A New Year's Dream & Canarian Flavours from Tenerife, 27 December 2019 (14 nights)

• Marella Explorer
• Thomson Cruises
• 01 Jul 2019

This was our first cruise and we were not disappointed. From the time we handed our luggage over at the check in until we collected it on disembarkation, everything was very well organised. All the crew and staff treated us with respect and were very friendly. The food was first rate with plenty of choice. The cabin stewards were very efficient and couldn't do enough for us, ours was named Hobin, he even made towel sculptures and left a pair of swans in our cabin on the day of our 50th wedding anniversary which he arranged on the bed along with our cards. Entertainment was first class we don't know how they kept up their energy to do two excellent productions each night. Excursions we booked were first class and allowed us to visit places we would not have known about. We were kept informed of activities going on aboard the ship so we could plan our days, especially when at sea. It was our first cruise, but it will not be our last. We just have to save hard for the next one.

• Marella Explorer
• Thomson Cruises
• 30 Jun 2019

First time on one of the new to Tui larger ships. Certainly a nicer ship in terms of decor and comfortable cabin. Informal dining much improved. Used to compare buffets on older ships to factory canteens. This was less of a bustle, better food and an overall better experience. Formal restaurant had less courses on the menu and we thought standard had dropped slightly. Environment of the restaurant was very nice. Vegetable cooking is appalling - cooked to a mush! Big disappointment was the entertainment. Tui used to lead the field in its class of ships. Performances were spoilt by too loud heavy beat background music which drowned out singers. The content of the programmes was badly chosen for the audience and might have suited a younger crowd. Tui have changed its entertainment supply company and the new company might need to adjust to the clientele on these ships. The cruise ran smoothly although there was more tendering than the itinerary suggested. Whether this was poor management or unavoidable I don't know. We would certainly continue to use Tui/Marella cruises if the prices and itineraries suit us.

• Marella Explorer
• Thomson Cruises
• 30 Jun 2019

We chos to have an inside cabin on deck 4 .It was much more spacious than expected and had everything we required -and more plenty of wardrobe and drawer space -even for us who take everything but the kitchen sink!Wewereon theMidnight Sucruise departing 9thJue 2019.Great ports of call and we were blessed with exceptionally great weather. Our cabin steward was superb and he made us a 'friend'' nearly every night. The food was excellent and we celebrated a friend's birthday in the Surf andTurf which was exceptional. A couple of the excursions were a bit disappointing and the entertainment -although excellent was not always for our era -The comedian was not to our taste either very rude about little people and large people - not PC at all ! Overall we had a wonderful time and would certainly go with Marella again. Livedteship but prefer te Discovery.