1st cruise thought small and friendly. Also because of ports of call. The 1st thing when embarking was the smell found out it was the sanitation the smell was especially strong down on deck 5/6. Food in self-service very poor at times inedible seating area in self-service very dirty. Orion restaurant food slightly better. Only clean area onboard is deck 8 where reception bars and theatre one day there was a man in a white head to foot suit fumigating a cabin close to ours. Daytime activities poor day at sea was tooth whitening seminar??? 1 of several weird things on the activities list. watch out when settling bill reception will try over charge. 2 ladies questioned there's and we're told the items on bill must be from previous cruise?? Never go on Tui cruise again put us off cruise's. Very poor response and customer service from Tui in general. Read Less

We have just returned from a 8 day cruise on a Tui cruise ship “Marella Dream” visiting the Canary Islands. The ship was very tired and desperately in need of an update and refurbishment. There is no centre point like a atrium. The lifts are useless, small and very very slow….. quite often going straight pass your floor or so full with people you had to wait ages. Often we went up and down like a yo-yo as it went nearly up to the top where we wanted to go but then back down again! Our cabin again needed an update, beds were comfy though, and our cabin Steward Angelito who was very efficient and charming, kept it very clean. One issue was WiFi and internet. Most ships give free WiFi somewhere on board but not here!!! We could have paid for it but it was expensive, so was unable to make outside contact unless you found a café off shore, which was difficult. Another major issue was the shower as it was so difficult to adjust the hot water and it was extremely hot, changing even as you shower……. Very very dangerous!!!!!! On a positive note the staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was good in both the self service and main restaurant, we didn’t try the speciality restaurants. Also the entertainment was the best we have had in all the other cruise lines we have been on……. Both in the theatre, the lounge and deck area. The trips organised by the ship were extremely expensive and not good value! All in all for the price paid for this cruise it was ok, but we would NOT recommend this trip on this particular ship. Read Less

5th time on the Dream and have watched her deteriate over the years. Staff are lovely, but the food not as good as it used to be. The entertainment not as polished as in the past but the technology is excellent. Our cabin was 5209. It was at the rear (aft). The noise level was horrendous, we seemed to be above the engines and for everyone on the last quarter of this corridor it was the same. It went on all night of course so no sleep! We were like zombies. I recorded it and it sounds like the floor and roof and walls are giving way. A gentleman next to us who had complained numerous times and asked to be moved was told by 2 letters the cabin was adequate. ( he had not only paid a single supplement but also for an outside cabin) the poor guys outlook was into a storage area with gas cylinders up against his window and a grill beyond which made his view so narrow it was a waste of time. He was bery distressed, like us he had been before in October and enjoyed it so much that he booked again. In the past I would have rated this ship and her cruises a 10 but these cabins are only fit for storage. Obviously, the answer is to pay yet another supplement to choose your cabin but again I understand from other passengers these are also limited. A ruined holiday ...we needed another one to get over this ! So mich for loyalty, shame on you TUI/ Marella Read Less

The cruise was taken with friends one of whom was to celebrate their 60th birthday during the 7 day cruise. No problems at airport or transfer but disappointed that on this cruise we had to deal with our own luggage. Slight mix up on room allocation due to being given wrong room number belonging to another couple with very similar names. Rectified before boarding boat and luggage arrived at right room. Our outside cabin on level 6 was plenty big enough for two, plenty of storage and kept clean by very attentive crew member. Food: Self service Sirens and Lido were okay, but sometimes over busy. Didn't seem as much choice as previous cruises. Orion waiter service was generally better, although two incidents of less professional service by one waiter who rushed us on Captains night but allowed others different service and then on final night a wine waiter who was busy doing other tasks rather than keeping our glasses full. Food in Mistrals pretty decent apart from Captains night when it was pretty dire. Also ate one night in Mistrals for the birthday celebration meal. Excellent service and good value. We were all inclusive and upgraded our drinks package. We thought this offered us wider variety and good value for money. Bar staff were excellent and only on a couple of times did we experience any delays in being served. All the music entertainment was pretty good. Not all to my individual taste but pretty good all the same. The shows in the Broadway Lounge were really good, including the guest comedian. The ship is old, but clean and well looked after. Sun beds can be difficult to find on sea days. Overall we would go on the Dream again but on a different route. Madeira was superb but the Canaries hold nothing new for use. Read Less

I booked this trip with my friend two months before departure, paid 800 pounds each, all inclusive package was not included though. My experience on board the Marella Dream was very nice. I enjoyed every single day, ports of call are quite interesting, sunny, good food, not too expensive, incredible fish! trust me!. The Marella Cruise is a very old vessel but STAFF is a perfect 10, so polite, so friendly, so amazing. What I loved the most about the entertainment on board was the BROADWAY LOUNGE shows, OH M.Y G.O.D ~ it was beyond espectacular. Those guys are extremely talented, their singing, dancing, acting was brilliant. Highly recommend it. Also loved the comedy show by Peter Piper. Food on board was okay, some meats were like dry, and desserts (cakes and stuff) were not wow but who wants to add extra calories anyways... There were lots of healthy options, no complaints. Honestly, time on board was beautiful but next time I would just choose a LARGER, NEWER cruise. Marella Dream is an old vessel and maybe this is its last year in service, who knows. I have good memories. Depending on how much you pay, GO FOR IT! Read Less

Booked the cruise as a package through the Tui website two weeks before we sailed. The ship is old and dated, but was clean. There was a lack of space to sit inside the ship that did not have music blaring out through the speakers. It would have been nice to have somewhere to sit and read other than in our cabin. Apart from deck nine all the outside space also has music blaring out. It was near impossible to get a sunbed in the sun. passengers were putting their towels on them when we first came into port sometime as early as 7.30am. At one stage when my husband and I were looking for somewhere to sit we counted 34 sunbeds reserved, we photographed them and an hour later went back and they were still empty of passengers just covered in towels. We made a member of staff aware on more than one occasion but nothing was ever done. On the open deck there was also a problem with people smoking outside the designated smoking areas. On one occasion a female passenger lying by the pool smoking and another time a gentleman smoking using his mug as the ash tray. This was unfair for non smoking passengers. We raised our concern with staff at the time but nothing was done about it as it was still happening on the day of our departure. We paid extra for an outside cabin on deck seven, spacious, a shower over a bath and a comfortable bed. The only downsize was the noise from the Broadway show lounge. Our cabin steward was amazing. The food was very pork orientated. When my husband had some chicken it was not cooked, still blood inside when cut into it. Sometimes the self service restaurant would run out of plates or cutlery and marmalade and was served with the cream tea as they had run out of jam. The restaurants also ran out of hand jel and the soap dispensers were found empty in the public toilets on more than one occasion. There were not enough lifts on the ship and I was repulsed when I came across a lady cutting her husbands toe nails on the sun deck leaving the nail clippings to blow in the wind! We did not book any shore excursions due to the cost, we organised our own. In Agadir the crew were not allowed of the ship and we were warned that it was too dangerous to walk through the port so we got a taxi into the town. I asked why a coach was not organised to transfer passengers to be told that when they had the taxi drivers blockaded the port. Why doe Tui go to this port, well its because it is the destination that it makes the most money on shore excursions. Profit comes before passenger safety. This was my fourth cruise but if it had been my first it would have been my last. Why is the ship called the Dream, because passengers on it dream of being on another ship. Read Less

Ship was well kept although a little tired. Staff were lovely, friendly and efficient. Aldrin, the cabin steward did an excellent job of keeping the cabin spic and span. The cabin was spacious. Food was reasonalble- very good on the formal night. Went to the Asian restaurant one night where the food was very good with impeccable service. Basic drinks package was very disappointing - had changed considerably since our last Marella cruise 7 months ego- much less choice! Red wine was undrinkable, according to my husband who is not especially fussy about wine. Also the majority of cocktails on the basic package were rum based which isn’t my preference. As said previously the basic package on The Discovery last year was so much better. Service at the various bars was excellent. Shows in the theatre were quite good as were the resident band who played a variety of music. Seemed to be an over dependence on quizzes in the other lounge. The casino and The Watersedge disco was good. Felt there was little to do on the sea day- I usually enjoy the plays that are put on by the entertainment team - not on this cruise- also no guest speakers/ enrichment activities- maybe due to only being a 7 day cruise with one sea day but there was a play on our last 7 day cruise 7 months ago. The guest comedian was extremely disappointing - we saw him a few years ago on another Thomson cruise and his show was EXACTLY the same- same jokes and routines. I can’t believe he is being paid to churn out the same material year after year - shocking! However, overall we enjoyed our holiday. Read Less

We are fairly recent cruisers and wanted a winter sun break and booked this cruise in January on line. The weather was superb and we were told by the crew the best they have had for several years. We flew from East Midlands to Tenerife and arrangements at departure, on arrival, coaching to Santa Cruz and boarding Marella Dream went like clockwork. The ship is old but is modern in appearance with good quality furnishings and the staff very friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble from our room steward to the bar and restaurant staff. Corridors and lift space are a little narrow and not as spacious as more modern ships. The variety of lounges and drinking and dining options were first class as was the food and drinks. We like to be on our own for dinner and for six nights we were served by Jennifer and April who looked after us very well. The Marella Dream Show team and their shows in the Broadway Show Lounge were excellent. Some very good singers and dancers however the comedian Alan Wilkins material was older than us and we are in our 70's. The resident band were again very good with such a wide range of music on offer. Our only disappointment was the lack of space for sunbathing when we had such good weather. We were birthed in walking distance of six of the places we visited which is brilliant. There were lots of excursions and trips arranged which people we spoke to enjoyed. Leaving the cruise was also faultless, colour coded luggage and well organised. Our only disappointment was East Midlands Border Control on the return. It took about 30 minutes to process us which is not acceptable. A superb restful and enjoyable cruise. Thank you TUI. Read Less

Have been on a similar cruise with the Thomson Spirit a number of years ago, my wife and I fancied doing it again as all ports don't require tender and are close to facilities. Pros:- 1) The ships entertainment team is FANTASTIC ! The shows are west end quality. 2) The food is excellent both in the buffets and the Orion restaurant. 3) The cruise is fairly good value for money. Cons:- 1) The ship is a little tired and has no central atrium so difficult sometimes to find your way around. 2) The training of reception staff could be improved (except Vic who was brilliant). For example, we found an overcharge of 87 euro's one evening on our account. We had been charged for a spa treatment not taken. After speaking to someone on reception, we were asked to return the next day when it would be resolved. We had to go back the next day, be escorted to the Spa, where the problem was resolved. However, we feel that 1 stop should have been enough. We should just have been informed the next day that it had been corrected. The worst issue though was with the laundry package. We booked a bag of wash and fold for 14.95 and it clearly states returned on the same day. When we returned to our cabin late in the evening our laundry was not returned. I telephoned reception just to advise that it had not been returned (not because I needed it returned) and was told by a staff member that it was not returned the same day as I had not booked same day service on the other side of the form. I tried to advise that this was a separate service, but he was insistent. I was made to feel as though I was stupid, so decided to go to reception and show him the form. He compounded the issue by stating that as well as the 14.95, I also had to pay each of the individual item prices on the other side of the form. I was furious at his condescending and patronizing manner in trying to explain something that was clearly incorrect. It was at this point that another member of reveption staff intervened and told him he was wrong and found that my laundry had been inadvertently left in a locker and it was back in our room within 30 mins. Better training of staff definitely required here. 3) 8am check out is unreasonable. Especially when you have to leave your luggage outside your room the night before. Reduce the room services from twice a day to once a day freeing up housekeeping staff and let us check out a little later. 9am would be a little more civilized. 4) And finally, please fix the air-conditioning in the Orion restaurant. It was stifling all week. Read Less

We have only been on three previous cruises, all on small ships with quite personal service so this one at 1,500 passengers was big for us ! Our ports of call in the Canaries and Madeira were all fascinating, we thought that the excursions were overpriced and after finding that the handouts from the ship were not very helpful or accurate we headed for the tourist information offices at the places we visited. There was good information about the ports on-line but we used on-shore wi-fi and roaming Vodafone after a message that we would be charged £2.88 per minute for all calls, texts, and data on "Vodafone Marine" ! Our cabin, 1004, was quite good with a settee and table as well as TV and tea and coffee facilities and a good size window, a bit obscured by lifeboat access equipment. We had a problem with the safe which two visits from crew could not sort out, Dennis, an officer from reception was the second to try, we were pleased that the safe locked itself and refused to open until he put his override code in twice. He confirmed to us that it was faulty. I made a third visit to reception to complain and they refunded my money but were unable to provide a replacement safe for us or alternative safe storage for our valuables, apparently there is no safe at reception ! Our only option was to find a hiding place in the cabin. Please note there is no forseeable solution to this problem as replacement safes are apparently not available ! On our fifth day I was up early with diarrhoea and vomiting, I called reception as required and was visited by a doctor and nurse. They confirmed from my symptoms that it was not viral and therefore probably something that I had eaten so I could either stay in the cabin on immodium for 24 hours or visit the ships hospital for treatment which would see me well again in a couple of hours, I opted for the latter and had extensive blood tests and intravenous drugs, the treatment worked and I called back in the evening to check that all my obs. were normal. Excellent service but a tad dear at £1,400 plus ! Interesting to note that the previous day had been a "sea day" so it was most probably something that I had eaten on the ship. We unfortunately missed Lanzarote on my sick day. On the positive side, the crew were polite and helpful to a man ( or person I suppose I should say). The highlight of the cruise was the entertainment team, they worked non stop and were really professional and talented. The food was all pretty good ranging from canteen type buffets in various locations, made to order pancakes, omelettes and pizzas, a proper sit down restaurant with good service and "pay extra" speciality restaurants. We were on a full board but not " all inclusive " basis so we paid for the "wine package" which at about £14 per bottle compared to UK restaurant prices. Drinks at the bar were similar to pub prices. We enjoyed a lot of the cruise but there were things that let it down, there was no hot water on one evening and for the hour before the captains reception the whole ship was without any running water, the Captain did apologise and excused the smelly guests ! I registered all my complaints on-board and filled in the questionnaire on our return but there has been no offer of apology or compensation, in fact no response at all ! Read Less