S1971

As @Megabear2 has posted it appears to be advertised on their website, so one would assume it will also be clearly stated once onboard. Good causes indeed, but can guarantee there will still be moaning and whinging from those who are unsuccessful 🙂.

Is this the start of something new, paying for celebrity entertainment in the main theatres??? With around 5200 guests onboard there is a fair chance there'll be a lot of disappointment.

There are a lot of ifs, buts and maybe's, but MSC and Costa would not be my cruiselines of choice, neither would be sailing out of Southampton in winter. I am also restricted to sailing during school holidays, which inevitably makes it more expensive.

Really, would be really interested to see AI for half the Marella price.

I don't consider myself a Cheerleader for Marella and agree £200pppd seems relatively high, given the somewhat older fleet etc, however I have an August cruise booked out of Corfu, 2 weeks all inclusive, local early flights etc for £145pppn at time of booking, you can add another £50pppn now so clearly popular with some people. I factor in the whole package and compared to other non inclusive lines and all things considered I find them on a par with other lines of similar standard. I fully understand that the Marella style of cruising is not for everyone, I've sailed other lines that are considered a level up from them and have enjoyed them, but they are totally different experiences, Marella wins hands down on some, especially crew and entertainment and the overall experience. Cost isn't the be all and end all for me, if at the end of the cruise I've got some wonderful memories then that's where the money is.

It does highlight the importance of booking early though Peter.

Hi AchileLauro. Me personally am not considered clinically obese, however I am considered a larger person with underlying medical conditions that render me disabled and eligible for an accessible cabin, I'm not quite sure Peter can grasp that because I'm mobile my need is somewhat lesser than his? With regards to your last paragraph, that's absolutely deplorable behaviour. Where I agree with Peter is that this still goes on, but as others have said they are now rightly cracking down the best they can.

You are speculating and discriminating, my needs certainly wouldn't able me to use a standard cabin, but that's not up for discussion. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but if you're not prepared to book early to secure an accessible cabin then unfortunately you will continue to be dissapointed.

So being a larger person with not an instantly recognisable underlying health condition. I don't necessarily need wider doors as I am mobile, but I would need a bigger shower area and seating facilities given normal toilet and showers on cruiselines are smaller than average. Does a wheelchair user need the cabin more than me, and if so how would P&O manage that without discriminating?

Yes agreed, it can seem expensive as all inclusive cruising doesn't necessarily work for everyone.

Other than cruiselines requesting a full medical history from ones registered GP, I can't see anyway they can fully regulate adapted cabins for those in most need and in all honesty it would be discriminatory to do so. As has already been said, if you want the cabin if your choice book it as soon as reasonably possible, the problem then goes away. You simply can't expect to get a cabin at your leisure, it's no different for me, if I want a cabin of my choice I ensure that by booking early.

Indeed there are better deals out there with other lines, this is just my opinion, but other lines have lowered their standards to get a more competitive base price, P&O in particular are far from their best. Marella, I agree have raised their prices but not overly significantly in my opinion and they do now have a better fleet, compared to 10yrs ago, albeit still with somewhat older ships. The real benefit of Marella for me is, I live 3 miles from my local airport, all inclusive works for us, port intensive, but we are fortunate enough that we do not need assistance and can understand why it no longer works for you. I wish you well for your upcoming travels, whoever it be with, it's on a ship the best way the travel.

Comparing cruiselines and prices is very subjective, it comes down to individual opinions. Yes, some will say Celebrity are a step up with its newer ships etc, etc but having sailed both lines I'm not totally convinced they are that far apart, but that's just me. For me Marella have upped their game somewhat in recent years and the overall experience is a good one, in general the MDR, buffet and other food areas are good overall, entertainment excellent, crew are the best I've ever experienced. The other stand out things for me are port intensive cruises, all inclusive drink packages, flights from local airports etc, which you don't always get with other lines. Either way, whoever you choose just go and enjoy it, one things for certain, you'll be hooked on cruising afterwards.

Ah right, it's just that I checked for April/May 2025 from Edinburgh as per opening post, nothing for April only May and no itinerary starting from Dubrovnik only Corfu on Explorer.

I can't see the cruise you mention, Eastern med cruises start in Corfu and visit Dubrovnik prior to disembarking back in Corfu, is it the Adriatic Explorer below? ITINERARY DAY 1 Corfu Town, Corfu Departs: 23:00 DAY 2 at sea... DAY 3 Koper, Slovenia Time in port: 09:00 - 19:00 DAY 4 Zadar, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00 DAY 5 Split, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 17:00 DAY 6 Kotor, Montenegro Time in port: 08:00 - 18:00 DAY 7 Dubrovnik, Croatia Time in port: 08:00 - 16:00 Corfu. No inclusive wifi either, can't say I've ever seen this as part of any cruise. What's Included Edinburgh - Corfu 1 x inside cabin(other cabin types available) All Inclusive cruise Transfers All Tips and Charges ATOL Protection

It reads exactly as it sounds. "Within (5) days prior to embarkation" can only be days 5 down to 0 or embarkation, therefore Kim followed the T&C's as she's had confirmed by MSC. "5 days prior to embarkation" is totally different that's from time of booking down to 5 days before embarkation. MSC's cruise countdown has no relevance, it is just that a countdown not tied to any T&C's.

I think that's always been Thomson, Tui and now Marella's selling point for me, I've never expected new tower blocks at sea, if anything even the newer additions are getting to the stage where they are becoming too big and modern, I loved Destiny, Celebration, Majesty and Dream etc, good size with their faults if course, but most of all the crew are simply the best I've ever encountered, across several cruiselines. Explorer next for me, not sailed on it previously so looking forward to comparing to others.

100% agree, that's what I believe it to be. It's a clever play on words and very much open the interpretation.

That's the way I read it. "Within 5 days of embarkation" suggests to me that it's days 5 to 0 leading up to boarding, it makes no sense otherwise.

Perhaps @MsTabbyKats can answer that as I have no in depth knowledge of their T&C's, the 5 day rule makes no sense to me either.

At least your sister has recovered that's the main thing. The sour taste will linger for a while, but get your insurance settlement and invest it elsewhere and enjoy 🙂

I stand firmly with Kim on this, but regardless of right or wrong MSC's treatment regarding this totally shocking. If as you claim that on day 0- 4 prior to boarding MSC will not refund or offer FCC, then that will simply encourage people to board the ship knowing full well that they've got Covid, Norovirus etc, etc. It's good to know that they take into full consideration all the other guests onboard. Knowing the hassle Kim's just had, would I board, you bet I would selfish as that may be and I'd not be the only one either.

We are not going to agree on this so it's pointless going back and forth.

Your email is all is the proof you need, others opinions are just that opinions.

The voice of reason Selbourne.