Jim The Scot

22 hours ago, 2BACRUISER said:

We got our cabin number in the airport when we checked in at Newcastle but this 2019, we are in same boat (no pun intended lol)as you this time in june as we have not selected our cabin either. 

👍

In our many years of cruising we have only once not pre booked our cabin  as it was a very late booking and we were  allocated our cabin at the port check in

 

We are off in a few weeks time and have chosen not to pre book our cabin.Anyone know when we will be allocated our cabin?Will it be at port check in like previously or before?

Hi Broomeboy

 

You,ll be docking in Civitavecchia for Rome which is some distance away so will require an organised coach to get there unless you intend travelling differently

 

Cant help with the walk to the Trevi as we never visited Rome due to the distance away from port

 

Enjoy your cruise

 

 

 

1 hour ago, so,ton saint said:

Last time i had steak of the menu, was on the Dream £10.

Same and very good it was

7 hours ago, suech1970 said:

Tried P&O last year in Caribbean, last minute cheaply. One and done. Just not our fit, too many formal nights, really slow bar service, poor food, and people glaring at you coz you’re still in swim wear at 6pm and they’re all dressed for dinner🙄. 

 

[b]We started cruising with Ocean Village, their tag “the cruise for people who don’t do cruises”.  They had a feel very much like Marella, revamped older ships, casual, family, and very friendly atmosphere with awesome itineraries. We did 4 with our kids till they got sold off…my girls actually cried!! [/b]
 

I’m struggling between 2 med cruises atm, one with Discovery 2 and the other on NCL Sky.  Both great itineraries, minimal sea days, both  ships tried and tested, but the £££££ for just the Med 😱, just can’t get my head around. Just back off Far East cruise and that cost roughly the same! It’s not like Marella are dropping their prices for last minute deals now either. Haven’t sailed with them since 2022 but we get a few nice perks with NCL now, so maybe I’ll just toss a coin 😆

 

 

 

Same,we started cruising with OV and loved them.Once they ventured to Australia we were at a loss regarding cruising with someone with a similar vibe.We tried Thomson/Marella and been cruising with them since

 

On the pricing.Been tracking a 4 night cruise at the end of March for some time,I say 4 night but its is really a 3 day due to late flight time out of Glasgow and midday return flight.Very little movement on price,in fact its went more North then South

 

Price is scary and currently at over £1800.

3 hours ago, Andy24v said:

We've just booked a 5 night Ambassador cruise for December as a toe in the water. I also don't like dressing up, but I've been told by their customer services that formal ware doesn't apply in the speciality restaurants on formal night.

Also they do Saver and Ambassador fares. The Ambassador fare includes gratuities and gives you their top drinks package. 

Only issue for us, is they don't do fly cruises, so too many sea days, which is the attraction of Marella.

 

Hi Andy,

 

I,m only going on what I,ve read on FAQ on their website regards dress code.Hopefully their Customer Service is more up to speed than Marella 😉.Same regards

gratuities,its only included with drinks package

 

Anyway,enjoy when it comes around

Hi D

 

Only 35/40 mins from Dundee.

 

Had a quick squint at Ambassador but intineraries like Norway,Denmark,Uk etc are not for us.We like  a bit warmth…plus they have service and gratuities which are added to your account and two formal nights

 

 

Noticed they do an Amsterdam/Antwerp city break,depart Dundee arrive back in London 🤔

 

 

Dont think this is a one size fits all discussion

 

After many years cruising with Thomson/Marella will still love it.

 

Smaller ships,flying from local airport,good flights and transfers which are well organised,cabins in the main are well kept , clean and comfortable,basically a place to sleep and get changed for us,great friendy staff,many of whom we have got to know as they have been on returning cruises,equally fellow cruisers are extremely friendly and again many we have met on returning cruises,Its the kinda ship after a day or so on board you feel you know all the fellow passengers

Food,yes its not fine/michelen star  dining but as a man of simple tastes very few issues with standard of food,excellent drinks package included in the pricing,excellent intineraries (with few sea days)but having done the majority of them its not a selling point for us,entertainment excellent….Oh,and comfortable with their dress code

 

No doubt Marella prices have increased but what hasn,t.For us its a case of,if we cant afford it we dont go or adjust which standard of cabin we choose,dont select which cabin we want,which deck and dont select seat on flight etc to fit our budget
 

Never say never but no inclination at the moment to try another larger cruise line whos ships carry thousands of passengers,just doesn,t float our boat.Among other things no interest where an Uber is required to get from one end of the ship to the other or where you meet a fellow passenger the 1st day and never see them again 😆

 

We,ll stick with Marella for now,what we know and are comfortable with

 

 

Maybe controversial but dont anybody take this the wrong way as we have nothing against other nationalities but we like the fact that the vast majority of fellow passengers are from the UK.Its difficult enough having to repeat ourselves to our friends down South to multiple nationalities😉😅

On 2/5/2024 at 7:54 PM, elmac40 said:

Hi. I’ve booked 3 Deluxe Balcony cabins together for a cruise next year. Question-does anyone know if the balcony dividers can be unlocked so that we can have one large balcony? 
 

My first time on a Marella cruise! 
 

Thanks

 

Lynn 

 

Hi Lynn

 

We are taking our son,DIL and grandson on their first cruise in July and have booked two adjoining balcony cabins and was our intention to have the dividers unlocked/open so will let you know.Mind you,might not be a bad thing if weren,t allowed to have them open 😅

 

Ps

 

On our Marella America cruise last year the dividers were unlocked for the weekly hose down

Have done many cruise n stays and have never been off ship early doors.The norm has been been 11ish/midday but think its dependant on distance from port/ship to resort/hotel.Saying that,we have arrived at hotels where rooms weren,t ready which forced us into the partaking of liquid  to quench our thirst and pass the time

 

Our experience Marella are pretty well on the ball with transfer times from ship to hotel

 

 

1 hour ago, Brummijam said:

Hi Jim.

As you say other people smoking doesn’t bother me at all, each to their own.

And you are most probably right about my surgery trumping my smoking.😂

What I am saying as a non smoker is I now see how it affects decisions that people make.

[b]had a trip recently and shared a car to the docks with another couple, the gent was a smoker and after an hour and half into the journey he was getting proper edgy, When we stopped at the services he had a cigarette in his mouth before the car door was open.😄

I was probably that man ten years ago[/B].🤷🏻‍♂️

Anyway alls well here and hoping you and yours are all in good health.👍🏻

Belated Happy new year to you all.

Gotcha B,understand where your coming from regards seeing how it affects decision smokers make being a non smoker now
 

I was most defo that man ten plus years ago 😅

 

Yeah we are dinky doo B

Also smoked for nigh on 5 decades but stopped over 10 years ago and have no issues mixing with smokers as it doesn,t bother me in the slightest.However I am a vaper so like paul wouldn,t go anywhere that bans it

 

Dont find it strange how a habit controls a person and surprised you B  having smoked for 40 years think that way.Every chance if you hadn,t required an op you would be still reekin like a lum 😅

 

Hope your well B

Sad indeed Sheera.Thankfully we managed the American Cruise before it was black balled

 

Had me wondering why TUI invested so heavily in Melbourne Airport.I always thought it was partly for America cruises and Melbourne being more accessible to PC.Now its being used for land based hols only

 

Maybe I,m missing something

😅
 

Sounds good B

 

Myself and Mrs JTS have always fancied a cruise over xmas and new year although not with Saga 😆but it wont be for another few years until grandson is a bit older

2 hours ago, daveoc said:

Jim,  What can I say. Thank you so much for this reply which is everything I could have asked for---perfect.

Your welcome dave,
 

 

1 hour ago, Brummijam said:

All done from memory as well.😂😂
Hope you are keeping well Jim.😉

🤣

 

After a day or so on the ship my memory isn,t that sharp

 

I,m fine B,hope your well

 

Was on Voyager in October and next one is a long,long way away, July next year

 

 

Hi dave,

 

Maybe be slight variations depending on ship and itinerarys but generally similar over all Marella cruise ships

 

 

On Draught included in the standard package

Foster’s – John Smith,s – Strongbow.

On Draught not included in the standard package

Heineken pint £3.55. half pint £2.35 – Kronenbourg pint £3.55 half pint £2.35 – Lagunitas IPA pint £3.55 half pint £2.55

Bottles and Cans included in the standard package

Birra Moretti  – San Miguel Fresca – Red Stripe – Guinness – Heineken Zero – Peroni – Corona – Peroni red label – Tuborg – Kronenbourg – Sol

Bottles and Cans not included in the standard all inclusive.

Heineken – Lagunitas IPA – Alhambra – Strongbow dark fruit – Bulmers – Tiger – Old Speckled Hen – Meantime IPA – Bulmers – Magners – Pilsner Urquel – Duval – Chimay – Carlsberg – Singha – Grolsch –  these come at a extra cost of £3.90 each or are all included in the Premium all inclusive.

 

HOUSE WINES BY THE GLASS

Sparkling wines included on the standard package – Brut – Prosecco – Cava.

The following sparkling wines are at an extra cost or free on the premium package Millesimato Prosecco DOC Bottega  £7.65 – Poeti Prosecco DOC Bottega  £5.85 – Pink Pinot Nero Spumante DOC Bottega  £7.05 Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne  £10.55 (not included in either package) – Veuve du Vernay Blanc de Blanc £4.70 – Phillip Dublanc  £4.70

Bellinis

Bellini  Poeti prosecco/white peach/raspberry puree  £3.50 – Sweet Anne  Poeti prosecco/Absolute vodka/white peach puree  £3.50 – Sweet Maggie  Poeti prosecco/Absolute vodka/white peach puree/fresh mint  £3.50  Sweet Emy  Absolut vodka/white peach puree/Cointreau/pink pino nero spumante  £3.50 – Tuscan Dream  Limoncello/white peach puree/pink pino nero spumante  £3.50

Wines by the glass included in the package

Rose – House Choice – Arada.

White Wines – House Choice – Sauvignon Blanc – Pinot Grigio.

Red Wines – House Choice – Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wines by the glass not included in the standard package

Chardonnay Adesso  £4.70 – Tempranillo Raimant Clamor  £4.70 – Familia Barriobero 1964  £4.70 – Les Chartons Bordeaux Rouge  £4.70 – Soave Delle Venezie  £5.60 – Pino Biaco Le Rovole  £5.60 – Chianti D’Aquino  £5.60 – Syra Bodegas Celaya Bayanegra  £5.60

WINE BY THE BOTTLE – Not included on either package.

SPARKLING

Philippe Dublanc Brut France  £20.00 – Veuve du Vernay Blanc de Blancs France  £20.00 – Poeti Prosecco spumante Italy  £29.00 – Jaume Serra D.O CAVA Spain  £20.00 – Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve France  £51.00 – Millesimato Prosecco DOC Bottega  £37.00 – Poeti Prisecco DOC Bottega  £29.00 – Pink Pinot Nero Spumante DOC Bottega  £37.00 – Prosecco DOC Terredirai  £22.00

ROSE & BLUSH

Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Mateus Rose Portugal  £23.00 – Clot Arada Spain  £20.00

WHITE

RIESLING – Ulrich Langgute Mosel Feinherb Gourmet Germany £20.00 – Leonard Kreusch-Rheinhessen Germany  £20.00

SAUVIGNON BLANC – Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Louis Eschenauer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Familia Barriobero vino de Espana blanco  £20.00 – Sancerre Le Grand Buis France  £51.00

PINOT GRIGIO – Terredirai Venezie IGT Italy  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Veneto IGT Italy  £20.00

CHARDONNAY – Rio Anejo Macabeo Spain  £20.00 – Gerard Bertrand Reserve France  £24.00 – Vina San Juan Blanco Spain  £18.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti  £20.00

OTHER VARIETIES

Les Chartrons Bordeaux Blanc France  £23.00 – Chateau Pilet Bordeaux France  £19.00 – Le Rovole Pinot Bianco IGT Italy  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Soave Italy  £20.00 – Soave Delle Venezie Veneto  £22.00 – Pinot Bianco Le Rovale  £20.00

RED

PINOT NOIR – Sottovoce Veneto IGT Italy  £22.00 – Reserve St Martin Vin de Pays France  £22.00

SANGIOVESE –  Sangiovese ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Italy  £20.oo – Chianti D’Aquinto Italy  £23.00

MERLOT – Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Campos De Luz Spain  £20.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Castello de Lorenco Spain  £20.00 – Gerard Bertrand Reserve France  £24.00 – Chateau Pilet AOC France  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Italy  £20.00

SHIRAZ/SYRAH – Envyfol Syrah Pays d’Oc France  £18.00 – Soldiers Block Shiraz France  £20.00 – Calvet Varietals Syrah France  £20.00

OTHER VARIETIES

Lagaris Crianza Spain  £24.00 – Vina Pomal Crianza Rioja Spain  £22.00 – Les Chartrons Bordeaux Rouge France  £20.00 – Chevaux des Girondins AOC France  £20.00 – Chateau Faure AOC France  £19.00 – Cotes Du Rhone France  £25.00 – Amarone Le Colline  £43.00 – Barolo il pozzo  £40.00

VINI SUPER TUSCAN

Mazzei Poggio Badiola  £40.00 – Petra Hebo  £40.oo – Banfi Centine  £40.00 – Santa Cristiana Rosso  £40.00

 

BRANDIES & COGNAC

Included on the standard package – Fundador – Metaxa 5 Stars

All the following come at a extra charge or are free on the premium package – Martell VS  £3.40 – Cardenal Mendoza  £3.55 – Martell VSOP  £4.10 – Calvados  £3.40 – Grappa  £2.95

PORT

Included on the standard package – Sandeman Ruby – Cockburns Special Reserve – Sanderman Imperial Reserve Tawney

HOT SPECIALITIES

These all come at a supplement of £3.50 or free on the premium package – Highland Coffee with Chivas Regal and whipped Cream – Chocolate Orange with Grand Marnier and Whipped Cream – Cafe Royal with Martell VS and Whipped Cream – Italiano Coffee with Sambuca and Whipped Cream – Chocolate Cherry Coffee – Hot Nutty Irishman – CafeJager – Chocolate Caramel – Choco Blue Mountain – Chocolate Dream

HOT BEVERAGES included in premium package or as priced

Freshly Brewed Filter Coffee Regular £1.10 – Large £1.40 – Espresso Regular £1.30 – Large £1.55

Latte Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 – Flat White Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 Cappuccino Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 – Hot Chocolate Regular £1.65 – Large £1.95

Tea choose from the following Tea Pigs Tea All £1.10 -Everyday Brew – Earl Grey – Darjeeling – Peppermint – Jasmine Pearls – Super Fruit

Lavazza Specialities Nocciolato – Espresso, Nutellaand Fresh Cream £2.15 – Cafe Napolitino Espresso, Hazlenut Cream £2.15

Lavazza Cold Brew Coffee – Regular £2.10 – Vanilla £2.10 – Caramel £2.10

 

INCLUDED COCKTAILS

Electric Lemonade – Illusion – Long Island Iced Tea – Raspberry Collins – Mai Tai – Singapore Sling – Sangria – Rocking Rita – Daiquiris – Coladas – Black Russian – Cosmopolitan

PREMIUM COCKTAILS – all £3.50 or free on the premium package

Lemon & Thyme Collins – Red Speckled Mule – Lemon Drizzle – Thai Mojito – Five O’clock Tea – Blueberry & Grape Press – Rosemary’s Gimlet – Sweet and Smokey Margarita – Smokey Old Fashioned – Jonnies Rusty Nail – Chocolate Ember – Pink Clink – Sidecar Fizz – Charleston’s Collins – Roaring Sunset – Sex on the Beach -Chocolate Espresso Martini – Sea Breeze – Mojito – Pineapple Mojito – Caipirinha – Purple Rain – Southern Punch – Tropical Iced Tea – Mudslide – Cadillac Margarita – Aperol Spritz – Blood and Sand – Classic Negroni – Gimlet – Rob Roy – Bramble – Vespa Martini – ‘P’ Star Martini – G & Tea Time – Thai Punch – Nagasaki Sour – Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew – Great Balls of Fire – Loco in Acapulco – Jamaican me Crazy – Smoked Negroni – Lemon Drop Martini – Limoncello Spritz – Americano – Garibaldi – Apertini – Aperol Spritz – Smokey Brew – Passion Me – Coffeetail 51 – Chocolate Cherry Freeze – Jamaican Me Irish – Vaniila Latte Cold Brew – Sour Lemon Brew – Razzle Dazzle – The Exchange Nightcap – Golden Age – The Decade

TEA TAILS

Green Tea Mojito – Bombay Tea Time – Summer Peach Tea – Royal Tea – Mad Hatters Tea Party.

COFFEE TAILS & CHOCOLATE

Espresso Martini – Rum Latte Martini – Meistertini – White Siberian – Scottish Bulldog

 

INFUSED SPIRITS – included on the standard package

Lemon Peel and Thyme Vodka – Strawberry and Black Pepper Vodka – Cucumber and Lime Vodka – Lemongrass and Ginger Rum – Rosemary and Citrus Gin – Earl grey Gin – Apple and Cinnamon Bourbon – Lime and Chilli Tequila – Lemongrass and Ginger Rum

SPIRITS – as priced or all on the standard package

Gin – Gordon’s – New Amsterdam – Tanqueray – Bombay Sapphire £2.95 – Hendrick’s £3.55.

Whiskies – Johnnie Walker Red – Bells – Famous Grouse – Jameson – Jim Beam – Teacher’s – Canadian Club £2.95 – Johnnie Walker Black £3.40 – Jack Daniel’s £3.40 – Old Bushmills £2.95 – Stillhouse Black £3.40

Vodka – Smirnoff – Stoli – New Amsterdam – Absolut £2.95 – Absolut Citron £2.50 – Grey Goose £3.40 – Ketel One £2.90 – Chopin £3.40

Rum – Barcardi – Malibu – Captain Morgan – Rumhaven Coconut – Myer’s £2.95 – Clarkes Old Grog £3.40 Clarkes Special Dark £2.90 – Flor de Cana £3.40 – Cachaca £2.95 – Malibu £2.95

Tequila – Jose Cuervo Silver and Gold – 1800 Resposada £3.40.

LIQUEURS included in the standard Package

Ameratto – Molly’s Irish Cream – Baileys Original – Southern Comfort – Cherry Brandy – Coffee Liqueur – Triple Sec Orange

LIQUEURS all £2.95 or included on the premium package

Baileys flavoured – Frangelico – Galliano – Jagermeister – Grand Marnier – Tia Maria – Sambuca – St-Germain Elderflower – Kahlua – Cointreau – Drambuie

APERITIFS included in the standard package

Martini Dry Vermouth – Martini Bianco Vermouth – Martini Vermouth Red – Pimms N0 1 – Dubonnet – Campari – Pernod.

 

 

As the names suggest this is a specialist Gin and Whiskey Bar which can be found in the Squid and Anchor in addition to a regular bar. All the drinks below are only available on the Premium Package

GIN – as priced and all on the premium package

Hendrick’s Ayshire £3.55 – Poetic License Northern Dry Gin (Sunderland) £3.55 – Masons Gin(North Yorkshire) £3.55 – Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger (Liverpool) £3.55 – Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin (Warrington) £3.55 – Sipsmith London Dry Gin (London) £3.55 – Tanqueray Flor de Saville Orange £3.55 – Warner Edwards Elderflower £3.55 – Portobello Road No 171 £3.55 – Plymouth Dry Plymouth Black Friars £3.55

Whisky

Macallan Select Oak £3.55 – Glenfiddich £3.40 – Glenmorangie £3.40  – Auchentoshan Spring Wood £3.55 – Dalwhinnie £3.55 – Oban £3.55 – Cragganmore £3.55 – Chivas Regal – £3.40 – Loch Lomand Original £3.55 – Glenkinchie £3.55 – Talsker £3.55

 

All fountain sodas and non alcoholic Mocktails are included in the standard all inclusive.

Cans and Bottles are not included in the standard package but are all included on the Premier Package

Coca-cola – Diet Coke – Diet Sprite – Ginger Beer – Tonic Water – Slimline Tonic -Bitter Lemon – Fanta Orange – £1.20 each.

San Pallegrino orange or lemon £1.80

J20 Orange & Passion fruit or Apple & Raspberry £2.35

Red Bull sugarfree or Tropical £2.95.

Fever Tree Premium Tonics all flavours £2.95.

3 hours ago, Sheera07 said:

Wow you were lucky, when we tried to do that tui told us that upgrading to a balcony the cost would be what it was priced at when we booked originally, otherwise they said everyone would try to upgrade .

Yeah thats been their usual policy Sheera but it seems  to depend on who you speak to or on what platform.Pity TUI aren,t quick to respond outwith facebook

 

Contrary to belief everyone isn,t on facebook so maybe a good idea would be for  TUI to have the  same pricing policy on the likes of this across the board whether its via facebook,online,call centre or TUI store so all of TUI customers have access to it

 

Put 10 TUI Customer Advisers in a room and they,d all come up with a different price😆

 

Ps

 

We intially  had an outside cabin for our cruise on Voyager  last month but fancied a balcony.Visited the TUI store where we booked and they called to get a price which wasn,t what we were willing to pay.Chanced our luck and popped in a few days after and we were offered it at a cheaper price than previous time although the online  price or cabin allocation had changed

 

Loved the balcony BTW

Guessing not a lot in that short space of time

 

Restock the bars?😉

Unless I,m doing something wrong nothing from Edinburgh early 2025🤨

Unfortunately the has been the case at Corfu for years so unlikely to see any change in the future

 

We went on Explorer last year departing from Corfu.I initially cursed TUI changing flight schedule as it ended up a very late outbound flight but was glad as by time we arrived(very late)the airport was dead and a virtual walk through

 

On the way home it was the opposite,total carnage with queues joining other queues and zero organisation

 

 

Thanks andy,pretty sure we will

Yeah we liked the Explorer.We are only doing the one week also but  having watched numerous vids on Voyager feel like I know it inside out,it does look nice and like the Kitchen concept

 

Looking forward to it

 

 

Thanks B

 

Pretty sure we will.👍
 

Disappointing the weather looks like improving here when we are away though 😅

4 hours ago, andyS87 said:

After sailing with them a few times prior to covid (and having a great time) we booked the Discovery for March of this year. We definitely noticed standards had slipped and felt like that staff were stressed and very overworked. We still made the most of it but we were pretty disappointed with the whole experience.

 

[b]We had already booked the Voyager for September this year prior to our Discovery cruise so were both quite nervous about how it would be. It turned out to be a fantastic week on the Voyager which definitely made up for the bad experiences we had in March. [/b]
 

This has pushed us to try a new cruise company though so will be on the P&O Iona in the Norwegian Fjord next September, very excited (even though it’s a year away!)

Good to hear you enjoyed Voyager andy as we,re  it a try this week

 

Having been on all the others  Marella ships,some multiple times and knowing them inside out and what to expect,like you we are wee bit nervous/apprehensive regards Voyager but what ever will be will be

21 hours ago, Fencepost99 said:

do my bags go straight  to the ship from my departure  airport  I'm on a tui / marella cruise 1st timer   hence the question  

 

Hi F


Which cruise/itinerary?

 

Med cruises,America cruises you have to collect luggage at carousel and take them to transfer coaches.I have read previously the likes of Jamaica luggage is bonded

 

Personally never been on a Marella cruise where I have not had to collect my luggage at arrival airport

 

edited
 

Ach you posted a nano second before me B

 

 

w3ndi

 

Standing joke,if TUI told me it was raining outside I,d stick my head out the window  to make sure.In my experience you could speak to  3 call centre staff who sit next to each other and get 3 different answers.My advice,de- stress and accept whatever cabin you get and enjoy your cruise and if you still have OBC good luck at the casino😆