Conclusion SOA 15-22 May 2019 Ex2

[2BACRUISER]

In conclusion to my reviews we gave Marella 4Tplus based on their own Tui system of ratings. 

 

Positives:

• Value for Money is unreal, we went for the Premium upgrade and its the first holiday we haven't had a £400 bill at the end of it (we usually do HB or A la carte)
• Sheer variety of options for eating and drinking, i dare anyone not to be satisfied
• Regional airport departures 
• The captain and his crew were exceptional
• Fab entertainment

 

Negatives:

• Embarkation debacle, Marella be honest with your clients we're not all idiots. Tell the truth and make management do it not the poor junior staff who were way out of their depth
• Lack of public toilets - don't know how this can be solved as its the way the ship was designed.
• Cabin noise - we chose the cabin so will check deck plans better next time!
• Music on the pool deck way too loud at times, turn it down just one notch so its not bursting your eardrums and you can hold a conversation with the person on the next sun bed. 
• The weather (NOT Marella's fault ) its the chance you take travelling in the shoulder season

 

We have seen lots of grumbles and complaints on other social media platforms but imo some people expect a Champagne cruise on a what is a lemonade fare. Marella isnt a luxury brand, it does holidays same as (better imo) as their land holidays its just your hotel moves every night. We had a fabulous time, we met some real nice people, we saw some great entertainment, we ate some very tasty food, we drank.(lets not go there!), we danced and we are definetly booking to go on Explorer 2 again later this year probably in Nov/Dec in the Caribbean. Can't wait. (Pic is EX2 parked up in Ancona)

 

Edited May 30, 2019 by 2BACRUISER

[ormy]

Must be good if you are planning another trip - thanks for review

[dronnygirl]

1 hour ago, 2BACRUISER said:

We have seen lots of grumbles and complaints on other social media platforms but imo some people expect a Champagne cruise on a what is a lemonade fare.

 

Thanks for a very fair review, you've hit the nail on the head with your comment above.  We see lots of reviews from people comparing Marella to Princess and other lines but they don't always take into account the very high drink prices plus the extra tax charged on drinks as well as many extras that are incurred.

Can't wait for our cruise later in the year🙂

[pgilc1]

3 hours ago, dronnygirl said:

 

Thanks for a very fair review, you've hit the nail on the head with your comment above.  We see lots of reviews from people comparing Marella to Princess and other lines but they don't always take into account the very high drink prices plus the extra tax charged on drinks as well as many extras that are incurred.

Can't wait for our cruise later in the year🙂

 

+1

 

I also think some people think because they are going on "a cruise" it will be the last word in opulence and they will be fawned over by the staff and crew.  When it doesnt meet their absolute expectations then they grumble - particularly if they havent been given a "free upgrade" or com-pen-say-shun for some minor thing thats went wrong.

 

We enjoyed our cruise in Feb.  It was on the Dream and we had no delusions about the age of the ship, but knew the staff and the overall experience would be great.  We werent disappointed.

 

We have booked Explorer 2 for next August and have cancelled our holiday plans to Tenerife this September to go on Discovery 2 around the coast of Italy.

 

 

[pgilc1]

5 hours ago, 2BACRUISER said:

In conclusion to my reviews we gave Marella 4Tplus based on their own Tui system of ratings. 

 

Positives:

• Value for Money is unreal, we went for the Premium upgrade and its the first holiday we haven't had a £400 bill at the end of it (we usually do HB or A la carte)
• Sheer variety of options for eating and drinking, i dare anyone not to be satisfied
• Regional airport departures 
• The captain and his crew were exceptional
• Fab entertainment

 

Negatives:

• Embarkation debacle, Marella be honest with your clients we're not all idiots. Tell the truth and make management do it not the poor junior staff who were way out of their depth
• Lack of public toilets - don't know how this can be solved as its the way the ship was designed.
• Cabin noise - we chose the cabin so will check deck plans better next time!
• Music on the pool deck way too loud at times, turn it down just one notch so its not bursting your eardrums and you can hold a conversation with the person on the next sun bed. 
• The weather (NOT Marella's fault ) its the chance you take travelling in the shoulder season

 

We have seen lots of grumbles and complaints on other social media platforms but imo some people expect a Champagne cruise on a what is a lemonade fare. Marella isnt a luxury brand, it does holidays same as (better imo) as their land holidays its just your hotel moves every night. We had a fabulous time, we met some real nice people, we saw some great entertainment, we ate some very tasty food, we drank.(lets not go there!), we danced and we are definetly booking to go on Explorer 2 again later this year probably in Nov/Dec in the Caribbean. Can't wait. (Pic is EX2 parked up in Ancona)

 

 

She looks and sounds to be an amazing ship.  Really looking forward to going on her.  🙂

[Wee Magoo]

2BACRUISER - must be good for a repeat booking - we're booked to be floating around the Caribbean between November 24 - December 8 on the Explorer 2 - you may well be on the same one who knows????

[2BACRUISER]

Just now, Wee Magoo said:

2BACRUISER - must be good for a repeat booking - we're booked to be floating around the Caribbean between November 24 - December 8 on the Explorer 2 - you may well be on the same one who knows????

That's one of my preferred dates but depends on DH's work schedule. So you never know 👍🙂

[2BACRUISER]

If anyones interested i have posted what i wore and packing tips on the Fashin board see 

 

[Jayneykul]

We came back from Explorer 2 on Wednesday. From a massive “Celebrity “ fan my take on it “utterly fabulous” first time in an inside cabin must admit wouldn’t repeat that (we have a suite booked on Discovery 2 for September) but it did not spoil our time at all. We had several maintenance issues in the cabin these were dealt with immediately. The entertainment was superb, service excellent, value for money great. The only let down for us was the quality of food and service on level 5 of latitudes that was really bad but vista and level 6 of latitudes was great. Surf and turf lovely. Any questions please ask

[ormy]

I know you had problems with embarkation, but under 'normal' circumstances how good/bad is Naples Airport, any tips please

[2BACRUISER]

3 hours ago, ormy said:

I know you had problems with embarkation, but under 'normal' circumstances how good/bad is Naples Airport, any tips please

It's just like any other airport. There are e-passport gates which are usually pretty swift. Bags come thro quite fast too unless it's lunchtime lol. The walk to the coaches is about 800mtrs mostly covered by canopy and lots of Marella staff pointing the way. Coach to port is 20-30 mins depending on traffic. Hth 

[ormy]

Thanks for that - only nine days to go forn us.

[Eglesbrech]

On 6/2/2019 at 5:54 PM, ormy said:

I know you had problems with embarkation, but under 'normal' circumstances how good/bad is Naples Airport, any tips please

We have been through Naples airport several times to hotels rather than to a cruise and it is a real mixed bag depending on the time of the year. June should not be too bad. August is really busy as it is the main Italian holidays.

 

Arrival is usually relatively efficient for passport control though we have had a wait of over an hour for luggage (they were on an official go slow so that was the exception rather than normal but). Normally 20- 30 minutes max.

 

The bigger issue seems to be on the way back. At busy times they have a holding system for coaches so the incoming coaches are stacked in a large circular parking area up from the airport. They then go down one at a time to drop off passengers to stop congestion at the airport. You can be stuck there for a while and the facilities are a couple of black builders toilets (unless they have changed this recently) so visit the facilities before you leave the ship.

 

It is just like any other busy airport but with better than usual coffee. Once through security on the bottom floor right at the very end there is a really nice deli/wine bar if you fancy a bite to eat or a glass of something.

 

Have a great cruise.

 

[ormy]

Thanks a great help, will do our best to enjoy for sure