Hi all back from the holiday of a lifetime.

We had a fortnight on the Marella Explorer a TUI ship, all inclusive (including tips) we upgraded to the full drinks package (well worth the money 50 quid pppw) also since it was a 9 hr flight we also went premium  on the flight (oh, my, god, (took 2 yrs to save for this holiday though) money well spent) we had complimentary champagne on boarding the flight (in fact it turned out all drinks were free, and boy they kept coming) we were quite tipsy when we got off the plane, i couldn't believe the leg room, also a pillow and blankets (posh voice on here) "it really is the only way to travel" (shame we probably won't be able to afford it again very soon) here are some pics of the ship.






We went to one of their specialty restaurants for a meal






Incredible food.

Here's a little tip for anyone going on a cruise with an inside cabin, get a little led  tea light (I got a packet of 12 from the pound shop a few years ago for modelling purposes) and use it for finding your way to the loo without turning the light on and waking the missus, once you turn the light off you can't see a hand in front of your face.

I can't speak for other cruises but this one had they had 3 specialty restaurants on this ship, Surf and Turf, Kora La and Diners Club you can book them separately but if you book all 3 you get a special discount and it only costs 75 quid per person for all 3 our first meal at the Surf and Turf cost 58 quid so you can see it's a considerable discount to book all 3. If you are going to do this you need to do it very quickly as they get fully booked up very quickly, i would suggest within the first 2 days.

The staff were incredible they made you feel like nothing was too much trouble. My missus didn't like the way round the bed was so we moved the pillows and laid across the bed (we tried moving the bed and the bedside cabinet but they were fixed) so we left a note asking for the bed to be made the other way round when we came back to our cabin the bed and cabinet had been moved and a note left that the electrician would be in in the morning to rewire the bedside lamp now I call that going the extra 2 miles.



Here's something else I recommend an excursion called the rhum runner (yes that is spelt right) we have never had such fun you go on a boat with a steel drum band an entertaining guide the rum punch flows freely (and boy does it flow) a really enjoyable time had by all.

Here's a couple of me and the missus.




We have loads of pics of the holiday so if anyone is interested I can post more.