Brummijam

7 hours ago, Ladycommonsense said:

I would be interested to know what your feelings are about the standard of service provided by the laundry on both ships. I’m thinking particularly about my husband’s shirts. He has some rather nice bespoke shirts and is rather particular about the way they are finished and ironed. Everything else about Saga ticks all our boxes but I  just wonder what you seasoned travellers think of the laundry service. Thank you in advance of your answers.

Who does them when you are not on a cruise.?

To be fair showing an interest in what’s happened is normal if you are a present/past/future passenger.

The only people that will have a true insight and opinion into what happened are the ones that were onboard at the time and Saga management. Perhaps we should just wait and listen to what they have to say.

5 hours ago, Jim The Scot said:

Your welcome dave,
 

 

🤣

 

After a day or so on the ship my memory isn,t that sharp

 

I,m fine B,hope your well

 

Was on Voyager in October and next one is a long,long way away, July next year

 

Good to hear mate👍🏻

We are away xmas and new year, giving Saga a go. I think the ship is  called….. Zimmer of adventure.🤷‍♂️ 

5 hours ago, Jim The Scot said:

Hi dave,

 

Maybe be slight variations depending on ship and itinerarys but generally similar over all Marella cruise ships

 

 

On Draught included in the standard package

Foster’s – John Smith,s – Strongbow.

On Draught not included in the standard package

Heineken pint £3.55. half pint £2.35 – Kronenbourg pint £3.55 half pint £2.35 – Lagunitas IPA pint £3.55 half pint £2.55

Bottles and Cans included in the standard package

Birra Moretti  – San Miguel Fresca – Red Stripe – Guinness – Heineken Zero – Peroni – Corona – Peroni red label – Tuborg – Kronenbourg – Sol

Bottles and Cans not included in the standard all inclusive.

Heineken – Lagunitas IPA – Alhambra – Strongbow dark fruit – Bulmers – Tiger – Old Speckled Hen – Meantime IPA – Bulmers – Magners – Pilsner Urquel – Duval – Chimay – Carlsberg – Singha – Grolsch –  these come at a extra cost of £3.90 each or are all included in the Premium all inclusive.

 

HOUSE WINES BY THE GLASS

Sparkling wines included on the standard package – Brut – Prosecco – Cava.

The following sparkling wines are at an extra cost or free on the premium package Millesimato Prosecco DOC Bottega  £7.65 – Poeti Prosecco DOC Bottega  £5.85 – Pink Pinot Nero Spumante DOC Bottega  £7.05 Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne  £10.55 (not included in either package) – Veuve du Vernay Blanc de Blanc £4.70 – Phillip Dublanc  £4.70

Bellinis

Bellini  Poeti prosecco/white peach/raspberry puree  £3.50 – Sweet Anne  Poeti prosecco/Absolute vodka/white peach puree  £3.50 – Sweet Maggie  Poeti prosecco/Absolute vodka/white peach puree/fresh mint  £3.50  Sweet Emy  Absolut vodka/white peach puree/Cointreau/pink pino nero spumante  £3.50 – Tuscan Dream  Limoncello/white peach puree/pink pino nero spumante  £3.50

Wines by the glass included in the package

Rose – House Choice – Arada.

White Wines – House Choice – Sauvignon Blanc – Pinot Grigio.

Red Wines – House Choice – Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wines by the glass not included in the standard package

Chardonnay Adesso  £4.70 – Tempranillo Raimant Clamor  £4.70 – Familia Barriobero 1964  £4.70 – Les Chartons Bordeaux Rouge  £4.70 – Soave Delle Venezie  £5.60 – Pino Biaco Le Rovole  £5.60 – Chianti D’Aquino  £5.60 – Syra Bodegas Celaya Bayanegra  £5.60

WINE BY THE BOTTLE – Not included on either package.

SPARKLING

Philippe Dublanc Brut France  £20.00 – Veuve du Vernay Blanc de Blancs France  £20.00 – Poeti Prosecco spumante Italy  £29.00 – Jaume Serra D.O CAVA Spain  £20.00 – Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve France  £51.00 – Millesimato Prosecco DOC Bottega  £37.00 – Poeti Prisecco DOC Bottega  £29.00 – Pink Pinot Nero Spumante DOC Bottega  £37.00 – Prosecco DOC Terredirai  £22.00

ROSE & BLUSH

Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Mateus Rose Portugal  £23.00 – Clot Arada Spain  £20.00

WHITE

RIESLING – Ulrich Langgute Mosel Feinherb Gourmet Germany £20.00 – Leonard Kreusch-Rheinhessen Germany  £20.00

SAUVIGNON BLANC – Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Louis Eschenauer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Familia Barriobero vino de Espana blanco  £20.00 – Sancerre Le Grand Buis France  £51.00

PINOT GRIGIO – Terredirai Venezie IGT Italy  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Veneto IGT Italy  £20.00

CHARDONNAY – Rio Anejo Macabeo Spain  £20.00 – Gerard Bertrand Reserve France  £24.00 – Vina San Juan Blanco Spain  £18.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti  £20.00

OTHER VARIETIES

Les Chartrons Bordeaux Blanc France  £23.00 – Chateau Pilet Bordeaux France  £19.00 – Le Rovole Pinot Bianco IGT Italy  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Soave Italy  £20.00 – Soave Delle Venezie Veneto  £22.00 – Pinot Bianco Le Rovale  £20.00

RED

PINOT NOIR – Sottovoce Veneto IGT Italy  £22.00 – Reserve St Martin Vin de Pays France  £22.00

SANGIOVESE –  Sangiovese ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Italy  £20.oo – Chianti D’Aquinto Italy  £23.00

MERLOT – Bleu de Mer IGP Pays d’Oc France  £20.00 – Campos De Luz Spain  £20.00

CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Castello de Lorenco Spain  £20.00 – Gerard Bertrand Reserve France  £24.00 – Chateau Pilet AOC France  £20.00 – ll Poggio Dei Vigneti Italy  £20.00

SHIRAZ/SYRAH – Envyfol Syrah Pays d’Oc France  £18.00 – Soldiers Block Shiraz France  £20.00 – Calvet Varietals Syrah France  £20.00

OTHER VARIETIES

Lagaris Crianza Spain  £24.00 – Vina Pomal Crianza Rioja Spain  £22.00 – Les Chartrons Bordeaux Rouge France  £20.00 – Chevaux des Girondins AOC France  £20.00 – Chateau Faure AOC France  £19.00 – Cotes Du Rhone France  £25.00 – Amarone Le Colline  £43.00 – Barolo il pozzo  £40.00

VINI SUPER TUSCAN

Mazzei Poggio Badiola  £40.00 – Petra Hebo  £40.oo – Banfi Centine  £40.00 – Santa Cristiana Rosso  £40.00

 

BRANDIES & COGNAC

Included on the standard package – Fundador – Metaxa 5 Stars

All the following come at a extra charge or are free on the premium package – Martell VS  £3.40 – Cardenal Mendoza  £3.55 – Martell VSOP  £4.10 – Calvados  £3.40 – Grappa  £2.95

PORT

Included on the standard package – Sandeman Ruby – Cockburns Special Reserve – Sanderman Imperial Reserve Tawney

HOT SPECIALITIES

These all come at a supplement of £3.50 or free on the premium package – Highland Coffee with Chivas Regal and whipped Cream – Chocolate Orange with Grand Marnier and Whipped Cream – Cafe Royal with Martell VS and Whipped Cream – Italiano Coffee with Sambuca and Whipped Cream – Chocolate Cherry Coffee – Hot Nutty Irishman – CafeJager – Chocolate Caramel – Choco Blue Mountain – Chocolate Dream

HOT BEVERAGES included in premium package or as priced

Freshly Brewed Filter Coffee Regular £1.10 – Large £1.40 – Espresso Regular £1.30 – Large £1.55

Latte Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 – Flat White Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 Cappuccino Regular £1.50 – Large £1.75 – Hot Chocolate Regular £1.65 – Large £1.95

Tea choose from the following Tea Pigs Tea All £1.10 -Everyday Brew – Earl Grey – Darjeeling – Peppermint – Jasmine Pearls – Super Fruit

Lavazza Specialities Nocciolato – Espresso, Nutellaand Fresh Cream £2.15 – Cafe Napolitino Espresso, Hazlenut Cream £2.15

Lavazza Cold Brew Coffee – Regular £2.10 – Vanilla £2.10 – Caramel £2.10

 

INCLUDED COCKTAILS

Electric Lemonade – Illusion – Long Island Iced Tea – Raspberry Collins – Mai Tai – Singapore Sling – Sangria – Rocking Rita – Daiquiris – Coladas – Black Russian – Cosmopolitan

PREMIUM COCKTAILS – all £3.50 or free on the premium package

Lemon & Thyme Collins – Red Speckled Mule – Lemon Drizzle – Thai Mojito – Five O’clock Tea – Blueberry & Grape Press – Rosemary’s Gimlet – Sweet and Smokey Margarita – Smokey Old Fashioned – Jonnies Rusty Nail – Chocolate Ember – Pink Clink – Sidecar Fizz – Charleston’s Collins – Roaring Sunset – Sex on the Beach -Chocolate Espresso Martini – Sea Breeze – Mojito – Pineapple Mojito – Caipirinha – Purple Rain – Southern Punch – Tropical Iced Tea – Mudslide – Cadillac Margarita – Aperol Spritz – Blood and Sand – Classic Negroni – Gimlet – Rob Roy – Bramble – Vespa Martini – ‘P’ Star Martini – G & Tea Time – Thai Punch – Nagasaki Sour – Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew – Great Balls of Fire – Loco in Acapulco – Jamaican me Crazy – Smoked Negroni – Lemon Drop Martini – Limoncello Spritz – Americano – Garibaldi – Apertini – Aperol Spritz – Smokey Brew – Passion Me – Coffeetail 51 – Chocolate Cherry Freeze – Jamaican Me Irish – Vaniila Latte Cold Brew – Sour Lemon Brew – Razzle Dazzle – The Exchange Nightcap – Golden Age – The Decade

TEA TAILS

Green Tea Mojito – Bombay Tea Time – Summer Peach Tea – Royal Tea – Mad Hatters Tea Party.

COFFEE TAILS & CHOCOLATE

Espresso Martini – Rum Latte Martini – Meistertini – White Siberian – Scottish Bulldog

 

INFUSED SPIRITS – included on the standard package

Lemon Peel and Thyme Vodka – Strawberry and Black Pepper Vodka – Cucumber and Lime Vodka – Lemongrass and Ginger Rum – Rosemary and Citrus Gin – Earl grey Gin – Apple and Cinnamon Bourbon – Lime and Chilli Tequila – Lemongrass and Ginger Rum

SPIRITS – as priced or all on the standard package

Gin – Gordon’s – New Amsterdam – Tanqueray – Bombay Sapphire £2.95 – Hendrick’s £3.55.

Whiskies – Johnnie Walker Red – Bells – Famous Grouse – Jameson – Jim Beam – Teacher’s – Canadian Club £2.95 – Johnnie Walker Black £3.40 – Jack Daniel’s £3.40 – Old Bushmills £2.95 – Stillhouse Black £3.40

Vodka – Smirnoff – Stoli – New Amsterdam – Absolut £2.95 – Absolut Citron £2.50 – Grey Goose £3.40 – Ketel One £2.90 – Chopin £3.40

Rum – Barcardi – Malibu – Captain Morgan – Rumhaven Coconut – Myer’s £2.95 – Clarkes Old Grog £3.40 Clarkes Special Dark £2.90 – Flor de Cana £3.40 – Cachaca £2.95 – Malibu £2.95

Tequila – Jose Cuervo Silver and Gold – 1800 Resposada £3.40.

LIQUEURS included in the standard Package

Ameratto – Molly’s Irish Cream – Baileys Original – Southern Comfort – Cherry Brandy – Coffee Liqueur – Triple Sec Orange

LIQUEURS all £2.95 or included on the premium package

Baileys flavoured – Frangelico – Galliano – Jagermeister – Grand Marnier – Tia Maria – Sambuca – St-Germain Elderflower – Kahlua – Cointreau – Drambuie

APERITIFS included in the standard package

Martini Dry Vermouth – Martini Bianco Vermouth – Martini Vermouth Red – Pimms N0 1 – Dubonnet – Campari – Pernod.

 

 

As the names suggest this is a specialist Gin and Whiskey Bar which can be found in the Squid and Anchor in addition to a regular bar. All the drinks below are only available on the Premium Package

GIN – as priced and all on the premium package

Hendrick’s Ayshire £3.55 – Poetic License Northern Dry Gin (Sunderland) £3.55 – Masons Gin(North Yorkshire) £3.55 – Whitley Neill Rhubarb and Ginger (Liverpool) £3.55 – Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin (Warrington) £3.55 – Sipsmith London Dry Gin (London) £3.55 – Tanqueray Flor de Saville Orange £3.55 – Warner Edwards Elderflower £3.55 – Portobello Road No 171 £3.55 – Plymouth Dry Plymouth Black Friars £3.55

Whisky

Macallan Select Oak £3.55 – Glenfiddich £3.40 – Glenmorangie £3.40  – Auchentoshan Spring Wood £3.55 – Dalwhinnie £3.55 – Oban £3.55 – Cragganmore £3.55 – Chivas Regal – £3.40 – Loch Lomand Original £3.55 – Glenkinchie £3.55 – Talsker £3.55

 

All fountain sodas and non alcoholic Mocktails are included in the standard all inclusive.

Cans and Bottles are not included in the standard package but are all included on the Premier Package

Coca-cola – Diet Coke – Diet Sprite – Ginger Beer – Tonic Water – Slimline Tonic -Bitter Lemon – Fanta Orange – £1.20 each.

San Pallegrino orange or lemon £1.80

J20 Orange & Passion fruit or Apple & Raspberry £2.35

Red Bull sugarfree or Tropical £2.95.

Fever Tree Premium Tonics all flavours £2.95.

All done from memory as well.😂😂
Hope you are keeping well Jim.😉

1 hour ago, Lady Meer said:

Why would you have your cases out during a storm?

Perhaps they were packing before the ship hit the storm, They were traveling towards home.🤷🏻‍♂️

Is it relevant..?

3 hours ago, Lady Meer said:

In the picture from the DM, why are there 2 suitcases in the room? 

Perhaps two passengers ?

Hi NN.

Glad you are back home safe, Once again thanks for the excellent blog.
We have received the 2025 information email today.

keep well.

Dont know if this link will work.

http://m.travel1.saga.co.uk/nl/jsp/m.jsp?c=%40OhycV1nhq3qQAJhptF1hVRyCce5b2TUQPAxeq6h%2FGQo%3D&dcid=DM246746&bid=784925104

As Dronnygirl said there will be literally dozens of local taxi drivers at every port in the carribean  waiting to take you on day trips. It’s not usually difficult to find another couple who will share your car and costs.

Welcome to cruising, Hope you have a great trip.😉

1 hour ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

 

Same cruise pick up 7.30 am , live 250 miles away but no motorwayjust A roads mainly single carriageway or we'd be there for breakfast 

Fantastic blog, Thanks for sharing your trip with us all.👏🏻👏🏻

Keep well.

51 minutes ago, JoJo1947 said:

I turn my phone to manuel time update 😀

Is that Spanish time?😂

8 hours ago, Welshcumbria said:

We are booked on Voyager next year and have one tender port. Have seen some facebook posts reporting issues with stopping at ports that require the use of ships own  tenders due to a problem with 2 of Voyagers tenders in need of repair.

Does anyone know if this issue is resolved please?

Also if anyone knows if Horta in the Azores ,a tender port ,provide the tenders or is it the ships that are used ?

 

Thanks

The ships lifeboats are used for tenders so any problems with them would be fixed pretty quickly I would imagine.

On 9/19/2023 at 4:41 PM, shot2bits said:

I bought a Tesco PAYG sim, 5000 texts, 5000 calls and 10 gb of data. £10 and it will last 30 days. Ok so I will be using the phone number it came with but I’ve let everyone know that number. Sky charge £2 for every 24 hours roaming so I had a potential bill of £30 using them. Simply change the sim back when we get home.

Look at ID mobile, it uses the 3 network and £10 per month on a 30 day rolling contract gets you unlimited calls and texts and 10 gig internet which rolls over each month also keep your old number.

plus Europe roaming.

42 minutes ago, jammowem1954 said:

Hi folks, I have heard that when the ship is in Spanish waters or ports the bar staff are obliged to impose a tax on drinks even if you have an all inclusive drinks package. Is anyone aware of this or experienced a larger than expected bill at the end of their cruise? Hopefully Tui inform their guests about this. I was not aware of this at the time of booking.

Someone is having you on.😂😂

That review pretty much sums up our trip a couple of weeks ago.

We were told that our preferred wine which was Arada rose wasn’t available in the MDR on a couple of nights, and I ended up going to the servers station and helping myself to the bottle that was clearly on show and available. The queue for the dining room was out past the lifts regularly and when we got to the desk we were handed a buzzer or we made our way to the buffet.

As you said the staff are Marellas greatest asset as always.

Food was ok, surf and turf excellent and the beach cove restaurant made a nice change, entertainment was ok. There was a really good pianist doing Billy Joel type songs.

shows were same old, seen most of them before on Explorer.

I think that we will be looking at other lines in the near future as we are finding the airport experience not the best lately so maybe try the Southampton departures.

overall we enjoyed it because of the good itinerary and all of the good points onboard outweighed the moans.

But you can definitely see where Marella are cutting back costs.

Glad you enjoyed your holiday, keep well.😉

6 hours ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Looking good, you going to be ok on formal nights?😀😀

Wifey wants to eat in the MDR on Christmas night and New Year’s Eve which are both formal nights so I will have to don a suit and tie,🫣 Not best pleased but worth it for peace and quiet during the following year.😂😂 Plus she goes along with “Smart casual” for me on all of our other trips.

Happy wife=easy life.😉

16 minutes ago, Jim The Scot said:

Good to hear you enjoyed Voyager andy as we,re  it a try this week

 

Having been on all the others  Marella ships,some multiple times and knowing them inside out and what to expect,like you we are wee bit nervous/apprehensive regards Voyager but what ever will be will be

Hope you enjoy your trip Jim.😉

Hi PC.

interesting video on YouTube regarding the whole Saga experience.

worth a watch.

Ma in law ( she’s 88) and my wife went with them last April mainly because of the door to door service, impressed is an understatement, they absolutely loved it. Ma in law said it was like the old day’s experience but better.

We will see.😉

Sorry to Sunshinewelly for hijacking your topic.🫣

36 minutes ago, Pensioncruiser said:

Hi BJ we are all ok thanks, hope you and yours are good, keeping an eye on you and your travels 😀 No cruises for us at the moment done a few UK breaks, just doesn't compare with cruising but that's life😁

All good here also.

Am off to France this week to visit my daughter, (working holiday )

Thats it until Xmas then giving saga a go.

Have you thought about giving Southampton or Portsmouth departures a try?

8 minutes ago, Pink15 said:

My direct line home policy includes worldwide insurance including cruises. Maybe your home insurer has an add on?

 

Thats worth knowing.👍

Hi PC.

Hope you’re both keeping well.

Anything booked for the future.?

Have you contacted your existing insurance provider to get a price for an upgrade.?
 I find that the comparison websites like compare the meerkat etc give you the best options/ choices. Insurance prices across the board have increased quite a bit this year so shopping around is essential.

most travel insurance companies offer cruise cover as a chargeable extra.🤷🏻‍♂️

Good luck.

Hi. Your picture is a indoor pool so it must be in the spa,🤷‍♂️ Unfortunately I haven’t been in so can’t confirm  either way.

The mystery deepens.😳😂

3 hours ago, pinkpondqueen said:

Not sure if anyone can help but i've read numerous online articles that mention the infinity pool at the spa on Explorer 2 - yet there is no mention of this on the Marella website! Does it exist? Thanks in advance!

Hi. Recently returned home from Ex2 and I can’t say that an infinity pool was even mentioned whilst we were onboard. But when you put the cabin tv on channel 3 there is a deck camera pointing toward the front of the ship which shows a pool, I assumed that this belongs to the spa but I never saw it being used.You can just about make it out on this photo.

On 9/18/2023 at 3:22 PM, dronnygirl said:

Hey Brummjam, are you on Ex2 now? So are we, next week too.! Really enjoying it, can't believe how calm the sea has been. Enjoy yourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apologies for not responding sooner, had problems charging my phone so gave up pretty much after the first few days, it was quite refreshing to lock it in the safe.

It was a great trip, we really enjoyed it. Back home now start looking for the next one.😉

Keep well.