Marella Med Cruise

[WhatTimeIsItCuckoo]

Hi all

I've booked the above for a week in July for just me and my 13yo son.

For a bit of background, I've recently separated from my husband of 30 years which is proving very difficult. I have two other children of 19 and almost 18 who are both going away with their friends this year, hence it just being the two of us.

I'm feeling all the things atm, quite excited, but also anxious (never cruised before and worried I've made the right choice for us both) and sad, sad about my marriage ending, the older two off doing their own thing (but glad for them too of course) and grieving our past family holidays. It just all feels so strangely wrong somehow 😔

Looking for - hopefully - reassurance from anyone who's done one of these, or knows anyone who has, that I've chosen well and that we'll both enjoy it.

Please be kind, I'm very fragile at the min! TIA

I like Marella cruises, they are friendly and fun. The evening shows are very good, I’m sure you and your DS will have a lovely time.
Have you planned any excursions yet? I used to get my DC involved in picking what we would in all the different places we visited.

You'll love it, and so will your son.
We took our DSs on a Marella med cruise when they were teenagers and it was a brilliant family holiday.

Lots to do on board day and night. Days out in different places every day. Great food.
It's a bit like a huge all inclusive hotel with a different city on the doorstep each day.

Thank you both, we haven't booked excursions yet but I plan to involve my son when they are available (travel agent will tell me when so). Can I ask did any of you have any problems with claustrophobia and/or sea sickness at all?

Can I ask did any of you have any problems with claustrophobia and/or sea sickness at all?
I have been on over 20 cruises and never felt sea sick even though I do get sea sick occasionally on small boats.
What cabin gave you booked?

Honestly I think you’ll both love it. I’ve booked a Marella cruise for just me and my 2 children (10 and 12) this summer (Greek islands) as it seemed an ideal type of holiday for just me and them.

Have been on a few before and love Marella as it’s so friendly, the food is plentiful and excellent and the ships and activities are very keyed up for children. It also feels very ‘safe’ compared to eg going abroad on my own with 2 children, if that makes sense. Like someone describes above it is like a huge floating all inclusive hotel. No claustrophobia or seasickness- the inside spaces eg the atria etc on the ships are usually huge and very impressive.

Just be warned you’ll be converted to cruising!

If you haven’t done so already have a look on you tube as there are so many blogs of the different cruises, if you type in Marella loads will come up.

Sorry for your situation op. We went on 2 Marella cruises pre-covid and they were fantastic. Unfortunately standards have slipped post-covid but as you've never been you wouldn't know any different. The only thing i'm not keen on is the evening entertainment, yes the shows are very good but the rest is a bit meh. Your son will no doubt enjoy Movies Under the Stars though. Otherwise maybe take some games & books etc for you both for after dinner.

We love cruising OP. What are your Ports? May be we can help with some excursions and planning. They should be available for booking now if you’re cruising in July.

I would hate a cruise but I am addicted to watching various cruisers channels. Emma cruises and Tips for Travellers have loads of info.

Don't put a pineapple on the door.

If you get to your cabin / room and it is a double bed ask for them to change it to twins, all the beds can do that.

Are you in an inside cabin? you might consider a daylight alarm.

Take travel sickness pills with you, you might not need them. The med isn't known for being choppy and cruise ships have stabilisers.

Check the plug sockets and take adaptors if necessary.

Use the cruise line's own excursions, if you are late back then the ship will wait if you are on their excursion.

If you have a stop in Rome, it isn't, it's about a 30 min train ride away. On port days things like the spa are often cheaper so if you want to use the spa it might be worth missing a port.

Get cruise insurance.

GET CRUISE INSURANCE.

Check the drinks packages, some lines make everyone in the cabin take the same package so it would be a waste to get a package that includes alcohol when your DS can't drink.

Don't try to smuggle alcohol on board, you are allowed something like 2 bottles.

If they offer a 'backstage' tour of things like the kitchens or the bridge then apparently they are very interesting, but you do need shoes with an enclosed toe.

Maybe I should consider a job as a cruise travel agent.

Have a blast, both of you.

Check the drinks packages, some lines make everyone in the cabin take the same package so it would be a waste to get a package that includes alcohol when your DS can't drink.
This is incorrect, the rule applies to all adults in the stateroom not all passengers in the stateroom.

If you have a stop in Rome, it isn't, it's about a 30 min train ride away.

This is incorrect.

Happy to be corrected. Sorry OP.

The two Med cruises I watched both called in at Civitavecchia which is 80 Km from Rome.

Maybe it depends on the line or the size of the ship?

Many thanks for all these! Rushing now but will be back and answer some questions as soon as I can - many thanks again all! 😊

The two Med cruises I watched both called in at Civitavecchia which is 80 Km from Rome.

Its an hour train journey plus a walk to the station or a shuttle bus.

We went on a cruise that included* *Civitavecchia for Rome. We just stayed on board that day. It's not compulsory to get off at every port and none of us fancied a long coach ride so we had a day on board which was great. Lots going on and quiet. There are pools if it's warm and some have indoor pools.
Sea sickness - I get seasick on a North sea ferry but not on a cruise ship. It's very rare to hit a storm in the med in summer.
With Marella the entertainment is unashamedly British and a bit cheesy which perfectly suited us and two teenage boys.

The nice thing about Marella it’s all inclusive so need to buy a drinks package.

Thanks again for all the responses.

Re cabin, I've just booked the standard inside one as, with not having done this before, just thought it'd be a good place to start, then, if we decide to do another one, I'll be guided by our experience - still a bit in two minds about upgrading though?

Re excursion availability, our TA has assured me they'll let me know as soon as they become available - they are much used and trusted by us over the years but I'll maybe touch base with them this week and just double check that.

We have annual TI which I know is very comprehensive, but will double check that it covers cruising.

Ports are:
Departing and arriving from and to Palma, Majorca
Ajaccio, Corsica
Civitavecchia, Italy
Livorno, Italy
St Raphael, France
Barcelona, Spain

Does anyone happen to know if there are shorter excursions as an option - like half/part day ones? My son can get quite tired and often likes to head back to base to just chill for a bit.

For some context, I did a solo sun holiday with him around 18 months ago and we loved it, though he did get a bit bored at times I think, hence me choosing this for some variety in there. We have also done various city breaks together, just us two, which he's loved and totally engaged with, another reason I chose this as thought all the different ports would interest him.

Hi OP. We have a Marella cruise booked for the Med, first week in July. Have you logged onto 'Marella Cruise Control' - just put that into Google, will need usual log in details, departure date, booking ref etc.

It sets out the itinerary for each day in terms of excursions available.

We have been able to see excursions for a few weeks, so imagine you may be able to also, or at least will do so very soon.

Hopefully you can log onto that and see what you fancy. There are some shorter trips on our cruise.

Have a great holiday.

Marella cruises are really easy. We go most years and took the boys when they were younger. You don’t have to do the excursions and they can work out costly. When you get to Corsica you can visit Napoleons childhood home which is just a short walk from the port.

We went on one 7 years ago, it was great. The engine noise was loud the first night, I'd recommend earplugs. We ate in the restaurant rather than the buffet, it was really nice. The basic drinks package was fine, there was a lovely cocktail like banana milkshake. We did see some women get surrounded by pick pockets in Pisa. The trips were generally worth paying for.

If the upgrade cost isn’t too high then I’d go for an outside cabin (a cabin with a window). A balcony is lovely to have but as this is your first cruise you won’t know what you are missing.

You have a fabulous itinerary.

You can do shorter excursions in lots of the ports, for example in Majorca they offer 4 hour sightseeing trips or you could go on a hop on hop off bus (good value) or do something like go to a water park, caves or a beach.

Thanks all, again! Yes I'll look at Cruise Control, I remember talking to the TA about that now, and looking when I'd first booked - last month - there was nothing showing then, but there may well be now.

@FestivalFun, I'd wondered about an outside cabin. Can I ask why you'd recommend? Is that just so you can see out and don't have such a 'hemmed in' feeling?

You could do a half day trip to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa or go on your own on the very cheap trains. You’ll probably need to get a shuttle to the train station if you went for this option.

For Rome there will a mixture of different priced excursions, the first time we went we picked an expensive one that included a visit to the coliseum, Vatican museums, a few other places and lunch, we went on the coach. The second time we caught the train (very cheap) as we knew our way around Rome as had also been there for a mini break inbetween the cruises.

Or you could have Rome as a stay on board and chill day.

@FestivalFun, I'd wondered about an outside cabin. Can I ask why you'd recommend? Is that just so you can see out and don't have such a 'hemmed in' feeling?

Yes that’s why I prefer either a balcony or a window. Lots of people love inside cabins and always say they sleep well in them. Honestly though you’ll probably hardly be in your cabin especially as Marella is all inclusive so you can go up on deck and watch all the departures and/or arrivals with a drink or a nice coffee in your hand.