8228gl Posted May 11, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Hi. My wife, 2 of my sister in laws and their husbands have booked the Paradise Islands followed by Seven Shore Caribbean cruise next February for 2 weeks. Last year we did our first ever cruise on the Norwegian Star and absolutely loved the experience aroung the Adriatic and Greek islands and are now hooked on cruising. When searching for a Caribbean cruise in my opinion Marella had a fantastic itineary and that was the reason we booked and are so looking forward to boarding the Explorer. I have a couple of questions. The first being is upgrading to the extra all inclusive really worth it, and if I chose to do so, do you have to upgrade for the 2 weeks or can you upgrade for just 1 week. Secondly, the Explorer is just a bit smaller than the Norwegian Star. Are the Caribbean seas calm or rough when we will be sailing and will their be much motion when sailing. We are on the 9th deck about three quarters down the ship towards the rear, Port side, and have booked a large balcony cabin. Your answers will be very much appreciated :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted May 11, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 11, 2018 The Caribbean seas can be rough especially if going across to Central America or near the Gulf of Mexico so although you are quite high up you are near to midships and better to aft than forward We never book the upgrade - lots to choose from and you can get speciality coffees included from the bar staff anywhere on the ship except the coffee shop which is extra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 11, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thanks for the reply Vitalsign. Seems a bit strange that you have to pay for the specialty coffees in the coffee shop but they are free in the bars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted May 11, 2018 #4 Share Posted May 11, 2018 They are not Lavazza if that's the correct spelling? Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie008 Posted May 11, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 11, 2018 I was checking out TUI's drinks package today as for the first time, we are going on TUI Marella (have been cruising for +20 years NCL/Celebrity etc).. hey, the drinks package looks pretty good :eek: I was really surprised - watched a youtube (thank you fabulous youtube poster!) which went through all the menus - spot on for we three generations of girls. ( we are doing Mum, Daughter and Grand-daughter - making a memory to cherish). Even a Pimms for my wee Mum ... perfect! If you google you tube marella bar menu you will come across it. It was on the Discovery2 but menus will all be the same I guess. Caribbean is not stormy/rough seas in February - I spend a lot of time there between January and March and its the best time to go. Its not hurricane season - seas are calm, it will be blue sky and perfect temperatures all the way.. You might get the very occasional cloudy day on certain islands where there is more tropical vegetation. August to November is the dodgy time, hurricane/tropical storm season. February = perfect!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted May 11, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 11, 2018 It's certainly better on the newer ships and not IMO worth the upgrade but the older ships maybe [emoji6] Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 11, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thanks for the replies. Does any know that if we do decide to upgrade our drinks package...which does look pretty good and the youtube video has given me a great idea of what's on offer...can we try it for one week or does it have to be for both weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted May 11, 2018 #8 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Sorry don't know that but as you will not be able to book the upgrade until you are on board just check if if suit's your requirements first, you will be asked when you arrive and a few times after. Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted May 11, 2018 #9 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Blonde 008 - sorry to contradict but the Caribbean was quite rough some days in January due to the unusual high winds and again in April for the same reason February 2016 Dream crashed into the pier when leaving Cozumel due to high winds so there can be rough seas sometimes as can the Med Thomson Spirit Oct 2005 Repo Palma to Sharm el Sheikh Thomson Celebration Jan 2007 Red Sea Magic Ocean VillageFeb 2008 Western Caribbean & Central America Ocean VillageAug 2008 Eastern Med Ocean Village 2 Feb 2009 Eastern Caribbean Ocean VillageMar 2010 Eastern Caribbean Thomson Dream Feb 2011 Eastern Caribbean & Cuba Thomson Celebration Aug 2011 Eastern Med Thomson Celebration Apr 2012 Red Sea Magic Thomson CelebrationApr/May 2012 Repo Sharm el Sheikh to Marmaris Thomson Dream Feb 2013 EasternCaribbean Thomson MajestyNov/Dec 2014 Colourful Coasts Canaries Thomson Dream Jan/Feb 2015 Western Caribbean Panama & Cuba Thomson Dream Apr 2015 Transatlantic Sunset Thomson MajestyJune 2015 Hellenic Classics Thomson Celebration Sept 2015 Adriatic Affair Thomson DreamJan 2016 Mayan Treasures/Cuban Revolution Thomson DreamApril 2016 Atlantic Adventure Thomson DreamJune 2016 Iconic Islands/Adriatic Explorer Thomson CelebrationJan 2017 Cities of Gold Thomson DreamApril2017 Atlantic Daydream Thomson SpiritJune 2017 Classical Greece Thomson Majesty Sept2017 Med Medley/Treasures of Med MarellaCelebrationJan 2018 Caribbean Gems/Coral Islands Marella Discovery 2 April 2018 Cuban Fusion MarellaDiscovery 2 April 2018 Atlantic Discoveries Marella Dream May 2018 Spanish Delights Marella Discovery 2June 2018 Aegean Meze MarellaDreamSept 2018 Mediterranean Medley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pensioncruiser Posted May 11, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Must Agee we was been to the Caribbean eight times now in Feb/March and it can be rough, this year in particular, but it doesn't last and it's a fantastic place to cruise [emoji41] Sent from my b1-720 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SausPud Posted May 12, 2018 #11 Share Posted May 12, 2018 With your cruise being 2 weeks back to back, you could see how you go with the standard drink package and then add it to the second week if you are after the different drinks on choice or want the coffees in the coffee shop. For ease of access, here is the drinks menu video from youtube: _E78NH_nkTU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 12, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David brown 1906 Posted May 14, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Thanks for the replies. Does any know that if we do decide to upgrade our drinks package...which does look pretty good and the youtube video has given me a great idea of what's on offer...can we try it for one week or does it have to be for both weeks.[/quote I think if one upgrades then the others on the booking have to do too. I also think you can upgrade after one week for the last week. Best bet is tweet tui, fairly quick on replying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 14, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Thanks for the replies. Does any know that if we do decide to upgrade our drinks package...which does look pretty good and the youtube video has given me a great idea of what's on offer...can we try it for one week or does it have to be for both weeks.[/quote I think if one upgrades then the others on the booking have to do too. I also think you can upgrade after one week for the last week. Best bet is tweet tui, fairly quick on replying. Cheers Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 14, 2018 Author #15 Share Posted May 14, 2018 With your cruise being 2 weeks back to back, you could see how you go with the standard drink package and then add it to the second week if you are after the different drinks on choice or want the coffees in the coffee shop. For ease of access, here is the drinks menu video from youtube: _E78NH_nkTU Thanks a lot. This has proven really handy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 14, 2018 Author #16 Share Posted May 14, 2018 With your cruise being 2 weeks back to back, you could see how you go with the standard drink package and then add it to the second week if you are after the different drinks on choice or want the coffees in the coffee shop. For ease of access, here is the drinks menu video from youtube: _E78NH_nkTU Thanks a lot. This video gives me a great understanding of the drinks package 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah985 Posted May 15, 2018 #17 Share Posted May 15, 2018 I was on Disc 2 a couple of weeks ago and the menu has changed a bit since the video. Basically the same, some wines removed (no zinfandel, chardonnay or pinot noir) and most supplements for premium alcoholic drinks are increased by a £1. Still great package so we didn't upgrade Sent from my SM-A320FL using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8228gl Posted May 15, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted May 15, 2018 No white zinfandel. Oh dear. The wife isn't going to be happy :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah985 Posted May 15, 2018 #19 Share Posted May 15, 2018 The ordinary rose was nice enough but I would also have preferred the zinfandel. The menu will probably change again before you go. If you are on Facebook there are a couple of groups for the Explorer and I'm sure someone will post photos on the bar menu once she launches next week. Sent from my SM-A320FL using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caber Posted May 26, 2018 #20 Share Posted May 26, 2018 The you tube video is great. I don`t think there will be a need for me and my friend to upgrade. I have sent them the link and I am sure they will be pleased with the all inclusive selection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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