Marella Voyager Ship Review: What's She Really Like On Board?

By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated:

14/07/26

Marella Voyager anchored off Villefranche, France

If you're weighing up a Marella Voyager cruise, you've come to the right place. We spent a week exploring the Mediterranean on board, calling at ports in Italy, France and Spain, and we've come away with plenty to say. Marella Voyager isn't a brand new build, but she is the newest ship to join the Marella fleet, and she's also the largest. Here's everything we discovered, deck by deck.

A Quick Bit Of History

Marella Voyager has had quite a journey before landing with Marella. She started life in 1997 as Celebrity Cruises' MV Mercury, later became Celebrity Mercury, then moved to TUI Cruises as Mein Schiff 2 and later Mein Schiff Herz. In 2023 she joined the Marella fleet following a major refit in Cadiz, and she's now the flagship of the line at over 77,000 gross tonnes, with capacity for around 1,912 guests. So while she isn't the newest ship sailing the seas, she's certainly new to Marella and it shows in the finish.

The Atrium And Reception

We started our tour on deck 5 in the atrium, which spans 4 decks. It's not the largest atrium at sea, and we did find it slightly underused when it comes to events, but it's a lovely quiet spot with comfortable seating if you fancy relaxing with a book. Reception sits just opposite, staffed 24 hours a day, and the guest experience desk is tucked in the corner if you need help with anything special during your cruise.

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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 with the fantastic team at the Silver Fork on Marella Voyager

Silver Fork: The Premium Dining Specialty

Also on deck 5 is Silver Fork, Marella Voyager's premium dining venue. It's small, intimate and beautifully decorated, complete with a central piano that gives it real class. Silver Fork hosts the Great Musical Afternoon Tea, and honestly, it's an absolute must. Included cocktails, incredible food and live show tunes from the production team make it feel like proper theatre. In the evening the menu leans into British classics and it genuinely surprised us. Both the afternoon tea and evening dining here carry an additional charge, so it's worth booking before you board.

Entertainment On Decks 6 And 7

The Broadway Show Lounge is Marella Voyager's main entertainment venue, with tiered seating and great sightlines from wherever you sit. There are usually 2 shows performed nightly and the production quality from the onboard team and guest entertainers is genuinely impressive. Nearby you'll find the ship's cinema, a cosy spot with traditional cinema seating and a new film shown daily, plus the Gamer Zone with bean bags and retro arcade games if the teenagers need entertaining.

One of our favourite spots on the whole ship is The Coffee Port, a large modern venue overlooking the atrium and promenade. Standard teas and coffees are available free from the kitchens on deck 11, but premium drinks and desserts here carry a charge unless you've upgraded to the Premium All Inclusive package, in which case they're included.

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Colourful cocktails served at The Electric Rooms on Marella Voyager

Bars And Relaxed Spaces

The Arts House is a vibrant, colourful venue that's perfect for a pre-dinner drink, with live music most evenings and shuffleboard tables for a bit of fun. At the aft you'll find Flutes, a champagne bar with a live pianist and a genuinely unique push button feature that delivers Prosecco straight to your table.

Aperitif, the gin and whisky bar on deck 7, offers a fantastic range that's included if you've got the Premium package. Right next door is Kora La, the Indian and Asian inspired specialty restaurant, and Platter, which serves photo worthy sharing boards of cheese, meat and light bites for an additional charge.

For something completely different, head up to deck 8 for The Exchange, an immersive speakeasy style experience with 2 different shows performed twice nightly. It costs extra to attend, but you get 3 included cocktails as part of the show, and we cannot recommend it highly enough. Book ahead as it's very popular.

Squid and Anchor is Marella's take on the traditional pub, a relaxed spot by day that comes alive in the evening with karaoke, live music and quizzes. Later in the evening, The Electric Rooms takes over as the ship's late night venue, complete with an electronic dance floor and the Marella Silent Disco.

om and Dom Travel dining in Vistas Restaurant on Marella Voyager

Dining Options

Latitude 53 is the main dining room, spread across 2 levels with stunning aft views and plenty of tables for 2. It operates on Freedom Dining only, so there are no fixed times, though you may be given a buzzer at busy periods. In the evenings, part of the space transforms into Vista, an included Italian specialty restaurant with a menu that changes every 4 days.

The Kitchens is the standout, though. This food hall style venue replaces the traditional buffet with 8 different food stations, and we never once struggled to find something we fancied. Highlights include roast dinners at Gravy Boat, curries at The Banyan Leaf, and Greek style pittas at Athena's. Breakfast favourites are all here too, and our top tip is the sausage and bacon baps from The Pantry. Free ice cream is a lovely touch as well.

For something more casual, Abuela's serves up Mexican dishes and Nonna's offers freshly made pizza and pasta, both included and both consistently good in our experience. Surf and Turf remains the go to steakhouse for those wanting to treat themselves, again at an additional charge.

Pools, Sun Decks And Family Facilities

Deck 11 is home to the main pool area, with 2 pools, 3 hot tubs and the popular beach huts dotted around for shade and shelter. The Snack Shack keeps everyone fed poolside with burgers, hot dogs and sweet treats. If you want a quieter spot, head to deck 14 where you'll find sun loungers away from the main pool crowd, though beds do go quickly.

Families are well catered for too. The M Club looks after children from 0 to 11 with fully qualified staff and its own outdoor play area, while The Hideout gives teenagers aged 12 to 18 somewhere to hang out. There's also a proper mini golf course on deck 12, along with a sports court, jogging track and a well equipped gym with sea views.

Wellness And Wind Down

The Ocean Spa and Salon on deck 11 offers a full range of treatments alongside steam rooms and saunas. There's also an exclusive forward facing sun deck accessible with a pass, ideal for escaping the crowds when the main pool gets busy.

Tom and Dom Travel posing with the interactive in The Exchange onboard Marella Voyager

Our Verdict

Marella Voyager genuinely impressed us. As Marella's newest and largest ship, she brings a real step up in dining variety and venue quality compared to older ships in the fleet, and experiences like The Exchange and the Great Musical Afternoon Tea at Silver Fork are worth seeking out. Given everything included as standard, particularly at The Kitchens and the included specialty venues, we'd call her good value for a Marella cruise, especially if you're after a mix of relaxed classic cruising with a few standout premium touches.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Marella Voyager a new ship?

No, Marella Voyager isn't a new build. She was originally launched in 1997 and previously sailed for Celebrity Cruises and TUI Cruises before joining the Marella fleet in 2023 following a major refit. She is, however, the newest and largest ship currently in the Marella fleet.

2. Does Marella Voyager have specialty dining?

Yes, alongside included venues like Vista, Abuela's and Nonna's, there are additional charge specialty restaurants including Silver Fork, Surf and Turf, Kora La and Platter.

3. What is The Exchange on Marella Voyager?

The Exchange is an immersive entertainment experience on deck 8 with 2 different shows performed twice nightly. It carries an additional charge but includes 3 cocktails as part of the performance.

4. Is Marella Voyager good for families?

Yes, families are well catered for with the M Club for children aged 0 to 11 and The Hideout for teenagers aged 12 to 18, along with a mini golf course, sports court and family friendly dining at The Kitchens.

5. What is The Kitchens on Marella Voyager?

The Kitchens is the ship's main dining venue on deck 11, replacing a traditional buffet with 8 individual food stations serving everything from roast dinners to curries, plus daily specials and free ice cream.

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.