Middle East / India

[nancyneptune]

Very disappointed that Tui / Marella have no flights from Scotland this year again.  For anyone wanting to do this Itinerary without travelling to Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick M S C have similar itineraries on the Bellissima and the Lirica at similar prices to  Marella for 7 or 14 nights.

 

Return flights from London.  NO SUPPLEMENT for Manchester, Birmingham and GLASGOW on selected departures. 

All transfers.

Free upgrade from interior to oceanview stateroom.

Free All inclusive drinks package on board.

Free-paid gratuities onboard.

 

Have read mixed reviews about M S C but have also read mixed reviews about Marella.  May be time to give it a try.

 

 

[Hookedoncruising!]

Go for it Nancy! Good luck! 🤗

[ormy]

We have sailed with both, but prefer Marella. MSC ships are truly magnificent and food was ok - the problem was the fact that 90 per cent of the passengers were Italian, entertainment was visual rather than musical - language problem - the Cruise Director introduced the entertainment in various languages, took too long. We did sail out of Venice so that could have been the reason for lots of Italians.  We would certainly choose Marella and just do the drive to Manchester Airport, it's only about 4 hrs or less from Glasgow.

[nancyneptune]

19 hours ago, Hookedoncruising! said:

Go for it Nancy! Good luck! 🤗

 

 

Thank you.  Very tempted 

[nancyneptune]

6 hours ago, ormy said:

We have sailed with both, but prefer Marella. MSC ships are truly magnificent and food was ok - the problem was the fact that 90 per cent of the passengers were Italian, entertainment was visual rather than musical - language problem - the Cruise Director introduced the entertainment in various languages, took too long. We did sail out of Venice so that could have been the reason for lots of Italians.  We would certainly choose Marella and just do the drive to Manchester Airport, it's only about 4 hrs or less from Glasgow.

 

Thank you Ormy.  Yes we have heard the ships are beautiful. Glad to hear the food is ok.  We feel the food on Marella ships is ok too, nothing special.  Not too bothered about entertainment as itinerary is more important to us. 

 

We don't have a problem with different nationalities but as we only speak a little French and know a few phrases of Spanish we would just have to be patient and chill, after all we are on holiday.

 

We have flown out of Manchester and Gatwick in the past but we feel that as Marella have reduced the number of flights from Glasgow if we all start heading to Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham for our flights they may cut back on regional flights even more .

 

We don't actually live in Glasgow although we usually fly from there or Edinburgh.  We live in the north east of Scotland so Manchester is along drive for us often with a hotel stay at the beginning and end of our holiday.

 

Most Scots and people from the borders do fly from Glasgow even although they may live a fair distance away but Tui have no flights from Aberdeen in winter and very few from Edinburgh. 

 

We have cruised with Marella for many years and have done most itineraries several times including the Midlle East from Glasgow.  I think it's time to break the habit and try something different.  If we don't like it we can come back to Marella if the flights, itinerary and price suits us although we feel they are becoming quite expensive now for what they are.

 

We have a cruise booked for next year with CMV from Aberdeen. Looking forward to that.

[ormy]

I suppose we are lucky to be 20mins from Manchester Airport, so we don't have your problem. We just feel comfortable with Marella and although not the cheapest they do suit us. MSC was our first ever cruise many years ago, I am sure, noting your location, if we had to choose it would probably be MSC - again superb modern ships, lovely food choices and great staff, if it suited we would not hesitate in sailing with MSC. We saw their many cruise ships in Venice this year.