Marella Explorer Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We realize that: "You-pay-for-what-you-get" and the total package price of an inclusive cruise (incl drinks & tips) may not be compared to other cruise lines where you pay double or triple cruise fares, excluding drinks or tips. So the overall experience we felt was: very friendly staff (and do anything to make you comfortable) and the ship looks clean and well kept.
Than what did we miss during this cruise? We have cruised with many (upscale) cruiseships but also sailed twice with Pullmantur before and their concept resembles the all inclusive concept of Marella. So this expectation became our starting point and left us during the cruise puzzled.
- Ratio staff versus passengers: we experienced long(er) wait lines to enter dining rooms; leaving/entering ship during peak times (excursions); making contact to reception was lining up during the day. The ship does not feel very personal, although individual staff works hard and remembers your special order. We learned quickly that breakfast taken in the main dining room was better: there was space to sit down, in the buffet area it was very hard to find any seat.
Cabin Review
Cabin was comfortable and offered a bigger balcony, which we selected on purpose. When we checked in reception informed us that due to a double booking we were assigned another cabin, luckily it was on starboard as during this cruise we wanted a sunny balcony during the seaday to Agadir. We prefer the privacy and peace of our own balcony than the loud pool or musac music public spaces. The booking fee was levied, which is fair and appreciated.
Our cabin attendants were fantastic: Hendah and his fellow colleague (sorry did not remember his name). They provided personalized service and worked around our habits right away.
Bathroom is renovated and we received nice big towels with Clarins products are very nice.
Bedroom has one large bed (or twin) with a desk and lot of storage in cupboards and plenty of drawers.
Port Reviews
Agadir
We took a taxi, €15 one way.
Madeira (Funchal)
Madeira Side Car tour with Filipe doing an amazing job, best tour ever!