Ship comparison: which in Marella Cruises' fleet is right for you?

Sophie Chichester

Sophie Chichester

Deciding to take a cruise is an exciting step, but the choices don't stop there: one key factor is which ship to sail on. With Marella Cruises*, every vessel offers the same all-inclusive ease, but the vibe and facilities vary more than you might expect.

TUI's fifth cruise ship - Marella Voyager
TUI's fifth cruise ship - Marella Voyager © TUI UK & Ireland

With five ships in its fleet, Marella Cruises offers something for everyone, whether you're after a fun family escape, a grown-up getaway or an easy intro to life at sea. But with such similar-sounding ships (and Marella's names are particularly samey) plus plenty of overlap in dining, entertainment and cabins, how do you know which one will, well, float your boat?

Prepare to sail away: find the latest offerings on itineraries across Europe, the Med and the Caribbean with Marella Cruises* to book your next voyage for less today.

What's the same across the Marella fleet?

First up, it's helpful to know that much of the Marella experience is broadly consistent across all five ships in TUI's ocean-going fleet*.

You'll find a two-storey main restaurant, buffet spot, Snack Shack plus two speciality venues Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Asian-fusion Kora La. Some ships add in a sushi bar or Italian alternative, but the core restaurants remain the same.

The most recent addition for summer 2025 is Piccadilly's, a gastropub-style restaurant now available across the fleet. It serves up reimagined British comfort food from roast beef and puddings to chocolate Bourbon ice cream sandwiches, all included in the fare.

The premium Surf & Turf Steakhouse, enjoyable for an extra fee
The premium Surf & Turf Steakhouse, enjoyable for an extra fee - photo courtesy of Marella Cruises

Entertainment is also familiar from ship to ship, with Broadway-style theatre productions, live music in the atrium, pub quizzes in the Squid & Anchor Pub and Movies by Moonlight out on deck.

The affordable all-inclusive model (covering tips, drinks and flights) applies across the board, and cabin types are consistently equipped, with air-con, tea and coffee facilities, safes and TVs as standard. So, what sets each one apart? This is how they differ and which type of holidaymaker each ship suits best.

Best for first-timers: Marella Voyager

  • Ship size: 1,912 passengers
  • Standout feature: newest ship in the fleet
  • Best for: new cruisers, foodies, families with older kids

Launched in 2023 after a full refit, Marella Voyager* is the newest and most modern ship in the fleet. It feels fresher and more contemporary than the others, with updated cabin design and a slightly more innovative approach to food and fun.

A lip-smacking highlight is Silver Fork, a tasting-menu British restaurant not found on any other Marella ship (apple crumble that looks like an actual apple, anyone?). Also unique are Abuela's, a fajita and burrito-packed Mexican venue, and the Taco Bar, a food truck-style snack station on deck.

There's also The Exchange, an only-if-you-know-the-password speakeasy-style bar supplying immersive, adults-only soirées, quite unlike anything else in the fleet.

There are some added quirks too, like a dedicated arts and crafts station and a karaoke booth, ideal if you're travelling with teenagers or just like a bit of DIY fun between visiting cathedrals and lounging on beaches.

Cabin décor is brighter and storage is a little better thought out than onboard the older ships. If you're new to cruising, Marella Voyager is a great one to start with.

Best for families: Marella Discovery & Discovery 2

  • Ship size: 1,830 passengers
  • Standout features: indoor pool with glass roof, five-deck atrium, outdoor cinema
  • Great for: families, active cruisers, sun-seekers

These two near-identical sister ships (we said the names might get confusing) are designed with families in mind. They're the only ones in the fleet with an indoor pool, a lifesaver on cloudy days, and they come with a rock-climbing wall and nine-hole minigolf course (for when you want to bond) and excellent children's clubs (for when you don't).

There's a full range of cabins to suit all group sizes: spacious suites that sleep up to six or even seven; single cabins (a bonus for solo travellers or grandparents tagging along) and a broader range of four-berth and interconnecting rooms.

Junior Suites and Family Suites come with perks like breakfast in bed, dressing gowns and a free pressing service (good for gladrags ahead of a formal night).

The two-storey main restaurant is standard across all ships
The two-storey main restaurant is standard across all ships © Mark H - Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The standout Bar Eleven on the top deck is a cocktail spot that transforms into a late-night disco. There's also the Live Room with a yellow piano and classic dancefloor hits, plus an escape room.

Dining is consistent with the rest of the fleet, though Marella Discovery 2* swaps main eatery Gallery 47°, found on Marella Discovery, for Sirocco, a more classically-styled Italian restaurant. There's a Great Musical Afternoon Tea, too; a fun, themed event with West End flair.

The spa on Marella Discovery* is the largest across all ships, making it a strong choice for grown-ups who want to escape to the adult-only sun deck while the youngsters are looked after by staff at M Club.

Best for couples & adults: Marella Explorer 2

  • Ship size: 1,814 passengers
  • Standout feature: no kids onboard
  • Great for: couples, groups of friends, child-free travellers

Marella Explorer 2* is the only adults-only ship in the fleet. While it's structurally almost identical to Marella Explorer, the experience onboard feels calmer and more grown-up, at least until the free-flowing booze kicks in.

You'll find a chic sunbathing area with day beds, a roomy pool deck and adult-focused activities like mixology classes or live acoustic sets in The Lounge. There's no shortage of space to relax from The Veranda's quiet sun deck to the Champagne bar Flutes.

The entertainment skews slightly more sophisticated, too, with live music and a smarter dress code in the evenings. Frocks away!

The smart Flutes Champagne bar onboard Marella Explorer 2
The smart Flutes Champagne bar onboard Marella Explorer 2 - photo courtesy of Marella Cruises

As for cabins, there are no large family suites, but if you're travelling as a pair, a Junior Suite with a balcony, including Suite Service, offers great value for the extras included.

Dining follows the routine formula, but Marella Explorer 2 leans more toward elegant cocktail hours and leisurely dinners, with fewer distractions than on its family-friendly sisters.

Best for a classic cruise experience: Marella Explorer

  • Ship size: 1,924 passengers
  • Standout feature: the largest ship in the fleet
  • Great for: experienced cruisers, couples wanting variety, value-conscious travellers

Marella Explorer is the most balanced all-rounder. It's a great mid-size ship that's large enough for a wide range of facilities, but not so big it feels impersonal. The vibe is relaxed and friendly, with a mix of couples, older cruisers and families, depending on the itinerary.

There's a spacious main pool area, minigolf, kids' club and the Hideout teen zone. There are even Babytainment sessions for under-threes and a Baby Centre with changing facilities.

What sets Marella Explorer* apart is The Dining Club, an elegant French fine-dining restaurant only available on this ship. There's an extra fee for dining here, but a great option for a special night onboard.

You'll also only find a full-size Champneys Spa on this ship and its sister, Marella Explorer 2. The ship includes all the expected entertainment and dining options, making it a solid choice if you want a mix of Marella's signature features without any extremes.

Found your ship? Browse the latest online offers from Marella Cruises.

Sophie Chichester

Sophie Chichester

Posted in: Cruises Marella Cruises

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