Why Marella Cruises is the Perfect Choice for First Time Cruisers
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated:
21/07/26
Tom from Tom and Dom Travel checking out the iconic TUI smile funnel from the upper deck of Marella Discovery
🚢Sponsored by Marella Cruises: All thoughts and opinions are entirely our own, built on our personal history of cruising with them over the years.
If you know us, you know we usually love the thrill of trying a new cruise line. In fact, we have become quite well known for cruising on a different ship on each cruise we take. So, having tried so many different cruise lines, who do we recommend for those looking to take their first cruise?
That’s easy: Marella Cruises.
First timers always ask us if a cruise is worth the anxiety of flights, transfers and hidden fees. When we booked our first Marella cruise (our second-ever cruise), we asked that exact question. What we discovered completely changed how we view stress-free travel.
Why Marella Cruises?
What makes Marella perfect for beginners is that “all-inclusive” actually means everything.
Here is a quick look at Marella’s latest ship, Marella Voyager, by the numbers:
Capacity: 1,912 passengers (the perfect size – not too big, not too small).
Decks: 14 passenger decks to explore.
What's Included?
Flights, luggage and overseas airport transfers are covered in the price.
Included as standard: All meals and a range of alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. Tips & service charges are also covered (and these can really add up on some other cruise lines).
Optional extras: We tested the Premium All Inclusive package, and we also dined in the speciality restaurants to assess their value.
🛑 Latest Marella Deals ReleasedMarella regularly launches booking discount codes that can save you hundreds of pounds upfront! |
Prefer to Watch?
Our MUST-WATCH Marella Voyager REVIEW – What WE WISH We Knew!
This is our full and complete Marella Voyager Cruise Review. We sailed on Marella Voyager for a 7 night Mediterranean cruise which visited ports in France, Italy and Spain. We have put together this review of our experiences onboard Marella Voyager so that may give you a better insight.
Tom from Tom and Dom Travel relaxing on board the standard TUI flight included with their Marella Cruises package
Our First Impressions of Marella Cruises.
Cruise travel can be a little bit daunting because we want to make sure we get to the ship on time. However, with a Marella cruise, the stress vanished the moment we arrived at the airport.
TUI handles the flights and seamlessly transfers you straight to the port to meet the ship. We didn’t touch our luggage from the transfer bus until it magically appeared outside our light and airy cabin.
Walking in, we found the bed incredibly comfortable and the cabin offered plenty of space.
When it comes to food, Marella do this incredibly well. Their medium-sized ships compete with the bigger vessels by offering so much choice.
Their ships feature a main dining room split into sections. One area serves a menu of changing daily dishes, while the British and Italian dining sections offer their own rotating menus, giving guests plenty of variety throughout their cruise.
If that isn’t enough, there are also casual options (all included) throughout the fleet such as the grab-and-go venue Snack Shack and the buffet (or food hall on Marella Voyager) which offers excellent choices from early morning until late at night. Depending on what ship you’re on there are also pizza and pasta venues, a Mexican restaurant or restaurants serving small plates and tapas.
Entertainment
For us, this is where Marella really stands out.
On a 14-night cruise, you can expect around 12 different production shows in the main theatre. On the other two nights, Marella fly in guest acts from the UK, including vocalists, comedians and magicians.
Elsewhere on the ship, you will find live entertainment from bands and musicians, including pianists and guitarists. The onboard entertainment team also run a packed programme of daily activities, from quizzes and poolside games to evening game shows and deck parties.
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UK cruise content creators Tom and Dom rubbing shoulders with the talented interactive cast at The Exchange, Marella Voyager’s immersive, 1920s-style speakeasy
What Stands Out?
The one big reason Marella wins for first timers is the sheer ease of the experience.
Unlike some larger cruise lines, where guests can find themselves navigating dining reservations, service charges and constant upselling, Marella keeps things refreshingly simple and stress-free.
Imagine it’s peak dinner time. Instead of stressing over strict dining slots, Marella provides you with a buzzer, so if Latitude 53 is busy, rather than waiting in a queue, you can head over to Aperitif or Flutes, grab a drink, listen to a live pianist and relax until your table is ready.
It completely removes the intimidating logistics that can put first-time cruisers off.
The Broadway Show Lounge also eliminates long bar queues by placing pre-poured drinks on tables as guests enter the venue. We spent hours singing along to West End-style productions such as Havana Nights and Coney Island.
The view of Marella Discovery anchored in the spectacular Santorini caldera, taken from the top of the island's famous cliffs
Which Option Should You Actually Book?
While Marella are a dream for beginners, make sure you choose the right ship for your style of holiday.
For Adults Only
If you want zero kids around, check out Marella Explorer 2 or Marella Discovery 2, both of which are exclusively for adults.
For Multi-Generational Families
Marella Voyager is a fantastic choice, featuring the M Club for children and The Hideout for teenagers.
Tips Before You Go
Premium Package: The standard all-inclusive package is excellent, but for £89 per person per week when pre-booked you can upgrade to enjoy premium coffees and an expanded selection of premium drinks.
The Exchange: If you are sailing on Marella Voyager, book The Exchange early. This secret 1920s speakeasy-style immersive experience fills up quickly and is an absolute must-do.
Excursions: Marella’s shore excursions are reasonably priced, making them ideal if you want the confidence of a guided experience. However, ports such as Barcelona and Valencia are incredibly easy to explore independently.
What Makes Us So Confident?
We have recommended Marella Cruises as a first cruise to our own family members.
Dom’s mum and her husband took their first cruise with Marella around the Canary Islands and now have their sights set on the Caribbean.
Tom’s parents also took their first cruise with Marella and have since completed the fleet. Their favourite cruise to date was a repositional cruise on Marella Discovery.
UK cruise content creators Tom and Dom getting into the festive spirit with the official selfie frame at Marella Discovery’s lively Sail and Shine party
Is It Worth the Money? Our Final Verdict
Marella Cruises offer incredible value for money and make cruising genuinely accessible for first timers.
For our 7-night Mediterranean escape, everything from flights to drinks was handled seamlessly.
Would we spend our hard-earned money to do it again?
Absolutely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Marella Cruises good for first-time cruisers?
Yes! Marella is highly recommended for beginners because it eliminates the hidden costs and logistical stress often associated with cruising. Flights, port transfers, luggage handling, meals, standard drinks, and crew tips are all bundled into your upfront base fare, making it a completely hassle-free introduction to sea travel.
2. What is actually included in a Marella all-inclusive cruise?
Marella’s standard all-inclusive package covers your flights and transfers (for fly-cruises), luggage handling, unlimited meals at standard venues (including the main dining room, buffet, and select casual spots like the Snack Shack), standard alcoholic and soft drinks and all crew gratuities.
3. How does the luggage transfer work on a Marella fly-cruise?
Marella offers a seamless, stress-free luggage service through TUI. Once you hand over your bags at your UK departure airport, you don't have to touch them again during your transfers. Your luggage is automatically transported from the airport transfer bus straight to your cabin door.
4. How much is the Marella Premium All Inclusive Package upgrade?
While standard drinks are included in your base fare, you can upgrade to the Premium All Inclusive Package for an extra £89 per person per week when pre-booked. This upgrade grants you access to branded spirits, premium cocktails, canned soft drinks, and specialty coffees.
5. What are the dining options on Marella Voyager?
Marella Voyager offers incredible food variety. Included in your fare is a multi-section Main Dining Room serving rotating daily dishes alongside Italian and British favourites on a fortnightly rotation. You also get free access to casual spots like a pizza and pasta venue, a Mexican restaurant, the Snack Shack, and an extensive daily buffet. Specialty restaurants are also available for an extra charge.
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.
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