Brummijam
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Marella Dubrovnik luggage transfer
Brummijam replied to paulatsea's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Was just about to post that for you,it was towards the bottom of the booking confirmation email .π -
Marella Dubrovnik luggage transfer
Brummijam replied to paulatsea's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
From the TUI airways online site. Bonded luggage If your cruise is sailing from the Caribbean or Dubrovnik, your luggage will be transported from the airport to the ship as part of our bonded luggage service. If this applies to you, itβll be noted in your booking confirmation β itβs important to check, as itβs only available at certain times. Youβll receive a luggage label 14 days before you travel, which youβll need to secure to your luggage. Once youβve checked in, itβll be security sealed and transported for you β you wonβt need to collect it at the airport, as itβll be delivered straight to your cabin. The last time that we cruised from Dubrovnic this was the case. -
Hi RR. We did the trip from Tenerife to Corfu so it was straight off the ship to the airport, we never got to see much of the place.π€·π»ββοΈ Something to look forward to another day.π
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Hi Prestonscotty. Boarding passes and luggage labels are usually emailed to you after online check in about seven to ten days before your flight. When your coach drops you at the port cruise terminal you usually check in before you get onto the ship. Once you are onboard you have to confirm that you have watched the muster video and you will get your cabin key card, The buffet restaurant is usually open and also the snack shack and maybe other eateries. Some bars are open on deck and also the onboard pub. You can get off the ship for a wander outside as long as you return in Time for sail away, the security officers at the gangplank will confirm sailing time. Hope this helps. Hope you enjoy your trip.
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Is Marella letting standards slip?
Brummijam replied to Brummijam's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
One of the positives from that review and quite correct.π -
Is Marella letting standards slip?
Brummijam replied to Brummijam's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
One of the reviews off this board from January this year on Explorer.π€·π»ββοΈ Oh dear. A disappointing experience. The ship is kept very clean. The balcony was large and the hammock was a nice touch. Muster drills are now on video and are faster than before. But: Tui/Marella has now sunk so far downmarket that I am surprised they donβt market this as a submarine. The ship is now so mediocre and lacking in character, charm or features that it now resembles a floating Travelodge at best. The food on board is purely functional. With the exception of the steak restaurant, donβt bother paying for premium restaurants as the food and accompanying service is clueless and scripted. The βDining Clubβ was almost hilarious in its incompetence and we felt it was like attending a cooking evening by well meaning but untrained primary school kids role playing a fine dining setup. Terrible! The staff often lack initiative, confidence or experience and I witnessed some worrying bullying behaviour between them. We sat next to crew meetings held in the coffee bar where this was being discussed a few inches away. Unprofessional in the extreme. Weird really. Most staff mean well but many seem to be to be frightened of showing any independent thought. Amazing deterioration post-Covid. Since we last travelled on the Explorer, all signs of luxury have disappeared. The former Champneys Spa is now an anonymous sales-led treatment business and there are no cabanas on deck to rent any more. The wine selections are pitiful and the named choices absent while the choice and quality of the food onboard now resembles that found in a typical motorway service station. The accountants have taken over and there is a meanness everywhere in our opinion. It is like a low-rent wedding party really. A week spent in an airport terminal. There is a lack of joy on this ship. Guests seemed muted. Long waits at under-staffed bars too. The bean counting is sad. Food portions outside the buffet are tiny (2 prawns in a paid for premium prawn cocktail for example!!!) They even charge Β£5 for shuttle buses now to get you out of ports where it would be a 25 minute walk to just get out of the industrial docking areas. Mean. You get what you pay for I guess, but this is now almost a third-world experience compared to the past. The library (The Attic) had literally zero books left and the deserted gamerβs zone features some broken Playstations and derelict seating. Several areas of the boat seemed unused compared to last time and the entertainment consists of a couple of lounge singers and the theatre shows are threadbare imitations of the past efforts. Most of the guests seemed to be first time cruisers and seemed happy (relieved even) with the free booze and pile it high burgers, sausages and chips. The cruise attracted a 60+ crowd of almost entirely British people who seemed friendly and quiet and who hailed predominantly from a Northern English/Scottish working-class background. Embarkation was efficient, the cleaners are very swift and good and while the cabins are old, they are clean and offer some great balcony space for the money. It feels like Ryanair have gone into the cruising business and I guess thatβs fine. Itβs a cheap cruise but we were sad to see the decline in standards. We did not enjoy the experience, hated the food and it was a joy to get off the boat. Cabin Review Ok. Knackered. But nice terrace with hammock. Fridge. -
What are your thoughts regarding the current standards on Marella ships. On our last trip we were of the opinion that cost cutting was taking its toll with poor food, sub standard drinks/ mixers and poor quality house wines. The Explorer was looking grubby and the staff were overstretched. On this board there seems to be some discontent from contributors regarding poor service etc. I was reading reviews for Explorer at the top of this board and they donβt paint a very good picture with poor ratings. Whats your opinions?
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Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Just had a look online and itβs ten pounds per person per night, I believe that all adults in the cabin have to upgrade if you decide to go for it. -
Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Fair point.π -
Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
On the last trip that we did we took the upgrade and to be honest it wasnβt value for money for us, the beers and the vodka that I prefer are on the included package anyway and the few cocktails that my wife ordered that werenβt on the included list only had a small upgrade price per drink. We did drink more coffee port drinks than we would normally but only because it was included in the upgrade. As for the bottled water in the cabin we used it for making tea and weβre giving bottles away to the housekeeping staff.π€·π»ββοΈ -
Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
You are correct Paul. But if all of the drinks that you like are on the standard package except for cans of fizzy drink they can be purchased for one pound per can.π€·π»ββοΈ -
HimPJs good advice from Dronnygirl. π Also on the last couple of trips TUI sent electronic boarding passes to my email on my phone a couple of days before embarkation. Enjoy your holidays.
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This is the correct per person allowance.π
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Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Which is why I said β Cans of coke are charged at a pound each if you Arenβt on the upgraded package.βπ -
I purchased rolling tobacco at the duty free shops at corfu airport, They had a good selection of tobacco products at decent prices. Ok as a last resort if you donβt get them onboard or on your travels. I am assuming that you are flying to and from Corfu.
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Marella drinks package
Brummijam replied to Mannamead17's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Cans of coke are charged at a pound each if you arenβt on the upgraded package.π -
Washing Machines and Ironing.
Brummijam replied to Rebel Rouser's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Proper rinsed us RR.ππ€¦π» -
Washing Machines and Ironing.
Brummijam replied to Rebel Rouser's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
As I recall the spirit had a self service laundrette and it was always in use by someone. If you are doing a two week cruise or a cruise and stay it would be very useful.π -
Adults Only Cruises ?
Brummijam replied to bob_a_builder's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
We did the transatlantic repositioning cruise on Explorer and there were no children on board. Explorer2 is always child free. -
Do Marella still have muster before sailing.
Brummijam replied to PJ's's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
After all that was very thirsty so had a drink before heading to cabin This is a must β¬οΈ Hydration is so important.πΊπ -
Adults Only Cruises ?
Brummijam replied to bob_a_builder's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
I was under the impression that Explorer 2 was the only adults only ship in Marellas fleet. -
Bargain Disco II Β£760pp
Brummijam replied to Rebel Rouser's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
I think that Marella are overpricing their trips at the moment. (apart from the few special offers) Perhaps trying to recoup money they lost during the pandemic.? -
Bargain Disco II Β£760pp
Brummijam replied to Rebel Rouser's topic in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)
Thatβs a good price RR. -
All good here PCπ M in law had Lloyds travel insurance linked to her premier account but they donβt insure over eighties. This will be her first trip in five years because of the price of travel insurance.π€·π»ββοΈ