Marella Cruises is one of the most popular cruise lines in the UK, especially with travellers who want an easy, all-inclusive style of holiday without the formality of traditional cruising.
Known for its relaxed atmosphere, great entertainment and good-value fares, Marella attracts a loyal following – and for good reason. But with a mixed fleet of older and refurbished ships, not every experience is the same.
So, which Marella ship is actually the best?
To find out, I analysed real guest reviews and ranked every ship by popularity and overall satisfaction. As with my other cruise line rankings, I was genuinely surprised by some of the results.
Before we get into the rankings, here’s how I put the list together.
How I Gathered the Data
I’ve cruised with Marella myself, but to keep things fair, I didn’t use my own experience to rank the ships. I’ve only sailed on one, so it would hardly be fair!
Instead, I collected thousands of genuine customer reviews from major independent cruise review websites – Cruiseline.com, Cruise Critic, and TripAdvisor – and calculated an average score for each ship.
These sites have large enough review volumes to give a balanced picture, rather than being skewed by one-off bad experiences.
The Best Marella Ships by Reviews
1. Marella Voyager
Marella Voyager takes the top spot in the Marella fleet, and it isn’t hard to see why from the reviews.
Guests consistently praise how easy and stress-free the whole experience feels, from smooth embarkation through to disembarkation. Many love the TUI integration, with bonded luggage, quick transfers and cabins often ready very shortly after boarding.
Read more: Meet The Marella Voyager
The ship herself is also well liked. While she isn’t the newest or the biggest in the world (though she is the newest and biggest in the Marella Cruises fleet), her 2023 refurbishment means she feels modern, clean and well maintained.
Balcony cabins are frequently mentioned as being spacious, and the hammocks are a popular touch.
Food and service are standout positives. Most reviews highlight friendly, hardworking crew and a good variety of dining – from main restaurants to speciality venues and buffets – with strong praise for the quality and choice.
A small number of guests did find the main restaurant and buffet food underwhelming, especially when comparing Voyager to other cruise lines, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Marella Voyager tends to be especially popular with first-time cruisers and families, offering a relaxed, all-inclusive experience that makes cruising feel simple and enjoyable.
2. Marella Discovery 2
Marella Discovery 2 is one of the most popular ships in the Marella fleet and is especially well reviewed by first-time cruisers.
Many guests praise the warm, friendly service, with cabin stewards and restaurant staff regularly named in reviews for going above and beyond. Housekeeping gets particularly strong feedback, with cabins described as spotless and well looked after.
The ship itself is often described as comfortable and well laid out, with balcony cabins proving especially popular. Guests also enjoy the entertainment, with several reviewers saying the evening shows are among the best they’ve seen at sea.
Dining generally scores well, with good variety across restaurants and buffets, although opinions are mixed – some guests love the food, while a smaller number describe it as bland compared to other cruise lines.
The main criticisms tend to focus on communication and onboard charges. A few guests felt extras weren’t explained clearly enough, and some were disappointed by Wi-Fi pricing and cabin allocations.
Overall, Marella Discovery 2 is a strong all-rounder, particularly appealing to guests who value friendly service, traditional cruising and a comfortable, easy-going atmosphere.
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3. Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery is one of the most talked-about ships in the Marella fleet and generally scores well with guests who value atmosphere and value for money.
One of the ship’s biggest strengths is the crew. Time and time again, reviews mention friendly, hardworking staff, attentive cabin stewards and a warm, welcoming feel onboard. The entertainment team also gets strong praise, with production shows, live music and guest speakers regularly highlighted as a real high point.
Public areas are usually described as well maintained, and many guests appreciate the open, relaxed style of cruising, with casual dress codes, drinks and tips included, and no-pressure formalities.
Itineraries are another strong pull. Many guests book Marella Discovery specifically for the routes she sails, and reviews often mention how well-organised port days and shore experiences feel.
The more critical feedback tends to focus on cabins showing their age in places and occasional queues at peak times for bars and restaurants. Dining is generally rated as good and plentiful, though it doesn’t always reach the same standard as newer ships.
Overall, Marella Discovery scores well for delivering a friendly, sociable cruise with great entertainment and excellent value – particularly for guests who prioritise service, itinerary and atmosphere over ultra-modern finishes.
Read more: Meet Marella Discovery
4. Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer is a popular choice for guests who care most about itinerary and ease of travel.
One of the strongest themes in the reviews is how well Marella handles the logistics. Flights, transfers and embarkation are often described as smooth and well organised, making the whole holiday feel simple and stress-free from the start.
Cabins are generally well liked, particularly balcony cabins, which many guests describe as clean, quiet and comfortable. Housekeeping teams receive lots of praise for being friendly, polite and hardworking.
Guests also enjoy the itineraries, especially in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands, with many describing the routes as a major highlight of their trip.
Food and décor receive more mixed feedback. Afternoon tea is frequently mentioned positively, while buffet options sometimes feel limited compared to other cruise lines. The ship itself is often described as plain but tidy, with public areas feeling smart after updates.
Overall, Marella Explorer tends to suit travellers who want great routes, friendly service and an easy, good-value cruise rather than a flashy, ultra-modern ship.
Read more: Marella Explorer – Full Ship Guide
5. Marella Explorer 2
Marella Explorer 2 is Marella’s adults-only ship and appeals strongly to couples and those looking for a quieter, more relaxed cruise style.
Many guests highlight the friendly, efficient crew as one of the ship’s biggest strengths, with service in bars and restaurants often described as quick and professional. The ship is also widely praised for being clean and well looked after, with hardworking housekeeping teams keeping public areas tidy.
Adult-only cruising is a major draw. Reviews often mention how calm and relaxing the atmosphere feels compared to family-heavy ships, and balcony cabins in particular receive positive comments for their space and comfort.
Entertainment generally scores well, with evening shows and themed nights frequently described as a highlight. Several first-time cruisers also say the overall experience exceeded expectations and felt very good value for money.
Where feedback is more mixed is around the ship’s age. Some cabins and bathrooms are described as tired in places, and a handful of reviews mention noise issues in certain areas of the ship. Food is usually rated as good with plenty of choice, although buffet consistency is occasionally criticised.
Overall, Marella Explorer 2 tends to work best for couples and adults looking for a good-value, sociable cruise with strong service and a relaxed, adult-focused atmosphere.
Read more: Marella Explorer 2 Ship Guide
The Scores
It’s extremely tight between the ships – here’s those scores in full to see what determined the ranking:
| Ship | Cruiseline.com Score | Cruisecritic.com Score | Trip Advisor Score | Overall Average Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Voyager | 4.2 | 3.5 | 4.17 | 3.96 |
| Marella Discovery 2 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 3.83 | 3.94 |
| Marella Discovery | 4.3 | 3.7 | 3.81 | 3.93 |
| Marella Explorer | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.86 | 3.92 |
| Marella Explorer 2 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.76 | 3.82 |
The Bottom Line
Marella Cruises continues to be one of the most popular choices for British cruisers who want an easy, all-inclusive style holiday without the formality of traditional cruising.
Across the fleet, the strongest themes are friendly service, smooth organisation and great value for money. Ships like Marella Voyager and Marella Discovery 2 stand out for their consistently warm reviews, while older ships such as Marella Discovery and Marella Explorer are best suited to guests who prioritise itinerary, atmosphere and price over the latest onboard features.
There isn’t a bad ship in the lineup – it really comes down to what you value most.
But what do you think? Do you agree with the rankings, or do you have a favourite Marella ship?
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