Let’s Explore Marella Voyager One Deck at a Time

The newest ship to join the Marella Cruises fleet is Marella Voyager, who sailed her maiden voyage on 3rd June 2023. I was invited to sail on the ship in July and explored her from top to bottom. Here is my deck-by-deck tour to show you just what a beautiful ship she is. Detailed restaurant and bar reviews with menus will be posted separately.

At the end of this article you can also view a full ship tour video made by my vlogger friends Dan and Jay of ‘Sail Away With Dan and Jay’, who were onboard at the same time as me.

Whenever I embark on a cruise I always head to the top deck to see the view and check out the pool (plus usually the buffet is up there too - enough said!). So I will start my Marella. Voyager tour at the very top of the ship.

Marella Voyager Deck 14/15

Child-Free Space and Cabanas

Deck 14 is divided into two parts. The Aft section is a dedicated additional sunbathing area with access to The Hideout teen area and has lift access. However Deck 14 Forward (and also Deck 15) can only be accessed via stairs from Deck 12 (as with most ships there is no Deck 13).

This is where you find The Veranda - the complimentary adult-only sun trap furnished with luxuriously upholstered and ultra-comfy sun loungers. This is also the location of the Cabanas which can be hired for £99 for the day or around £300 for the week (check at the spa where they are bookable).. For this you get a private pod with sea view, two comfy loungers, and towels. The waiters will serve you regularly with that next frozen cocktail.

Whilst there is no bar on The Veranda deck, waiters regularly come around to take drink orders to keep you hydrated. It’s the perfect place if all you want to hear is the sea and to enjoy a good book.

The Veranda and Cabanas are situated forward on Deck 14/15.

Marella Voyager Deck 12

Aft on Deck 12 is where you will find the Sports Court (port side), which when we were aboard seemed under-used but does host Basketball etc., and the Mini Golf (starboard side) which was a fun way to pass half an hour on a sea day plus it’s free. In between the sports court and mini golf there is a single row of much-sought after sun-beds over-looking the wake.

Midships on Deck 12, for the more energetic amongst you, there is a jogging track winding it’s way around the upper sun deck overlooking the pool. This is also a popular sunbathing area, served by The Shack bar, so you will need to get out early if you want to avoid sun beds obstructing the track.

Indoors on Deck 12 there is a neon-filled area incorporating the Hideout - a cool area where older kids can hang out with new friends - and The Electric Rooms which is Marella Voyager’s nightclub which hosts raucous (not so) silent discos amongst other entertainment. Worth noting, children are allowed in The Electric Rooms and other bars until Midnight. It is also in this area (adjoining the nightclub) where you will find the bijou Casino. If you are a gym-bunny this is also where Voyager’s fitness centre is situated (Port side).

Marella Voyager Deck 11

Deck 11 is where you can feed body and soul as it’s the location of several eateries plus The Ocean Spa.

Aft of Deck 11 you will find The Summer House which is a popular area at any time of day, but particularly at sunset. There is an alfresco bar overlooking the wake and an inner courtyard with seating, trees and another bar, plus a retractable roof for when the weather is fine.

On either side of The Summer House there is an included informal eatery: Nonna’s, which is an Italian pasta/pizza restaurant - small plates at lunch and full sized dishes at dinner; and Abuela’s which is a Mexican outlet (and looks exactly like the brochure photo - love the colours). Both have light options during the day and a separate evening menu.

Beyond The Summer House is where Marella Voyager’s alternative to a buffet, The Kitchens, is situated. It is more of a food court than a buffet, with several food outlets, and has been met with mixed reviews (you can read more in my restaurant guide). The food itself is good (although everyone’s tastes and expectations are different of course), but some guests were complaining that it was repetitive. The concept, I believe, was that guests would choose a different option each day (Indian, Asian, Sandwich/Salad Bar, Roast, Greek etc) which would work fine and is actually what we did. However menus don’t change from day to day (although they do from meal to meal as in lunch to dinner), so if you approached it like a traditional buffet taking a little bit of this and a little bit of that (sorry for sounding like ‘The Birdie Song’) you could potentially get bored very quickly.

The far end of The Kitchens leads to the pool deck, which has two (unheated) filtered seawater pools (good for floating), and two whirlpools. There has been some controversy over the saving of sunbeds, especially on port days. Marella are now starting to ticket empty sunbeds and remove belongings after 45 minutes. Personal message: Don’t be that Sun-Bed Hogger! There is a pool bar on this deck, Snack Shack for fast food options and a ‘grab and go’ section for wrapped takeaway sandwiches and salads. On our excursion day we actually grabbed a couple of sandwiches from here to eat on coach as we didn’t have time to grab lunch.. There are bright ‘beach huts’ along this deck in which to sit to eat.

Finally, through the forward lift lobby you will find The Ocean Spa. Each day the therapists will be outside offering complimentary mini treatments to entice you in. Look out for special offers throughout the week and definitely take advantage of the free spa tour on embarkation day. Ocean Spa has various treatment rooms, hairdressers, nail bar, a sauna with a sea view, thermal suite (no pool unfortunately), and an outside relaxation deck.

Ocean Spa Price List

I was gifted a 50 minute treatment and chose the Hot Stone Massage which was wonderful, and delivered by a therapist called Nice (and it was - very). The whole spa is aromatic and relaxing. You can book a 2 hour relaxation session from around £15 and have spa access for the week for a mere £99 (not including treatments).

Marella Voyager Deck 10

Deck 10 is an accommodation deck and has no public areas (although there is a little open area at the aft (just an external landing really but you could place a cheeky sunbed there). The Summer House, Abuela’s and Nonna’s are above the aft section with The Kitchens and the pool deck above mid-ship cabins and accordingly you may experience some noise (it’s worth checking forums on Facebook to check on specific areas).

Marella Voyager Deck 9

Deck 9 is predominantly an accommodation deck, with the exception of two children’s clubs (Mini M Club and M Club), and a very small *kids pool and deck area at the aft of the ship. We had a balcony cabin forward on Deck 9 and felt little movement and heard no noise from either deck above or below our cabin and it is one of the preferred decks for that very reason. We also had a good view of the bridge from the balcony. #

*Note - children are also allowed in main pool.

Marella Voyager Deck 8

Deck 8 is another accommodation deck with some lovely aft sunset cabins, and two suites and five cabins at the forward-most point. However, midships is where you will find stairs down to the atrium plus the secret entrance to The Exchange, which hosts two exclusive shows - The Heist and The Lock In. The entrance is quite hidden, so good luck finding it. These shows can be booked on your Marella Cruise Control once you have booked, but sell out fast. It is possible to book once on board but numbers are very limited - only 40 per show. The whole success of The Exchange shows is the secrecy surrounding them - your invitation is posted under your door in a black envelope for example. Guests are asked to maintain the mystique so I will not give any spoilers, other than to say it is an immersive event which you will not want to miss. We only managed to book the second show (The Lock In) and enjoyed it so much that we regretted not accessing The Heist too.

There is an additional cost for The Exchange shows of £14.95 which includes three exclusive cocktails unavailable elsewhere. Outside of the shows, The Exchange Bar is open at limited times - see your in-cabin newspaper for details.

Marella Voyager Deck 7

There are no cabins on Deck 7. It is what would be known on other ships as the Promenade or Lifeboat deck. Although it hasn’t a full wraparound promenade, you can walk around three-quarters of it - just not all the way forward. Aft of Deck 7 is an outside smokers area with comfy contemporary rattan seating overlooking the wake. - a prized position but not really if you are a non-smoker. There is a door into the Squid &Anchor entertainment space (referred to as a pub but really a huge lounge with a stage. The place is heaving in the evening as it is the main entertainment hub which hosts quizzes, game shows and live music. It has a dance floor which is always full plus a huge bar at the rear of the room. There is plenty of seating, although if you leave it too late it might be standing-room only. The main entrance to the Squid & Anchor is from the Aft lift/stairwell.

Also on Deck 7, on the other side of the Aft stairwell, is new speciality restaurant Platter. Platter offers grazing boards from mid-afternoon into the evening - meat, cheese and vegetarian - which are charged depending on what you choose. You can have single platters or sharing boards and mix and match meat/cheese etc. (Menu will be on a separate post). We didn’t get to eat here as the times didn’t work for us on this cruise, but I did feel that it was a little tucked away and could have benefited from some outside space, as I had imagined enjoying a glass of wine and grazing board under the sun with a view of the sea.

Midships on Deck 7 is the location of two of Marella Voyager’s speciality restaurants - Marella guest favourites Surf & Turf and Kora La. Both of these restaurants carry a supplement - Surf & Turf is £31.95 per person and Kora La £26,95 per person (prices correct as of July 2023). You can book before you sail on Marella Cruise Control or on the Navigator app once onboard. We dined in Surf & Turf and it was fabulous - some of the best food we have had at sea. We had the Surf & Turf sharing board for two, then we created our own Surf & Turf from the menu (I had lobster tail and fillet steak and John had the lobster tail with crusted lamb cutlets - both cooked to perfection) and you can have as many of the sides as you like. I had the Lemon Tasting Board for dessert (a trio of desserts), and John enjoyed the Apple Tart. We didn’t have enough time to dine at Kora La unfortunately but the menu looked delicious.

Our favourite bar, Aperitif, was situated outside the entrances to Surf & Turf and Kora La. It has a huge selection of gins and whiskies on offer, and was also the only bar onboard we found to serve Fever Tree Tonics if on Premium All Inclusive. I’m not a diva by the way, and would be perfectly happy with Schweppes tonic but they only served slimline, and whilst undoubtedly I look like I need a diet alternative, I prefer full-fat tonic. The alternative, unless you specifically request Fever Tree, is an unknown brand served in a can or fountain tonic.

Also mid-ships on Deck 7 is the atrium with the photo gallery which is also surrounded by The Broad Street Shops selling cosmetics, jewellery, clothing, souvenirs and merch etc. On sea days and in the evenings at sea, the shops also have deck sales outside the stores around the atrium where you can bag a bargain. Worth checking out the cruise newspaper in your cabin where the next day offers will be shown. There is usually a discounted event on the last day of your cruise.

Forward on Deck 7 is the upper level of the Broadway Show Lounge which is where the large production show are held, usually twice each evening at 8 pm and 10.30 pm to fit in with your preferred dining times. You can enjoy several shows each week - we saw Havana & Britannia amongst others. Check paper for details.

Marella Voyager Deck 6

Deck 6 is another accommodation-free zone and houses various other facilities.

To the rear (aft) of Deck 6 is the upper level of the main included restaurant, Latitude 53. It cannot be booked and operates a walk-up anytime dining system, however it is possible to ask the Maitre d’/Restaurant Manager to have a regular table. There are plenty of tables for 2 and larger tables accommodating up to at least 12. The restaurant serves Breakfast and Dinner and menus change daily. Check out the breakfast menu on the Navigate app as each day has two specials available only on that day (for example pancakes and eggs benedict will only be served on a particular day). However the full English breakfast in Latitudes is fabulous, available every day and can be customised. At dinner there is something to suit every palate. However, although it is table service, it isn’t fine dining or nouvelle cuisine, just well presented and tasty everyday food to suit the tastes of Marella guests, so if you worry it will be too formal you can relax.

Midships on Deck 6 is probably my most favourite spot on the entire ship. The Arts House is a contemporary space featuring deliberately mis-matched seating that pack a colour-punch. The space is used for crafts and relaxation during the day and comes to life at night as an attractive bar with a variety of more low-key entertainment. The Entertainments Team offer art classes on some days and there are jigsaws set out on the huge tables. You can view a quick video tour of The Arts House HERE

The Arts House leads into The Coffee Port, which offers speciality teas and coffees at a supplement (included on the Premium All Inclusive package). The decor is similar to The Arts House (with the addition of an orange life sized zebra obviously), and there are book shelves where you can borrow the latest blockbuster left by previous guests (there is no library as such onboard). You can purchase luxury chocolate treats and decadent alcohol-fuelled after-dinner coffees also - again the coffees (but not the chocolate treats) are included on the Premium All Inclusive package.

Heading forward on Deck 6, on the Port Side, you will come across Gamer Zone (a must for any computer-gamers in the family) - a room filled with games consoles attached to large screens, with bean bag seating.

Next to Gamer Zone is the Cinema, which shows a variety of films. On our cruise these included Top Gun - Maverick, Explorer and Wakanda Forever amongst others. Look out also for Movies under the Stars which are shown on the big screen by the pool on Deck 11, where guests are provided with blankets, tea & coffee service and popcorn.

At the very front of the ship is the lower level of The Broadway Show Lounge.

Marella Voyager Deck 5

Aft on Deck 5 is dedicated to the lower level of main dining room Latitudes 53, and on the Port Side (left), another included restaurant, Vista.

Vista is an Italian-influenced restaurant which is situated within Latitudes and open only in the evenings It is differentiated by the coloured napkins, which are different from the white ones used in Latitudes, but otherwise it is tricky to see where one ends and the other begins.

The menu in Vista includes antipasti dishes, pasta favourites as well as other main meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. The menu changes once each week, with some of the main dishes changing. Vista is extremely popular whatever time you go to dine. It cannot be booked in advance so you just have to take a chance. Sometimes you will be issued with a buzzer and called to the next available table. However when demand exceeds availability you will just be turned away. Of the five times we tried to get a table at varying times between 7 and 9 we were only successful once and weren’t even given buzzers on the other occasions, which was quite frustrating.

Beyond the restaurants, there is a wine/champagne bar called Flutes with comfy colourful seating. The bar also has a grand piano and has music in the evenings. Situated as it is outside the main restaurants, it is a popular venue for pre-dinner drinks. It is a very small bar snd therefore can get congested at peak times.

Through the lower level of the central atrium you will find Reception/Guest services (open 24 hours), and Destination Experiences where you can book excursions.

Deck 5 is also the home of Marella Voyager’s newest speciality restaurant, Silver Fork. This fine dining restaurant offers either a 7 course tasting menu (pre-8pm) or a 5 course a la carte menu, The cuisine is described as contemporary British and we found the food to be surprising and delicious (see my restaurant review for mor details).

Marella Voyager Deck 4

Deck 4 is predominantly an accommodation deck with the exception being that the Medical Centre (Ship’s doctor) is situated in the forward section. Hopefully you won’t need to visit this area at all but it is comforting to know that there is medical help onboard.

I was surprised on this trip to see so many people suffering from sea-sickness. Admittedly there was a day of slight sea swell causing minor movement but we hardly noticed it. I can only assume that the reason was that there were so many first-time cruisers aboard yet to find their sea legs, and nothing at all to do with over-indulgence of the the All-Inclusive drinks. Should you find yourself in a similar predicament you may find it useful to know that in the worse case scenario you can get an anti-nausea jab from the medical centre on deck 4, but beware it will cost you around £150 (possibly reclaimable against holiday insurance). Alternatively Reception have been known to hand out a single sea sickness tablet. If you know you suffer from motion sickness (or think you might) come prepared with medication or travel bands.

For reassurance, see my related post: Will I Get Seasick?

Marella Voyager Deck 3

This is usually the gangway and tender deck when in port. Listen for announcements as to which staircase to use when disembarking.

When you disembark, your cruise card is scanned and on your return you have to scan your bags and walk through an airport-type scanner. We were advised to take our passports ashore as copies or photos not acceptable. However we weren’t asked to show them at any of our destinations.

Well that concludes my deck-by-deck tour of new Marella Voyager and I hope it gives you a feel of the new ship, which I think is an ideal starting point for those new to cruising or those looking for an alternative to their TUI All-Inclusive holidays ashore - you won’t look back, I promise. Marella Cruises regulars will no doubt make comparisons with other ships in the fleet, but I would definitely recommend trying her out for size.

FULL SHIP TOUR (bottom to top this time)

Disclaimer: Whilst the opinions in the written article are my own, the views expressed in this video are those of the video creator.

SEE ALSO:

Marella Voyager Cabins

Marella Voyager Itineraries

Marella Voyager Deck Plans

Marella Voyager Highlights

Marella Voyager Restaurants

(New Dining guide coming soon with menus)

To Book your Marella Voyager Cruise contact TUI direct or contact a travel agent.

Disclaimer: [Ad-Invitation] - For full transparency. Whilst I was hosted onboard byTUI/Marella Cruises, all views are my own and I have maintained total editorial control over the content.