Marella Explorer 2

[Portsmouth]

I had been looking for a last minute cruise or land holiday and then this one came up.....Marella Explorer 2 Tropical Treasures cruise starting from
La Romana in Dominican Republic this week. Well as it also had the benefits of free drinks & wine and all gratuities included with a decent discount, I went ahead and booked it. Negatives....9 hour flight + no fridges to keep drinks cool ( so I've heard )

Does anyone have any useful tips about Aruba, Curacao or Bonaire ? or Santa Domingo ? I have never visited any of these ports.
Marella Explorer 2 was formerly Celebrity Century ....( I think from 1995 )

[Ray B]

Portsmouth, Curacao as I remember is a very good port stop. Very colourful town and ornate buildings. The Queen Emma bridge quite the attraction to see and walk across, a long bridge that has a set of propellers to open and shut it. You shouldn't find it hard to to have a good day there .
We stopped there about 15 years ago after transiting the Panama an Aurora. As we left the ship to walk the short journey into Willemstad Aurora was showing the scars suffered from rubbing the sides of the Panama locks, but on our return to the ship she was looking pristine.
This site will be usfull I think for you.
nomadicniko.com

[Portsmouth]

Thanks Ray B booked at such short notice that i've have not had time to look at each port.
This could possibly be my last long distance cruise for a long time. I'm only doing things in a rush because not only will my passport run out soon but also have a few other issues meaning that have to make sure I will be free when the NHS requires me to be free.

Last time I was fortunate enough to cruise in the Caribbean was over 13 years ago so looking forward to this one.
Thanks for the link, it looks really useful .....looking forward to seeing Curacao

One last question.....does anyone have any views on wearing compressed socks on a long flight ?
Up to now I've never bothered but I'm getting older now and my dear better half thinks I should follow her example and wear them

When I get back, I'll post a review on here ( like I did with Queen Anne )

[Onelife]

Hi Portsmouth, not so sure about your ted socks but my wife said heel to toe stretches are a good way of keeping the blood circulating…you could however do what I do and go and chat up the air stewardesses as a way of stretching your legs

[david63]

does anyone have any views on wearing compressed socks on a long flight ?

I have worn them on some flights and not on others and am still here to tell the tale.

I find then somewhat uncomfortable.

A better tip is to take aspirin (if you are able to) for a couple of days pre/post flight.

[Ray B]

Portsmouth, no one can really tell you if they will offer you benefits, but it is recommended that on flights of 4 hours or more they may help to protect you from blood clots leading to DVF.
Keeping hydrated, getting up and join the queue for the toilets give you a chance to exercise every two hours and stretching ankles and calfs at your seat also helps. The older you are, having had surgery or pregnant puts you more at risk plus not drinking and sitting for 8 hours to the Carib is also bad.
Personally, I prefer to ware the socks, but do get the socks that are suited for your condition, not overly tight to be uncomfortable.

[Onelife]

Try these exercises next time you travel:

1. Raise and lower your heels while keeping your toes on the floor.
2. Raise and lower your toes while keeping your heels on the floor.
3. Tighten and release your leg muscles.
4. Chat up the Air Stewardesses.

[Ray B]

#6 my mistake,should say DVT, Deep vein thrombosis.

[Stephen]

Have a couple large ones and fall asleep.

[CaroleF]

I've always found them incredibly difficult to put on. I remember going into one of the toilets at Barbados airport and trying to put a pair on. In the end I gave up. I make sure I continually flex my ankles and has been said doing heel toe movements and getting up and walking round. When in the loo standing on tip toes, lowering heel slowly, recommended by my doctor who said this helps (doesn't necessarily have to take place in the loo!)

[Ray B]

When in the loo standing on tip toes, lowering heel slowly, recommended by my doctor who said this helps (doesn't necessarily have to take place in the loo!)

As I said, a nice queue waiting for the toilets gives you time to that.

.

Have a couple large ones and fall asleep.

.
8 hours sitting next to someone snoring his head off.
Good start to the holiday.

[Stephen]

You’re safe with me. I can never sleep on a plane so no chance of snoring, not that I do.

[Portsmouth]

Portsmouth, Curacao as I remember is a very good port stop. Very colourful town and ornate buildings. The Queen Emma bridge quite the attraction to see and walk across, a long bridge that has a set of propellers to open and shut it. You shouldn't find it hard to to have a good day there

You were so right about Curacao, it was a lovely place to visit and yes we had really good time. having a wander away from the tourist shops, found a long street where locals go and was really surprised how many clothes shops there were especially clothes for ladies....none of the tourist t-shirt or souvenir shops that are elsewhere.Had a drink and a snack upstairs in a pub/cafe with seats overlooking the river ....
Great view looking out at the pretty houses and the 8 battered shrimps for the snack were huge !!

For Aruba we shared a taxi with another couple from the ship to go to Eagle Beach ....cost was $15 or $8 per couple, spent a bit over 2 hours there
Be aware that sun-loungers/umbrellas go quickly but you can also get some shade under some palm trees. You can also spot some big green lizards who just look at you before strolling away. We spent a bit of time chatting with a group from the ship when we had a drink at the beach bar. easy to get back...just went to where the taxi dropped us off and a party bus charged us $5 per person back to town
Also something else to remember about Aruba....several blue horse statues around

[CaroleF]

I've been twice to Bonaire. It's quite a small place but lovely. The first time we went there, in the morning we just had a stroll around and I remember looking round the shops, there weren't a huge amount. Then we wandered down to the beach and I there were lots of small fishes that could be seen when we crossed a little bridge. We had lunch outside a small restaurant near the open market. Then in the afternoon John went on snorkelling trip arranged by one of the beach bars we called at. When he got back there was still time for him to go back into the town and try to get a haircut. This was the first of many haircuts he had over the years we were cruising. Some were in amazing hairdressers, like the one with no running water and a cockerel strutting around in the background! When he got back to the ship he told me he'd just had his hair cut by the hairdresser who cut the Queen of the Netherlands' hair when she visited the island! Bonaire is part of the ABC, islands, self governing islands but part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The second time we visited Bonaire there had been some development but not too much. John went on a Jeep Tour arranged, by P&O, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

[Ray B]

Portsmouth, I'm pleased you enjoyed your stop at Curacao, it is a lovely place to explore.
As for the blue horses on Aruba, we too were intrigued as to why blue horses when we last visited. Apparently they are the history of Aruba.They use to bring horses by ship to the island, and then the horses would jump off the ship into the sea and swim ashore, the colour blue represent the colour of the sea..
I remember well that we stopped for a few beers at an open air bar on other side of the road from a shopping Mall in the centre, on going to settle our bill, the barman said we don't owe any more as the bill had been settled. And he did check again, and confirmed it's paid. Nice.

[Portsmouth]

I've been twice to Bonaire. It's quite a small place but lovely.

I agree, Bonaire & Curacao were my two favourite ports on this cruise
We arrived on a Sunday so not everything was open, nonetheless I found Bonaire delightful with the simplicity of the small town
Ended our time there by enjoying a couple of drinks in the sun,on the small pier bar overlooking the port a few minutes along the road

[Portsmouth]

So I think it's time to let you know about the cruise........

As I mentioned on my earlier post, I booked this cruise last minute on Saturday and was flying out to Dominican Republic on Tuesday. ( When onboard during the cruise met a couple who had booked as late as Sunday ) I decided to pay a bit extra and upgrade my cabin to balcony but I had no idea where I was going except it was deck 9 or 10 but I had my fingers crossed they would give me a cabin on deck 9 because above deck 10 is the buffet and pool area. Don't know if I mentioned it earlier but this was an adults only cruise.

When I read my email confirmation on Monday I was very pleased they had given me a cabin between the middle and forward lifts on deck 9. Of course then I had to make my own luggage labels to go on the cases. Also on Saturday, after booking I decided to book the Premier Inn North Terminal and I thought for £72 it was worth it as its literally only three minutes across the road to to the terminal.

In the morning, all went smoothly, Main cases wouldn't be seen again until we were on the ship, so we boarded the plane and landed at La Romana.
As we got off the plane, all cruise passengers were directed to go to where the coaches were lined up ....no going through immigration or getting our passports stamped. Then we had a short coach ride of about 15 minutes to the cruise terminal and then checked in for the cruise and went onboard.

The same happened on departure....Took the coach to the airport, they looked at our Tui flight tickets and passports and straight through to security with no stamp on passports. Main cases were left outside Cabin and we didn't see them until we arrived at Gatwick.

So much more easy than having to find your cases at the cruise port when you depart.
I'll be back later to let you know about the Stateroom/Cabin and other things about the ship.

[Portsmouth]

The cabin was a decent size, as you walk in it the wardrobes were on the left and shower/toilet room on the right. one of the first things you notice when you walk in is the bed, as the bottom of the bed is curved and whilst it's fine for shorter people, for those over. 6ft who like to stretch out, then their feet might dangle over the edge unless they are in the middle of the bed. For me the bed was comfortable.

This cabin is great for those ladies and men who like to make sure they look good before going to dinner .....it had 3 full size mirrors and a very large one for the dressing table, which had a chair so ladies ( or men ) could sit and put on make up There was one large mirror just by the door, another by the bathroom, the 3rd was opposite one side of the bed.
Saw the cupboard where the fridge was meant to be ....and yes it was no longer there leaving just a space and a shelf above. So I used that space for my shoes. There were 3 small shelves above the fridge the bottom one with kettle and coffee/tea bags etc and a socket to plug in kettle.

Going back to the bed....there was a shelf on each side of the bed ( pretty normal ) but one had the cabin telephone on it which took up all the room which you might need for a glass of water at night etc, so we just put the phone on the floor. Also on each side of the bed was a usb socket so really useful to charge up your phone leaving it on the shelf.

In the bathroom the shower had a glass door and plenty of room The sink was one of those small round ones but there was enough room to put toothpaste and the usual stuff you need .....including false teeth if you have them
So lets mention the safe in the room....this could be awkward for people who are short....its just under the top shelf and they have placed it right at the back of the cupboard so anyone on the small side might struggle to get there stuff in or out. Its the old fashioned type with a dial handle you have to enter code, press A and turn handle clockwise to get your things out. Not a problem for me and that's were I stored my USA $$ that I had from many years ago and was able to use them again at last !

Finally about the balcony....I was really surprised it had one of those large old fashioned glass tables and I was also very happy to have it. At last a table you could put all you lunch or breakfast on with plenty of room for drinks as well....rather than those small low tables some cruise lines have.

[Ray B]

Sounds good so far Portsmouth, but a curved bed, that's a new one for me. Was the bed still king size? if so shouldn't be to much of a problem, but a standard size bed it may be.

[Portsmouth]

Was going to continue but have had a family emergency come up
Should be back to give more details tomorrow

[towny44]

Sounds good so far Portsmouth, but a curved bed, that's a new one for me. Was the bed still king size? if so shouldn't be to much of a problem, but a standard size bed it may be.

I believe Marella Explorer 2 is an ex Celebrity ship, and certainly the Solstice class ships had beds which had rounded edges at the foot of the beds, which were the normal two 3 foot singlw beds which couĺd be joined together to form what P&O call a Queen bed.

[Ray B]

Thanks towny, then the beds are big enough so as not to be a problem.

[Portsmouth]

Thanks towny, then the beds are big enough so as not to be a problem.

Well having slept in one and being under 6ft ......it was excellent
But I have to say if you are as tall as John Cleese or Jeremy Clarkson ( both 6ft 5" ) you might prefer to sleep on your side
If you were Stephen Merchant ( actor The Office etc ) 6ft 7 it might still be ok because the bed is wide
However if you are someone as tall as Richard Keil actor played Jaws in bond film Moonraker 7ft 1" then check with the cruise line first
Never heard anyone complaining so I think most people have no issue ....I read somewhere if the beds are split the shortest side ( with the curve ) is about 5ft 8" and the longest side is about 6ft 6"

[Portsmouth]

Deck 5.. In the atrium is the desk for Reception, a desk for Destination Services ( to book excursions ) and a desk Bike Tours so you can hire a bike. Also giant tablets so you can book your own excursions when they are not there.Also a restaurant called Dining Club where you pay extra for a dining experience . Towards the end of the cruise I spoke with a couple who had dined there and they said ( for them ) it was wonderful, they loved it and thought it was well worth the extra charge. There is a small room opposite the bike tours desk for booking future cruises. They seemed to be busy when I went by.

Whatever you do don't get in the aft lift to access any of these as the only place you can get to on the 5th floor aft lift is the restaurant called Latitude 53 and so to get to reception etc, all you can do is walk up some stairs ( or use the lift ) to deck 6 and then go to the middle stairs to go down again.

Back later ...time for lunch

[Portsmouth]

Deck 6 at the back has the upper floor of the Latitude 53 restaurant, this is where they have one side as Vista serving Italian food and on the other side it's called Piccadilly with two different menus for different days ...an A & B menu. I didn't go into either.
We ate mostly in the Latitude 53 restaurant on deck 5, I found the food tasty and well presented but we did speak to a few people who thought that sometimes the beef they had was overcooked or hard to cut. I only had the beef once and it was fine for me.

On 3 of the nights we opted to share a table....the first night we were on a table of 8, a fun table but with a couple of Canadians dining with us they seemed to enjoy talking about politics and about Trump ....but with a switch of topic we could chat about other things. There were a lot of Scots onboard. Apparently they had a special flight from Glasgow for a two week cruise

Back to deck 6....moving forward on the port side ( I think) was the Surf & Turf steakhouse specialty restaurant whilst on the starboard side was Pan Asian Cuisine with Kora La also chargable. In the middle was an area for drinking called Aperitif where they sometimes had a pianist playing. Moving forward was another bar called Flutes...it was quite often very full because sometimes there was a guitar vocalist or a piano vocalist playing.
I had decided we were not going to pay extra for any of the specialty restaurants as the food in the other places was fine for us.

Then we had the shops and they had a few sales on but I couldn't see anything that I particularly needed and just past the shops were the doors to the theatre. The notice on the doors said please enter the theatre by deck 7 so that's what we did when we went to a show.