Princess Cruises is adding new Christmas and Hanukkah experiences to their newest and largest ship, Sun Princess.
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Sun Princess is currently sailing from Port Everglades offering week-long cruises to the Caribbean. Starting on November 30, the holidays will kick into full gear all around the ship.
Every cruise will kick off with a Christmas tree lightning ceremony with the largest Christmas tree featured on any Princess cruise ship. It will be lead by a cast of singers and dancers and a guest will be selected to light the tree.
Religious services will also be held on the ship, they include:
Hanukkah Candle Lighting and Services
Christmas Eve Protestant Service
Christmas Eve Catholic Service
Interdenominational Christmas and Church Services
Special Events
Princess World Orchestra – A Jazz Era Holiday Tribute: Step into the golden glitz of the Jazz Era as the Princess World Orchestra brings seasonal classics to life in a holiday cabaret.
Holly Jolly Sweater Party: Guests are invited to don their most festive sweaters, or their most outrageous holiday outfits.
Stanley, the New Elf’s Daily Hide and Seek: Princess’ mascot, Stanley the Bear, will don his green elf suit for the season. Each day, guests can follow clues announced on the Wake Show to track down Stanley’s latest hiding spot.
Holiday Trivia, Competitions and Holiday Movies: From holiday movie marathons on the Movies Under the Stars screen to holiday-themed game shows, guests can test their knowledge of seasonal traditions.
Highlights will include a Dreidel Spin-Off in the Piazza, as well as game shows covering everything from Christmas customs to New Year’s trivia.
For the first time ever, guests can interact with the ship’s “Polar Pals,” animal puppets designed to delight kids of all ages.
Inspired by the Northern Lights, these playful reindeer, penguin and polar bear characters roam the Piazza, engaging guests in memorable moments that bring a touch of winter magic.
Becky Thomson Foley, Princess Head of Global Entertainment, said the following:
“Our team has created a lineup of magical holiday experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re planning a memorable escape this year or looking ahead to the 2025 holiday season, immerse yourself in the holiday spirit, as at Princess, entertainment really does happen all around you.”
Cruise ships are equipped with all kinds of monitors and tools to help detect storms, so that they can sail out of their path.
But sometimes storms can creep up quickly, or there’s just no avoiding it. When that happens, things can get a little scary.
On a recent cruise, I experienced some bad weather which required us to hold on to our wine glasses while eating as some started falling over! But that’s nothing compared to what some have witnessed…
Here are some real stories of passengers who have endured extreme storms while at sea:
This tale shows that storms can be very scary indeed! In the Spring of 2005, aboard the MV Explorer for Semester at Sea, the North Pacific delivered a harrowing experience.
The ship encountered waves 60 feet high and winds of 120mph, caused by a convergence of two storms. The waves shattered the bridge windows and flooded the bridge, disabling all four navigation engines.
For 16 hours, the ship was at the mercy of the ocean, tilting up to 37 degrees. Everyone donned life jackets and made their way to the fifth deck where the lifeboats were, though launching them in such weather was impossible. With the frigid North Pacific waters in January, the life expectancy if you went overboard was just seven minutes.
Remarkably, seasickness was minimal since the crew and passengers had already endured a week of 20-foot waves. So it was just the fear caused by these incredible waves, with the narrator saying they accepted death that day. Yikes.
A crew member tells the story of how, on their first weekend working aboard a cruise ship in 2016, they sailed through Storm Katie off the British coast. The storm brought hurricane-level winds over 90mph, exceeding the Beaufort scale’s Force 12. For the first few days, the rolling and turbulence were extreme.
Working in the onboard stores, the crew witnessed chaos as stock was thrown off shelves, with Swarovski crystal sculptures swept away like debris. Each morning, the stockroom appeared looted. The bars and galley departments faced even worse chaos.
The ship maintained a permanent list to one side, making simple tasks like walking feel like struggling up a steep hill. Upon returning to normal, adjusting to the ship’s lean was difficult, leading to mishaps like hitting the showerhead.
Shows and entertainment were cancelled, leaving guests with little to do but stay in their cabins. Seasickness was rampant. Compounding the misery, a recent norovirus outbreak had triggered a ‘red level’ hygiene alert. This meant rigorous sanitisation protocols, additional duties for serving food, and a complete loss of deck privileges and events for the crew.
For two or three days, everyone onboard faced a perfect storm of misery. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries or major damage, but the experience gave the worst first impression of the job possible.
This one was so bad that it made the news in the UK. A passenger talked about their cruise on Saga’s Spirit of Discovery in 2023, on a round-trip cruise to the Canary Islands.
The ship sailed through a storm in the Bay of Biscay to reach La Coruna, only to find that the port was closed, leaving the ship stranded to face the stormy weather. It was so bad that glass balconies were broken and passengers were flung around the ship. Bearing in mind this was a Saga cruise, with mainly elderly passengers, that placed lives at risk.
Five people needed medical treatment, and 100 out of 1,000 suffered some form of minor injury. Passengers said that some guests were writing texts to their loved ones, convinced they were going to die.
In the end, everyone was okay but it was definitely a scary time.
On a November cruise departing from Miami, the weather was initially clear and sunny. However, just 30 minutes out, the ship encountered rough seas and strong winds.
As the passenger tells it, there was no rain but the turbulence was severe enough to make even crew members sick. This overwhelmed the staff’s ability to even keep the bathrooms looking respectable.
The itinerary included a day on an island, but the seas were too rough for the tender boats to approach the ship, leading to another day on choppy waters.
Spa appointments were booked but the therapist, working on her first cruise, was too sick to provide much service. Surprisingly, many passengers continued their day unaffected by the rough conditions, eating and drinking as normal.
After three days of turmoil, the ship returned to Miami, where the weather immediately cleared up, revealing beautiful skies for the remainder of the trip. Typical, right?
In 1995, aboard the old Royal Princess with 1,200 passengers on a transatlantic voyage to New York, a severe storm forced the captain to skip docking in Greenland. The passengers telling this story, whose cabin was far forward, prepared by securing their belongings. But it wasn’t enough.
A glass flew off the bathroom counter and shattered. They used their luggage to block the closet doors from banging open all night, and tried to sleep despite the intense up-and-down motion. They were flying out of bed, and felt like they needed seat belts to even try to sleep!
On the fifth floor above the waterline, they watched waves crashing against the windows above. Eventually, they moved to a lower deck to reduce the motion and seasickness. After 24 hours, the storm finally abated. They sailed on the Royal Princess again, although the husband never appreciated the reminder that they were near where the Titanic sank.
One cruise passenger tells how she experienced not one but two extreme cruises due to the weather, with all the chaos of flying pool chairs and furniture.
The crew efficiently closed off outside deck access on both cruises and ushered everyone indoors, attending to panicked or injured passengers. Once everyone was safely inside, the atmosphere transformed into one of camaraderie and gratitude.
Passengers showed kindness by sharing seasickness medication and assisting older individuals. The crew’s professionalism earned them random standing ovations throughout the remainder of the voyages. This passenger even said the two cruises remained some of their favourites!
A passenger told the story of encountering rough seas on their very first cruise, causing the ship to rock intensely. Many experienced seasickness, resulting in an unfortunate incident of vomiting over a white dress during the ship’s ‘white night’ event.
Despite the discomfort, the passenger said their only regret was not being able to finish the delicious cream of mushroom soup served in the main dining room!
The passenger forgot to bring Dramamine but purchased some upon reaching port, having found previously purchased bands ineffective. Despite the seasickness, they still thoroughly enjoyed their first cruise experience and has taken more cruises since.
One cruise guest told the story of a cruise on Carnival’s Mardi Gras, when they encountered a night of very rough seas. While sleeping was enjoyable, walking became challenging due to sudden shifts, though they admit the drinks package probably hadn’t helped!
However, the real challenge was the widespread seasickness among passengers. This resulted in vomit appearing everywhere: elevators, corners, trash cans, bathrooms and hallways. Despite the unpleasantness, the cleaning staff swiftly had addressed the mess by breakfast time.
Conversations the next day revolved around the turbulent night, with nearly every interaction starting with enquiries about the experience. As you would expect, really. Kudos to the crew for getting everything cleaned up so fast!
A passenger tells how they encountered violent waves that caused the ship to lurch forwards and backwards. In their own words, they felt like Neil Armstrong walking on the moon!
While the ship was moving a lot, these passengers managed to find the fun in it, timing their jumps with the movement to get up to six feet in the air!
They also recommended enjoying alcohol during these rough seas, but I’m not sure how good that advice really is!
During a crossing from Australia to New Zealand, known for its rough waters, one guest (then a teenager) was loving the storms initially, playing in the pool despite the water sloshing from side to side. However, conditions worsened rapidly, leading to widespread seasickness and difficulty walking as the ship juddered violently.
The situation was further complicated by a norovirus outbreak. The passenger’s sister was the first to fall ill, resulting in the entire family being quarantined together. Sharing a bathroom under such conditions made for a very unpleasant experience!
Despite the challenges, the narrator recalls having a somewhat good time. Their sister was a wheelchair user and, before anyone got sick, they took advantage of the listing boat by wheeling her to one end of a hallway and letting her go, so she could enjoy the ride! Hopefully, they had her consent…
Having experienced serious storms while cruising, a frequent cruiser has said that the best approach is to stay calm and trust the ship’s crew. Cruise ships are designed for rough seas, and crews will do everything possible to avoid and counteract the storm.
The guest says that you should take care to secure loose items in the cabin, like books and glasses. Heading to public areas to stay with the crew and other passengers usually creates a comforting and secure atmosphere.
In severe storms, the cruiser remains mindful and alert, keeping a cell phone close by in case of emergency.
Storms at sea can get pretty dramatic at times, and a lot of people tend to get sick when ships start to list. But there are some people that find even the most dramatic storms entertaining too.
Obviously, if furniture is flying around then you need to be careful, but ships can typically withstand a lot of punishment. So just get to a low deck and try to relax as you see out the storm.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Whenever you book a cruise, you want it to be the best experience possible. That doesn’t mean you’ll always book the very best cabin on a ship, because you have to balance your budget too.
But some cabins are better than others, even without spending more. There are also certain cabins you should try to avoid, whether due to their location on the ship or just a particular quirk. That’s as true on Marella Discovery as it is on any ship.
In this guide, I’ll help you understand all of the cabin options available to you on Marella Discovery. I’ll also tell you which cabin numbers you should avoid booking where possible. You can check out the Marella Discovery deck plans if you want to see specific cabin locations.
Some of this advice is subjective, and will depend on your personal tastes. Be sure to read everything then make your decision carefully, based on the type of cruise you want.
Suites – Junior Suites, Family Junior Suites, Family Suites, Grand Suites, Executive Suites and Royal Suites
Let’s delve a little deeper into each cabin type, so you can understand more about the options available.
Inside Cabins
Marella Discovery has multiple different types of Inside Cabin that you can book:
Cabin
Size
Sleeps up to
Decks 2 & 3 Inside Cabin
12 square metres
2-4
Decks 6, 7 and 8 Inside Cabin
12-13 square metres
2
Inside Plus Cabin
15 square metres
2-4
Single Inside Cabin
12 square metres
1
Inside Cabins are always the cheapest accommodation on any cruise ship (unless there are special upgrade offers). They’re windowless, but it’s always a short walk to an open deck if you want to enjoy a view, especially on a smaller ship like Marella Discovery.
Inside Cabins are a great choice if you’re on a tight budget, and don’t plan on spending much time in your cabin apart from sleeping and getting ready. They’re the smallest rooms, but you can save money for your next cruise if you’re comfortable in one of these. They typically come with twin beds, that can be converted into a queen-sized bed if you prefer.
Marella Discovery breaks down its Inside Cabins by decks.
A few important things to note:
Some of the cabins on Decks 2 and 3 sleep two guests, while others sleep up to four.
Inside Cabins on Decks 7 and 8 have been recently refurbished, but those on Deck 6 in the same category have not.
Inside Plus Cabins either sleep two guests or up to four. Those that sleep up to four were refurbished in November 2022.
Single Inside Cabins come with a queen-sized bed, which is pretty nifty. Most single cabins on other ships have a single twin bed.
The cabins that sleep more than two guests have fold-down beds.
Decks 2/3 Inside Cabin
These are Pullman beds which are hidden in the ceiling during the day, so that they don’t take up valuable space. They’re also better because you’re less likely to hit your head on them when you’re in a lower bed.
Outside Cabins
Decks 2/3 Outside Cabin
There are three main types of Outside Cabin on Marella Discovery:
Cabin
Size
Sleeps up to
Outside Cabin
14 square metres
2-4
Deluxe Cabin
20 square metres
4
Single Outside Cabin
14 square metres
1*
Outside Cabins are a good choice if you want to keep costs low, but don’t like the idea of being completely enclosed with no natural light. They’re also a better choice if you tend to get seasick, since focusing on the horizon can help.
The standard Outside Cabins on Marella Discovery are all on Decks 2 and 3, and have either a porthole or a picture window. Unfortunately, the categories aren’t split. I’ll cover that in a little more detail in the section below on cabins to avoid if you don’t want a porthole.
Deluxe Cabins are higher up on the ship, on Decks 7 and 8, and they’ve all been newly refurbished. They have a floor-to-ceiling window that offers a much better view, but that comes with a higher price for your booking.
Finally, Single Outside Cabins are available to book on Deck 3. Again, these have either a picture window or a porthole, and really they’re just a standard Outside Cabin sold at a special rate.
The Marella Cruises website even says they come with ‘twin beds that convert into a queen-sized double bed’. Why would you want twin beds if travelling alone?
Balcony Cabins
There are two different options for Balcony Cabins on Marella Discovery:
Cabin
Size
Sleeps up to
Balcony Cabin
13-14 square metres
2
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
15-16 square metres
4
A Balcony Cabin is a further step up from an Outside Cabin. It gives you your own private balcony space, where you can sit and soak up the view with the fresh sea air. On most cruise ships, a Balcony Cabin will also be larger than an Outside Cabin, but that’s not really the case with Marella Discovery.
Deluxe Balcony Cabins are larger though, so feel a little more luxurious. They also sleep up to four guests. Not with Pullman beds this time but with a double sofa bed, which is better for smaller children.
Suites
There are six different suite options on Marella Discovery:
Suite
Size
Sleeps up to
Junior Suites
21 square metres
2
Family Junior Suites
39 square metres
6
Family Suites
40 square metres
7
Grand Suites
32 square metres
4
Executive Suites
47 square metres
4
Royal Suites
92 square metres
4
On any cruise ship, suites are considered the best accommodation, but there are usually a few different choices. That’s true of Marella Discovery, where there are six suite types available.
Junior Suites
Junior Suites are the entry-level suite option on Marella Discovery, designed for two people. They’re essentially a larger Balcony Cabin, with twin beds that convert into a queen-sized bed and a private balcony to enjoy.
Junior Suite
Family Junior Suites
Family Junior Suites are much larger, and designed for up to six guests. There’s a bedroom that has twin beds. In the living area are two more twin beds, which can convert into a queen-sized bed, and finally a double sofa bed. Like all suites, there is a balcony too.
Family Junior Suite
Family Suites
There are very few cabins at sea that can sleep seven guests, so if you’re travelling with a large family these could be ideal. There are two bedrooms with twin beds/queen beds in each, one of which has a single fold-down bed. The sofa in the living area also converts into a double bed.
Grand Suites
Grand Suites have been newly refurbished with a modern style, and are aimed at two to four guests. They have one bedroom, with a double sofa bed in the living area. Although the Family Suites may be larger, a Marella Discovery Grand Suite is more about offering spacious, mid-level suites for couples or smaller families.
Executive Suites
A Marella Discovery Executive Suite is the second-best accommodation option on ship. These revamped suites are really spacious and very light, with massive doors to the balcony that really help make the room feel open. They have a bedroom and a queen-sized sofa bed in the living area.
Executive Suite
Royal Suite
The best suite on the ship, the Royal Suite, is almost twice as large as an Executive Suite and almost eight times the size of an Inside Cabin. They’re huge! The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, while the living area has a large sofa bed, so the suite sleeps four guests. It also has a whirlpool bath and a baby grand piano.
Royal Suite
Premier Service
All of the suites on Marella Discovery – from Junior Suites up to the Royal Suite – come with Premier Service. This is what you’d call the ‘suite perks’ on some other ships. The list of benefits isn’t huge though:
Free pressing service for up to three items of clothing per passenger in the first 24 hours onboard.
Free continental breakfast in bed per guest, once per week.
Adapted Cabins on Marella Discovery
There are Marella Discovery adapted cabins you can book, even though they are not mentioned on the cruise line’s own website where the cabins are listed.
This means I can’t give you exact room sizes, since they’ve not been measured separately. They are larger though, since they are designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
There are 17 adapted cabins available to book on Marella Discovery, including:
Six Inside Cabins (3 on Deck 2, 3 on Deck 7)
Six Outside Cabins (3 on Deck 2, 3 on Deck 3)
Three Balcony Cabins (Deck 6)
Three Junior Suites (Deck 8)
How to Choose the Best Cabin
There are a lot of different things to consider when choosing your cabin on Marella Discovery. Even with this guide, you’ll need help to go through the steps when making your selection. You need to know where to avoid, what to do if your first choice is available and so on.
To make things easier, I’ve created a checklist that you can use for Marella Discovery or indeed any ship. Just pop your email address and name into this form, and I’ll send it right to you. You can keep it to hand when you book your Marella Discovery cruise.
Cabins To Avoid on Marella Discovery
Here are the cabins to avoid when booking a cruise on Marella Discovery.
Remember that these depend on what kind of cruise passenger you are, so some might actually be better suited to you.
When you book an Outside Cabin, you’re paying a little more than for an Inside. You can enjoy some natural light during daytime hours, and hopefully a bit of a view.
Although most Outside Cabins have a picture window, there are a handful towards the front and aft of the ship on Deck 2 that only have a porthole, and the difference is significant. The portholes don’t really offer any kind of view at all, and they let very little light through.
I’d recommend getting a picture window room instead. Otherwise you might as well save some money and just go for an Inside Cabin.
2. Rooms that are not ideal if you get seasick
8000 to 8016, 8060 to 8086, 8500 to 8516, 8566 to 8590 Inside Cabins on Deck 8
Marella Discovery is not a huge ship, which has both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to seasickness. Larger, more modern ships tend to have the latest stabilising technology, but they need it more because guests stay on higher decks.
The higher you are, and the closer to the front or aft, the more you’ll feel the motion of the ship. This is what can trigger seasickness. Marella Discovery only has cabins on Deck 8 and below, so you’re never too high. But avoid anything on Deck 8 near the front or aft of the ship if you’re concerned you might feel sick.
You definitely want to avoid the Inside Cabins on that deck too. Not only are you more likely to feel the movement of the waves, but you can’t look out to the horizon, which tends to work well in easing seasickness.
If you think you might feel seasick, then aim for a lower room, ideally in a mid-ship location and with a view. The Marella Discovery best cabins on Deck 3 – the Outside Cabins with a picture window – are a great choice.
3. Junior Suites
Some of the suite options on Marella Discovery are worth the extra money. They’re a lot more spacious, and are in some of the best locations on the ship.
But it’s harder to justify the jump in cost from a Deluxe Balcony Cabin to a Marella Discovery Junior Suite.
Junior Suite
That’s not to say you should never book a Junior Suite. It might be that you want that extra five square metres of space over a Deluxe Balcony Cabin, and you’re happy to pay the additional money. But if you won’t spend a huge amount of time in your cabin, I’m not sure it’s worth it.
Either stick with a Deluxe Balcony Cabin, or aim a little higher and look at a Grand Suite. Then you’re getting twice the space, which really feels worth it.
The Premier Service perks and the extra five square metres of space aren’t enough to give a Junior Suite my full recommendation. I’d rather downgrade to something like a Marella Discovery Balcony Cabin on Deck 6, save the money and put it towards another cruise instead.
4. Connecting cabins (if you aren’t booking both)
Various on every deck
Connecting cabins are rooms that are side-by-side and have a door between them. Normally this door is locked, but if your travelling party books both rooms, you can have the door unlocked. This essentially open up both rooms to create a larger space.
If you are not booking both connecting cabins, I recommend you avoid booking one of them. That’s because the door that links these two rooms is thinner than the wall, so you’ll hear more of what your neighbours are getting up to. If they like to wake up early or watch TV late, you might hear them and it could be distracting.
Connecting cabins do have their uses though…
5. Family Suites if you’re on a budget
I love that there are Family Suites sleeping up to seven guests on Marella Discovery, but I wouldn’t recommend them if you are travelling as part of a group.
The difference in cost for booking a Family Suite is not just based on the extra space you’ll get. It will often be cheaper to book two separate connecting cabins than to book one Family Suite.
As a rough guide, I checked a typical seven-day itinerary that included flights. Booking two connecting cabins, with two adults and one child in each, would cost approximately £7,700. The cost for booking a single Family Suite for the same cruise, with four adults and two children, was over £11,000.
With a Family Suite you are getting more space, a better ship location and the Premier Service benefits. Family Suites are not a bad choice. But if you are on a tight budget, I’d consider booking connecting rooms instead.
6. Cabins adjacent to lifts
3055, 6061, 6561
There are plenty of cabins near the lifts on Marella Discovery, which can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s good because you don’t have to travel far to get to and from your cabin. But it can be annoying because a lot of people walk past your room in the morning or at night, which can be noisy.
But there are three Inside Cabins in particular that are directly adjacent to the lifts. So you might also hear the lift mechanism itself.
To be clear, they aren’t super loud, but if you’re sleeping right next to them then you’ll either find the noise soothing or annoying. It might not be worth the risk if you’re a light sleeper.
7 Cabins directly under the pool deck
8012 to 8072, 8512 to 8572
A common complaint from cruise ships is where the cabin is situated directly below the pool deck. There’s still a competitive element when it comes to securing a pool lounger, and guests often rise extra-early to grab one. Then they drag these across the deck, causing quite a racket in the cabins directly below.
When researching this guide, it was a complaint that cropped up a couple of times for the Marella Discovery cabins on Deck 8. This was specifically for the rooms underneath the indoor pool area, from around 8040 to 8064 and 8546 to 8572 on the starboard side. But it might be an issue under the outdoor pool area as well.
If you’re also awake early, it’s not going to bother you. But if you like a lie-in, consider a room away from the pool deck.
8. Cabins a long trek from the kids’ club
Any cabin where the second digit is 1 or 6, such as 7134 or 2600.
The Marella Discovery has a kids’ club area for families, situated towards the front of the ship on Deck 10. It has various facilities including a Baby Centre, a gaming zone, and clubs for younger kids and teenagers.
This isn’t an issue for teens, but if you have young children or babies staying in these areas, avoid having a cabin right at the aft of the ship. These have either 1 as the second digit (port side) or 6 as the second digit (starboard side). It’s worse if you’re on a lower deck too.
That’s purely from a practicality point of view – the farther you are from the kids’ club, the farther you have to travel. It’s not so bad during the day but if you’ve enjoyed dinner, and gone to pick up a child who is now napping, it can be a long walk carrying a heavy lump in your arms!
9. Inside Cabins if travelling with older kids/other adults
It’s great that there are lots of Inside Cabin options for sleeping three or four guests, but I wouldn’t recommend them if you’re staying with adults or older kids.
The Inside Cabins are not very big, so you could easily get under each other’s feet. The Pullman Beds aren’t great for grown-ups either, and can be a bit uncomfortable.
I think they’re a good choice for younger kids, though preferably not so young they could fall out. For adults or teens though, I’d look at something more spacious.
10. Rooms above the Squid & Anchor if you like an early night
6000 to 6016, 6500 to 6516
There are some rooms towards the front of Deck 6 that are directly above the Squid & Anchor lounge. If you like an early night on your cruise, I wouldn’t recommend booking these.
The speakers for the Squid & Anchor’s musical performances are on the roof, so the sound can reverberate through to your cabin. It’s not super-loud, and tends to end earlier than on other cruise lines, usually 11pm at the latest.
But still, if you’re a lighter sleeper or like to be asleep by 9pm or so, you might prefer to choose a quieter spot on the ship.
11. Tired cabins that haven’t been renovated
Various across the ship
A lot of Marella Discovery’s new cabins were fully refurbished in late 2022, but not all of them, so it’s worth asking the question when you book.
The older cabins are not bad, but some people think they look a little tired. They’re still recommended as very comfortable, but the refurbished rooms look a lot nicer.
It might not matter to you, but if it does, check whether or not your cabin has been refurbished.
The Best Cabins on Marella Discovery
Most of the cabins on Marella Discovery are great, but a handful really stand out as worth booking, depending on your travelling party and budget.
A lot of the most sought-after rooms on a cruise ship are those with an aft view. They tend to be the most popular because you’re sheltered from the wind, with a fantastic view of the ocean and the wake of the ship.
There are a selection of Balcony Cabins and Junior Suites on Decks 6, 7 and 8. These tend to book up quickly, so be sure to act fast if you want to enjoy an aft view.
In particular, try to book either 6130, 7642 or 8086. These three rooms are dead-centre in the ship, so not only is the view incredible but you actually get a slightly larger balcony. You can see from the deck plans that they’re angled, so the more central you are, the bigger the balcony is.
2. Royal Suite (if you can afford it)
Of course, it’s easy to pick the biggest suite on the ship as one of the best, but it really is something special – provided you have the budget for it.
Royal Suite Bathroom
The whirlpool bath is a fantastic addition, but not too uncommon on cruise ships. It’s still a great feature on warmer cruises, where you can properly relax with an amazing view.
However, there are very few cruise ship suites I can think of where you also get a baby grand piano. Even if you can’t play, it’s a very classy addition.
It’s not something I’m likely to book. I’m typically the person who would save my money to enjoy multiple cruises instead. But I can’t argue that it’s not a fantastic suite.
3. Single Cabins (Inside or Outside)
On a lot of cruise ships, single rooms are crammed into smaller spaces. They’ll usually be the smallest room on a ship, with just a single bed and a limited amount of storage.
Not so with Marella Discovery – you’re essentially getting a full Inside or Outside Cabin, with a queen-sized bed. It’s a lot more comfortable for solo travellers, and I love that Marella has thought about single passengers enough to give them this comfort.
After all, you probably aren’t sleeping in a single bed at home, so why would you downgrade for an actual holiday?
Final Thoughts
There you have it – a complete guide to all the cabins on Marella Discovery, plus tips for cabins that you should consider avoiding when you book.
I know the decision isn’t always simple. You might have your heart set on a certain itinerary that’s nearly sold out, or your budget might mean you can’t book the perfect cabin for you.
But with everything in this guide, you can at least make some informed decisions and travel prepared. For example, a set of earplugs might be all you need to make a louder room bearable.
For a closer look at all of the cabins on Marella Discovery, I highly recommend that you check out this video by Paul and Carole. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting…
In putting this guide together, I scoured the official Marella Discovery deck plans but also looked at Facebook groups. I recommend you check them out too, because people often post photos of specific cabins, and you might find yours on there before you sail.
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If you found this interesting, please share!
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
The Titanic was one of the most famous ships ever built, primarily because of her tragic end. But she was not the only ocean liner launched by the White Star Line at that time.
How similar were these ships, what were the differences, and why did the Titanic become more famous? Let’s take a look…
Was the Olympic identical to the Titanic?
The Olympic and the Titanic were not identical ships, but they were very similar. The Olympic came first, and some tweaks were made to the design to improve the Titanic, making her a slightly more luxurious ship. They were identical in length and width, but Titanic was bigger due to a marginally larger gross tonnage.
The ships are often referred to as twin sisters because they were so similar, but they weren’t identical.
Olympic and Titanic Side Sy Side
Here’s a look at the two ships side-by-side. You can see how they look almost exactly the same.
The Main Differences Between Olympic and Titanic
Here’s a look at the main differences between the two ships:
1. The Titanic was slightly larger than the Olympic
In terms of length and width, Titanic and Olympic were very similar. However, due to some changes made to the design of the Titanic, her gross tonnage was slightly larger at 46,329. This made Titanic the biggest ship in the world at the time.
When the Olympic launched, she had a gross tonnage of 45,324, so she regained the ‘biggest ship in the world’ title after her sister ship sank in 1912. She didn’t hold it for much longer though, as in 1913 she was overtaken by the German ship SS Imperator.
You can’t really tell by looking at side-by-side pictures that Titanic was slightly bigger, as they seem to be identical.
2. The Titanic was more luxurious than the Olympic
Technically, the Titanic was slightly more luxurious than the Olympic. This had not been the intention, since both ships were designed to be luxury ocean liners. But some design changes, following lessons learned from the Olympic, made Titanic more appealing to guests.
When the Olympic launched, she was in some ways a guinea pig for the new class. One of the features that didn’t quite work was a secondary promenade on B deck. Most people preferred to use the promenade on the higher A deck.
So when the Titanic was being built, the designs were modified. The secondary promenade was replaced with more first-class cabins and a couple of extra features, to make the ship a more luxurious proposition.
First Class Cabin on Titanic
3. The Titanic is more well known because of the tragic sinking
The reason that the Titanic is more famous than the Olympic is purely down to her sinking, when she hit an iceberg on 14th April 1912.
The sinking of the Titanic was a genuine tragedy, with so many lives lost at sea. It sparked huge changes in the safety standards of shipping around the world. It also became a famous story, thanks to the many books written about her, the museums telling Titanic’s history and the Hollywood blockbuster movie.
The Olympic never sank, and was in operation for much longer. She survived the First World War as a troopship, then returned to civilian service. She sailed in total for 24 years before becoming unviable as a profitable ship, and was retired and sold for scrap.
The Titanic Musem, Belfast
4. The Titanic was more sheltered on the Promenade Deck
Another design change made for the Titanic, following lessons learned from the Olympic, was the design of the promenade on A deck. On the Olympic, the forward section of this deck was wide open, but it was sheltered by windows on the Titanic.
This was because people walking along the promenade on the Olympic were being hit by sea spray, and getting wet a lot of the time. It was a relatively simple change to add windows to the Titanic design, to better protect those who were walking around the promenade.
5. In theory, Titanic was a safer ship
You might assume that the Titanic was a less safe ship – after all, she was the one that sank. However, the Olympic began life with exactly the same flaws as the Titanic, including a severe lack of lifeboats.
But there was one key difference which actually made the Titanic safer. Her bridge extended out on both sides, giving the senior crew a better view around the sides of the ship. On the Olympic, the bridge was flush with the sides.
So it is purely the circumstances of that particular sailing that caused the Titanic to sink and not the Olympic. Put the Olympic in the place of the Titanic, and she would have met the same fate.
This did, of course, all change after the loss of the Titanic. Olympic’s bridge was widened to make it safer, and more lifeboats were added so that passengers had a greater chance of survival if the ship was in trouble.
6. The Titanic had more dining options
The changes made to the Titanic’s design included the addition of two new dining venues. When the B promenade was removed from the design, there was space on the starboard side of that deck to add a new restaurant.
Cafe Parisien was introduced, an a la carte restaurant serving upmarket French-style cuisine. The rest of the dining venues remained the same. So for its brief tenure, Titanic had more options available to the guests who could afford to eat here.
Cafe Parisien on Titanic
7. The Titanic had more irregular windows
One of the few differences you can spot by looking at pictures of Titanic and Olympic is that the Titanic had more irregular port holes on B deck.
This is because of all the design changes that were made to that part of the ship during construction. It meant that the windows were spaced out less evenly.
On the Olympic, because the plans were unchanged during construction, the windows are evenly spaced across that deck.
8. The Olympic wasn’t just an ocean liner
The Titanic sank so quickly after launch that she will forever be known solely as an ocean liner. The Olympic had a much longer life, and was able to contribute to the war effort.
Olympic was originally withdrawn from service in 1912 to be modified following the Titanic disaster. In 1914 she was given some cosmetic adjustments due to the war, blocking out portholes and painted a new colour. She entered service in 1915, transporting troops where needed.
Olympic returned to commercial passenger duties in 1919, and was restored to include more modern interiors and repair damage from a torpedo strike.
Final word
Despite the ships being twins, there are a lot of differences in the designs of Titanic and Olympic, and sadly in their legacies too. The Olympic was able to see her story to the end, while the Titanic’s was cut short, along with the lives of many who sailed on her.
The Olympic was one of the first ships to learn the lessons of the Titanic with her refit in 1912. It’s a good thing that she isn’t as famous. Another major tragedy like the sinking of the Titanic could have ended the cruise industry before it really got going.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Celebrity Cruises has hinted that work has already begun on the next class of cruise ships, with Celebrity Xcel now confirmed as the final Edge-class ship for the fleet.
At the CruiseWorld event, Celebrity’s brand president Laura Hodges Bethge was speaking about the future of the brand and revealed that Project Nirvana was the codename for the next ships.
It’s expected that the first ships in the new class would debut sometime in 2029 or 2030 but nothing is official.
“For those who have been doing this for a long time, you know you go from the dreaming stage to the receiving stage in five-ish years,
“We’re excited about what’s next for the brand.”
Laura Hodges Bethge, Brand President for Celebrity Cruises
While Celebrity Cruises fans can start to get excited about the next generation of ships, there’s still other exciting news too.
It’s expected that we’ll get details of Celebrity Xcel’s features in spring, with seven new products and experiences onboard the ship compared to her sister Edge-class ships.
Bethge also revealed that the Solstice-class ships would soon undergo a renovation, with Celebrity Solstice set to undergo an extended drydock in Spring 2026.
No dates have been confirmed for the rest of the class, which includes Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Reflection.
“Those five beautiful ships are at what we call internally their half-life. Ships last around 30 years, and they’re about 15 years old, so right now we’re dreaming up what’s going to happen with the modernization of the Solstice ships,
“There’s three different areas of the ship where we’ll be paying a lot of attention,”
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea has announced to guests that it will no longer be providing commemorative USB drives to guests at the end of any expedition cruises. The USB drives…
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Ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea has announced to guests that it will no longer be providing commemorative USB drives to guests at the end of any expedition cruises.
The USB drives were filled with photos and videos taken on the cruise, and were typically seen as a fun way of capturing the memories of that particular sailing.
With the expedition ships hosting fewer than 300 guests on each sailing, guests could reasonably expect to be featured in a selection of the media on the USB drives.
And one popular feature was the drone video footage that offered a unique perspective on the destinations visited, since guests aren’t permitted to bring their own drone onboard.
However, the cruise line has announced it is no longer offering the item, claiming that some guests had fed back about quality issues.
At Silversea, our commitment is always to provide an unparalleled luxury experience. We have listened to your feedback regarding the photos and videos our guests receive at the end of their expedition, and we acknowledge that the current offering does not meet the exceptional standards that we strive to uphold.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to discontinue the current program. We understand that this change may be disappointing to some of our valued guests, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please rest assured that we are actively exploring innovative new ways to enhance your experience and capture the special moments of your voyage.”
Conrad Combrink, the Senior Vice President of Expeditions for Silversea
No replacement souvenir item has been announced in the interim, which has left some guests disappointed, with some arguing that the removal of the USB could’ve been delayed until a replacement was available.
However, some experienced Silversea guests have concurred that the quality could be an issue on some cruises, particularly when it comes to video. Apparently, some guests felt like important moments were often missed in the video.
Guests are, of course, able to capture their own memories on cruises – check out these expert tips from a photographer on how to get the best cruise photos!
With Silversea’s expedition cruises starting from £4,500 per person even for the smallest suites onboard, it’s no doubt that guests expect a high level of luxury, including small touches which make the cruise feel more special.
So it’s likely that Silversea will try to move quickly in finding some form of replacement option as a small souvenir for guests to take home on these cruises.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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Royal Caribbean has announced changes to the latest itinerary of the Voyager of the Seas, citing delays in drydock operations caused by adverse weather conditions.
The transatlantic cruise, originally scheduled to depart from Barcelona on 10th November 2024, was delayed by a day and instead set off on 11th November 2024.
Because of this change, the planned visit to Valencia had to be cancelled, while the rest of the itinerary remains unchanged, bar a one-day delay to the visit to Palma de Mallorca.
The 16-night voyage (which is now a 15-night voyage) concluding in Port Canaveral, was set to include seven European destinations before reaching North America.
Royal Caribbean has assured guests that any pre-paid shore excursions for the cancelled port will be automatically reimbursed.
As well as this, the cruise line is offering a pro-rated refund of one day of the cruise fare, which will be paid as onboard credit to use on the cruise. Any other purchases such as WiFi or drinks packages will also get the pro-rated refund.
And for any guests who were forced to change their travel plans, up to $200 could be claimed for domestic flights or $400 for international flights.
While these refunds are typical, the cruise line also announced that, due to the nature of the late cancellation from Barcelona, it would cover up to $250 of hotel costs per stateroom for guests who needed to stay in the city for the night before the cruise.
The delay in drydock operations was primarily due to adverse weather conditions, which hindered the timely completion of necessary maintenance and preparations for the ship.
Following the transatlantic crossing, Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to offer a series of four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas, departing from Port Canaveral.
Several other cruise ships have suffered delays to drydock renovations or essential repairs in the past few months.
Perhaps most notably, Regal Princess was forced to cancel three cruises after repairs were continuously delayed.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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A Princess cruise ship which had several cruises canceled due to problems with the generators on board will return to service on Sunday.
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The previous three cruises on Regal Princess (October 27, November 3, 10) had been canceled due to a technical issue with the power generators on the ship.
The first two sailings were canceled due to one generator and when it was fixed, a second generator experienced a technical failure leading to the cancelation of this week’s cruise.
Princess has now confirmed that all repairs have been made to the ship and it will depart on the November 17th sailing as scheduled.
Princess Cruises sent the following statement to Cruise Fever about the repairs to Regal Princess:
“Princess Cruises has confirmed that all technical repairs aboard Regal Princess have been successfully completed, and the ship will depart from Galveston as scheduled on November 17.
“Essential work was done to address power generator issues that had affected previous sailings on October 27, November 3 and November 10.
“Our team has worked diligently to ensure Regal Princess is fully operational and ready to deliver a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable cruise experience.
“We look forward to welcoming guests aboard and appreciate their patience and understanding as we resolved these technical matters.”
Princess Cruises gave all guests who were booked on one of the three canceled cruises a full refund and a 50% credit to use for a future cruise.
The November 17, 2024 sailing on Regal Princess is a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean from Galveston. The ship will visit Costa Maya, Roatan and Cozumel.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, arrived in the U.S. for the first time today when the vessel visited Port Canaveral.
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Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, the Disney Treasure, docked in its home port of Port Canaveral this morning for the very first time. Following its initial visit to Florida, the Disney Treasure will sail to New York City for a special christening celebration on the evening of November 19, which will be streamed live on the Disney Parks Blog. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Disney Treasure will enter service on December 21, 2024, a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean.
But first, the ship will head to New York City where it will be officially named and christened on November 19, 2024. The event will be livestreamed on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney Treasure is the second Wish class ship from Disney Cruise Line. The theme of the ship is adventure and the vessel tells stories from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars.
Spaces on board Disney Treasure will invite guests to:
Venture to the imaginary town square of Santa Cecilia in the world’s first theatrical dining experience themed to the Disney and Pixar film, “Coco”
Indulge in themed cocktails at venues inspired by the iconic Disney Parks attractions, the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”
Hop into a sweet shop reminiscent of Disney’s “Zootopia”
Embark on a tale across land and sea during the Broadway-style production, “Disney The Tale of Moana”
Micky and Minnie welcome Disney Treasure to Port Canaveral (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Disney Treasure will homeport at Port Canaveral, Florida sailing week-long cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
Are you booking a cruise with Virgin Voyages from Miami, Florida? You’ll need to know which port terminal you are sailing from, and where can you park nearby if you’re driving.
I’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know about getting to Miami for your Virgin Voyages cruise.
Where does Virgin Voyages sail from in Miami?
Virgin Voyages sails from Terminal V at the Port of Miami. This is Virgin Voyages’ own terminal, named for the cruise line, and it’s the closest terminal to mainland Miami.
However, due to the road directions, that doesn’t mean it’s the first one you’ll get to when driving to the port. Other terminals are first on the one-way system.
The full Virgin Voyages Miami port address is:
Terminal V, 718 N Cruise Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132.
To be clear, the name ‘Terminal V’ is because it’s Virgin’s cruise port. It’s not a numbered system using Roman numerals.
Terminal V is one of the newest at the Port of Miami, having opened in February 2022. It’s a very modern space that makes you feel like you’re on vacation from the second you arrive in the building.
The company Arquitectonica designed the terminal to reflect the Virgin Voyages ships as well as the Miami surroundings, blending both into a uniquely styled building.
Where is the port for Virgin Voyages in Miami?
Terminal V for Virgin Voyages cruises is situated on Dodge Island. This is an artificial island connected to mainland Miami by Port Boulevard Bridge. As you arrive on Dodge Island, Terminal V is directly on your left, but you’ll need to follow the road system to get to it.
Here it is on a map:
It’s also possible to get to the port via Watson Island, adjacent to the port island. A lot of sat nav systems may take you this way, since you arrive on the island on the correct side for the terminal.
If you’re flying into Miami Airport, the cruise port is in a really convenient location only ten miles away. The drive is along major roads, so it only takes an average of 17 minutes in either direction.
If you’re driving, put the directions into your navigation system for Parking Garage G. This will take you where you need to go, unless you decide to park elsewhere.
Where To Park For A Virgin Voyages Cruise From Miami
If you want to drive to the terminal for your Virgin Voyages cruise, book your cruise parking in advance to guarantee yourself a space. There are a few good options that you can choose from, including official parking at the site.
The most convenient option for parking at the Port of Miami is… to park at the Port of Miami! Each cruise terminal has its own parking garage, which you can drive straight up to.
Parking Garage G is the one you want for Terminal V. Then you’re at the port and ready to begin embarkation. It also means that, at the end of your cruise, it’s easy to get back to your car with all your luggage.
However, it is the most expensive option. Rates can vary, but you should expect to pay around $22 per day. For a seven-day cruise, that’s over $150, so it’s important to budget for it.
Still, a lot of people prefer this choice because it is so convenient, and takes away some of the stress of getting to the port. Plus, crime rates are extremely low, because the only people who visit the garages tend to be cruise passengers.
Safe Cruise Parking is an independent parking lot with a gate. It is monitored by security 24/7, so you can leave your vehicle without worrying about it. It’s situated around two and a half miles from the terminal, so it’s a little far. But there’s a free shuttle taking you there every 30 minutes, and the shuttle will also bring you back on disembarkation day.
Prices start from around $10 per day before tax, so expect to pay closer to $90 for a week-long cruise.
That’s a pretty hefty saving compared to the parking at the port, especially since the shuttle is free. You just need to decide if the convenience of parking at the port is worth an extra $60 or so.
Premier Cruise Parking is a parking garage situated a couple of miles from the Port of Miami. It’s an enclosed garage, so is a good choice if you don’t want to return to your car and burn yourself on the seat due to the blazing Miami sun.
Rates are reasonable, starting from around $11 per day before tax, so approximately $100 for a week-long stay. That’s still a lot cheaper than parking at the terminal, so if you want to save money, this is a solid option. Plus, a free shuttle will take you to and from the cruise port.
WeParkIn Miami is another parking garage situated in Downtown Miami that provides alternative parking, and is one of the closest options to the port. However, with the free shuttle you don’t really notice the difference between this and the garages/lots that are a mile farther out – the travel distance is very similar.
Prices are again very reasonable, from around $10 per day before tax, so around $90 per week on average. However, prices do vary by date, so WeParkIn may be more expensive at certain times of the year due to high demand.
If you want the cheapest parking possible, one of the best options is the JetPort Park and Ride Center situated close to Miami International Airport. You’ll pay around $9 per day before tax, so a seven-day cruise normally comes in at around $75. That’s half the price of what you’d pay if you parked at the terminal.
Just a heads up: there is a shuttle service to and from JetPort that only takes ten minutes, but it has a limit of four passengers per booking. If you’re travelling with a larger party, you may prefer to drop off your fellow travellers and luggage at the port, then drive back to JetPort yourself to park and get the shuttle.
Final word
The Virgin Voyages Terminal V is really easy to get to, but you can shop around if you want to get a cheaper deal than parking right at the terminal itself.
Shuttle buses from the other parking garages are free and quick, but a lot of people prefer to pay the extra and park right at the terminal for convenience. They are both good options, so it’s up to you.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
