What’s Included on Marella Cruises? 2026/2027 Guide
If you’re wondering what’s included on a Marella cruise, the short answer is: quite a lot. Marella Cruises are All Inclusive as standard, with meals, snacks, selected drinks, entertainment, many onboard activities and tips included. On fly-cruise holidays, flights, transfers and 20kg hold luggage are also included in the holiday price.
All Inclusive doesn’t mean that absolutely everything onboard is free. Speciality restaurants, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, spa treatments, some premium drinks and a number of other extras cost more.
This guide explains exactly what’s included on a Marella cruise, what costs extra, what’s covered by Standard versus Premium All Inclusive, and the expenses you may still need to budget for before you sail.
If you are planning a TUI Marella cruise, you are probably trying to figure out exactly how much your holiday is going to cost once you step on board. Operated by TUI, Marella Cruises has become one of the UK’s most popular cruise lines, famous for its stress-free, tip-free, and budget-friendly itineraries. But how "all-inclusive" is it really? From the hidden rules of the standard Marella drinks package to the sneaky cabin check-out times, we are giving you the absolute, no-nonsense lowdown on what is genuinely included, what costs extra, and the insider tricks you need to know before you sail.
What’s Really Included in Your Fare?
Marella’s biggest selling point is that its upfront price is genuinely all-inclusive. While American cruise lines love to slap on extra charges at every turn, Marella keeps it simple. Here is what is automatically covered:
Flights & Transfers: If you book a fly-cruise package, your flights and the coach transfers between the airport and the ship are bundled in. When you land, you just look for the TUI reps and jump on the bus.
Tips & Gratuities: This is a massive cost saver. Unlike most lines that charge £12–£18 per person, per day in automatic service charges, Marella builds tips into the cruise fare. You will never see a sneaky gratuity charge on your final bill.
The Standard Drinks Package: This isn’t just cheap cordial and water. The standard package includes draft beer and cider, select house wines, a massive list of spirits (including gin, vodka, and rum), soft drinks, and a solid menu of cocktails.
Food: Your meals in the main dining rooms, the buffet, and the pool-side snack shacks are 100% free.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what’s included.
What Drinks Are Included on Marella Cruises?
Drinks are included in the price of a Marella cruise as part of the standard All Inclusive package. You don’t need to buy a separate drinks package simply to have alcoholic or soft drinks onboard.
TUI currently states that the All Inclusive drinks service runs from 10am until 2am. The selection includes a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, although not every brand or drink available onboard is included.
What alcoholic drinks are included?
The standard selection includes:
Selected beers and ciders
Selected wines by the glass
Standard spirits and aperitifs
A selection of cocktails
Mocktails
So yes, alcohol is included on Marella Cruises. You can enjoy your favourite tipples - beer, wine, spirits and cocktails - without paying separately, provided the drink is part of the included selection.
The exact brands and choices can vary between ships.
Are soft drinks included on Marella Cruises?
Yes. Selected soft drinks, mixers and fruit juices are included in the standard All Inclusive selection.
If you want particular branded or premium drinks, check whether they are included before ordering, as the standard package does not cover everything available at the bars, and the cost may be added to your onboard account.
Are cocktails included on Marella Cruises?
Yes. A selection of cocktails and mocktails is included in the standard All Inclusive package.
The cocktail menu can vary between ships and bars, so the drinks available on your sailing may not be identical to those on another Marella ship.
What drinks aren’t included?
Marella’s All Inclusive package doesn’t mean every drink onboard is included.
Some premium brands and drinks outside the included selection cost extra. Champagne is also not included, and drinks purchased outside the All Inclusive service hours are charged separately.
If you’re considering Premium All Inclusive, that gives you a wider selection of premium spirits, cocktails, beers, wines, soft drinks and speciality coffees.
I have a separate guide explaining exactly what’s included in Marella Standard All Inclusive and another covering Marella Premium All Inclusive, including the differences between the two.
For most people, the important point is simple: you don’t need an additional drinks package on Marella just to enjoy drinks onboard. Standard All Inclusive already includes selected beer, wine, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.
The main thing to remember is that selected is the key word. If you have a particular brand or drink in mind, check whether it’s included rather than assuming everything behind the bar is covered.
What food is included on Marella?
Marella Cruises are All Inclusive as standard, so you don’t have to pay separately for your everyday meals and snacks. Every Marella ship has at least six eateries included in the standard All Inclusive package. The exact restaurants vary between ships, so don’t assume that every venue is included on every Marella ship.
What food is included?
Marella's standard All Inclusive fare includes:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Waiter-service dining
- Buffet or food-hall dining
- Pizza, pasta and other casual meals
- Sandwiches, salads and lighter options
- Grab-and-go snacks and food
- Desserts, cakes and sweet treats
- Additional included restaurants, depending on the ship
Remember: speciality restaurants and selected premium dishes cost extra.
The included dining generally covers:
A main waiter-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner
A buffet or food hall for more casual dining
An Italian restaurant
Casual food and snack venues serving options such as pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and hot snacks
Additional included restaurants or food venues, depending on the ship
Desserts, cakes and other sweet treats at selected included venues
Marella Voyager is slightly different because it has The Kitchens, a food hall with eight different food stations rather than a traditional buffet. Other included venues on Voyager include Abuela’s (Mexican), Vista (Italian), Piccadilly’s, Latitude 53 and Snack Shack. See my guides to Dining on Marella Voyager - Part One and Dining on Marella Voyager - Part Two
The food available varies across the fleet, but you can expect plenty of choice throughout the day, from cooked breakfasts and lighter lunches to full evening meals, pizzas, pasta, salads, burgers, sandwiches and desserts.
| Ship | Main dining | Buffet / food hall | Other included dining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marella Discovery |
47° Waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Traditional dishes with a modern twist. |
Islands Buffet dining with show-cooking stations, breakfast omelettes, carvery and snacks. |
Gallery 47° - Italian dining Snack Shack - grab-and-go snacks and light food |
| Marella Discovery 2 |
47° Waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with daily-changing menus. |
Islands Buffet dining with show cooking, breakfast choices, carvery and themed meals. |
Gallery 47° - Italian dining Snack Shack - grab-and-go food The Glass House - light lunches, pizza and evening tapas/pizza |
| Marella Explorer |
Latitude 53 Waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a rotating menu. |
The Market Place Buffet with food stalls, fresh pizza, paninis, sandwiches and evening stir-fry stations. |
Vista - Italian restaurant The Mediterranean - Mediterranean dishes, tapas, pasta and pizza Snack Shack - grab-and-go food |
| Marella Explorer 2 |
Latitude 53 Waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with traditional dishes and modern twists. |
The Market Place Buffet with international dishes, pizza, paninis, sandwiches and made-to-order evening options. |
Vista - Italian restaurant Nonna's - pizza and pasta Snack Shack - grab-and-go food The Beach Cove - breakfast and lunch |
| Marella Voyager |
Latitude 53 Waiter service for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a seven-night rotating menu. |
The Kitchens Food hall with eight eateries covering everything from roast dinners and Asian curries to Greek-style pittas, salads, sandwiches and desserts. |
Vista - Italian restaurant Piccadilly's - British comfort food Nonna's - pizza and pasta Abuela's - Mexican food Snack Shack - grab-and-go food |
Important: Dining venues and included dishes can vary between ships. Some dishes within otherwise included restaurants can carry a supplement, and speciality restaurants are charged separately.
The restaurant names vary across the fleet. On Marella Discovery and Discovery 2, for example, 47° is the main waiter-service restaurant, while Islands provides buffet dining. Gallery 47° adds Italian food, with Snack Shack available for more casual options.
On Marella Explorer and Explorer 2, the main waiter-service dining is Latitude 53 and Vista, while The Market Place is the buffet. Other included options include Vista, Nonna’s, The Beach Cove and Snack Shack, depending on the ship.
Marella Voyager has a different set-up. Instead of a traditional buffet, The Kitchens is a food hall with eight different eateries. Voyager also has included restaurants and casual food venues including Latitude 53, Vista, Piccadilly’s, Nonna’s, Abuela’s and Snack Shack.
This means you can generally choose between a sit-down waiter-service meal, buffet or food-hall dining, or something quick and casual without paying a restaurant supplement.
What sort of food is included?
The choice varies by ship, but included dining covers a broad range of food, including:
Cooked, full-English and continental breakfasts
Full multi-course waiter-service meals
Buffet dishes and show-cooking stations
Pizza and pasta
Burgers and other casual food
Sandwiches, salads and lighter lunches
Tapas and Mediterranean-style dishes
Mexican food on Voyager
Italian dishes
Desserts, cakes and other sweet treats
Grab-and-go snacks and food throughout the day
Note: Worth noting that some restaurants also have selected dishes that carry an additional charge, even though the restaurant itself is part of the All Inclusive offering.
Is all food included on Marella Cruises?
No. Speciality restaurants are charged separately, and some premium dishes in otherwise included restaurants may also carry a supplement.
What Food and Drink Isn't Included?
All Inclusive doesn't mean every restaurant and every dish onboard is free. Marella also has speciality restaurants where you pay an additional charge, along with selected premium dishes in some of the included restaurants.
For example, restaurants such as Kora La and Surf & Turf are speciality dining experiences and cost extra. Some included restaurants also offer premium "Treat Yourself" dishes, such as steak or lobster, for an additional charge.
There can also be charges for extras such as room service, minibar food and drinks, bottled water and branded ice creams.
I'll cover the full restaurant line-up, what each venue serves, which restaurants are included or chargeable, dress codes and what is worth booking in the Marella Cruises Restaurant Guide.
What’s Not Included/cost Extra on Marella Cruises. The Hidden Costs
While you can absolutely step off a Marella ship at the end of the week with a £0 balance on your account, most people end up spending a little extra. Here is what is not covered:
The Premium Drinks Upgrade
Marella’s standard All Inclusive package covers a substantial range of drinks, but Premium All Inclusive adds a wider choice of premium spirits, upgraded cocktails, canned soft drinks and more drinks from The Coffee Port. The upgrade price varies, so check the cost for your particular sailing before deciding whether it is worthwhile.
While the standard drinks package is great, Marella offers a Premium All-Inclusive Upgrade starting from roughly £10-£15 per person, per day.
The following table shows the difference between Standard and Premium All Inclusive options.
| Standard All Inclusive Included in your cruise fare |
Premium All Inclusive Additional cost |
|---|---|
|
Beer and cider Selected draught, bottled and canned beers and ciders. |
Wider beer and cider selection Includes a broader choice of premium and branded options. |
|
Wine Selected wines by the glass. |
More wines A wider selection of wines, including additional premium choices. |
|
Spirits Selected standard spirits and aperitifs. |
Premium spirits A wider range of premium and branded spirits. |
|
Cocktails A selection of cocktails is included. |
More cocktails Access to a wider selection, including premium cocktails. |
|
Soft drinks and juices Selected soft drinks, fruit juices and other non-alcoholic options. |
Wider non-alcoholic choice Additional premium soft drinks and non-alcoholic options. |
|
Mocktails A selection is included. |
More premium choices A wider selection of mocktails and speciality drinks. |
|
Coffee and tea Standard tea and coffee options are included. |
Speciality coffees Includes a wider choice of speciality coffees and premium hot drinks. |
|
Drinks service Included drinks are available during the standard All Inclusive service hours. |
More included choices The main benefit is the wider selection of drinks available without paying separately for each premium choice. |
Worth knowing: Premium All Inclusive does not replace the standard All Inclusive package - it expands the range of drinks you can choose from. Exact drinks and brands can vary by ship and sailing.
Is it worth it? If you love upgraded gins (like Hendrick's or Bombay Sapphire), branded cans of soda instead of post-mix fountain drinks, or a proper barista-made Costa coffee in the morning, then yes upgrade. If you are happy with house brands and standard cocktails, save your money.
Specialty Dining
The main dining rooms are excellent, but Marella ships also feature premium restaurants like Surf & Turf (steak and seafood) or Kora La (pan-Asian food). Eating at these venues requires a cover charge, usually ranging from £25 to £35 per person.
Cabin Selection
Choosing your specific cabin
Although you choose the category of accommodation, your cabin is allocated by TUI/Marella. If you want to choose a particular cabin, deck, or location, you can reserve one for an additional charge. TUI currently advertises cabin reservations from £75 or £80 depending on the ship, so check the price for your sailing. You can choose your cabin when booking or, subject to availability, up to 15 days before departure.
Is Wi-Fi Included on Marella Cruises?
No. Wi-Fi is not included in the standard Marella All Inclusive fare. Internet access is available to purchase on all five Marella ships, with packages based on the amount of data you use rather than a simple daily internet charge.
There is one important exception: Navigate is free to use onboard. You can connect to the ship's network and use Navigate to check your account, view the daily programme, see restaurant information and make bookings without buying an internet package.
How much does Marella Wi-Fi cost?
The latest published Marella Wi-Fi prices I can verify are:
| Package | Data | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Connect With Home | 400MB | £20 |
| Get Social | 2,000MB | £40 |
| Browsing & More | 4,500MB | £65 |
| Browsing & More Max | 8,500MB | £99 |
Prices can vary by ship and sailing, so treat these figures as a guide rather than a guaranteed price for your particular cruise. The package options and prices available to you will be shown onboard.
How does Marella Wi-Fi work?
Marella's internet packages are based on a data allowance. This means you pay for a set amount of data rather than simply buying unlimited internet for the week.
This can work well if you mainly want to send messages, check emails, browse websites or keep in touch with family. Activities that use a lot of data, such as streaming video, uploading large numbers of photographs or automatic cloud backups, can use your allowance much more quickly.
Can I use my phone without buying Wi-Fi?
Yes, but be careful when using mobile data at sea. Your normal mobile signal may disappear once you are away from land, and maritime roaming can be expensive. Check your mobile provider's roaming arrangements before your cruise rather than assuming your usual UK allowance will apply.
Another option is to use your mobile data when you are ashore, where your normal roaming arrangements may apply, and save your Marella Wi-Fi allowance for when you are at sea.
The Lowdown: You don't need to buy Wi-Fi just to use the ship's Navigate service. If you want to stay connected at sea, however, you'll need a paid internet package. For occasional messages and emails, a smaller package may be enough. If you plan to browse heavily or use social media frequently, you'll need considerably more data.
Internet onboard is sold in data packages rather than unlimited days, and it can get expensive. Unless you need it for work, our top Cruise Lowdown tip is to just wait until the ship docks. Because Marella spends a lot of time in European ports, you can often just use your standard mobile roaming data when you're off the ship.
As noted below, you do not need Wi-Fi to use the Marella Navigate app onboard - read more in my Marella Cruise Control and Navigate Guide.
Are Excursions Included on Marella Cruises?
No, shore excursions are not included in the standard Marella All Inclusive fare. If you want to join an organised excursion in port, you pay separately.
You can explore ports independently at no additional cost, or book an organised Marella excursion if you want a guided tour, organised transport or an experience arranged for you.
Excursion prices vary considerably depending on the destination, duration and type of tour. Popular excursions can also have limited places, so if there is a particular trip you really want to do, it is worth booking ahead rather than relying on availability once you are onboard.
Marella offers a wide range of excursions, from sightseeing tours and guided city visits to beach trips, cultural experiences, wildlife encounters and active excursions. The choice depends on your itinerary and the ports you visit.
You can book Marella/TUI excursions before your cruise or once onboard, subject to availability. Prices vary considerably depending on the destination and type of excursion, so there isn’t a single standard excursion price.
How much do Marella excursions cost?
Marella excursions are an additional cost, and there is a wide variation in price. As a practical guide, budget around £40-£70 per person for a shorter or simpler excursion, £70-£120 for a longer half-day or full-day sightseeing trip, and £120+ for premium experiences or excursions involving specialist activities, meals, entrance fees or longer journeys.
Do you have to book a Marella excursion?
No. You are free to explore independently when the ship is in port. You can walk into a town, use local transport, arrange your own tour or book an excursion with an independent operator.
There is one important consideration when booking independently. A ship-organised excursion gives you greater protection if the tour is delayed and you risk missing the ship’s departure. Independent travellers are responsible for getting back to the ship on time.
Are excursions worth paying for?
It depends on the port and what you want to see.
For ports where the main attractions are easy to reach independently, you may prefer to make your own plans. In destinations where attractions are a long distance from the port, transport is complicated or a guided experience adds something useful, an organised excursion can be more worthwhile.
I would also check exactly what is included before booking. Some excursions include entrance fees, transport and a guide, while others may have additional costs or free time where you are responsible for your own spending.
Cruise Lowdown Verdict: Don’t assume that All Inclusive means everything you do ashore is included. Excursions are an additional cost, but you don’t have to book one. For many ports, independent exploring can be straightforward, while an organised excursion can make more sense when transport, distance or timing makes a port harder to tackle on your own.
For a detailed look at Marella excursions, including how to book, typical prices, the types of excursions available and whether they are worth booking, see my separate Marella Excursions Guide available soon.
What should you budget for on a Marella cruise?
The beauty of Marella’s All Inclusive model is that your basic onboard spending can be surprisingly low.
If you’re happy with the standard restaurants, included drinks and free entertainment, you don’t have to spend much beyond your original holiday price.
The extras worth allowing for are:
Shore excursions
Speciality dining
Premium All Inclusive
Wi-Fi
Spa treatments
Shopping
Photography
Chargeable drinks and snacks
Bottled water
Branded ice creams
Any optional activities or experiences
You can therefore tailor your spending to the type of holiday you want.
A cruiser who is happy to eat in the included restaurants, drink from the standard selection and explore ports independently could spend very little onboard.
Someone who books speciality restaurants, excursions, spa treatments and Premium All Inclusive will naturally spend considerably more.
Here is a FREE budgeting tool to help you plan and prevent any surprises at the end of your cruise.
Planning your Marella onboard budget?
While standard drinks, tips, and flights are covered, tailoring your cruise with excursions, specialty dining, or Wi-Fi packages requires a bit of planning. We built an interactive planner to make your holiday prep seamless.
Open the Extra Budget Calculator →Settling Your Bill: How Onboard Payment Works on Marella
When you step aboard a Marella Cruise, you won't need to carry any physical cash or credit cards around the ship. Marella operates a completely cashless system to make purchasing your cruise extras as seamless as possible.
Setting Up Your Onboard Account
When you check in at the cruise terminal—or via the Manage My Booking portal before you sail—you will link a credit or debit card to your cabin. This creates your onboard account.
The Cruise Card: You will be handed a personal cruise card (which also acts as your room key). Every time you buy a shore excursion, order a premium drink, book a spa treatment, or dine at a specialty restaurant, the crew will simply scan your card and charge it to your account.
Tracking Your Spend: You can easily keep an eye on your running total throughout your holiday by checking the Marella Cruise Control app on your phone or by visiting the Destination Services desk.
Paying with Cash vs. Card
While a card is the easiest option, Marella does offer a few different ways to settle your account at the end of your sailing:
Credit/Debit Cards (Recommended): Marella accepts Visa and Mastercard. At the end of your cruise, your itemised bill is automatically charged to your linked card on the final night. You don't even need to line up at reception.
Paying with Cash: If you prefer not to link a card, you can activate your account by depositing cash at the front desk on embarkation day. Marella accounts operate in Pounds Sterling (£), so you can deposit UK cash. Just keep in mind that if your spending exceeds your deposit, your card will freeze until you top it up.
The Dreaded 8:00 AM Cabin Rule (And How to Beat It)
If you read nothing else, read this. It is the single biggest complaint from first-time Marella cruisers.
What happens on the last day of a Marella cruise?
This is worth knowing before your first Marella cruise.
TUI currently asks guests to leave their cabins by 8am on the final morning.
That doesn’t mean you have to leave the ship at 8am.
You can continue using the ship’s facilities while you wait for your transfer, so you’ll still have access to public areas and the onboard facilities after vacating your cabin.
Your exact transfer arrangements will be provided during the cruise.
Can you get a late cabin checkout?
Marella’s standard information confirms the 8am cabin vacate time, but TUI does not currently publish a universal price for a paid late cabin checkout on its website.
Some accommodation categories have different arrangements. For example, TUI’s suite information currently lists a 9am checkout for suites covered by the relevant service.
If a later cabin departure is important to you, check with Reception onboard about the options available on your particular sailing rather than relying on an old advertised price.
💡The Cruise Lowdown Insider Fix: As soon as you board the ship on day one, head straight to the Reception Desk. Ask to book a Late Cabin Check-Out. For around £35 to £50 (depending on your specific ship and itinerary), you can secure a cabin until 3:00 PM. These slots are incredibly limited and always sell out on the first afternoon, so do not wait!
The Lowdown
Marella Cruises are All Inclusive as standard, and that covers much more than simply meals and a few drinks.
Your standard package includes food, snacks, selected alcoholic and soft drinks, tips, entertainment and many onboard activities. On a normal fly-cruise holiday, flights, transfers and luggage are also part of the package.
The important thing to remember is that All Inclusive doesn’t mean everything onboard is included.
Speciality dining, Wi-Fi, excursions, spa treatments, shopping, premium drinks and several smaller extras can all add to your final bill.
The exact details also vary between Marella ships, so check your particular sailing before you book anything extra.
For most people, though, the main advantage is simple: the everyday costs of being onboard are largely taken care of before you even step aboard.
Marella Cruises What’s Included - FAQs
Are drinks included on Marella Cruises?
Yes. Selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in Marella’s standard All Inclusive package. TUI currently states that the included drinks service runs from 10am to 2am.
Is alcohol included on Marella Cruises?
Yes. Selected beers, ciders, wines, spirits and cocktails are included in the standard All Inclusive package. Premium brands and a wider drinks selection require Premium All Inclusive.
Are speciality restaurants included on Marella Cruises?
No. Marella’s speciality restaurants are chargeable. Prices vary according to the restaurant, itinerary, date, availability and time slot.
Is Wi-Fi free on Marella Cruises?
No. Wi-Fi is available to purchase onboard. However, you can access Navigate for free without purchasing an internet package.
Are tips included on Marella Cruises?
Yes. Tips and service charges are included in the standard All Inclusive fare.
Are excursions included on Marella Cruises?
No. Shore excursions are optional extras and are charged separately.
Is bottled water included on Marella Cruises?
No. TUI lists bottled water among the chargeable items onboard.
Is room service included on Marella Cruises?
Room service can incur an additional charge. Check the current onboard information for your ship.
Can I choose my Marella cabin?
Yes. TUI currently advertises cabin reservations from £80, subject to availability.
What time do I have to leave my cabin on Marella?
TUI currently asks guests to vacate their cabins by 8am on the final morning, although you can continue using the ship’s public facilities while waiting for your transfer.
Is Premium All Inclusive worth paying for?
That depends on how much you expect to use the additional drinks included in the upgrade. Premium All Inclusive adds premium spirits, upgraded cocktails, premium Lavazza coffee, canned soft drinks and a wider selection of wines, beers and ciders.