Atlantic Islands & 3 Nt Tenerife Stay, 14 November 2025 (10 nights)

Had a lovely week on the Marella Explorer 2, the staff were very helpful, welcoming, always a smile on their faces, nothing was too much for the staff, whatever they were doing - The ship was clean where ever you went on the ship, including all the ladies and disabled toilets! I only used the main dining room twice, for lunch and celebration night - I found the market place easier for selection of food and dessert - tried the pizza and pasta restaurant which was a crummy - Excursions were well organized, people knew where they had to be the night before, so they were prepared for the next day - Saw 4 showers out of the week, magician Dain and 3 house shows, who were very good, well organized, drink upstairs, laid out to help yourself as you went in to the theatre, plenty of seats for everyone - Embarking and disembarking was very well organized, staff were so amazing all over the ship, from maintenance, kitchen, cleaning, whatever level, they were just brilliant! Flew from UK to the ship, Tui and my travel company sorted it - got to country where the ship was, lorry took our heavy cases as we were getting on a coach, didn't see it again till we were on the ship, same when going back to UK, big luggage outside our bedroom door the night before, didn't see it again till we were back in UK at the luggage collection terminal - I personally would go again - the experience was fantastic *****

Cruised the Adriatic Sea on the Marella Explorer 2. Not the newest cruise ship or the biggest, but the best thing about this ship are the staff. Always cheerful, always smiling, always helpful, and nothing is too much trouble. The ship itself just looks a little 'tired' in places, but that isn't surprising given it's age. Cruised from Dubrovnik to Koper, Trieste, Ancona, Split, Kotor and back to Dubrovnik. Great weather, great sailing. Lovely food on board - plenty of choice and a variety of options for vegetarians (far more choice that some of the other more premium cruise lines we've sailed with). Cabin stewards were brilliant; friendly and cheerful with towel animal creations every night. Entertainment varied and enjoyable. One major advantage when leaving the ship at the end of the cruise is the bonded luggage service (assuming you flew with TUI). Leave your cases outside your room the night before disembarkation, collect them from the carousel at your arrival airport - so easy. This is our third cruise with Marella. If you're looking for a cruise that offers value for money, with no hidden extra's, then look no further than a Marella Cruise. We'll definitely be back in the future.

Our second cruise with Marella and very pleased again. Staff are excellent, the food is very good and the standard of the cabin is also very good with plenty of cupboard space. Places visited were interesting and we just wandered those rather than taking any of the optional tours. This time we did not use the speciality dining areas. We had the premium drinks package and although it is unlikely we used up the full value it was convenient to visit "Coffee Port" and have an occasional special cocktail which we might not have done otherwise. Entertainment was good - especially "The Collective" who had an amazing lead guitarist! Very good value for the price and you know exactly what it is going to cost in advance - and if you decide to add on things when on board it can be easily monitored.

Marella Explorer 2 Cruise Review 8-15 May 2025 Booking our cruise through Iglu was a smooth and efficient process, making the start of our holiday easy and stress-free. The journey itself was with TUI, whose correspondence throughout was adequate, ensuring we were kept informed of important updates. One such update involved a flight time change—from an original 07:15 departure to 09:15 from East Midlands Airport—which, thanks to TUI’s timely notification, caused no inconvenience. Upon arrival at the airport, long queues were expected, but having booked assisted travel, we experienced a relatively swift check-in process. The flight departed on time, offering a short and comfortable 2. 5-hour journey to Dubrovnik Airport. While border control was efficient, the baggage carousel proved busy, leading to a longer-than-expected wait for our luggage. However, once retrieved, our bags were handled promptly and delivered to the ship without issue. Accommodation: Royal Suite, Cabin 1048 After a brief wait for our cabin to be prepared, we took the opportunity to enjoy a light lunch before heading to our suite. Having researched the Royal Suite in advance, we were eager to compare it to our previous experience in the Royal Cabin on Discovery 2. The suite was undeniably spacious and beautifully wood-paneled, offering a lounge, two toilets, a large bedroom, and a dining room with a six-seater table. Additionally, it featured a galley equipped with a large American fridge and microwave—though the size of the fridge felt excessive for our needs. A small enhancement would have been having the fridge stocked with beers and soft drinks upon arrival. One of the suite’s standout features was its large balcony, complete with a hot tub. While an enticing amenity, the overall condition of both the balcony and hot tub left room for improvement. The hot tub lacked steps for easy access, requiring manual filling via a tap—a process that took approximately an hour, meaning we only used it a few times. Additionally, the balcony layout posed a few trip hazards, making movement less convenient. A notable downside was the bed. Instead of a comfortable setup, the mattress rested on what appeared to be a corrugated sheet, leading to an unexpectedly uncomfortable sleep—disappointing for such a high-tier cabin. Overall, the Royal Suite provided an elegant and spacious setting, but certain aspects—particularly the hot tub and bed arrangement—could benefit from thoughtful refinements to elevate the experience. The lack of USB ports was another peculiarity, with the only available ports built into the bedside lights, which required the lights to remain on to function properly. Not convenient for nighttime charging. Despite these minor drawbacks, the cruise itself was well-organised, with efficient service from both TUI and airport personnel. With a few improvements, the suite has the potential to deliver a truly luxurious experience. Moving onto Dining. * We had a wonderful experience on The sister ship Discovery 2 in the Surf and Turf restaurant. These specialist dining carry an additional charge. We were excited about having the same experience on Explorer 2. Unfortunately we were very disappointed in our choice of Portherhouse Steak for two. The first serving arrived cold and was sent back. The repeat order was hot but had a unappetising colour and the meat tough in parts. However we did book special dining in The Kora La Asian restaurant which was excellent. Having had a wonderful chateaubriand in The Dining Club we booked again for a second time to enjoy a wonderful Tournedos Rossini. This made up for our disappointment with Surf and Turf. * Buffet Having enjoyed a great buffet on Discovery 2. We were somewhat disappointed on the layout and stand of food. We chose not to use it often. Preferring the dining room. The shows were of a professional standard and the crew worked hard to put on a different show each night. Overall the staff were friendly and professional at all times. Room service was great with friendly staff Overall it was an enjoyable cruise visiting some lovely places. As a bonus the weather was kind Would we cruise with Marella again. The jury is out.