Marella Discovery 2 Cabins to Avoid (and the Best Cabins to Book) 2026-27

The main Marella Discovery 2 cabins to avoid are forward cabins on Deck 8 (light sleepers sometimes report early-morning noise from the buffet area above), cabins right beside the lifts and stairwells, and cabins at the very front or back of the ship if you’re prone to seasickness. If you need natural light, also think twice about lower-deck outside cabins with a porthole. For most people, the best value is a midship balcony on Deck 6 or 7, sitting below more cabins and away from the busy public areas.

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This guide covers every cabin type on Marella Discovery 2, from inside cabins to the Royal Suite. It also explains which locations to avoid and which to look for, and what the ship’s switch to adults-only sailing means for families planning a 2026-27 or 2027 cruise.

Marella Discovery 2 at a glance

Marella Discovery 2 is one of five ships in the Marella Cruises fleet (TUI’s UK cruise line), alongside Marella Discovery, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager. She was built in 1995 as Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas and joined TUI in 2017. She’s a mid-sized ship of around 69,000 gross tons carrying roughly 1,800 passengers, so she feels far less crowded than the new mega-ships. If you’re comparing Marella ships, she has a lot in common with her sister ship; our Marella Discovery ship guide explains how the two differ.

According to Cruise Critic, the ship has around 918 cabins and about 40% of them have a balcony. The layout is simple:

• Decks 2 and 3: inside and outside cabins (low down, close to the waterline)
• Decks 4 and 5: public areas, including the lobby, lounges, shops and dining
• Decks 6, 7 and 8: balcony cabins, deluxe cabins, upper-deck inside cabins and the suites (Deck 8)
• Deck 9: the pool deck, the buffet, the spa and the suite lounge
• Decks 10 and 11: sports areas, the space that used to be the kids’ area, and the top-deck lounge

Older ships get refurbished and venues move, so always check the current deck plan on the official Marella Discovery 2 cabins page before you pick a cabin number.

Important: Marella Discovery 2 is going adults-only

Marella has announced that Marella Discovery 2 will become a permanent adults-only ship from the winter 2027-28 season. She is already sailing adults-only for winter 2026-27, sailing from the Canary Islands (repositioning to Las Palmas in November 2026) before moving to Malaga in spring 2027. For winter 2027-28 she’ll sail from Tenerife and Gran Canaria between November 2027 and March 2028, including a new seven-night “Atlantic Fusion” itinerary that calls at Agadir in Morocco, before moving to Malaga in March 2028.

The former kids’ spaces are being turned into four new adults-only venues: a speakeasy bar, an escape room, a karaoke room and an arts and crafts space. Here’s what that means when you choose a cabin:

• Family suites and 4-berth cabins are still on the ship, but on adults-only sailings they’re used by groups of adult friends or couples who want extra space, not families. Family Suites can sleep up to seven, so they work well for a group of friends travelling together.
• Families with children need to check the dates carefully. Marella hasn’t clearly said whether every sailing before winter 2027 takes children, so check the age policy on the specific departure before booking. If it doesn’t, look at Marella Explorer or Marella Voyager instead, or read our Marella vs P&O Cruises comparison for family-friendly alternatives.
• Cabins near the old kids’ club (on the upper decks) won’t have children’s noise once it closes, but the new evening venues may bring a different kind of late-night traffic.

Marella Discovery 2 cabin types explained

The sizes below come from Marella’s own cabin descriptions and are approximate. Marella notes that cabins can vary slightly in layout and decor from the photos.

Inside and Inside Plus cabins

Inside cabins are found low down on Decks 2 and 3 and higher up on Decks 6 to 8. All have twin beds that convert to a queen, and some 4-berth versions have fold-down upper bunks that you reach with a short ladder. Marella notes that some Deck 6 inside cabins have a fixed double bed pushed against the wall, so one person has to climb over the other to get out. If that matters to you, ask before booking or choose an inside cabin on another deck. Inside Plus cabins on Decks 7 and 8 give you a few extra square metres.

Outside cabins: window or porthole?

Outside cabins are all on Decks 2 and 3 and have either a picture window or a porthole, plus a small sofa. Because they’re so low on the ship, a porthole cabin lets in far less light and view than the name suggests, and in rough weather the sea can splash against the glass. If daylight is the reason you’re paying more than for an inside cabin, check whether the cabin you’re offered has a window or a porthole. The Deluxe cabins on Decks 7 and 8, with floor-to-ceiling windows, are a better option for groups of four who want light without a balcony.

Balcony and Deluxe Balcony cabins

Standard balcony cabins are on Deck 6 (Cruise Critic counts around 124 of them), with a balcony of about 3.4 m² that fits two chairs and a small table. Deluxe Balconies on Decks 6 and 7 are a little larger, can take a sofa bed, and some have balconies big enough for sunloungers. The cabins themselves are compact compared with newer ships, which is worth knowing before you pay the extra. Our balcony vs inside cabin guide goes into whether the extra cost is worth it.

Suites and Suite Service (Premier Service)

All of the suites are on Deck 8. Marella now calls its suite perks Suite Service, and the top suites (Executive and Royal) get the upgraded Suite Service Max, which Marella is introducing across the fleet. Many cruisers and older reviews still use the old name, Premier Service. The perks have included priority check-in, breakfast in your suite, upgraded toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, some free pressing, and, for the top grades, access to a suite lounge on Deck 9. Exact inclusions change, so check the current list when you book.

Adapted (accessible) cabins

Marella Discovery 2 has a small number of adapted cabins for wheelchair users, but there aren’t many, and they sell out early. Book as soon as possible and confirm the exact features (door widths, roll-in shower, turning space) with Marella before paying. Avoid cabins at the very back of the ship if walking is hard for you, because they’re a long way from the nearest lifts.

Marella Discovery 2 cabins to avoid

No cabin on the ship is a disaster, but these are the locations that cause the most complaints. Whether they matter depends on how you sleep and travel.

1. Forward cabins on Deck 8 (light sleepers). The buffet and its service areas are on the deck above, toward the front of the ship. Cruise Critic notes complaints about noise from the buffet kitchens over these cabins, mostly early in the morning as set-up begins. Aft or midship cabins on Deck 8 are a safer bet.
2. Cabins under the pool deck. Deck 8 is also directly below the Deck 9 pool and lido area. Sunloungers being dragged and stacked can be heard early and late in the day. Check the plan for what is directly above your cabin number.
3. Cabins near the lifts and stairwells. Being close to a lift is handy, but cabins right next to the lift lobbies get more corridor chatter and footsteps, especially after the evening shows. Aim for a few doors along the corridor instead.
4. Cabins close to the bars and nightlife. The ship’s bars and entertainment venues, including the British-style Squid & Anchor pub, are on the lower public decks. Lower-deck cabins directly next to or below lounges and service areas can pick up late-night clearing-up noise. With new adults-only venues opening, check what is above or next to any cabin you’re offered.
5. Front and back of the ship if you get seasick. Movement is felt most at the bow and the stern, and on higher decks. Winter sailings from the Canaries cross Atlantic waters that can be choppy. Low, midship cabins (Decks 2-3 or the middle of Deck 6) move the least.
6. Connecting cabins. They’re useful for groups, but sound carries through the connecting door far more easily than through a solid wall. If you don’t need one, ask for a cabin without a connecting door.
7. Porthole cabins, if you’re paying for the view. As explained above, a low porthole can feel little different from an inside cabin.
8. Deck 6 inside cabins with a fixed bed. These are fine for some couples, but awkward if you need to get up at night without disturbing your partner.

Best cabins on Marella Discovery 2

• Best overall: a midship balcony or Deluxe Balcony on Deck 6 or 7. You get fresh air and daylight, there are cabins above and below rather than public areas, and you’re close to the lifts without being right next to them.
• Best value: an Inside Plus cabin on Deck 7, which has cabins above it and puts you closer to the pool deck than the low inside cabins.
• Best for seasickness: a midship cabin on Deck 2, 3 or 6.
• Best for groups of four: a Deluxe cabin with a large window on Deck 7 or 8, or a Family Suite for bigger groups.
• Best splurge: a Grand Suite, which has one of the largest balconies on board for much less than the Executive or Royal Suite.

A tip most guides miss

Marella lets you choose a specific cabin number for a fee (from about £75 at the time of writing), or you can book a “guarantee” cabin and let Marella allocate one. If any of the locations above would spoil your holiday, paying to pick your cabin is usually worth it. Before you pay, check the decks above and below your chosen cabin on the official plan, not just its own deck. The same approach works on the other Marella ships; see our Marella Explorer cabins to avoid guide for that ship’s quirks.

If you’re still deciding when to book, our guide to cruise deals for 2027 covers when Marella and other UK lines tend to run their best offers.

FAQs

What cabins should I avoid on Marella Discovery 2?

Light sleepers should avoid forward cabins on Deck 8 (below the buffet area), cabins directly below the Deck 9 pool, and cabins next to the lifts. If you’re prone to seasickness, avoid the very front and back of the ship. Porthole cabins on Decks 2 and 3 can disappoint if you’re paying for a view.

Is Marella Discovery 2 adults-only?

Yes. She is sailing adults-only in winter 2026-27, and Marella has announced she will become a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027-28. Check the age policy on any specific departure before booking with children.

Which deck is best on Marella Discovery 2?

For most people, Deck 6 or 7 midship is the best choice. These decks have the balcony and deluxe cabins, there are cabins above and below rather than noisy public areas, and the motion is gentler than higher up or at the ends of the ship.

Is Marella Discovery 2 a good Marella cruise ship?

She’s one of the older ships in the Marella fleet, so cabins are smaller than on Marella Explorer or Marella Voyager. Her mid-size, high share of balconies and the move to adults-only sailing make her a good fit for couples and adult groups who want a relaxed, all-inclusive cruise.

Can you choose your cabin number on Marella?

Yes. You can pay to choose a specific cabin (from around £75 at the time of writing) or request one after booking. Otherwise Marella will allocate a cabin in the grade you booked.