Yes, Marella is one of the easiest cruise lines for a first cruise from the UK. Fares bundle flights, transfers, meals, a standard drinks package and tips into one price. The five mid-sized ships feel familiar to British holidaymakers, and most itineraries are seven-night round trips in the Mediterranean, Canaries or Caribbean.
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That said, no cruise line suits everyone. This Marella Cruises review is written for first-time cruisers. It covers what is and isn’t included, which ship and itinerary to choose first, practical tips, and the kinds of traveller who may be happier elsewhere.
Marella Cruises review: the verdict for first-timers
Marella is TUI’s UK cruise brand and the third-largest cruise line in the UK. It has a big advantage for beginners: it sells a cruise much like a package holiday. You book one price, fly from a regional UK airport, and a transfer takes you to the ship. There is no need to arrange flights separately, find your own way to the port, or work out tipping.
The strengths for a first cruise are:
- Simple pricing. All-inclusive is standard, so you know most of the cost before you go.
- A familiar feel. Entertainment, menus and the general style are aimed at British passengers.
- Manageable ships. All five are mid-sized, at roughly 69,000 to 77,000 gross tons. That is far smaller than today’s mega-ships, so it is easy to find your way around in a day or two.
- Short, port-rich itineraries. Seven-night round trips with a new port most days, ideal for testing whether cruising is for you.
The trade-offs are older ships, no departures from UK ports in the current programme, and fewer headline attractions than the newest ships of the big American lines. More on that below.
What’s included in a Marella cruise (and what isn’t)
This is where first-timers are most often caught out. According to TUI, a standard Marella fare covers meals, snacks, drinks, flights, transfers and tips. The detail matters, though.
| Included as standard | Costs extra |
|---|---|
| Meals in the main restaurant and buffet | Shore excursions |
| Selected draught beer, cider, wine and Prosecco by the glass | Premium All Inclusive upgrade (premium spirits, upgraded cocktails, barista coffee, canned soft drinks) |
| Spirits, aperitifs and a range of cocktails | Any drinks ordered between 2am and 10am |
| Selected soft drinks, juices and mocktails by the glass | Spa treatments |
| Tips and service charges | Internet packages (except where included with Suite Service Max) |
| Flights and transfers on fly-cruise packages | Some speciality dining, depending on ship and venue |
| Evening shows and daytime activities | Shop purchases, photos and casino play |
The drinks question deserves a closer look before you book. Our Marella drinks package guide explains exactly what the standard and Premium options cover, and when the upgrade is worth paying for.
If you book a Royal, Voyager or Executive Suite, you also get Suite Service Max, rolled out across the fleet from summer 2026. It includes daily in-suite breakfast, a weekly afternoon tea, a champagne welcome gift, priority embarkation, laundry bags, a weekly internet allowance and a later check-out on your last day. That is a lot for a first cruise, but it makes the experience noticeably smoother if your budget stretches.
Which Marella ship should you choose first?
All five Marella ships were built in the mid-1990s for other cruise lines and have since been refitted. The differences come down to atmosphere and who they carry, not size.
| Ship | Built / joined Marella | Gross tonnage | Best for a first cruise if… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Discovery | 1996 / 2016 | approx. 69,000 | you are travelling as a family and want a classic Palma Mediterranean week |
| Marella Discovery 2 | 1995 / 2017 | approx. 69,000 | you are adults only; it becomes a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027/28 |
| Marella Explorer | 1996 / 2018 | 76,522 | you want the Adriatic from Corfu in summer or the Canaries in winter |
| Marella Explorer 2 | 1995 / 2019 | 71,545 | you want an adults-only ship with a relaxed pace |
| Marella Voyager | 1997 / 2023 | 77,303 | you want the newest addition and the largest choice of venues |
For a side-by-side look at facilities and layout, see our Marella ships compared guide. If you are drawn to Discovery, our Marella Discovery guide goes into it deck by deck.
One change to note: Marella Discovery 2 replaces its children’s areas with a speakeasy, an escape room, a karaoke room and an arts and crafts space when it goes permanently adults-only from winter 2027/28. Families who sailed on it before will need to switch to another ship.
Choosing your first Marella itinerary
A first cruise works best when the travel is easy and the ports do most of the work. Three types of sailing suit beginners:
- A seven-night Mediterranean round trip from Palma. The flight is short, the homeport is a holiday destination in its own right, and itineraries typically include famous stops such as Barcelona, Rome (via Civitavecchia) and Florence (via Livorno).
- A Canary Islands week in winter. Similar flight times to mainland Spain, warm weather from November to March, and a relaxed island-hopping rhythm.
- A Cruise and Stay. Adding a few hotel nights before or after the cruise softens the transition and gives you a back-up plan if flights are delayed.
Caribbean cruises from Barbados or La Romana are wonderful but involve a long-haul flight and usually 14 nights. Most people find them a better second cruise, once they know they enjoy life at sea.
First-time cruise tips for Marella
These practical points come up again and again with new cruisers:
- Pack a hand-luggage day bag. Cases can take a few hours to reach your cabin, so keep swimwear, medication and a change of clothes with you.
- Book popular excursions early. Places on the best tours, especially in Rome, Florence and Dubrovnik, can fill before you sail.
- Budget for the extras. Excursions, Wi-Fi and the Premium drinks upgrade add up quickly over a week.
- Check the dress code. Marella is relaxed, but some evenings have a smarter theme. A couple of dressier outfits are enough.
- Read the ship’s daily planner. It lists shows, activities, port times and the all-aboard time, which you must not miss.
- Get travel insurance with cruise cover. Standard policies do not always cover missed ports or medical evacuation at sea.
- Choose a cabin mid-ship and low down if you are worried about seasickness, as there is less movement there.
Who Marella may not suit
An honest Marella Cruises review should point out the downsides too. Marella may not be the right first cruise if:
- You want to sail from Southampton. Marella’s programme is built around flights to overseas homeports.
- You want brand-new ships and big attractions. The fleet is nearly 30 years old, and you won’t find go-kart tracks or vast waterparks.
- Fine dining is your priority. The food is good, mainstream holiday fare, not a luxury-line experience.
- You drink very little. A drinks package is built into the fare, so non-drinkers may get better value from a line that prices drinks separately.
- You want an international crowd. Passengers are overwhelmingly British and Irish.
If none of those put you off, Marella is a sensible, well-priced way to find out whether cruising is for you. Check current fares and inclusions on the official Marella Cruises site before booking.
FAQs
Is Marella Cruises good for first-time cruisers?
Yes, for most British first-timers. Flights, transfers, meals, a standard drinks package and tips are all built into the fare. The ships are mid-sized and most itineraries are seven nights, so it is a simple, low-risk introduction to cruising.
Are tips included on Marella cruises?
Yes. Tips and service charges are included in Marella’s fares, so you will not see a daily gratuity added to your onboard account.
Is everything included on a Marella cruise?
Not quite. Meals, selected drinks, entertainment and tips are included. Shore excursions, the Premium All Inclusive drinks upgrade, spa treatments, most Wi-Fi, some speciality dining and drinks between 2am and 10am cost extra.
Which Marella ship is best for a first cruise?
Families usually suit Marella Discovery, Marella Explorer or Marella Voyager. Couples who want a calmer atmosphere often prefer the adults-only ships, Marella Explorer 2 and, from winter 2027/28, Marella Discovery 2.
How many ships does Marella Cruises have?
Five: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager.