I Took The Cheapest All Inclusive Cruise (On an Old Ship)
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2024
- I’m currently onboard an all-inclusive weekend cruise on one of the oldest and smallest cruise ships around. The ship I’m sailing on started her life with Celebrity Cruises and now is a completely adult-only ship where everything, including alcohol, is included.
Being adult-only was one of the things that first attracted me to this cruise. I wanted to cruise with my friend and because of her work, we had to stick to the school holidays. When I saw this short 4-night cruise sailing from Spain advertised from £600 ($740) I thought this would be the perfect time to give it a go. In reality, as with most cruises, I did end up paying more than that.
I tried the river cruise version of this trip, check that out here: • I Tried a Budget River...
Wondering what a themed cruise would be like? Here's my 90s cruise:
• I Took a 90s Themed Pa...
Check out the same cruise in November, it's £542 including flights from the UK. Not bad at all. (ad - affiliate) : tui-uk.7cnq.net/LX9QaV
I knew that this cruise might turn into a bit of a booze cruise given the unlimited alcohol, I wasn’t sure if 4 days would be long enough, and as this would be my friend's first cruise as an adult, I hoped that my choice wouldn’t let her down. Some of the reviews made it sound awful as they always do.
We flew to Palma in Majorca to board the ship and all of our transfers and flights were included with the cruise fare. As soon as we got off the plane we were met by the Marella representative and put on our coach, it was very easy and our suitcases were taken from the bus to the ship for us. We boarded the ship at 8pm which wasn’t ideal as it did feel like we were missing that first day but because the flights came with the cruise there wasn’t much that we could do about that. I did meet people on the ship who had been onboard since 2pm which I’m very envious about but we were just very excited to get onboard by this point.
The ship that we were boarding was Marella Explorer 2, she started her life as the Celebrity Century way back in 1995 and she’s less than half the size of the current biggest cruise ship in the world. There aren’t many cruise ships this old still sailing so I was interested to see if she would feel her age. I’d booked a quirky cabin too which you don’t find on modern cruise ships.
When we walked into the ship we decided to head straight up the stairs to find our cabin. The main thing on our minds at this point was food because we’d been travelling since lunchtime but we wanted to drop off our bags first. It certainly was strange having our first look at the ship in the dark but each bar that we passed was decorated in a completely different theme to the last, which I really liked. I don’t have a great sense of direction and I need things to have very obvious themes so I know what they are, for example, if you said you’d meet me in the golf bar on this ship, there would be no confusion.
Heading up to the buffet, I was impressed with the layout and the design. The buffet actually goes all the way around the back of the ship and it was here that we got our first glimpse of the included drinks.
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Check out the same cruise in November, it's £542 including flights from the UK. Not bad at all. (ad - affiliate) : tui-uk.7cnq.net/LX9QaV 😇🥳
I tried the river cruise version of this trip, check that out here: ruclips.net/video/7o_-bPhPYLs/видео.htmlsi=PyfXaLP-zu8-vpRT
Wondering what a themed cruise would be like? Here's my 90s cruise:
ruclips.net/video/_av3QfATpCE/видео.htmlsi=bKTa7tb1MOlziP3h 🥰😎
In your other video you asked what the ◇ icon meant on the room layout.
On other ship layouts it seems to signify 6 berth so * ◇ would be 4-6 berths?
Hi Emma thank you for the great content as always. I have a question and I’m sorry I’m sure you have been asked this a million times before,,,,,do you have an insurance company that you would recommend for cruisers? I have been using the same one for years and never had to claim but we have been cruising now for the past 4 years and after a quick conversation with the company I realised they don’t cover any cruising issues.
@@dexdexter65 Hellooooo, my cruise travel insurance guide (including recommendations and step by step instructions) is here: emmacruises.com/cruise-travel-insurance-why-you-need-it-and-how-to-get-it-step-by-step-guide/ 🥳🥳
I remember the head shave and the grow back!
Emma, thank you for being one of the very few RUclipsrs creating original content instead of recycling 25 things to buy on Amazon before your cruise, or sensationalized bad things happening to cruisers.
Ha ha, thank you! Theres definitely a place for that kind of content but it isn't very me. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Yessssss this!!!
I second that! I booked a cruise because of your channel and I can’t wait!
My husband and I had our honeymoon on this ship. We both work in education so adult only was a real bonus for us. Had a great time sailing around Italy and Croatia.
Ooo, that sounds amazing!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
What a great honeymoon!
“I don’t want to win the game I am playing because that would involve public recognition” might be the most British thing I’ve ever heard. Thanks Emma! This ship reminds me of Norwegian’s Jewel class.
You are probably the best, most real-deal, authentic and value-adding travel channel out there. Seriously, you put in the miles and you show it all. I feel as if I took a 3 credit semester course each time I consume one of these cruise reviews. And I also love me some mini-golf.
Awwwh thanks so much!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I love the idea of an adult-only cruise that includes all food and alcohol with no set dining times. I'm going to take special note of this one.
When you said that older ships seem to have more outdoor space per person it really clicked with me.
All the new ships seem to sacrifice communal spaces for these up charge higher tier amenities. It's kinda sad to see that trend. I mean Norwegian has a literal ship in the ship as it's top tier.
So the experience for the non premium cruiser gets actually worse.
Ha ha, I think so too!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I don’t even know what that means! 😂😂😂 PS I have never been on a cruise 🚢.
@@looloo4029 haha it means that the big modern ships seem to follow the trend of sacrificing spaces open for everyone for spaces that can only be accessed by guests booking the higher tiers.
So the spaces accessible for the regular passenger are less even tho the ship is bigger.
@@HoJSimpson thats what they might call it, but at the end of the day its basically the class system making a comeback where if you aint want to spend the money you aint welcome with the " rich " folk.
For Norwegian, especially the Prima class, I totally agree ! But for the biggest ships, like the Icon and Oasis class, I believe you have a lot of free outdoor space, but these ships definitely aren’t for everyone…
We went on Celebrity Century when it was one of the older ships in Celebrity’s fleet. It’s a small but very well designed ship and we really loved it. I am thrilled to see her again; thank you!
Awhh, love that!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I went on it was it was maybe 5 or 6 years old and it was not considered small then. The size of ships have gotten really huge.
Butlins! I remember Hi-de-Hi! (1980-?). What flummoxes me most is the lack of a proper 'Promenade' deck, not high up that wraps around an entire ship. Older ships have them, and it's those ships I had the most fun on. And the fact that the number of passengers are low is a bonus. I detest the 'block of floating apartments' of mega ships.
I remember the Century from a couple of cruises we took on the ship. They were one of the reasons I’ve always thought highly of Celebrity cruises. It was a good ship then and I’m glad the old girl is still sailing. Usually, if a company is willing to keep the maintenance up to date, these ships last until a change in the Safety of Life At Seas (SOLAS) regulations that demand major, expensive improvements. Since she still has classic shaft propellers and not Azipods, her life span can be extended a little longer.
Awwh I love that. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Celebrity Century was the first cruise I ever went on in 1996 as a 6-year-old. Crazy to see it's still kicking as a Marella cruise!
Awwhh! Love that. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
On my cruise from Australia to New Zealand, they had music trivia BINGO (no entry fee). They'd play a song, and you had to identify it (or wait several minutes for the name to be displayed, after which several other songs had played, so you were behind). Four rounds in one game show.
I enjoyed it, even though I lost a BINGO because I took a second longer to shout it out than somebody else. It might be the one time in my life I'd have the win, only to lose out like that. I don't play regular BINGO.
Ahh stressful!! Ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Emma, I find you to be an excellent guide. Your speech is descriptive in a brisk manner. You also have a lovely voice. Hope you can find a position that enables you to continue cruising in the manner you wish to become accustomed to. God’s blessings
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
My mum recognizes some of the spaces on the ship from over 20 years ago 🤭
She's surprised they were able to renovate it to this level
They really did renovate it top to bottom! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I am glad you had a lovely time. If I ever go on a cruise, the most important thing I have learnt from RUclips cruise channels is to be cautious about my cabin location to avoid noise! Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
We just did our 1st cruise with Tui Marella Explorer corfu, Croatia and Montenegro. Didn't know what to expect, but not disappoint. Staff really friendly, boat spotless, restaurants and bar menus brilliant. Like you said smaller boats, about 2000 people, but you would think that wondering around the 12 decks. Definitely be doing another
Been watching/ subscribed to you since way before your 'head shave'! You did a brilliant job! Did our first Marella in January (Canaries on Explorer) we were very impressed with how easy everything was & how lovely & friendly all the crew were including the Officers & Captain! Very large outside Cabin, on the side right under the bridge, really comfy & 'homely'. Would rather have the 'shabby chic' & friendly & 'all in' than the 'glitz & glamour' of MSC (lovely room stewards & wait staff but arrogant officers!) where everything is extra! Thank you for getting us into cruising Emma! ( YES! all your fault! now done eight and addicted!) Keep up the good work!
So glad you had a lovely time! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I sailed on her twice when she was still with Celebrity near the turn of the 21st Century and I have to tell you that based on your video she has been beautiful maintained. I found her beautiful then and she appears to have aged like a very fine wine.
I went on my very first cruise back in 1985 with my family and the first two ships I went on were less than a quarter of the size of this ship so I've never understood the modern cruise travelers that refer to ships this size as tiny. In my experience she is more than large enough and in fact she has far more public space available to a passenger than a ship like Queen Elizabeth or SS France from the golden age of ocean liners. It seems like modern cruisers have become obsessed with size whether they think a ship this size is too small or they are convinced that the largest ships are too big.
Awwwh, so nice to see the ship still going I bet!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Thanks for your comment! I just remarked similarly, that we went on her as the Century and absolutely loved the size and design of the ship and public spaces. I’m thrilled to see her again, and glad she still looks nice!
I was on her in February and i thought she was in good condition. i like the smaller ships. one of my favourits was P&O's Oceana, i was on her last full cruise before covid struck.
My parents cruised several times in the 1980s and I miss the smaller cruise ships. They still looked like ships, and you weren’t crowded in with thousand and thousands of people. If there was still an option for that size of ship, my husband and I might try a cruise. Neither of us likes massive crowds and I like ships that look like ships, rather than a massive floating block. We don’t need a ton of amenities and amusements.
@@CatMom-uw9jl if there was a market it for them they would build them that way. Sadly economy of scale and the demands of today's vacationers simply make ships of that type unprofitable. People demand balcony cabins, people demand half a dozen or more dining options and all types of entertainment and they want it all for a bottom dollar price tag. The only small ships left are ultra luxury lines that the majority of people can't afford.
I sailed on this ship when it was Celebrity Century when I was 10 years old in 2005! It was my first ever cruise. Love seeing this ship again!
Awwwh!! So cute. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Wow. So many words in 17 minutes and 51 seconds. Very thorough!
Thanks again for such great information, as usual. Have been watching your posts for years. Keep on cruising!
Our first cruise ever was onboard the Celebrity Century back in 1996. We've been hooked on cruising since but it still remains one of our favorites. When you mentioned miniature golf as being totally '90s, I was able to do something on the Century that would be unheard of today. I did skeet shooting with a shotgun off the rear of the deck. Also, we were in Cabin 8186 which at the time was an oceanview window. All those balconies (except where you were) were added afterwards...
Fantastic video as always. You and and Ben and David are my favorite cruise bloggers. I get all the cruising that I want watching you guys. I love to see your cat and his cattitude. If I ever cruised, I would worry if my cabin was over the smoking "lounge". I'd worry about smoking odors drifting onto the balcony. Thank you.
Ah, I really do love Marella Cruises - I find their fares are SUCH good value!
Marella-ella-ella-ay-ay-ayyyyyy, under my Marellaaa. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Me too
Really? I think they are not as reasonable as they used to be.
Amazing video as always Emma 🎉
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
Love to hear your perspective!
Good and fair video…we sailed on Explorer 2 in 2023…our first cruise and we loved it…so much so that in September 2024 we are going on the Discovery for our second cruise 👍😎
Love the video, love the channel.....Honest, proper reviews.
Thank you! 😁❤️
These videos are very helpful. We only do adult only cruises so I might look into this.
Great Video. Thank you for posting.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I rate Emmas videos in how long it takes her to find the cookies :)
Ha ha, I should have a countdown! My last cruise was about 20 minutes maybe so that's good, lolol. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
When Emma visits the website to book a cruise, I wonder if she gets excited when she clicks the 'Enable Cookies' button!😊
Great channel and content thank you 😊
Excellent review Emma! Love it 🌊🌞🌺🌊🌊🛳️🛳️🛳️🌊🌞🌺🌺🌺🌺
Thank you! 😁❤️
Looks like a great time, I love the ports you visited! For a short cruise, seems just fine!
Thank you! 😁❤️
I so enjoyed this review -- I enjoy ALL of your videos, since you're so much fun to watch and listen to (I need a to take a speed-listening course to keep up, though). As a long time Celebrity cruiser, the ship did look familiar, though I was never aboard that one. Much more colorful than Celebrity. The price is pretty amazing with included drinks and air travel. I don't think I'd ever find that kind of deal in the US.
Ha ha, I love that. Thanks so much!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I really enjpyed that.
Thank you Emma.
So glad you did, Thank you! 😁❤️
Emma, loved your videos on NCL Encore! We are going on that cruise in two weeks, and your videos were full of a lot of helpful info. Thanks!
I do find it interesting that your videos mention how shy you are - yet you’re doing RUclips videos.🤔🤷🏻♂️ Oh well, keep up the good work!!!
Mini golf is exciting! 🥰✨
Always!!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
There used to be driving ranges off the aft of the ship.
Skeet shooting too. Open bar. What can go wrong?
Thank you for always making such wonderful videos! You always do such an awesome job describing everything and sprinkling bits of humour. I love watching your content and hope you can continue making more great videos. Have the best day! :)
Thanks so much you are very kind! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Love your videos,Emma…keep sailing. ❤
Thank you! 😁❤️
Glad you had fun.
Thank you! 😁❤️
Thank you Emma 😊
I remember when you shaved your head! What a kind gesture. I enjoy your channel Emma! Keep it up!
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words! I appreciate it 😀❤️
Fantastic price! Always enjoy your videos.
Thanks so much for watching and your kind words! I appreciate it 😀❤️
Loved this little cruise. Remember the rain in Valencia again now! Good to meet you.
So lovely to meet you too!! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises oh. And the Squid and Anchor? We know this as Waterspoons 😂 Off on another Marella in Oct. Love em.
As a Brit living in the US I definitely want to give Marella a try one day. Thanks for the fun video!
Glad you had amazing time time 🛳️🌊🌊🌺🌞🌺🌺🛳️🌺🌺🌺🌊🌺🌞🛳️
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Looks good to me, missus & I are going from Sydney to Cairns in 2 weeks & cannot wait as cruising is a great holiday 🇦🇺👍
Have the best time ever!!!! 😀❤️
Thanks for the review. We saied on the Century in 2012 as our third cruise and we spent 3 weeks on it from FLL to San Diego through the Panama Canal.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
We sailed Celebrity Century in1999 and had a great time. Glad to see she's still afloat!
great fun. thank you Emma
Thank you! 😁❤️
Great video. I remember the head shave event.
Amazing!! So so long ago. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Only ever been on one cruise but really like your channel - thank you
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
I just got off the Celebrity Eclipse today and I’m amazed at how similar they are!
For that price this cruise was an absolute steal! I love your videos so much and I hope to cruise within the next few years
Thank you! 😁❤️
Thanks Emma. It looks very nice. Better than the new monsters now.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I luv ur videos thank u sm
Love that you mentioned 'Spoons' as, after our last Marella cruise, I described it to a non-cruising friend as 'Wetherspoons at Sea'. Not meant to be a criticism, just a way to put it in context.
Yes ha ha!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Great video!
Thanks lots!!
Great little video Emma!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
...lovely review. Thank you.
Thank you! 😁❤️
I find I enjoy the older ships. I'm making a point of sailing on each of Carnival's last two Fantasy class ships, before they decided to take them out of service. Cheers, Emma 🥂
My husband lectures on ships. We sailed with Marella pre Covid. Had another one scheduled with them but Covid took it. Great people running their ships!!
They are so lovely. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I was on this ship in February , Jamaica, Cozumel, Cuba, Grand Cayman. had a great time.
Doing my first Spain cruise in a few months, I'm not a drinker but would've still enjoyed this.
Another great vlog. Just went back 5 years in your video's to find the mentioned head shave. Very brave and you still looked good afterwards, well done for raising so much for a great cause.
In that you mentioed doing a followup of pictures showing your returning hair, but couldn't find it. Was that canceled as it was around covid?.
Did our first cruise on Discovery in April, 2 weeks Carribean. Loved it. Will be doing more in the future. Maybe Asia.
Helllooo, I don't remembe that to be honest. but in all my old videos you can see my hair growing back, ha ha. When I did the shave the 2nd time I wore wigs for a little bit. So glad you enjoyed your cruise!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
That 90's cruise sounds fun. I miss the 90's.
The atrium and reception desk & bar are beautiful I thought you were gonna say you wouldn’t know it was a budget ship
That was the first cruise ship I ever sailed on many many years ago. She was the Celebrity Century when I sailed her. Glad to see she is still out there sailing.
Awwwh, love it!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Just finished another video about a cruise from another channel I love, only to find Emma has uploaded! 😍 (Yes I'm about 24 hours late but I blame the algorithm)
Awwh thank you!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I went on this cruise for my honeymoon round the Caribbean. It was our first cruise so nothing to compare but we absolutely loved it
Love it!! 🥰❤️
My dad won't cruise with any other line. He's been to the med, Caribbean, South America and a few more over the years, he's even been in the hospital on occasion onboard and loves TUI. He's 89!
EMMA POSTED YAY! Can’t wait for the books thank you and tell Hudson I said hi
Would you try an American Cruise line ship like ACL Eagle or independence?
Hey Noah!!! Hope you are doing well. I'd love to try an American line like that!! Thank you! 😁❤️
Thanks Emma. Having a Wetherspoons onboard would be very welcomed indeed.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Yes Valencia and Barcelona are great places to visit.
The best!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Emma, i like that they offer you one piece of bread at a time, I hate wasting 🤗
Oh I didn't know people were wasting the bread (ha ha just kidding but I understand what you mean). Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Glad you had a nice time.
I once nodded off during a Bingo game but I didn't miss any of my numbers, largely because I was the bingo caller.
Yeah, that's a Noel Coward joke I believe but I do find bingo boring.
Happy cruising everyone.
Ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
@@EmmaCruises You're welcome, I may not be the cruising kind of person but its always fun to see people finding joy in what they love.
We took the Celebrity Century in 2001. I *think* where the forward casino tables are now was where there used to be a massive spa and gym area. Somewhere high up and forward. Great videos, keep it up!
Thank you! 😁❤️
Love the Butlinsesque Bunny! @4:43🐰
This cruise sounds like a great value
It was great fun! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Another great video Emma, glad to hear non British people can book Marella now. ❤
Thank you! 😁❤️
We actually sailed on this ship when it was a Celebrity ship. I don't remember a lot about it; it was at least 25 years ago. I remember it wasn't good enough to convince us to sail any more times on Celebrity, but any cruise can turn out less than stellar, on any given day.
Oooo, interseting! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I love your videos even though I've never been on a cruise.
Thanks so much 🥹❤️
Even older ships I find very clean and updated......I haven't had a problem yet.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Me and the boys on our way to be the first ones boarding the spoons cruise 🏃🏻🏃🏻🏃🏻
Ha ha, lets go!! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
... American here. "Spoons" like the card game? Or is this something else?
@@kontzel It's a restaurant chain in the UK.
@@cookiehuntress4173 Restaurant? mmmm....I don't think so
@@cookiehuntress4173Think this is the first time I've heard of spoons referred to as a "restaurant chain" 🤣
My husband and I took this ship to Alaska in 1999. The ship was only a few years old and was state of the art for the time.
Mentioning Butlins reminded me of the British TV sitcom called Hi-de-Hi from the early 80's. Same idea of an organised/scheduled holiday park. But not on the sea. Now I feel a bit old :)
Yes! ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
When we were on Anthem last week, they played a little tune before entertainment announcements. I kept expecting them to say "Morning campers.." - but Emma and everyone else was too young to understand the reference! 😂
It sounds like it passed the cookie test and scored pretty good on the cookie meter. Need to start a cookie rating for cruise ships 🍪 😉
I do have one! The 'best' is a tricky one to answer though ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼 emmacruises.com/which-cruise-lines-have-the-best-cookies-11-cruise-lines-compared/
😊
I’m not sure I’m more pleased to see me, my family, my luggage on the carousel or my channel mascot Charles on a night out with Captain Hudson and Cruise Monkeys Max in this video 😂
And your friend was right, the crew on Marella are so friendly!
Ha ha!! How funny! YES!! The best. Love Charles and Max and Hudson!! Lovely to meet you. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Too shy to shout out BINGO... thats adorable!
i’d book this cruise! seen enough space for me to move around & it kind of feels like a mall… only thing is, that pool isn’t really inviting & the selling point for me is usually the water activities & room/view
It really wasn't warm enough for that on this cruise, ha ha. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I've been on this ship in the past and the pool is actually fine. It's a salter water pool that is large enough and deep enough that you could play water polo in if you desired.
"Although wandering around the ship in the dark would've been fun". Same Emma, same.
Wetherspoons cruises? Count me in!!!
I'm shocked it was so updated. It looks great for being almost 30 years old.
Paying for a room upgrade and then ending up right above the smoking area..... that's torture. but putting that aside you actually made me want to try out that cruise. i've never been on one before.
You mentioned the mini golf. The first cruise i took in 98. The only deck games they had were ping pong tables which were literally impossible to play ping pong on because of the constant breeze/wind 😆
Haha, yeah they didn't think that one through! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Promenade deck is a big plus.
I did see your head shave video. (Was that during the not just for old people days?!) I thought you looked absolutely beautiful! Lois 😊
Yes! The first time it was ha ha. Thank you! 😁❤️
I remember you getting your head shaved and you wearing a long blond wig! Thanks for your videos. I've been trying to buy a Captain Hudson cat.
I think I like that ship! Looks to have nice open spaces and doesn't look crowded. Yup, American here who couldn't figure out how to book a Marella cruise a few years ago. That's OK though because I have 9 scheduled starting next week and going through March!
WOW!! That is incredible!! Have a great time! 🥳🥳
@@EmmaCruises Retirement life.