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Are Marella Cruises Really Good Value? My Honest Review

KenTravels360
KenTravels360
โœจCasual
๐Ÿ‘๏ธ 1K views๐Ÿ“… 3 months agoโฑ๏ธ 10:09
What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsFull Ship ReviewโœจCasual Creator
โค๏ธ Best for CoupleOther ยท Winter ยท 7 nightsVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

The food is decent and satisfying, but it doesn't quite reach the same level of excitement or indulgence.

Mela really shines. I love that drinks are included as part of the all-inclusive package here.

The crew on Mela Explorer deserves a lot of credit. They're every bit as friendly and welcoming as the staff I encountered on Royal Caribbean.

Right now, I think the answer is no. While I've enjoyed this cruise... I definitely prefer the cruising style of Royal Caribbean.

Creator's Tips & Advice

โœ“Consider the all-inclusive package for better value on drinks and tips.
โœ“Opt for a cabin with a window or balcony if natural light is important to you.
โœ“Be aware that Christmas sailings may have a significant price premium.

๐Ÿ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Smaller ship size and fewer onboard thrills โ€” The ship is easier to navigate and offers a more intimate atmosphere, with access to smaller ports.

Questions This Creator Answers

QAre Marella Cruises really good value?
QHow does Marella compare to Royal Caribbean?
QWhat is the experience like on a Marella Explorer cruise?

Topics Covered

Dining Main3 Happy BaconEntertainment Shows2ยฝ Happy BaconService Crew2ยฝ Happy BaconValue Pricing1ยฝ Sad Bacon

Port Highlights

Funchal2ยฝ Happy Bacon
La Palma Island2ยฝ Happy Bacon
Top:
Fuerteventura2ยฝ Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon โ€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon โ€” creators took issue with this
Meh โ€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0โ€“5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = โ€œmehโ€, 5 = โ€œbacon blissโ€. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Descriptionโ†“

What happens when a Loyal to Royal tries something completely different? I spent seven nights on board Marella Explorer, sailing a festive Canary Islands itinerary over the Christmas period. With flights, food, drinks and tips all included, Marella offers a very different style of cruising compared to what Iโ€™m usually used to. So this felt like the perfect opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and see what the experience was really like. In this video, Iโ€™ll share how the overall cruise felt, what surprised me, and whether this style of all-inclusive cruising would tempt me to return in the future. If youโ€™re considering a Marella cruise, planning a winter escape to the Canary Islands, or simply curious how different cruise lines compare in real life, this should give you a useful real-world perspective. 0:00 Intro 1:37 Size 3:02 Food & Drinks 4:46 Crew 5:26 Entertainment 7:04 Price 8:52 Final Thoughts