Hi Jamie, can i just say, we watch all your blogs, and i can honestly say you are the best we have seen. You are informative and tell things how they are. We travelled on Explorer last December, we are on Explorer2 in October and P+O Iona next year and have watched all the videos. One thing i would like to add is, im a non smoker but my husband smokes and you are the only one who points out where the smoking areas are, other bloggers skip past this (for smokers) useful information, so well done... we will continue to watch you blogs... big hello to Mathoo xxx
I traveled on her when she was still with Celebrity and it's interesting to see how the ship has been updated, redecorated and maintained. She looks very well kept even when comparing her to how she looked 20 years ago.
Awesome vlog. Thanks this has been most helpful. We travel with marella in November and on this ship we’re fist time cruisers and can not wait. So keep watching this vlog over and over lol 😂 😎👍🏽. Thanks so much
Thank you so much for your very informative and extremely well made video. We watched some other videos on Explorer 2 and yours is absolutely head and shoulders above the others. We’ve just booked a cruise on this ship for February so were very curious to see what it was like. We are very much reassured, as we’d never heard of Marella cruises 48 hours ago!!
Thanks Jamie another great tour, and thanks for adding in the info about smoking areas….. I know this will upset some people but it is helpful in making decisions!! 😜
Great tour Jamie (and Maffoo) . Now excited for our Adriatic Affair followed by Sail Three Seas (2 weeks ) next year. Have sailed on Explorer several times but excited for her Adults only sister ship.
Well we have just had our first Marella cruise at the start of June on Voyager's first cruise. And are planning an Adriatic cruise now we are hooked for October. There doesn't seem to be a huge difference between the ships, with most of your video looking very familiar already. Thanks for posting this Jamie.
Was going to book for next month till I saw this video and realized how expensive it would be with so many things that have a surcharge. I mean come on! Surcharge for ice cream? What a rip off. Thanks for the video, very well done.
Been on Explorer 2 twice, a classic marella shop, well refurbished and comfortable. Favourite watering hole was the Indigo Bar. Judith especially liked it because she could keep an eye on how the Captain was steering, she cant understand how the ship manages to navigate without a better half to give guidance!
I haven't ever cruised with Marella and I'm not sure what I was expecting but it certainly exceeded my expectations. An excellent video, I particularly enjoyed seeing the ship map to orientate myself followed by the tour. I love the look of the theatre and like the retro feel of some of the bars. I need to get researching destinations. Thank you! The only thing missing was the Jamie Fan Club.🤣
Ha! I didn’t even think about filming lovely folk who stopped us. On Cunard I asked but they were a very shy bunch (managed to get my table mates on film briefly though). Thank you for watching and pleased it’s shown a side of Marella perhaps you weren’t expecting!
This will be our first ever cruise in October , on this ship . I’ve heard mixed reviews but your review and videos have been great . It’s a special 25th anniversary and joint 50th birthday, so hoping it’s a great holiday . Thanks for your videos I’m even more excited now . 😉X
I've just come off it ... 1st time too ... It was absolutely fantastic .. the staff are amazing .. You will not be disappointed believe me ... Only had thing was it wasn't long enough .. Definitely 2 weeks next time on Marella disc 2
Just back from our first ever cruise, Greek Mystique. Watched your vids beforehand and they really set us up to know what we were doing, kind of : ) Cheers Jamie. ps my luggage was sent to Birmingham instead of Gatwick, being delivered back to me in a couple of days time, allegedly!
Excellent video. The ship looks far more impressive than I'd expected. We've sailed on quite a few different cruise lines and thought Marella were a of a lower standard. Looks like we were very wrong! Got another NCL one coming up, and it looks like we'll be booking the Explorer 2 after that, thanks to you. Great work!
@@TravelBlogJamie Certainly have. Again, we were very impressed. Also watched your embarkation video, which was very informative. Love the fact that you're clearly on holiday as well as filming. I think, as a viewer, you take a lot more from it that way, than if it was just a press trip. Subscribed 👍
Just returned from a week on the ship & thoroughly enjoyed it. This was our first cruise & would highly recommend Marella Explorer 2. Other regular cruise goers clearly rated this ship as enjoyable and value for money.
So helpful Jamie!! 🙏🏻 Thank you for this, very much appreciated AND you vlogged the gym!!! Bonus points for that!! Small query, any idea what the broadway show is? Thanks again for all your content!! 🥰
Hello Jamie great video do u feel sea sick 🤢 that’s the only thing putting me off I am think of going on a Visiting: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma Funchal, Madeira Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura Arrecife, Lanzarote Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife. In March how do u think the sea will be ?? Thank you Jacko x
Liked and subscribed. Fantastic, interesting, informative (with a touch of humour) video. Really enjoyed this tour of what looks to be a very nice Ship. Have to say we are not experienced cruisers (did one 15 or so years ago on Carnival round Carib) but are looking at Marella and a 17 day cruise next year (2024). This tour video has just confirmed its the right Ship for us. Also watched your food tour of the ship and looks superb. Just one question (at this stage) if we go for the premium drinks package are the / any drinks chargeable in the speciality restaurants? In my humble opinion your video has set the standard for video tours of this ship so thank you and very well done. 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🥂
Mark this is such an amazing comment! Thank you so much! Made my day! I seem to remember drinks in speciality restaurants all included on drinks package so no need to spend more
@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks for your reply Jamie. Please keep up the great work. Really appreciated and very helpful to us newbies in the cruising world. 👍👍
Hi Jamie, Great tour of Discovery 2, very impressed! Must look into cruises on this ship, Do you know if this ship goes from Southampton? Thanks for very good chat and 🤣 on running track and Gym, ! Will give that a miss also🏃♀️
Hi Jane; thanks for being so kind! Unfortunately nearly all Marella cruises are fly cruises - it does mean being in the heart of the action quicker though
Jamie thanks for the amazing vlogs . Can you advise is it worth packing dressing up clothes tuxedo, suit, tie etc ? We are on a 2 weeks cruise , Adriatic & Greek Isles, I have a partner who hates the dressing ups side of cruise travel .
Personally we won’t take a tux again on Marella - it’s very relaxed most of the time. Dress in what makes you comfy on Marella and don’t worry about anyone else is my advice
Looking forward ....Caribbean cruise for 1 week from Barbados on the 20 November....we are not big drinkers...is it worth taking the extra drinks surcharge ?
I think that depends on your ports - there are so many currencies there. I’d personally try to use a bank card as much as possible although many Caribbean islands will accept the US dollar
The wife and I are going on Explorer 2 on Sept 8th this year, the Cruise is called Adriatic Delights flying to Dubrovnik to get the ship then a week's cruise stopping at Croatia & Italy Ports, although the entry restrictions have been lifted for Croatia & Italy, Marella are still insisting on a Covid LFT test with a Certificate to show Negative result, plus we have to take FFP2 Masks in Italy even it stating when the ship is in Italian Waters, as anyone travelling recently found this to be correct, Thanks
We were given an FFP2 mask by the crew when we went on a trip in Italy or public transport but we never had to take them. Yes, we had to do a test previous to leaving.
A test needed, and vaccination certificate. No mask wearing on board, and Italians very lax on shore; masks worn occasionally in shops and coaches. Masks provided by marellla for excursions. We’ve just got back; a great cruise!
Great video! In this video you stated the ship is adults only, is that all year or just the cruise you sailed on? Also who were your fellow passengers? Any Americans? Any other nationalities or mostly Brits?
I’m a solo traveller & I’m looking for something that is suitable for solo travellers. Is this ship good for solo travellers and did you notice any on this ship?
Hi, this is a great inside view for anyone. I stumbled across your blog trying to get some real, honest reviews about this ship. Looking to book my first cruise and have just been trying to weigh up whether it’s value for money or whether I should just book a luxury all inclusive holiday. Still undecided…. But I will check out your other travel posts. I found this interesting and informative, with you answering the questions we all have. A question, if you don’t mind. I really do not like buffet restaurants, so I was planning to upgrade to premium all inclusive. How many or even a percentage of the restaurants have an added supplement? I’m now thinking, I’m going to be paying extra everyday, which kind of defeats the object. Thanks
Hi! It just so happens o made a food vlog of this cruise with what’s included and what’s extra, plus any additional costs. I’ll pop link here for you ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LZnhdvmQ3Dg.html
@@TravelBlogJamie thanks Jamie 😎. I watched your blog on the cabins..... 🙈🙈🙈 tbh, I think it was the outside cabin. It looks like a prison cell... lol😂😂 No, absolutely not for me. The buffet restaurants, then those cabins. Thank you for your honest reviews, you saved me from having the worse birthday & wasting money. Decided I'm going to go back to Thailand, relive my youth. Went travelling there many years ago. Honestly I'm so appreciative that you posted. I was about to book, filled it all in, except my credit card details. Have you any blogs on Phuket? Cheers Karen
They’ve done the odd cruise from the U.K. but mainly when cruises restarted following the easing of restrictions. Almost exclusively fly cruises from U.K.
Mostly an excellent tour, with particularly good camera work. My only quibble is that I would have liked video of activities as well as facilities. There was evidence of music and dance floors - was there music? If so when, what kind and what hours? Dancing? Quiz shows? Theatrical productions? How were the excursions? I've subscribed and look forward to your next video.
🤣 not at all, completely agree when on rare occasion we travel without kids always look for adults only ships. Need to go on marella ships only did the dream, loved the entertainment.
Hello. I was wondering if they had a wifi package to purchase and if so was it reasonable and was the wifi a good quality to possibly view a camera I have set up back at home? Loved the thorough video too. You left no detail out. Thank you for that.
@@TravelBlogJamie that's ok. I think most of the itinerary we are looking at is mostly port stops everyday too besides one I think so I should be fine. I live in the US and is super excited about spending time on this cruise line and seeing different ports than usual. I love how so much is actually all inclusive.
@@TravelBlogJamie good to know. Thank you so much and please continue to keep putting out great videos like this one. They are so very helpful and informative and hilarious. Y'all are so funny, I love it.
Something a bit boring, I saw something about why port and starboard became terms for each side of the ship, In ancient years ships did not have rudders but were steered by oars over the stern of the ship, as people are largely right handed the steering was that side of the ship, to steer into the ports they needed to approach with the left side of the ship or they could not steer or the par with foul against the dock. Right or wrong, doesnt matter it is a talking point.
Jamie were going on the Allure of the seas next july doing the western mediterranean were worried now about the itinerary Rome etc as it takes you over 1hour 30 mins etc to get there by bus and same as Florence this is our second cruise but feel as if we've made a mistake as it's cost a lot of money worried as still to ad drinks package onto price 😮
Oh Rome \ Florence are not coastal cities so you’d always have to take a shuttle or train I’m afraid, if visiting via cruise. RCI aren’t cheap anyway so always important to factor in their drinks / gratuities / excursions etc. I personally don’t mind the 1h30 transfer but some cruise lines charge a lot more than others for transfers / excursions
