Marella Explorer

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 12 brand-new shows on offer, plus you'll be handed a drink on arrival.

• 12 Unique Shows
• 2 Shows a Night
• West-end Style Shows

Thanks to its location, Aperitif is a great spot to head before or after a meal at one of the speciality restaurants. The menu here features everything from Prosecco and spirits to cocktails.

Our pub at sea is a modern take on a traditional British watering hole. 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. The other deals in premium gins and whiskies, which are chargeable. This place is home to a live band and quiz nights, too.

• Quizzes
• Gameshows
• Marella's Own Pub at Sea

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.

• Daily live music
• Perfect for pre-dinner drinks
• Unique hot pink piano

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.

• Open day and night
• Inside and outdoor space
• Mediterranean-inspired drinks menu

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.

• Panoramic Views
• Quiet daytime venue and live music in the evening
• Silent Discos and late night discos

If you’re feeling lucky, you can try out the slot machines and card tables at the Indigo Casino.

Fast Facts:

• Blackjack Tables
• Fruit Machines
• On Deck 12

You’ll find the club in the middle of Indigo, flaunting a dancefloor and a DJ booth. It's where silent discos and Eighties or Nineties-themed nights take place.

• Silent Discos
• Late Night Disco
• On Deck 12

When the ship’s at sea, it’s time to hit the shops. The onboard boutiques are stocked with everyday essentials and loads of duty-free products, including perfume, jewellery and souvenirs.

Fast Facts:

• Open when the ship's at sea
• Range of Products from Top Brands
• Save on High Street Prices

Our open-air cinema lets you watch classic movies and the latest box office hits under the stars.

• Classic Movies
• Latest Box Office Hits
• Movies Under the Stars

This deck bar provides cool-down drinks in between sunbathing. You’ll find it just above Snack Shack, overlooking the pool.

Pop in to the studio on Deck 6 for a professional photoshoot. You’ll also find kiosks, where you can view and buy all the photos captured by our onboard photography team.

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.

This bar sits next to the pool on Deck 11, so it’s great for grabbing drinks and frozen cocktails.

Movie nights come courtesy of the indoor cinema. Family-friendly films are on the agenda, with extra screenings during high season.

Everyone can play games at the aptly named Gamer Zone. It’s fully stocked with a variety of machines.

Reception is the place to go for any queries, currency exchange and wake-up calls. Plus, it’s open around-the-clock.

In this state-of-the-art spa 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. In fact, it’s the biggest in the fleet – packing in a relaxation room and made-for-two suites. There’s also an adults-only sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows and a steam room. Just so you know, there's a charge for treatments and use of the facilities. Alternatively, you can work up a sweat with the sea in sight at the gym.

Fast Facts:

• Hair & Beauty Salon
• Wide Range of Treatments Available
• Chargeable

You can work up a sweat with the sea in sight at the gym.

The pool is split in two by a stage in the middle, which is where the entertainment team run their daily activities from.

A trio of whirlpool baths sit next to the main pool.

Balinese beds give The Veranda a luxe, adults-only feel. Plus, it’s at the front of the ship, so the views are first-class.

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.

This is a quiet, noise-free zone, where you can slip away and get stuck into your latest holiday read.

You can get stuck in to a basketball match or a game of mini-football on this multi-sports court.

Table tennis

Get a ping pong rally going – you’ll find tables on the Sports & Family Deck.

Minigolf

Practise your putt on this minigolf green. It’s right at the top of the ship on the Sports & Family Deck.

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.

This hangout spot has been designed with older kids and teens in mind – think games consoles, air hockey and comfy seating. Plus, there's an al fresco terrace with a couple of colourful hammocks.

• Dedicated Teen Hangout Area
• Organised Activities in High Season
• Included

Little ones can join in with fun sessions at the Kids’ Club, which feature games from M Crew, who are characters exclusive to this ship. There are evening events, too, like movie nights and pizza-making

• Kids Club
• 3-11 year olds
• Included

Parents can play and learn with their tots at Mini M Club. This space – designed for little ones aged between 6 months and 3 years – is open from 9am to 8pm every day. Plus, once a day, there’s an hour’s sensory play session, run by M Club hosts.

Little ones can enjoy some time with other children at the Kids Pool, conveniently located near M Club and Mini M Club. 

For a different way of exploring a port of call, try one of our e-bike tours

This way, you can really get to know a destination and see the places that bus tours can't reach. You'll be led around by a guide, who'll give you the lowdown on all the sights. 

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.

Catch a cookery demo with one of the ship’s head chefs, or practice your own culinary skills at one of our kitchen classes. Cocktail-making demos and wine-tasting sessions also star on the agenda.

Whether you're looking to explore Asia, the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, you don’t have to wait until you get home to book your next cruise holiday. Speak to the team in the Cruise Holiday Store on deck 6 who'll help you get planning.

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

If you've got any dietary requirements, please mention it when you book and 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. Take a look at a sample menu to see the kind of dishes on offer.

No one under the age of 17 can travel on their own onboard our cruise ships. For itineraries that include stops in the USA, the minimum age to travel alone will be 21 – this applies whilst onboard the ship and ashore. For Cruise & Stay holidays, travellers aged between 2 and 12 are classed as children. Infants under 6 months old are not permitted to travel on our cruises.

Just so you know, Marella Explorer 2 is exclusively for those aged 17 and over, and we have a handful of itineraries on other ships that are adults-only, too. These itineraries will be clearly marked as adults-only online, and the minimum age for all passengers on these sailings is 17, with the exception of Electric Sunsets, where the minimum age is 18.

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

The onboard dress code varies for each restaurant, but you can easily break it down into beachwear, casual and smart. The first is a come-as-you-are affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, but please wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Casual, meanwhile, 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 little bit. You can wear shirts or polo-shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, skirts or dresses, smart trainers, shoes or sandals, but we ask that you leave sportswear, flip-flops and non-tailored shorts in your cabin. If you want to add a jacket or a tie, that’s completely up to you, but our Dress to Impress nights give you the chance to get really suited and booted.

If you book onto one of our shore excursions, make sure to consider what’s culturally appropriate to wear. For example, if you’re visiting a religious building you might be asked to cover your legs, shoulders, and hair. Or, if you’re cruising in tropical climes like in the Caribbean bring a waterproof jacket in case of rain. Make sure you bring some comfy shoes with you too, as your excursions might include lots of walking.

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.

All our ships are non-smoking, which means you can only smoke in designated areas of the open deck. Smoking isn't permitted on cabin balconies, either. As for e-cigarettes, you can use these in the designated areas on deck.

In some countries e-cigarettes are banned and will be confiscated. You can visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to check the countries you'll be sailing to. 

We have Wi-Fi on all of our ships, as well as designated Wi-Fi zones. Internet access is charged to your cabin account at the rate advertised on board. Mobiles can be used, too, and there are telephones in each cabin, 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. Due to the nature of the location, Wi-Fi connectivity on our Nile cruises can be poor.

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.

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.

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/ 

We’re always assessing how we can make our cruise fleet more sustainable, and we’re finding new ways all the time. For example, on Marella Discovery, we refurbished the main dining room to remove all neon and halogen lights and replaced them with a more efficient system. This helped cut the ship’s yearly carbon emissions, as well as reduce Marella Discovery’s overall fuel consumption. And, since 2019 we’ve swapped over five million pieces of single-use plastic with paper or wood alternatives.

People, Planet, Progress

We know that going away on holiday is one of life’s great pleasures – you get to relax, recharge your batteries and make unforgettable memories. However, we’re also aware of the impact flying planes and running hotels have on the environment, and our planet as a whole. As a company, we pledge to become a net-zero company by 2050 at the latest, and we’re working hard to make that goal a reality.

With that being said, some of the things we need to achieve this aim aren’t readily available at scale right now. But that’s not an excuse to do nothing. So, we’re implementing a bunch of other planet-friendly measures in the meantime to make sure all of our operations are as clean and as environmentally friendly as they can be. To do this, we’re focusing on four key areas:

• Waste reduction and management
• Reducing our emissions
• Protecting the natural world
• Supporting local economies and communities

With your help, the TUI Care Foundation – an independent organisation initiated and supported by TUI – is working hard to ensure tourism continues to have a positive impact by protecting the natural environment and empowering local communities in holiday destinations around the world.

From safeguarding marine environments in Turkey and Majorca, to vocational training for young people in the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka, and tackling plastic waste in Cyprus and Zanzibar – your donation supports over 50 TUI Care Foundation projects in 25 countries worldwide.

We have you – our loyal customers – to thank for making the TUI Care Foundation’s work possible. Every time you book a holiday with us, you have the option to make a donation to the TUI Care Foundation and it’s these donations that help to make a difference around the world, so please keep them coming.

Now when you book, you can also choose to adopt a turtle or a tree and support the TUI Care Foundation’s global TUI Turtle Aid and TUI Forests programmes.

By adopting a turtle, you’re helping to protect endangered loggerhead turtles and their nesting sites on beaches, increase hatchling survival rates and raise awareness in tourism destinations about the importance of protecting native turtle populations.

Your tree adoption helps to look after a newly planted tree seedling in one of the TUI Care Foundation’s forests around the world. The TUI Forests programme puts woodland at the centre of thriving communities in holiday destinations. It plants new trees and supports local livelihoods through community-managed tree nurseries and by creating forest-based tourism experiences.

Every penny you donate counts towards our mission to preserve holiday destinations in a way that benefits the natural environment and local people, now and in the future.

Pool and bath towels are provided and every cabin has a hairdryer. If you need to stock up on essentials, our onboard shops sell things like toothpaste. It’s a good idea to bring a light jacket with you, as there’s often a strong sea breeze.

The onboard dress code varies for each restaurant, but you can easily break it down into Beachwear, Casual and Smart. The first is a come-as-you-are affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, but please wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Casual, meanwhile, 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 little bit. You can wear shirts or polo-shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, skirts or dresses, smart trainers, shoes or sandals, but we ask that you leave sportswear, flip-flops and non-tailored shorts in your cabin. If you want to add a jacket or a tie, that’s completely up to you, but our Dress to Impress nights give you the chance to get really suited and booted.

Finally, if you book any excursions, you might need to adhere to certain dress codes. Islamic countries have strict modesty laws, so, in certain areas, you’ll need to cover your shoulders and knees. When visiting mosques or other holy sites, women may be required to cover their hair, arms and legs, and men will need to wear long trousers and a top with sleeves.