There doesn’t seem to be many recent videos of the discovery 2 so we’re finding all of your videos really helpful! 😊

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your lovely comment and for watching our content on Marella Discovery 2. It gives us a big boost! Being a new channel we are learning a lot and hopefully our content will get better in time. Still lots more to come about Discovery 2 and the things we learnt that we hope will be of help to others. If you have any questions we are always here to ask. 😁

Good information there. Going on a Marella cruise in August. Neither of us drink a lot of alcohol other than a couple of beers etc. A friend "strongly" advised us to upgrade the drinks package. After watching your video we'll be sticking to the inclusive package that we already have.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Hi Ronnie, thanks for watching and so happy you found the information useful, makes it all worthwhile. I think if all you drink mainly are a few beers then there is plenty of good choice on the inclusive and even if you wanted to treat yourself to the odd drink off the premium menu you would not spend anywhere near what premium would cost you. Hope you have a great cruise. We still have more to come on Marella Cruises. Take care.

Found this really helpful - thank you! Going on our first cruise in May, cannot wait after watching your videos!

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much.Still got quite a few to come on the restaurants and our overall tips and thoughts. You definitely have something to look forward to. 🚢🚢🚢😁😁😁

Brilliant video! Has really helped with booking the carribean cruise is September! Thank you😊

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

So happy it has been of use to you. I think a Marella cruise is a great choice, you will have a fab time. 🚢

we have just come back from a weeks cruise on the explorer around the canaries. we were a group of 6 friends all aged around 60, we did not upgrade to premium as we felt the normal AI was more than sufficient and it was. we all did pay for a few premium drinks and coffees and felt them reasonable. our choice was to pay for the larger balcony and we did feel that at £500 we felt that premium should be included at that price but as i say, it was our choice. A general moan of mine with the Tui brand is that they don't reward loyalty, the product is normally very good and i have always said that if i had as many holidays with Royal Caribbean as i've had with Tui, i wouldn't be having dinner with the captain i would be sleeping with him!!! They do take customer loyalty seriously something Tui have never done. Just my opinion.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment and for watching our channel. Hope you had a lovely time in the canaries. We have another cruise booked with Marella next November. Learnt our lesson and will not be having premium next time or internet! Inclusive has a good choice of drinks and is all we will need. Will have the odd coffee but most of the bars do latte's etc so probably won't need coffee port.... I think Tui are good and most people will have a good time but i feel there will always be a few niggles which don't really spoil the holiday but which could be so easily improved to enhance the experience even further. I am in full agreement with the loyalty comments and think it is something that Tui really need to take on board (literally). Love your humour too. Keep smiling. 🙂🙂🚢

@daveaglasgow

4 ай бұрын

If they did give you stuff for loyalty, they would have to increase prices for everyone else, which is not the point of marella/tui. Think of how many people would be classed as a "loyal customer". Huge numbers of people go with them as their normal holiday every year because being just for the UK/Germany they only have a small selection of people who can go on the holidays. Cheap and cheerful is the way they do it.

@ChrisOsborne-pr1iy

4 ай бұрын

@@daveaglasgow i was talking about the whole tui brand not just cruises👍👍but as whole in my opinion the tui brand is not as good as it once was....

Your videos are so good as this has again reassured me on the drinks package as we have kept with the inclusive. Again reassured on the benidorm at sea comments as I have seen this on reviews which really worried me and was thinking what have we booked but I feel better now after watching this video

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for your kind comments. We have booked with Marella again for November. We are not having premium this time, I think we learnt that the inclusive is very adequate and if you do want a treat it will not cost what you pay for the premium. We had same worries as you but most of the recent reviews we read before we booked were excellent and we had a great time. 🚢🚢🍹🌞🌞😎

Excellent video which I found really helpful.

@midatravel

5 ай бұрын

Hi Angela, so happy it has been of help to you. We have just come back from our second cruise in which we did not bother with premium. We hope to do an updated video of the drinks package soon and our experience of all inclusive and premium. For us we had no regrets doing all inclusive, still plenty of good brand choice and we still had the odd treat but saved a lot of money. We hoped our video would help people decide which option was best for them and so happy this has been the case for you. Have a great cruise. 🚢🚢😎😎🌞🌞🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🙂

We were on the Discovery2 in December 2022. Many of the Premium wines were out of stock, and it was very disappointing. We are sailing with Marella next week and will not be upgrading.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Hi Joan, I think when we booked premium we thought we would get through every drink going, but in reality we drank nowhere near as much as we thought we would. I don't think we would have spent over what we had paid for premium in fact I think we would have drunk a lot less. I think choice of wines and lack of chilling that was our biggest disappointment along with poorly made cocktails. Hope you have a great time next week, for all its faults we really loved our cruise with Marella. 🚢🚢🚢🌞🌞🌞😎😎😎🍹🍹🍹

Brilliant video, it’ll be our first cruise in April. Did you notice if there are many people in their 20’s on there?

@midatravel

4 ай бұрын

Hi Gary. Thanks for your lovely comment. The difference we noticed with Marella is that the age range on the ship tends to be much more varied. Yes you will still find the majority of guests 50+ but lots of younger as well including 20's. Have a great time, warning you will probably become hooked on cruising! 🚢🚢🚢🍹🍹🍹🌞🌞🌞😎😎😎

It’s hilarious to me that Peroni is all inclusive but Heineken is premium. Peroni is known to be true posher one 😂

@midatravel

5 ай бұрын

Yes its crazy and really does highlight why you don't need to have the premium package, so many good brands and lots of choice on the all inclusive. I love Peroni, we went all inclusive this time and no regrets, won't go premium again. Thanks for watching. 🍹🍹🍹

Good video, thanks. I'm wondering if the inclusive cocktails are local brands as they don't mention the brands. Whereas the premium all inclusive says, absolut vodka, Myers rum etc.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind comment. As far as we remember they use the brands on the non premium spirits to make non premium cocktails. Cocktails were our biggest drink disappointment though. No proper measures hence most of the cocktails we had were too alcohol strong. 🍹☹🚢

LOL...On our cruise on Discovery I never found a bar that made a good cocktail which actually had enough alcohol. Everyone I spoke to said the same and we would always order a side measure of whatever was needed to bring it up to scratch. Maybe my end of cruise feedback has swung the pendulum too far.

@midatravel

11 ай бұрын

I know who to blame now 😂😂😂. I wish they would use proper measures and maybe get some proper training and no one would have these problems! 🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹

So helpful! Thanks for the effort. No premium package for us!

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Hi Thomas, thanks for watching. We would not pay for premium again. Lots to drink without and still some very good brands. Have a great cruise. s🛳🛳🛳😎🍹

We got back on sat and i have to say id never pay for the premium. Standard Inclusive was enough. Totally agree on the mixing of cocktails. We found the atrium bar to be the ones who made the alcohol way too strong but the others were pretty good. One thing that annoyed me was, I couldn’t get a Strongbow in Gallery 47, they said it was premium only in there. I did however a walk to the nearest bar and get one and bring it into the restaurant.

@midatravel

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comments backing up our conclusion that premium just isn't worth it. I am hoping when we go on the Voyager that the standard of cocktail will be vastly improved. Bit shocked to hear about the strongbow, i will try and remember to order one on our next cruise and see if i get same response. 😱🍹🚢

@danielm2808

11 ай бұрын

@@midatravel I did ask the waiter and he did say it was in the restaurant only. I started to think they only had it in cans not in draught so maybe that’s why but all seems a bit daft. Hope you enjoy your next cruise. Thanks for putting out this content. Even watch some of it after is very interesting and informative

The standard cocktails never seemed to have much alcohol in them especially pina collada .you could drink them.all night and still be sober

@midatravel

7 ай бұрын

Our experience was way too much alcohol in ours, just been on second cruise with Marella and found the best solution for us was to order the Mocktail versions of the cocktails we like along with a shot of the spirit we wanted and added it ourselves, worked so much better for us. 🍹🍹🍹🚢🚢🚢😎😎😎

@chrisgraham-rowe3311

7 ай бұрын

@@midatravel sounds a good idea

We have just booked our next cruise on marella Discovery we have recently come home off discovery we did upgrade our drinks package we have not upgraded for our next cruise the reason being we was on discovery for Christmas/ new Yr & there was a lot of drinks in the premium package a shortage on so we definitely didn't feel the premium package was worth it we both can get by on the standard all inclusive package if we want the odd drink from the premium package we will buy it extra

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Wow Sandra, really happy for you, great to have something to look forward to. We are still planning our next holiday, but taking our time as I like looking in order to take my mind off this cold spell. You going somewhere nice? Think you are right with the drinks package, we wouldn't do it again, for us there is enough on the inclusive to keep us happy. Take care

@sandraheaton4929

Жыл бұрын

@MIDA TRAVEL (BEARS ON THE MOVE) we are going back to the carribean on the discovery ship we do like the discovery a little of the itinerary is the same but not too much some of the itinerary is different we are going soon 😀 sooner than I thought but I'm fine with that it's a little something special for my partners retirement 😉 something to look forward to

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

@@sandraheaton4929 Sorry, nearly missed this as not showing in my comment list. Very envious, would love to go back to Caribbean next year but think my partner is going to win the argument for a land holiday. What a nice way to celebrate a retirement, total chill and nothing to do! You say soon, how soon? Take care

Great video. Going to upgrade I think as better cocktails , vodka & beers. How do you upgrade online as can’t see it on the app. Also I have 2 rooms booked one for me and my daughter & one for my wife and daughter so could I just get the premium package on my own?

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Hi Daz, thanks for watching and for your comment. We upgraded due to the additional cocktails but were disappointed with the quality of them. We are doing another Marella cruise in November but won't take the premium next time after our experience. I think the video will have given you a good idea of what the premium offers and whether it will be worth it for you. We booked our premium package when we booked in store and was cheaper by pre booking. For that reason I am not sure where you can book online, if you have a store near you i would pop in next time you are passing. You can book at anytime when on ship but it is likely to be dearer. I am not 100% sure but i think if 2 adults are in a room then the 2nd adult has to upgrade as well. I think as you are sharing with your child you will be able to book individually but as i say i cannot be sure about this as they may look at your booking and see 2 adults. I'm sure you will have a fab time. 🙂😎🌞

You mention the on-board Navigate App. If we don’t wish to pay for Wi-Fi and turn off our roaming so we are not ripped off, can we still access this App? We are travelling around the Canaries on 21 February on the Marella Explorer (and have already purchased the drinks package)!

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

You can definitely access the Navigate app without needing wifi but you can only access it when on the ship. The navigate app is very good once you get used to it. I will be doing a video just on the Navigate app. You may be ok in Europe on wifi as most phone companies still allow us to use our phone in Europe as we would here. I would check with them though first. If you think you will need the premium drink package then you were right in buying it now rather than onboard. 🍹🍹🍹😁😁😁

Guys just watched a couple of your blogs really enjoyed them and it was really helpful. My wife and i are going on the Discovery 2 on July 4th for our 40th wedding anniversary we are doing the Treasures of the Mediterranean which takes in Italy any advice on which are the best excursions to take and which would be the ones best to stay local thanks and keep up the great work

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Hi Patrick, thanks for watching and for your kind comments. Congratulations on your forthcoming 40th wedding anniversary, you will have a fab time on the cruise, its still a lovely ship and everyone is so friendly. I haven't done the cruise you are going on but i would certainly look for a trip to Rome, so much to see in one day so you may get the opportunity to see more on a tour. I would say the same for Barcelona . Naples i would probably pick to go to Pompeii. I always search for the distance from the port to the town, and also how close the nearest beach is. I also search for local tour companies at the locations as they tend to be better value, although you haven't got the security of ship not leaving without you that you have with Marella's own trips if you are late, but you pay the premium. I would also pay attention to the length of the excursion, on our cruise we felt that some of the trips were a little rushed for the price paid. Sorry i couldn't be more helpful. Have a great time. 🚢😎🍹

@patrickadams3311

Жыл бұрын

@@midatravel CHEERS GUYS

Very useful video gents.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Gary, our aim is to try and share and pass on useful info so always good to receive feedback like yours. 🚢😎🌞🍹

1st time cruisers, arrived at the travel agent picked out a caribbean cruise and was asked about the premium drinks package. Given very little advice but was persuded to go premium. Went home and did some reserch on videos like yours, saw the drinks menu, and decided to decline the offer. Called the travel agent to be told I would have to change the booking costing a significant price to do so. I then mentioned that other cruise companys will change theirs, some up to 24 hrs before sailing but TUI will not. I then mentioned cancelling, only to be told I would lose my deposit (cornered) or so I thought. After some tooing and froing the young lad in the shop managed to talk to the manager, who agreed to refund the drinks package by way of a discount, but also keeping the premium drinks package(which we probably will not use). So a word of warning, before booking do research carefully the in's and out's of what is included. Has anyone else been caught by this????

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Good advice Huw and i am glad that you managed to get the situation sorted. I think from what someone at our store said they always have more discount they can give to secure your booking. So don't be afraid to ask if they can make the deal a little sweeter. Also worth knowing that they will match any online price. The premium drinks package really isn't needed. There is so much on the inclusive to keep you happy. Have a great cruise, its so much fun, sure you will become hooked! 🚢🚢🚢😎😎😎🍹🍹🍹🌞🌞🌞

Hi hope you are well....do they do milkshakes anywhere and are they included?

@midatravel

11 ай бұрын

Hi James, wish i could be a little more helpful on this one. We did have an ice type drink which was i guess similar to a milk shake at the Coffee Port, we do have a video of the coffee port in our Caribbean cruise playlist. We did not have to pay extra for it as we were on premium but if you are non premium i think it costs approx £1.60. I have looked into the 'Into the drink' booklet, again there is a video in the playlist showing this booklet but i cannot find any mention of milk shakes. 🍹🤔

@jamesdonovan466

11 ай бұрын

Really appreciate your help....thanks so very much

I think you just saved me 140 quid - thanks bloke.

@midatravel

9 ай бұрын

So happy we saved you some hard earned money. Inclusive package is so good that you will not miss what is added for premium. We are sailing in just over a week so will do an update of the drinks package to keep it up to date. We are not doing premium this time, lesson learnt! Happy cruising. 🚢🚢🚢😎😎😎🍹🍹🍹🌞🌞🌞

am I reading it right, still water is not available free, it is chargable? :D

@midatravel

8 ай бұрын

Hi. Bottled water is only free on Premium, a bit annoying then that when you leave the ship at a port the water is charged even if on premium package. You can however get free water at restaurants or one of the many water stations around the ship. So take a good thermal drink bottle and you can top up for free. Rooms have a Carafe and you can top that up with water for your room. We are due to sail on Voyager tomorrow so will do an updated video of the drinks package. Thanks for watching. 🚢🚢🚢🍹🍹🍹😃😃😃

Do you have the booklet for the cocktails

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Yes i still have it,, all the drinks are in the same booklet.. We got ours by asking waiter in restaurant 47. I think they were in short supply though. Due to app they are probably phasing them out but they are in my mind much better and easier to follow than the app. 🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹

@carolynmurtaza1180

Жыл бұрын

@@midatravel Can you do a video showing whst cocktails are included in price and what are premium.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

@UCk%F0%9F%99%82%F0%9F%99%8280Xw_NEYNHVhCmwVTLV2w Hi, cocktails are in the video starting at 3.30. We cover the whole booklet. If you need to know anything else just give us a shout. If you are a coffee drinker we have a separate video on the coffee port in the playlist 'Caribbean cruise'.

Let’s face it, the premium package is simply not worth it….if you want a premium cocktail pay the excess rather than the full package price. My wife has a premium cocktail once a day, usually after dinner….an extra £40 or £50 at the end of the cruise…rather than the upgrade price for two people.

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree 100%. We talked ourselves into having the premium package on our first ever Marella cruise and we definitely do not feel we needed to do it or got value for money. We have booked second cruise with Marella and this time have not done the Premium. Will be interesting to compare our experience of with or without, but i think your example will be our likely finding. Thanks for watching and for your useful information. 🚢🚢🍹🌞🙂

we dont drink only pop and latte so dont think its worth us paying more money

@midatravel

Ай бұрын

We just pay for the odd premium drink and that works for us, mainly coffee in our case. Soft drinks are available on tap so even though cans are premium, on tap is not so that is really good. I think you will manage fine on the all inclusive and just having the odd coffee will be a lot cheaper than having the premium package. Have a great cruise. 🍹🍹🍹

@maritimedronefilming9511

Ай бұрын

@@midatravel but is there coffee all day for free or will i need to upgrade and i do drink a lot of it

@midatravel

Ай бұрын

@@maritimedronefilming9511 You won't need to pay. Coffee is available free at most of the bars and restaurants. You only pay for coffee at the 'Coffee Port' which just has better specialised coffee, iced coffees and flavoured coffees. We treated ourselves to a pumpkin spiced latte but didn't have alcohol in ours and they were £1.75 without the alcohol and £2.50 with, so even as a one a day treat it would be no where near what you would pay for premium package. This was on the Voyager but will be same across their whole fleet. Hope this helps.

We did premium package last year "never again"

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Glad you back us up with our view. We are sailing with Marella again and would never do the premium package again, we found out it wasn't really needed at all. 🍹🚢🙂

Can't see anyone

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

Sorry i don't understand what you are saying. ☹

Just come back. Definitely not. Normal drink are perfect. Can even get Bailey's. Jack Daniels is a Premium drink😂😂😂. It's the cheapest whiskey there is. So bad you have to add coke to it. Classy.

@midatravel

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for your thoughts, good that people come to same conclusion that normal drinks are more than adequate. Coke to Whiskey sound horrendous 😱 but each to their own 🙂

Premium not worth it!

@midatravel

Жыл бұрын

100% agree with you and we will not do premium again. 🚢🚢🚢🍹🍹🍹🙂🙂🙂