A Quick Guide to Marella Cruises

Marella Cruises is a popular cruise line that’s beloved for its all inclusive offering, exciting itineraries and the variety of onboard amenities. Rebranded from Thomson Cruises in 2017, Marella Cruises is a great option for those travelling with friends, their partner or with family due to the adults-only and family-friendly ships they have on offer. Sailing to destinations including the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean and beyond, there's an itinerary available whether you're looking for a sun-kissed cruise or a magical winter holiday.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the top dining highlights, amenities and more onboard, along with other useful information. 

Keep reading to find out more!

Contents:

1. Marella Cruises Fleet
2. Top Highlights Onboard Marella Cruises
3. Dining Onboard Marella
4. What’s Included/What Costs Extra on Marella Cruises?
5. Marella Cruises Packing Tips
6. Upcoming Getaways

Marella Cruises Fleet

How many ships are in the Marella fleet?

Currently, there are 5 ships within Marella Cruises’ fleet, including Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Voyager. 

 Marella Cruises caters for both families and those looking for an adults-only escape, with 4 of the fleet catering for families and 1 catering solely to adults. With a huge selection of fun activities onboard, including the likes of mini golf, rock climbing, West-End style shows and more, regardless of who you’re travelling with, there’s something onboard for everyone. 

Top Highlights Onboard Marella Cruises

There are a range of highlights onboard Marella Cruises’ ships from dazzling entertainment to fantastic cuisine, activities and more. Onboard the family-friendly ships within the fleet, some of the top highlights include:

• M Club - the kids club on board with lots of fun activities on offer for kids aged 8-11 (for 3-8 year olds, there’s the M Crew club)
• Broadway Show Lounge - showcasing West End-style shows 
• The Hideout - a dedicated teen hangout area for teens aged 12-17
• The Cinema - enjoy a range of films here (available exclusively on Marella Voyager)
• The Wall - a rock climbing wall that’s included in your fare (Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2)
• Movies by Moonlight (Marella Explorer and Marella Discovery)
• Breakout Challenge: Siren’s Spell - thrilling escape room (available exclusively on Marella Discovery at an additional cost)

Onboard Marella Explorer 2, some of the top highlights include:

• The 19th Hole - offering golf simulators and golf-themed cocktails 
• Flutes - champagne and prosecco bar 
• Squid & Anchor - Marella’s pub at sea
• Indigo Bar - which plays host to live music and discos in the evening
• Broad Street Shops - two decks of fantastic shopping opportunities

Explore our complete collection of Marella Explorer 2 getaways here. 

Dining Onboard Marella

Onboard Marella Cruises’ fleet, the dining options are bound to please all palates. Whether you’re seeking fleet-wide dining favourites or a restaurant that’s exclusive to the ship you’re sailing on, there’s something for everyone no matter what the time of day. From international delights to food that will make you feel at home, Marella Cruises’ ships have it all. 

Top dining highlights onboard Marella Cruises’ ships include:

• Snack Shack - an informal, grab and go restaurant with a selection of snacks on offer
• Kora La - available at an additional cost, here you’ll find mouth-watering pan-Asian cuisine
• Nonna’s - for delicious pizza and pasta dishes 
• The Dining Club - a fine dining restaurant serving a range of high-end cuisine
• Umi Sushi - a speciality restaurant offering a variety of tantalising sushi and sashimi dishes

Booking Speciality Restaurants 

You might also be wondering, when can I book speciality dining on Marella Cruises? Speciality dining can be booked either via the Marella Cruises app once you’ve received your booking reference or at reception as soon as you embark.

What’s Included/What Costs Extra on Marella Cruises?

One big benefit of sailing with Marella Cruises is that a lot is included in your cruise fare. All inclusive as standard, not only can you delight in a variety of cuisine onboard, but a selection of drinks, entertainment, and more:

• Food - you can take advantage of at least four different restaurants onboard as part of your cruise package - this usually includes a buffet and a main dining room
• Drinks - with the standard cruise fare, you can enjoy a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. To enhance your offering, opt for the Premium All Inclusive Drinks Package available at an additional cost. To find out more, see our blog - A Guide to Marella Cruises Drinks Packages
• Entertainment - from dazzling performances to live music, pub quizzes and more.
• Activities - including fitness sessions, table tennis and films
• Tips - all gratuities are included
• Flights and transfers on fly cruises 

What Costs Extra on Marella Cruises?

Whilst a lot is included, there’s a few additional costs to be aware of. Such as:

• Speciality restaurants 
• Premium drinks - including bottles of wine and premium coffees (served at venues such as The Coffee Pot)
• Wi-Fi
• Spa treatments 
• Room service 
• Laundry services
• Shore excursions 
• Items from the mini bar

Marella Cruises Packing Tips

Whilst what you pack will depend on the climate of your chosen destinations, there’s some top tips you’ll need to know when booking your Marella getaway. During the day, you can wear relaxed, casual clothing, such as beachwear or shorts and t-shirts in warm climates, or jumpers and jeans in a colder climate.

However, the onboard dress code does vary by restaurant. For example, in the Market Place buffet restaurant, you can wear casual attire throughout the day. Whereas in the main dining room and speciality restaurants, smart wear is required; such as polo shirts, trousers and dresses. Marella Cruises also has ‘Dress to Impress’ nights in which you can wear your favourite suit or cocktail dress (you can expect one of these on a 7 night cruise and two on a 14-night cruise). 

Upcoming Getaways

Are you looking for your next Marella Cruises’ holiday? At Iglu Cruise, we’ve got a wide selection of tempting Marella Cruises deals on offer. Some of our favourite upcoming cruises include:

• Marella Explorer - NEW BLACK FRIDAY OFFER! Canarian Flavours from Tenerife, 3 January 2025 (7 nights)
• Marella Explorer 2 - Country Rhythms - Music Festival Cruise from Malaga, 5 February 2026 (5 nights)
• Marella Explorer 2 - Country Rhythms - Adult Only Music Festival from Malaga, 5 February 2026 (4 nights)
• Marella Explorer 2 - NEW BLACK FRIDAY OFFER! Atlantic Explorer Dominican Republic to Majorca, 18 March 2025 (14 nights)
• Marella Voyager - Electric Sunsets 90's vs 00's Adults Only Cruise from Palma, 1 November 2025 (3 nights)

Book Your Marella Cruises’ Getaway with Iglu Cruise Today 

Book your future Marella Cruises’ holiday with Iglu Cruise today and look forward to a cruise escape that you’ll remember forever. With a wide selection of Marella Cruises escapes on offer, you’ll be able to find a cruise that ticks all the boxes! Book with us today and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.