Marella Cruises 2027: What’s New for Next Year?
Marella Cruises 2027
What’s New
Marella Cruises has a busy 2027 ahead. Discover the new destinations, itineraries, adults-only changes, Caribbean sailings, themed cruises and Cruise & Stay options.
What’s New for Marella Cruises in 2027?
If you’re thinking about a Marella cruise in 2027, there is quite a bit changing across the fleet.
Marella’s 2027 programme brings new destinations, new itineraries, different homeports, an expanded Cruise & Stay programme and some significant changes to individual ships.
The biggest change is Marella Discovery 2, which will continue as an adults-only ship and receive four new adult-focused spaces. But it isn’t the only development. Marella Explorer 2 is returning to Malaga for summer 2027, Marella Discovery is heading back to the Caribbean for winter, and there are new ways to combine a cruise with a hotel stay.
There are also some interesting additions for regular Marella passengers, including an overnight stay in Madeira and the return of the Country Rhythms themed cruise.
Here’s what’s new for Marella Cruises in 2027.
Marella Cruises 2027 at a glance
Marella’s five-ship fleet will be spread across the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Caribbean during 2027, with different ships moving between regions as the seasons change.
Marella Cruises 2027: At a Glance
The headline changes include:
Marella Discovery 2 continues as an adults-only ship
Four new adults-only spaces are being introduced on Discovery 2
Discovery 2 will sail from Dubrovnik during summer 2027
Sarandë in Albania is a new Marella port of call
Syracuse in Sicily is another new addition
Marella Explorer 2 returns to Malaga for summer 2027
Marella Discovery returns to the Caribbean for winter 2027/28
A new seven-night Atlantic Fusion itinerary launches
Marella Discovery 2 will sail from Tenerife, Gran Canaria and later Malaga during winter 2027/28
Marella Explorer will offer an overnight stay in Funchal on a Christmas cruise
Country Rhythms returns for a second year
39 new hotels are being added to Marella’s Cruise & Stay programme
Suite Service Max is being extended across all eligible suites in the fleet
Some of these changes apply to summer 2027, while others form part of the winter 2027/28 programme.
The biggest change: Marella Discovery 2 stays adults-only
Marella Discovery 2 is probably the ship attracting the most attention in the 2027 programme.
The ship will operate as an adults-only ship during summer 2027 and continue into winter 2027/28.
For passengers who have followed the development of Discovery 2, this is more than simply an age restriction.
Marella is also changing some of the onboard spaces to make them more relevant to adult passengers.
Four new concepts are being introduced:
A speakeasy
An escape room
A karaoke room
An arts-and-crafts area
These replace the ship’s former children’s spaces.
The new venues are intended to give adults more things to do onboard, particularly outside the traditional theatre, bar and pool areas.
Where will Marella Discovery 2 sail in 2027?
Discovery 2 has a particularly varied year ahead.
For summer 2027, the ship will have a new homeport in Dubrovnik, Croatia, with cruises beginning in May.
Its itineraries include Greek and Adriatic destinations, including the new Ionian Shores itinerary.
For winter 2027/28, the ship moves to the Canary Islands before later moving to Malaga.
It will homeport from Tenerife and Gran Canaria from November 2027 to March 2028, followed by Malaga from March to April 2028.
That gives Discovery 2 a much broader range of itineraries than simply being an adults-only Mediterranean ship.
Read more: Marella Discovery 2 becomes adults-only
New destination: Sarandë, Albania
One of the most interesting additions to Marella’s summer 2027 programme is Sarandë in Albania.
Marella has previously visited Albania, but Sarandë is a new port of call for the cruise line.
The town sits on Albania’s Ionian coast and is becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers looking for an alternative to some of the more established Mediterranean destinations.
For Marella passengers, the attraction is the opportunity to explore part of the Albanian Riviera as part of a cruise rather than arranging a separate holiday there.
Sarandë features on the new Ionian Shores itinerary aboard Marella Discovery 2, sailing from Dubrovnik.
This is also significant because it adds another country to Marella’s already extensive Mediterranean itinerary mix.
New destination: Syracuse, Sicily
Syracuse in Sicily is another new addition to the Marella programme.
Marella will visit Syracuse in Sicily in 2027
The historic Sicilian city has a very different character from the island’s larger cruise ports.
Its attractions include the ancient Greek and Roman heritage of the city, the archaeological area and the historic island of Ortigia.
For passengers interested in history and sightseeing, Syracuse gives Marella’s Mediterranean itineraries another distinctive port rather than simply another resort stop.
Syracuse is included on Marella Discovery 2’s 2027 programme.
Marella Explorer 2 returns to Malaga
Another significant change is the return of Marella Explorer 2 to Malaga for summer 2027.
The adults-only ship will operate from Malaga from May, with itineraries including Spirit of Spain and Spanish Sights.
The programme brings back some destinations that Marella passengers may recognise, including Mahon in Menorca and Castellon in Spain.
For UK passengers, Malaga is also an attractive departure point because it makes combining a cruise with a few nights in southern Spain relatively straightforward.
Marella Explorer 2 will therefore offer an adults-only option from Spain during the summer alongside Discovery 2’s Mediterranean programme.
Marella Discovery returns to the Caribbean
Winter 2027/28 sees Marella Discovery head to the Caribbean.
The ship will be based in La Romana in the Dominican Republic from November 2027 until March 2028.
It will then return to Europe and move to Palma for the remainder of its winter programme.
This gives Marella passengers another way to experience the Caribbean without having to book a completely separate cruise line.
There are also longer repositioning journeys associated with the seasonal move between Europe and the Caribbean.
The new Voyage to the Tropics itinerary
One of the longer journeys is Voyage to the Tropics.
The 13- or 14-night cruise travels from Malaga towards the Caribbean, with a number of sea days before reaching destinations including Antigua, St Kitts and St Maarten before arriving in La Romana.
For passengers who enjoy sea days, these longer repositioning cruises offer a very different experience from a standard seven-night Mediterranean itinerary.
They also provide an opportunity to combine European and Caribbean cruising within one holiday.
A new Atlantic Fusion itinerary
Marella Discovery 2 has another new itinerary for winter 2027/28.
Atlantic Fusion is a seven-night cruise combining the Canary Islands with Morocco.
The itinerary includes:
It provides a mixture of Canary Islands ports with a visit to Morocco.
The inclusion of Agadir is particularly interesting because it gives passengers the opportunity to experience somewhere outside the usual Canary Islands circuit without committing to a much longer cruise.
More Canary Islands cruising
The Canary Islands continue to be an important part of Marella’s winter programme.
Marella Explorer will operate from Tenerife and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, providing a selection of Canary Islands itineraries.
Discovery 2 will also be based in the Canaries during part of its winter programme.
This means that Marella will have several ships operating in the region at different times during the winter season.
For passengers looking for winter sun without travelling to the Caribbean, this remains one of Marella’s biggest strengths.
A Christmas cruise with an overnight in Madeira
One of the more unusual additions for winter 2027 is an overnight stay in Funchal, Madeira.
Marella Explorer will spend the night in Funchal as part of its A Canarian Christmas itinerary.
An overnight port call can make a significant difference to the experience of a destination.
Instead of having to fit everything into the standard daytime port visit, passengers have the opportunity to spend an evening ashore and experience Funchal after dark.
For a Christmas cruise, Madeira is also an interesting destination because of its famous festive atmosphere and seasonal celebrations.
Country Rhythms returns in 2027
Marella’s Country Rhythms themed cruise is returning for a second year.
The adult-only country music cruise will sail aboard Marella Explorer in November 2027.
There will be two versions of the cruise:
Country Rhythms 1
Four nights from Malaga to Las Palmas, calling at Gibraltar and Puerto del Rosario.
Country Rhythms 2
Five nights from Malaga to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with calls at Gibraltar, Puerto del Rosario and Las Palmas.
The programme is designed around country music, with live performers, country-themed production shows, line dancing and a barn dance-style event.
The artist line-up for 2027 is due to be announced separately.
Who can book Country Rhythms?
The Country Rhythms cruises are adults-only.
Marella is therefore combining its growing adults-only offering with themed cruising, giving passengers an alternative to a conventional itinerary.
Read more: Marella Country Rhythms cruise guide
More Cruise & Stay choices
One of the less obvious changes for 2027 is the expansion of Marella’s Cruise & Stay programme.
Marella is adding 39 new hotels across destinations including:
Malaga
Gran Canaria
Tenerife
La Romana
Barbados
Palma
This takes the total number of hotels available through the Cruise & Stay programme to almost 200.
For passengers who don’t want their holiday to begin and end at the airport, Cruise & Stay can be a useful way of adding a few nights before or after the cruise.
It also means you can turn a one-week cruise into a longer holiday without having to organise the hotel and cruise independently.
Suite Service Max is expanding
Marella is also expanding its Suite Service Max offering during the 2027 programme.
The enhanced package is being rolled out across the entire fleet.:
Royal Suites
Voyager Suites
Executive Suites
Suite Service Max includes enhanced in-suite touches, additional dining privileges and other benefits designed to make the suite experience more comprehensive.
If you’re considering a Marella suite for 2027, it’s worth checking exactly what is included with your particular booking because the benefits are separate from the standard All Inclusive package.
Marella’s 2027 ships and where they will sail
With five ships in the fleet, Marella’s programme can look complicated when you’re trying to work out which ship is going where.
Here’s the broad picture.
Marella Discovery
Summer 2027: Palma, Majorca
Winter 2027/28: La Romana, Dominican Republic, followed by Palma
Discovery therefore has a particularly significant seasonal change, moving from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean for winter.
Marella Discovery 2
Winter 2027/28: Tenerife and Gran Canaria, followed by Malaga
Discovery 2 is adults-only and will also receive the new adult-focused spaces.
Marella Explorer
Winter 2027/28: Tenerife and Gran Canaria
Explorer will also operate the Country Rhythms themed cruises in November 2027 and the Christmas itinerary featuring an overnight stay in Funchal.
Marella Explorer 2
Summer 2027: Malaga
Winter 2027/28: Barbados
Explorer 2 remains one of Marella’s adults-only ships.
Marella Voyager
Summer 2027: Palma, Majorca
Winter 2027/28: Barbados
Voyager therefore continues to provide both Mediterranean and Caribbean options across the year.
What about Marella’s All Inclusive?
The basic Marella proposition remains unchanged.
Marella Cruises includes All Inclusive as standard, with meals, a selection of drinks, entertainment and tips and service charges included.
That remains one of the defining features of the brand.
It is worth remembering, however, that All Inclusive doesn’t mean absolutely everything onboard is free.
Premium drinks, speciality dining and some other products and experiences can carry an additional charge.
If you’re comparing a Marella holiday with another cruise line, it’s therefore worth comparing what is included in the total holiday price rather than looking only at the advertised cruise fare.
What are the biggest changes for existing Marella passengers?
If you’ve cruised with Marella before, the 2027 programme contains several changes that are particularly worth knowing about.
Discovery 2 is becoming a much more significant adults-only option
The ship’s adults-only positioning is being backed up by physical changes onboard rather than simply an age restriction.
There are more unusual itineraries
Sarandë, Syracuse, Agadir and the longer repositioning cruises all broaden the choice beyond Marella’s traditional seven-night Mediterranean and Canary Islands programmes.
The fleet remains seasonal
Ships move between Europe and the Caribbean, so the ship you know from a summer cruise may be somewhere completely different during winter.
Cruise & Stay is becoming more extensive
The additional hotels make it easier to build a longer holiday around a Marella cruise.
Themed cruising is expanding
Country Rhythms is returning, demonstrating that Marella is continuing to experiment with more specialist cruise experiences.
Which Marella ship should you choose in 2027?
There isn’t one answer because the ships offer different combinations of itinerary, age restrictions and onboard facilities.
Instead, start with the holiday you actually want.
Want an adults-only Mediterranean cruise?
Look at Marella Discovery 2 or Marella Explorer 2, depending on the itinerary and departure port.
Want a family-friendly Mediterranean cruise?
Check Marella Discovery, Marella Explorer or Marella Voyager.
Want the Caribbean?
Look at the winter programmes for Marella Discovery, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager.
Want winter sun without travelling to the Caribbean?
The Canary Islands programmes aboard Marella Explorer and Marella Discovery 2 are worth investigating.
Want an adults-only themed cruise?
Country Rhythms aboard Marella Explorer is the specialist option for 2027.
Want to combine your cruise with a city or beach stay?
Look at the expanded Cruise & Stay programme.
Is 2027 a good year to try Marella?
2027 is certainly an interesting year for the brand because there are changes across several parts of the programme rather than one isolated new itinerary.
The biggest developments are concentrated around Discovery 2, new Mediterranean ports, new winter itineraries and the expanded Cruise & Stay programme.
For regular Marella passengers, the attraction is having more choice without losing the familiar package-cruise format.
For people who have never tried Marella, 2027 also provides an opportunity to compare a number of different versions of the product - from adults-only Mediterranean cruising to family-friendly sailings, winter sun and Caribbean cruises.
The Lowdown
Marella’s 2027 programme is about more than adding a few new ports.
The fleet is being used in increasingly different ways, with adults-only cruising, themed sailings, longer repositioning journeys, Caribbean winters, Canary Islands cruises and expanded Cruise & Stay options all sitting alongside the traditional Mediterranean programme.
For me, the most interesting change is Marella Discovery 2. Its move into a permanent adults-only role, combined with the new onboard spaces and a mixture of Mediterranean and winter-sun itineraries, gives it a much clearer identity within the fleet.
But the new destinations are also worth watching. Sarandë and Syracuse give the summer programme some fresh ports, while Atlantic Fusion adds Agadir to a Canary Islands itinerary.
If you’re looking at Marella for 2027, don’t just choose the cheapest sailing. Look at the ship, homeport, itinerary, age restrictions and what’s included before making your choice.
The good news is that there is considerably more choice across the fleet than there was a few years ago.
And that means there is probably a Marella 2027 itinerary to suit you - whether you’re looking for Mediterranean sunshine, winter sun, the Caribbean, an adults-only cruise or simply somewhere new to explore.
Marella Cruises 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
What is new on Marella Cruises in 2027?
The main changes include new ports in Albania and Italy, new itineraries, an expanded adults-only programme aboard Marella Discovery 2, new onboard venues, an overnight Madeira call, the return of Country Rhythms and more Cruise & Stay hotels.
Which Marella ship is adults-only in 2027?
Marella Discovery 2 will operate as an adults-only ship in 2027, joining Marella Explorer 2 in the adults-only part of the fleet.
What new destinations is Marella visiting in 2027?
New additions include Sarandë in Albania and Syracuse in Sicily. Marella Discovery 2’s winter 2027 programme also introduces an itinerary calling at Agadir in Morocco.
Is Marella Discovery 2 adults-only in summer 2027?
Yes. Discovery 2’s summer 2027 programme is adults-only and the ship continues its adults-only operation into winter 2027/28.
Which Marella ship is sailing from Malaga in summer 2027?
Marella Explorer 2 will homeport from Malaga during summer 2027.
Which Marella ships will sail the Caribbean in winter 2027?
Marella Discovery will sail from La Romana in the Dominican Republic, while Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Voyager will operate Caribbean itineraries from Barbados.
Will Marella Cruises sail from the Canary Islands in winter 2027?
Yes. Marella Explorer will operate from Tenerife and Gran Canaria, while Marella Discovery 2 will also operate Canary Islands itineraries during its winter programme.
Does Marella have a Christmas cruise in 2027?
Yes. Marella Explorer will operate an A Canarian Christmas itinerary that includes an overnight stay in Funchal, Madeira.
Is Country Rhythms returning in 2027?
Yes. Marella’s adult-only Country Rhythms themed cruise returns aboard Marella Explorer in November 2027, with four- and five-night options.
Is Marella Cruise & Stay available in 2027?
Yes. Marella is expanding its Cruise & Stay programme with 39 additional hotels in destinations including Malaga, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Romana, Barbados and Palma.
For further Marella Cruise information visit my Marella Cruises Guides hub.
For more Marella information visit my Marella Cruises Guides Hub.