Cruise life

Unbelievably we've been home a week already since our superb cruise with Tui on Marella Explorer. It was only our second cruise, the first being on her sister ship Marella Explorer 2 in 2019.  The two ships are very similar but Explorer 2 is adults only; it was quite nice to have familiar surroundings although we did still get lost a few times. 

Our early morning flight from Cardiff meant that although our journey was 4 hours plus transfer we arrived in daylight and warm 20°C sun. Being in the Canary Islands had one advantage, we didn't need to change our clocks.

Our balcony cabin was lovely and quite spacious, I'm tall so for me the bed was a bit low to the ground but very comfy. There was plenty of storage space, a good size sofa and a ensuite with a large shower. Our cabin stewards were amazing, tidying up every morning (although we are tidy anyway), providing clean cups and glasses and leaving us some cruising companions. They also turned the bed every night leaving a Marella chocolate on our pillow. 

There was plenty of room on the balcony to enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine or a beer. Our cruise was all inclusive; a quick lift ride up to the bar, a quick ride back and hey ho drinks on the balcony. 

The balcony was not so inviting on the two days we travelled to Maderia and back as the sea was choppy with a 4m swell and plenty of wind. However it was so nice to get outside for some fresh air when the ship was a bit too wobbly. I'm not sure I could be in an inside cabin or window cabin as although they are the same size I need to get outside.

Our previous cruise on Marella Explorer 2 was for a special occasion and we did upgrade to the premium package but this time we decided to have just the All Inclusive package. The only difference is the drinks available, there's plenty of choice but the big brand names are an added cost. All Inclusive does not include the speciality coffees from the Coffee Lounge but I only drink black coffee and after dinner in the Latitude 53 restaurant speciality coffees are available to everyone.

The All Inclusive drinks were far more choice than we expected; prosecco, cava, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, Sandiman or Cockburns port, Johnnie Walker Red, Jamiesons, Fundador brandy, Metaxa, Gordon's gin, vodka, Bailey's, Foster on draught, John Smith's on draught and bottled beers including San Miguel, Peroni and Bira Moretti. There were plenty of soft drinks by the glass, cocktails and mocktails; I even had an Irish coffee one evening. 

Food on board was delicious with so much choice. Market Place was a huge buffet restaurant which served breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with each night having a different theme; Greek, Italian, Chinese.

Breakfast choice each morning was a full English buffet including fried bread, omelettes cooked to order, fruit, cereals, cold meats, cream cheese and smoked salmon,  plenty of fruit juices and coffee too.

We rarely had lunch but if peckish Hubby enjoyed pizza from the Italian restaurant and I had cooked to order pasta. We did have some superb salads from Market Place too. 

In the evenings we dined in Latitude 53, a beautiful two level dining room with full waiter service. The three course dinners were superb, each evening the menu changed slightly with some dishes such as prawn cocktail starter, chicken main and cheese & biscuits dessert being available every day. 

Our days were spent on shore exploring the Canary Islands and Maderia which I'll be writing about in a separate post. For me the evenings on board were the special times of our cruise. It was lovely to get ready for dinner; not overly posh, but a change from casuals and shorts. The Lounge bar was first, always busy with everyone having pre-dinner drinks listening to live music, followed by our delicious three course meal finishing with an espresso coffee and glass of port, then ending the evening with a live entertainment in the Broadway Show Lounge.

The shows were absolutely amazing, as is the Broadway Show Lounge with plush seating and small tables for your complimentary drinks ... yes more drinks offered as you entered the theatre. 

During our cruise we enjoyed a show about Elton John's life including all his famous hits, Rockology (which we saw twice as it was so good), Pop Icons, Musicals (a superb selection including an amazing Phantom performance) and finally a brilliant show similar to the Greatest Showman including a trapeze artist on a hoop above the stage. 

A couple of evenings the show was changed slightly due to the weather as it was too rocky for the dancers but the singers still put on a fantastic show. All the singers, dancers and musicians were outstanding, it was such a treat to see a show every night.

There were many places to sit and just relax on board; out on the decks although it was a bit windy, round the pool (we're not pool people), out on the rear deck patio or in the Mediterranean bar with it's retractable sun roof. This is where we enjoyed our final coffee on our last morning whilst waiting for our transfer back to the airport. 

We have had an amazing time, in many ways better than before as we visited a port most days and although no warm evenings watching the sun go down out on deck (it's dark by 6pm in the winter) we did enjoy our full evenings on board. The highlight for me was the superb double level with huge panoramic windows Latitude 53 restaurant (the dark blue windows) and the Broadway Shows.

Thank you to everyone on Marella Explorer - our week was superb, hope to be onboard again to enjoy your amazing hospitality.

Day trip to Lye

Lye? No I hadn't heard of it either and only discovered it when our lovely son gifted me a Gin Afternoon Tea at Windsor Castle Inn

Lye is just outside Stourbridge and being honest it isn't really a location to visit, however the pub, brewery and distillery is a must! 

We decided to go on Hubby's birthday as going by train meant going through Birmingham and was a great opportunity for breakfast and evening drinks. Hubby really enjoyed his full English at the Sun on the Hill; I had their Spanish breakfast which was potatoes and chorizo topped with an egg, it was delicious but a huge portion.

As Hubby's birthday is just before Christmas we could also enjoy the Birmingham Christmas German Market. The market stalls and Christmas tree looked amazing in the blue December skies but the market was a bit disappointing. The only German reference was the bratwurst and steins of beer .... every other stall was either food or drink, all the same and very expensive. Austrian and Hungarian Christmas markets are full of many food and drink stalls but all selling different items and there are many different crafts on sale. I haven't been to the Birmingham one for a few years, if you want a night of eating and drinking under the stars in a log cabin atmosphere it would be a great place to go.

The train to Lye was direct from Snowhill Station, it was very interesting to see the west side of Birmingham. The Windsor Castle Inn was a short walk from the station was a super surprise when we walked in. The bar was a proper bar with a superb selection of beer, not just lagers. We were very conscious that we were having a Gin Afternoon Tea but could not resist a beer first, just two halves. 

The pub was quite busy with works Christmas parties which gave a very festive fun atmosphere. We had no idea what to expect, our first delemia was which gin. Beginning with Dr Hardewicke's Gin we also tried their Christmas Gin. Both were amazing, clean and full of flavour.

Our Afternoon Tea arrived: a plate of delicious sandwiches, two large pigs in blankets as it was Christmas, mini mince pies and a selection of mini desserts. It was so delicious, I cut my desserts in half to try them all and then enjoy the other halves in order of favourite... it was a hard decision.

We were not ready to leave, we would have stayed all night hee hee, so we had another beer. I opted for a half of Letterhead Stout, full of chocolate, vanilla and marshmallow flavours ... it was a superb pudding beer. Hubby enjoyed a pint of their Bumblesbees Pale Honey Ale, there was so much variety it was hard to choose.

As a treat to myself I bought their festive tasting box which contained five different gins, mixers and all the recommended garnishes. The packaging was so clever, very simple, very planet friendly with the gin being the highlight. It has been very nice to enjoy these gins at home over the festive season ... cheers.

It was a superb Tea, we are hoping to visit again one day even if it is 45 miles away or a two hour train journey. I have however discovered that they have accommodation so there's an option. 

Thank you Windsor Castle Inn for a superb birthday gift for me and great birthday day out for Hubby.