soobs

We were looking at booking Aqua until reading this post so thank you all. We may or may not get full use of PG not sure OH would go in more than once particularly if busy nor me as that's not the aim of a spa and if I work out the extra £400 each to upgrade means paying £26 pppn to eat in Blu - anyone agree that best going for normal balcony and experience other dining? How much is alternative dining? Thank you 

Sorry to bump to the top don't think my heading was interesting enough to catch people's eyes? if anyone knows of any other way i can get this information I would be happy for the help

thank you Susan

Interesting thank you only ever done Caribbean once retired I am sure I will look out for the bargains 

We didn't keep track of the last minute prices of the 2 pre-Xmas in 2019 and I am wondering if anyone can tell me what was the lowest price they came down to? We like the pre-Xmas cruise for a few reasons one is the cost they are usually the lower priced ones we are not well off so have to watch the pennies, we like the finer things in life and also like 2 holidays a year so this is our choice to get the best price we can for what we like, we also can only book late once carers for mum are secured.

We have cruised Feb, March and a TA in March as well but always P & O we like the British product, for number of years we had been thinking of trying another cruise line after reading and speaking to people, 2019 was the year, we went on the Marella explorer 2 and had a lovely cruise but will be returning to P & O from now on hence the question.  

We started of the cruise with a 50%/50% opinion on Marella v P & O and found some clear things we preferred, it was a smaller ship so better for my OH who is recovering from a knee replacement, the main dining room was nice being on 2 levels, you could always easily get a sun bed even on sea days, the AI was not a problem we didn't experience any alcohol related behaviors and the staff were lovely so friendly. 

We ended the cruise 80% P & O. We didn't try the fine dining experience we thought the cost was a little expensive as the venues were not in the same league as Epicurean or Sindhu, the MDR food was good

P & O's is better (staff not as friendly though) food has more taste and more variation. Not much to choose between the buffet restaurants. My one big love with P & O is breakfast in the MDR sorry to say Marella are no competition whatsoever. 

P & O's entertainment suits us better the shows in the show lounge were a little disappointing, the comedian was not really funny, the man with the guitar singing was a bit boring, the 2 lady singers personalities did not shine but we did like how they had a selection of drinks available at the back of the show lounge very handy particularly as I was the drinks carrier (knee and crutches). 

There is no quite pool like the one at the back of the Azura which we love, the mail pool is not as noisy on Marella as P & O but is is the only pool area.

I guess this is getting a bit boring reading now and maybe should be on the Marella forum, I hope it helps anyone else who like me want to try something different, we are happy we tried and had a lovely holiday the ship was fine particularly as we didn't really get off due to the knee! holidays are what you make them.

If anyone has the information regarding lowest price I would be really grateful as it will give me a lead of when to book for Nov/Dec 2020, we will be looking at the last November sailings for Azura which would be first choice or the 4/5 Dec on Britannia. Thank you in advance and if any one would like any more comparisons please just ask.              

still happy with what i have paid not seen anything cheaper even though I wanted Manchester not Birmingham P & O not comparing at the moment and I doubt they will as the itinerary is not as good and AI sort of seals the deal as it give greater flexibility even if not a drinker!! Happy first time Marella cruiser 

Thank you Vitalsign, can you book prior to embarkation? is it the same as trips if you cancel you get a refund?

Does anyone know when the captain (formal nights) usually are is it a sea day?

very interesting thank you for this tip 

Checked and it says - see below i thought I had read that it was 15kg and 10kg hand luggage so this is a nice surprise this can easily be achieved as last time I took 2 bottles of gin with me for drinking on/in my balcony/room as we were with P & O no balcony this time and AI so no need for it. Only 2 formal evenings so although the Tux will come with us only 2 dresses not 4 as only 2 formal evenings, really looking forward to a change from P & O - I am not a P & O snob but do like the very British brand they have. So far I am keeping a blog on the differences.        

• Total Check-in Allowance: 40kg

will re check this out thank you

Thank you - going to get one of those iron things that are not an iron - a steamer thing will iron before packing and use steam to remove any creases - then the laundry after that as don't have as much baggage allowance as usual 23kg and 7 kg hand luggage looks like total 20kg incl hand baggage

Thank you davecttr nice simple straight forward answers brilliant just what I needed

Susan

thank you have a couple of other questions now sorry

what are the charges for the charging restaurants

how much is it to use the laundry   

Hi all

We have just booked the 8th December Caribbean cruise on Explorer 2, never cruised Marella before only P & O & Cunard, preferred the itinerary to Britannia's itinerary, looking forward to a change and a different experience but have a few questions.

Is Prosecco included in the standard AI?

What cider is served?

Can anyone see any trips for St Vincent on their personaliser?

Are there safes in the cabin's?

Are cases stored under beds?

That's it for now but sure there will be more questions before departure 

Thank you in advance 

Even with code the cruise I was looking at was dearer than yesterday!!! I thought P & O's prices were fluid but they are more stable and predictable than Marella. But having said that once booked it's done and just look forward to the cruise. For my booking I am breaking even at the moment although one TA is slightly lower 

thanks for your help I ended up with the Birmingham flight with a saving of £405.00 but an additional cost for train and hotel but happy and really looking forward to something different a knew experience I am sure I will have loads of questions over the coming weeks

I am new to this forum usually  P & O poster but looking at trying a Caribbean cruise in December is there not a launderette on board?  

I have noticed the same thing I usually cruise with P & O to the Caribbean pre-Xmas  each year and although the prices go up and down it is only slightly until nearer the date, I am looking at the 8th December sailing on Explorer 2 Thursday the price was 1473 today its 1634 a difference of 161 not knowing the Marella pricing structure can anyone help? Is this likely to come down again?  and why is this cruise more expensive than the other ones around that date??

we fancy a change from P & O and the AI element appeals  

whoops a daisy bit of over load there I meant 2 x 1L and get another one if needed what I should also have said is often I don't buy the 1L bottles it's the 70cl size as I usually go for a speciality gin with rhubarb or something like that gosh you are right I looked a right lush especially when we have a bar bill i'd never have set foot outside the balcony!!!

I am disappointed with the new policy I loved a drink on the balcony mid afternoon and another whilst getting ready it didn't stop our bar bill being rather high. My partner mainly drinks beer so mostly for him its purchase at the bars he does like the occasional vodka and cranberry but usually as a night cap. I will be open and honest it did save us a bit of money having a few bottles of gin for room use , we only cruise the Caribbean so liked to pickup some gin treats in St Maarten, we will get round it by taking 2 x 2L on board from duty free and then purchase a bottle on board and that's me happy.

Hello all

I have to say if I was fortunate enough to be able to afford a suite having my own sunbed on my balcony would be my number 1 advantage oh I can dream one day I will be lucky and have an upgrade to a suite or be offered a suit at an affordable price to me.

I can dream

Hello all

I have to say if I was fortunate enough to be able to afford a suite having my own sunbed on my balcony would be my number 1 advantage oh I can dream one day I will be lucky and have an upgrade to a suite or be offered a suit at an affordable price to me.

I can dream

We take a variety of flavoured concentrated sugar free water enhancers (the little ones) brilliant for travel we add them to water to encourage us to drink more water to counteract the hot weather and the additional alcohol intake.

I also take dry roaster peanuts, pringles & chicken crisps my early evening treat on the balcony with a G & T

Thank Scotchboy I had forgotten about the coach journey it was a bit harrowing, yes the Barbados start and finish is much better Barbados just seams much more accessible

We've done both and have flown BA x 1, TUI many times and T Cook x 3. we prefer the TC flight as seating configuration is better as they have 2 4 2 , don't overly rate the Dreamliner. We prefer flying in and out of Barbados as we find it so much more accessible with more to do, we love St Lucia but prefer it as a day out stop off with a trip to the beach or as we once did the Colsol tours trip which was great.

Azura having cruised on both in the Caribbean no doubt Azura is best for first time experience, if you enjoy that try Britannia personally we are not Britannia fans due to the small balcony's, the lack of availability of sunbeds on sea days and it is a bit impersonal for a first time cruise in MHO