Eastern Experience

In the event that there is no Tour Leader on board you will be looked after by the Marella Hosts’s who will arrange events where you can meet other solo travellers on the ship. The Guest Experience Coordinator 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 restaurant manager, who’ll make sure you’re seated with other guests.

Yes. You’ll need your passport for all of our cruises. Without it, you won’t be able to board the ship.

The baggage allowance is 20kgs.

All Marella 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 or by credit or debit card. If you decide to settle your bill in cash you will be asked for up to £200 deposit per cabin per week.

As Marella ships are All Inclusive as standard, so selected draught beer and cider, wines by the glass, branded spirits and aperitifs, and a range of cocktails and soft drinks by the glass are all included in the price of your cruise. You have been upgraded to  Premium All Inclusive drinks package for an extra range of drinks, which are normally chargeable. These include upgraded cocktails, premium spirits, Lavazza coffee, soft drink cans and a 1.5 litre bottle of water per cabin, per day.

There are designated Wi-Fi zones onboard. Internet access is charged to your cabin account at the rate advertised onboard. Mobiles can be used – make sure to check with your provider for charges in each country and in international waters, which applies when the ship’s at sea. There are telephones in each cabin, too, so it’s easy to stay in touch with people back home.

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. Top tips: • Attach a label to your hold luggage with your contact details on – this will help reunite you with your bag if it gets lost. • Always carry valuables, medication and other essentials in your hand luggage.

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.

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. Marella also provides vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and diabetic-friendly options on request.  There may be some requests that can’t be accommodated, 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.

It’s up to you if you want to explore without the help of a guide. The onboard Destination Services team can give you plenty of tips. Just remember that one of the benefits of the 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, the ship won’t wait for you.

You can use either a European or a US 2-pin adaptor in the cabins

It’s not always possible to tie a ship up at a dock. If this is the case, the ship will 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.

Ask for for advice on things like ship accessibility, bringing equipment onboard, disabled facilities, and medical care. Marella has also teamed up with AccessAble, who have created detailed access guides for each ship. Visit their website to find out more. All Marella ships also have a small number of adapted cabins for less mobile passengers. Just remember to make sure one is definitely available before you book. Making sure your wellbeing is looked after at all times while you’re onboard is really important. That’s why if you need help with daily tasks, like using the bathroom, eating, or moving around the ship, you’ll need to travel with a companion or a personal assistant who can help you. Unfortunately, the crew aren’t able to help with these kinds of responsibilities.

Each ship has a medical centre and there are English-speaking doctors and nurses on board who keep surgery hours. For emergencies, there’s always someone on call. If you need to pay for a medical procedure, the first £200 of your bill will be payable to the medical provider onboard.

All ships are non-smoking, which means you can only smoke in designated areas of the open deck. The same goes for e-cigarettes. Please note, e-cigarettes are banned in certain countries and will be confiscated at the airport. Make sure to check the Foreign Office website for the latest updates.