The Marella Explorer 2 cabins to avoid are mostly the ones in noisy or busy spots: cabins at the very back of the ship (thruster and docking noise early in the morning), Deck 8 cabins right above the bars and venues on Deck 7, Deck 10 cabins under the pool deck and buffet, and the Deck 12 balcony cabins that Marella itself lists as having an obstructed view. The safest bets are midship cabins on Decks 8, 9 and 10, with other cabins above and below you, away from lifts and stairwells.
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Below you will find a deck-by-deck guide to the ship as it sails in 2026 and 2027, the cabin types worth paying extra for, and a few checks to make on the deck plan before you pay your deposit. We describe areas and cabin types rather than cabin numbers, so always confirm a specific cabin on Marella’s current deck plan.
Marella Explorer 2 in 2026-27: what you need to know first
Marella Explorer 2 is the former Celebrity Century, built in 1995 by Meyer Werft. It joined Marella in 2019 after a conversion refit, and had a further cabin and bathroom refresh in 2020. Its most recent drydock was at Navantia in Cadiz from January to early February 2026. That was routine maintenance and class work, not a redesign, so the cabin layout you see on the deck plan is the same as before. The ship carries roughly 1,800 to 1,900 guests in just over 900 cabins, spread across six cabin decks: 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12.
There has been no announcement that the ship is leaving the fleet. Unlike its sister Marella Explorer, it is not adults-only. It stays family-friendly, with the M Club kids’ club and family cabins, plus an adults-only area called the Veranda. Published schedules have it crossing from Malaga to Barbados in November 2026 for a winter of week-long Caribbean round trips from Bridgetown until April 2027, then spending summer 2027 on seven-night cruises from Malaga. Marella’s winter 2027-28 programme has it back in Barbados. Itineraries do change, so check your booking for the current route.
If you are comparing ships, our guide to the cabins to avoid on Marella Explorer covers the adults-only sister ship. The two ships differ, and their cabin numbers do not match.
Quick guide: Marella Explorer 2 cabins to avoid
| Area or cabin type | Why some guests avoid it | Who it may still suit |
|---|---|---|
| Aft cabins on the lowest and middle decks | Thruster and engine noise during docking, often between about 4am and 6am, plus more vibration | Heavy sleepers who want the bigger aft-facing balconies |
| Deck 8 cabins above Deck 7 venues | Deck 7 is home to the Squid and Anchor pub, the 19th Hole golf bar, the Gin and Whisky Bar and the upper level of the theatre | Night owls who are out until the bars close anyway |
| Deck 10 cabins under Deck 11 | Deck 11 holds the pool, the Market Place buffet and Champneys Spa, so expect early chair scraping and deck cleaning | Early risers who like being one flight from breakfast |
| Deck 12 balcony cabins | Marella lists these balconies as having an obstructed view, and Deck 12 also has the Indigo bar, casino and club | Budget-minded travellers who want fresh air more than a clear view |
| Cabins next to lifts, stairs and crew doors | Corridor traffic, chatter and door noise at all hours | Guests with limited mobility who value a short walk |
| Decks 4 and 5 near gangway and tender areas | Gangway doors and crew activity in port; lower decks feel engine hum more | Anyone prone to seasickness, as low and midship is the most stable spot |
Aft cabins and docking noise
The most common complaint in guest reviews of Marella Explorer 2 cabins is noise at the stern. When the ship docks or leaves port, its thrusters and engines work hard, and cabins at the back feel it most. On a Caribbean week with a new island most days, that can mean early starts. If you want a large aft balcony, accept that you may trade some sleep for the view.
Cabins above and below public areas
The ship’s public decks are 6 and 7 in the middle, and 11 and 12 near the top. Deck 6 has the lower level of the Broadway Show Lounge, the Surf and Turf steakhouse, Kora La, Flutes and Aperitif. Deck 7 has the theatre’s upper level, the Atrium, shops, the Coffee Port, the Squid and Anchor and the 19th Hole. That makes the Deck 8 cabins directly above Deck 7 the ones to check most closely if you are a light sleeper. At the top, Deck 10 cabins sit under the pool and buffet deck, so the area above you may get busy from early morning.
Obstructed-view balconies on Deck 12
Marella’s own cabin page lists the Deck 12 balcony cabin as having an obstructed view. These cabins have a fixed double bed and the standard 3.7m² balcony. They can be fair value if you know the view is partly blocked before you book. Deck 12 also holds the Indigo bar, casino and nightclub and The Shack, so check how close your cabin is to them.
Marella Explorer 2 best cabins by type
The best cabin is the one that matches your budget and how you cruise. Here is how the main Marella Explorer 2 cabins compare, based on Marella’s published sizes.
- Inside cabins (16m²): found on Decks 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Twin beds convert to a queen. Midship inside cabins on Decks 8 or 9 are a sensible pick: dark for sleeping and away from the noisiest spots. Single inside cabins exist for solo travellers.
- Outside cabins (16m²): porthole or picture window, mainly on Decks 4, 5, 8 and 9 with some on 12. The lower-deck ones are good for anyone who gets seasick. Look for cabins midship, not right next to gangway doors.
- Balcony cabins (16m² plus 3.7m² balcony): on Decks 8, 9, 10 and 12. Decks 9 and 10 midship are often thought of as the sweet spot. Note that some Deck 8 balcony cabins have a fixed double bed against the wall, which matters if you want twins or easy access from both sides.
- Deluxe cabins with balcony (19m² plus almost 9m² balcony): on Decks 9 and 10, with two sunloungers outside. The Deck 9 version has a partition door between the bed and a living area. The Deck 10 version has no partition and uses twin beds that push together. Check whether the cabin you are offered is aft, given the docking noise.
- Junior Suites (23m² plus 9.6m² balcony): on Decks 10 and 12, with Suite Service. Most have a shower over a bath, but Marella notes that two of them have no bath and two on Deck 12 have slightly smaller balconies with one table.
- Executive Suites (46m², 25.6m² balcony) and the Royal Suite (94m², 23.4m² balcony with whirlpool): these come with Suite Service Max, including breakfast in the suite, free laundry and champagne on arrival. Our look inside Marella’s Royal Suites explains what the top tier includes.
Best cabins for families
Because Marella Explorer 2 still welcomes children, it has plenty of three- and four-berth cabins with sofa beds or fold-down beds. Inside and outside four-berths are on Decks 4/5 and 8/9, and family balcony cabins are spread across Decks 8 to 10. In a 16m² cabin, fold-down beds eat into space, so families of four may prefer a deluxe balcony cabin with its double sofa bed.
Best cabins for seasickness
Motion is felt least low down and in the middle of the ship. Midship outside or inside cabins on Decks 4 and 5 are the steadiest. For a balcony, Deck 8 midship is the lowest option. This matters most on the multi-day ocean crossings between Malaga and Barbados.
Adapted cabins on Marella Explorer 2
Marella confirms that the adapted cabins on both Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2 are on Deck 5. An independent access survey by AccessAble lists eight cabins with accessible en suites on Deck 5, including adapted inside and adapted outside cabins with wheel-in showers, fold-down shower seats and grab rails. The same survey notes a few gaps, such as no in-cabin emergency alarm and non-adjustable bed heights. If you rely on specific equipment, raise it before you book.
Deck 5 is low and stable, but you will need the lifts, which get busy at peak times, to reach the pool and buffet on Deck 11. Marella’s Assisted Travel team can confirm the current adapted cabin list and hold one for you. Book early, as there are only a handful on the ship.
How to read the Marella Explorer 2 deck plan before you book
The Marella Explorer 2 deck plan is the most useful tool you have. Work through these checks for any cabin you are offered:
- Look up and down. Find your cabin, then check exactly what is on the deck above and below. You want cabins on both sides, not a bar, galley, theatre or pool.
- Check the ends of the ship. Cabins at the very front feel more pitching in rough seas. Cabins at the very back get docking noise. Midship avoids both.
- Find the lifts, stairs and service doors. Two or three doors away from a lift lobby is a good balance of convenience and quiet. Unmarked corridor doors are often crew areas used early in the morning.
- Read the cabin notes. Marella flags fixed double beds, missing baths and obstructed views in its cabin descriptions. Do not assume twin beds or a bath.
- Consider a guarantee fare carefully. A guarantee or “cabin allocated later” fare is cheaper, but you lose control over location. If you are a light sleeper or need to be near the lifts, choose your cabin.
Booking early generally gives the widest choice of cabins. Our round-up of cruise deals for 2027 is a useful starting point if you are planning ahead for the summer or Caribbean season.
Is Marella Explorer 2 the best Marella cruise ship for you?
The Marella fleet currently has five ships: Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Voyager. Marella Explorer is adults-only, and Marella has announced that Discovery 2 will become a permanent adults-only ship. That makes Explorer 2 one of the stronger choices for families who want all-inclusive drinks, a large theatre and a full kids’ club. Couples who want a calmer ship may prefer an adults-only option. There is no single best Marella cruise ship, but for families Explorer 2 is well worth a look.
FAQs
Which cabins should I avoid on Marella Explorer 2?
Light sleepers usually avoid aft cabins (docking noise), Deck 8 cabins directly above the Deck 7 bars and theatre, Deck 10 cabins under the pool and buffet, cabins beside lifts or crew doors, and the Deck 12 balconies, which Marella lists as having obstructed views.
What are the best balcony cabins on Marella Explorer 2?
Midship balcony cabins on Decks 9 and 10 are often the best balance of quiet, stability and convenience. For more outdoor space, the deluxe balcony cabins have balconies of almost 9m² with sunloungers. Check the location, as some sit towards the stern.
Where are the adapted cabins on Marella Explorer 2?
Marella says the adapted cabins are on Deck 5. An independent access survey lists eight cabins with accessible en suites there, including inside and outside options with wheel-in showers.
Is Marella Explorer 2 adults-only?
No. Marella Explorer 2 is family-friendly, with a kids’ club and family cabins, although it has an adults-only Veranda area. Its sister ship Marella Explorer is the adults-only one.
Where is Marella Explorer 2 sailing in 2026 and 2027?
Published schedules show Caribbean cruises from Barbados from November 2026 to April 2027, followed by summer 2027 sailings from Malaga. Marella has also scheduled the ship for the Caribbean in winter 2027-28.