Cruise name: Tropical Delights
Ship: Tui Celebration
Itinerary:
The information on this page focuses on the ship. Details of the destination above
are outline on their individual pages. Information on our excursion can be read on the individual countries blog page. Click on the country links above and read about our experience.
All aboard
All our Thomson Cruises (Now known as Marella Cruises) begin at London Gatwick.
We queued and were given our cabin tickets for our suitcases and told that the next
time we’ll see our cases would be outside our cabin doors. We were in Premium
class and had conversations with all the well-seasoned cruisers who took us under
their wing and gave all the insider knowledge of what to expect.
Premium class had its usual unlimited food and drink, the risotto and cannelloni, and
no leg rest; so cue cabin bag (come footstool) on the floor again.
Once landed in Barbados we were loaded directly from the plane to a coach. No
clearance through passport control or the baggage hall which was unheard of. The
coaches were small and tight and the 30min transfer was uncomfortable, but it got
the job done. We were given a newsletter of what to expect for the coming week.
The reading of the daily newsletters – The Cruise News – soon became a nightly
ritual that took place before going to bed. The was to ensure we were clued up on
the docking times for the next port of call and activities available onboard the ship.
On arrival to the port we were taken through a factory-style tin can building. Here
you are offered a refreshment as you queue to retrieve your Photo ID boarding card.
This card is your whole identity on the ship so don’t lose it.