anchorweight

I went on MSC World Europa later last year, it blows away any Marella Cruise ship. Also booked on Virtuosa. You really can see the difference between a 25-30 year old ship and a newer design. If you have kids of a certain age they may get a bit bored on Marella ships.

Yes there is multiple nationalities but the announcements were mainly Italian and English, which surprised me, not that it would bother me either way. MSC are flying from Manchester and London from this year so I'm sure there will be something available.

Given the Marella price hike and old ships, I doubt I'd choose them again unless a good deal came up.

On 10/20/2023 at 9:25 PM, so,ton saint said:

Thats two of the ships, any news of  Explorer 1 & 2 and discovery.

Maybe they are getting rid of them ?

I’d be amazed as it’s fairly new. If it was a TUI ship or two, it’ll be Mein Schiff 3 and 4.

doubt there will be anything remotely new coming as the British side just get the old cast offs.

Hurray ! A 26 year old ship !😒

12 hours ago, smithsheff said:

We, are feeling the same, nothing new really. I did notice that there is a iceland/Arctic one fron Newcastle this Sept but nothing mentioned for next year. 

Can I ask a question, we have been looking at ncl for a while, are they worth going with, they do a iceland one next Sept we may think about. 

Hi, yes we loved NCL. We went on the Epic, which was amazing tbh. They do all inclusive much like Marella. I'm looking now for October to the Greek Islands and NCL are cheaper than Marella. I really don't see how they can justify the prices tbh. Obviously its not a package and you have to build flights and transfers.

1 hour ago, Manchester is blue said:

Well you were right Sniffer, new itineraries online today. Pretty uninspiring fare though, in my opinion. Just the same old Caribbean or Tenerife type trips on offer.

We were rather hoping for something more inspiring and new. Back to Butlins or Rhyl for us as these cruises just don’t excite us enough I’m afraid. 
 

Agree, i'm quickly going off Marella. I think they need to re-think itineraries and future ships going forward. Last cruise i did was on NCL and it was far better tbh, more facilities, all inclusive and less price in total.

17 hours ago, ormy said:

We certainly don't want super sized ships - lets just keep them smaller - despite the age

Not saying super sized but 90k+ with more kids facilities would be better. The days of the Celebration and Dream are gone, they won't be financially viable.

On 3/15/2021 at 7:40 PM, bishop84 said:

Maybe they are waiting to see what ships they will have available then ...

 

Hopefully slightly bigger and newer. Still think they could have a couple of 100k ships.

Wohoooo another 25 year old ship

though the fact he wouldn’t say suggests it’s something else. 

On 10/20/2020 at 7:27 PM, howmuch! said:

Yes I agree with you on that one Nancy. A change of furniture 'size' in the atrium would be a good start. Perhaps the refurb may be the addition of things that attract a younger demographic?

Hope so, we went with NCL last time as there was more kids entertainment and facilities. A slide or two would be great

17 hours ago, Jack McGowan said:

Could we possibly see them retire the Celebration & Dream and then replace with a discovery 3 or Explorer 3 (one not both!)? Slightly newer ships which could drive down running costs? Also I’m sure RCL would be happy to pass on one of their older vessels at a time like this.  Just a thought.

Think it’s very likely, it’ll make sense. Can’t see both costing much at this time, if anything.

Herz is supposed to be arriving in 2022 anyway, Rhapsody of the seas is the other one I think is coming. Still they will both be 25 years old and heading for the knackers yard by the time Marbella get them.

Wonder if Mein Schiff Herz arrival will be accelerated

Yes, I paid £1000 less to go AI on the NCL Epic, than i would have on D2 or Explorer in September. Far better ship too.

2 hours ago, Galaxy said:

Looks like no cruises from UK 2021.

 

Think that was rumoured anyway

59 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

Not so early though as 2021. Mein Schiff Herz's itineraries for 2021 season were announced today. And Rhapsody is registered in many ports in Greece and Med, indicating a season in Eastern Med from Venice. If this decision have been made and it is already printed in Marella's brochure, I think TUI and RCI would have already made the necessary adjustments to their itineraries.

Mein Schiff Herz is confirmed to be delivered to Marella when Mein Schiff 7 is ready.

It’s happened before with either ships moving to other parts of the world or transfers. Such as Independence of the seas.

On 10/28/2019 at 2:39 PM, SummmerInKefalonia said:

Either Liverpool or maybe the rumored new route in America? There is a rumor about a new ship too. Last year the itineraries had been already leaked, this year it seems they are more careful...

Rhapsody of the Seas or Mein Schiff Herz

1 hour ago, bishop84 said:

 

Maybe because TUI Cruises is a 50/50 operation with Royal Caribbean? The 2 new ones planned with 4500+ guests are apparently costing US$1 billion each! 

Like i said surely we can do better than ships built in the mid 90's, like an earlier post stated its like TUI think we'll tolerate it.

4 hours ago, brian1 said:

The bottom line is,they can't afford it.TUI has it's fingers in many pies.I think they have done well with the bigger ships they have bought.

So why do TUI Germany get new ships and we get cast offs! 

2 hours ago, davecttr said:

Your only solution is to cruise with another company because they are looking for same size or slightly larger ships. In 15-25 years those mega ships you want will be 'old castoffs' Marella might have one

Not necessarily taking about marella having mega ships but they could do with some 90-100k, a bit like the Radiance class at RCI. Either way they can't keep flogging us 25 year old ships when TUI Germany gets brand new ones! 

As a family cruiser, we need more kids facilities. Slides, play areas etc. The older cruisers may not like it but the only way they'll attract families is bigger ships (not saying massive) with more facilities. I've just come off the NCL Epic and it blew away any Marella ship i've been on.

Bringing in 25 year old ships like Rhapsody of the Seas or Mein Schiff Herz won't please customers as we want better.

On 6/23/2019 at 12:55 PM, Sheila49 said:

 

Yes, one of the captains told us that at the reception for returning passengers. Bet we don't get Scottish flights though!🙁

Wonder if they’ll do that with some bigger ships. 🤔🤔

Was on Explorer last summer, never saw any chav's drunk or had a bad meal. We had a superb time, I really do think certain cruisers do not like certain other people, being able to go on cruises.

I can't believe both will be around much longer, they make more money on the bigger ships. Plus they are near end of life in reality, if they want to keep attracting families. 

The butlins comment generally comes from cruise snobs, or those who are not keen on tattoos being on show (I've seen this on a few reviews!). I've done 5 and have loved them all but then again have nothing to compare to as I've only done Thomson/Marella. I like the friendly staff and easy going attitude of all on board, newer ships are really nice, food is good and drinks are all Inc.