Marella Spirit Review
The highlights were Gibraltar and Vigo, fortunately both were from deck 2.
Rating by category
Additional details
This is the first on the Spirit having been on the rest except the Discovery. I am writing this as a disabled passenger, as I try to help if I can, other people like me. We have a adapted cabin which was kept perfectly clean. It was showing it's age with peeling veneer and such.
We ate in the Compass Rose restaurant and the staff were really great and the baked Alaska night was made better by all the staff singing you will never walk alone, it put a lump in my throat.
The worst thing about this two week cruise was trying to leave the ship and go on land to visit the country we were in as this is what we do normally as the excursions never seem to fit me. The first stop was Lisbon and we went to leave from deck 4 and I was horrified, the steps from the ship were very steep which was bad enough but they were not ordinary steps but we had to stand on a potion of the step about 2 inches wide or walk on the step tread which was at angle and nearly impossible for me to manage. We did try and my husband had to take my small scooter to pieces and walk up and down 4 times, and I felt awful as I caused a backlog because it took me so long. The reason for these steps was the TIDES. Most disabled people just gave up and went back inside, and needless to say I also gave up three times after that. On three occasions they used number 2 deck as the Tides were right and at least we were able to leave the ship We felt a little let down by the fact that nothing could be done to allow us to better enjoy our trip, after all Thomsons use the same routes over and over so they could warn disabled passengers to choose before going, if they want to stay on the ship and not be able to leave when the it is subject to the TIDES.
Cabin Review
As I mentioned it was perfectly adequate which was kept clean and tidy by two lovely ladies. It was an adapted cabin and gave me all the confidence to stay there. The toilet was a bit temperamental as sometimes it would not flush until it wanted to but it did in the end.
Port Reviews
Lisbon
As I use a scooter we found that Lisbon was all cobbled streets and also very steep upwards after leaving the port.
Vigo
As we do not go on excursions we just go as and when we decide. I had not really heard of Vigo but it was one of the best port for us as it was flat and loads to see and places to eat.
Porto (Leixoes)
We were impressed with Porto as we had a great walk about and ended at one of the best beaches we have ever seen. It is clean and inviting, but unfortunately it was not possible to get on the beach with wheelchairs or such, but we did visit a café that had access and nearly on the beach. Bad lemonade !
Gibraltar
We love this place as it is just like England when we were growing up. the red phone boxes and old fashioned post boxes. It was a pleasure to saunter up the main street and obviously shop till you drop. It has all familiar shops but they are all cheaper.
We were there twice so we shopped on first time and also we were lucky enough so see the Keys Ceremony which was colourful and interesting. The next visit we tried to walk to the Rock, which was a long walk for my husband and when we arrived the queue for the cable car was very long, but as luck had it they have a Botanical gardens, and as my husband is a avid gardener he when in for a quick visit, as I could not visit as there was lots of steps.