Marella Cruises Ship Guide: Which Ship Is Best for You in 2027?
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 13 September 2026
Tom and Dom in Bodrum, Turkey, with Marella Discovery anchored in the background during our Mediterranean sailing
Sponsored by Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises may not have the biggest ships, but its fleet delivers something increasingly valuable: a relaxed, welcoming holiday where great service, comfortable spaces, generous dining and easy-going British hospitality take centre stage. Having sailed on four of the five ships ourselves, we have found that Marella's appeal focuses on getting the core fundamentals of a great cruise holiday right.
After dozens of cruises and hundreds of days at sea across various lines, we know that the real joy of a holiday on the water comes down to easy deck flow, genuine hospitality, comfortable spaces and whether a ship feels welcoming from the moment you walk up the gangway.
Marella Cruises offers an all-inclusive fleet of five ships designed for easy navigation and relaxed British hospitality. While each vessel provides its own distinct personality, the warm service, sociable lounges and dependable dining remain consistent across the fleet.
Having experienced Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager first-hand, we look forward to seeing how Marella Discovery 2 complements the line-up when she joins Marella Explorer 2 in offering permanent adults-only sailings from winter 2026.
See the Discount Codes & Terms & Conditions page for full terms.
Fleet Overview
Marella Cruises currently operates a tight, well-maintained fleet of five mid-sized vessels:
Marella Discovery: Approx. 69,130 gross tonnage, carrying around 1,830 passengers
Marella Discovery 2: Approx. 69,472 gross tonnage, carrying around 1,836 passengers
Marella Explorer: Approx. 76,998 gross tonnage, carrying around 1,924 passengers
Marella Explorer 2: Approx. 71,545 gross tonnage, carrying around 1,814 passengers
Marella Voyager: Approx. 77,303 gross tonnage, carrying around 1,912 passengers
Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are celebrated for their light-filled central atriums, outdoor climbing walls and straightforward layouts where public life centres around just a couple of decks. Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager offer slightly broader deck plans, expansive spa facilities and a wider selection of speciality dining venues and casual lounges. In our experience, navigating any of these five mid-sized ships remains refreshingly uncomplicated.
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Tom with the iconic giant yellow duck overlooking the bustling pool deck aboard Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer: The Versatile All-Rounder
Marella Explorer strikes an easy balance between family activities and quiet adult downtime. Her main pool deck is lively on sunny days with deck games, quizzes and acoustic sets, yet finding a comfortable sun lounger is straightforward. For adults seeking peace and quiet, The Veranda sun deck on Deck 14 forward provides private cabanas, plush padded sunbeds and gentle ocean breezes away from the main pool.
Alongside the two-storey main dining room, the Snack Shack provides grab-and-go lunchtime fish and chips, complemented by speciality dining options including Surf & Turf and Umi Sushi. Cabins are comfortable and smartly laid out, with mid-ship cabins on Decks 8 and 9 offering an ideal balance between quiet evenings and quick lift access.
Marella Explorer remains a dependable, friendly choice for first-time cruisers and families who want a balanced holiday at sea.
Marella Explorer 2: The Dedicated Adults-Only Sanctuary
When Marella Cruises introduced Marella Explorer 2 as a dedicated adults-only ship, the onboard atmosphere shifted noticeably. Having spent time aboard her, the contrast in pace is unmistakable from the moment you embark.
One of our favourite spaces is the full-service spa, boasting thermal suites, a panoramic ocean-view sauna and relaxing wellness treatments.
Evenings on Marella Explorer 2 cater directly to a sociable crowd. You can sample fizz in the Flutes Champagne bar, visit The 19th Hole with its interactive golf simulators, or settle into the Broadway Show Lounge for polished musical productions.
For couples, solo travellers and groups of friends seeking peaceful days and sociable evenings, Marella Explorer 2 provides a welcoming child-free retreat.
Embarking Marella Voyager in sunny Palma, Majorca, ready for another fantastic all-inclusive sailing
Marella Voyager: Contemporary Spaces and Fresh Dining Concepts
Marella Voyager is the newest addition to the fleet, and her stylish interior design is immediately noticeable upon entering the atrium lobby. While her hull shares a family resemblance to Marella Explorer, her interior spaces have been treated to a smart, crisp aesthetic that retains down-to-earth Marella warmth.
Marella Voyager introduced two exclusive venues that quickly became personal highlights for us:
The Silver Fork: A speciality restaurant celebrating elevated British classics with imaginative presentation, from tender roasts to nostalgic puddings.
The Exchange: A hidden, 1930s-inspired speakeasy requiring a secret password, featuring immersive live actors, bespoke cocktails and an intimate cabaret vibe.
Marella Voyager also introduced The Kitchens, an upscale food hall replacing the standard buffet layout. Here, you can sample freshly prepared noodles, fragrant curries, sandwiches and classic roast carvings from dedicated culinary stations.
Marella Discovery: Classic Charm and Sociable Spaces
Marella Discovery remains a firm favourite with regular cruisers. Her defining architectural feature is her dramatic multi-deck glass atrium, making an inviting setting for a morning coffee or an evening glass of Prosecco alongside live music.
We found Marella Discovery's layout particularly intuitive, with key evening lounges, bars and dining venues clustered seamlessly across Decks 4 and 5. Guests can move easily from pre-dinner drinks into dinner at 47°, then head over to the Squid & Anchor for live entertainment without traversing long corridors. For an extra treat, speciality dining at Surf & Turf, Kora La and the Sushi Bar is well worth considering.
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Tom soaking in the sea views up on the top deck alongside Marella Discovery's iconic funnel
Marella Discovery 2: Evolving for 2027
Having sailed on four of the five ships, Marella Discovery 2 is the final vessel needed to complete our journey across the entire fleet.
Marella Discovery 2 shares the bright, open layout and dramatic atrium as Marella Discovery, but Marella Cruises has announced an exciting evolution. Starting from winter 2026, Marella Discovery 2 will officially become a permanent adults-only ship, joining Marella Explorer 2 in providing child-free sailings.
Rather than leaving youth areas empty, Marella Cruises is converting the former children's facilities into four adult-focused venues:
A Chic Speakeasy Lounge: A stylish hideaway designed for elegant evenings and artisan cocktails.
An Immersive Escape Room: A themed puzzle room designed for guests to team up and solve clues.
A Dedicated Karaoke Lounge: A private, soundproofed venue for sing-alongs with travel companions.
A Dedicated Arts and Crafts Studio: A daytime creative workshop for painting, crafting and hands-on classes.
This investment gives Marella Discovery 2 an energetic, entertainment-led personality tailored specifically to adults, complemented by existing speciality dining venues like Surf & Turf and Kora La.
Cabins, Dining and Practical Tips
Flexible Dining: Dining across all five ships operates on an open-seating basis in the main restaurants between approximately 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM (times may vary by itinerary), giving you freedom over your evening schedule.
Comfortable Cabins: Cabins offer versatile twin beds that convert into doubles or queen-size arrangements, alongside ample wardrobe storage. Refurbished cabins on Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 include standard UK three-pin sockets and USB ports, whereas Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager feature European and US sockets, making a universal travel adapter handy.
Relaxed Dress Code: Daytime attire is casual holiday wear, while evenings call for smart-casual dress in the main restaurants, such as smart trousers or dark denim paired with a collared shirt. Every seven-night cruise features an optional Dress to Impress night, allowing guests to dress up if they choose, without any formal obligation.
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Join us aboard Cunard’s stunning new ship, Queen Anne, for a 7-night Spain & Portugal voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton on 24 October 2027.
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Tom and Dom at Lisbon's iconic Portas do Sol viewpoint, with Queen Anne anchored on the glittering Tagus
Tom catching a glorious golden-hour sunset out on the top deck aboard adults-only Marella Explorer 2
What Is Included
Flights & Transfers: Return flights are available from more than 14 UK airports, and overseas airport-to-port transfers are included as standard. Depending on your itinerary, luggage is taken care of too; on selected sailings, you may briefly collect bags from the carousel before placing them on the transfer coach.
Food & Drinks: Standard cruise fares include all main restaurant meals, casual food-hall and buffet dining, service gratuities and an all-inclusive drinks selection covering draught beers, wines by the glass, spirits and cocktails. Guests wishing to upgrade to premium spirits and barista coffees can opt for Premium All Inclusive, typically costing around £12–£14 per person, per day.
Cruise & Stay: Flexible Cruise & Stay packages make it simple to combine a week at sea with a week at a TUI hotel or resort. Marella's Cruise & Stay packages can be found here.
Final Thoughts
Having sailed aboard Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager, we appreciate how consistently Marella delivers on comfort, friendliness and value. Each vessel brings its own distinct appeal: Marella Voyager with her contemporary dining venues, Marella Explorer with balanced family amenities, Marella Explorer 2 with relaxed child-free lounging, and Marella Discovery with her vibrant central atrium.
Our top recommendation when boarding is to make the most of the open-seating dining flexibility and consider booking at least one evening at a speciality restaurant such as Surf & Turf, Kora La or The Silver Fork for a memorable meal at sea.
Where will your next horizon take you? Discover your Marella Cruise today!
See the Discount Codes & Terms & Conditions page for full terms.
Before you go... check these out next:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Marella Cruises ships are adults-only in 2027?
Marella Explorer 2 is Marella's established permanent adults-only ship. Marella Discovery 2 will officially join her as a permanent adults-only vessel starting from winter 2026, giving adult travellers two mid-sized styles to choose between.
What new venues are being added to Marella Discovery 2?
Marella Discovery 2 is transforming her former youth facilities into four adult spaces: an intimate speakeasy cocktail bar, an interactive escape room, a private karaoke lounge and a dedicated arts and crafts workshop studio.
What is included in a Marella Cruises holiday?
Marella Cruises offers all-inclusive packages covering return flights from more than 14 UK airports, overseas airport-to-port transfers, all main dining, an extensive drinks package and all onboard service gratuities.
Which cabin locations are best on Marella ships?
Mid-ship cabins on middle passenger decks (such as Decks 6, 7 and 8) are widely recommended. They experience less noticeable movement, offer convenient access to central lifts and stairs, and are insulated by accommodation decks directly above and below.
How formal is the evening dress code?
The onboard dress code is relaxed and smart-casual. Evenings in the main dining rooms generally call for smart trousers or neat dark jeans paired with a polo or shirt. Each seven-night itinerary includes one optional Dress to Impress night, but packing formal dinner wear or evening gowns is entirely optional.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
