Which Marella Ship is the Best?
Choosing the Best Marella Cruise Ship for You
Brit favourite Marella Cruises, operated by TUI UK, currently has a fleet of five ships, each with its own unique characteristics and history. I’m often asked which Marella ship is the best, but of course this is really subjective and depends on many factors. For this article I’ve compared each ship, based on information available, so that you can get a feel for which one best meets your needs.
Ship Specifications
Below are the key statistics for the Marella Cruises fleet as of today,
1️⃣ Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery. Image: Tui
Gross Tonnage: 69,130 tonnes
Length: 264 metres (866 feet)
Width: 32 metres (105 feet)
Passenger Capacity: 1,830
Crew: Approximately 753
Decks: 11
Entered Service: 1996 (as Splendour of the Seas with Royal Caribbean); joined Marella in June 2016.
Notable Features: Offers 8 dining venues, 7 bars, an outdoor cinema, a rock-climbing wall, and a 9-hole mini-golf course.
Note - from Summer 2026 Marella Discovery will operate exclusively for adults.
2️⃣ Marella Discovery 2
Marella Discovery 2. Image: Tui
Gross Tonnage: 69,130 tonnes
Length: 264 metres (866 feet)
Width: 32 metres (105 feet)
Passenger Capacity: 1,830
Crew: Approximately 753
Decks: 11
Entered Service: 1995 (as Legend of the Seas with Royal Caribbean); joined Marella in May 2017. Latest refit 2024.
Notable Features: Nearly identical to Marella Discovery, with 8 dining venues, 7 bars, a jogging track, and a sports deck with basketball and football courts. New additions include a Virtual Reality Experience and a new Play Wall.
3️⃣ Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer Aft View. Image: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Gross Tonnage: 76,998 tonnes
Length: 262 metres (860 feet)
Width: 32 metres (105 feet)
Passenger Capacity: 1,924
Crew: Approximately 900
Decks: 13
Entered Service: 1996 (as Galaxy with Celebrity Cruises); joined Marella in May 2018.
Notable Features: The largest ship by passenger capacity, it features 10 restaurants, 10 bars, a Champneys Spa, an indoor cinema, and a Sports & Family Deck.
4️⃣ Marella Explorer 2
Marella Explorer 2. Image: TUI
Gross Tonnage: 71,545 tonnes
Length: 246 metres (807 feet)
Width: 32 metres (105 feet)
Passenger Capacity: 1,814
Crew: Approximately 800
Decks: 13
Entered Service: 1995 (as Celebrity Century); joined Marella in April 2019.
Notable Features: Adults-only ship with 18 dining and bar options, including Flutes Champagne bar and The 19th Hole with golf simulators, plus a large spa, Play Wall - a new complimentary activity, and The Veranda sunbathing area.
5️⃣ Marella Voyager
Marella Voyager Exterior. Image: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Gross Tonnage: 77,713 tonnes
Length: 264 metres (866 feet)
Width: 32 metres (105 feet)
Passenger Capacity: 1,912 (based on double occupancy)
Crew: Approximately 909
Decks: 13
Entered Service: 1997 (as MV Mercury with Celebrity Cruises); joined Marella in June 2023.
Notable Features: The newest addition to the fleet, it offers 17 dining venues (including unique options like The Kitchens and Abuela’s Mexican restaurant) and 10 bars, an indoor cinema, a pool deck with whirlpools, and a mini-golf course.
Destinations
The fleet sails to over 120 destinations, including Europe (Mediterranean, Canary Islands), the Caribbean, and Asia.
Unique Traits
All ships are all-inclusive as standard (covering food, drinks, tips, and service charges), and all were originally built for other cruise lines (Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises) before being refurbished and integrated into Marella’s fleet.
These ships vary slightly in size and offerings, catering to different preferences—family-friendly options on most, with Marella Explorer 2 being the dedicated adults-only vessel. The fleet’s mid-sized ships strike a balance between intimacy and modern
Comparison of the Marella Cruises fleet
The 5 Marella ships, from top left, clockwise: Marella Explorer, Marella Voyager, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Explorer 2
With five ships in the fleet, each offering a different experience, the answer to which is the best really depends on what you’re looking for. Whether you’re after family-friendly fun, an adults-only escape, or the best dining and entertainment, there’s a Marella ship to suit your style.
So, let’s dive in and compare Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, and the newest addition, Marella Voyager, to find out which one is best for you!
Meet the Fleet: Overview
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick overview of Marella Cruises’ fleet:
Marella Discovery & Marella Discovery 2 – Sister ships, slightly smaller than the rest, with an outdoor cinema, climbing wall, and a family-friendly vibe (although from Summer 2026 Discovert 2 will operate as adult-only.
Marella Explorer – Larger than the Discovery twins, with more dining options, an indoor cinema, and a well-balanced mix of fun and relaxation.
Marella Explorer 2 – The only adults-only ship, featuring a Champagne bar, a large spa, and a sophisticated, child-free atmosphere.
Marella Voyager – The newest and most modern ship in the fleet, packed with 17 dining venues, an indoor cinema, a speakeasy bar, and a fresh, contemporary feel.
Now, let’s break it down by category to see how they compare.
Best for Dining: Marella Voyager
Some of the food enjoyed on Marella Voyager
Each Marella ship is all-inclusive, but when it comes to variety, Marella Voyager is the clear winner. It boasts 17 dining venues, including unique spots like Abuela’s (Mexican), The Kitchens (interactive buffet), and Platter (charcuterie and cheese). The specialty restaurants like Kora La (Asian) and Surf & Turf (steakhouse) add extra options for foodies.
See my Marella Voyager Restaurant Guide here.
Runner-up: Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer has 10 restaurants, including the popular Umi Sushi and an outdoor Mediterranean venue with pizza and tapas.
Best for Entertainment & Nightlife: Marella Voyager
Entrance to the Exchange Speakeasy on Marella Voyager
If you love a buzzing nightlife scene, Marella Voyager stands out. It features:
Electric Rooms nightclub – A lively club with an LED dance floor.
The Exchange – A speakeasy-style bar with a hidden entrance.
An indoor cinema – Perfect for movie nights at sea.
A Broadway-style show lounge – For high-energy performances.
Runner-up: Marella Explorer
Explorer has a solid mix of entertainment, including a nightclub, cinema, and a large Broadway Lounge.
Best for Families: Marella Discovery/ Discovery 2
Rock Climbing Wall on Marella Discovery. Image: Tui
If you’re travelling with kids, Marella Discovery is the top pick for 2025. It offers:
M Club for kids and The Hideout for teens
Two pools (indoor and outdoor)
A rock-climbing wall and mini-golf
An outdoor cinema
The Breakout Challenge escape room
However, from Summer 2026 Marella Discovery will operate exclusively for adults, so a better pick for 2026 would be Discovery 2 which has similar family-friendly facilities.
Runner-up: Marella Voyager
Voyager has excellent family facilities, including a separate kids’ pool, mini-golf, and a cinema, but Discovery’s climbing wall and outdoor cinema give it the edge.
Best for Adults-Only Relaxation: Marella Explorer 2
Spa with a view on Marella Explorer 2. Image: Tui
For a child-free cruise, Marella Explorer 2 is unbeatable. It’s the only adults-only ship in the fleet, featuring:
Flutes Champagne bar
The 19th Hole bar with golf simulators
A large spa and relaxation areas
A quieter, more sophisticated atmosphere
If you want a romantic getaway or a peaceful cruise without kids around, this is your best choice.
As mentioned above, due to increased demand, from Summer 2026 Marella Discovery will join Explorer 2 and will operate as Marella’s second adult-only ship.
Best for Active Travellers: Marella Discovery
If you like staying active on holiday, Marella Discovery wins with:
A rock-climbing wall
Multi-sports court (basketball, football, etc.)
A jogging track
An outdoor cinema for evening entertainment
Runner-up: Marella Discovery 2
It’s almost identical to Discovery, but without the outdoor cinema.
Best for Cabins: Marella Voyager
Balcony cabin on Marella Voyager. Image: Tui
When it comes to cabin comfort and variety, Marella Voyager takes the lead. It was refurbished in 2023, so the interiors feel the freshest and most modern. Key cabin highlights include:
Family Suites sleeping up to seven
Executive Suites – The most spacious in the fleet (49m²)
Deluxe Balcony and Junior Suites for extra comfort
Runner-up: Marella Explorer
It offers single cabins, which are great for solo travellers, and family suites that sleep up to six.
Best Overall Ship: Marella Voyager
If you’re looking for the best all-rounder, Marella Voyager comes out on top. It’s the newest ship in the fleet, offers the most dining options, has a modern entertainment line-up, and caters well to families, couples, and solo travellers alike.
However, if you have specific needs, another ship might suit you better:
For families & active travellers: Choose Marella Discovery
For adults-only relaxation: Marella Explorer 2
For solo travellers: Marella Explorer (thanks to single cabins)
For a balance of fun & relaxation: Marella Explorer
Best-loved by Past Marella Guests
The stunning atrium on Marella Discovery - one of the features that makes her a firm favourite with Marella’s loyal base.
Whilst I’ve researched and analysed the facts about each Marella ship, as I stated at the start of this article, “best” is subjective. In fairness, I posed the question “In your opinion which is the best Marella Ship!” to a Marella Cruise Facebook fan group with over 40,000 members.
The results crowned Marella Discovery the overall favourite gaining 33% of the votes. Common reasons stated the atrium as being an attractive feature, and the intuitive, simple ship layout making it easy to navigate. In second place was Discovery 2 with 20%, surprising as both sister ships are the oldest in the fleet. Although there was little between the remaining ships, in this poll the least favourite amongst loyal Marella cruisers was Marella Explorer.
Final Thoughts
No matter which Marella ship you choose, you’re guaranteed an all-inclusive experience with great food, entertainment, and friendly service. The best ship for you depends on what kind of cruise you’re after. What I do know is that Marella guests are fiercely loyal about the brand, and that can only be a good sign.
So, which Marella ship will you sail on next? Let me know in the comments!