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
Reviews
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Just returned from cruise around Greek Islands on 10/09/20201 on the Marella Discovery. This was the first cruise international cruise the Marella Discovery had sailed since the covid crisis. The cruise itself was very good and enjoyable - We had no problems with the restrictions we had to undergo and they didn't impinge on our enjoyment of the cruise. The staff were excellent as usual given the circumstances they had to work under. The food and dining facilities were excellent apart from a couple of cold breakfasts in the Glasshouse restaurant. The entertainment was also very good and we had good nights listening to the musicians onboard. The downside of the trip was on the journey back to the UK. There was chaos at Corfu airport with people confused as to what was required of them and what documentation to produce to leave the island. My wife got herself in a panic because we couldn't download the Passenger Location Form and they wouldn't let us through to catch the plane. If it wasn't for a very kind young woman who offered to help us and even came to the check in desk with us with details on her phone we wouldn't have got home. I wish to thank her very much. We weren't the only ones who had problems - There was a great percentage of older people who didn't have a clue what to do or didn't have the required technology to do what was wanted. I would suggest that TUI/Marella should have advised us on the ship before we departed what people had to do and what documentation was needed and made sure that everyone had the required paperwork before they left the ship. This would have helped tremendously. Even if they had printed the PLF for everyone and let people fill it out by hand that would have helped a lot. It seemed that it was the PLF was the problem for many people at the airport. I don't know why the Greek authorities would want to know where I am located when I reach the UK. The entry to UK at Newcastle airport was quick and seamless. We offered to show the man the PLF but he said it wasn't necessary as all the information required could be accessed through our passports. In my view we were surplus to requirements once we were due to leave the ship and the didn't care what happened to us once we had left the ship - They weren't interested in us. The reps were of little assistance. On top of this the plane was delayed for an hour and it was midnight before got home very tired. But overall it was an enjoyable and much needed break after 18 months without an holiday.…
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3 Helpful votes
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Having never cruised, I came across what I thought was a really great offer (and it was) but others had paid less and some much much more. Positives. The service from all the staff without exception was brilliant, although sometimes a little over the top, it beats bad service any day. The food was, mostly, excellent. The 47 (A La Carte) and 47 Gallery (for Italian) was consistently brilliant for lunch and evening meals, breakfast was a little more hit and miss. The snack shack was good with a reasonable selection and the Glasshouse was also quite good. The islands buffet I tried twice and honestly I was very disappointed, but people I met said that they thought it was excellent so maybe not to my taste. I didn't get to try the speciality restaurants as it appeared that you could only book in as a couple, but feedback was that they were excellent and well worth the extra fee. The drinks service was very good all across the ship, with the option to take as premium drinks package at about £10 per day. I didn't and the range of drinks included, and proper brands (Bacardi, Smirnoff, Baileys etc) was plenty fine for me. The entertainers worked extremely hard and the shows that I saw were good. My cabin was perfectly adequate, queen sized bed, a sofa and a TV (not many channels) although you don't spend much time in your room. I would seriously consider one with a balcony next time. For extra space but also being able to take in the views as you cruise around. . Negatives Not very much and certainly not enough to flavour my review was that sauces were like gold dust and were hand spooned by the staff and also sugar for coffees etc were the same although this might be a covid restriction. Overall, I had a great time and although I travelled as a solo I did meet a group of other travellers and we, in different numbers, met for meals and sometime a walk out into one of the destinations. The ship was well under capacity, estimates were 40 - 60% full (this was the first international cruise for 18 months) and my review might have been different had it been full. There are Covid rules and testing requirements that seem quite difficult and confusing, and to honest, TUI were very poor at imparting the knowledge of what was to be done when, although they were learning on the job too. But once done these were straightforward enough, its just the stress and knowing when to do what. I think some of the more elderly people of the ship found this particularly difficult. I did, however, have a really good time and would cruise again. The Discovery is about the right size, we saw a few American behemoths in port and I think that that would be a less personal experience.…
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1 Helpful vote
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Amazing is an understatement, ship very clean , staff,food,drink absolutely fantastic, the itinerary could not have been better, we visited some amazing places , various Greek islands , Dubrovnik,Split,Venice,Kotor to name a few. The cabin was basic but had everything we needed and cleaned by very enthusiastic cabin lads twice a day.The ship had various restaurants & bars open and close at different times so you could eat and drink from 6.30am to 3am , a la carte places to eat where you can get all dressed if you want to but also buffet where you needn’t get dressed up if you don’t want to it’s your choice. Food in all restaurants is to a very high standard Bars have different drink packages we upgraded to the premium package for £50 per week for this you can drink anything you like, you get 1.5ltr bottled water in your room everyday , access to the coffee port etc , we thought it was well worth it,Entertainment is spread about the ship something on all day in various bars the shows in the main show bar are really good. The ship is mainly British guests but the staff are from around the world and everyone of them are really really smart and friendly they cannot do enough for you but I must say one stood out above them all for us and that was a waiter Pierson Almeida who worked on the top deck he never stopped all day long walking round keeping everyone topped up with their drinks. We would definitely recommend Marella cruises to anyone it doesn’t matter what ship you are on …
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2 Helpful votes
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WE started off the cruise brilliantly, then the reality of Covid 19 hit us in the face wham. The first country to reject us was Cambodia then came Vietnam. Fortunately the best country let us in.Good old Singapore my favourite place in the far east. We manged to visit twice during the cruise along with 2 visits to Thailand. Slowly the reality of the situation hit home & Captain Chris had to abandon the cruise.The logistics of getting 1000,s of people repatriated was gigantic but TUI pulled it off.I was the first to leave the ship for the airport.Captain Chris was there to see us all off at the dockside.What a star.The experience was not for the sqeamish as the fear of the unknown was apparent to everyone on board including the crew & all the employees.Every man jack of them & the females did their jobs expertly.The was no panic as Capt Chris kept everybody up to speed.He did not shy away,he was there front & centre.Someday they will make a movie of the repatriation of Marella Discovery in the far east.What a feat of logistics to repatriate crew members,staff & passengers.Goverments could not have done better.Well done TUI & Capt Chris in particular.Now do not let yourselves down by making everybody wait for their compensation.It would be a shame to spoil all that good work.…
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2 Helpful votes
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We joined the ship for Colours of the Far East 1, on the 5th March. New to cruising, I was so impressed with the ship, the facilities, crew, dining the entertainment team etc. And our cabin was very comfortable and larger than I expected. Unfortunately our cruise was cancelled whilst at sea. Due to covid 19. The ships Captain Chris Dodds was very transparent and kept us fully informed throughout. Even though we didn't have the time and experience of the destination stops it hasn't put me off as I loved the whole experience of being on the ship. And I will cruise again.…
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1 Helpful vote
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