Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. My cruises with Marella were not press trips and I paid full price for them.
I sail regularly with American cruise lines and I have enjoyed sailing with them all.
When I sail with the British cruise line, Marella Cruises, I really notice all the British touches. The ships feel like a home away from home.
Marella Cruises has clearly tailored their whole cruise experience to suit a British audience perfectly.
That’s not to say that if you are from outside the UK, you wouldn’t enjoy it, many appreciate the fully inclusive nature of a Marella cruise.
Flights, transfers and drinks are all included in the cruise fare, so you are unlikely to end your holiday with a large onboard bill to pay!
Some of the main differences I notice are:
1. British-Style Signs and Language
The language on the signs around the ship feels familiar and friendly to British guests.
When I went to the restaurant for lunch one day, it was shut. There was a lovely sign outside that read:
It sounds so British!
On the door of one of the lifts (elevators), there was a polite sign that said “Lift out of order – sorry!”.
2. Kettles Provided in Every Cabin
One thing that I really miss on an American cruise line is tea and coffee-making facilities in my cabin.
I like to start the day with a cup of tea, before getting dressed and going out to face the world.
If I am lucky enough to have a balcony cabin, I enjoy sitting outside with a cup of tea in hand, just watching the world go by.
All cabins on Marella Cruises have a kettle along with tea and coffee making supplies.
These are restocked daily, so guests can make their own hot drinks whenever they want one.
British people are known as being a nation of tea drinkers. Marella Cruises clearly know that their guests really enjoy being able to make their own tea and coffee in the cabin.
Have a look at my Oceanview cabin on Marella Discovery 2 here:
3. Yorkshire Tea Served in the Buffet
If you are in the buffet and decide to make yourself a cup of tea, you may be delighted to find Yorkshire Tea available.
This is also available in other areas of the ship where tea is served and with the tea and coffee making facilities found in every cabin.
If you aren’t from the UK, Yorkshire Tea is a quality brand that is very popular in the UK. It means you can make a decent cuppa, that tastes like one you may have at home.
Too often, I find unfamiliar brands, labelled as “British breakfast tea” on cruise ships.
These teas often don’t hit the mark at all! I think it’s an example of non-tea drinkers choosing tea bags and thinking anything will do.
British tea drinkers have a discerning palate, and Marella Cruises clearly know that!
4. Ice in Drinks is Optional
This is a big difference between British and American cruisers. Crew members often look at me in horror when I ask for my Coke or Pepsi without any ice!
In the UK, most people don’t so much have ice in soft drinks. My heart sinks when I order a drink, and half of it is ice!
I don’t want my drink watered down. It’s such a waste of money, particularly if you are drinking fountain soda. I don’t want to be paying for a cup full of ice!
We were always asked onboard if we wanted ice, and I appreciated that. This is in line with the preferences of most guests from the UK.
When I last sailed with Marella Cruises, I upgraded to their Premium Drinks Package for what I thought was a bargain price. All my Cokes came in cans, so I never had to have ice.
Find out all about that here:
I Upgraded to Marella’s Premium Drinks Package – Here’s Why
5. British-Themed Trivia Quizzes
I do like to take part in trivia quizzes when I cruise.
On the American cruise lines, I always know that there will be a certain percentage of questions I will have no clue about. Not growing up in the USA, I have no idea what was watched on TV and have very little knowledge of anything sports-related.
Trivia quizzes on Marella often feature UK-centric topics such as British television, music, sport, and history. I feel I have a fighting chance of getting a reasonable score!
The style is similar to a traditional British pub quiz, often with a small prize for the winning team.
Of course, it’s all about taking part, rather than winning, but I find it’s a great way to make some new friends onboard.
6. One Quilt Per Bed, No Top Sheets or Twin Duvets
Cabins have one quilt inside a duvet cover, similar to typical UK bedding.
There are no separate top sheets or twin duvets, as found on some European cruise lines.
You are sure to be very comfortable in a Marella cabin.
7. Gratuities Are Included in the Fare
This is a big selling point for Marella Cruises. All tips and service charges are included in the cruise fare, and additional tipping is not expected.
Guests can, of course, tip additionally at their discretion, but there is no expectation from the crew that you will give them an additional tip.
We have a very different tipping culture in the UK from the USA. We would leave a tip in a restaurant if the service was good, or give a tip to a taxi driver, but that is about it.
I usually choose to pay my service charges upfront wherever possible. I find the expectation of tipping extremely uncomfortable. As I said, I have been brought up with a tipping culture that is very different to that expected on American cruise lines.
Paying for most things upfront makes budgeting for your cruise holiday easier. There is no need to worry about calculating the daily gratuities owed at the end of the holiday.
8 – Audience Participation Isn’t Expected
If you have learnt anything about me over the years, you will probably know that interactive games or theatre shows are my worst nightmare!
Although I speak to literally thousands of people on the internet, standing up in front of an audience full of people is something I would never wish to do.
I have been on American cruise lines where everyone in the theatre is given a number, and if your number is called, you are expected to go onto the stage and take part in the show.
I would not go to the theatre if I thought that was likely to be the situation!
With Marella Cruises, shows aren’t interactive unless you want to be involved. I am quite happy to sit back and watch others on stage – but it certainly isn’t for me!
Before You Go
Find out some important things to know before your first cruise with Marella Cruises here:
7 Important Things to Know Before Your First Marella Cruise
On Marella Discovery 2 there are six included restaurants to choose from. Find out more about that here:
This Cruise Ship Has 6 Restaurants Included in the Cruise Fare (I Tried Them All)
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