Marella Cruises

Montego Bay

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Panama Canal & Central America

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Caribbean - Eastern

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Mediterranean

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Average

Poor

Very Good

Marella Discovery 2

New York (Brooklyn, Red Hook)

Having previously sailed on Explorer 1 in December and really enjoyed the ship and food we thought we would try Discovery 2.

Embarkation from Montego Bay was a disaster, after a 10 hour flight we were left in a small holding area for over an hour because Tui did not have enough coaches for us. It was awful, there was no air con and people were fainting !!

After eventually getting on a coach, they make a point that everyone must wear seat belts due to safety but the driver was talking for the whole journey on his mobile phone!! 

Our balcony cabin  was ok, plenty of storage the shower had a mind of its own and kept going hot and cold, the air con didn't work so we complained, they fixed it but then we couldn't turn it off !!

The food was awful!! Buffet food was cold, restaurant food was served to us cold although the plates were very hot.The only place you could get a hot meal was Surf and Turf but that cost over £60 per meal for two.

The drinks were good and service good, the staff worked hard.

The evening entertainment show cast  team were excellent and if it hadn't been for them I would have given this review a 1 star not a 2.

Discovery 2 is not a ship I will be returning on.

Very Disappointed

This cruise got off to a bad start. It took 15 minutes to find steps to get off the plane and another hor and 15 minutes being held in a hot airless corridor before a bumpy coach trip to the ship. I later found out that probems in UK airports led to 3 planes arriving at much the same time. The local staff (TUI and airport)  were overwhelmed. A situation made worse by the local authorities making the coaches queue outside and only 1 at a time allowed into the bonded area. Not Marella's fault but the fiasco at the muster drill certainly was. A technical problem with no backup plan led to chaos.

Things improved once the cruise was under way. The captain skillfully avoided the worst of the weather although we had to miss Horta, Azores because the tenders could not launch. The ship itself may be older than some but the recent refurbishment made the public areas look new with hi tech everywhere. A mention here for the app which is really a website hosted on the ships computer - so no internet needed to use it. 

Dining was a weak point.

The buffet area is well laid out with indoor and outside seating. The breakfast food was frequently lukewarm or missing. We quickly learned to choose the best items and avoid the rest. It was better at lunchtime but choice was limited.

The MDR was much better. The main restaurant is attractive and the staff mainly very good. The food was better here. We dined as soon as it opened and had no problems getting a table for 2. Gallery 47 is the best complimentary eating place for both service and food but its limited menu means it is not for every night.

Entertainment was definitely a strong point.

 The production cast were the best I have seen on any cruise. They were also the friendliest.  The use of trained actors in the other entertainment staff was an improvement on most ships. Even the quizzes were amusing. The cruise director and his 2 assistants were top notch.

Music was all over the ship with all the musicians very competent and enjoyable.

Bars

The bar areas were frequently overcrowded and it was often difficult to find a seat but there was a good vibe about them. The included drinks are OK. There is no need to upgrade the drinks package.

This was our first cruise with Marella and it was better than I expected.

Trans Atlantic

I have cruised with tui for many years but this has to be one that I can stay will stick in my mind for the wrong reason.

Getting to the ship was as usual very good as you would expect with marella cruises from leaving Manchester to arrival in Montego Bay.

Could not fault cabin very good as usual, but when you go for evening meal in 47 Restuarant here is where it falls down. Firstly the waiters lean across table to serve other dinners on table,rather than by your side as with normal Restuarants, If you have steak for an evening meal don't expect steak knife cut through with blunt knife, you are not offered tea and coffee now you have to ask.

The second day was good easy to get sun bed no worries. I took two evening shirts for formal nights but did not wear because on the evening of dress to impress I had a quick look over the Atriaum balcony and what I saw changed my mind, I was going to wear my formal wear but when people are wearing shorts and bathing wear why bother. I make my way again to 47 Restuarant that evening and was dressed with shirt bow tie trousers and shoes so as far as I was concerned smart but then dinners walk in in shorts open toed sandals so why bother. After evening meal went for walk on ship and easy to get to other areas through Broadway shops good quality into show lounge. Here maybe the show team are new but not the best I've seen I am sure they will get better. After show of to venue bar for game shows very good and funny entertainment team were very good. After shows of to love room where the casino was and again could not fault. If you are still hungry in the evening then go to Glasshouse and get a good evening buffet recommend the curry.

The service in all areas was great and the waiters are very friendly and if you go often even rember what you drink which is amazing.

The ship is very good indeed and unfortunately had to visit medical centre because my wife became ill, these people really do care and look after you, if it's an insurance claim don't worry they sort out the whole thing. To them I send a big thank you.

So all in all here are my main points about this cruise, 

1....Think about how waiters serve meals and correct utensils for meal

2....Think about dress code and monitor it

Hopefully these can be improved, I realise I could have gone to Islands which is self service but I like to be served in evening.

Let's hope things do improve am on discovery in December so hope for better things.

How things have changed

We booked this cruise as a "transitional " from the Caribbean to Palma calling at various places , we particularly were looking forward to Cuba ,Nassau and Lisbon and Bermuda ...the first three destinations were cancelled shortly after the final balance was paid  ( nice!! )

We booked an upgrade and were given cabin 8031 

The ship looked good , staff brilliant , food very good with a wide choice , cabin horrendous , the vessel had a major refit in 2016 , former office space was converted into cabins ( 6 in all on the port side ) On this vessel the engines are amidships and as the cabins are by the open atrium they are subject to a lot of noise , worse still they are also afflicted with constant vibration from the engines ( particularly at sea ) and creaking from the wall panels and windows .We had to move to another cabin to save our sanity ....

All this made the cruise a nightmare at times , which was a shame because resturants were very good , entertainment suited most people we talked to , the other thing to note is that you cannot get away from piped music ( loud at times ) wherever you walk or sit it will always be there which is a shame because there where some very nice places . There is a complete walk round on deck  ( 4 laps 1 mile )

We would probably have enjoyed the cruise more with a better cabin as the ship has a lot going for it but sadly the vibration issue afflicting it spoiled our enjoyment

Shake rattle n roll

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