shearwood Posted February 24, 2018 #51 Share Posted February 24, 2018 We board the dream tonight first marella cruise , looking forward to it even after all the bad reviews I say you get what you pay for , here's hoping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika6617 Posted February 24, 2018 #52 Share Posted February 24, 2018 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. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeCountyMan Posted February 24, 2018 #53 Share Posted February 24, 2018 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. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campolady Posted February 24, 2018 #54 Share Posted February 24, 2018 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. Couldn't have put it better myself WeeCountyMan! In 10 weeks time we will be boarding our 12th Marella cruise. Living in Southern Spain we love being able to board from our local ports - which the better known lines don't sail from - so have never sailed with any other cruise line BUT that does not mean that we cannot assess whether we are getting good value for money or not. Yes, we have had the odd niggle with Marella - like losing a days sailing in October when we stayed in port for 24 hours whilst they repainted the ships name from TUI Discovery 2 to Marella Discovery 2 - but, for what we pay, we have always had a very enjoyable cruise and have met many really interesting people. Food may not be what we get when we stay in 5 star hotels but is equally as good as we get in most 4 star establishments and we are not paying West End prices so how can we expect first class shows (having said that, on the whole we have enjoyed the entertainment on all our cruises). I think a lot of your enjoyment on any cruise (or land based holiday for that matter) is what attitude you go on board with - if you are constantly going to compare it with previous cruises on other lines you may be a bit disappointed but, if you make the most of your days away and mix with the great passengers Marella attract, you can have a wonderful week or two at a very acceptable price and with an above average port intensive itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika6617 Posted February 24, 2018 #55 Share Posted February 24, 2018 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. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted February 24, 2018 #56 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Couldn't agree more Campolady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeCountyMan Posted February 24, 2018 #57 Share Posted February 24, 2018 People don't need any previous involvement in cruising to be aware when they experienced a bad time. It could be their first cruise, or their thirty first, and the spectrum of different lines they've sailed with, or not, as the case may be, is irrelevant - a bad time is a bad time, regardless of any other considerations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted February 26, 2018 #58 Share Posted February 26, 2018 2018 cruise awards have now been published on the boards You can select each award to see who the best 5 are Please ensure that you click on mid-size ships for each category Marella feature in nearly all categories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooguy Posted February 26, 2018 #59 Share Posted February 26, 2018 Who’s Marella? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted February 27, 2018 #60 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Who’s Marella? Sent from my iPad using Forums Marella (star of the sea or shining sea) is a cruise line owned by the TUI group, a German company which is the largest tour and holiday company in the world. They also own other cruise lines, hotels and airlines. Marella caters for the UK/Irish market with mostly fly cruises from the UK/Ireland to the Mediterranean, Caribbean and from next winter Thailand. They also have one ship based in the UK for the summer season. For this summer Marella will have 6 ships in service, all older vessels but some with extensive refurbishments. The latest additions were formally Splendour of the Seas and Legend of the Seas. The former Celebrity Galaxy is arriving this summer and next year the former Celebrity Mercury is joining the fleet, both have already had extensive refurbishments for TUI and will have more remodelling before joining Marella. There is a relaxed atmosphere aboard and gratuities are included in the fare, plus for the latest ships an extensive included drinks package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ollienbertsmum Posted February 28, 2018 #61 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Couldn't have put it better myself WeeCountyMan! In 10 weeks time we will be boarding our 12th Marella cruise. Living in Southern Spain we love being able to board from our local ports - which the better known lines don't sail from - so have never sailed with any other cruise line BUT that does not mean that we cannot assess whether we are getting good value for money or not. Yes, we have had the odd niggle with Marella - like losing a days sailing in October when we stayed in port for 24 hours whilst they repainted the ships name from TUI Discovery 2 to Marella Discovery 2 - but, for what we pay, we have always had a very enjoyable cruise and have met many really interesting people. Food may not be what we get when we stay in 5 star hotels but is equally as good as we get in most 4 star establishments and we are not paying West End prices so how can we expect first class shows (having said that, on the whole we have enjoyed the entertainment on all our cruises). I think a lot of your enjoyment on any cruise (or land based holiday for that matter) is what attitude you go on board with - if you are constantly going to compare it with previous cruises on other lines you may be a bit disappointed but, if you make the most of your days away and mix with the great passengers Marella attract, you can have a wonderful week or two at a very acceptable price and with an above average port intensive itinerary. Campolady I had just come to research Marella cruises after seeing one leave Gibraltar today. You made me look them up. We loved a couple of cruises when the Adventure of the Seas left from Malaga and I did not know that any other line started there. I won't be going this year because we are all paid up for a trip to Alaska ($$$$:eek::eek::eek:ouch). For us cruising is a convenient nice way of getting around - and this would be one way of going to some different ports. I think we might give it a go. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted February 28, 2018 #62 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Ollienbertsmum - a bit puzzled as to which TUI Marella ship you saw leaving Gib today? There arent any Marella ships in the area currently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted March 1, 2018 #63 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Mein Schiff 2 left Gibraltar this afternoon bound for Barcelona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted March 1, 2018 #64 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yes I saw that Dave but it's not a Marella ship and won't be until 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted March 1, 2018 #65 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Yes I saw that Dave but it's not a Marella ship and won't be until 2019 Mein Schiff and Thomson / Marella are all part of the TUI group, and (all ?) their ships carry the distinctive TUI logo on their funnels, so with a view obstructed by port buildings it's easy to presume if seeing little more than the funnel. JB :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony1878 Posted March 2, 2018 #66 Share Posted March 2, 2018 On board Dream as I write this. We have had a mixed week with a couple of ports missed due to bad weather, the sea has tossed us around more than a couple of times as well. If I am honest, we have noticed a change in the last couple of years, we both love Dream, it was the 1st ship we sailed on so it holds happy memories. The staff in the restaurant used to be really good fun, it was part of the magic, sadly that's not the case, they are still very nice, but it's a cold atmosphere these days. I have just about managed to get one glass of wine with my meal, I have had to go hunting the wine waiter for a top up. Entertainment around the ship is ok, Acoustic Soul in Waters edge are my favourite group and venue. Sound Nation in the medusa are quite good too, unfortunately the duo in Tides are woeful in my opinion. The show team try there best but there isn't much going on there I'm afraid, much too young and haven't got a clue what to do with clients over the age of 25. Marella need to up there game and quickly, carving fruit and veg and folding towels isn't going to cut it for much longer, most of the people sailing these days want something to stimulate the brain, I just feel that the show team talk down to us 60 somethings, I'm not in my coffin yet. I'll put a review up when I get back home, for anyone coming out, please don't let me put you off, we have had a good week on board but not a great one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlenLivet Posted March 2, 2018 #67 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Tony1878 After 6 consecutive cruises with the company, sadly I have to echo your sentiments regarding the changes you experienced on-board. It's very similar to my own experiences and feel Marella may be alienating long term loyal customers by charging premium prices while offering an increasingly second rate product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julessmiles Posted March 4, 2018 #68 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Tony1878 After 6 consecutive cruises with the company, sadly I have to echo your sentiments regarding the changes you experienced on-board. It's very similar to my own experiences and feel Marella may be alienating long term loyal customers by charging premium prices while offering an increasingly second rate product. We feel the same and probably won't sail with Marella again.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julessmiles Posted March 4, 2018 #69 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Braximusic - Max and Brandy used to be part of the show team a few years ago and after failing to get through on X Factor have obviously formed a duo They are good but IMO not as good as they think they are BrandiMax seperated from the show team some years ago now (?2015) & went onboard the ships as a duo in their own right. I also believe they went on to perform on other cruise lines & also in various hotels in the Caribbean. They did one (or 2) shows in a theatre in the U.K. then went back to Amsterdam for a while & have only fairly recently returned to the Marella ships....I do agree with your last sentence 😉😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malch_uk Posted March 4, 2018 #70 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Funny how people's opinions differ. Two excellent reviews of Dream from Rach1987 and Shearwood under the thread "First time cruisers review". Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted March 4, 2018 #71 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Funny how people's opinions differ. Two excellent reviews of Dream from Rach1987 and Shearwood under the thread "First time cruisers review". Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk Yes, funny how peoples opinions differ. In my opinion the reduction in 'standards', actually what you get for your money, and complaints about it seems to be universal amongst cruise lines. It is probably down to cost reductions in an attempt to avoid increasing the price. this is especially true for UK based companies who also have the fall in the value of the pound to contend with. Anyway the brits are Olympic standard at moaning and not doing anything about it by taking their money elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julessmiles Posted March 4, 2018 #72 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Funny how people's opinions differ. Two excellent reviews of Dream from Rach1987 and Shearwood under the thread "First time cruisers review". Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk I think anyone going on a cruise for a first time no matter which line, unless it’s really awful will enjoy it. It’s the ones who have cruised lots in the past that will notice when things change & standards drop.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitalsign Posted March 4, 2018 #73 Share Posted March 4, 2018 Totally agree and ready to assess Discovery 2 in 4 weeks time and check whether Dreams standards have dropped end of May Thomson Spirit Oct 2005 Repo Palma to Sharm el Sheikh Thomson Celebration Jan 2007 Red Sea Magic Ocean VillageFeb 2008 Western Caribbean & Central America Ocean VillageAug 2008 Eastern Med Ocean Village 2 Feb 2009 Eastern Caribbean Ocean VillageMar 2010 Eastern Caribbean Thomson Dream Feb 2011 Eastern Caribbean & Cuba Thomson Celebration Aug 2011 Eastern Med Thomson Celebration Apr 2012 Red Sea Magic Thomson CelebrationApr/May 2012 Repo Sharm el Sheikh to Marmaris Thomson Dream Feb 2013 EasternCaribbean Thomson MajestyNov/Dec 2014 Colourful Coasts Canaries Thomson Dream Jan/Feb 2015 Western Caribbean Panama & Cuba Thomson Dream Apr 2015 Transatlantic Sunset Thomson MajestyJune 2015 Hellenic Classics Thomson Celebration Sept 2015 Adriatic Affair Thomson DreamJan 2016 Mayan Treasures/Cuban Revolution Thomson DreamApril 2016 Atlantic Adventure Thomson DreamJune 2016 Iconic Islands/Adriatic Explorer Thomson CelebrationJan 2017 Cities of Gold Thomson DreamApril2017 Atlantic Daydream Thomson SpiritJune 2017 Classical Greece Thomson Majesty Sept2017 Med Medley/Treasures of Med MarellaCelebrationJan 2018 Caribbean Gems/Coral Islands Marella Discovery 2 April 2018 Cuban Fusion MarellaDiscovery 2 April 2018 Atlantic Discoveries Marella Dream May 2018 Spanish Delights Marella Discovery 2June 2018 Aegean Meze MarellaDreamSept 2018 Mediterranean Medley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maizyday Posted March 12, 2018 #74 Share Posted March 12, 2018 Luckily I have very low standards then We havent been on many cruises , but every cruise we have been on has had some very bad reviews , and to be they have been fine. This will be the first time with Thompson , we picked it because of ports , and the price seems ok . Its only a holiday at the end of the day , and unless the boat sinks its not going to ruin my life ..............I think the problem is people expecting a 5 star experience on the cheap ...its just not going to happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e1longk12 Posted March 12, 2018 #75 Share Posted March 12, 2018 I have sailed with them 5 times before solo and been on the celebration twice , discovery 2 and going on the expoloer in April 19 ta to Newcastle had no complaints at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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