Marella Discovery Review
Stomach bug, mediocre food, dumped in some inaccessible ports
Rating by category
Additional details
We've travelled with various cruise companies and with Thomson 4 times (3 to the Caribbean). This was disappointing. In Some ports of call we were dumped in cargo areas whilst other ships had best docking spaces and although water taxis and taxis were available, when you've got mobility difficulties it makes it very difficult to get around. I see other cruise companies offering buggies to transport their less able passengers. I was ill for several days with a stomach bug and under medical team who were fantastic and really made me feel well cared for but I was constantly concerned about the cold or luke warm food in buffet as well as the dirty floors and loungers in the glasshouse pool area.
great itinerary and check in and baggage straight from airport to cabin is a huge help but there's a lot of work to be done to improve the food quality and standards.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
Bequia
Never docked in Bequia which was hugely disappointing as its one of the best islands in the itinerary. Captain said a swell made it unsafe to tender to shore so we ended up in St Vincent which we'd been to before and it wasn't worth a return trip
Antigua
Love this island. Went by taxi to Dickenson Bay - gorg long beach, as beautiful as I remembered. Don't book the cruise trip, much cheaper by taxi and you can spend the day not just 2.5 hrs.
St. Maarten
Another favourite. Water taxi over to downtown but got off at 2nd stop which is much quieter. Some water taxis only go to main downtown so check that you're getting on the right one, it's no so crowded and beach is beautiful
Tortola
Beach transfer. Lovely views on way to beach, very high up but disappointing beach, cold green water and quite busy. Last time we went on catamaran snorkelling which was lovely and we stopped off at Norman Island which was gorg.
Barbados
Love this island but unfortunately I had a stomach bug and was confined to cabin for 2 days. However, been here 3 times before and it is amazing. We usually walk out of cruise port following pathway down towards pelican craft centre to bus terminal and get on bus headed 'speikstown' (takes you up the west coast for 1$ each). You can get off at any of the beaches along the way, they are all gorg and I saw turtles the last time. Best day out ever, all for only 2$ travel cost!! I find the cruise trips to Carlisle bay too crowded and you get hassled quite a lot on the beach there too
Aruba
Caught a taxi to Eagle Beach (10 mins away & 5$ each one way). Lovely long beach, loved it here. You must try the local food trailer that parks up (you'll smell the chicken cooking from the beach- amazing!!) Last time we went on the De Palm Island trip which provided great snorkelling but I found it dirty and crowded and would never return.
Curacao
Love Curaçao, beautiful building and beaches. Kontiki beach is great by taxi 5$ in each. Last time we did cruise trip to sea aquarium beach but found it crowded and I like to spend more than 2.5 hrs at the beach
Bonaire
Cruise trip to this desert island which can be seen from the ship. Lovely island but departure time of 7.30am and return at 10am was crazy! Ship in port until 2pm so would be time to arrange own water taxi over and be back in time. Snorkelling on island ok only if you like deep water, I cudnt see much in shallow areas.