Just back from Explorer / Canaries, comparing to previous Discovery 2

[aitch1234]

3rd time sailing with Marella, family of 4. (Summer 2019, Autumn 2022)

 

Did the Adriatic, Western Med on D2 now Canaries on Ex.

 

Explorer staff were excellent particularly after an injury sustained off-ship. never thought we would ever be the sorts of people to need such assistance but the customer experience was fantastic (as was my travel insurance to be fair) from leaving the boat to getting to the carpark at LGW.

 

Definitely preferred Disco 2 over Explorer. Felt more of a community, shared experience, hard to explain why, perhaps it was the central atrium on D2, slightly smaller ship as well.

 

Had never been to the Canaries before, Madeira a bit further away was definitely the highlight, but preferred the Adriatic of the 3 we have now done.

 

"AMA" 

[dronnygirl]

Pleased you enjoyed your cruise. We have done many cruises but not the Adriatic so we will be doing that on Ex 2 in September. Can't wait, if you have any tips please share.

[aitch1234]

On the Disco 2 Adriatic itinerary we did (2018 actually now I look), most places were easily reachable.

 

Kayaking in Dubrovnik round the walls was great if you are physically able. 

https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/dubrovnik-l513/dubrovnik-25-hour-kayaking-tour-t113032/

(despite the URL, this is not a 25h kayak trip!)

Local Bus from the ship to the city was busy but no problem

 

Koper wasn't that interesting TBH, made worse by the fact it was a Sunday and barely anything was open. I would go on an excursion if I were there again.

 

Kotor was lovely and a brilliant sail away, easily walkable, very small. Would walk on the walls next time but kids were a bit small at the time.

 

Split we did a good walking tour booked independently for an hour or so but the town itself is fascinating as well (search "split walking tour" on the website linked above)

 

Venice .. not familiar with how the cruise ship situation has changed recently but we basically took the Vaporetto to the far end then had a slow meandering walk back to the ship for 4-5 hours. Didn't bother with any of the queue entry type places given the heat in August.

 

Great local ice cream in most places!

 

Edited April 13, 2023 by aitch1234

[dronnygirl]

Thank you aitch, already done Dubrovnik and Venice so may do something local. Looking forward to the other places and will definitely look for the walking tour in Split. We loved Piran and Portoroz so might think of taking the bus from Koper.  Thanks for your help.