Who Are Marella Cruises? The Ultimate Tom and Dom Guide to TUI’s All-Inclusive Ships
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 01 August 2026
Boarding Marella Voyager in Palma for an unforgettable Mediterranean cruise adventure.
Ever since our very first cruise back in 2021, we've been officially hooked on the sea. Over the years, we've made it our personal mission to try out as many different lines as possible, and we've spent plenty of time onboard the Marella Cruises fleet. We've explored Marella Explorer, relaxed on the adults-only Marella Explorer 2, and fully toured their newest addition, Marella Voyager.
Marella is a line that makes some people hesitate, with many looking at the budget-friendly price point and assuming that a lower cost means a compromised experience. But they really shouldn't be reluctant to give them a go. While some might overlook them, others absolutely swear by their incredible value, relaxed atmosphere, and brilliant all-inclusive setup. As always, we pride ourselves on giving you completely honest, realistic, and fair reviews of our travels, and if you’ve been on the fence about trying Marella, it might be time to think again.
So, who exactly are Marella Cruises, what is it really like onboard, and should you choose them for your next holiday at sea? Let's break it all down!
The History: From Thomson to "Shining Seas"
If the Marella name sounds familiar but you can't quite place it, you might remember them by their old identity: Thomson Cruises. Originally launched all the way back in 1995, the brand was a staple of the British high street holiday market for over two decades.
In October 2017, TUI decided it was time for a fresh, modern identity, officially rebranding the line to Marella Cruises. Fun fact for your next cruise trivia night: "Marella" actually means shining sea in Celtic.
While the name and the look shifted, the core DNA of the company stayed exactly the same. They kept their focus on incredibly friendly service, fantastic value for money, and designing holiday experiences specifically tailored to British tastes. Today, they are statistically more popular than ever. Coming out of an incredibly strong couple of years, Marella hit record-breaking bookings with an average ship occupancy rate sitting at a massive 98%.
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.
High energy only! Funnel jumping on Marella Voyager as we prepare to sail out of beautiful Palma
The All-Inclusive Concept: Truly Stress-Free
Let's talk about the biggest selling point of a Marella cruise: the all-inclusive package as standard.
If you've ever sailed with some of the larger American lines, you'll know how frustrating it is to constantly check your onboard account. By the time you add up daily service charges, speciality coffees, beers by the pool and tips, your "cheap" cruise can suddenly cost a fortune.
Marella do things differently. When you book, your package automatically includes:
All your main meals and snacks
A wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Flights and transfers (if you're doing a fly-cruise)
All onboard tips and service charges
For us, this completely changes the vibe of the holiday. You can walk into the Squid & Anchor pub for a pint or grab a bite at the Snack Shack without ever having to reach for your cruise card.
Tom and Dom's Top Tip: While the standard all-inclusive package is great, we often find it well worth upgrading to the Premium All-Inclusive package. It gives you access to premium spirits, better cocktail selections, bottled beers (like Bulmers or Magners instead of just draft cider), and proper barista coffees at The Coffee Port. Just be aware that even on Premium, Marella have stopped putting daily plastic water bottles in the cabins, so you'll need to use the handy water fountains located all over the ship to keep your reusable bottles topped up!
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Framing the fun at Marella's Sail and Shine party! This onboard atmosphere is absolutely unmatched
The Fleet: Mid-Sized Ships with Distinctive Charm
Marella currently operates a fleet of five mid-sized ships:
Marella Discovery (Adults-Only)
Marella Discovery 2
Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer 2 (Adults-Only)
Marella Voyager (Launched in 2023)
Unlike lines that build massive, 6,000-passenger mega-resorts, Marella have traditionally bought second-hand ships from premium lines like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. They then give them a massive, multi-million-pound refurbishment to inject that relaxed, casual British style.
Because they are mid-sized, these ships are incredibly easy to navigate after just a couple of days. You aren't walking miles just to get from your cabin to the buffet!
The Evolution: Marella Voyager
The newest ship to join the family is Marella Voyager. Having done a full ship tour of Voyager, we can confidently say it's a massive step forward in design for the brand. It feels much more contemporary and features fantastic new venues like The Kitchens (a brilliant food-hall style concept that replaced the traditional buffet) and Piccadilly's, an included restaurant that genuinely feels like a premium speciality dining experience.
A Look to the Future: New Builds on the Horizon
While refurbishing older ships has given Marella a distinct, classic charm, the line is officially preparing for a brand-new era. Marella have signed a major deal with Fincantieri—one of the world's leading shipbuilders—to construct two brand-new, purpose-built ships scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2032. This represents a huge, sustainable investment into the future of British cruising.
An absolute privilege meeting footballing legend Harry Redknapp onboard the beautiful Marella Explorer!
Food, Drink, and Entertainment: What's it Really Like?
Let's look closely at the actual onboard experience. What can you expect on a daily basis?
Dining That Delivers
Marella's food has evolved significantly. In the main dining rooms like Latitude 53, you'll find great British classics alongside modern dishes. On Marella Voyager, they've leaned heavily into innovative concepts. The Summer House at the back of the ship is a gorgeous spot for a drink, and grab-and-go options like freshly made bacon and sausage baps are perfect for early-morning excursions. For an extra fee, you can also treat yourself to speciality spots like Kora La (pan-Asian) or the Surf & Turf Steakhouse.
Entertainment & Nightlife
The entertainment onboard is unashamedly fun. You won't find avant-garde, confusing performances here; instead, think West End-style Broadway show lounges, brilliant acoustic singers, and stand-up comedians.
Marella are also famous for their incredibly popular "Electric Sunsets" themed cruises. These short sailings are essentially 90s club culture nostalgia trips at sea, packed with live music, guest DJs, and an absolutely electric, lively atmosphere.
Destinations & Seamless Fly-Cruises
Because Marella are backed by the travel giant TUI, their fly-cruise logistics are practically unbeatable for UK travellers. They offer flights from up to 22 regional UK airports, meaning you can often fly straight from your local tarmac directly to the ship's homeport with your bags sorted for you.
Their itineraries cover an incredible range of over 100 destinations:
Summer: The Mediterranean is their crown jewel. You can easily sail out to bucket-list spots across Italy, Greece, Turkey and Spain.
Winter: When the British weather turns, the fleet heads to warmer climates, offering Caribbean voyages out of Barbados and La Romana, alongside classic Atlantic Island and Canary Island sailings.
Incredible service and exquisite dining! Meeting the talented Silver Fork team onboard Marella Voyager
Final Thoughts
Marella Cruises successfully strike a fantastic balance between affordability, ease, and destination-rich itineraries. If you love a friendly, approachable atmosphere where the crew remembers your name and you don't have to worry about hidden costs, Marella are a brilliant choice.
Have you sailed on a Marella ship yet, or are you thinking of booking your very first one? Let us know! Be sure to check out our deep-dive ship tours, cabin walkthroughs, and ultimate drink guides below to get completely prepared for your next sailing.
Thinking about booking a Marella cruise? Check the latest prices, itineraries and availability to see what's currently on offer. Check Latest Deals 🚢
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Marella Cruises lack the luxury of traditional cruise lines?
Not at all. While Marella strip away the stuffy dress codes and formal barriers of traditional cruising, they don't compromise on quality. You'll find beautifully maintained ships, a high standard of attentive service and fantastic dining options. It's simply a more relaxed, modern and unpretentious way to see the world.
Are tips and service charges really included?
Yes, 100%. Unlike almost every other major cruise line, the price you see when booking a Marella cruise includes all gratuities. You will not face a surprise daily service charge on your final bill.
Which Marella ship is adults-only?
Marella Explorer 2 and now Marella Discovery are the fleet's dedicated adults-only ships, making it perfect for couples or solo travellers looking for a quieter, more relaxed onboard environment.
Can I get bottled water on the All-Inclusive package?
No. In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, Marella no longer provide complimentary bottled water in cabins. However, there are numerous filtered water stations around the ship to refill your own cups or bottles.
Do I really not have to pay anything extra once I'm onboard?
Yes, you can absolutely have a fantastic holiday without spending another penny! Your standard fare completely covers your tips, flights, transfers, main meals, and a great selection of drinks. The only things you would need to pay extra for are specialty dining venues, shore excursions, spa treatments, or upgrading to the Premium Drinks package if you want branded spirits.
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.
