mika6617

Sorry about my late response (been away) but thanks for the info. Not sure if I'm prepared to give Britannia another go (Ventura and Azura are going out roughly the same time) but then you can never say never.

Thanks for that I will have a look, I have seen some images on line myself of these cabins but I was hoping to see if some one out there had any real feel experience.

Thanks again

 

Mika

Hello all, looking for some help if possible.

Thinking about giving Britannia another crack this year after a poor experience back in 2016 as some of the more recent reviews have been more positive and things seemed to have improved.

I haven't had any experience with obstructed balcony cabins (having done a couple of standard balcony ones) and was wondering just how obstructed they could be. I was wondering if the obstructions were a 'make or break' for most of you out there. I have seen a couple of videos and photographs on line but they don't really give you a feel for them

Any advice and info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

Thanks but no thanks, but your welcome to steal whatever you want.

 

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Oh and signature updated!!

 

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Maybe give Marella another chance in Summer 2019 on Explorer 1 from Newcastle. They even have hammocks on some balcony grades. Bigger ship and a proper theatre for evening shows.

And update your signature, I've just changed mine (stole your idea, cheers)

Thanks but no thanks, but your welcome to steal whatever you want.

 

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So the bad experience means it doesn't get added to your signature, lol.

I did the dream and it is a small ship. She is also going soon and that could have reflected on your time onboard.

 

But a bad day at sea is better than a good day at work!

Lol, I thought I had added that to my signature but it must be my subconscious in control. Honestly I was so disappointed as I very much wanted to enjoy Marella as they sail from my local port (Newcastle) so I went on board with a positive and forgiving attitude but came away so gutted. I mean I had a decent time as I was with my wife and was celebrating my 50th but never again. Maybe Thomson does things different on other ships but if the Dream is any indication I'll give them a miss. The overall feeling is that it's just not like a normal cruise (whatever normal is I suppose) but having been on Disney (my favourite) RC, P&O and a couple of others i found it completely different and very very basic.

Cheers.

 

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When did you do your Marella Cruise, as your signature doesn't show one?

Hi, February on the Dream, (think our was the 2nd to the 9th)

 

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Thanks for the replies. Should have made it clear that I've done about 15 cruises with the big US line and was wondering if it would feel like a come down switching to TUI / Marella

I can only use my first Marella cruise to compare and like you have done the American lines as well as other 'British' ones and I found it a massive comedown. From poor food and general service, and the so called excellent entertainment was such a big letdown. Singers couldn't sing and performances were very Amateur but that's just my view. Still it's put me off cruising with that line.

 

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Trying to decide whether or not to give Marella a go. Has anyone sailed with one of the big U.S. cruise lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess etc. as well as Marella / TUI. If so how do they compare? What’s better and what’s not.

 

 

Thanks in advance.

Only done one Marella (Feb) and thought it was awful. Done some American lines like Royal Caribbean & Disney which are in a different league, the difference between them is like night and day. You can pay a bit more on board but quality and service is amazing.

 

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Currently on Dream, the ship is nice but the entertainment is so LOUD we are currently unable to sleep; the entertainment staff seem to be a bunch of loud dumb blondes . There is no lounge where you can enjoy a quiet drink in the evening, we would enjoy the pianist in Explorers but we could hear the "singing" from the adjacent lounge over him. If you want a civilised cruise with a variety of entertainment this is not it. We have the programme for night 3 and more of the same, no sign of a comedian just blaring pop.... ( I am not old; I a young 50 something)

I feel your pain, hope however it improves for you. You live and learn I suppose.

 

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Well I've tried Marella and I didn't like them (as my post clearly states) however to say that I would based on enjoying Ventura and OV is irrelevant as OV although being very basic was very clean and tidy and had decent entertainment, Ventura on the other hand was (in my opinion) in a different world compared with my Marella experience. So no one can say I'm wrong other than me as it's me and my judgment and opinions. Remember we all have different expectations and possibly different standards which isn't a criticism of an individual just a fact. When I'm paying my hard earned cash I'd like value for money and what I experienced last month was wasn't.

 

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It maybe being small minded but seeing how Marella does things I think I will be giving them a miss. I agree the ex RCCI ships do seem better indeed but I'm not fancying the with Marella's stamp on them as I would imagine Marella have there own ideas as to what entertainment is and what food quality is. I might be totally wrong but not prepared to take the rick.

We were on it last month, this was our first with Marella having sailed with P&O, RCCI, MSC & Disney on previous occasions and was very much looking forward and so wanting to enjoy it as they sail from our local port unlike most other lines. Unfortunately we were completely surprised at how bad it actually was in comparison. It certainly won't win any awards for cleanliness that's for sure. The food apart from paid restaurants was very poor and the evening shows were the worst excuse for entertainment I have ever seen with out of tune singers and slapdash put together performances. The bars were a bit drab something like a typical CIU club i.e. rough. Carpets were as old as the hills, the general Deco was just drab and tired and needed a good old wash. The complete opposite of what you would find on a 'normal' cruise ship. Reminds me of a ropey old cross channel ferry in some ways. Never again I'm afraid.

I hope though that somehow it improves for when your away and that you have a better time then we did.

We've sailed three times with Princess who are a highly rated line, and Fred Olsen once. No significant complaints with either.

 

Ten times (assuming my arithmetic is sound) with Thomsons cruises, as was, a few issues, however nothing so damning that we wouldn't consider returning.

 

You've obviously had a bad experience with Marella, but don't assume that the so called "Marella Fan Club" are not sufficiently savvy as to not being able to make a reasoned judgement call.

Unfortunately there will be indeed some biased members of the fan club, I'm not assuming everyone is part of it and if course you couldn't speak for everyone.

 

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The Marella fan club is nothing compared to the P&O one. I am a Marella fan and a P&O fan and know they both have strengths and weaknesses. Those theatre shows with abysmal singers IMO applies to P&O too. If I see a bad comment I check out the posters posting history, For example the original poster of this topic posting history shows a lot of Cunard comments so maybe the Dream came as a bit of a shock because it is old and needs replacing.

 

My worst (and most expensive) was with P&O, if that had been my first experience with the company I would have never cruised with them again. :mad:

 

Noisiest cabin? a tie between Thomson Spirit and P&O Ventura, I could go on a long time on this.

 

The title of the thread irritates me somewhat because it should really have been posted on the Cunard forum and implies that the OP knowns more about Marella than me.

 

Here is my cruising history, 18 Marella, 21 P&O, 1 NCL. My next cruise is P&O followed by 3 Marella and one of those is on Dream. :eek:

 

I like a good rant first thing ;p

I agree with you completely about the P&O fan club, in fact I'm sure I've read your posts regarding them and. agreeing with you especially one user in particular ( I think you'll know who I mean). Mind you being honest I thought the Dream was such a let down. It was scruffy and well worn and I thought the evening shows were awful and I'm not that picky or hard to please. It's certainly put me off Marella. Pity though as they sail from my local port (North Shields, Newcastle) which is why I went on board really wanting to like it but no joy.

 

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I am just back from a week on D2 - my first cruise with Marella/TUI/Thomson. I had no problem with other pax on board at all and did not witness any drunkenness, swearing or rude behaviour. Sadly however I felt the food and entertainment were pretty poor and heard many other pax expressing similar thoughts. The overall style on board was not for me either. I will do a review to post on Cruise Critic.

I too have recently experienced my first Marella cruise (the Dream) after sailing with a selection of other lines and can't agree with you more. Worst entertainment I've witnessed, theatre shows abysmal singers that can't actually sing (painful) food was at best edible but so plain. The ship very basic and nothing at all like anything else I've seen at sea, but each to their own I suppose. The problem you'll face though is the Marella fan club having a go at you for not thinking like them (and it'll happen) you know the ones who have only ever sailed with one company and as such can't make comparisons. I seen them on various posts on here.

 

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Ventura over Britannia always, although I'm not the best person to give out advise as I believe Britannia to be the worst cruise ship I've sailed on. Rubbish entertainment, poor quality food and naff service to name. But enough of its good points. Ventura however is a better ship by miles from better food, dining and way better entertainment. One horse race there.

 

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Probably not a bad idea, only problem is P&O being P&O struggle the best of times to come up with something aimed at the 'younger' audience if you know what I mean. Brand new and innovative isn't really P&O's department.

 

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The beauty about RCI is that you have options. You can do all the bells and whistles at 100 miles an hour or take it easy and laid back and do nothing if you want to like with P&O. Everyone is different but personally I'd try as many lines as I cook update afford because you'll just never know what they are like. I've been on about 4 or 5 different lines and they are all different but it's the experience you will get from them. Independence is a big ship, bigger than any P&O ship so exploring is a experience in its own, plus if you want there's a lot more to on board, way, way more than P&O.

 

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I have only been on three cruises all with P&O so unable to compare with other cruise lines. Invariably we meet people who say how boring, drab and dull P&O ships and cruises are compared with other lines. Lack of things to do during the day, ships decor, not enough entertainment, poor facilities and food are the main complaints.

We have thoroughly enjoyed each cruise (booked again on the Ventura in December) and have had little to complain about to date.

Would be interested in your observations.

I've been on a few (just off Azura last week in fact) and yes especially during the day if it's a sea day and the weather ain't up to much I've found nothing much to do, you look through the the Horizon just hoping there could be something of interest but it usually disappoints unless your into countless sales pitches, cooking demos or the odd history lesson. Really it's an age thing I suppose, P&O still continue to cater their daytime entertainment for the more 'mature' guest shall we say. I'm approaching fifty and find absolutely nothing of interest. Thank god for ports and of course the weather.

 

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Hi, the chances are you won't here a thing as the laundry is well shielded for sound. A bonus so close in my opinion!

 

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I can only report the facts as exist on Azura right now. Sky News was replaced by BBC HD three days ago. We have been in Madeira all day and still no Sky News.

Representations were made to Reception for an explanation. This was elevated to the Communications Department and an Officer provided an explanation that Sky News would no longer be shown fleetwide on P&O. It had been replaced with BBC HD with immediate effect.

Surely P&O Officers have more integrity than to fob off a passenger enquiry with an intentional lie?

And for the record Dai, are you accusing me of intentionally misleading this forum? Yes or no would be fine, thanks.

 

Just left Azura on Friday after a 12 nighter and had both BBC HD and Sky News working fine etc...

DaiB , with respect, we think you are one of those people that do not allow others to express their views, but you seem to be here on this board expressing your views all the time.

 

We think it is good that you can express your view(s), you could agree or not with the others, that's your prerogative, but you should not try and shut other people up when they write their own views. Remember, mutual respects, that's what is required by CruiseCritic to posters on this Board !!! Just a thought.

 

Bullseye

Having pity for the staff saying 'they do their best' is not acceptable. More people should complain about the food that is served in the MDR otherwise nothing will change and the quality of the food will decline even further.

The MDR food is unacceptable, if it wasn't for the specialty restaurants I would call it a day.

 

You have hit the nail on the head with that one. Unfortunately more and more people are finding poorer quality and bland tasting food perfectly acceptable. If it wasn't for the select restaurants on board such as the Glass house and Sinhu etc... food would be such a let down. However as someone has posted already P&O are laughing all the way to the bank as it suits them perfectly. I think you may find that the 'two for a tenner'

might actually be cooked a bit better as well!

Thank you. Yes I'm starting to realise that! We've only cruised with Disney in the past, costing a considerable amount more than P&O, and they do have a formal night but I'd say only around 5% of people actually wore the full dinner jacket, while others just wore suits or even less formal clothing. The ones in dinner jackets (following the code) ended up standing out and feeling daft, so I wanted to ask the question about how strictly P&O view their formal policy as it seems to differ massively between lines.

 

Judge62, thank you. You're very kind.

 

Hi, sorry to join the conversation late on but, you will find P&O a little bit different from Disney, Yes Disney seems a bit more relaxed in dress code and yet people always seem to look perfectly presentable.You will find P&O very 'British' in comparison. As for the drinks, I too had only ever cruised with Disney at first and appreciated the availability of the 'drinks station' (what a great idea) the thing is what you mentioned, Disney cruises are generally more expensive and as such you do tend to get more extras from them. They serve better/higher quality food and their entertainment is second to none (just my opinion) and as for service well they are in a different league, however bear in mind that P&O prices are a fair bit cheaper so you can understand why there is more to pay for on board. Still you will have a great time with them.