40,876 tonnes and was built in 1992. Spirit is just 33,930 tonnes and was built in 1983.

 

We have sailed on both ships - Majesty was my personal favourite but my husband preferred Spirit and I would gladly sail on her again.

Wow didn't know that thanks. A lot smaller, and a lot older. So comparing both, as only every been on Majesty, what's worse and better between them please. Didn't realise Spirit was that old, wonder why they sent Majesty back first

Wow a guarantee that no one is seasick never heard of that - brill!

Yeh as was first ever cruise Majesty was fine we were impressed anyway. It did look a little dated but expected and food, people, entertainment were fine. Pool a bit small and whirlpool but apart from that. I think the Spirit is a little newer than Majesty anyway and bigger?

Yeh AI was free earlier in year/back end of last, but to us £720 even for 4 people is a little expensive, considering be off the ship most days as well.

Seen that in the brochure, all AI from next year, bit of a money spinner in some ways as then no choice, and be more expensive.

Thanks

Thanks everyone for answers. Maybe being fussy just seemed to be similar stops thats all. Think we'll book today. Any discount vouchers for TUI online booking?

Regarding getting sea sick, I'll challenge you then for my wife can, do t think I'll get her on, she wouldn't come on a peddalo last year!

I know Spirit is leaving TUI this year in Oct, similar to Majesty when we were on, even picked up the new April 5th 2018 TUI cruise brochure and it's not even listed in it! But is the **** ok? Have to say the Majesty was fine, and imagine the Spirit is to.

We won't do AI as it's now £720, but are basic drinks free all the time in the buffet like Majesty? Basic coffee/tea and water think it was on Majesty?

Thanks