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Onboard Experience
Still got some questions? Here's a quick guide to everything you need to know about Marella Cruises.
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How do I pay for things onboard?
All our ships have a cash-free system. Everything is priced in sterling and is charged to your cabin account. At the end of your cruise you can settle it in cash, travellers’ cheques, or by credit or debit card. If you decide to settle your bill in cash we’ll ask for up to £200 deposit per cabin per week. There’s also a 2% surcharge for using travellers’ cheques. Whatever you choose, we’ll give you an interim bill halfway through your holiday so you can keep track of your spending.
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How much can I expect to pay for a drink onboard?
Drinks prices are comparable to UK pub prices. You’ll pay around £3.70 for a pint of beer and £4 for a glass of wine. Keep an eye out for our daily drinks specials in the Cruise News, too.
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How do you look after solo travellers?
Our Social Hostess arranges get-togethers for solo travellers, like dinners and coffee mornings. If you’re worried about dining alone, have a chat with the ship’s maître d’, who’ll make sure you’re seated with other guests.
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Can I reserve a particular cabin ahead of my cruise?
Of course. You can reserve a cabin at the time of booking, or up to 15 days before you go. Take a look at our deck plans below:
Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery 2
Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer 2
Marella Celebration
Marella Dream
If you see a cabin number you like, you can reserve it for just £50. Give us a call on 0203 451 2682 and we’ll do the rest.
Phone lines are open between 9am-7pm Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher. Check with your network provider.
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What time do I have to check out of my cabin?
You’ll normally need to leave your cabin by 8am on your last day, but you can still use all the onboard facilities until your transfer arrives. Speak to reception about a courtesy cabin so you can freshen up before you leave. Alternatively, you can organise a late check out. Again, reception will advise on this.
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What should I pack?
Packing for a cruise is just like packing for any other holiday, but there are a few things to bear in mind. Hairdryers and all towels – including pool towels – are provided. And don’t panic if you forget any essentials as our onboard shops stock things like toothpaste and other toiletries. Other than that, it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket with you, as there’s often a strong sea breeze.
Our dress code policy’s easily broken down into Beachwear, Casual and Smart. The first is a ‘come as you are’ affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, plus we ask that you wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Meanwhile, Casual speaks for itself – we’re talking tops and shorts or a sundress. Then you’ve got Smart, which is when you’ll need to dress up a bit. Put your sports or swimwear away, and opt for trousers, smart tailored shorts or a skirt or dress, a shirt or polo shirt and smart shoes, so no trainers or flip flops. If you want to add a jacket or tie, that’s up to you. But our gala evenings, formal nights and Dress to Impress nights give you the chance to get really suited and booted. Each of our restaurants has a dress code, and this can differ depending on the time of day, but we’ll always let you know.
Finally, think about what’s suitable to wear on excursions. Some churches, for example, ask for legs and shoulders to be covered. Islamic countries have strict laws on dress, and in certain areas it will be required that you cover your shoulders and knees. When visiting Mosques or other holy sites, women may be required to cover their hair, arms and legs. Men will be required to wear long trousers and a top with sleeves.
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Do you cater for special diets?
Of course. If you've got any dietary requirements, please make sure you mention it when you book and let the restaurant manager know once you're onboard. We also provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and diabetic-friendly options on request. If you need to bring your own food for medical reasons, please let us know in advance so we can ensure we have the correct facilities in place to store and prepare this. There may be some requests we aren't able to accommodate, so it's important you let us know when you book your cruise.Take a look at a sample menu to see the kind of dishes on offer.
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Can I do my own thing in ports?
It’s up to you if you want to explore without the help of a guide. Our onboard Destination Services team can give you plenty of tips. Just remember that one of the benefits of our organised excursions is that if the tour is delayed, the ship will wait. If you’re on your own and you’re not back on the ship in time, we can’t wait for you. Take a look at our excursions for more information.
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What adaptors should I bring for the cabin sockets?
You can use either a European or a US 2-pin adaptor in the cabins.
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Do I need to bring my passport?
Yes. You’ll need your passport for every single one of our cruises. Without it, you won’t be able to board the ship.
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Do I need to tip?
No. All tips and service charges are included in the price of your cruise. You’re not expected to tip any of our crew – unless you want to, of course.
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Can I smoke onboard?
All our ships are non-smoking, which means you can only smoke in designated areas of the open deck. As for e-cigarettes, you can use these in the designated areas on deck. Please note, in the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Singapore e-cigarettes are banned and will be confiscated at the airport.
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What is a tender port?
It’s not always possible to tie a ship up at a dock. If this is the case, we’ll anchor a little way out from the shore, and use tender boats to get you to and from the ship. Tender ports are indicated in the itinerary where possible. You’ll still get plenty of time in the port, plus you can use the tender services to go back and forth from the ship as much as you like. Guests with disabilities or mobility issues will need to have some independent mobility to step in and out of the tender boat as our crew aren’t allowed to lift you. Go to our Customer Welfare page for more information.
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Do you cater for disabilities?
Absolutely. Give our Customer Welfare Team a call before you book your cruise for advice on things like ship accessibility, bringing equipment on board, disabled facilities, and medical care. All our ships have a small number of adapted cabins for less mobile passengers. Just remember to make sure one is definitely available before you book.
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Is Wi-Fi available?
We have internet lounges on all of our ships, as well as designated Wi-Fi zones. Internet access is charged to your cabin account at the rate advertised on board. Mobiles can be used, too, and there are telephones in each cabin, so it’s easy to stay in touch with people back home. If you’re pairing your cruise with a stay in one of our hotels, we’ll let you know which places have free Wi-Fi – just look out for the special logo.
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What sort of medical facilities can I expect?
Each of our ships has a medical centre and we have an English-speaking doctor and nurses on board who keep surgery hours. For emergencies, there’s always someone on call.
