Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer joined the fleet back in 2018. The ship stepped up to the plate with a bumper batch of 10 restaurants and 10 bars. You’ll find fleet favourites like Snack Shack and Kora La onboard, plus brand new spaces like The Dining Club for foodies and a swanky bar, club and casino. The highlights don’t stop at food and drink, though. There’s also an indoor cinema, a Sports & Family Deck and a spa, where you can sign up for everything from body-balancing acupuncture and slimming treatments to body wraps and facials.
- accommodation
- dining
- entertainment
- health & fitness
- enrichment
- useful
- misc.
Executive Suite
If you want to go all out, book one of our Executive Suites on Deck 10. Each one measures up at a big 49m2, with enough room for four people. They come with a sofa bed and a queen-size bed. In the bathroom, there’s a shower and WC. A furnished balcony tops things off. This cabin comes with Premier Service. Extras include:
- Breakfast in bed once a week
- A free pressing service that means you’ll look your best for the Dress to Impress night.
Junior Suite
You’ll have 22m2 to play with when you book one of our Junior Suites. They are found on Deck 10 and 12, which means you’re guaranteed great horizon views from your furnished balcony. Each suite sleeps three, thanks to a sofa bed and two twin beds that can be made into a queen-size. The en suite bathroom has a shower and WC.
- This cabin comes with Premier Service.
- Extras include breakfast in bed once a week and a free pressing service that means you’ll look your best for the Dress to Impress night.
Family Balcony Cabin
There’s plenty of room for the whole brood in our Family Cabins. Size-wise, they’re 20m2 and sleep up to five people. Each one is fitted with a double bed, which is fixed against the wall, along with a sofa bed and a fold-down bed. You’ve also got an en suite bathroom with a shower and WC, as well as a furnished balcony.
- This cabin comes with Premier Service.
- Extras include breakfast in bed once a week and a free pressing service that means you’ll look your best for the Dress to Impress night.
Balcony Cabin – Large Balcony
These cabins give you everything you get from a Balcony Cabin, and throw a bigger balcony into the mix. They measure up at 16m2, and you’ll find them on Decks 9, 10 and 12. The cabins offer two beds that can be turned into a queen-size, along with an en suite bathroom with a shower and WC. Three-berth cabins, meanwhile, get a sofa bed, too.
Balcony Cabin
It’s the sea views that make these cabins stand out. They’re a sizeable 17m2, and you can make the most of them out on your furnished private balcony. Inside, there are two twin beds that convert into a queen-size one. If there are three of you, you’ll have a sofa bed, too. And the en suite bathroom lines up a shower and WC.
Outside Cabin
All of our Outside Cabins come with a porthole or picture window. They’re 17m2 in size, which includes two single beds. These can be pushed together to make a queen-size. Our three and four-berth cabins have twin beds, as well as a sofa bed or extra fold-down beds. Plus, the en suite bathrooms have a shower and WC. We also have Large Outside Cabins – which sleep up to three. They measure 20m2, with twin beds that can be converted into a double bed, as well as a sofa bed. The bathroom’s equipped with a WC and a shower.
Inside Cabin
These cabins come in at around 16m2. Within that, you’ve got two single beds that can be converted into a queen-size, as well as an en suite bathroom with a shower and WC. There are also four-berth cabins, with twin beds and extra fold-down beds. We also have Inside Family Cabins – which sleep up to five. At 19m2, they feature an area with a fixed double bed, and then a sliding door partition leading to a double sofa bed and a single fold-down bed. In the bathroom, you’ll find a WC and a shower.
Single Outside Cabin
For solo cruisers, these cabins are just the ticket. They come with a single bed and an en suite with a shower and WC. Plus, they’ve got the added bonus of a picture window, so you can take in the sea views. They’re usually booked by cruisers travelling alone or friends who prefer their own cabin.
Single Inside Cabin
Our Single Cabins are spot on for solo travellers. They come with a single bed and an en suite with a shower and WC. They’re a big hit with cruisers travelling alone or friends who prefer their own cabin.
Latitude 53
The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking dining venue, with a gold-and-grey colour scheme and striking, floor-to-ceiling windows. Menu-wise, you can expect modern dishes with a twist, as well as some British favourites.
Vista
You’ll find Vista on deck 5 in Latitude 53. Come evening, it transforms into a contemporary Italian restaurant. Here, you can get regional Italian favourites made with authentic ingredients.
The Market Place
You can watch the chefs whip up dishes from around the world at this buffet restaurant. It’s made up of lots of different food stalls, hence its name, the Market Place. And there’s a design-your-own station every night, where you can choose all your ingredients for dishes like a stir-fry.
Snack Shack
This laidback eatery’s perfect for grab ‘n’ go lunches or snacks. You can help yourself to sandwiches and salads, or order a burger or hot dog. It comes complete with food stalls, oversized deckchairs, and colourful beach huts to eat in, as well as a drinks station, too.
Tapas @ The Mediterranean
You’ll be whisked to sunny Spain when you dine in this section of The Mediterranean, which specialises in tapas dishes for dinner. Or you can take your taste buds over to Portugal and try espetadas – meat or veg skewers – for a little extra. It’s open at lunchtime, too, for light bites, like sandwiches and jacket potatoes.
Italian @ The Mediterranean
You can create your own pizzas and pastas at this laidback restaurant. Plus, you can start things off with a salad.
Kora La
You’ll feel like you’ve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. Oriental-style lanterns and paintings are paired with a pan-Asian menu of curries and noodle dishes. There’s a charge to dine here and we recommend you make a reservation.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse
This place does what it says on the tin, specialising in all things meat. The menu takes in mains like pork chops, lobster and grilled chicken – but the highlight has to be the 28-day-aged steaks. The interiors are inspired by the meaty menu, as well, with chopping board artwork and leather booth seating. There’s a charge to dine here and we recommend you make a reservation.
Umi Sushi
Sushi, sashimi and nigiri rolls are prepared right in front of your eyes at this eatery. If you’re not a sushi fan, there’s also dim sum, cooked dishes and dessert to look forward to. It’s open for dinner only. There’s a charge to dine here and we recommend you make a reservation.
The Dining Club
This fine dining restaurant was made for foodies. You’ll be treated to high-end cuisine, making it the ideal spot for an extra special evening. It also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. This weekly event brings the West End to Marella Cruises, with dishes inspired by famous musicals – like the ‘Vietnamese Melody’ beef tenderloin yakitori and the ‘On My Own’ petit choux. There are six teas to choose from, as well as a cocktail of your choice. Plus, the whole place is decorated with show posters and memorabilia. There’s a charge to dine here and we recommend you make a reservation.
The Coffee Port
f you’re in need of a caffeine boost, this place will do the trick. Lavazza coffee and sweet treats are served here courtesy of our in-house chocolatier. Plus, it’s a great people-watching spot, since it overlooks the atrium and comes with a chilled-out musical soundtrack.
Please note, the drinks from the menu here are only included as part of the Premium All Inclusive package.
Scoops
For those with a sweet tooth, try Scoops. This vintage-looking parlour serves up dollops of ice-cream in a range of flavours, and you can add toppings, too. The seating’s just as quirky – a collection of bike seats sit facing out to sea.
Room Service
Feeling peckish but don’t want to leave the comfort of your cabin? Take a look at our room service menu. You can order all sorts of snacks and drinks, from triple-stacked club sandwiches to steaming cups of hot chocolate.
Broadway Show Lounge
With a capacity of 1,000 people, this show lounge is big enough to rival a Broadway theatre. And that’s not all it’s got going for it. There are plenty of brand-new shows on offer, plus you’ll be handed a drink on arrival.
Aperitif
Aperitif specialises in all things premium. You can get cocktails like an Aperol Spritz or a Chocolate Espresso Martini, as well as Prosecco and a range of spirits – all included as part of our Premium All Inclusive package. This speakeasy-style bar’s a great spot to head before or after a meal at one of the speciality restaurants.
Squid & Anchor
Our first pub at sea is a modern take on a traditional British boozer. There are two bars to pick from. One pours a great selection of drinks for you to choose from while you settle in for the evening entertainment, while the other deals in premium gins and whiskies, which are chargeable. Plus, this place is the home of a live band, quiz nights and a couple of arcade machines.
The Lounge
A colour-changing feature bar, hot-pink piano and funky, ring-shaped seats take their place in this eye-catching lounge bar. You can admire the views, while listening to the soothing soundtrack of the live pianist.
The Mediterranean Bar
This feature bar wraps around The Mediterranean – running from the inside to the outside. It’s the place to come for Mediterranean specialities, as well as your usual drinks and frozen cocktails. If you choose a seat outside, you’ll get impressive sea views, since the terrace is positioned right at the back of the ship.
Indigo Bar
Indigo lays claim to the longest bar in the fleet. Flare demonstrations and cocktail-making sessions are often on the cards here. There’s also plenty of seating around the bar’s edge, where you can take in the 360-degree views – day or night. After dark, the menus light up, showing off around-the-world themed cocktails, like Thai Punch and Jamaican Me Crazy.
Indigo Casino
If you’re feeling lucky, you can try out the slot machines and card tables at the Indigo Casino.
Indigo Club
You’ll find the club in the middle of Indigo, flaunting a dance-floor and a DJ booth, as well as an extra bar. It’s where silent discos and Eighties or Nineties-themed nights take place.
Broad Street Shops
When the ship’s at sea, it’s time to hit the shops. The onboard boutiques are stocked with everyday essentials and loads of products, including perfume, jewellery and souvenirs.
Movies by Moonlight
The open-air cinema is the go-to place for a chilled-out evening under the stars. Classic movies and the latest box office hits are shown on a big screen. And you can get blankets, popcorn, and hot chocolate from the nearby bar.
The Shack
This deck bar provides cool-down drinks in between sunbathing. You’ll find it just above Snack Shack, overlooking the pool.
Photo Gallery & Photo Studio
Take a visit to the Photo Gallery where you can view and buy all the photos captured by our photography team on the kiosks. If you’d prefer something more personalised, pop into the Photo Studio and ask about our professional photo shoots.
53
The clue’s in the name here. This bar is right next to Latitude 53, so it’s perfectly placed for some pre-dinner drinks.
Sports & Family Deck
The Sport & Family Deck is where the majority of the activities take place. Expect everything from table tennis, boules and basketball to make appearances – competitions and tournaments are organised throughout your sailing. There’s a jogging track up here, too, for a scenic morning run.
Pool Bar
This bar sits next to the pool on Deck 11, so it’s great for grabbing drinks and frozen cocktails.
The Cinema
Movie days and nights come courtesy of the indoor cinema. Family-friendly films are on the agenda, with extra screenings during high season. If you’d prefer to watch something al fresco, keep an eye out for our Movies by Moonlight showings.
Gamer Zone
Everyone can play games at the aptly named Gamer Zone. It’s fully stocked with consoles.
Reception
Reception is the place to go for any queries, currency exchange and wake-up calls. Plus, it’s open around-the-clock.
Oceans spa and Beauty Salon
Marella Cruises are partnered with Oceans Spa and Beauty Salon to bring you a state-of-the-art on board spa. Like at any other Oceans Spa and Beauty Salon, you can book in for treatments, like facials, body wraps and massages, plus there’s a beauty salon. The spa doesn’t scrimp on size either. In fact, it’s the biggest in the fleet – packing in a sauna with widescreen windows, a relaxation room and VIP suites with private steam rooms and saunas.
Gym
You can work up a sweat with the sea in sight at the gym. You can join in with top fitness classes, like yoga and indoor cycling.
Pool
The pool area on Deck 11 has two outdoor pools and three whirlpools with plenty of lounge chairs. The pool is split in two by a stage in the middle, which is where the entertainment team run their daily activities from.
Whirlpool Baths
A trio of whirlpool baths sit next to the main pool.
The Veranda
Cocoon chairs and Balinese beds add to The Veranda’s luxe, relaxing atmosphere. Plus, it’s at the front of the ship, so the views are first-class.
The Veranda Cabanas
If you’re feeling extra plush, you can hire a private cabana for the day or the week, for a charge. Plus, you can order drinks without moving from your lounger, courtesy of call buttons.
The Attic
This is a quiet, noise-free zone, where you can slip away and get stuck into your latest holiday read.
Sports Court
Found on the Sports & Family Deck, this is where the majority of the activities take place. Expect everything from table tennis, boules and basketball to make appearances – competitions and tournaments are organised throughout your sailing. There’s a jogging track up here, too, for a scenic morning run.
Jogging Track
If it’s a morning run you’re after then why not take in the scenic views from the jogging track – you can find this on the Sports & Family Deck.
Mini Golf
If you’d prefer to putt your way around nine holes, the mini golf course on deck 12 has you covered. You can opt for a laidback round on your own, or sign up to one of the competitions that’s often organised during your sailing.
Bike Tours
If you really want to get under the skin of a place, book a bike tour. All our ships have a collection of mountain bikes onboard and, at almost every port, you can join an experienced guide and cycle your way around the best sights. The distance and difficulty of each tour varies, from relaxed rides over flat ground, to more challenging trips on hilly terrain. If you don’t fancy as much pedalling, there are electric bikes onboard, too. For more information, just speak to a member of the Destination Services team.
Destination Services
If you want to find out more about our ports of call and excursions, come and chat to our Destination Services team. They’ve got guides and maps to help you find your way around. And you can book your next cruise with them, too. You’ll find them onboard by Reception.
COVID-19
For all information on our COVID-19 rules and procedures, please visit our dedicated Hub: Cruise With Confidence | Marella Cruises (tui.co.uk)
www.tui.co.uk/destinations/info/cruise-with-confidence?vlid=trvcnfc
Disabled Facilities
If you’re planning a cruise and have a disability, use a wheelchair, have special dietary needs, a sensory impairment or are undergoing medical treatment, you must let Marella know when making your booking. Failure in doing this may result in you being refused boarding on arrival at the ship. For more information please contact Marella’s Customer Welfare Team. If you plan to use a wheelchair onboard and require adapted facilities you must book a specially adapted cabin. All of Marella shops have at least four of these cabins. These cabins may only be booked by those who require adapted facilities. If you plan to use your wheelchair onboard but do not require adapted facilities, please contact the Customer Welfare Team to make sure an appropriate cabin type can be selected. If you need your wheelchair – either standard or battery operated – when you’re ashore, Marella will look after it for you at the gangway so it’s there when you need it. But you will have to be able to manage the gangway without it. In ports where a tender to shore is necessary, you’ll have to stay onboard if you can’t manage without your wheelchair. At other times, depending on the port and the tides , it may not be possible for you to leave the ship at all due to gangway access. Some excursions may not be suitable for the less mobile. Marella Cruises have teamed up with AccessAble, who have created detailed access guides for each of our ships. Visit their website to find out more: https://www.accessable.co.uk/marella-cruises
Dietary Requirements
If you’ve got any dietary requirements, please make sure you mention it when you book by contacting our Customer Welfare Team on 020 3451 2585. Then let the restaurant manager know once you’re onboard. We also provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and diabetic-friendly options on request. If you need to bring your own food for medical reasons, please let us know in advance so we can ensure we have the correct facilities in place to store and prepare this. There may be some requests we aren’t able to accommodate, so it’s important you let us know when you book your cruise.
Age Restrictions
• Minimum age to sail – 6m+ 6 months on most cruises
• Minimum age to sail alone – 18+ Passengers must be 18 or over to travel alone
• Minimum age for separate cabin – 13+ or 18+ If you have more than one cabin that is adjacent or opposite each other, then children up to 13 must be accompanied, if the cabin is separate then under 18’s must be accompanied
• Minimum age to leave the ship on your own – 18+ Passengers must be 18 or older to go on a ship-sponsored excursion on their own
• Minimum age to be left onboard alone – 16+ Parents/guardians must accompany children under 16 whilst the ship is in port
• Casino, slot machines, bingo – 18+ Passengers must be 18 years or older to use these facilities
• Spa & Gym – 16+ Passengers must be 16 years or older to use these facilities
• Adult Only Spaces – 18+ Passengers must be 18 years or older to use these spaces
• Hot Tubs, Sauna and Steam Rooms – 13+ Passengers between the ages of 13-16 years must have adult supervision to use these facilities, but those over the age of 16 may use them unaccompanied.
All Inclusive Drinks Policy
All Marella cruises give you All Inclusive as standard, here’s the full list of what’s included:
- Selected draught beer and cider
- A range of spirits and aperitifs, including lots of big brands
- Selected wine and Prosecco by the glass
- A selection of cocktails, from Long Island Iced Tea to Pimm’s and lemonade
- Selected soft drinks by the glass including mocktails and fruit juice.
You can upgrade to the Premium All Inclusive package and get these extras…
- Upgraded cocktails, such as Mojitos and Aperol Spritz’s
- Premium gins, vodkas, rums and tequilas, including Bombay Sapphire and Absolut Vodka
- Cans of soft drink
- More choice of whiskies, brandies and Cognacs
- All drinks from The Coffee Port menu, which are made with premium Lavazza coffee
Dress Code
The dress code policy’s easily broken down into Beachwear, Casual and Smart. The first is a ‘come as you are’ affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, plus we ask that you wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Meanwhile, Casual speaks for itself – we’re talking tops and shorts or a sundress. Then you’ve got Smart, which is when you’ll need to dress up a bit. Put your sports or swimwear away, and opt for trousers, smart tailored shorts or a skirt or dress, a shirt or polo shirt and smart shoes, so no trainers or flip flops. If you want to add a jacket or tie, that’s up to you. But the Dress to Impress nights give you the chance to get really suited and booted. Each of the restaurants onboard has a dress code, and this can differ depending on the time of day, but they’ll always let you know.
Medical Centre
Each of our ships has a medical centre and we have an English-speaking doctor and nurses on board who keep surgery hours. The opening hours are in Cruise News, plus there’s a 24-hour emergency service you can call by dialling 999 from your cabin phone. Just so you know, there’s a fee for using the medical centre, getting prescriptions and follow-up visits, which will be charged to your onboard account.
Smoking Policy
On the Marella Cruise Ships you can smoke in designated areas on deck, this is the case for e-cigarettes also.
Wi-Fi Packages
We have designated Wi-Fi zones onboard. Internet access is charged to your cabin account at the rate advertised onboard. Mobiles can be used – make sure to check with your provider for charges in each country and in international waters, which applies when the ship’s at sea. There are telephones in each cabin, too, so it’s easy to stay in touch with people back home. If you’re pairing your cruise with a stay in one of our hotels, we’ll let you know which places have free Wi-Fi – just look out for the special logo
Navigate
Ever wanted to book a slot at the spa, the casino, or your favourite onboard restaurant without leaving your cabin or sunbed? Well, there’s an app for that – it’s called Navigate. Our onboard app is like having your own personal cruise planner in the palm of your hand, and you can use it to manage lots of different aspects of your cruise. When you embark on a Marella Cruise you’ll have access to Navigate which can help you with everything from watching the safety video, to accessing your onboard account, booking shore excursions, restaurants, spa treatments and much much more. If you need any more information or assistance with this then head to Reception onboard and they’ll be happy to help.
Awards
On a Marella cruise, you’ll always find a warm and welcoming atmosphere, from the moment you step onboard, wherever we sail. Our friendly staff will remember your name, as well as your favourite cocktail. And in the restaurants, we’re just as well-versed in local specialities as we are in decent cups of tea. In fact, we’ve been endorsed with the Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended stamp of approval. A massive 90% of our customers said the service was very good or excellent – and were impressed by how staff recognised them on a return visit. We picked up the prize for Best Cruise Line for Value at the 2019 Cruise Critic Editor’s Choice Awards. We’ve also picked up numerous awards at the Cruise Critic 2019 Cruisers Choice Awards, including Best Entertainment on Marella Discovery. Most recently in 2021 Marella won the Marine Interior Design of the Year Award for the refit of The Glass House on Marella Discovery in the Seatrade Cruise Awards.
Onboard Experience
If you have any questions regarding Marella Cruises’ onboard experience, try visiting the designated page on our website
https://www.tui.co.uk/cruise/onboard-experience/
Other Details
Children: Kids allowed
Childrens Facilities: Available
Nursery: None
Smoking: Balcony cabins
Celebrity Ties:
Gratuities: Marella Cruises don’t think tips and service charges should cost you extra, so they’ve included them in the price. You’re not expected to tip any of their crew – unless you want to, of course.
Wheelchair Cabins: 7 available