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28th Aug 2025 | 7 nights | Marella Cruises | Marella Explorer 2
In April 2019, Marella Cruises introduced its first adults-only ship, the 1,814-passenger Marella Explorer 2. By removing areas previously dedicated to families, the line has cleverly created more spaces aimed squarely at adults -- with a total of 19 bars and restaurants onboard -- including four new-to-the-line venues. Explorer 2 began life in 1995 as Celebrity Century, but Marella has done a nice job of transforming the ship to make it feel (almost) like new. Highlights include a gorgeous Champneys Spa and the new-to-the-line Nonna's Italian restaurant and Flutes Champagne bar.
Passengers don't seem to utilise the onboard programming so much during the day, preferring to lie by the pool instead. As a result, some areas of the ship can feel underused in the daytime. The Pool Deck, featuring the ship's only swimming pool, is the busiest area during the day.
During the evening, all of the venues -- and programming -- are in full swing. There's a buzzy atmosphere and a nice flow to the ship's internal space that easily allows passengers to drift between venues. The evening entertainment shows are excellent and left us wanting more (they are only 45-minutes performances). The show team take Sundays off, which is when the programme features a comedian. We found the crew to be among the friendliest we've ever encountered, with service onboard faultless and jovial -- helped by the generous 2:1 passenger to crew ratio. Passengers and crew build up a lovely rapport, too, with many on first name terms early on in the sailing. Passengers who value home comforts while on holiday will enjoy this ship. Expect kettles in cabins, Yorkshire Tea and Twinings teabags, top-notch curries and an excellent battered fish and chips, with Tartare and HP sauces readily available. We like that Marella is making a conscious effort to reduce single-use plastics onboard. Straws are biodegradable and made from starch. The line also gives away re-usable straws as quiz bounty and there are water dispensers on decks with cabins to encourage passengers to refill their in-cabin carafes and bottles. There's a constant reminder onboard of the value-for-money you get with a Marella cruise. Particularly when you order a drink (unless it's a premium brand), and you're not presented with a bill or added-on gratuity afterwards.
Solo travellers are well looked after, with special events scheduled to bring solo travellers together. Each solo passenger receives a letter in their cabin from the Social Hostess with information about all of the solo events taking place. Being an adults-only ship, Marella Explorer 2 is not suitable for families -- so don't expect any of the frivolities that are often geared towards younger passengers -- nor is it suitable for anyone looking for a full enrichment programme. It's just not that kind of ship. It is perfect for couples, singles and groups of friends who enjoy home comforts, with some luxury extras, on a friendly and relaxed ship.**Daytime:** Beachwear, including swimmers, flip flops and cover ups around the pool, outside and in the Lido Buffet is acceptable. Jeans or shorts and T-shirts or casual shirts and sundresses are also fine. **Evening: **Two options are operated in the evening: Smart, which means you'll need to dress up with trousers and shirt, suit, dresses such as cocktail dress or smart two pieces, and the more formal Dress to Impress nights -- typically once a week -- which gives passengers the chance to go all-out glam. Jacket and tie are optional. **Not permitted:** No jeans on Dress to Impress nights. For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: [Marella](https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=545#marella)
Theatre. The ship's Broadway Show Lounge on Deck 6 & 7 is home to 12 high-energy musical productions. There are two shows per evening and each show is only featured once per weeklong sailing. The shows, produced by "ted" (the entertainment group, feel worthy of a West End stage -- particularly new show “Revive: The Forgotten Circus”, which sees acrobatics incorporated into a theatrical extravaganza that also involves vocalists, ballet and mime artists. The other new show, “Lovestruck”, is a modern love story with references to the woes of online dating. Other shows feature tributes to specific genres or eras, such as “Rockology”, featuring classic rock, and “Soul”. While the vocal talent is very good, the stand out dance performances are extraordinary. A comedian also performs in the theatre on Sunday evenings, when the entertainment cast take the night off. The weekly crew show also takes place at the theatre. During the day, the theatre is occasionally used for movie screenings.
Daily Fun. Expect daily fun around the pool with Marella cruise staff leading activities such as ice carving, bingo, trivia, pool games and daytime shows. Line dancing and table tennis tournaments are a regular occurrence and crafts also appears on the programme -- typically taking place in The Coffee Port -- such as still-life drawing and water colour painting. **At Night** Most of the nightly entertainment is contained within the ship’s venues, though there’s a Sail Away party, Movies by Moonlight open-air cinema and the Silent Disco that sometimes takes place on the Pool Deck. Indigo Casino (Deck 12), offering slot machines and card tables, is located within Indigo Bar & Club. Casino tournaments are listed in the daily Cruise News programme.
Bars and Lounges.
Aperitif (Deck 6): A centrally located bar between Kora La and Surf & Turf, this venue is styled as a pre- and post-dinner drinks venue that is most popular after 7 p.m. It feels like an after-dark spot -- perfect for couples -- with a pianist playing in the evening and its own cocktail menu, with specialties such as Espresso Martini.
Flutes (Deck 6): This new-to-the-line bar is another popular pre- or post-dinner drinks venue. What makes Flutes unique is the convenient, quirky "Press for Champagne" buttons dotted around the venue. The menu specialises in Champagne, Prosecco and Bellini cocktails. Drinks here are chargeable, varying from a £2.50 supplement for a Bellini to £9/£43 for a glass/bottle of Champagne.
Squid & Anchor (Deck 7): The ship’s pub has more of a lounge feel to it -- taking up a spacious section at the aft of the ship. There’s ample seating and a stage area where activities and entertainment, such as bingo, trivia and singers performing in the evening takes place. It’s also the spot for karaoke -- or bandaoke if you prefer singing as part of a group.
Gin & Whiskey Bar (Deck 7): Located within a section of Squid & Anchor, as the name suggests, this venue specialises in gin and whisky and provides a small bar with stools and a high-table, also with stools. The menu includes a variety of different gins, whiskies and cocktails. There’s a £3 supplement.
19th Hole (Deck 7): Located next to the Broadway Show Lounge, 19th Hole has a golf theme, featuring a golf simulator experience, golf-inspired cocktails, craft beer and seating in fun golf buggies. The simulator experience is aimed at golfing enthusiasts, costing £25 for one hour, and featuring 48 of the world’s best courses.
Pool Bar (Deck 11): A convenient bar for passengers to order drinks during the day, while sunbathing or lounging on the pool deck. **Indigo Bar & Club (Deck 12):** This huge space offers plenty of seating and 360-degree ocean views with cocktail-making session, live music, a DJ and dance floor for dancing late into the night. The bar offers the Indigo by BarWizards cocktail menu, which includes some of the most fun and inventive cocktails onboard that take inspiration from destinations around the world.
The Shack (Deck 12): Located directly above Snack Shack and overlooking the pool, The Shack offers an informal spot to order daytime drinks. ## Marella Explorer 2
Outside Recreation
Pools. There is one large pool with four whirlpools next to it on Deck 11. The space is where all the action happens during the day. It’s the most popular spot for sunbathing with plenty of loungers and seating either side of the pool.
Recreation Explorer 2’s recreational offering is pared back. Passengers will find a new mini-golf area on Deck 15, overlooking the Pool Deck, and a table tennis table on Deck 12. Smoking is permitted to the entrance ofIndigo on Deck 12, overlooking the Pool Deck.
Sun Decks In addition to the Pool Deck, which is the busiest and liveliest spot during the day, sun loungers are available on the Promenade Deck (Deck 6), which is the best option for shaded areas; Deck 12, which is the best spot for sun, and on the Veranda Deck (Deck 14), which has a more exclusive beach-club feel and features a variety of loungers and seating, including Balinese-style daybeds and the private Veranda Cabanas that can be hired out for £99 per day or £400 per week via the spa. The price also includes access to the spa’s Thermal Suite. Each Veranda Cabana is ocean facing, perfect for couples, with two sun loungers and a canopy that can be pulled down to create shade or pushed back. There’s also a buzzer that is used to order drinks.
Services. There's a Cruise Holiday Store and Destination Services by Reception. Currency can be exchanged at Reception. There’s also a photo studio, medical centre, Broad Street shops, which offers a handful of boutiques, and the Photo Gallery. There are no laundrettes onboard but there is a laundry service available that offers washing and pressing services, for fee, per item. During the refit, Marella added water stations to decks with cabins. Though bottled water is still available in cabins -- the water stations are in place to encourage passengers to refill bottles or carafes that are supplied in cabins.
There’s no internet cafe, but Wi-Fi is available. Five packages are offered: 60 minutes (£8) for 75mb of data; one day (£15) for 300mb; three days (£25) for 800mb; seven days (£49) for 1200mb and 14 days (90) for 2200mb. Wi-Fi access is available in all areas of the ship and we found it strong.
Bike Tours are available in selected ports with 15 electric and 15 standard bikes onboard. The guided cycling tours are typically 4.5 hours and cost £36 for a standard bike and £46 for an electric bike. The bikes can only be used as part of a guided tour.
Spa. Explorer 2 features a luxury Champneys Spa in a partnership with the popular land-based brand. Located on Deck 11, there are nine treatment rooms, a beauty salon, a couples' suite and two relaxation rooms, one with dimmed lights and waterbeds and the other with ocean views. What stands the spa apart is the gorgeous ocean-view infinity pool in the Thermal Suite. It’s shallow, but deep enough to lie in and enjoy the Jacuzzi feature. There are also two Experience Showers, a Herbal Sauna and an Ice Experience (a shower-like booth that features a crushed ice pit. The idea is that you use the ice improve circulation by applying it to your body). The spa menu includes a mix of Champneys and Clarins treatments, including facials, massages, body treatments such as wraps and the Champneys Spa Heaven Cocoon, which cost from £49. Though 50-minute facials and massages cost £70-90. Couples’ treatments include four different types of massages, and there’s teeth whitening, acupuncture; men’s treatments such as a Luxury Shave; MediSpa treatments such as fillers; and hair and beauty treatments such as waxing, manicures and pedicures available. As well as treatments, wellbeing and beauty seminars are also held in the spa on topics such as reflexology, acupuncture, teeth whitening and non-surgical face lifts. A Thermal Suite pass can be purchased for £15 or £10 with a treatment, or £77 for a week pass. The Veranda Cabanas on Deck 12 are also booked through the spa. The spa opening hours are 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fitness. Champneys Spa’s gym offers a wide selection of cardio and weight equipment. There’s also space for classes, which includes yoga, Pilates, Legs, Bums and Tums and Circuits, which cost £7. There are some free classes, too, such as Foam Roll & Release and Morning Workout. The spa’s gym also hosts daily health and fitness seminars on a range of subjects, such as how to relieve pain and “Secrets to a Flatter Stomach.” The gym is open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. A running track is located on Deck 14.
Dining includes the widest selection of options onboard any Marella ship -- including more choice for both free and fee dining and brand-new concepts for the line. From the main dining room up to the for-fee Dining Club, the quality of food is excellent. We loved the variety of cuisine available -- from casual help-yourself to waiter service; Japanese, Italian, French, Mediterranean, British and Indian -- we found no shortage of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The freshness of produce stands out, too, with bread, pasta, gelato and chocolates made fresh on the ship every day. Restaurants cater to dietary requirements well, though some do better than others. There is always a vegetarian option available, though vegan choices are more limited. We were impressed by how well the ship caters to gluten-free requirements -- even in the Italian restaurant Nonna’s there’s gluten-free pasta. Passengers should notify the line in advance and again at the restaurant if they have specific dietary needs.
Free Dining.
Latitude 53 (Deck 5 & 6) Meals: (B), (L), (D). The ship's two-tier MDR is open for waiter service breakfast (7 a.m. – 9 a.m.), lunch 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and dinner (6 – 9 p.m.). The restaurant operates a flexible dining policy -- so you just turn up when you’re ready and a server will seat you. Located at the Aft, the light-filled space features floor-to-ceiling windows and has an upmarket feel, perfect for a meal with family or friends, though there are some quieter corners, too, suitable for couples. The menu is tailored to classic British tastes and the overall quality is among the best we’ve encountered in a main dining room. At breakfast there’s a healthy option, a la carte Full English and daily changing specials. There’s an express option, if you’re in a hurry. We were impressed by the amount of gluten-free options on the menu. Lunch and dinner consists of British staples and daily changing specials and healthy options. There are typically two vegetarian options on the menu and several gluten-free options. We ate a delicately tempura-style chicken and sweet potato fritters dish that arrived with a lovely hint of lemongrass, served with lemon aioli. We were also impressed with the garden-freshness of a simple salad, topped with crunchy croutons and grilled chicken. The busiest time is 7 – 7:30 p.m. with more tables becoming available from 8 p.m. If there’s no table available for your party size when you arrive, the restaurant will give you a buzzer and let you know when there’s a table free. Though the restaurant gets busy, we saw no sign of queues on our sailing.
Vista (Deck 5) Meals: (D). This formal Italian restaurant is open for dinner from 6 – 9 p.m., located within a section of Latitude 53 on Deck 5. A divide separates Vista from the rest of the main dining room. It’s a small area, though on busier nights Vista has the flexibility to add a few extra tables, borrowed from Latitude 53. The quality is exceptional -- more on par with what you find in a for-fee speciality restaurant and perfect for a dinner date or special occasion. The menu takes passengers on a tour of Italy -- with popular dishes from different regions such as Piedmont and Sicily, including a gorgeous and tender pork belly that fell apart at the prod of our fork and a delicious crusted-roast cod served with saffron potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Keep an eye out for the Parmigiano wheel, which is rolled out for a dish that involves hot pasta being mixed into the hallowed wheel to create a delicious gooey carb fest. There is always one vegetarian option on the menu and gluten-free options, including a GF pasta.
The Market Place (Deck 11). Meals: (B), (L), (D). The ship's self-service buffet restaurant offers an informal dining option almost 24/7, with breakfast (7 – 11 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.), afternoon tea (3 – 5 p.m.), dinner (6 – 10 p.m.) and late-night snacks (10 p.m. – 1 a.m.). Expect British staples -- a full English and Weetabix in the morning, tea and sandwiches in the afternoon and curry and roast dinners in the evening. There are always veggie options available and in the evening there’s a Design Your Own Dish station, with the theme changing daily, such as curry or stir fry. The Market Place is also the venue to find the ship’s free self-serve ice creams. Drinks are also self-service -- with soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, juices, wine and beer available. There are typically two vegetarian options on the menu (mirroring the main dining room) and gluten-free options are labelled at the self-service counters. Finding available seating isn’t a problem -- there’s ample space spread across both sides of the deck.
Snack Shack (Deck 11). Meals: (L). Designed with a British seaside theme, Snack Shack is conveniently located on the Pool Deck offering a selection of fast food -- with many deep-fried items, plus hot dogs and burgers during the day (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). There’s also sandwiches, wraps, salad and fruit for healthier options. Snack Shack’s hot counter isn’t suitable for vegetarians, though there are vegetarian wraps, sandwiches and salads available in the fridge.
Nonna's (Deck 11). Meals: (L), (D)** The ship’s informal Italian option is excellent and the informal vibe gives the ambiance of a quaint Italian restaurant that focuses on substance over style. At lunchtime and through the afternoon (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) the restaurant offers a selection of pizzas and a Make Your Own Pasta menu. You even get to choose which herbs go into your dish. Gluten-free spaghetti is available and vegetarian options are also offered. In the evening (6:30 – 9:30 p.m.) passengers create their own pizza and there’s more Italian options available such as calzone, plus a wider selection of pasta ingredients available on the Make Your Own Pasta menu. Two dessert options are also offered, or a selection of ice creams, courtesy of Scoops (which is next to Nonna’s), for an additional fee. We were impressed with a humble spaghetti dish served with a glug of olive oil, garlic, basil and mozzarella. There are more choices and ingredients to choose from, but we enjoyed the simple nature of this pared-back bowl of pasta.
Beach Cove (Deck 11). Meals: (B), (L). At breakfast (8:30 – 10:30 a.m.) and lunchtime (11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.) the new Beach Cove venue serves a continental breakfast and self-serve light lunches, with waiter service for drinks, before converting into a for-fee restaurant in the evening. It’s a convenient spot for sunbathers to grab a lighter meal on the Pool Deck and eat at one of the tables or take food back to their sun lounger. There’s a covered area and al fresco seating available.
The Terrace (Deck 11). Meals: (B), (L), (D). This is an outdoor space for passengers dining at The Market Place at the Aft of the ship. There’s plenty of seating and shading as the area is covered by a canopy.
Room Service: Room service is only available to Suite-class passengers for free and, even then, it only consists of one Continental breakfast per passenger per week, available between 7 – 10 a.m. Passengers wishing to order room service must hang their order form on their cabin door before 4 a.m. There’s a for-fee menu available to all passengers 24/7. The menu can be found in the cabin’s Life Onboard magazine and includes a Continental breakfast, omelettes, Light Bites, dessert and drinks. Drinks are charged for on the Room Service menu.
Fee Dining
The Dining Club (Deck 5). Meals: (D). The ship's elegant formal dining venue, which debuted on Explorer, is the only venue to offer a wine pairing menu. It is located next to the Reception by the ship's Atrium. The menu is European, with a focus on French, and the ambiance is spot on -- it feels classy, like a top restaurant you might find in a popular city. The Dining Club is perfect for couples celebrating an occasion or looking to elevate their dining experience. While we don’t feel The Dining Club is molecular gastronomy in style, which it is described as by the ship, the quality of food and service is excellent. Here, chefs turn classic dishes into more spectacular creations. We ate a prawn cocktail that featured plump rosewood-smoked prawns. The smokiness was subtle so as not to overpower the large, juicy shellfish, served with fresh microgreens and edible flowers -- and topped with a hearty dollop of Marie Rose sauce. The standout main course dish -- Lamb Three Ways, served as a slow-roast saddle, glazed loin and lamb and bean cassolette -- was equally remarkable. It came with Pommes Parisienne and al dente roast carrots with a Syrah sauce. The flavour combinations and overall dining experience surpassed our expectations. There are limited vegetarian options on the menu and no vegan options. Gluten-free options are available. The Dining Club can get very busy and a reservation is required.
Kora La (Deck 6). Meals: (D). The ship’s Asian restaurant focuses on fresh curry dishes, stir fries and regional Indian and Chinese specialities. Kora La is the place to go for the best curry onboard. And if you prefer yours extra hot, the chefs will ramp up the spice, and vice versa. Naan breads and chutneys are all made fresh on the ship. The line’s partnership with Ian Pengelley (of the excellent House of Ho restaurant in London) includes speciality dishes on the menu created by the famous chef, who regularly joins the ship to make sure they’re being prepared and presented correctly. Passengers will find Kora La located opposite Surf & Turf, towards the aft of the ship. It is recommended to book in advance.
Sushi @ Kora La (Deck 6). Meals: (D). Within a section of Kora La the chef prepares fresh sushi platters made to order -- as you watch from the counter. Hot (cooked) dishes and fish-free options are also available. Reservations are necessary as it can get busy at peak times.
Surf & Turf (Deck 6). Meals: (D). This is the go-to venue for meat lovers with various cuts of steak, other meats, shellfish and seafood available. The setting feels formal and perfect for a special occasion or date night -- we love that the music (usually a pianist) filters through from Aperitif, just next door. The quality of food, presentation and service is excellent. We tucked into gorgeous pan-roasted scallops served with a celeriac puree and lemongrass sauce that were fashionably smeared on the plate, adding a touch of zesty flavour to a perfect dish. We followed this with a classic Surf & Turf, opting for the lobster tail and fillet of Angus beef medallion. Our steak was beautifully cooked, though we found the lobster meat on the dry side. We were also disappointed by the Lobster Macaroni Cheese -- while it was still tasty -- oozing with creamy, gooey cheese -- we struggled to find the lobster. As with the ship’s other speciality restaurants, Surf & Turf can get very busy and requires a reservation. There’s one veggie dish on the menu, though Surf & Turf is not really suitable for vegetarians. Several gluten-free options are available.
The Coffee Port (Deck 7). The line's popular coffee house venue serves Lavazza coffee and is arguably the best coffee onboard. Cold brew (coffee over ice), soft drinks, juices and a selection of tea are also available. We love the handmade chocolate creations at the counter -- all made onboard -- which make for a lovely souvenir to take home. The Coffee Port is spacious and has the upmarket feel of a business lounge, featuring casual seating and booths with USB charging points. While the ship doesn’t provide a dedicated library, there are a selection of books and board games in The Coffee Port. Passengers use the space to take a break from the sun, read and chat with fellow passengers.
Beach Cove (Deck 11). Meals: (D). A new-to-the-line venue, Beach Cove is a poolside restaurant with a barbecue-theme -- think chicken wings, baby-back ribs and pork, beef and lamb sliders -- in the evening. The most affordable of the ship’s speciality restaurants, Beach Cove is a lovely spot for an informal dinner. It’s perfect for a date night, especially if you time your reservation to coincide with sunset (check the daily Cruise News for sunset times). The menu also offers the Taste of Beach Cove for two, designed for sharing and includes a combination of dishes from the main menu. The quality isn’t nearly as good here as in the ship’s other speciality restaurants, but that is reflected in the price. We tried the Espetada (Portuguese skewers) -- consisting of meat, fish, tofu or vegetables, served barbecued on a tall spike at the table -- which has fast become Beach Cove’s signature dish. The barbecued salmon and prawns were a little dry for our liking, though the baby-back rib starter was incredibly tender and fell off the bone -- we were tempted to order another portion. Vegetarian options are available -- typically one starter and one main course (the vegetarian Espetada) -- though because of the barbecue theme, the menu is meat heavy. Several gluten-free options are available. We found it easy to make a reservation for Beach Cove on the day -- though the restaurant did fill so it’s still recommended to book ahead.
Scoops (Deck 11). A jaunty venue on the Pool Deck themed on a vintage ice cream parlour, Scoops is open from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. offering a selection of homemade gelato that changes daily. Expect classic options and some fun flavour combinations. There’s a charge of £1 for one scoop or £2 for two, served in a cone or cup. There’s also an ice cream sundae menu offering fun classics such as a Knickerbocker Glory. There’s seating in the form of three upcycled-style unicycle seats facing out to sea, though most passengers opt to take away.
The ship has a total of 907 cabins in 16 categories, of which 40 per cent have balconies. All cabins contain tea and coffee making facilities, a carafe for filling with water from the dispensers, a safe, mini-bar, hair dryer, USB-charging points, flat-screen TV (a selection of channels are available, but there are no on-demand movie channels), two single beds that can be turned into a Queen-size double, a writing desk/vanity unit with drawers, a double wardrobe and two bedside tables with lamps. Bathrooms are equipped with a minimum of a shower with glass door, a WC and a sink, with some storage space for toiletries, and a soap dispenser. All cabins either take a European or a US two-pin adaptor. Cabins feel modern and offer generous storage and space -- even in the smallest of room categories where there’s a double wardrobe, plus a single wardrobe that contains shelves and drawers. Marella has invested in new carpets, curtains, upholstery and soft furnishings, lending a fresh feel that does a good job of masking the ship’s age, though the cabin hardware and bathroom floors haven’t been updated, giving clues to the ship’s real age. There are 26 interconnecting cabins -- two of which link to the ship’s two Royal Suites -- plus seven accessible, wheelchair-friendly cabins located on Deck 5, behind the reception. Thirty single cabins for solo travellers are available. Solo travellers receive a letter in their cabin from the Social Hostess with information about all of the solo events. Although some cabins contain third and fourth berths -- typically offered to children travelling with parents -- these are not used on Marella Explorer 2 because of the ship’s adults-only nature. Mini-bars are stocked, but drinks are chargeable.
Interior. Inside Cabins are 16 square metre windowless rooms with a large mirror above the bed. The cabin safe is cleverly stowed behind a mirror in Inside and Outside cabins, which means it doesn’t end up taking up valuable storage space in the wardrobes. Interior cabins are available on Deck 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 12. Bathrooms are small, but offer plenty of storage. There’s a single soap dispenser and glass door to the shower.
Oceanview. Exactly the same as Interior cabins, but with a large square or porthole-style window above the bed. Oceanview cabins are available on Deck 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12.
Balcony. These cabins are the same size as Interior and Oceanview cabins, but with a balcony featuring a table and two chairs. Balcony cabins are located on Deck 8, 9, 10 and 12. Aft Balcony Cabins feature larger balconies, though Deck 10 balconies are overlooked by The Terrace and Deck 9 balconies are overlooked by those on Deck 10. There's also a Deluxe Balcony category. These 19 square metre cabins can be found on Deck 8, 9 and 10 and feature a sofa and a partition screen to separate the bedroom from the extra space of the living area.
Junior Suite. These 23 square metre cabins feature twin beds or one Queen bed plus a sitting area with sofa bed. Bathrooms feature a shower over a bath, with the exception of cabins 1200 and 1201 that only have a shower. Balconies contain a table and two chairs, plus two sun loungers. Junior Suite passengers also have the added benefit of Premium Service, which includes express check in, a free pressing service (up to three items per person in the first 24 hours onboard), one complimentary continental breakfast in bed, a bottle of Champagne upon arrival and premium Clarins toiletries. All Junior Suites are located on Deck 10 and 12.
Executive Suite. These 46 square metre suites are generous in every way, featuring a separate living and bedroom area, a walk-in wardrobe and a dressing area, a bathroom with a shower over the bath, as well as a separate shower. In the living area, there’s a sofa, two arm chairs and a coffee table, a dining table seating four and a coffee machine. Balconies are also generously sized, featuring two sun loungers and a table with four chairs. All Executive Suites are located on Deck 10 and include Premium Service.
Royal Suite. The two Royal Suites are the largest in the fleet -- measuring 94 square metres. There’s a guest WC by the entrance, complete with marble cladding and gold taps; there’s a King-size bed that faces the sea and a flatscreen TV in the bedroom; a separate living area, with a further flatscreen TV, sofa, two armchairs with footstools, writing desk and desk chair; dining room seating six; walk-in wardrobe and dressing area. The bathroom features twin sinks, a whirlpool bath and a separate shower. There’s ample storage space in the bathroom, dressing area, walk-in wardrobe, bedroom and also in the living space -- should you really need it. There’s also whirlpool on the balcony, though it takes roughly 90 minutes to fill, so leave plenty of time. There are two sun loungers and a table and four chairs on the balcony. Strangely, there are no USB charging points in the Royal Suites -- the only cabin category not to feature them. Royal Suite passengers also get the Premium Service.
Younger Brits looking for a friendly, activity-packed cruise; families
Luxury cruisers and culture vultures
Marella's passengers are almost exclusively from the U.K., with everything onboard geared to British tastes, from food and drink to stand-up and pub quizzes. Most are over 50, but the age range comes down considerably in the school holidays when competitive pricing and convenient flights from local airports, as well as free kids' clubs, make Marella attractive to families. However, a handful of the line's ships are adults-only and draw an older crowd.
Not too much. The dress code is casual apart from one dress-to-impress night per seven-day cruise, which can be interpreted as you wish. Tuxedos and ball gowns are a rarity and, in fact, would seem out of place, but people do make an effort on these nights to dress it up.
Not quite. Marella's cruises are fairly inclusive with gratuities and basic drinks included. Meals in select venues are also included. Extra costs include an upgrade to premium wine and spirits, bottled water and specialty coffee, spa treatments, shore excursions and specialty dining.
Marella's ships are packed with activities, which is just how Marella cruisers want it. Among the more popular activities are poolside contests, lively evening entertainment and, on ships that have them, virtual reality games, escape rooms, climbing walls and mini-golf.
These cabins measure in at 16m², which means you get twin beds that can be made into a queen-size, plus an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower. If you go for a 3-berth cabin, you’ll get an extra fold-down bed.
Our Outside Cabins feature either a porthole or a picture window. They're 16m² in size, with twin beds that can be made into a queen-size, plus an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower. If you go for a 3-berth cabin, you’ll get an extra fold-down bed.
Deck 12 Balcony Cabin
You can admire the horizon from your own furnished balcony with these cabins. They make the most of the 16m2 of space with a queen-size bed or twin beds that convert to a queen-size. And the en-suite bathroom packs in a shower and a WC. Our 3-berth cabins have a sofa bed or extra fold-down bed. Just so you know, balcony cabins on deck 12 have an obstructed view from the balcony.
Decks 9/10 Balcony Cabin
You can admire the horizon from your own furnished balcony with these cabins. They make the most of the 16m² of space with a queen-size bed or twin beds that convert to a queen-size. And the en suite bathroom packs in a shower and a WC. Our 3 and 4-berth cabins have a sofa bed or extra fold-down bed.
Deck 8 Balcony Cabin
You can admire the horizon from your own furnished balcony with these cabins. They make the most of the 16m² of space with a queen-size bed or twin beds that convert to a queen-size. And the en suite bathroom packs in a shower and a WC. Please note, some cabins on Deck 8 have a different layout with a fixed double bed against the wall - see our deck plan for the cabin numbers.
Deluxe Cabin with Balcony
Our 19m² Deluxe Balcony Cabins do exactly what they say on the tin. You'll get a furnished balcony, plus a queen-size bed, a double sofa bed and an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower. Please note, on Deck 9, these cabins come with a fixed double bed against the wall and a partition door that leads to a living area with a double sofa bed. Our Deck 10 cabins, meanwhile, don’t feature a partition door, and come with two single beds that can be pushed together to form a queen-size bed. The above image is of a cabin on Deck 9. Please see our deck plan for cabin numbers.
Junior Suite Cabin with Balcony and Suite Service
Book one of our Junior Suites and you'll get to enjoy the views from your furnished balcony. These 23m2 suites are found on Deck 10 and 12, near the top of the ship, which gives you a great vantage point. Inside, you've got twin beds that convert into a queen-size, a sitting area with a double sofa bed and an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower over a bath. Please note cabins 1200 and 1201 do not have a bath. When you book a cabin with Suite service included, you can look forward to one continental breakfast in bed per person per week, and a free pressing service for up to three items during your stay. On top of that, you’ll have a coffee machine, slippers, a dressing gown, upgraded toiletries and a pillow menu in your cabin.
Executive Suite Cabin with Balcony and Suite Service
The Executive Suites live up to their name, with separate living and sleeping areas. The 46m² suites come with twin beds in the bedroom, which you can convert into a queen-size. There's a double sofa-bed in the separate lounge, too. In the en suite bathroom, meanwhile, there's a bath, as well as a walk-in shower and a WC. And a furnished balcony rounds things off nicely. When you book a cabin with Suite service included, you can look forward to one continental breakfast in bed per person per week, and a free pressing service for up to three items during your stay. On top of that, you’ll have a coffee machine, slippers, a dressing gown, upgraded toiletries and a pillow menu in your cabin.
Royal Suite Cabin with Balcony and Suite Service
Our Royal Suite is the crème de la crème of cabins. Not only does it line up a bedroom with a king-size bed, but it also packs in a separate living area with a sofa bed, a dining area and a dressing area. You've also got an en suite bathroom with a shower, a WC and a tub, plus a big balcony with a whirlpool. And all this measures up at a sizeable 94m². When you book a cabin with Suite service included, you can look forward to one continental breakfast in bed per person per week, and a free pressing service for up to three items during your stay. On top of that, you’ll have a coffee machine, slippers, a dressing gown, upgraded toiletries and a pillow menu in your cabin.
