dronnygirl

Check out Holiday Extras, they have parking but it appears to be cheaper to stay at hotel the night before with transfers and parking included 

As stated cruising is covered. However you can usually pay extra for 'cruise cover'. This just covers missed ports due to itinerary changes etc. Personally we don't bother with this but some people do,  if you miss a port due to bad weather or other reasons you could make a claim for each missed port. You must obtain proof of missed port from the ship fir the insurance company.

Catania is a lovely town and really easy to explore.  You can visit the market and try the produce. Or you can wander up the main street where there are shops and cafes and some ruins. We really enjoyed our day there.

Thanks Charlie, just booked for 2024 so can't wait!

Thank you

Could someone please advise where Sky Princess docks in Stockholm? Is it the centre  or Nyasham?

Once a week there is 'dress to impress' night. This isn't formal but everyone dresses smart. Just dress as though you were going to a nice restaurant 

I would ask when you are on board,  it's always possible there could be a cancellation. 

We took a tuk tuk tour waiting outside the port. It was brilliant and took us around the city and to Belem. The driver showed us the sights and eventually dropped us up in the town where we were able to get the lift down and meander back to the ship calling off for a drink and a Pastais de Nata (custard tart, not to be missed)

DIY option - leave the ship and head towards the town. Cross the road into a lovely square with market stalls. On the right is a Tourist Information office.  They can advise on a trips and can sell you a ticket for the bus which is just around the corner. After around 10 mins on the bus the driver will put you off at the cable car. At the top are lovely views and walks along the trails. There is a small war museum worth visiting and there are drinks and ice creams. A great half day trip and you can get refreshments in the town before returning to the ship.

Interesting to see, I was particularly I interested in the kitchen. I like that it's much more hygienic but we usually eat there at lunch time and like to have a salad and maybe hot meat or something from another counter. Not sure how that will work but I guess it's just a case of adjusting.  The rest of the ship looks good, looking forward to trying it although we are also looking at another cruuse line for a complete change 

Hi GC, Naples is the home of pizza. Lovely little places all around selling it.  Just pick a place full if Italians and you'll be ok.

Sorrento is beautiful.  Again just find a local restaurant with a view and enjoy!

Mmm, can't really tell whether you enjoyed this cruise?  Lots of changes but I guess they are trying to be a bit different from other cruise lines . Think we might give it a go for a week to see what we think.

We are actually fancying a change and have been looking at Princess for 2024. We were going to the Baltic in May 2020 from Newcastle but, obviously, that never happened. Can't see Marella sailing from UK in the near future so may go with Princess. The price at the moment is less than we are paying for our Marella cruise this September. Might also consider Fred as they still do cruises from Newcastle.

We took a tour with Iceland Guided Tours and they were fantastic.  They were waiting at the dock for us and the bus took 8 people . Various tours but we chose the golden circle and can really recommend it. They got back to Reykjavik in plenty of time and offered to give a quick tour of the town.  We also booked a tour with them in Akureyri and can also recommend that. Excellent company 

Hi groovechick, when we arrived at Naples there were lots if taxis and tours outside the dock so they could easily pick up a tour. However,  we have visited Naples many times and love walking round the city itself.  It's very busy but there are some lovely buildings and tiny streets to explore.  Don't forget the pizza is great, we found a cafe in a small backstreet.  Delicious pizza and drink for 6 euros!!

Have a fab cruise RR, please let us know all about it! 

Your allowance is 20kgs per person plus hand luggage which can be up to 10kgs. I believe you can split the allowance over 2 cases if you need.

Luggage labels will be available to print off shortly before your cruise

Mahon is a lovely city to just wander round. Nice shops, cafes etc and don't miss the gin factory!

Olbia, just outside the port there is a double deck bus taking people to the Costa Smerelda beach.  They drive along the peninsula with beautiful scenery. You can get off at the lovely beach and catch a later bus back or you can just do a round trip . Cost was approx 10 euros each.

3 hours ago, nancyneptune said:

 

 

Have read very similar reviews on several cruise forums on FB. Very sad as we loved our Thomson / Marella cruises but the decline started with the change of name to Marella and the AI. 

 

Surprised that there was a high proportion of guests from Scotland and the north of England as Marella have reduced the number of cruises available form regional airports. The few that are available are generally a lot more expensive than say Gatwick or Birmingham. We are really struggling to find something at the moment. P&O have great deals but can't be bothered with the journey down to Southampton any more.

Hi Nancy ,  have you read the comments on the P&O board?  It's obviously not only Marella that has changed,  many of the P&O clients are very disgruntled at the changes.  I guess it's a sign of the times,  everything in life seems to be changing at the moment and mostly not for the better.

Hi JTS, not sure when you are going but maybe try again at the last minute (depending on how many balcony cabins are left)

The price could drop if the ship isn't full.

No it doesn't I'm afraid. Our other ports of call were Turkey, Rhodes etc which we were happy with. The only thing you can do is wait until last minute but you may not get your choice of cabin or flight.

We have only had a balcony cabin but love 6074 or nearby.  It's very handy for the coffee port and the atrium but is quiet. We've also been in the same area on deck 7 if that helps.

1 hour ago, paulatsea said:

FYI - We had to collect our luggage at Dubrovnik airport (very slow) and then take it to a truck to transfer to the ship.

Going home the luggage goes straight to the aircraft from outside the cabin.

Luggage labels and boarding passes are delivered to the cabin.

Thanks for letting us know. Although we usually like to slip last minute bits in the case before leaving but won't be able to do this. Hope you enjoyed your cruise 

Sorry I wasn't clear,  all freedom dining except for speciality restaurants which you have to book. We prefer to eat around 7ish and it's not busy but I think it gets busy around 8pm. The MDR known as 47 is on one deck and the Italian known as Gallery 47 on the above deck .  Menus are shown outside so we usually check before we decide.  Otherwise the buffet is similar to other cruise lines. Lunch time the Snack Shack offers burgers, fish n chips, sandwiches and salads.

For us the itinerary is the most important but Marella does suit our needs. Unfortunately they no longer sail from the UK so we may be tempted with Fred in the future as they have flexible departures. 

Good luck and enjoy your planning!

We sailed on D2 in October and had a lovely cruise. The ship was refurbished a few years ago so is not by any means new but it is well kept and we found everywhere clean. We love the layout of the ship with a nice atrium in the centre.  The staff are fabulous and always friendly and courteous. 

The ship is similar to P&O ships (not tried Fred) but we always preferred the entertainment on Marella,  however the show team has changed and we didn't find the shows so good this time, but there were some very good musicians on board.

We find the atmosphere very good, I've read lots of bad reviews about Marella but we always travel away from school holidays when it's quieter and have never seen any trouble. You can choose a table for 2 or share a table in the MDR, we always share and have only a couple of times sat with people who have been disagreeable.  Almost always we have sat with very interesting people.  The food is good, always find something we like but we are not fussy eaters.

Dress is not as strict as P&O but smart casual in the evenings and most people onboard make an effort.  There are occasional 'dress to impress' evenings but these days only the minority wear tux, the ladies dress up though.

Drinks and tips are included and, as we aren't big drinkers, we always find the drink selection perfectly ok without upgrading . We did find service slow in a couple of bars but that doesn't worry us.  We do however tip the steward and anyone who goes the extra mile but that is our choice.  Speciality dining is extra and I've been told it's very good but we've never felt the need to try it.

Your itinerary sounds wonderful, I'm turning a shade of green! 

I'm sure you would have a lovely time but, of course,  you would need to go with an open mind.  Please let us know what you decide.