Marella Explorer 2

[towny44]

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"

That sounds to be highly unlikely, only the corner is curved and the rest of the bed is still full sized.

[Portsmouth]

At the back of deck 7 is the Squid & Anchor.....a large room where most of the trivia and quiz shows take place...even bingo & karaoke. Also in the evenings it gets full when they have the band " Full Coverage" or "The Collective" playing, so as you can gather it's quite a lively place to sit and have a drink. Getting a seat can be hard if you get there late.

The Coffee Port is just a bit further along and is for specialty coffees and nice accompaniments which as I didn't upgrade, you have to pay for. This is what i thought was a huge area with tables and seats and no soul to it. not really used by that many people but maybe for some, it's a great place to have a coffee and relax and read a book. I much preferred the one on Marella Discovery 2 which had that quiet buzz about it and was smaller. The coffee is actually at a very good price if you're not on the premium package. On deck 10 you have a place called snack shack where they put single cookies in a bag which are free. I noticed one or two people brought these cookies with them so they didn't have to pay for bigger cookies Coffee Port were selling.
The photography desk is also close by.

From there is some more shops and a bar called The 19th hole......it had a couple of golf carts with tables ( always full ) and they also had a golf simulator where they held a free event at 5:00 most days called nearest to the pin. I never got to see how popular that was

[Onelife]

Hi Portsmouth, have you ever thought about applying to go on “The Chase” your memory and attention to detail is absolutely amazing.

[Portsmouth]

That sounds to be highly unlikely, only the corner is curved and the rest of the bed is still full sized.

You might possibly be right about the full size length because the middle is definitely longer but to me being under 6ft in the bed and sleeping more towards the edge it didn't seem as long as that and as I said the bed was comfortable and wide.
Saw this review online and the bed is exactly like the one I was in .....and I still say it's curved

https://cruiseaddict.net/review-of-mare ... abin-8184/

[Stephen]

Only at the end

[Portsmouth]

Hi Portsmouth, have you ever thought about applying to go on “The Chase” your memory and attention to detail is absolutely amazing.

I'm not quite a good as you think, I used the deck plan to make sure I was accurate when telling you about the places I went and also to let you know about places I didn't try ....such as Vista & Piccadilly which I've already mentioned.
Instead of walking around on the outside deck like some do I liked to walk around the different decks and use the stairs for exercise rather than the gym ( which I also didn't visit )
I would never go on The Chase.....too afraid of looking an idiot If I got none right during the 1 minute question round

[Portsmouth]

When you enter the theatre ( called Broadway Show Lounge ), which ever door you enter by is a barman by a table of drinks, so you can take a glass of something and watch the show. All the seat rows have small tables for you to put your drinks on. In the main body of the theatre you get a great view of the stage but some of the upper seats on the left /right sides seem to miss a bit of the stage. Going to have to use my copies of Cruise News to be accurate and let you know day to day what was on. Before I mention the shows I just want to say for me there were 2 really good acts flown in from the Uk...a singer & a comedian.

First night was the Marella show cast presenting movies.....I didn't go to see this, instead I was on the Pool Deck after my meal and attended the Sail & Shine party as we left La Romana. They brought round various drinks as we listened to the band Full Collective and had a long interesting chat with one of the entertainment staff. Quite a bit of dancing near the band but I was happy sitting at a table.

Day 2 we were in Santa Domingo....free shuttle to the town,huge number of police all around the tourist parts of the town...had a nice time just walking around and stopping for a drink in the sun. In the theatre they had a show with the Marella cast called 54. It was your normal kind of production show and made such an impression on me that I can't even remember what it was about even though I watched it

Day 3 was a day at sea, thought i might venture up on deck to grab a sun lounger....also to lie in the sun/or shade and listen to whatever was happening by the pool & stage....absolutely no chance...every spot was taken and I walked all over both sun decks.But we did have our balcony and after getting some drinks relaxed there. grabbed some food from the snack shack and having a big balcony table was a big bonus.
In the theatre this evening...at 19:45 just before the show it was a chance to see the Captains welcome on board with Captain Richard & senior officers. I was having my meal in the dining room and wasn't that bothered to go. The show in the theatre at 8 or 10pm was again by the Marella show cast called Full Swing. I went and had a drink and listened to Piano Vocalist Joe instead.

[Portsmouth]

Day 4 .....we were in Oranjestad Aruba...I also had a look around Renaissance mall lots of big designer names.....and you could also get a water taxi from there to Renaissance Island. Quick side note...apparently wearing camouflage clothing is illegal on these islands as it's only for the military to wear....as I was ashore I wasn't able to participate in the bean bag toss or the fun fit line dancing ( not that i would have done )

Tonight in the theatre we had a great act ( I thought so as did many others ) Yssy as Pure Paloma. She not only sang a few songs and had a really great singing voice but she was really funny and involved the audience with her humour as well .

Day 5 .....we were in Curacao....I really enjoyed visiting this island and looking at the pretty coloured houses was a delight.They have a shopping mall inside the ruins of an old fort where you can also stop for a bite to eat and drink.Whilst I was ashore here they were doing " Pom Pom" making on the ship...such an exciting event I almost went back to the ship to take part

Theatre shows started earlier tonight 19:30....to see Uk guest comedian Jack Ryan ( from Liverpool ) he was excellent and really funny. he could make some of his adult humour a bit near the knuckle but not crude but it was an act with all kinds of laughs. For me a good test of a performer is would I pay to go and see them again and the answer is yes...if I saw Jack Ryan was performing somewhere near me then I would go.

The reason for the shows starting earlier was that at 22:30 there was a Mardi Gras Deck party which I also went to....lots of stuff going on but the highlight was Yzzy back on deck singing lots of songs and getting us to sing along as well.

[Ray B]

Shame whilst ashore that you missed the line dancing and Pom Pom making, always chance next time Pompy.

[Portsmouth]

Day 6......we were in the lovely Bonaire....time to be back onboard was 5:30, as we walked into the small town centre from the ship there were a few tables set up with souvenirs made by the locals including bags of local salt. Some of the shops were closed because we were there on a Sunday. My wife saw a nice looking sea horse ornament she liked and thought it would look good on the bathroom shelf...so we bought it.

Today from 5:00 to 7:00 on the pool deck was the Barbecue Sailaway Party with the Band Full Coverage playing. They had tables full of different barbecued food and people queued up filling their plates full of food like there was no tomorrow. I mean...come on, just have a few bits of food on your plate and return if you need more It's not like it's going to run out. Didn't have any food myself as decided to eat in the restaurant.

In the Broadway Show Lounge this evening the Marella cast were doing Lost Icons....celebrating greatest artists of all time who are no longer with us. I did go to watch....it was Ok enjoyable to watch, but nothing special. All around the ship was music as usual from Piano Vocalist Joe, to Pianist Sam or guitar vocalist Lucas.

Late evening at 11pm was a late night performance by Jack Ryan in the theatre again ...however the poor guy was not well, still very funny but he had to come off after 20 minutes ( really apologetic ) Still there was one more late night event to go to in the Indigo club.....yes it was time for silent disco. Two types of music pop or rock which you can change via your headphones when you want. It's a really entertaining way to people watch those on the dance floor singing their hearts out.

Day 7....final full day of the cruise and we are at sea.....I was on my balcony some of the time but going up to the the pool deck for a stroll, again every sun lounger seemed to be taken. Of course the " must not be missed event of the day " was going to be " Hotel Heroes " ....see a showcase of Towel and Napkin folding.... They also had a Captains Q&A with Senior Officers in the Squid & Anchor....someone said it was good but I didn't go.
Final night in the theatre was the Marella cast presenting Revive....a kind of circus musical

.

[Ray B]

Pompy, so you didn't cut a rug taking part in the silent disco then.
Nice report of the cruise.

[Portsmouth]

Pompy, so you didn't cut a rug taking part in the silent disco then.
Nice report of the cruise.

No but the dance floor was full...sitting or dancing it was still alot of fun

Did I mention there is a small restaurant called Nonnas that you can order different Italian Pasta and various sauces the way you like them, about the place at the back of the buffet that serves Tapas dishes or the pool deck place called the Beach Cove ? Maybe not, but these were the other places besides the main restaurants and buffet to get yourself a bite to eat.
Room Service you had to pay for....at least in the balcony cabins ....it might be different for suites.

With housekeeping, they work as a team of three...although there is one assigned to your room. They were excellent and always smiling and checking that everything was good.They still do the evening turn down on Marella and leave a small square of chocolate on your pillow.

And I guess that finally brings an end to my cruise report .....

[Jan Rosser]

Really enjoyed reading your cruise review Portsmouth - thanks for sharing your experiences with us on board. I’ve friends who frequently sail with Marella cruises and really love travelling with them.

[Onelife]

Yes’, an excellent cruise review Portsmouth…I just wish you had gone into more detail about what to expect once onboard

[Stephen]

Don’t worry the book is coming out next month

[Onelife]

Hi Portsmouth, I’ve just been on a 23-minute video tour of the ship and to be honest I think your review left a better impression than that of what the video tour did…I thought the ship lacked elegance and, in some areas, it looked like a lot more effort could have gone into the seating areas. I also didn’t like the sun-bathing areas which seemed to be placed around the ship’s structures rather than having designated sun bathing areas.

My opinion however shouldn't take anything away from any book offers that may come your way.