Sunshine State and Sands

Kora La

Our signature pan-Asian speciality restaurant makes an appearance onboard Marella Discovery. You'll find dishes created by renowned chef Ian Pengelley such as his duck and watermelon salad. The menu covers off south and east Asia, featuring dishes like Indian spiced king prawns, and Indonesian beef rendang curry. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

47°

Marella Discovery’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery. It also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. This weekly event brings the West End to Marella Cruises, with dishes inspired by famous musicals – like the ‘Vietnamese Melody’ beef tenderloin yakitori and the ‘On My Own’ petit choux. There are six teas to choose from, as well as a cocktail of your choice. Plus, the whole place is decorated with show posters and memorabilia.

A Brief History of Puerto Plata

It’s wall-to-wall culture on this tour’s agenda, so it’s perfect if you like discovering the story behind a place. First up is the Macorix Rum Factory, for a brief education on how the popular Caribbean spirit is made. Then, it’s on to the Gregorio Luperon Museum, which tells the story of a former President of the Dominican Republic. San Felipe Fortress is next on the agenda. It was built in 1564 to defend the city from pirate raids. From here, you’ll stroll to the palm tree-lined Plaza Independencia to visit San Felipe Cathedral, with its impressive towers. After freshening up with a taste of coconut water, you’ll make a beeline for an art gallery, where you’ll sit down to lunch.

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A Puerto Plata Panorama

This tour takes in a clutch of Puerto Plata’s top sights, starting with a panoramic drive down the tree-lined Malecon. It snakes along the seafront for over a mile, hugging the city’s caramel-coloured beach. Your first drive-by viewing will be of the San Felipe Fortress, which was built in 1564 to defend the city from pirate raids. From here, you’ll move on to the San Felipe Cathedral. It’s built in a modern Victorian style, so architecture fans might spot some similarities to British landmarks, like Big Ben’s lofty steeple. The day will round off with half an hour of free time in the Plaza Independencia. This pretty town square is home to a mix of shops and eateries, so it’s the ideal opportunity to pick up souvenirs, or sip a coffee and people-watch.

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Dune Buggy Fun

This is a pedal-to-the-metal tour of Grand Turk. You’ll see the largest of the Turks Islands from the bucket seat of a dune buggy. Leaving the port behind, you’ll follow the clay tracks that trace their way along the beach. Your first break from being behind the wheel will come at a coastal bluff, where you’ll get out to take in the views of Gibb’s Cay and the other islands in the chain. Back in your buggy, you’ll score your way through the countryside, passing salt pans. A flash of pink will alert you to the appearance of the Salina Salt Ponds, where flamingos graze the day away. You’ll also pass the airport, where you’ll clock a replica of the space shuttle Friendship, which splashed down off the coast of Grand Turk after astronaut John Glen orbited the earth. After negotiating the streets of the island’s capital, Cockburn Town, you’ll drive to North Wells, where wild horses roam. You’ll get another chance to stretch your legs around North Creek, at a cliff that commands infinity views of the Atlantic Ocean. Then, with your fuel gauge finally leaning towards the red, you’ll steer back to port.

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Horseback Ride 'n' Swim

This is an experience you’ll want to write home about. Passing Governor’s Beach and Cockburn Town, you’ll drive to Grand Turk’s Indigenous Horse Shelter. Here, you’ll be given a riding helmet and paired with a horse. When your feet are in the stirrups, you’ll hack out to the coast. From beneath the brim of your riding hat, you’ll take in the boundless views of the Atlantic Ocean. After roughly half an hour in the saddle, you’ll dismount. Your guide will take the saddle off your steed and you’ll get back on your horse to ride bareback into the sea. As your ride strides through the surf, you’ll be spritzed by the cold water. With hoof-prints left on the seabed, you’ll have time to take a shower before heading back to the port.

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Kora La

Our signature pan-Asian speciality restaurant makes an appearance onboard Marella Discovery. You'll find dishes created by renowned chef Ian Pengelley such as his duck and watermelon salad. The menu covers off south and east Asia, featuring dishes like Indian spiced king prawns, and Indonesian beef rendang curry. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

47°

Marella Discovery’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery. It also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. This weekly event brings the West End to Marella Cruises, with dishes inspired by famous musicals – like the ‘Vietnamese Melody’ beef tenderloin yakitori and the ‘On My Own’ petit choux. There are six teas to choose from, as well as a cocktail of your choice. Plus, the whole place is decorated with show posters and memorabilia.

Kayaking Key West’s Mangroves

Get a glimpse of Key West’s natural side on this trip. You’ll make tracks for Geiger Key, where a nature guide will be waiting to take you paddling into the surrounding mangrove channels. You’ll be in a solo kayak, which will allow you to get close-up views of the marine life and birds that call the mangroves home. Dolphins, turtles and rays are all common in these waters, so keep your eyes peeled as you bob along. This tour’s eco-friendly, too, so you’ll help the guide on a five-minute water clean-up midway through the tour. Make sure you wear clothing that you don’t mind getting wet, and bring suncream as you’ll be on the water for a few hours.

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Miami Tour – by Land and Sea

This half-day tour showcases Miami’s best bits, from its skyscrapers to its Art Deco District. Start with a scenic drive through downtown, then go past the towering skyscrapers of the financial district on Brickell Avenue. You’ll learn a bit about Miami’s Cuban heritage, too, as you make your way in to the heart of Little Havana. Then tick off historic Coconut Grove and South Beach’s Art Deco District before arriving at Bayside Market Place. Here, you’ll board a boat and take to the water for a 90-minute tour around Biscayne Bay. Pass Fisher Island – it’s dotted with multi-million-dollar homes owned by A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, Boris Becker and Mel Brooks. You’ll also sail past Star Island and Palm Island where places of interest include Gloria Estefan's estate and Al Capone's old house.

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Walking Tour of South Beach

Get an eyeful of Miami’s glitz and glamour on a half-day walking tour of South Beach. This neighbourhood’s known for its bee hive-buzzy nightlife, celebrity chef-run restaurants and toothpaste-white beach. In fact, the 2017 film remake of Baywatch was filmed here. On the tour, you’ll walk through the colourful Art Deco District, then take a scenic drive through downtown Miami and past the towering skyscrapers of the financial district. You’ll also visit the area known as Little Havana – grab a rum-based CubaLibre cocktail as you pass through. The tour finishes in the historic Coconut Grove neighbourhood, which is known for its leafy sidewalks, pavement cafés and shopping malls.

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