The Marella Explorer cabins to avoid are mostly about location rather than category: cabins directly below the Deck 11 pool deck and Market Place buffet, cabins near the late-night Indigo Bar on Deck 12, rooms right above or below busy entertainment venues, and lower-deck aft cabins where some guests report engine, thruster and docking noise. The best picks for most people are midship balcony cabins on Decks 9 and 10, a Large Balcony cabin if you want more outdoor space, or a Junior Suite for extra room and perks.
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Below we cover what Marella Explorer is like, every cabin type with sizes from Marella’s own cabin listings, where noise and motion are most likely, and which cabins are worth paying extra for in 2026 and 2027.
What is Marella Explorer like?
Marella Explorer is a mid-sized, all-inclusive ship in the Marella Cruises fleet, the UK cruise line owned by TUI. She was built in 1996 as Celebrity Galaxy, then sailed for TUI Cruises in Germany as Mein Schiff 1 before joining Marella in 2018. At around 77,000 gross tonnes with roughly 1,900 guests at standard occupancy and 962 cabins, she sits in the middle of the fleet in size.
The ship has been refurbished several times, most notably in 2018 when she joined Marella and again in late 2021, when bars, restaurants, the Broadway Show Lounge and the pool deck were updated. You get a pub (Squid & Anchor), a main show lounge across Decks 6 and 7, a buffet and pool deck on Deck 11, an adults-only Veranda area and the Indigo Bar on Deck 12, which turns into a casino and nightclub in the evening.
How Marella Explorer compares in the Marella fleet
Marella currently sails five ships: Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager. The fleet picture has shifted towards adults-only sailing. Marella Explorer 2 is already adults-only, Marella Discovery sailed as adults-only for summer 2026, and Marella has announced that Marella Discovery 2 will become a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027, with former kids’ spaces turned into a speakeasy, escape room and karaoke room.
Marella Explorer is not adults-only, which makes her one of the main choices for families and mixed-age groups. For winter 2027-28 she alternates between Tenerife and Las Palmas on Canary Islands itineraries (including a Christmas sailing with an overnight in Funchal), and for summer 2027 she is based in Corfu. If you want a child-free ship, see our guide to Marella adults-only cruises. If you are choosing between the line’s two most popular ship designs, our Marella Discovery ship guide is a useful comparison.
Marella Explorer cabin types at a glance
All cabins on Marella Explorer have a shower and WC (no baths), air-conditioning, TV, safe, hairdryer and tea and coffee facilities. Twin beds can usually be pushed together into a queen. Sizes below come from Marella’s own cabin descriptions and are approximate.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Max guests | Decks | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | 16 m² | 2 (more with fold-down beds) | 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12 | Cheapest option; some have upper berths reached by a ladder |
| Single Inside / Single Outside | Not stated | 1 | Lower and mid decks | No single supplement worries, but limited numbers |
| Family Inside | 19 m² | 5 | Check deck plan | Fixed double, sliding partition, sofa bed and fold-down bed |
| Outside | 17 m² | 2-4 | 4, 5, 8, 9 | Porthole or picture window, so check which you are getting |
| Large Outside | 20 m² | 3 | Check deck plan | Sofa bed; more floor space than a standard outside |
| Balcony | 17 m² (balcony about 4 m²) | 2-3 | Mid and upper decks | Small balcony, room for two chairs |
| Large Balcony | 16 m² (balcony 6.8 m²) | 2-3 | 9, 10, 12 | Sun lounger and hammock on most |
| Family Balcony (Suite Service) | 20 m² (balcony 6.5 m²) | 5 | 9, 10, 12 | Only around 14 on board; book early |
| Balcony Junior Suite (Suite Service) | 22 m² (balcony 8.8 m²) | 3 | 10, 12 | Breakfast in bed once a week, coffee machine, robes |
| Executive Suite (Suite Service Max) | 49 m² (balcony about 23 m²) | 4 | 10 | Daily in-suite breakfast, Wi-Fi package, laundry, afternoon tea |
One thing many guides skip: Marella lets you reserve a specific cabin number for a fee (from around £75) when booking or up to 15 days before sailing. If you only book a category, the line assigns the cabin, which is exactly how people end up under the buffet or at the very back of the ship. If location matters to you, the fee is usually worth it.
Marella Explorer cabins to avoid
None of the cabin categories on Marella Explorer is bad in itself. The problems guests report are almost all about what is above, below or next to the cabin. Always look at the deck plan for the decks directly above and below your cabin before you book or reserve.
1. Cabins directly below the pool deck and buffet
The main pool, whirlpools, Market Place buffet, Snack Shack and Mediterranean venues are all on Deck 11. Cabins on Deck 10 underneath these areas can hear sun loungers being dragged and set out early in the morning, plus trolleys and chairs in the buffet. If you are a light sleeper, choose a Deck 10 cabin that sits beneath other cabins rather than public spaces, or move down to Deck 9.
2. Cabins near the Indigo Bar on Deck 12
Deck 12 holds some of the most desirable balcony cabins and junior suites, but it is also home to the Indigo Bar, casino and poolside bar. The Indigo Bar becomes a nightclub in the evening, so cabins nearest it can pick up music and footfall late at night. Pick Deck 12 cabins well away from the venue end of the deck.
3. Cabins above or below entertainment and dining venues
The Broadway Show Lounge spans Decks 6 and 7, and Deck 7 also has the Squid & Anchor pub, which hosts live bands and quiz nights. Latitude 53, the main restaurant, sits aft on Decks 5 and 6. Cabins on Deck 5 and Deck 8 that are directly beside or above/below these spaces can hear bass, applause or early breakfast set-up. Cabins sandwiched between other cabin decks are generally the quietest.
4. Lower-deck aft cabins
Aft cabins on the lowest decks are closest to the propellers and thrusters. Some guests on Marella’s ex-Celebrity ships report vibration while at sea and loud thruster noise during early-morning docking. If you love the view off the back of the ship, aim higher rather than lower.
5. Outside cabins with porthole or obstructed views
Marella describes its outside cabins as having “a porthole or picture window”, and some lower-deck outside cabins look onto lifeboats or tenders. If you are paying the extra for natural light, check which window your exact cabin has, or reserve the cabin number so there are no surprises.
6. Four-berth cabins for a full family of teens
Many inside and outside cabins sleep three or four by using fold-down upper berths reached by a ladder. They are fine for small children, but four adults or older teenagers in a 16-17 m² cabin is tight for a week. Look at the Family Inside (19 m²), Family Balcony (20 m²) or two cabins instead.
7. Cabins without a fridge (if you need one)
A fridge is not listed among Marella’s standard cabin amenities, and some recent guests report that standard cabins no longer have one. If you need a fridge for medication, ask Marella before you sail rather than assuming one will be there.
Best cabins on Marella Explorer
- Midship balcony cabins on Decks 9 and 10 (avoiding the stretch under the buffet). These give the best balance of price, stability and quiet.
- Large Balcony cabins (Decks 9, 10 and 12). The cabin is slightly smaller, but the balcony is about 6.8 m², typically with a sun lounger and hammock. Marella notes that two of them (10170 and 10177) do not have hammocks.
- Balcony Junior Suites (Decks 10 and 12). At 22 m² with an 8.8 m² balcony and Suite Service extras, these are the sweet spot for couples who want more space without paying Executive Suite prices.
- Executive Suites (Deck 10). At around 49 m² with a roughly 23 m² balcony and Suite Service Max perks, these are the top of the range. Read our Marella Royal Suite guide to see how Marella’s top suites differ across the fleet.
- Midship inside cabins on Decks 8 and 9. For budget cruisers, a mid-deck inside cabin away from venues is a quieter choice than one on Deck 4 or 12.
Motion, seasickness and the best deck for calm sailing
If you are prone to seasickness, choose a cabin low and in the middle of the ship, as that is where movement is least noticeable. On Marella Explorer that means a midship cabin on Deck 4, 5 or 8. Forward cabins and high decks feel motion the most, which matters on winter Canary Islands sailings, when Atlantic swells are more common than on summer Mediterranean routes from Corfu.
Accessible and connecting cabins
Marella offers adapted cabins on its ships, but its public cabin listings for Marella Explorer do not set out how many there are or where. Because this is a 1990s ship, door widths, bathroom layouts and balcony thresholds can differ from newer ships, so speak to Marella’s special assistance team before booking and ask for the exact cabin specification.
The same applies to connecting cabins. Marella does not publish a full list, so if you need two rooms with an internal door, ask at the time of booking and reserve the cabin numbers so they cannot be changed.
Is a balcony worth it on Marella Explorer?
For Mediterranean summers from Corfu and sunny winter Canaries cruises, a balcony gets a lot of use, especially with Marella’s mix of port-intensive itineraries and occasional sea days. The step up to a Large Balcony is often better value than a standard balcony if you want to sunbathe privately. If you mainly sleep in your cabin, a well-placed inside cabin and the money saved for excursions is a perfectly sensible choice. If you are still weighing up cruise lines, our Marella vs P&O Cruises comparison covers how the cabins and inclusions stack up.
If you are also considering Marella Discovery 2, our guide to Marella Discovery 2 cabins to avoid covers the noisy spots and the best cabins to book.
Booking the sister ship instead? Read our guide to Marella Explorer 2 cabins to avoid and the best cabins to choose.
For restaurants, bars, the spa and where she sails this year, see our full Marella Explorer ship guide.
FAQs
Which deck is best on Marella Explorer?
Deck 9 is a strong all-round choice: it has balcony and Large Balcony cabins and sits between other cabin decks, so it avoids most venue noise. Deck 10 is also good if you avoid cabins directly beneath the Deck 11 pool and buffet.
Is Marella Explorer a nice ship?
Yes, for most people. She is an older ship (built 1996) but has been refurbished several times, most recently in late 2021, and offers all-inclusive drinks, a good choice of venues and a mid-sized feel with around 1,900 guests.
What is the difference between Marella Explorer and Explorer 2?
They are similar ex-Celebrity sister ships with a similar layout. The key difference is that Marella Explorer 2 is adults-only, while Marella Explorer welcomes families.
Is Marella Explorer adults-only?
No. Marella Explorer is a family-friendly ship. Marella Explorer 2 is adults-only, and Marella Discovery 2 is becoming a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027.
What is the best Marella cruise ship?
It depends on who is travelling. Families tend to suit Marella Explorer or Marella Voyager, while couples wanting a child-free trip should look at Marella Explorer 2 or Marella Discovery 2.