Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

annbarker23

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    160

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by annbarker23

    All Inclusive

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We are returning to TUI/Marella after a lengthy break and have been reassured to hear that going AI across the board has not turned the sailings into “booze cruises”. Having spent my working life in a school I remember well the wall to wall kids! It is an unavoidable downside (when your own have grown up) of travelling in the school holidays.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Thomson flight question

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We have never been separated on the outward journey but it has happened a couple of times coming back from Europe. I think our transfer coach must have been one of the last to arrive at the airport. Obviously they try not to separate families with young children but as a couple there is no guarantee to sit together unless you prebook.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Inside cabin

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We had inside cabins many times when we started cruising. They are excellent value for money as the cabins themselves are not much smaller and you have access to exactly the same facilities onboard as those who pay much more money. As you asked for the downside I should add that for many people the lack of natural light and fresh air would be a problem. This is the reason other categories sell out first. Personally we only cruise now if balconies are available.

    If you do go ahead try to get a higher deck as at least the corridors will get fresh air because most cabins there have balconies. Lower decks have no opening windows/doors and in our experience can smell a bit musty.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Is it better to book early or late? - my findings...

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    No easy answer to this. I have two cruises booked and my Celebrity cruise has increased in price by nearly £1,000 and the “free” drinks package which I received is no longer available. My Marella cruise has decreased in price by a couple of hundred. Overall I’m still well in credit but I think it is a question of some you win some you lose.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Explorer - is there an 'overhang' above some balconies (as per Discovery)?

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    There are the online versions that could help.

     

    This is TUI's version https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/ships/marella-explorer/deck-plans/

     

    Then there is this one that is a bit easier to navigate http://www.cruisemapper.com/deckplans/Marella-Explorer-1814

     

    and here is picture to get the idea of how the balconies look

     

    1814-d838fb61c02.jpg

     

     

     

    Thank you. This picture is very useful. It looks like all balconies will get some sun (providing it shines in the Baltic zone!)

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Cabin booking?

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Been away a while. See the thread got Hijacked. Does anyone know if you can upgrade your cabin online. Want to surprise the wife Oh and if I spotted anyone smoking I would report them, would they get kicked off....hope so.

     

     

     

    No - you have to ring. The service is pretty good. I had a shortlist of preferred cabins (obviously within the category booked) got through after about five minutes and managed to get the second of my choices. They just add the up charge to your final bill. You also get a choice at this point of twin or queen size bed configuration.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Marella Vs the Big US. cruise lines. How do they compare?

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    It's different, however that doesn't mean it's not enjoyable.

     

     

     

    We've done 3 cruises with Princess and 10 with Thomsons (as was) - would have no hesitation in recommending either, based on our experiences.

     

     

     

    It Thomsons/Tui/Marella are getting things wrong - then it's not obvious to thousands of repeat clients, and as evidenced by newer ships being added to the portfolio.

     

     

     

    We are almost entirely itinerary driven. As long as the ship is clean and modern and we have our own personal outside space we set sail with a positive attitude determined to enjoy the experience. Should also have added that though I love children (a teacher for 35 years, parent and grandparent) I prefer to travel in a mainly adult environment and would therefore not consider Royal Caribbean or Disney. I have every confidence that my trip to the Baltic (outside school holidays) with Marella will fit the bill. If not we have South America with our hitherto preferred cruise line, Celebrity, to look forward to.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Marella Vs the Big US. cruise lines. How do they compare?

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    We have done 5 Thomson cruises in the past but switched to the American companies (Celebrity and Holland America) about 4 years ago when we retired because we wanted to go further afield (Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand etc. etc.) The ships are very modern and elegant and the food was mostly very good but we missed the great Thomson entertainment. We didn’t think we would ever go back because of the lack of balcony cabins. However now with the advent of Discovery & Explorer which have a great selection of higher grade cabins we have decided to give Thomson/Marella another go. I hope we will not be disappointed.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Summer 2019

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Even with price increases Marella seem good value to me. We normally sail Celebrity and our Baltic cruise on Explorer (with extra large balcony) is coming out £1200 cheaper. We used to sail Thomson’s years ago but ditched them because of the lack of balcony cabins. Time to give them another go!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Summer 2019

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    Baltic Explorer July 13th (15 days)

     

    Newcastle - At Sea - Skagen, Denmark - Kiel, Germany - At Sea - Tallinn, Estonia - St Petersberg, Russia - Helsinki, Finland - Stockholm, Sweden - At Sea - Warnemunde, Germany - Copenhagen, Denmark - At Sea - Newcastle

    Legends of the Baltic 22 June (16 days)

    Newcastle - At Sea - Copenhagen, Denmark - Warnemunde, Germany - At Sea - Stockholm, Sweden - Tallinn, Estonia - St Petersberg, Russia (overnight) - Helsinki, Finland - Riga, Latvia - Klaipeda, Latvia - at sea - Fredericia, Denmark - at sea - Newcastle

     

    Thanks so much. This is really helpful.

    Summer 2019

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    You are welcome. Enjoy your Baltic cruise.

     

    Also, if possible, go for an Executive Suite or Large Balcony Suite, as Explorer 1 has Hammocks. Only ship in Marella fleet to have these and only available on those 2 grades.

     

     

     

    Definitely going to go for the large balcony cabin - a hammock sounds great. You posted the Baltic itinerary for July. Could you please tell me if the one for June 22nd is the same? Thanks in advance.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Summer 2019

    in Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson)

    Posted

    This is not necessarily the case. This year the Discovery sails from the Caribbean to Malaga (arriving early May) . This is however not the home port. It then sails on to Newcastle for a programme of Baltic and Norwegian fjord cruises.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

×
×
  • Create New...