Marella Cruises launches its first ever karaoke venue, plus a secret speakeasy, 1920s escape room and creative retreat as Marella Discovery 2 goes adults-only
Marella Cruises, TUI's UK cruise line, is launching four new venues on Marella Discovery 2 as the ship becomes adults-only. The former kids' spaces are being transformed into Amplify Karaoke, The Lost Luggage Bureau, Red Handed Escape Room and The Loft, all exclusive to the ship and open to customers by early 2027.
The investment follows strong demand for adults-only cruising as Marella Cruises' customer research found that 80%1 of guests who sailed on Marella Explorer 2, the line's existing adults-only ship, said its adults-only status was a reason they booked. Almost three quarters said it was important for Marella Cruises to have an adults-only ship in its fleet, with earlier research finding that 93% of customers were likely to book an adults-only cruise.
The new venues also reflect wider holiday trends among Brits. Research from Marella Cruises2 found that 68% of the nation’s adults actively look for time to relax and recharge while on holiday, while more than half (54%) prioritise quality time with a partner, friends or family.
Almost three in ten (29%) actively seek a break from screens and technology when travelling. Designed with these priorities in mind, the four exclusive venues on Marella Discovery 2 include:
Amplify Karaoke is Marella Cruises' first dedicated karaoke venue. It's a private lounge for up to seven guests, with mood lighting and modern technology offering thousands of songs. Groups book the room by the hour and choose their own songs, so there's no singing in front of strangers. That makes it ideal for celebrations, couples and friendship groups. It also reflects the rise of competitive socialising, the appetite for shareable moments and the current wave of nostalgia. Marella Cruises’ research found that 44% of Brits would either actively seek out karaoke on holiday or take part if it were available.
The Lost Luggage Bureau builds on the success of Marella Voyager's The Exchange, the fleet's first immersive speakeasy and Marella Cruises' most popular event venue, which welcomes over 11,000 customers yearly. The speakeasy venue is inspired by the glamour of the Golden Age of Travel. Customers enter through what looks like a forgotten lost property office, then discover a secret speakeasy hidden behind it. Over 90 minutes, live music, live actors and immersive storytelling unfold around the mysterious contents of luggage that was never claimed. Three signature cocktails are part of the story, each with a non-alcoholic version, and they're served from vintage brass trolleys with finishing touches added at the table. Customers can choose between two stories: The Case in Question and Smugglers Society with each show welcoming up to 42 guests. The concept taps into Brits' appetite for interactive entertainment, with Marella Cruises’ research finding that 53% of UK adults would be likely to take part in a mystery or detective experience while on holiday.
Red Handed is an escape room which is set backstage at the fictional Cabaret Rouge in the 1920s. Teams of up to six guests have 60 minutes to steal Lady Ruby Bardot's diamond necklace before they're caught red-handed. Players work through seven logic puzzles across two themed dressing rooms, one of them a secret room they have to find. If they get stuck, an in-character host can give them clues over a vintage telephone. The experience builds on growing interest in immersive problem-solving activities, with almost half (49%) of Brits saying they would be likely to take part in an escape room on holiday.
The Loft brings something new to the ship: a calm space for guests who want to slow down. It combines a library, board games and hosted arts and crafts in a relaxed, homely setting. It's open 24 hours a day and included as an all-inclusive venue. The Crafts Ahoy programme runs one hosted session on port days and two on sea days, covering jewellery making, macramé, watercolour painting, sketching, button art and quilling. The Loft reflects growing interest in digital detox and slower, screen-free games as Marella Cruises’ research found that two thirds (66%) of people aged 55 and over would read books in a calm, dedicated relaxation space on holiday, while 43% would spend time doing puzzles or puzzle books.
Marella Discovery 2's climbing wall, an all-inclusive activity on the ship, is getting modernised. The refreshed wall will have a wider variety of hold sizes and will reflect the style of modern climbing centres and Olympic-standard walls.
Chris Hackney, CEO at Marella Cruises, said: "Our customers have told us how much they value adults-only cruising and our investment in Marella Discovery 2 shows how we're continuing to modernise our fleet. We've looked closely at what guests love across our ships, as well as wider consumer trends around relaxation, social connection, immersive entertainment and creative wellbeing, to create four distinctive new venues that will appeal to our loyal customers and those new to cruise alike.
“Whether that's sipping cocktails in a secret speakeasy, belting out a favourite song with friends or picking up a paintbrush on a sea day, these venues give guests more ways to make their holiday their own."
Three of the new venues carry an additional charge and can be booked onboard at the ship's reception or via Navigate, with pre booking for The Lost Luggage Bureau available through Cruise Control. Amplify Karaoke costs from £14.95 per room per hour for up to seven guests, Red Handed Escape Room costs £16.95 per person and The Lost Luggage Bureau costs £19.95 per person, including three signature cocktails. The Loft is included in the all-inclusive price, with no booking needed.
Marella Cruises offers its customers all-inclusive as standard, with all tips, flights, food and drinks, West End style entertainment, activities, accommodation and service charges included in the price, so customers can enjoy an unrivalled level of service. Prices start from £1155* per person for the seven night ‘Atlantic Islands' cruise on Marella Discovery 2, sailing from Tenerife on 5 February 2027. The price is based on two adults sharing a Deck 2/3 inside cabin and includes TUI Airways flights from London Gatwick.
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