Our Marella Cruises review for 2026-27, in short: Marella is one of the best-value ways for UK holidaymakers to cruise, because tips, drinks, most food, flights and transfers are all included in the price. The trade-off is a fleet of five older, mid-sized ships with fewer big-ship thrills than the newest megaships. It suits relaxed couples, first-time cruisers and families who want an easy, sunny fly-cruise with no surprise bill at the end.
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This is a researched guide rather than a personal trip report. It brings together Marella’s own information, recent fleet news and the patterns that come up repeatedly in passenger feedback, so you can decide whether Marella, and which Marella ship, is right for you.
Marella Cruises review: the quick verdict
Marella is TUI’s UK cruise line, and it feels like a package holiday at sea. You book one price, fly from a regional UK airport, are transferred to the ship and don’t need to think about gratuities or drinks tabs. Independent reviews reflect that mix. Customer scores on large booking sites tend to be strongly positive, while enthusiast forums such as Cruise Critic are more mixed. Praise centres on friendly crew, value and the informal atmosphere. Complaints tend to be about the age of the ships, busy buffets and the gap between standard and premium drinks.
What’s included on a Marella cruise
“All inclusive” is standard on every Marella sailing. According to TUI, the fare includes:
- Flights and transfers from UK airports to the ship and back, unless you choose a cruise-only fare. Winter 2027 sailings fly from 12 UK regional airports.
- Tips and service charges, so there’s no daily gratuity added to your account.
- Meals in at least six included venues, typically a waiter-service main restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a buffet or food hall and grab-and-go options.
- Drinks from 10am to 2am, covering draught and bottled beer, wine by the glass, a cocktail list, standard spirits and soft drinks.
- Entertainment, including shows, live music, quizzes and activities, plus kids’ clubs on family ships.
- Luggage, with a 20kg hold bag per person on flights.
Extras include speciality restaurants, the “Treat Yourself” premium dishes in the main restaurant, room service, minibar items, bottled water, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, excursions and the Premium All Inclusive drinks upgrade, which adds branded spirits, more cocktails, canned soft drinks and most coffee-shop drinks. Our Marella drinks package guide explains whether the upgrade is worth paying for.
Marella cruise ships: the 2026-27 fleet
Marella sails five ships, all rebuilt from 1990s vessels that originally sailed for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. All have had major refits, but don’t expect the brand-new feel of a 2020s ship. Here’s how the Marella cruise ships compare.
| Ship | Joined Marella | Guests (approx.) | Who it suits | Stand-out features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Voyager | 2023 (built 1997) | 1,912 | Everyone, families included | Food hall, Silver Fork British restaurant, newest-feeling interiors |
| Marella Explorer | 2018 (built 1996) | 1,924 | Families and couples | Largest ship, The Dining Club, full-size spa |
| Marella Explorer 2 | 2019 (built 1995) | 1,814 | Adults only | Nonna’s, Beach Cove, golf simulators, quieter feel |
| Marella Discovery | 2016 (built 1996) | 1,830 | Families and couples | Glass-roofed pool, five-deck atrium, outdoor cinema |
| Marella Discovery 2 | 2017 (built 1995) | 1,830 | Adults only in winter, permanently from winter 2027 | New speakeasy, escape room and karaoke room planned |
Which is the best Marella cruise ship?
For most people it’s Marella Voyager. It has the most varied food and the freshest design, and it suits families as well as couples. Couples who want a calm ship should look at Marella Explorer 2, the established adults-only ship. Families who want the most space should consider Marella Explorer. The Discovery pair are smaller and more traditional, which many repeat guests like.
The big 2027 change: Discovery 2 goes adults-only
In June 2026 TUI confirmed that Marella Discovery 2 will become a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027, after a second consecutive adults-only winter. Former kids’ spaces will be turned into a speakeasy, an escape room, a karaoke room and an arts and crafts area. Marella is also rolling out “Suite Service Max”, with extra in-suite perks and dining privileges, to Royal, Voyager and Executive Suites across the fleet. That will leave three family-friendly ships and two for adults only.
Cabins
Marella cabins follow the usual pattern of inside, outside (window), balcony and a range of suites, up to Royal Suites. Because the ships are older, standard cabins are a sensible size, but bathrooms are compact and balconies are less common than on new ships. That makes balcony grades sell out early on Caribbean and Canary Islands sailings. A few things to check:
- Some outside cabins on lower decks have restricted views from lifeboats.
- Cabins under the pool deck or near the theatre and nightclub can be noisy.
- Family cabins sleeping three or four are limited, so book early for school holidays.
Ship-specific advice matters more than grade names. Before booking, see our Marella Explorer cabins to avoid and Marella Discovery cabins to avoid guides.
Dining
The included food is generally rated good rather than gourmet. Each ship has a waiter-service main restaurant (Latitude 53 or 47 degrees, depending on the ship), an included Italian option such as Nonna’s, Gallery 47 or Sirocco, a buffet (or The Kitchens food hall on Voyager) and the Snack Shack for burgers and fries. Speciality restaurants cost extra and include Kora La (Pan-Asian) and Surf & Turf steakhouse on most ships, plus ship-specific options such as The Dining Club on Explorer and sushi venues. Pre-book through the app in busy weeks. Buffets get crowded on sea days, and service in the main restaurant can be slow at peak times.
Drinks
The standard drinks list is generous for the price. Wine by the glass, local beer, a set cocktail menu and house spirits are served all day from 10am. What it doesn’t cover is brand choice. If you only drink a particular gin or whisky, or drink lots of coffee-shop drinks, the Premium upgrade or paying as you go will make sense. If you’re weighing Marella against a line where drinks cost extra, our Marella vs P&O Cruises comparison sets the costs side by side.
Entertainment and activities
Marella produces its own shows, from West End-style productions to tribute nights. Expect quizzes, deck parties, live bands, a casino and a late-night bar on each ship. Facilities vary: climbing walls and mini golf on the Discovery pair, golf simulators on Explorer 2, and a spa on every ship. There are no waterslides, surf simulators or headline attractions like those on Royal Caribbean or MSC’s newest ships.
Families vs adults-only
Marella Explorer, Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager are the family ships, with kids’ and teens’ clubs and a lively atmosphere in the school holidays. Explorer 2, and Discovery 2 from winter 2027, are for adults only. They suit couples and groups who want quieter pools and later-night bars. Bear in mind that a family ship in term time can be very calm, and an adults-only ship in peak summer can still be busy and sociable.
Itineraries
Marella is built around fly-cruises to the sun. In summer, ships are based in the Mediterranean, with routes taking in Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and the Adriatic, and in winter they move to the Canary Islands and the Caribbean. Recently confirmed winter 2027-28 deployments include Discovery 2 from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, Discovery from La Romana in the Dominican Republic, Explorer around the Canaries, and Voyager and Explorer 2 from Barbados. Cruise-and-stay options with nearly 200 hotels make it easy to add a week on land.
Value for money
The headline fares are realistic because so much is included. TUI’s launch announcement quoted Caribbean Charms sailings for winter 2027 from £1,817. Once you’ve added flights, transfers, drinks and tips, many comparable sailings on other lines come out higher. Prices rise sharply in school holidays, and suites and balcony cabins carry a large premium. Watch for TUI sales and extras added at booking, such as speciality dining or the drinks upgrade.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Drinks, tips, flights and transfers included | Ships date from the mid-1990s |
| British-friendly, informal atmosphere | Fewer headline attractions than new megaships |
| Flights from regional UK airports | Standard drinks are house brands only |
| Two adults-only ships from 2027 | Buffets and venues get busy on sea days |
| Simple pricing, easy for first-timers | Limited balcony and family cabins |
Who Marella suits (and who it doesn’t)
Marella is a strong fit for first-time cruisers, couples who want a sunny, all-inclusive week without fuss, and families who’d rather pay one price up front. Adults wanting a quieter ship now have two options. It is less suited to cruisers who want the latest ship technology, many dining choices or luxury-level service. They would be better served by premium or luxury lines.
Families wanting a calm, classic ship with the fleet’s biggest spa should read our guide to Marella Explorer.
If you are still deciding, see how Marella compares with other UK-friendly all-inclusive lines before you book.
FAQs
What are the Marella cruise ships?
Marella has five ships: Marella Voyager, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2. Explorer 2 is adults-only, and Discovery 2 becomes permanently adults-only from winter 2027.
What is the best Marella cruise ship?
Marella Voyager is the best all-rounder, with the widest choice of food and the freshest design. Marella Explorer 2 is the best pick for adults wanting a quieter ship.
Are tips included on Marella cruises?
Yes. Tips and service charges are included in every Marella fare, along with drinks from 10am to 2am, most meals, and flights and transfers on fly-cruise packages.
Are Marella Cruises still operating?
Yes. Marella is sailing in 2026 and has already released its winter 2027-28 programme, with five ships sailing from the Canaries, the Caribbean and the Dominican Republic.
Is Marella good for first-time cruisers?
Very. The all-inclusive pricing, included flights and transfers and relaxed atmosphere make it one of the easiest ways for UK travellers to try cruising.