1 Week onboard Marella Discovery Cruising The Bahamas & USA (Part 1)
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2024
- It's here! A cruise I had been dreaming of doing for years and TWO bucket list moments (one of which was totally unexpected! Here's part one of our FULL fly-cruise experience with Marella Discovery to the Bahamas and USA. Highlights include;
-flight experience to Melbourne, Florida on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
-transfer and check in at Port Canaveral
-all meals onboard / ashore, all reviewed, plus menus
-drinks menus / packages
-a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral caught from our sail away
-a visit to the Bahamas and the beautiful Grand Lucayan resort
-a sea day onboard
-an incredible sail-in to New York, the immigration process plus everything we got up to on our first day there and how to SAVE money on your visit
...and a whole lot more to enjoy with lots of tips along the way!
I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Part 2 will be with you on Wednesday plus a full ship tour this Saturday. Keep an eye out on the horizon!
If you have any Qs or comments, please drop them below. Please do consider showing your support by liking this video, subscribing and turning on notifications - it is as simple as that!
You can also follow me on beacons.ai/travelblogjamie, Insta, Threads, Twitter and Patreon @travelblogjamie and my Facebook page "jamiewrobins".
#marella #cruise #marellacruise #cruiseship #travelblogjamie #newyork
Here’s the be big one and TWO of my bucket list moments! join me for live chat during the premiere!
Great video Jamie! 👍🏻 We can’r wait for the next one. Can i ask if you bought a New York pass or just booked online individually? Well done for the tip about the evening cruise price,rather than booking with tui 😃 Their trips are a rip-off. We like to do our own thing.
@@68blues we just booked individual experiences online ❤️
@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks for the reply Jamie. Will do the same 🤗
How safe did you feel in New York at Night please Jamie?
@@jackieaudus9829 it felt no different from any other city at night
Loved the look of the evening cruise. I love New York. Our last cruise ended in NYC and we came in at sunrise, absolutely beautiful. This bought back good memories.
Sounds like bliss
I’m only 8 minutes in but I was wowed by the cabin and food etc. I watch all your videos and personally- this would be a serious contender!Happy holidays and Thank you for taking us with you ❤
Thank you so much 😊
Awesome ship I really love sea day's lots of food and activities Jamie
Their immigration set up is usually pretty spot on. I've gone into us ports a couple of times and they're really well organised in most cases.
It worked very well!
Had goosebumps when you saw the rocket launch. Sailing into New York is now added to my bucket list
Oh as did I!
Great, thanks for the all the tips , great help for planning one of my next bucket list to New York xx
No problem - New York also continued in part 2 btw
Another great video. On tui new itinerary.
Hoorah!
Am sooo envious you got to see a launch from Cape Canaveral! What an experience, could you hear it from that far away? Great video, really enjoying your channel so have subscribed 😊
Yes could hear it too ❤️❤️❤️
Gotta say I’m a little green with envy at you seeing a rocket launch Jamie, my inner Trek nerd resurfaced!!!🖖🏼
It was awsooooome
looking forward to watching this. I join the ship on Sunday for my first ever cruise and I'm also a solo traveller. So excited for the adventure.
Hole you enjoy and let me know if you have any questions
Absolutely fantastic video! I really enjoyed this, I'm hoping to go on the Discovery (2) to Asia and this ship looks great! I've heard the 2 ships are practically the same. Thanks for all the information ❤
Yes practically identical
This is such a great video. Watching the Circle Line right now. We did it during the day but seeing it by night, wow. Super.
Thank you so much 😊
Haha..Mathew's 'intro' was the most enthusiastic I've ever seen him 😅 Gutted Tui arent doing this cruise again after this year....looks amazing!
It’s a special itinerary isn’t it
We loved this Jamie. Incredible seeing a rocket launch on your sailaway. Marella do really get it right (most of the time). Appreciate you saying when it's not quite up to scratch too. Love Maffoo getting people coming up to him to say hi 😂
Oh it made me laugh when that happened to maffooo!!
Wow what a fab vlog..so much to see and do on and off ship..and that rocket launch 😮..looking forward to part two 😊
Thank you 😊
Another great Vid Jamie, stunning locations 🏝️
Love that you shot the vid in 4k too👍🏻
👍👍👍
YES you DO sound like that! Mafoo totally nailed it!
😯
Hi Jamie, not sure if others have mentioned, we were just on Marella Voyager and can confirm that the Carbonara is still served from the Parmesan cheese in Vista restaurant. As you said, not sure why there’s a supplement for your one 👍🛳👍
I’m pleased to hear this!
This has been my favourite of your vlogs so far. I’ve never really been interested in going to the US, especially for a cruise, and I don’t think I’d ever have even considered anything as short as a week even if I HAD thought about it - but now, whaddya know, it’s on my bucket list for sure! So looking forward to Pt II.
Yeeeeeees!!!
That's a great segment you did on the disembarkation process in New York, really reassuring and valuable insight.
And a great tip about the Rockefeller centre 👍
You are always welcome 🙏
Hi Jamie this is Paul and Alice from Leeds.
Good timing watching this new one as we watched all your blogs on your Arvia trip and we are on a 2 week med cruise ourselves sailing out of Southampton from this Sunday.
It's our first cruise since covid.
We've sailed a few times over the years and we love it. Have fun on the rest of your holiday.
All the best,
Alice and Paul 😊
Oh I am so pleased to hear from you! Have a great cruise this Sunday!
How cool that you saw a rocket launch!!! 🎉 We love Marella ❤
It was amazing!!
I found you last week and i enjoy you cruises from California. I feel like I'm there.
Hey Michael - thanks again for joining us 😊
Another amazing vlog Jamie. So glad I got to watch this..... We are doing this two week cruise in October and I cannot wait. Keep them coming ❤❤
Hoorah! And of course I loved that you were with us for the premiere
We did a week in New york last august as part of our Washington DC/NYC/Toronto trip and bought a big city tours card and then every attraction we did was included and just clicked on each attraction each day to book our slot. Saved a fortune on on the door prices!
That sounds like a great option
Thanks for your reply, Jamie. Such a shame as we would have definitely considered this as our next cruise. Very impressed with the ship after watching your vlog. After coming back from an Arvia Caribbean cruise on the 20th Jan I think P & O could take a few tips from Marbella. We won't even mention the flight delays 😔 .
My wife and I, as new fans, are really enjoying your vlogs. Keep on cruisin'!
🙏🙏🙏
I think that’s the old “Splendour of the Seas”. That’s was my first cruise ship back in 1997. Looks like they’ve maintained her well , I recognize most of the rooms . Very interested in video especially as the ports of call are very interesting . Will need to give Marella a look
Yes it is indeed - I posted some info / pics of it on my ship tour vlog ❤️
Oh boy, this is triggering joyful memories of our first ever cruise which was in fact the Discovery.
Your option for those brief few hours on shore seemed perfect, and makes total sense.
It was a fantastic morning - didn’t want to leave lol 😂
I was like you so excited to sail in to New York had 4 days there over Christmas and loved it
Amazing ❤️
We’ve just recently done our first Marella cruise. We loved it. The drinks included was amazing. Wow you saw a rocket launch!!! Wow sail into New York was epic! Amazing trip. Cheers 🍻
Glad you enjoyed yours too!
Looking forward to the same cruise very soon but on for two weeks 😎, can't wait for part 2
Amazing!! 2 weeks of bliss
You are SOOOO lucky to watch the Falcon launch. That is so special. And what an odd filter you used! What a fabulous trip, you are visiting some really lovely places. Cheers :)
It was an incredible experience - so lucky to see this.
Looks amazing. Hope you both had a lovely time.
We did thank you 🙏
Brilliant- thank you😊
We're doing the same cruise later in the month- so good to hear your advice and tips!
Hope you have a great time
Hi Jamie! What a great vlog. So amazing you got to see a space launch! The NYC harbor cruises are great. Fab views. It’s always good to get away from all the noise 😂😂😂 … 👍🏼
Thank you so much and yes, rocket launch was amazing!!
Don't really need to tell you guys, but it was a fabulous blog. Full of great info. I vowed I never want to go back to Freeport but if I had to I would be very happy to do the hotel tour like you showed us. Thank You. Can't wait for part 2 and Charleston
😎
Oh Charleston was beauuuutiful
Great to watch 🏖 james mentioned he spoke to you, saw him in vlog.🤣
Thank you 😊
Up to now have been very surprised by Marella, looks great. My NY top tip is to go to the Top of the Rock late afternoon just before dusk. It was wonderful to see the views in daylight but then all the lights of the city come on as darkness fell. Loving your work Jamie
🙏🙏🙏
Great blog as per usual Jamie and you brought back some great NYC memories for me as I’ve been there twice before. That evening skyline was a fabulous shot and I’d certainly love to do that.
Also well done on calling out P&O on their shortcomings and continue to do that as we have just come back off Arvia and have found the standard slipping alarmingly. Thanks again and looking forward to part two and keep up that good work.
Thank you Nigel 🙏🙏🙏 I’m a big P&O fan but some things need some attention!
@@TravelBlogJamie I couldn’t agree more.
A wonderful vlog and really good to be part of the live. I hadn't realised you were home, i thought you were going straight to Disney from the ship.
It was lovely to have you with us! We are home for 4 days - so much to do here 😩 But come Friday …
Great views for New York, that river cruise looks amazing!
It was a lively thing to do in the evening!
*lovely
@@TravelBlogJamie Great. It looks just like the TUI excursion, will see if I can book it independently.
Brilliant video. Gorgeous location sea sand and sun what more would you want?😀😀😀😀😀🌞🌞🥰
Thank you 🙏
Amazing cruise, what a brilliant way to see New York. Much better than flying in then visiting the same places but with a simply brilliant sail in. Bahamas look good, perhaps a hotel stay on the horizon. Beaches look gorgeous. What’s the next holiday then? Look onward to seeing the vlogs
We are off to Florida on Friday this week ❤️❤️❤️
Wow i think that looks like a fab cruise i the sail in to New York ,and I would definately consider doing a Marella cruise if they went from Southampton as my hubby isn’t keen on fly cruises as he gets stressed flying etc , i like the comments that the staff are happy and all the special touches like being all inclusive, turn down and the food looks good (apart from the Italian section)
It’s a shame as some of the Italian was excellent! Needs to be more consistent though. ❤️
Another great clear video of this new itinerary from TUI. Many thanks. X
Thank you 🙏
Loved this video, even got Mr N actually saying he would like to sail into New York 😯😯😯. 30 years of marriage during which he has point blank refused to discuss going to USA and then you come along and suddenly we are going to think about it 😂😂😂. Going to watch Part 2 later 👍🏼 Can you go to Dubai next please 😆
Ohhhh Mr N!! Haha! You know, I spent a week im Dubai - have a look on my Facebook page / albums 😂
Waiting in anticipation for part 2.
Wednesday lol
Just started , been so looking forward to this!!! Yay xx
Hope you like it Donna
Omg... Amazing xx
@@DonnaCooper-ff3uf fantastic - thank you 🙏
What a fantastic vlog!!! Many congratulations Jamie👍😎
Ah thank you so much 😊
@@TravelBlogJamie Honestly very well deserved mate!!! Regards to Maffoo👍😎
Brilliant blog Jamie 😊
Thank you so much 😊
Have you put part two on yet? Enjoyed the first part, if you have can you give me the link please.
It’s out on Wednesday 👍
That seems a reasonable amount of passengers 👍
Agreed
Brilliant video Jamie loved it 😍
Thank you 🙏
Great video. Can’t wait to get back on Discovery ❤
Thank you 🙏
Oooh binge watching at the mo. This was fab...thankyou (Jesus).....😂
You are very welcome 🙏
It was good to bump into you in the sea at the Bahamas😂. We still on board ,in Grand Turk today ❤
Oh Helen!!!
👋
Fab , thank you Jamie
Very welcome 🙏
Mafoo needs his own RUclips channel. You have to convince him Jamie.
I’ve been trying for 12 years…
Brilliant Vlog 😊
Thank you Robert
Looks so good. So jealous. What a shame gallery 47 was a mixed bag
A great week thank you 🙏
Fantastic video well done boys ENJOY 😉
Thank you 🙏
Just loving it, my darlings ❤❤
😊😊😊
Just discovered your channel! We’re going on our first P&O cruise next year, and although we’re on a different ship your vlogs are proving invaluable for us as we are completely clueless!! You know you say you take air freshener for your cabin, can I ask what make you use? I think that’s a fab idea along with the pillow spray!
Oh we take any old air freshener - for a longer cruise, a reed diffuser, otherwise a stand alone like glade ❤️
@@TravelBlogJamie Thanks for replying. Im binge watching your vlogs at the moment much to the amusement of my other half. I’ve got a huge list of things I need to get 😂
@@chockycake1 lol 😂 Binge Watching RUclips is the new Netflix
Just subscribed, great video Jamie and so informative. We enjoyed it. 👍
Thank you very much and welcome on board
Love love loved it!! When’s part 2 ? 🎉
Thank you Michael - hopefully Wednesday!
Great video, got me really excited for our cruise next august now! Real shame about the carbonara no longer being served in the giant mozzarella reel, seems a bit pointless paying extra for it now!
Exactly - I don’t like that they are charging people for this
Glad both of you are not going to rural Charleston as you would be in for quite a shock.
I know this
@@TravelBlogJamieThe ‘locals’ make sure roadkill gets taken care of - yummy. Possum Stew. How did you do all that walking on NYC streets in deck shoes? Were your legs not fatigued?
Loved the video, the ship etc, but most of all the itinerary....just found out theyre not doing it anymore😢
No you are correct - apparent the ports are very expensive for the company
Just back from our first cruise, cruising 'Marella Canary Islands '. We are hooked. Very helpful tips on watching your channel
Enjoy the next one!!
Loved your vlog Jamie, very informative. We are just about to book the 2 week cruise and it will be our first. Can i ask if the wifi is free on board and if it would be worth buying an american/international sim for the whole trip?
Have a look at part 2 - I talk through wifi, packages, costs etc
Hi Jamie, so happy to see your blog for this cruise as we going in October and you’ve answered so many question that we had. We are looking to go up the Empire State Building, and on their site it says it’s best to go between 8 am and 10 am as less busy. I know you said it was quick getting thru immigration but could I ask, by what time would you say, you were all off the boat. Do you have to do immigration both days. Thank you in advance x
Everyone has to get off the ship all within an hour on day 1 so after that there are very few lines and it’s super easy. Come and go as you please! I personally would save Empire State to Day 2 or from midday on day 1 to avoid any disappointment if you are late into port / immigration takes longer. We did. Rockefeller at 12pm - pre-purchased tickets and our arrival slot
@@TravelBlogJamie that’s brilliant, thank you so much. We are so excited now x
@@sarahtolley6932 enjoy 😊
...and how lucky were you getting to watch a launch at Cape C?
Super lucky and all because of our delay!
🎉🎉🎉
ay ay ayyyy
Jamie any links where from your book your excursions for New York?
They were direct with the companies so just search for them (ie Rockefeller center/ statue city cruises)
Afternoon Jamie
👋👋👋
Enjoying your American dream cruise when did you go on it would love to do this one
It was in July of 2023 but no more of these itineraries with Marella for now
@@TravelBlogJamie shame we would have liked it love discovery and your travel blog x
Hi Jamie, great video 😊really exited for our holiday in two weeks! I have read a few comments about the Bahamas stop saying there is a free shuttle bus to a beach near by? Did you see this? The excursion is sold out and I would love to go to a beach but didn’t want to use a taxi. Any advice would be great, thanks.
I’m so so sorry but I honestly don’t recall seeing this shuttle on our stop: perhaps they have since introduced one?
A brilliant video!! 👏 Really helpful in getting ready for the same cruise in September but for 2 weeks. I haven't booked the Bahamas excursion. Are you able to walk to the centre?
Freeport has a ‘village’ next to the ship but that’s it - no beach or resort there
@@TravelBlogJamie thank you Jamie! 😊
Hello Jamie, we're 'newbies ' to your travel blogs and we've watched several,including this one (Bahamas,New York and Charleston. Seems perfect for us, but after checking Tui/Marella holidays it doesn't look like they are doing this cruise, or any North America cruises anymore. Any ideas why?
Mike & Debbie xx
Apparently the ports are pricey and a long way to sail to New York - perhaps they’ll bring them back some time
My husband is wondering if you purchased the drink package as it seemed generous compare to P&O?
Great video.
Drinks are all inclusive on Marella
Looks like an amazing cruise! Did you know where you'd be docking in New York before the cruise? And did Matthew pre-book the tours way before or on the morning of arrival? I'm always a little wary of pre-booking independently in case the ship doesn't get in xx
Pre-booked some in advance (Rockefeller and Pedestal) rest when we arrived. We knew we’d be docked in Manhattan in advance, yes
@@TravelBlogJamie I imagine not many cruise ships get to dock as close as you were.
@@emmaludlow8173 they don’t, not even QM2!
Hi jamie. We are on this cruise in an few weeks (well the 2 week version). Very pleased to see you dock at Pier 90. Gives so much access. Question. Are there laundries on each deck which you can use to wash, dry and iron?
No laundries buuuut if you check out my cabin tour of our ocean view I talk through the laundry process / costs
@@TravelBlogJamie Great thank you
did you have to pay for the birra morretti ? its my favorite
No, included
Jamie - how does ordering food work - can you have more than one starter (like you did) and desert if you like? Even in speciality dining?
Speciality is trickier as they tell you at the start of the meal it’s one dish per course. In the main dining room I’m sure you could have multiple
It’s not called The Space Coast for nothing. We also have Patrick Space Force Base.
Absolutely 👍
Did they do a sail away party at all?
Yes they did indeed (whilst we were in Kora La)
This this a Ship and Old RCI ship ? is looks very Old Skol RCI !
I googled it, its fine :D Formally Splendor of the seas
Yep, correct: I also cover this in my ship tour with old pic ❤️❤️❤️
How far in advance should I book dining and excursions? Should I DIY excursions (like you guys in NYC) or book through TUI? Can I take a packed lunch from the ship? Can I get bottled water onboard with the drinks package? Does the ESTA only need to be valid on the dates you enter the USA? Have you ever heard of itineraries changing?
We booked excursions a few weeks in advance and as you saw, one excursion we booked on the day. We didn’t book restaurants until on board but if you want a specific day / time, book as soon as available. You can’t take perishables off the ship on US itinerary. No bottled water unless deluxe package but water fountains everywhere. Yes, esta needed. Yes, itineraries can change as per T&C.
@@TravelBlogJamie Are the American cruises amongst your favourites?
@@ajc6373 not necessarily
@@TravelBlogJamie Where would you recommend to someone who hasn't cruised? Love traveling to the USA but not sure if a cruise is the way to do it. Did you manage to rest and recoup?
@@ajc6373 yes, sea days to rest. I recommend the Adriatic for first time cruisers
Is the £80 pp drinks package for the week Jamie ? Or per day? tiA
For the week - it’s for the premium version of the drinks package
Great vlog Jamie, looks hot and amazing. You did make me laugh, you can take the boy out of Devon but not Devon out the boy. ❤ looks bleddy ansum too me ansum. Ta for sharing. X
Lololol this is so funny 😂
Jamie do you edit your videos onboard?
I do all my editing on my phone so yes, some editing on board here and there
When's part 2 dropping?
Ship tour this Saturday and part two next Wednesday
@@TravelBlogJamie We're doing a North America cruise in Autumn. Shame TUI aren't going to the US next year :(
Did you pre book this trip or do it on the ship? We go next month and it says online it’s sold out 😭
Hi, which trip are you referring to please? There are quite a lot of trips we did in this and the next vlog
The Bahamas one ☀️
@@Summer_Haf90 I booked that one via Marella online about 2 months in advance - it’s a super popular one because of the short stop
@@Summer_Haf90I'm in the same position. We're going to try and get a taxi to the beach as its only 15 to 20mins. Hopefully we'll have good weather. 😊
I really can't be the only one who doesn't see the hype of NYC. Its dirty and full of reckless drivers and ugly buildings blocking out most of the light. Great vlog though.
Does not compute
@@TravelBlogJamie I mean what do you like about it because personally the only thing that appealed to me were the rats because they are my favourite animals. And the Empire state building too
@@youngmannishow817 I mean everything I filmed in parts 1 and 2 I loved - there was loads to love and I’m going back
Goooooood Morning Jamie and Maffoo, I hope you are both well?
Lovvvvvve your video!! We are looking into one like this for My special birthday in January 2025……. BUT……. I am a bit dubious now, as we are going on Our FIRST cruise in November around the Med with P&O on Ventura 🛳️…… it sounds like they have a lot to live up to!! Our room is on the 11th Deck B339…. Do you have any tips for me please??🤔
Thankyou Sooooo Much
Love You Both💙💙 and would LOVE nothing more than to bump into You on a future cruise!!!
Lou🥰
Thank you 🙏 I’m sure you’ll enjoy - we’ve done Ventura sooo many times it’s a case that we now compare. Have you watched my Ventura vlogs? I did a detailed one in October
@@TravelBlogJamie Gooood Morning Lovely, THANKYOU for getting back to me. My hubby and me have watched nearly ALL your vlogs now, Prime TV in our house!!! 🤣🤣🤣 the one we couldn’t play was the ‘is this the Worst Seat on Tui?’
We will be watching more tonight👏👏👏👏 have a lovely weekend Both of You💗💗
@@louisegoodman1147 aha now then that video isn’t live yet - next Saturday I think