Query re. Marella excursions

by **judgegeoff** » 24 Oct 2019 10:07

My wife Chris and I are shortly going on a "Marella Dream" cruise to Turkey, Crete and Israel. Can somebody please confirm that I am correct in thinking that passengers going on this ship's excursions assemble on land, rather than in the ship's theatre or lounges as on other Line's ships? Both of us have slight mobility issues and hate the race down through the ship's decks, trying to keep up with a crew member with a 'paddle' and then finding that only the worst seats are left on the coach. Making our own way down, in our own time, would be much better for us (and for most passengers I would suspect!). many thanks in advance.

by **Dave** » 24 Oct 2019 16:48

judgegeoff wrote:My wife Chris and I are shortly going on a "Marella Dream" cruise to Turkey, Crete and Israel. Can somebody please confirm that I am correct in thinking that passengers going on this ship's excursions assemble on land, rather than in the ship's theatre or lounges as on other Line's ships? Both of us have slight mobility issues and hate the race down through the ship's decks, trying to keep up with a crew member with a 'paddle' and then finding that only the worst seats are left on the coach. Making our own way down, in our own time, would be much better for us (and for most passengers I would suspect!). many thanks in advance.

Hi Geoff

We've done lots of cruises with TUI and scores of excursions and the system has nearly always been the same - be on the dockside or get to the coach at the stated time. Simple! :thumbup:

After years of being patronised by Fred Olsen and others, it was so nice to find that TUI treats passengers like responsible adults...

by **judgegeoff** » 24 Oct 2019 17:33

Dave wrote:
judgegeoff wrote:My wife Chris and I are shortly going on a "Marella Dream" cruise to Turkey, Crete and Israel. Can somebody please confirm that I am correct in thinking that passengers going on this ship's excursions assemble on land, rather than in the ship's theatre or lounges as on other Line's ships? Both of us have slight mobility issues and hate the race down through the ship's decks, trying to keep up with a crew member with a 'paddle' and then finding that only the worst seats are left on the coach. Making our own way down, in our own time, would be much better for us (and for most passengers I would suspect!). many thanks in advance.

Hi Geoff

We've done lots of cruises with TUI and scores of excursions and the system has nearly always been the same - be on the dockside or get to the coach at the stated time. Simple!

After years of being patronised by Fred Olsen and others, it was so nice to find that TUI treats passengers like responsible adults...

Thanks Dave, excellent, I am really looking forward to the cruise now. :clap:

by **Gillzajoker** » 25 Oct 2019 09:50

Have a wonderful time, Geoff!

by **khkate** » 26 Oct 2019 09:28

Even Sage are now treating their passengers like responsible adults now. It used to be that you would have to go to the main lounge area and get "stickered" there and then when the coach was ready, they would send you down - and woe betide, if you tried to get there early!

On the last cruise we did - on the new ship - they now tell you a time to be at the gangplank and they "sticker" you as you disembark, offering you free bottles of water as well. It seemed to work well and tours got away without any problem.

by **rdw123** » 27 Oct 2019 08:20

Are they giving out bottles of water again? On Sapphire in August we all got a nice refillable water bottle in our cabin. It was and still is very handy.

by **Camela** » 27 Oct 2019 17:20

We were surprised to find on our recent Crystal cruise that water wasn't available at gangway for going ashore. After 3 days Mr P enquired and was told you go to bar near reception and get it there. Obviously cruise lines are addressing plastic but please let guests know what the policy is.