SausPud Posted April 6, 2018 Author #26 Share Posted April 6, 2018 Got our eye on Idyllic Italia The only port I haven't done is Taranto in Italy and some people have said it's not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jim The Scot Posted April 6, 2018 #27 Share Posted April 6, 2018 The only port we haven,t done is Valletta. Dont ask me why but we,ve always wanted to visit Malta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted April 6, 2018 #28 Share Posted April 6, 2018 Its a port we always looked forward to doing and it was well worth it great sail in, enjoy. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyneptune Posted April 6, 2018 #29 Share Posted April 6, 2018 Picked up the new brochure today after visiting three different TAs. Staff saying brochures will be phased out all together in about 18 months time. Further cutbacks on regional flights. Most repo cruises only available from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham. Prices greatly increased for some itineraries. With falling standards and cutbacks over the past few years we would now only book a Marella cruise if it was an absolute bargain price and an itinerary we really wanted to do. Better options out there. Feeling sad as have cruised with Thomson for many, many years. Don't like the way Tui are going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted April 6, 2018 #30 Share Posted April 6, 2018 That's a shame hope you find a line that suit's we have never tried another line and still enjoy Thomson with all the cut backs so are reluctant to change especially after reading some of the posts on other lines it appears that they all are trying to reduce costs in an ever increasing market. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyneptune Posted April 8, 2018 #31 Share Posted April 8, 2018 We have also enjoyed all our Cruises with Thomson even with the very obvious cutbacks over the recent years. The staff are amazing but even they are struggling with staff shortages and feeling the strain. Some we have got to know over the years say it's difficult to try to keep on smiling and are thinking of quitting. So sorry for them. The most important point for us continuing to be loyal to Thomson was that we could fly from our local airport. There's a lot less available from regional airports now. We would have loved to do the Asia cruises but travelling from Scotland to Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham to join your flight is risky in the winter weather conditions. If a plane load of passengers joining the ship and flying from any airport is delayed the ship will wait but if you are making your own way and are delayed on your way to an airport several hundred miles away and you miss your departure you are responsible. We can't control the weather and even allowing an extra day before your flight doesn't guarantee you will get there in time and the thought of the long journey back after the holiday is just as daunting. We had a bad experience several years ago and almost missed our flight from Manchester for our Caribbean cruise due to heavy snow the day before we travelled. Can I ask has anyone cruised with Cruise and Maritime and what did they think of it compared with Thomson / Tui ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 8, 2018 Author #32 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Can I ask has anyone cruised with Cruise and Maritime and what did they think of it compared with Thomson / Tui? I haven't cruised with C&M but have friends that have, they are in the Fred Olsen and early Thomson range of ships. Usual things great, like food, ports of call and staff. But their prices have also increased over the years. So worth looking into but I won't sail with them due to no decent balcony cabins and since Marella have their bigger ships with loads more balcony cabin choices, I've booked my next cruise with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyneptune Posted April 9, 2018 #33 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Thank you Sauspud. Hoping to do at least one more Tui cruise this year then seriously considering C & M. We have been on F O and found the food, entertainment and service very good. Both sail from regional ports. We don't mind not having a balcony and we are not big drinkers so drinks package not really important. Only thing is we will miss so many members of the crew and entertainers on board Tui ships that we have got to know well over the years. Perhaps Tui cutting back on regional flights is just what we needed to say goodbye Tui Marella and look forward to trying other lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 9, 2018 Author #34 Share Posted April 9, 2018 I do see more Scottish people on Fred Olsen than on Marella, and it could be the reason why, lack of regional flights. How are flights to ports with other airlines and other cruise lines? Is this a common problem for Scotland or is it just TUI doesn't want your business anymore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtt Posted April 10, 2018 #35 Share Posted April 10, 2018 not decided what do next year, got 2 booiked on d1 this year and the spirits final cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 10, 2018 Author #36 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Made some really good friends (shipmates) on Celebration Summer 2016 and told them about our upcoming cruise next year. They have only gone and booked on our cruise as well. Happy times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted April 10, 2018 #37 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Made some really good friends (shipmates) on Celebration Summer 2016 and told them about our upcoming cruise next year. They have only gone and booked on our cruise as well. Happy times.That's cruising [emoji2] Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate52 Posted April 10, 2018 #38 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Can I ask has anyone cruised with Cruise and Maritime and what did they think of it compared with Thomson / Tui ? We still like Thomson/ Marella best, but have been once with Fred Olsen and twice with Cruise and Maritime. Of the two I preferred C&M- a more relaxed atmosphere on board with some lovely "old fashioned" touches like a gala midnight buffet/ deck party. Also very good at providing free shuttles where necessary! We found FO a bit "stuffy" with rigid dress codes and mealtimes that were certainly not organised for the convenience of passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted April 11, 2018 #39 Share Posted April 11, 2018 For us Celebration Sep good old Dream March and ????? Sep 2019[emoji41] Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app ?????= D2 booked our favorite JS[emoji106] Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 11, 2018 Author #40 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so,ton saint Posted April 11, 2018 #41 Share Posted April 11, 2018 ?????= D2 booked our favorite JS[emoji106] Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Hello P.C have also booked cabin 8046 on Discovery 2 for our pride of Panama two up from the overhang , your not cruising from So,ton this year or next , if so you could come over and park with the company i work for, you never know we might have that meet up. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted April 11, 2018 #42 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Thanks Howard how kind but its the Med we are doing so going from BHX. Cabin 8086. Sent from my VF-895N using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyneptune Posted April 21, 2018 #43 Share Posted April 21, 2018 I do see more Scottish people on Fred Olsen than on Marella, and it could be the reason why, lack of regional flights. How are flights to ports with other airlines and other cruise lines? Is this a common problem for Scotland or is it just TUI doesn't want your business anymore? Been making enquiries. Tui had so many complaints about using Alba Star out of Glasgow that they are no longer using them. Result is they have only one plane from Glasgow hence the reason for afternoon departures for cruises. This plane would be flying early in the day to a resort then returning to Glasgow to fly passengers out to the ship. If the first flight of the day is delayed either on the way out or on the way back to Glasgow this means a very late arrival on the ship for passengers. Some cruise destinations last year originally had early morning flights when first booked and these were later changed to afternoon flights near to the departure date. Arriving late on the ship means you have to attend the safety drill for late arrivals, miss the sailaway deck party and the first day of your holiday has gone. So even if your cruise next year has an early flight it's quite possible that it could change after you have booked leaving you with what is in effect really just a six day holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 21, 2018 Author #44 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Could you not go down to London for a day out, catch a show, go shopping, see the sights and then fly from Gatwick the next day? Just an idea. I did something similar when leaving from Newcastle, I spent a day and a night in Newcastle before the cruise, then if delay's with transport (went by train), you have a day to catch up. If no delays then it is a nice relaxing start to the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focus60 Posted April 21, 2018 #45 Share Posted April 21, 2018 (edited) Was so impressed with our first cruise with Marella. Pride of Panama and Cuban Fusion on the 27th of last month that we have booked Adriatic Splendours and Mediterranean Gems departing 31st July 2019. Can't wait !!! We will be on Explorer 2 Edited April 21, 2018 by focus60 Forgot the ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 21, 2018 Author #46 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Was so impressed with our first cruise with Marella. Pride of Panama and Cuban Fusion on the 27th of last month that we have booked Adriatic Splendours and Mediterranean Gems departing 31st July 2019. Can't wait !!! We will be on Explorer 2 Very nice. Little tip, when in Toulon, if the excursion is available or you go on your own, visit Cassis. It's the most picturesque french fishing village in the whole of Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focus60 Posted April 21, 2018 #47 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Thanks for the tip. We will certainly give it some thought nearer the time :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyneptune Posted April 21, 2018 #48 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Could you not go down to London for a day out, catch a show, go shopping, see the sights and then fly from Gatwick the next day? Just an idea. I did something similar when leaving from Newcastle, I spent a day and a night in Newcastle before the cruise, then if delay's with transport (went by train), you have a day to catch up. If no delays then it is a nice relaxing start to the cruise. Thanks for the suggestion SausPud. We used to live near London and have seen all the sights many times. We have also travelled down to Gatwick, Heathrow, Stanstead and Manchester in the past for long haul flights to holiday destinations with several airlines. We have cruised with Thomson for years but it's only recently that they have cut the availability from some regional airports. Never had a problem before. We feel that if everyone starts to travel down south for flights Tui may cut back even more using the excuse that there is not enough demand from Scottish airports. Every flight we have been on over the years has been full from Glasgow so the demand is there. It's just about Tui cutting costs. I notice in the new brochure that Naples will be a home port next year for one of the ships. Jet2 have also opened up a new route from Glasgow to Naples, so a cruise only and a separate flight is a possibility. But to be quite honest Tui Marella are not that great now so it's no big deal for us if we don't use them again. Fred Olsen have an offer at the moment " Free Drinks and Tips Paid " Would certainly book with Fred again. Great food and entertainment and local departures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melodie12 Posted April 21, 2018 #49 Share Posted April 21, 2018 We have just booked to go on the Adriatic Explorer on 12 July 2019 on the Discovery with one week prior to that in Corfu staying at the Mayor Verde Grande Resort. This will be our 20th anniversary so we are leaving the children behind!!! We have been on 3 cruises in the past all in the Caribbean and on Royal Caribbean so this will be a bit of a change for us but we are super excited. Looking forward to Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik. Any tips or suggestions gratefully appreciated!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted April 21, 2018 Author #50 Share Posted April 21, 2018 We have just booked to go on the Adriatic Explorer on 12 July 2019 on the Discovery with one week prior to that in Corfu staying at the Mayor Verde Grande Resort. This will be our 20th anniversary so we are leaving the children behind!!! We have been on 3 cruises in the past all in the Caribbean and on Royal Caribbean so this will be a bit of a change for us but we are super excited. Looking forward to Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik. Any tips or suggestions gratefully appreciated!! If you are not up early to dock into Kotor, Montenegro, make sure you catch the views when you sail out in the evening. This is a very pretty port and better than Bar, which is getting overbuilt like Spain in the 1970s. With Dubrovnik, the cable car gets cancelled a lot due to high winds, but if it is not windy, deffo go as the views are amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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