Marella Discovery Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Our party consisted of three people. We are long-standing customers of Thomson Cruise (TUI) and have enjoyed well over 10 cruises with Thomson. We have enjoyed cruising with Thomson so much that we have never felt inclined to travel with another cruise line.
This review covers our first experience on the TUI Discovery. It was its second week of sailing. The itinerary was Cosmopolitan Classics.
On first sight Discovery looks impressive. It is very smart and compares favourably with other cruise ships. Inside there are obvious signs that the ship has been well used in the past but the recent refit really has smartened things up so the impression is very good. The atrium in the centre of the ship is striking. New features like the climbing wall and mini golf course are nice. Of all the ships we have sailed on the Discovery is the easiest to find your way around. So no more puzzled passengers trying to find their way to somewhere. The ship is very well stabilized and even though some periods of choppy seas occurred it was hardly noticeable on board.
Cabin Review
Our cabin was a double cabin and was on deck 6, outside with a balcony. It was large enough and the balcony was nice. The en-suite is exactly as expected on all TUI ships. Our main criticism was the lack of drawer space. Just three “shoe box” sized drawers. Though plenty of hanging space is provided. Yet there is a virtually useless armchair occupying a large corner of the cabin that could be better used for a chest of drawers. The very small dresser is rendered useless because of the large tea making tray upon it leaving about a square foot for other use. Advice: don’t take too many clothes! The bed was particularly comfortable.
Our co-passenger had a single cabin on deck 3. Equally the size of our double. A very large window providing clear views. Plenty of drawer space. Even had a couch!
Having compared both cabins we wonder whether a balcony is really necessary. Does the extra cost warrant the occasional use?