I Spent 7 Days on a All Inclusive British Cruise

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  • Опубліковано 20 жов 2021
  • I've just got back from a Spanish Coast cruise, I was prepared for things to be different but there were some real highs and some real lows on this trip that I didn't expect. Even now, I'm still can't believe a few things turned out how they did, after 2 years in the UK though, I was desperate to get some real sunshine and willing to do whatever it took to get some.
    Hey hey hey! On my last cruise, I was lucky enough to dock next to the lovely Marella Explorer 2 and it reminded me of this video. If you're interested in current itineraries on this lovely little ship, ​you'll find those here​: tui-uk.7cnq.net/LX4a6Y (Affiliate link).
    In this video I talk about all the requirements I needed to take the cruise, how the cruise went and why the journey home was so stressful.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 487

  • @EmmaCruises
    @EmmaCruises  9 місяців тому +4

    Hey hey hey! On my last cruise, I was lucky enough to dock next to the lovely Marella Explorer 2 and it reminded me of this video. If you're interested in current itineraries on this lovely little ship, ​you'll find those here​: tui-uk.7cnq.net/LX4a6Y (Affiliate link).

  • @darkally1235
    @darkally1235 2 роки тому +72

    Hopefully the right folks at Marella & Tui see this video and realize that an "all-inclusive holiday" isn't over until you've got your bags and are leaving the airport for the drive home.

  • @andreagriffiths3512
    @andreagriffiths3512 2 роки тому +81

    When my niece was two she made us all laugh. My mum said to her “oh daddy’s tired.” And she piped up, “No nanna. Daddy’s knackered”. On our side of the family, we are all English, mother’s side is all Aussie, so we’e got our first born Aussie member. It’s so funny she uses English and Aussie slang but has a definite Northern accent for the word ‘come’. It’s super cute.

  • @turbocat8372
    @turbocat8372 2 роки тому +45

    I agree with you that having tips included is much nicer. It takes away all the stress of worrying about how much to tip.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +3

      Yep! Love it 😀❤️

    • @traveler320ak7
      @traveler320ak7 2 роки тому +1

      I still worry cause i always want to add more but never know how much more.

  • @danielintheantipodes6741
    @danielintheantipodes6741 2 роки тому +19

    Airport drama is the single most unutterably awful part of travel. Indeed, the only part of a holiday which I actively loathe and which makes me wonder why I don't stay home is the trauma of getting from the airport to the hotel and the hotel to the airport. Using a taxi rather than a bus helps, but only so much!
    Thank you for the video.

  • @nora.norflix
    @nora.norflix 2 роки тому +9

    I consider Malaga to be my “home airport” since every time I fly back home to Spain that’s where I land. So believe me when I say it is one of the worst airports you can find. The lack of organization, no communication at all, security control is a mess, the maze you have to go through to get to your car in the parking lot, moving walkways and lifts are almost always out of order… If you want to avoid it at all cost in the future…fair enough! 😅 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • @norfolkboy6935
    @norfolkboy6935 2 роки тому +39

    A super vlog Emma that mirrored our fantastic cruise experience last week. Pound for pound, unbelievable value. The staff were outstanding and the amazing weather a real tonic. Totally agree about giving Malaga airport a swerve, chaos for us too! Lovely to have meet you and your family Emma. Safe travels. M&Y

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +5

      MARK AND YVONNE!!!!!!!! Lovely to meet you both too!!! ❤️❤️❤️

  • @u24jh9
    @u24jh9 2 роки тому +6

    Just back from a brilliant cruise on the Marella Explorer- my first time cruising!. Wonderful and friendly staff at the airport on the plane and on the boat. It felt safe in the boat. I had the time of my life and I really miss the Squid and Anchor now! The entertainment was excellent and the price was great for a solo person. We went all around the Mediterranean and it made me realise just how much I missed going abroad. I’d highly recommend TUI and Marella. Thanks Emma for the recommendation. I’ll be back! :-) Thanks to all the crew on the ship- brilliant customer service!

  • @MaaritLiljendahlHelsinkiGuide
    @MaaritLiljendahlHelsinkiGuide 2 роки тому +16

    I'm very sorry to hear that you find the ship's excursions too expensive. I myself work as a local guide for the DMCs who handle and organize those tours. I know that they are well organized, top quality. They use the best local guides who are able to introduce you to the local culture. We also have to take language tests, so we speak your language fluently. I have never had anyone on my tour who would have been bored with my stories, on the contrary, everyone I've met has fallen in love with my beautiful city, Helsinki.

  • @seemoreseascruises3791
    @seemoreseascruises3791 2 роки тому

    So sorry to hear about the return flights. So good to know though. Thanks - love your videos

  • @robyncarter5173
    @robyncarter5173 2 роки тому

    Your videos are always so much fun (and informative) to watch. Thanks for another great video!

  • @Whitbypoppers
    @Whitbypoppers 2 роки тому +3

    My wife and I cruised the Celebrity Century in 2013 from San Diego to Vancouver, which included an overnight stop in San Francisco. Terrific cruise! In your video I recognized the little oval tables in the auditorium. No other ship I'd been on (out of nine) had those.

  • @suelyons531
    @suelyons531 2 роки тому +1

    Great video. Love your editing skills. I had a similar experience on a return home from Turks and Caicos. I'll never forget it. It was such a terrible ending to a fantastic week.

  • @jeanarino732
    @jeanarino732 2 роки тому +3

    This ship is so pretty! Love all the colors inside

  • @susansutton6619
    @susansutton6619 2 роки тому +5

    Malaga airport was a nightmare when we left Explorer2 on October 3rd after the 11 night cruise with only 390 passengers onboard. The cruise was excellent but the fiasco at Malaga airport sadly spoiled it!

  • @stevenmcdonald697
    @stevenmcdonald697 Рік тому +2

    Fantastic vlog! I'm booked on a marella explorer cruise (solo) in September and flying into corfu. Its my first cruise so your blogs have been helping me get over the initial concerns I had. I think restrictions are much more relaxed now thankfully! 🙂

  • @MrTkwbear
    @MrTkwbear 2 роки тому +1

    Very nice video as usual. On Oct 15th I took my first cruise on Royal Caribbean to Alaska. It was a killer buy at $811 for 1 and it was the best balcony room I've ever had. You are spot on when you say the hoops that must be jumped through for COVID are a pain. I really wasn't sure they were going to let me stay on the ship until we pulled out. I'm glad to know Marabella is good. They bought a lot of old HAL ships and ran them until they were ready for scrapping, which didn't sound enticing. I'm heading out again next month of the Meraviglia, my first MSC cruise. I enjoyed your videos about it.

  • @creationspast.janebowell1903
    @creationspast.janebowell1903 2 роки тому

    Sounds interesting was not aware of this cruise line but just spotted this while on the MSC Seashore last week , thank you !

  • @vinceprivitera7756
    @vinceprivitera7756 2 роки тому +1

    As always, I love your informative information and all your videos. Thanks for all you.

  • @sandraabudubai
    @sandraabudubai 6 місяців тому

    Love watching Emma. Hopefully I will be able to cruise.

  • @LuvSubbin
    @LuvSubbin 2 роки тому +10

    Our first cruise ever was onboard the Century in 1996. It still ranks as one of our all-time favorites. It is so good to see her still looking great and providing an outstanding guest experience. Being from the U.S., I had never heard of Marella but it got us thinking: how cool would it be to sail once again on the ship that got us excited about cruising 25 years ago...

  • @tonygrant06
    @tonygrant06 Рік тому +3

    These are the best cruise flogs I’ve ever seen.
    So much detail .
    Very articulate as well.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  Рік тому +1

      Thank you lots, that’s very kind of you to say. ☺️

  • @christ5856
    @christ5856 2 роки тому

    Thanks for that report - my wife and I are very regular cruisers. All the forms / airports still make us nervous but looking forward to next spring ( 4 cruises booked)

  • @ronlouie830
    @ronlouie830 2 роки тому

    charming and so useful! thanks for being candid about the problems, too...

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

  • @stevetaylor5844
    @stevetaylor5844 2 роки тому

    Great vlog Emma, I like the way you tell the truth about your journeys good and bad.

  • @markmanc
    @markmanc 2 роки тому +6

    I promised myself I want to do my first cruise (belatedly) for my 40th and although it'll be a bit later than that I'm starting my research in time for next summer. Marella seems like a really good line to try and I like the fact its all inclusive. Your videos are really fun and informative so I appreciate all your hard work!

  • @deborahchamberlain7841
    @deborahchamberlain7841 2 роки тому

    Oh my gosh, I loved that parting shot. That was so funny!! You made my morning.

  • @bilbobaggins3336
    @bilbobaggins3336 2 роки тому +3

    I'm always impressed by your critiques. Your audio presentation flows so gracefully and the video portion of the included clips is excellent. Anyone who is traveling in these trying times must plan on dealing with the unknown. In the US you can't depend on the airlines meeting their flight schedules. If planning a cruise it was safe to arrive a day early for the cruise. However with the delays we are experiencing even 2 days in advance is questionable. I am so happy that your cruise was so enjoyable for you and your family. Safe travels in the future.

    • @j.m.7056
      @j.m.7056 2 роки тому

      I agree about the 2 days!

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks so much. ❤️

  • @ThePedroski007
    @ThePedroski007 2 роки тому

    My daughter is going on Discovery 2 next year, from Palma I hasten to add. Thanks for the excellent vlog it will be a great help.

  • @pamelapaterson2514
    @pamelapaterson2514 2 роки тому +5

    We were on the Explorer 2 on it’s first visit to Spain since lockdown. Left Newcastle on 22nd September to reposition to Malaga. We had a great time and we love Marella all inclusive cruises but did especially enjoy the fact that there were only 390 passengers, they must be running at a loss with those numbers 🥴 didn’t have to search for a table at breakfast, plenty room in theatre with no people blocking your view etc 😄 our experience at Malaga airport was ok, yours sounded terrible. Love your vlogs Emma.

  • @jackellis3205
    @jackellis3205 2 роки тому +1

    Thank you for always providing great content keep it up

  • @rogertran3074
    @rogertran3074 2 роки тому +1

    Emma, I have watched all your cruise narrations and there are all great.

  • @Will-Parr
    @Will-Parr 2 роки тому

    Excellent presentation. Congrats

  • @dhdavidholloway
    @dhdavidholloway 2 роки тому +60

    I have never gone on a cruise and have no plans to but enjoy watching these videos for some reason. It is SO nice to listen to somebody who doesn't say "you know, yes ah or um in every sentence. It seems that so many people have forgotten how to put more than a few words together in a sentence without unnecessary expressions. Thank you.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +2

      Haha! Thanks David 😅❤️

  • @lynneroberts9602
    @lynneroberts9602 2 роки тому

    Aww thanks for a look at the ship - we were meant to do a TA on her from Barbados to Newcastle in 2020 but then chaos happened. I'm sure it would have been amazing but for now we will have to wait 😷
    Marella ,s price point can't be beaten, love them

  • @gerardacronin334
    @gerardacronin334 2 роки тому +5

    Great review Emma! What a horrible experience at the Malaga airport! When you buy a package that includes air, you expect coordination, which was sadly lacking in this case. I have recently rebooked my cancelled RC October 2020 Mediterranean cruise out of Civitavecchia, for October 2022. My flights will be booked separately. I cannot tolerate the kind of panic that you and your family felt at the airport. I prefer slow travel. I’m hoping to spend a few days in Italy before and after the cruise. If Covid-19 dies down (hopefully) testing will no longer be required by then. If not, I hope to be able to get the necessary tests in Italy.

  • @authunhx3129
    @authunhx3129 2 роки тому +1

    Cruised to Iceland from Newcastle on Marella Explorer 2 in Sept. All our LFT result submissions and entry forms filling had to be done at sea and the same on the way back. WiFi problems galore, ship making detours to be near land to get better reception. Marella did everything possible to sort out the problems everyone was experiencing, even for those who didn't bring any tests with them. But, communication was very bad on board. The queues at reception were very very long and many of us relied on word of mouth, have you tried this, did you try that etc. The staff and crew worked really hard and hats off to them. They remained cheerful despite the obvious stress that they were under. It was as new to them as it was to us.
    Like your very short clip from the show Cogs. All the shows were excellent but that one was outstanding.

  • @TravelAdventureswithEricB
    @TravelAdventureswithEricB 2 роки тому

    Good stuff as always Emma 👍

  • @eminiarvii
    @eminiarvii 2 роки тому +1

    Emma i understand about wanting your friends or family enjoy their cruise after its been hyped so much. I am a Princess gal and i rave about that line, with that said i am taking my 2 friends of 40 plus years on their First cruise on the Sky over this Christmas.. I am anxious that everything is perfect for them. Sorry for your stress home….thanks for this vlog😊

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      Hahah!!! Totally get that. Princess and Marella are two of my favourite lines 😀❤️

  • @rmk6693
    @rmk6693 2 роки тому

    That ship is gorgeous!

  • @garyspears7342
    @garyspears7342 Рік тому

    Thank you so much for the video.

  • @sbridden
    @sbridden 2 роки тому

    What a brilliant video.thanks for the insight.

  • @evelyngrammar
    @evelyngrammar 2 роки тому

    Heart-stopping finish. OMG.

  • @alexeitsch647
    @alexeitsch647 2 роки тому

    Hey Emma, thanks for the great video/review. I really appreciate your charismatic and honest presentation style :-) . Sorry to hear about the airport madness at the end. I hate it when that sort of thing happens. It just worsens your experience unnecessarily ... Marella seems to be great though :-)

  • @jhendric98
    @jhendric98 Рік тому

    I really do enjoy the variety of cruise lines you cover. We're considering our first cruise and are truly clueless. Thanks!

  • @Jorendo
    @Jorendo 2 роки тому +3

    I love how people in warmer countries find 25 degrees Celsius "chilly". I'm from the Netherlands myself, I was in Spain in October last year. Our summer hardly even saw the temperature reaching 25 degrees C, yet there in autumn time it was 25 degrees. We did a bike tour and our guide was a dutch guy (normally we don't take those tours but it was highly recommended and honestly teached you a lot about the culture and what to look for rather then do the typical tourist things). He had lived there for a few years now. We came in short sleeves, he was wearing thick clothing, saying it was a cold day..So I asked him how long he had been gone from the Netherlands, cause for us it was comfortably warm. He had lived there for about 4 or 5 years. Guess one get's used to it very quick and finding comfortable warmth chilly at some point xD

    • @scouttyra
      @scouttyra 4 місяці тому

      I remember towards the end of 3 1/2 weeks in Japan in the summer (end of July- beginning of august) feeling slightly chilly in the room at the hostel, and upon checking the thermostat seeing that it was 25°C. As a Swede that was slightly chocking.

  • @alk61695
    @alk61695 8 місяців тому +2

    Ah the Marella 2, that was my very first cruise ship I sailed on. Granted it was in 1998 when she was the Celebrity Century. Looks like a lot has changed on that ship.

  • @HR-wd6cw
    @HR-wd6cw 2 роки тому +5

    I think during the pandemic, so through the fall last year, most cruise lines probably just wanted to come as close to breaking even as they could, so in some cases, they may have sold cruises at a cost basically simply to minimize the losses of maintaining the cruise ships. Because I think for much of them, during 2020, they were stuck in port and not makig any money at all, but at the same time, they didn't want to raise prices so high it scared away would-be travelers once travel resumed.
    I think for a lot of people, food and entertainment will be the biggest expense. Tipping is probably the third (aside from the fare/cruise itself). I mean traveling (not by ship) can be more expensive... For example, you might find cheap flights and hotels to a place like Las Vegas, but the food and entertainment can be very expensive. Granted LV is not a cruise, it is nice to have most things (like food and entertainment) paid for. Although I could see this as being a bad thing too, because cost might be one thing that could be used to control the number of people at various restaurants or venues (ie. if the prices are too high, some people may opt to do something else, but if it's included in your fare, then it means you may have to deal with large crowds).
    I guess you were right that you got a great deal for $700 for a 7 night cruise. I mean even find a "cheap" hotel at a key destination somewhere in the US or even outside, might very well cost you over $100 per night, just for the hotel, so to think you got food, drinks accomodations and other things all for that $700 that's a great deal. I remember that back in the 90's Carribian and Disney used to advertise the per-day rate of around $70 per person (of course that was back in the mid/late 1990's).

  • @casse1261
    @casse1261 2 роки тому +6

    Hi Emma!! I am sitting here in Glen Waverley, Melbourne, Vistoria, Australia and enjoying all your videos!! You are so lucky,at least you can go cruising again!! After enjoying 22 cruises, mainly in the Pacific region, we still have to wait, till the ships are allowed in our ports again!! We DO NOT like flying and always depart and arrive form here and when I step on the ships, I feel great!! My favorite ports are NZL, New Caledonia, Samoa, Paapete, Moorea, Bora Bora and Vanuatu, not too impressed with Hawaai, sorry!! Take care and go cruising as much as possible, I am 79 years old and getting old too fast!! DO not worry about your expessions, my wife is 50% British and I am German!! {DO not mention the war!! LOL }

  • @lesliefranklin1870
    @lesliefranklin1870 2 роки тому

    Great video. Thank you Emma.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

  • @louislandi938
    @louislandi938 2 роки тому +1

    Emma,
    Everyone with a channel should watch and learn from your reports. No wasted words, only important information and of value to both new and experienced cruisers. Does Hudson give you a big greeting upon your return?

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks so much Louis! Nope not really, don't know if he missed me at all :'( ha ha.

  • @junehowley9201
    @junehowley9201 2 роки тому

    Booked a cruise on this ship next June - fingers crossed things will have all smoothed out by then.

  • @shanidavies5574
    @shanidavies5574 2 роки тому

    Thank you Emma was waiting for your video. We are going on a Marella cruise in December so was interested in your experience.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      Yesss, you’ll have the best time! Marella are great 😀❤️

  • @firecapt110
    @firecapt110 2 роки тому

    Hi Emma, thank you so much for all of your videos and reviews. I enjoy your "British-isms"! My wife and I and 2 other couples are cruising around England, Ireland, and Scotland next September on Princess. We are so looking forward to exploring these "bucket list" locations! We are from the US and, like you, are excited about traveling abroad again! Keep up the great work, we love seeing your new and informative videos! 😃

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Yess!! Princess are the best for that for sure, Have a great time! 🥳🥳

    • @paulleteace2053
      @paulleteace2053 2 роки тому

      Emma is also doing the same Princess British isles cruise next summer so keep watching for her video released just before you go. Sure you will love that cruise, hope you get good weather

  • @jpbpds
    @jpbpds 2 роки тому

    I love the idea of self serve drink station.

  • @duncanrogers4211
    @duncanrogers4211 2 роки тому

    Emma
    Enjoyed your video and glad you had a good cruise. It sounds as if it still is a bit early for a lot of travellers. Elderly people can not be expected to stand in line for two hours. I don’ t think that I could for medical reasons. Things slowly opening up here in Canada but procedures for cruises and travelling still not very clear. Changing daily. Glad you made it back to Britain safely.
    Jennifer and Duncan

  • @ZooTycoon223
    @ZooTycoon223 2 місяці тому

    This is so wild to watch two years later to see just what we had to go through to travel back then. And for the cruises? It was worth it

  • @brettcooke182
    @brettcooke182 2 роки тому +2

    I love your videos! I'm super jealous 🙈

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks for watching Brett!! :D

  • @muemelification
    @muemelification 2 роки тому

    In all these cruising videos, I understand "mustard drill" which places funny pictures into my head :D

  • @zenkakuji3776
    @zenkakuji3776 2 роки тому +7

    I returned last week from a cruise to Bermuda out of NYC. I can identify with your pre-cruise stress completing forms for travel authorization, knowing that any minor mistake would result in the request being denied. Fortunately, all pre-cruise activities went well, and the cruise was 7 days of perfect weather. It was great to relax on the pink sands of Bermuda's shores and enjoy sun filled days at sea. Well worth the effort.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +2

      YES!! That sounds sooooo good! So glad you enjoyed. I'd love to get back over to Bermuda at some point. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

    • @bobkrakovich1851
      @bobkrakovich1851 2 роки тому +2

      Hi Zenkakuji, my wife and I will be cruising on Celebrity in June 2022 10 night to Bermuda. We were there two years ago and looking to return. Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut

  • @randalldobson1589
    @randalldobson1589 Рік тому

    Thanks, again. Such great content delivered with such kindness and charm. It is very much appreciated. Randall D.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  Рік тому

      Hey Randall! Thanks so much for your kind words and the super thanks, it's much appreciated you are very kind. Thank you! :)

  • @barbarawolcott6999
    @barbarawolcott6999 2 роки тому

    Sounds like a wonderful cruise! Wish I lived where I could take this cruise affordably!

  • @larrystevens5654
    @larrystevens5654 2 роки тому +3

    I was very interested to see what a Marella Cruise was like. That is amazing that is is totally inclusive. I will try to book one for the future! Great Job Emma

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks Larry! 😀❤️

    • @paulknight5018
      @paulknight5018 2 роки тому

      @@EmmaCruises We did Discovery for 2 weeks (2 different cruises back to back) and they were great, the crew couldn't do enough for you, food was great, the non premium selection of drinks (included) were fine for us, even the medical staff were really nice I had an ear infection, so could not eat much or walk around in Venice, not great 3 days into 2 week cruise, (albeit I am glad I had insurance £1600 for a few ecgs, a couple of bags of fluid, some stomach stabilisers and anti sickness tablets as I never get travel sick!), it was only the return journey and airport (Corfu) that was stressful. Our friends did the premium drink upgrade, I did not think it was worth it, I would have just paid the difference if I wanted something else, but as they ordered 4 drinks at a time, we had some of the upgraded drinks, small tip, if you are going on an excursion and have the premium upgrade, so you can get canned drinks, get them before you go to bed the night before, as they don't open that part of the bars until most of the day excursions have left, not sure if they will do this post covid but they had water fountains on most decks that you could fill glass containers for water in the room, then use your own water bottles!

  • @VikPaints
    @VikPaints 2 роки тому +6

    Sadly once they'd dropped you off at the airport they're not interested. Holiday over as far as they're concerned, you've been deposited at the airport, job done.
    One thing I would recommend is downloading a flight app so you can see where the plane is you're about to board. It gives you more up to the minute information than you'll ever get from any rep or airport info board. I use flight radar 24 and it's very useful to see when the flight coming in arrives and knowing if it's late causing the outbound to also be late.
    Unfortunately every Spanish airport I've used has had similar issues even pre covid, correction every airport even in the UK. Operated using minimum staff to keep costs down, your experience is exactly the reason I try to avoid flying these days, I can't run, don't need the hassle and generally hate it. Cruise only for me if possible, airlines have ruinned air travel. Good video as always.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks Viktor, that’s a great tip! Appreciate it 😀🤣

  • @jonascreed7825
    @jonascreed7825 2 роки тому +2

    I'm on the Discovery this Tuesday for a relocation cruise to the Caribbean, and its been a test of nerves to either book a pcr or lft test for when we return, and if we test negative the night before we go. Thank you for this upload it gives us a bit of hope.

  • @XabiExplores
    @XabiExplores 2 роки тому +1

    Another great video!

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

  • @athloneduke
    @athloneduke 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Emma,
    We recently tried our first cruise since pandemic via Spain.
    Flight was fine, paperwork getting to Spain no problem one simple form. PCR test and onboard. Daily temp checks no issue. PCR test to get off cruise as required by Spanish authorities.
    Flights home went fine too but the amount of paperwork was silly, having a EU cert that was not accepted by some countries (and not GB) was silly.
    Keep them coming.....

  • @MarinaAndJoeGo
    @MarinaAndJoeGo 2 роки тому +6

    Thanks for the great video Emma - we've been wanting to see how international cruising works ahead of our next Iona cruise in December. That airport experience looks awful - they really should not have left you all until you were safely past the boarding gate. Other than that it looks like you had an amazing cruise! We agree completely on the included tips - it just helps to know that you have paid for the cruise in full and that anything extra that you spend on board is completely optional.

  • @samfrancis1394
    @samfrancis1394 2 роки тому

    Did a cruise to Hawaii on the Century in 2012. Nice updates!

  • @crizzlyhug
    @crizzlyhug 2 роки тому

    Nay on the pineapples 😀 Great review, very interesting to listen to your story.

  • @BillMattson
    @BillMattson 2 роки тому +1

    Jumping through hoops is the theme of traveling these days. I'm leaving today from the USA to Italy to take a Greek isle/Italy cruise. We are staying two days before the cruise and two day after the cruise to explore Rome. Making sure all my ducks are in a row when with 5 different countries to follow protocols. I think i have everything.... we will soon find out LOL

  • @Olbear040
    @Olbear040 2 роки тому

    as always Emma your brilliant

  • @motaz1975
    @motaz1975 2 роки тому

    gotta take chances to broaden your horizon and sometimes its nets you good content!

  • @Malfie657
    @Malfie657 2 роки тому +1

    Really interesting Emma - I've never done a fly-cruise before but was considering one for next year so I was looking forward to learning how things go...doesn't sound so good! I cruised from Southampton on P&O Iona from 25 Sept to 9 Oct and can relate to the added stress of forms etc, but overall it was totally worth it to get some sun, be pampered onboard and explore outside the UK again - as you say, it feels so safe onboard and actually ashore too because Spaniards and Portuguese all take mask wearing so much more seriously than us Brits.

  • @michaelkish2733
    @michaelkish2733 2 роки тому

    ThankYou, ... very good review, ...

  • @rumbleyd
    @rumbleyd 2 роки тому

    I have never considered a Morella cruise. I just did not know about them. Your report has me thinking they will be worth considering. Thanks.

  • @snturner10
    @snturner10 2 роки тому

    Really like your videos. Wish I had a friend like you. This trip sounded pretty stressful.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Thanks Scott! Was worth it but yep 😅❤️

  • @cbpd89
    @cbpd89 2 роки тому +1

    Thanks for all the details! It is helpful for me to hear as we're preparing for a cruise in a month.
    I'm not terribly concerned we'll test positive for covid--already gotten it twice 😂--but the logistical stuff is so stressful! Making sure you get every form filled out, tests taken...I guess the relaxing nature of a cruise makes up for it!

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      It’s so worth it, have the best time!!! ❤️❤️❤️

  • @thomasbanjopunk3817
    @thomasbanjopunk3817 2 роки тому +2

    Wonderful review. Entertaining too 😁

  • @cydneystephen2814
    @cydneystephen2814 2 роки тому

    Oh Emma. Just listening is giving me a smidge of anxiety. We went to Mexico in July and had to fill those forms going and coming. We’re in NY. Love that the ship was about 1/3 full. We too would drink to our hearts content. 🍹🍸🥃🧉🍾🥂🍺🍷🥛☕️🫖🥤🧋 . Love going off on our own. Trivia. Music. Food. Drink. Occasional excursion or self tour. Great time with your family. All with airline for $740. Amazing. Nice of them to give an hour of WiFi. That’s airport shenanigans for you. Stressful end to your cruise is right. Communication makes all the difference. With decrease in staff and COVID restrictions, the airline tells us in NY be there 3 hours before boarding and when I travelled in July , I saw why. You made it home stressfully but safely and can now remember your magnificent cruise. See you next video.

  • @jamesp-atributetoelvis3343
    @jamesp-atributetoelvis3343 Рік тому

    I just got back from my first Marella cruise and my fave drink was the electric blue. I really enjoyed the cruise and would definitely would like to cruise on another Marella ship

  • @loumello8813
    @loumello8813 2 роки тому +16

    Excellent video and I love how you are dropping words and photos here and there to emphasize a point, especially the grey cat looking up at the ceiling for no apparent reason. The airport fiasco at the close of your cruise was definitely avoidable had Tui simply communicated with the passengers, particularly since you were basically a charter group. I am glad that the cruise went so well and the price still astounds me for a 7 night all inclusive cruise.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +3

      Haha!! He has a reason, he has a QR code around his neck!! (and I thought he was cute) ;)
      Yeah, even if there was one extra crew member there it would have been fine. So crazy. But yep, sooooo cheap! Can't go wrong :D

    • @darrencarr9176
      @darrencarr9176 2 роки тому

      Good evening Lou how fabulous was Apex ?? Regards to you and your lovely wife.

    • @loumello8813
      @loumello8813 2 роки тому +1

      @@darrencarr9176 The Apex was amazing, it is a beautiful, brand new ship and we had only 501 passengers with a capacity of 2900. It was like being on our own private super yacht. The food and service was fantastic, Celebrity has really upped their game with food since we last sailed with them in 2015 and 2018. I know they added many items to their menus and the specialty restaurants were spectacular. The best thing was that every bar, every restaurant, every venue was open; they did not shut down anything at all like some lines are doing with the reduced passengers. The new included tips, wifi and drinks package is really good too, we bumped our drinks package up to the premium which covered every drink up to $15. I think it was an extra $15 a day or so and it was definitely worth it. We aren't big drinkers at all, but, this let us just get whatever we wanted without having to think about it. All in all, the ship was great and the itinerary was wonderful.

  • @kenbaxter9171
    @kenbaxter9171 2 роки тому +1

    Hi from Sydney Australia wish cruising would start from Australia went on Sea Princess In November 2019

  • @sueturaninalexander6520
    @sueturaninalexander6520 2 роки тому +1

    What a fantastic, detailed video! Oh, cats rule!

  • @TravelTourTaste
    @TravelTourTaste 2 роки тому

    Pure class, pure quality, pure talent and just to Top it all off 100k Subs. Your a star Huge MLSO. Can't wait to see your Plaque 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

  • @glengosling5636
    @glengosling5636 2 роки тому +1

    Hi Emma , our return from Rome airport was like yours from Malaga , multiple times before COVID. We will now no longer book a return cruise from Rome . Brilliant cruise holidays get ruined buy a very very stressful return flight. It’s such a shame. Regards Glen.

  • @sallyroden7534
    @sallyroden7534 2 роки тому

    We have recently flown back from Tenerife with TUI. There were 5 desks open and had a similar problem at check in, there were however signs all over the airport stating that only passengers would be allowed in the airport without exception. We were left wondering what was going on as the line we joined (one listed by airport display) was checking in passengers to another flight which had been diverted from the northern airport because of the volcanic eruption on La Palma. We just kept being told to move out of the way until one of the Spanish ladies used her brain and got the other flight moved to a different desk. Chaos!

  • @HR-wd6cw
    @HR-wd6cw 2 роки тому +1

    One thing about the airport though, as I have done trips (mainly multi-day guided trips in parks or other natural areas, not necessarily all-inclusive cruises, but inclusive guided trips) is that to a point, they have no control over the airport. They can tell you where to go and the process, but you are also at the mercy of other passengers not part of the same adventure so to speak, so you may experience a lot of delays. This is partially why I like to set up my flights and guided tours separately (usually I try to arrive a day early before the guided tours are set to depart so if there are delays, I don't miss the tour).

  • @willgaukler8979
    @willgaukler8979 2 роки тому

    ... thank you ...hope to cruise again in 2023 ... want things to evolve a bit more ... supporting my next cruise tho ...

  • @nickreeve9644
    @nickreeve9644 2 роки тому

    I'm booked on the Explorer 2 for a cruise around the Caribbean and Cuba next April. This will be my first cruise with Marella. I really hope it goes ahead.

  • @gabrielleelliott500
    @gabrielleelliott500 2 роки тому

    Love your videos

  • @danieludale4684
    @danieludale4684 2 роки тому

    I’m booked on this ship in the Caribbean in March 2023 also my first and solo cruise

  • @notenoughholidays
    @notenoughholidays 2 роки тому

    It's great watching your excellent cruise videos, all of us in New Zealand and Australia have to have our cruises vicariously through yours and other UA-camr's videos, as our two countries governments procrastinate on even thinking about recommencing them. Supposedly some time next year though I've only seen that through Facebook posts. We will believe it when we see it...

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      I think of you guys often 😭❤️

    • @notenoughholidays
      @notenoughholidays 2 роки тому

      @@EmmaCruises Thanks Emma, I look forward to our reopening and seeing you come down our way and make some 'Down Under' cruise vids :)

  • @kimhaas7586
    @kimhaas7586 2 роки тому +6

    The race to the airport sounds VERY familiar. I’m pretty sure that Morgan went through the same thing with Tui and nearly missed his flight from Spain back to Germany. He also had issues getting the correct passport number associated with his Covid test results and it took an unreasonable amount of time to straighten it out.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +2

      I think I remember that!!! Hadn’t put the two together though. Interesting! Annoying; but interesting. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

  • @shawnOnTheTube
    @shawnOnTheTube 2 роки тому +1

    Great video once again Emma, glad you had a good time on the cruise! I think I’ll look at a Marella cruise in the future. Love the Britishism of the week! We don’t use that saying here in Bermuda, but we know what it means from our friends and family in the U.K.

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      You don’t?! Interesting!!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼

    • @shawnOnTheTube
      @shawnOnTheTube 2 роки тому

      @@EmmaCruises Blimey! You seem surprised 🤣

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому +1

      Yeah!! Usually you guys do what we do 😅❤️

    • @shawnOnTheTube
      @shawnOnTheTube 2 роки тому

      @@EmmaCruises Naa we're rebels to the empire with our own slang like; "Waa Gwan", "Mug", "Ina" and "fine".... lol

  • @rachael9988
    @rachael9988 2 роки тому

    This is was the first ship i ever went on I think it was 2016 maybe for my 16th birthday and it was called tui discovery when I was on the ship best first cruise ever

  • @infidellic
    @infidellic 2 роки тому +3

    I was the guy who tweeted you about the passport queue for B + C gates as I was on the BA LHR flight before you. Literally it ran from duty free all the way to the passport desks: a solid 40 minutes - sounds like you must have avoided that as you didn't mention it. Lucky!
    I found it all a bit odd as their arrivals process at Malaga was super smooth for us, departures was abysmal

    • @EmmaCruises
      @EmmaCruises  2 роки тому

      Yeah!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

  • @Travelwith_AdrienneLinda
    @Travelwith_AdrienneLinda 2 роки тому

    Back in 2018 we had just end a cruise we were flying from Miami back to Dallas. During our week on the cruise the US government had shut down. The lines were forever long. We had thier 2 hours early but we still missed our flight had to wait on stand by for several hours.

  • @C2K777
    @C2K777 2 роки тому +5

    That is a TERRIBLE end to your trip. Totally agree that the airline shouldv had somebody walking the queue just telling people the inbound flight was delayed and there was no need to panic and that they should've had enough desks to handle the influx as well as probably separate 'fit-to-fly' only desks

  • @annettewalter2273
    @annettewalter2273 Рік тому

    I don’t think I will take an ocean cruise. Live music all the time would drive me bonkers. I have taken a river cruise, no music at all. Fabulous. 👏👏👏👏