Posts in category: Marella

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

There’s something irresistible about the promise of new horizons, and Marella Cruises is setting the stage for an unforgettable summer in 2027.

With exciting new destinations, a return to much-loved ports, and more ways to combine land and sea, the line is giving holidaymakers every reason to start planning early.

Bookings open on 16th October 2025, but already the buzz is building – and in part, that’s because of a brand new destination for the cruise line…

A Taste of Italy in Syracuse

One of the most exciting features of Marella’s 2027 season is the addition of Syracuse in Sicily to its itineraries.

This city, once one of the most powerful in the ancient world, brims with history and architectural splendour.

Cruise guests can marvel at the ancient Greek theatre, still in use today, or lose themselves in the narrow streets of Ortygia, the old town island where lively markets and Baroque piazzas provide a feast for the senses.

Add in Sicilian cuisine – from arancini to gelato – and it’s easy to see why Syracuse will be a highlight of Marella’s new season.

Discover the Charms of Sarandë, Albania

Nestled on the sparkling Ionian coast, Sarandë is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Although featured in Marella’s programme previously, 2027 will be the first time guests can actually experience this fantastic port. Known as the “Pearl of the Albanian Riviera,” this charming port town is a gateway to golden beaches, ancient ruins, and a thriving café culture. For many travellers, Albania is still an uncharted gem, which makes Marella’s arrival here all the more exciting.

Imagine stepping ashore to explore the ancient ruins of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that tells the story of Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilisations.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to wander along Sarandë’s promenade, sampling freshly caught seafood while gazing across the water towards the Greek island of Corfu.

With its mix of culture, history and unspoilt beauty, Sarandë offers a Mediterranean experience that feels refreshingly new.

Marella Discovery 2: Adults-Only Cruising from Dubrovnik

The ship at the heart of these new adventures is Marella Discovery 2, which will sail its first ever summer season from Dubrovnik, Croatia, in 2027.

The ship will be exclusively adults-only, creating a sophisticated atmosphere for couples, friends and groups seeking a grown-up escape.

Guests can choose from a trio of tempting itineraries. The brand-new Ionian Shores voyage includes the pioneering call at Syracuse, as well as the Albanian riviera stop in Sarandë.

The Greek Mystique itinerary, as its name suggests, takes travellers deep into the beauty of the Greek islands, from whitewashed villages to sun-drenched beaches.

Meanwhile, the Sail Three Seas itinerary is a sweeping journey across the Aegean, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas – a rare chance to tick three famous waters off your travel wish list in one go.

All voyages aboard Marella Discovery 2 will begin from Dubrovnik, giving guests the chance to explore one of Europe’s most enchanting cities before setting sail. Picture wandering the UNESCO-listed Old Town, its terracotta rooftops glowing in the sun, before boarding your ship for a week of discovery.

Marella Explorer 2: A Homecoming in Spain

While Syracuse may be the newcomer, Marella Cruises is also making a nostalgic return to some long-admired favourites.

Marella Explorer 2 will be homeporting in Málaga, Spain, for the first time in nearly a decade. From this Andalusian city, famous for its vibrant art scene and golden beaches, guests can embark on itineraries designed to rediscover Spanish treasures.

The Spirit of Spain voyage brings back the much-loved port of Mahón in Menorca, a harbour town filled with Georgian architecture and Mediterranean charm. Another highlight is the Spanish Sights itinerary, which revisits Castellón, a city where historic castles and buzzing tapas bars create the perfect blend of old and new.

For those who love the energy and warmth of Spain, these itineraries offer a homecoming in every sense – combining beloved classics with modern comforts onboard.

More Choices Across the Fleet

Marella’s 2027 programme isn’t just about two ships – it’s about offering flexibility across the fleet.

Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager will both homeport in Palma, Majorca, ensuring easy access to a wide range of Western Mediterranean adventures.

Meanwhile, Marella Explorer will sail out of Corfu, opening up the Ionian and Aegean seas to exploration.

This variety means guests can design their perfect Mediterranean escape, whether they dream of Greek island hopping, Spanish city breaks, or discovering new frontiers like Albania.

Extend Your Holiday with Cruise & Stay

For those who like to blend the freedom of cruising with the relaxation of a land-based holiday, Marella’s Cruise & Stay programme offers the best of both worlds.

In 2027, the choice will be greater than ever, thanks to the addition of 29 new hotels across Majorca, Croatia, Corfu and Spain.

That brings the total to around 150 properties, giving customers everything from family-friendly resorts to romantic retreats.

With departures available from 21 airports across the UK and Ireland, convenience is built in. You might choose to start your adventure with a few days unwinding at a beachfront hotel before boarding your ship, or end your cruise with a luxurious stay ashore.

Either way, Cruise & Stay makes it easy to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying a seamless travel experience.

All Inclusive Value as Standard

One of the things that sets Marella Cruises apart is its All Inclusive approach.

Every sailing includes meals, drinks, tips and service charges as standard, so there are no hidden extras to worry about. Guests can relax knowing that everything from drinks by the pool to evening entertainment is covered, leaving more room for indulgence.

Onboard, the experience is designed to delight. From West End-style shows and live music to speciality restaurants and tranquil spas, Marella’s ships are floating resorts where every detail is taken care of.

Whether you’re sipping wine at a sunset bar or enjoying a romantic dinner for two, the emphasis is on creating unforgettable moments.

Chris Hackney, CEO at Marella Cruises, sums up the excitement:

“We’re excited to expand our cruising destination portfolio with the introduction of fast-growing hotspots such as Sarandë in Albania. Responding to increasing demand for travel to Portugal, North Africa, and Albania, we have introduced more ports in these areas giving our customers even more ways to explore, whilst enhancing our Cruise & Stay options across these itineraries.”

With prices for the Ionian Shores itinerary starting from £1,930, and bookings opening on 16th October 2025, now is the time to start dreaming about the possibilities.

Your Invitation to Explore

Marella’s Summer 2027 programme is about more than new ports and itineraries – it’s about opening up new experiences.

Whether you’re tempted by the allure of Albania’s untouched coastline, the cultural riches of Sicily, or the warmth of Spain’s sun-soaked cities, there’s an itinerary designed to inspire.

So why not mark your calendar? You could be strolling Dubrovnik’s historic walls, toasting with sangria in Málaga, or watching the sunset over Sarandë’s turquoise bay.

With Marella Cruises, summer 2027 promises to be a season of discovery, indulgence, and adventure.

Related Posts

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.

Read more about me

There’s nothing better than when a cruise line known for great value launches an offer that takes things up a notch – and Marella Cruises has done exactly that.

Whether you’re dreaming of the Caribbean, planning a Mediterranean escape, or chasing winter sun in the Canaries, this limited-time deal adds even more value to an already All Inclusive experience.

And it’s not just one reason to book that makes this worth your attention – there are seven…

1. Save up to £300 per booking* when you book now!

Who doesn’t love knocking a few hundred pounds off their holiday?

Right now, you can save up to £300* per booking with Marella Cruises – no faff, no minimum spend, just a great deal on your next getaway.

Use code SETSAIL200 for £200* off selected Mediterranean and Canary Islands cruises, or SETSAIL300 to get £300* off selected long-haul sailings in the Caribbean (including transatlantic routes). You’ve got until 6th October 2025 to grab it – just make sure your cruise is at least 7 nights.

Even better, this deal applies on itineraries that are already discounted too, as long as they’re departing between 1st December 2025 and 31st December 2026 – so you’ve 13 months of cruises to aim for and you can get a double deal if you find a cruise that already has big savings before using the code!

*Terms and conditions apply

2. Flights and overseas transfers included

With Marella, your cruise starts as it should – smoothly. Flights and overseas transfers are included in the cost of your cruise, taking the stress out of planning how to get from A to B. 

Whether you’re jetting off to Barbados, Tenerife, or Corfu, Marella Cruises sorts out the logistics for you. 

You’ll even find TUI reps waiting at the airport, ready to guide you to your transfer or check-in. It’s a seamless start to your holiday from the moment you arrive.

3. All Inclusive onboard experience – with drinks and tips covered

Every Marella cruise includes All Inclusive as standard, which means meals, drinks, and tips are all wrapped into the price. There’s no need to budget for extra drinks or feel awkward about gratuities – it’s all taken care of.

Drinks are available from 10am to 2am daily, including selected cocktails, beer, cider, house wine, spirits, and prosecco. 

You can also upgrade to Premium All Inclusive for access to premium spirits and barista-style drinks, if you want to. But there is plenty included in the fare already so you absolutely don’t have to.

Onboard dining is a real highlight, with each ship offering unique venues – from Nonna’s DIY pizza bar to Abuela’s Mexican eatery and Squid & Anchor, your local at sea.

And if you want even more variety, each ship has a selection of speciality dining options that have an extra charge, opening up even more dining possibilities for you.

4. A fantastic choice of destinations

Marella Cruises covers sun-soaked regions year-round, offering incredible variety. In summer, sail the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, visiting destinations like Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Rome, and Santorini.

In winter, you can head to the Canary Islands or escape to the Caribbean, with itineraries including Antigua, Barbados, St Lucia, and more.

Each itinerary is carefully crafted to balance iconic cities with lesser-known gems, giving you a mix of culture, beaches, and unforgettable scenery – all from the comfort of your floating hotel.

And, of course, there are plenty of exciting shore excursion options you can choose from in every destination you visit.

5. More time ashore, fewer sea days

Unlike cruises departing from the UK, Marella Cruises fly you right into your destination – whether that’s embarkation ports such as Palma, Tenerife or Barbados – so you can get straight into the heart of your itinerary.

That means fewer sea days and more time exploring new destinations. Most cruises are designed with a port stop nearly every day, making it easy to pack more into your trip. 

Prefer a slower pace? You can always stay onboard and unwind by the pool or in the spa. You have the freedom to enjoy your cruise at your pace.

6. Incredible entertainment, day and night

When you’re not out exploring, Marella’s onboard entertainment ensures you’re never bored. Evenings bring West End-style shows, live music, UK comedians, and everything from karaoke to game shows. There’s even a casino, if you’re feeling lucky.

By day, you can join in with quizzes, cookery demos, fitness classes, and fun competitions – or just chill with a cocktail in hand. 

Marella has even picked up awards for its entertainment, so you know you’re in for a great time, whatever your mood.

7. Outstanding service from start to finish

One of the things Marella passengers rave about most is the friendly, attentive service. The onboard crew go above and beyond to make your experience feel special, getting to know guests by name and always ready to help with a smile.

From the moment you arrive at the airport, TUI’s support team is on hand, helping you through check-in and transfers. 

Onboard, the Marella Cruises crew are professional yet personable, creating a relaxed atmosphere where you feel genuinely cared for – it’s service that makes your holiday unforgettable.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or planning your first trip at sea, Marella Cruises’ Cruise Month offer is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. 

With flights, transfers, All Inclusive perks, and up to £300* off your booking, now’s the perfect time to start planning next year’s adventure.

From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, Marella offers something for every traveller – and Cruise Month is the best time to dive in.

Related Posts

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.

Read more about me

Cruising with kids can be a dream or a disaster — but with Marella Cruises, it’s definitely the first one!

From splash pools to kids’ clubs, rock climbing walls to family discos, they’ve got everything to keep little cruisers happy while giving parents a well-earned break.

Whether you’re sailing with toddlers, tweens or teens, Marella makes family holidays stress-free and seriously fun.

Here are what my kids and I love about Marella’s family offering…

1. M Club

The M Club is a place where you can drop off your 3- to 11-year-olds and they’ll enjoy fun activities in the care of qualified childcare professionals.

There are a few things that set Marella’s kids club apart from some of the others.

Firstly, let’s talk about the age groupings. Usually, cruise ships are super strict about which kids can go in each group, based on their age. This means that my 7-year-old and my 10-year-old are used to being split up. But of course, most kids will want to stay with their siblings, right?

On a Marella cruise, there are sessions where all ages can play together.

Some sessions are split by age (3-7 and 8-11). But they said that if our older child wants to join the younger group to be with her brother, then that’s not a problem.

Unlike on other cruises we’ve been on, the kids club doesn’t just stay in the one room. They go to other venues like the theatre or the nightclub (before it opens for adults) to enjoy certain activities.

The fun continues until 9.30pm. While our kids were expecting to just watch a movie in the evening, they were pleased to discover the fun and games continued all evening on most days.

2. The Hideout

12- to 17-year-olds have access to their own venue – The Hideout. Located well away from the kids’ club, teens can pop in here whenever they like.

There are organised activities at certain times, like arts and crafts or sports tournaments. Outside of these times, they can just chill out and use the facilities.

On Marella Explorer (the ship we sailed on), those included air hockey and table football tables. They’re free to play, so won’t have to worry about running up a bill for credits!

3. Mini M Club

Under-threes can attend Mini M Club with their parents. This is a dedicated room for babies with toys for them. At certain times of the day there will be activities, like Bubble Play Time.

Yes, this is listed as being for the babies, but really, it’s the perfect spot for mums and dads to meet and have a chat too.

4. Kids Pools

Of course, kids are welcome in the main pools, but some ships also have dedicated kids pools which are perfect for those who can’t swim yet or who want to splash around without worrying about splashing the adults.

On Marella Explorer, the kids pool even has a small slide. It’s under cover too, to keep little ones out of the hot sun.

5. Rock Climbing Walls

If you cruise on Marella Discovery or Marella Discovery 2, then your family can enjoy the rock climbing walls. Kids need to be six or over to take part.

These ships used to belong to Royal Caribbean, and when they were launched, rock climbing walls were the big new things. I love that Marella has kept them since acquiring the ships.

6. Mini Golf

Each Marella ship comes with its own mini golf course, which is the perfect family activity for kids of all ages. There’s no need to book or sign out the equipment, you can just turn up and play whenever the mood takes you.

7. Gamer Zone

The Gamer Zone is a special room on the ship with Xboxes that are available for use. You just borrow a controller from guest services and you can spend as long as you like playing all kinds of games.

Unlike on other ships where the games consoles are inside the kids club or teen club, on Marella cruises, families can all play together. This is great for families with younger kids too.

The Gamer Zone is particularly popular with teenagers, where it’s the go-to area to hang out after dinner. Because they can just turn up with a controller, they can play alone or with new friends on any machine.

Because, like all of these activities, the Gamer Zone is free of charge, it will save you a fortune compared to ships that have a pay-to-play arcade!

8. Cinema

Each Marella cruise ship has a cinema onboard. On some ships this is inside and on others it’s outside. There’s a variety of movies each day, many of which are suitable for families and you should have no problem getting a seat.

9. Sports Court

If you cruise on Marella Explorer, your kids can enjoy the sports court which is suitable for football and basketball.

On our most recent cruise, the sports court was constantly busy with children playing football. My son played football for five hours one day because he enjoyed the fun atmosphere with his new friends so much!

There’s also a table tennis table that you can use – just borrow the bats and balls from guest services.

10. Children’s Menus

Marella Cruises does a fantastic job of catering for children when it comes to mealtimes. In each restaurant there’s a kids menu with a variety of options to choose from, including plenty for vegetarians. If children would like a smaller portion of anything on the adult’s menu, that can be arranged too.

The buffet is also excellent with so many choices. Picky eaters will love the ‘Kids’ Corner’ which always has favourites like burgers, chips and pasta.

At the snack shack, kids can enjoy quick service options like hot dogs, fries, sandwiches and fruit pots.

Most ships also have an included Italian restaurant which is perfect for pizza and pasta lovers.

Read more: Marella Cruises Dining Options Explained

11. All-Inclusive Drinks

Who says that all-inclusive drinks are just for adults? On a Marella cruise, everyone gets drinks included, kids too. This means that parents don’t have to consider the cost when thirsty kids are constantly wanting refreshments.

There are so many drinks to choose from with fruit juices, fizzy drinks and mocktails. It was on a Marella cruise that my daughter developed her obsession with Shirley Temple mocktails!

Kids drinks are always served in red plastic cups so there’s no chance that they could pick up an adults drink by mistake thinking that it’s theirs. I love this idea and wish that more cruise lines would consider doing it.

Read more: Marella Drinks Package Guide

12. Reasonable Wifi Costs

Cruise ship wifi can sometimes be ridiculously expensive. But on Marella Cruises, the wifi packages are a fraction of the price, which is very helpful for parents traveling with teenagers who might want to stay connected.

With affordable internet access, teens can message their friends, stream content, or check social media without racking up huge costs. This means fewer complaints about boredom and more time for parents to relax, knowing their kids are happy.

Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Marella Cruises’ WiFi

13. Accommodation Options

Family accommodation options with Marella offer comfortable, spacious cabins so that you aren’t always getting under each other’s feet, particularly in those mornings when everyone wants to get ready.

Several cabin types have space for three or four people, with either a double or twin bed configuration and then a sofa bed or fold-down bed.

But bigger families needn’t worry – there are Family Cabins that can accommodate up to five guests, including a regular double bed separated by a partition, a double sofa bed and a fold down bed as well.

You can even opt for a Family Balcony Cabin with Suite Service if you want to splash out a little and treat yourselves. Not only do you get a spacious cabin with balcony, but you get all the perks of the Suite Service, including extra amenities in the room and a free continental breakfast in bed to enjoy on one day of your cruise (or more if you cruise for over a week).

14. Destinations & Excursions

Your cruise isn’t just about the time you’ll spend on the ship, but also the destinations you’ll visit – and many are absolutely perfect for families.

If your kids love the beach, then a Caribbean getaway could be ideal. You’ll have ample time to have fun on the sand, not just relaxing and building sandcastles with your youngest, but taking part in different sports or activities too. There are even some islands that offer white-water rafting for those thrill-seeking kids!

Or, if you are travelling with an adventurous group, why not head to the Mediterranean for a cruise packed with exciting destinations, including the chance to visit the incredible Portaventura Theme Parks from Tarragona.

In fact, in every destination Marella cruises to – be it the Canary Islands, Caribbean, Asia or Mediterranean – there are always plenty of excursion options to suit everyone in the family and provide memories to last a lifetime.

Read more: 12 Of The Best Destinations To Visit On A Marella Cruise

15. A Hassle-Free Holiday

The whole Marella cruise experience is perfectly suited to families – because less stress for mum and dad means happier kids too, right?

For a start, your flights are always packaged in with the cruise, with departures from airports all over the UK – no need to drive for hours upon hours just to start your journey.

And because the flights are managed by TUI, who owns Marella, the trip is seamless. No need to stress about whether the flights will land on time because, even in the very rare instances they don’t, the ship will wait for you. You won’t get that with other cruise lines.

Drinks and tips are already included too, including plenty of soft drink options for your kids.

And of course, Marella’s crew offer amazing service to every guest and will have each member of your family feeling truly spoiled. That’s perfect when you’ve had an adventure-filled day and you just want to spend the next morning having a lazy family start.

The Bottom Line

In my opinion, Marella Cruises are excellent for families with children of all ages. Some families feel that they need to cruise on the big American megaships with children, but really, I don’t think that’s the case.

Sometimes it’s just as fun to spend time as a family playing Uno or Cluedo as it is to go ice skating or go-karting!

Marella Cruises’ mid-size ships have plenty of activities to keep kids entertained for a week, and their smaller size means that it’s easier to get around without getting lost.

The facilities do vary between the different ships. I have a guide to Marella ships that has a table showing exactly what each one has to do on board, so be sure to take a look at that before you book.

Whether you have babies, teenagers, or any age in between, Marella is definitely an option to consider for your next family holiday.

Related Posts:

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.

Read more about me

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Southampton is the biggest and busiest cruise port in the UK, with many of the biggest cruise lines offering cruises from this destination.

But what about Marella Cruises, one of the largest cruise lines aimed specifically at the British market? What cruises from Southampton do they offer?

The answer might surprise you…

Marella offers no sailings from Southampton…

Marella Cruises doesn’t currently offer any cruises from Southampton, or any cruises from the UK. While the cruise line has previously offered cruises from UK ports, the itineraries now available are all to destinations that are further afield, and so require a flight.

This might change in the future, but with Marella’s smaller fleet of ships compared to some other cruise lines, the priority is to offer more exotic destinations, and so for the foreseeable future the cruise line doesn’t sail directly from Southampton.

What about the rest of the UK?

There are currently no Marella Cruises sailings from the UK. Instead, all cruises with Marella are fly-cruises, beginning with a flight to your embarkation port.

This allows guests to experience ports that are further afield but without the stress of booking flights and a cruise with separate companies.

The great news is that you’ll often be booking a flight with the same company as the cruise line – something that no other cruise line can offer. And even when another airline is used, it’s all packaged together for you by Marella with their own support team on-hand to help if you need it.

So while you may not be sailing from the UK, you are in the care of one company as you travel from the UK, and that makes a whole world of difference.

How to cruise with Marella from Southampton

While you can’t cruise directly from Southampton with Marella Cruises, there is another option. You can fly from Southampton Airport direct to your embarkation port, meaning you don’t need to travel to one of the traditionally larger airports in the UK to begin your cruise holiday.

You aren’t just limited to Southampton either. If you would normally choose Southampton just because it’s your closest port, you might find that there’s an airport near you as well.

Marella Cruises offers departures from six London airports (London City, London Heathrow, London Southend, London Gatwick, London Luton and London Stansted) as well as many other airports in the southern parts of the country, such as Bournemouth, Bristol and Exeter.

And there are more regional airport options across the country too. Super convenient!

Benefits of a fly-cruise with Marella

There are many benefits to choosing a fly-cruise with Marella, and while you may have been hoping for a cruise from Southampton without the need to fly, it’s still absolutely worth considering one of Marella Cruises’ fly-cruise options.

Airport choices

For starters, you aren’t limited to just the big airports in the UK. In fact, there are cruise holidays available from 22 different airports across the UK, including smaller airports like Norwich, Exeter, Bristol and, yes, Southampton.

This means that, for most people, you don’t have to make big plans on how you’re going to have to travel the day before to make sure you don’t miss your flight, and you don’t need the extra expense of a hotel the night before. You’ll likely be within a couple of hours’ drive of an airport, so can arrange convenient transport on the day with little stress.

Luggage convenience

Another reason to choose a fly-cruise with Marella is just how simple the whole process is, particularly when it comes to luggage.

In fact, for a lot of the most popular cruises, the entire process is one of the most seamless of any cruise line.

With bonded cruises, when you check in at the airport and check your bags in, that’s the last time you’ll see them until they’re outside your cabin on your cruise ship. There’s no waiting at the baggage carousel when you get to the airport, no need to lug them around to a private (expensive) taxi – it’s all taken care of for you.

You’ll just sit back and enjoy the flight, then hop onboard your transfer coach to get to the ship where you’ll complete your check-in.

There are some cruises where this isn’t available, and you will need to collect your luggage at the airport first, but you’ll be made aware of this when you book and it’s still super-easy to just grab your bags and then jump on the coach to whisk you right to the port.

And because the flight and the cruise are still linked, you don’t need to worry about missing your ship if your flight’s delayed, as it will wait for you. That’s one less thing to worry about!

Choice of destinations

One of the best reasons to choose a Marella Cruises fly-cruise is the range of destinations you get to explore.

Cruising directly from Southampton is convenient, but if you don’t want to spend an absolute fortune on an extended cruise, then the range of destinations you can visit is quite limited – after all, the ship eventually has to turn around and get back.

If you want to explore beyond the Norwegian Fjords or the very western reaches of the Mediterranean, then you’re going to need to fly out to meet your ship and begin your cruise elsewhere.

And there are some fantastic itineraries available with Marella Cruises, travelling to destinations such as the Canary Islands, the charming cities of the Eastern Mediterranean and, of course, the Caribbean.

While it is possible to cruise to these destinations without a flight, you’d be looking at itineraries lasting at least two weeks – up to a month for the Caribbean if you really want to see the islands.

But with Marella Cruises, you can enjoy a smooth and easy journey by plane, cruise for a week or two, and then be whisked right back home to a convenient airport for you. And all without breaking the bank.

Remember too that Marella Cruises are All Inclusive – you don’t just get your food and entertainment, but also your tips and drinks are covered in the fare too. If you’re looking for a cruise from Southampton, Marella Cruises may offer some of the best value options available – even if you do need to fly out to meet your ship.

Related posts:

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.

Read more about me

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Cruises are a fantastic holiday option for all ages, and in the last couple of decades, they’ve become much more family-friendly.

However, there is still a market out there for people who want to cruise without kids, and enjoy a somewhat more peaceful atmosphere.

That’s not to say that all children are loud and disruptive – but they certainly can be!

If you’re interested in an adults-only getaway, then consider Marella Cruises – let me tell you why.

Are Marella Cruises for adults only?

Marella Cruises is a cruise line that’s targeted at the whole family, although some cruises are exclusive to adults. Most of Marella’s ships do have family-friendly features onboard, but they aren’t designed to be as action-packed as some other cruise lines when it comes to kids’ activities and entertainment.

There are some cruises of Marella’s that are definitely for adults only, and the rest are good for families who want to get out and explore the world, rather than spend their cruise doing all sorts of extreme activities on a sea day.

To help make it easy for anyone who wants to avoid children, you can book an adults-only cruise with Marella just by choosing the right ship, or by choosing an itinerary on another ship that is flagged as being for adults only.

One Marella ship is perfect for adults-only cruising…

Marella Cruises has one ship that is exclusively for adults – Marella Explorer 2. Even toddlers aren’t allowed on this ship (and babies under 6 months are not permitted on any ship), so if you are looking to enjoy the company of only adults, this is a great ship to choose.

The other ships in the fleet are all considered family-friendly. They have kids’ clubs, but they don’t have some of the bigger attractions that you might find on the giant cruise ships sailing for other cruise lines.

So, if you sail on those ships during term time, you might find them to be relatively quiet on the kids front anyway – you might only have a few families with preschool kids, or perhaps families who’ve taken their kids out of school for a short break, and you can probably avoid them.

But if you want the guarantee, then Marella Explorer 2 is the ship to book.

What happens on an adults-only cruise with Marella

There are lots of different activities and facilities that adults can enjoy while cruising with Marella.

The simplest of these is just relaxing by the side of the pool, perhaps with a cocktail from the pool bar. You don’t have to ‘do’ anything if you don’t want to – you can just take it easy and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of a cruise without kids.

However, if you want something a little more active and involved, here are just some of the things that happen on an adults-only Marella cruise:

• Daily quizzes and trivia
• Spa treatments and beauty therapies
• Exercise classes and a running track
• Minigolf
• Dance classes
• Bingo games
• Towel-folding demonstrations
• Live music throughout the day
• Casino games
• Live West End-style entertainment
• Movies by Moonlight

And that just scratches the surface. Activities will change on a daily basis and be listed on the ship’s cruise news and Navigate app while you’re onboard, so you can plan your day.

Of course, part of the benefit of choosing a Marella cruise is that they’re all fly-cruises, and so you’ll be flown right to the heart of some of the best regions – meaning fewer days at sea.

So most of what you’ll be doing on your Marella cruise is actually getting out there and exploring the ports that you visit – whether that’s soaking up the sun on a Caribbean beach, or walking through a historic city, or even just a bit of retail therapy.

One thing is certain – you definitely won’t have time to get bored on an adults-only cruise with Marella.

Marella’s adults-only age limit

The age limit for cruises on Marella Explorer 2 is 17 years and older. Children aged 16 or under are not permitted to sail at all, while those aged 17 must travel with their parents or another guardian aged 17 or over.

The only exception is on cruises with port calls in the US, where guests must be at least 21 years old to travel alone.

Why book an adults-only cruise with Marella

There are lots of reasons why you might want to book an adults-only cruise with Marella.

Firstly, not many cruise lines have adults-only ships, so if you’re really averse to cruising on a ship where kids might be being noisy, your options are already fairly narrow. Even cruise lines that target adults but permit kids will often have families travelling on them.

Then, consider how much you get for your fare with Marella. As with other cruise lines, the cost of your cruise includes your food and your entertainment onboard.

But unlike other cruise lines, it also covers the tips you’re expected to pay to the crew, and it covers most of your drinks. You don’t need to pay a penny extra if you don’t want to, and your fare will cover all the essentials for your cruise.

Plus, Marella’s fly-cruise itineraries offer a wide range of itineraries around the world, including some fantastic destinations.

Because your cruise and flight are organised by the same company, everything is seamless and stress-free, and from the moment you arrive at the airport you’ll feel like you’re already relaxing.

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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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