Overview
About
Passengers: 1,830 | Crew: 753
Passengers to crew: 2.43:1
Launched: 1996
Cabins
Balcony
Cabin size: 139 - 172 sq. ft.
Connected rooms: 50
Accessible rooms: 0
Maximum passengers: 4
Number of cabins: 270
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We were booked on the Explorer 2 cruising the Caribbean. First issue for us were the considerable delays getting onto the ship on account of all the flights arriving together. The actual cabin was clean and comfortable. Never been on a cruise so was unsure what to expect but found the food generally good and plentiful. There were occasions however in the supposed a la carte restaurant I would describe it as hospital food. Shore excursions were well organised with friendly staff. The afternoon on board was a bit of a shock with hoards of passengers drunk by the pool, being encouraged by supposed entertainers with cups and cans swirling around the decks. I actually felt for the staff who struggled to manage. The crew, cleaners and waiters were the biggest asset to the ship, really friendly and helpful.…
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
Just returned from a TUI relocation cruise, flying from Gatwick, to Majorca las Palma. All done via TUI including flights. We checked in the night before for a early morning flight. A excellent idea. Giving us a hour or two more in bed. Next day flight, slight delay but not a problem. Flight short and ok. Spanish passport control /Security very long queues, took a Hour or more. Baggage reclaim not to bad. Coach transfer. Lack of room on coach very very cramped. We turn up at port after short journey, to a row of coaches. Was asked to stay on coach. We got off with the smokers as it was to cramped to sit there , covered in hand luggage in cramped conditions. Walked down to join the queue for embarkation.. this was to check your boarding passes and travel insurance. This took a hour and half. Next queue we had to join was for checking your booking details , also having your photograph taken for boarding card. and giving your credit/Debit card details.That took another hour and forty minutes. Next queue we were asked to join , was to have your hand luggage scanned yet again. Not to bad thought we had finally got on board. Nope had a number stuck on our chest and told follow the signs for muster point. Signs seem to have run out, so asked other passengers the way. We were directed to the theatre . Where we had to watch a safety video, on life jackets etc. after this we went to visit our lifeboat. Given instructions of what to do in event of a problem. From there we could then pick up our boarding cards, along with our cabin number. All in all, to get from the port entrance to our cabin at least 4hrs 40 minutes. Our cabin on level eight was a junior suite was fairly spacious. Lots of storage. Really nice balcony hour. No problems. Had a few drinks. Grabbed something to eat, Spoke to friends few more drinks. Then a early night.everything great until 06.30 in the morning. With loud banging talking. Stomping of feet etc. you may have guessed it. We were under the pool deck. Selfish idiots choosing their sun-bed spots. . We complained to reception. We were told we picked the room, and it’s under a public area. We asked them why they ask for more money for these rooms, if the are inferior to rooms on lower decks. No answer. We were then infotech it could not happens as th crew , do not start doing beds until 08.am. We were actually speaking to the gentleman at 07-15. They said the crew would be informed not to start until 08.00 am. Next day at 06.15 crashing and banging yet again. We called reception informed them. They said they would take it up with the crew again. Next day crash bang early hours again . Asked to change rooms. We were offered another room. For the next day. We were so glad to have been moved, as that morning same again. New cabins was a lot better. Same level but other end and side of ship. Only smokers moving tables in smoking area about 07.00 am. The crew then stopped any sun bed claiming until after 8.Am . Having to stand there until the staff laid the sun beds out. Entertainment not the best. One band were really good, and kept the ship alive. Other entertainment was average at most. The Food was not the best, a bit like school dinners in the buffet restaurants but with more choices, The waiter service restaurant was ok. More civilised, food was average.The waiters worked, very hard, very polite, and smile a lot. Surf and turf restaurant better quality than than the others. Again waiting staff all brilliant. Very attentive , food cooked really well. Cabin boys were ok. Not the best we have had. To get off the ship at the end of the cruise. Was a joke. Left queuing for over 4 hours in 30.c no water no shade. We were made to queue up to check in, this took well over a hour this was for our boarding tickets. The next queue was to have hand luggage scanned. That was a hour or so. After that it was at least two hours plus. To queue for immigration.The coach journey to the airport was uneventful and short.At the airport two shortish queues for security and the flight itself. In comparison the hour 30 mins delay. caused by passengers refusing to get off the plane. Flight home was comfortable , Dinner for airplane food was not to bad, breakfast was for me dreadful. A very sweet yogurt, and a blueberry muffin., a bit dry and again very sweet. It could be not to my taste. But did not see many eat breakfast. TUI need to look into their queueing structure. This one does not work. Why let 5 or 6 people go with each wheelchair they let through? One would carer would be enough. There again. Why let wheel chairs through queues first anyway. There were lots of older people queuing up for hours.Andy did not have a chair to sit in? So why do they get priority? We can understand it, that wheel chair and carer getting onto plane first. But not. the whole family.?Why are they put through long queues first other than that , as they have the advantage of a chair. That a lot of others do not have.…
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
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Just spent 7 days on the Canarian flavours cruise. The ship itself was great with everything you needed for a smaller cruise around Europe. Our inside cabin was perfect as we wanted darkness to ensure a good night sleep which is kind of what we got. The beds aren’t the comfiest but I’ve definately slept in far worse in hotels over the years. The food was more than adequate with Latitude offering delicious Al a carte food three times a day. We didn’t need to use the buffet as the options of alternative eateries were plentiful. I highly recommend the tapas skewers (worth every penny at £11 extra) and the Steakhouse food was exquisite. The staff on board were what made this holiday for me. Every single member of staff had a smile on their face throughout our stay. They honestly couldn’t do enough for you and it was a joy to be onboard with them. This of course includes the entertainers. They work flat out all day to ensure everyone is having fun and they were top notch! Final mention goes to the Broadway show stage entertainers. There are so many amazingly talented people on that stage and it’s clear some of them have trained professionally but honestly, their show Cogs was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. This isn’t a dig at the cast (it’s criminal they were made to perform such a car crash), it’s a dig at whoever came up with the concept, (lack of) storyline and chose the music. Jukebox musicals are meant to be all about the songs and the songs were horrific,. The audience were left speechless at the end and it was talked about by guests on board for days after. I really felt for the performers. That aside, would definately do another Marella cruise, the premium drinks package is worth the extra dollar, I’ve drank my body weight in grey goose!…
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Our first cruise and tbh will be our last. Cruise ship cabins are like being in a caravan and I much prefer a hotel. Our bedding had blood stains on it and the coffee cups had the people before us coffee still in the cups. I cleaned our room and the anti bacterial wipes were brown. I asked for clean coffee cups and bedding. The pool is packed as too many people for what is a plunge pool. Food is basic all inclusive but nice. You queue 45 mins for drinks most busy evenings, or wait for the hourly waiter to return at some point. Shows are okay if all you like is watching singing and dancing. You queue for lifts constantly. Getting on/off the ship is like a stampede, never seen such rude people. People were shouting at waiters they were premium and demanding to be served first, yet most people were premium! You pay a lot of money for what feels cheap. We will return to Rome as it was beautiful but we will fly and get a nice hotel. If you are disabled and use a wheelchair like my husband you will find cruising very difficult as doorways are narrow with big bumps and many other passengers are so rude to you. The best bit of the ship was the Spa where I spent a lot of money and their services are on a par with hotel spas. The afternoon quizzes and pop songs around the pool were fun as livened up a very dead boring atmosphere otherwise. Not posh and if you like caravans cruising is def for you.…
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Helpful
+1
This was our 2nd cruise on Marella Discovery 2 (previously in 2019). We travelled as 2 couples aged 35-40 during the October half term. We loved our cruise and wish we could have stayed for another week. To get it out of the way, there are some minor improvements that could be made in certain areas but the main things we noticed were: • the length of time to sometimes wait for drinks at the bars • the capacity in the main restaurant 47 and Gallery 47 - there seemed to be less staff than would be optimal meaning that all the tables in the restaurant couldn’t be used, if more staff were brought on the capacity could be increased and that would mean more guests could be seated in there, as you can’t book sometimes guests were being turned away when it got too full However the above didn’t bother us as we just worked around them and there were so many more positives than negatives, including: • the staff - everyone we encountered wanted to provide excellent service and they did, particularly Khushan in the bars and Andre in room attendant crew • the entertainers - Saphy was amazing on the piano with a great voice and Dem Boyz were just so lively and fun, if you don’t smile when watching them then I don’t think you want to have a good time • the food - we had good breakfasts in Islands every day with brilliant omelettes and cooked breakfasts; Snack Shack was great for mid afternoon snacks when getting back on the boat, as was Islands with afternoon tea style food; the main restaurants, 47, gallery 47 and glass house all had good varied menus; Kora La and Surf & Turf (extra cost) were both outstanding and were definitely worth paying extra for • the drinks - we upgraded to the premium AI as we drink quite a lot so knew it would be worth it, we tried nearly all the drinks on the menu (cocktails, beers, wines, coffees, milkshakes) and obviously you have your favourites but we were generally happy with all the drinks we had and the speed we got them in • the bars - we spent time in all the bars and enjoyed them all, live room was probably our favourite with Saphy and Dem Boyz often on in there, then late night partying in Bar 11 until 2am, we also liked Squid & Anchor for some cheesy fun game shows etc, the deck bar to chill on a late afternoon, the atrium bar was pre dinner drinks and the show lounge for the main shows • excursions - we did a vineyard tour and Nou Camp tour through Tui that were both as expected and we thought good value for money (we did our own excursions / tourism on the other days) • flight / transfers - from getting off the plane to getting to the boat, boarding and then the same coming home, everything was planned and organised very well by Tui We’d love to go back next year but might have to wait until 2024.…
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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