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28SAC

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Posts posted by 28SAC

    Crete, Chania. Iconic islands

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Hi,

    There’s a couple of local beaches, Kertos and Akti both fairly short taxi rides away from the old port.

    The old port area is lovely with plenty of tourist shops selling all sorts along with waterfront bars and restaurants all around the bay.

    We found the little Maritme Museum interesting and enjoyed our day in Chania.

    That’s not out of a guide book.

    SAC

    Change in cruise

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We too noticed that the schedule and sea day has changed on our cruise 19 th Feb but I saw this when the second sales book came out around October.

    We have just received our E tickets with a link to the cruise excursions which I have booked a couple as these are definitely final dates.

    I presume that you should have yours any day.

    SAC

    TUI Discovery May 2017

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    I would say read the previous posts on here and TA as the school holiday period is not a good time to be aboard unless the kids are your own.

    I would avoid it unless there is no other alternative time to cruise.

    We traveled a couple of weeks after the school holidays and there were 2 babies and 2 small children aboard on the Discovery and they were no bother at all but during the holidays it seems like bedlam.

    SAC

    Discovery trip report

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    It seems like Thomsoms ground staff have not got their act together at the different airports,

    Certainly Birmingham was difficult to walk past without being stopped as the desk was halfway into the main queue.

    You would think that they should have a foolproof method by now.

    Only an observation by me and did not spoil our cruise.

    SAC

    Discovery trip report

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We have been back a couple of weeks now to recover from a fantastic cruise on the 20 year old Discovery.

    There are some tell tale signs of aging but overall the ship is superb throughout.

    We were delayed an hour at Birmingham airport due to Palma having no air slots left for landing at our allocated time, so we were told, anyway just over 2 hours later we were at PMI in the queue to board our coach. It still amazed me at the coach side that several couples from Birmingham did not have their cabin numbers or tags on their cases, in the queue to check in at BHX you had to walk past a desk where you were asked if you were on a cruise or normal flight, if on a cruise you received tags with your cabin number on that were fixed to your cases and small stickers to stick on your other baggage, I'm not sure how people ended up with no tags but some people just seemed to be in cuckoo land.

    After a short 20 min coach ride from the airport we were in the check in tent alongside the ship, no queue so a swift easy check in with pictures taken and CC swiped.

    One disappointing thing was the glass of water on offer as we boarded rather than the Bucks Fizz that we had last year on the Thomsom Majesty.

    The good news was that we were on board and sitting on deck 10 at the pool bar by 1-45 just an hour late and within 30 minutes our cases were all outside our cabins.

    We were very impressed with our deluxe balcony cabins on deck 7, as good as any of our previous cruises if not the best.

    Bar service was excellent all week in all areas, we were on deck 10 most days and the bar always had at least 2 and sometimes 3 serving along with the waiting staff wandering around the deck also. There are clearly a few staff that are not happy in their work but you soon get to avoid them and I have found staff like this on many cruises in the past.

    On pool deck 9 there was always 3 or 4 serving so excellent service even at busy times.

    It was the same level of service in the Atrium early evening and also in the live room, we really could not fault it.

    We went to the Surf and Turf twice in the week and had excellent meals both nights, great service and proper drinks, I say this because the alcohol poolside can not be full strength and the draft beer was very weak, the bottled beer and cans were much more like real strength. As it was free and unlimited it did not spoil our cruise.

    Our friends went to the Korma restaurant and also had great service and food.

    We ate at the Gallery on 2 nights and I found that average but then that's me who frequents Mc Donald's rather than a restaurant.

    The Islands buffet had a fantastic selection as long as you liked everything covered in spice or creams,

    In all there is something for everyone to eat if you look around,

    The Glass house was a nice area and was quiet every day, the water in the pool here was absolutely freezing which may have been the reason for the area being used very little by people.

    Overall we were very impressed with our cruise and are pleased to be going on her again in February around the Carribean,

    SAC

    Naples

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Hi,

    We just took a short walk along the key and got the local ferry to Capri and had a fantastic day there.

    It's well worth the effort and quite cheap and easy.

    Capri is just stunning, busy yes but it's a very special place.

    There's a small funicular car up to the main shopping area but as there was massive queues we negotiated a €50 taxi tour of the island and we were out for 30 mins with him and then got dropped off in the shopping area.

    Expect to pay top dollar for anything there but just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy.

    The train down was not so busy with hardly any queqe.

    28SAC

    Messina

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Hi,

    We took the little open top bus and basically had a tour of the local graffiti, then up a hill to a viewing point then more graffiti strewn buildings ending up getting dropped off at the church to watch the moving characters on the clock tower while getting dive bombed by the sea gulls trying to eat our pastries from the outside terrace bar next door.

    As you may guess it was not one of our favourite stops.

    28SAC

    Majesty: Durress (Albania) & Kalamata

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Hi,

    We recently docked here and walked to the nearby beach, 15 mins away and was pleasantly surprised after reading various derogatory comments on the place.

    There is a big pebbley beach with crystal clear water that was beautiful to swim in, each bar along the beach side has its own area of beach with beds, brollies and tables free as long as you buy a drink.

    The people were very friendly and wanted your custom which was very nice.

    There were changing facilities and toilets in the bars so all in all a nice beach break from the cruise.

    The dock area itself was quite scruffy but once away from there it is a nice place.

    28SAC

    Barcelona

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Hi,

    If and it's a big if everything goes to the time schedule then I would leave at least an hour.

    But why not visit somewhere else first to make sure you don't miss your time slot, the Sargarda is a must see place, simple an amazing building, weird and wonderful.

    Depending on where the boat docks its a fair old walk just to the first subway station out of the dock, then it depends on the time of day and the crowds doing the same things as you, that's why I would get a cab to the Plaza Cataluna and take a stroll along Las Ramblas, grab a snack and see the sites then take the subway later in the day.

    There is also the cable car or the Olympic port to see, 3 open top bus routes it really is a great city.

    Don't miss the Sargarda though.

    28SAC

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