Marella Spirit
star star star star half star

Marella Spirit Reviews

View Cruise Deals
4.2
star star star star half star
Based on 55 reviews
Cabin
4.2
Service
4.2
Excursions
4.2
Dining
4.2
Activities
4.2
Value for money
4.2
Entertainment
4.2
star star star star no star

We went on the Ancient Affairs 7 day cruise departing 25/3/15 from Limassol in Cyprus, our 2nd cruise on this ship. As before the flight and transfer arrangements were well handled by the Thompson staff, makes the experience less stressful. The ship had a new entertainment team on board and I must say the shows were amazing with standing ovations at times, the fact that the Broadway Lounge is small and the stage near to the audience adds to the effect and makes you feel that you are part of the show. Yes the ship is old and a bit tired, but made up for by the staff, the food and the overall on board experience. Our only criticisms were with the Excursions Team, who I assume were also new, they seemed to know little about the places we visited and gave poor presentations on stage of the shore visits, no doubt they will get better, and the £15 charge for the safe for the week which should be included in the price.

Verified customer
1 cruise
3 Apr 2015
star star star star star

This was the second time me and my wife have been on the Spirit and although the ship is a bit old and shows her age in places, the quality of service is second to none, the food, the entertainment is first class and the staff cannot do enough for you. Several of the staff remembered us from the cruise we took earlier in the year. We enjoy cruising very much and are booked to go on the Thomson Majasty in Dec 2014 cant wait. We would recomend Thomson Cruises to anyone, and we have done to several of our friends.

Verified customer
1 cruise
17 Nov 2014
star star star star star

Meditteranean Explorer 28th Sep - 13th Oct 2014 We arrived in Harwich at the same time as every other coach, so there were very long queues. A member of staff noticed I was using a walking stick, and invited me & my husband to go straight to a priority desk, and we were seen straight away. I am so grateful for the consideration shown, and would like to say a most appreciative thanks. On going down the stairs to our cabin we were met with "Welcome back, how very nice to see you again" She was our cabin stewardess when we were last on the Spirit in 2011! What a memory! It was a 15 day cruise, and we went on most of the trips advertised as 'easy walking', Fortunately the sun shone every day, making the visits quite picturesque. On the 4 days at sea. the cruise director Richard made sure the entertainments team were put through their paces for our enjoyment. We enjoyed the plays put on, especially 'Educating Rita' Most professional. Also the lecturer Rod Taylor, past producer of Morecambe & Wise, Tommy Cooper etc. the list goes on. He has a fantastic memory, and regaled us with many amusing anecdotes. Brilliant! The shows put on every night were sometimes quite spectacular and always enjoyable. We always visited 'High Spirits' after the Broadway Shows, but were not to our taste most of the time. Likewise the comedians, Some people enjoyed them though. Richard is an excellent Cruise Director and appeared on the stage as often as he could. The rather tall Maitre'd in the Compass Rose was very friendly as were all the waiters who were often entertaining. The food was delicious wherever we went and we love the Spirit. We will be back for sure, even though we are both in our seventies!

Verified customer
1 cruise
31 Oct 2014
star star star star no star

We booked this at fairly short notice. Iglu's service was excellent, very efficient responses and follow up confirmatory emails. The ship is showing its age a little however it is clean and well maintained, our cabin was very nice. There are plenty of bars and lounges for drinks, coffee and relaxing as well as loungers on decks. The service from all members of the staff was excellent, polite, friendly and efficient . The Lido self service buffet restaurant provides a wide variety of food and has a very informal atmosphere if that is what is preferred. The compass rose restaurant provides waiter service in the evening which we preferred. The entertainment team were superb. There is a variety onboard from larger productions on the main lounge to smaller trios playing in other bars and lounges. We felt the all inclusive drinks package was expensive at £199 per person however that was our choice to purchase this. There is something for everyone onboard.

Verified customer
1 cruise
31 Oct 2014
star star star star star

Thomson Spirit, although an elderly ship, was very comfortable and well run. We thoroughly enjoyed this, our first, cruise. We particularly liked the fact that you could choose where you ate, there was the self-service restaurant with a huge selection including individually cooked stir fry of your choice, you didn't need to dress up there. If you wanted to dress up there was the waiter service restaurant where you sat with other guests and had a 5 course meal selected from the menu. If you wanted even more luxury you could dine with luxurious food (supplement charged). The entertainment was excellent and varied with several choices at any one time including musical shows, plays, who-done-it, quizzes, pianist/singer, classical duo and a party band. Lots of sun decks, 2 pools, quiet room and library. All the crew were friendly and helpful. All tips were included in the price too.

Verified customer
1 cruise
16 Oct 2014
star star star star star

I have just returned from Iceland with Thomson Spirit. The cruise was first class. My comments about the crew are nothing but praise for every one of them, The weather was a bit rough at times which nobody can do anything about. A couple of trips got canceled due to the weather. The food was first class. It was a pleasure to meet a lot of the people onboard as at times with the rough sea it was quite a challenge, but there was always somone willing to lend a hand. Thankyou crew and passengers.

Verified customer
1 cruise
25 May 2014
star star star star star

I have just returned from a Thomson Cruise "Aegean Dream" on board Thomson Spirit with my daughter who had never cruised before. I am so glad we chose Thomson for her first experience and Thomson Spirit is herself a dream. My daughter was bowled over by her experience. Every thing was perfect from the moment we arrived at the Airport for our outward flight to the moment we arrived back to our local Airport. Perfection continued once on board Thomson Spirit. From the friendly ever smiling crew to the Officers everyone just wanted you to have a memorable holiday and we soon made friends with our cabin steward, the waiters in the restaurants, bar staff and entertainers. The excursions were excellent and so well organised. The couriers were very knowledgeable and always looked as though they were enjoying passing on their knowledge. You have created a confirmed Cruiser in my daughter and in particular firm supporters of Thomson Cruises from both of us. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR !!!!

Verified customer
1 cruise
30 Apr 2013
star star star star star

We sailed from Limassol on 27 March for a 7 night cruise aboard Thomson Spirit (our first time on this ship) and visited Haifa, Ashdod (Israel), Alexandria (Egypt), Alanya (Turkey) then returned to Limassol. From the very moment we embarked the Thomson Spirit we were greeted with smiles and friendliness from all the crew, from the Captain to the guys who cleared the tables in the cafeteria. Nothing was too much for them, the food was very good in both the Lido and the Compass Rose. As for the entertainment, I am in the business myself, and judged the Entertainments Team to be of West End standard, excellently managed by the Cruise Director, Richard Grey. The comedian, Phil Doyle, was also extremely amusing and appeared twice during the 7 night cruise. Excursions were well organised, informative and very enjoyable, at reasonable costs. This was our first cruise with Thomson, and we will DEFINITELY be sailing with them again. We highly recommend them.

Verified customer
1 cruise
8 Apr 2013
star star star star star

The cruise was the Pearls of the Aegean, from 14h of October to the 21st. The ship was based out of Corfu. We spent a previous week on Corfu at Agios Georgios at the Golden Beach Hotel, Excellent!! We sailed from Corfu for a day at sea to Agios Nikilaos on Crete, a lovely town, with lots of good cafes and tavernas. We took a tour to Elounda and the island of Spinalonga. Next stop was Kusadasi in Turkey from where you can go to Ephesus, a fantastic archaeological site, probably the highlight of the trip. A strike in Athens caused a change to Mykonos, a most beautiful beach and town. Then on to Piraeus for Athens, then Kakatolon for Olympus. However this was closed due to a strike, but a nice little town anyway. The ship is 30 years old and shows it in its design and fittings. It is however small compared to the Modern floating resorts, easy to find your way around. The food, entertainment and attitude of the staff was excellent. Cruise itinery was really interesting. I would recommend this cruise and ship without any reservation.

Verified customer
1 cruise
5 Nov 2011
star star star star star

Holiday 1/7/11. Just back from first ever cruise. The Spirit is the right name for this great little ship, the crew couldn't do enough for us and every single one of them had a smile anytime you came across them on the ship, no matter how busy they were. The food and drink was first class, we were all inclusive and unlike other deals the drinks available weren't "local produce". The entertainment team were absolutely wonderful and every one of them sung live. Quite often one of the singers would be on 20 mins after a show singing somewhere else on the boat and covered all types of music. The housekeeping team were magnificent, rooms cleaned and towels changed twice a day. The balance between formal and informal dining was perfect. The Lido restaurant was very nicely presented and was a real restaurant and not a glorified cafe like other ships that other passengers had been on. Will definitely be back on the Spirit or sister ship the Celebration. again I cannot emphasise enough how enjoyable this cruise was. Huge thanks to every single crew member for a wonderful experience.

Verified customer
1 cruise
9 Jul 2011