zMarella Celebration

My wife and I boarded as foot passengers in May 2010 at Marmaris Marina, Turkey, from where the Ship now turns around every Monday. The initial embarkation process was a bit of a mare as we were 'tagged-on' to a coach party from Holland, where it was presumed our passports should be processed with our new ship-mates! Not the case folks - if you are based in resort (Marmaris) do not let Immigration cancel your Visa as Turkey DOES NOT operate multi-entry Visas, and you will be charged £10 per head again when you disembark your cruise. My Tip Number 1: 'hold on to your passport until you see the Purser on board!
The Ship is well laid out, has above average sized cabins - which are very comfortable - backed up with the services of your own Cabin Steward/ess; inside cabins offer exceptional value for money. In the cruise price is a fully waitered-service restaurant for main meals (not set sittings)as well as a self-service restaurant offering around-the-clock cuisine, from a positively sumptious selection; beleive me there is a dish for every pallete and the Maitre D' will ensure special dietary needs are met or get you a table reservation of the Haute Cuisine restaurant for any special occassions. There is usually one Formal Evening per cruise; this is completely at each passenger's disgresion and non-compulsory - so you need not worry if you dont use all your baggage allowance!
There is an option for fully-inclusive alcoholic drinks package where all your party must take; drinks prices are reasonable (£3.10 for draught beers and £3.60 for ****tails); organisers make much-ado about the forty ml measure for spirits but only one bar we saw (Horisons) stuck to the rules! My Tip No.2: If you like strong ****tails, insist and watch the barman!!
The Celebration has a full entertainment team who are professional, extremely talented and enthusiastic; if you have opted fro a fourteen-day cruise, panic-not as the entertainment programme is nicely tempered over two weeks so you will never be bored. The Cruise Director and his team will ensure all activities go with a bang, down to popular TV style games shows or cash-prize Bingo! The Cabaret Show each night are a delight on the eye and ears.
Shore excursions in the many and varied ports-of-call are extra, well managed and fully couriered/guided but can be expensive overall; its up to the passenger whether to be part of the herd or be more adventurous, self-sufficient and worthy-wise. The Destinations desk will give free advice, as well as town maps. My Tip No.3: You can get to Ephesus (Ancient Roman City as in the Bible) by local taxi from Kushadasi Port for a fraction of the Ship tour - team up with fellow passengers and halve your costs again!
Conclusion: I thoroughly recommend the Thomson Celebration to all: Ship offers much to passengers of every age, the food is extremely good, itineries well thought-out and interesting; is great value for money when Brits actually barter. Marmaris is beatiful in itself, and the trip in and out of Marmaris Bay, is positively breathtaking. www.LowcostCruising.com John Hagan

Travelled on this ship three times in past 18 months. Food has deterioted now at its best could be described as average canteen even in restaurant. Fish is not as advertised sole is cobbler cod is take your pick. Seem to be doing to a price not quality. Complained to Thomson who said most cruisers were happy. I must be the odd one