TUI Cruise

[AlbertCampion]

We're thinking of going on a Mediterranean cruise in August 2024. This would be a very special holiday for us - we'd need 18 months to save - so we want to make sure we get it right! We're looking at TUI as they seem to be good value and family-friendly (we'll have 11 to DS with us). Has anyone got any feedback on TUI cruises? Or tips/tricks? Must-dos? We're usually a week-in-a-self-catering-cottage family so v nervous about splashing out and getting it wrong.

@tinytemper66 depending on when you go you might find yourself isolated at the beach in Ravenna. When we were there there wasn't anything open.

Thanks for the tip. It is August so hopefully something will be open. I really just want to swim in the sea and feel the sand in between my toes etc...

Oh @CraftyGin that sounds lovely! I am going to have to do lots of research about trips to make sure we get the most out of it all.

@AlbertCampion Well we arrived home last night so here is a brief overview. The ship itself was great; it is maintained to a very high standard, and kept extremely clean by all the hard working staff. The food is ( in my opinion) very good with many different eating places to try, a few of which cost extra. There are plenty of bars and other comfortable places to relax in, listen to music or read. The swimming pool area can get busy but this is the same on every ship. We had a very large cabin on deck 10 as we were celebrating a big birthday, and it was wow with lots of space and an equally impressive balcony. Everything about the ship was lovely.

However, I didn't really enjoy any of the ports, and one or two were very shabby. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria in particular was awful with a huge amount of building work taking place, and clouds of dust everywhere. Funchal, Madeira seems to have got a whole lot busier and very crowded. We didn't even make it to Agadir, as having sailed through some very stormy weather all the way there, we couldn't berth as they closed the port. Next morning it was the same story so we went all the way back to the Canaries.

I wouldn't have minded two extra sea days, just not in such foul weather!

We were so grateful to have the comfort of the ship, all the amenities and our beautiful cabin to retreat to. Not many kids on board but the day we were leaving lots joined as it was obviously half term. Didn't really sample the entertainment so can't comment. It's all inclusive for alcohol and certain soft drinks but I didn't really see anyone drunk.

I would join the Marella Explorer again if it was in the Med, the Aegean or similar but not The Canaries as the flight is too long and IMO not worth it. The staff, without exception are amazing, and go out of their way to ensure you have a great time on board.

@Blueberrycreampie I'm amazed you didn't try the entertainment.

I know but it's not really our thing and I did watch the shows the next day on the tv and thought they were good! The chap who did the Gary Barlow set was excellent and the musicals night was quite entertaining, We did look in the theatre and it really is very comfortable and could equal many venues! I don't know - we seemed to spend a lot of time in the bars, and in particular The Lounge where they had live music ( which I suppose is entertainment of a different kind) and often got talking to different people, and then going to dinner late.

Hi,
we are on P&O Azura at the moment around the Canaries. I agree with @Blueberrycreampie Las Palmas is not nice! Not the parts we saw anyway. Having said that, we came for the relaxation on the ship and some sunshine, not the itinerary.

I have been on Marella Explorer twice, I had low expectations but I could not fault the friendliness of the staff and the overall feel of the ship. The food was good with a choice of places to eat, for example an Italian where you could choose your own pizza or pasta made fresh to your taste. It was great being all inclusive, it really helps to have a budget in mind.

I have been on quite a few cruise lines, as a previous poster said, there are pluses and minuses to them all. My favourite was Royal Caribbean but it is expensive. We sailed from Southampton which reduced the cost but we had an inside cabin. The food and entertainment was amazing but that was back in 2014.

I really hated MSC, I have only been on one cruise with them and although the ship was beautiful the food and entertainment were awful. That said, I heard someone on this cruise saying MSC was their favourite.

I’m sure you will have a brilliant time, it’s a great way to see so many different places and such a relaxing holiday.

I did the med Marella cruise about 5 years ago in early summer. We loved it. The basic drinks package wepas good. In moneco we just took the train which was fine. The Florence and Pisa trip was good. We enjoyed the entertainment.

@Freezingtoes Yes I would agree! My expectations weren't very high but I really couldn't fault it, well I have one complaint and that is the amount of ice in the drinks - I had to keep asking for less ice.

Yes, Royal Caribbean entertainment is incredible- I remember, a long time ago Jack Jones was flown onto the ship by helicopter. He was a big star in the US - Vegas etc. in fact everything about Royal Caribbean is great - have been on a few ships - the older ones. They were all fantastic!

We've done 3 TUI cruises when DC were late teens.
Chosen for their casual ethos because I hate formality and stuffiness.
They were brilliant and DC loved them. The food was great and there was plenty to do. The days are busy as you have to be up and off early for the shore trips.
We mostly did our own thing rather than organised tours. For one day in Barcelona I would recommend the open top bus tour. You get a good tour and can get on and off.
We did the mediterranean medley although the itinerary was slightly different.
Be aware they can change ports at short notice.
If you possibly can get an outside cabin for the views.

@Blueberrycreampie Thank You so much for the feedback. The ship sounds amazing - sorry the ports weren't as good. I think, based on what you and others have said, that the Med cruise is going to be perfect for us, so we've decided to book. Am very excited! Will probably be back for more advice on trips, etc, nearer the time!

You're welcome! I'm probably looking at Croatia for our next one or a river cruise. The temperature in Tenerife today is 5degrees! I joined some Facebook groups for Marella Cruises and that plus YouTube videos helped a lot.👍

So happy to have found this thread! We’ve booked a Marella cruise today (Marella Explorer, Adriatic itinerary v similar to one PP posted above), in July.

I was having a bit of a wobble as to whether we should have gone with Royal
Caribbean - we had quotes from both at v similar prices - but preferred the Marella itinerary slightly. And liked the idea that everything is included, esp with three hungry teens!

We’ve got two cabins, so two bathrooms which also helps with 5 of us. And large balconies which will hopefully be nice.

Having read all the posts here, I’m really excited. Thank you 😊

Any thoughts on must sees (and which places you can do your own thing, and where you are better off splashing out on the excursions) much appreciated.

Our ports are: Kopor, Venice, Dubrovnik, Split and Kotor, starting and ending in Corfu.

@NotThisWeekSatan We did that itinerary with DC when they were 19/20, about 6 years ago.
The highlight was unexpectedly Split. Don't bother to book a trip just wander around.
Venice was grim. Too crowded and worth it only to say we've been, although DH and I had been before.
Kopor is a funny little place, we just walked around, found a museum with a lovely garden and had lunch.
The sail into and out of Kotor is magnificent, you'll probably recognise it. It's used as scenic background a lot, (hotel portofinio for one).

Good tips, thank you so much @Fairysilver. DC are 16, 14 and 14 so I’m hoping they can have a bit of independence on board and will enjoy the port days more than just a beach hol. Fingers crossed!

I gave a run down of this itinerary on 4th February. The only difference, I think is that we stopped in Sibernik instead of Split.

We prefer to do our own thing and only take ship's transport when there isn't any other way of getting where we want to go.

Seasoned cruisers, is it cheaper to book waaay in advance or do they get cheaper nearer departure? I really want to go on a cruise for my 50th in June 2025. dates aren't available yet but I don't know whether to jump as soon as they come out or wait. Thanks x

We did this exact same cruise on Marella Explorer last year. Absolutely fantastic. The ports were so interesting. The ship offers bike tours and we did one at Koper which was excellent. You go into the countryside and to a little seaside town. We hired bikes ourselves in Montenegro and cycled round the bay. Split and aDubrovnik, we wandered round the towns, but I’d definitely recommend climbing up to the hills above both towns as you get amazing views. We didn’t go into Venice but looked round Trieste and visited the castle and museum. You’ll have a fantastic time.

I second achillesshield - we did the exact same one last august and it was fantastic. Really good ports of call, so beautiful.

The Adriatic Explorer has very few beaches, just because of the nature of the coastline.

At Koper, we took a coach from the ship to a beach resort town, Portoroz. It was a beautiful drive - very floral, IIRC. The beach was completely artificial, but had plenty of sunbeds to hire. They even had little lock boxes for your valuables. There were lots of paid activities in the sea, eg paragliding and banana boats. The beach was surrounded by markets and really nice restaurants. We had a fabulous day there. www.tui.co.uk/cruise/excursion/overview/-973513

The main excursion from Koper is to Lake Bled.

Thank you all for your posts and advice, and @CraftyGin apologies, you did indeed write about this itinerary and I missed it. You’re all making it sound fab and I’m very excited for it now.

Cruise newbie question - how do you know which ports are easy to do under your own steam and where you’re better off booking an excursion - eg where the port is a long way from, or not v easy to navigate to, the city centre or anything interesting. Is it just a matter of googling?

We loved Marella cruises. We have been on several, pre covid, and noticed that generally, there was one day at sea for a week's cruise whereas with other companies, there were two days at sea.

The usual advice is to either book as soon as come out because they usually offer onboard credit or 12 weeks before.
Personally I have always booked last minute. For best prices ALWYS book through an agent ( usually online Cruise Nation, Planet Cruise, Cruise 1st, Igloo etc) never direct. The cruise ships give them incentives. Last cruise I paid £2k less for my balcony than another couple who booked an inside a year in advance. Hold your nerve. There are so many cruise ships you’ll get a bargain no problem.

The only thing is if you are fly cruising ie not Southampton flights go up. 12 weeks is about perfect for both.

Tui gives you very little information on how easy it is to DIY excursions. You can look through all their excursions on the website, and see if you can glean any information about how far the attraction is from the boat.

In Venice, we to a water taxi into town.. The cruise terminal is quiet far, but there is a Vaporetto stop.

Koper, we took ship's coach to Portoroz. The actual port is bleak looking, and we were there on a Sunday when everything was closed.

Sibernik - the tender lets you off in the centre of the town, so if you are not doing any excursions as such, you don't need to get any further transport.

Dubrovnik - the port is out of town, but walkable if you feel the need to stretch your legs. Other than that taxi or bus (the bus was equivalent of a pound when we did it. There's a good supermarket opposite the port if you want to get some local goodies.

Montenegro, you port is right down town, so no need for further transport.

Corfu - we took a taxi into town.

We used RC anthem of the seas last year. Kids said it was the best holiday ever.