Why cruise with us?

Find out what makes a Marella Cruises holiday special.

‘Marella’ means ‘shining sea’ in Celtic and beautifully captures who we are and what we do. We sail to 100+ ports around the world, so – whether it’s tropical islands or culture-crammed coastal towns – there’s something new over every horizon. We’ve got two decades of sailing under our belt, and we combine TUI’s vast experience in holidays with our warm, friendly cruising expertise. Find out more about Marella cruises in our Discover article. Here are some more reasons to sail with us…

Reasons to choose a Marella Cruises holiday

What makes a Marella Cruises holiday special?

With you every step of the way

We’re part of TUI – the world’s biggest travel group. Our end-to-end service means we’re the only UK cruise line to take care of everything. Plus, our 24/7 TUI Guest Experience Centre, TUI reps and onboard crews ensure we’re with you all the way. To top it all off, we make it easy to book – in our nationwide TUI Stores, online or on the phone.

Your home from home

On a Marella Cruises sailing, you’ll always find a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the moment you step onboard. Our friendly staff will remember your name, as well as your favourite cocktail. In fact, we've been endorsed with the Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended stamp of approval. A massive 90% of our customers said the service was very good or excellent – and were impressed by how staff recognised them on a return visit.

Variety all-round

You can explore over 100 destinations on our five ships – from Caribbean beaches to culture packed towns in the Mediterranean. We focus on getting you to the destinations you love, which means fewer days at sea. And to make the most of your time in port, you can pick from our huge line-up of shore excursions that have been tried and tested by our expert guides. You can even pair your sailing with a stint in one of more than 200 handpicked hotels with our Cruise & Stay holidays.

All Inclusive as standard

All of our cruises are All Inclusive as standard, so you won’t have to worry about budgeting onboard. Flights, transfers, luggage, food, drinks and tips are all part of the package. Plus, there’s a huge choice of dining options, from buffet places and grab-and-go spots to waiter-service restaurants. And, you’ll never be bored on our ships, as daily entertainment and a range of activities are included, too.

Onboard entertainment

On the entertainment front, you can look forward to the likes of West End-style shows, live music, sail-away parties and pub quizzes. Kids’ clubs and child-friendly entertainment will keep youngsters happy, while adults can pick from things like sports classes and spa sessions.

See more ashore

We keep sea days to a minimum, so you’ll have more time to experience the best of what our destinations have to offer. You can go out on your own, or book one of our hassle-free shore excursions – all of which have been tried and tested by our expert guides. You can book them on the Marella Cruise Control website after you’ve booked your cruise.

What to expect onboard

Watch our handy video to learn more about life onboard our cruise ships.

Award-winning cruising

We scooped the prize for Best Cruise Line for Value at the 2019 Cruise Critic Editor’s Choice Awards, and in 2021, we were named Best for Entertainment in the Wave Awards. Plus, we’re proud to have been...

Here’s what some of our customers have to say

“This was my first time cruising, so everything was a new experience for me. The cruise ship was very clean, staff were great and always eager to help. The itinerary was perfect , easy access to ports, and security was quick and well organised. Captain and crew very informative about the weather, sea conditions and ports. Looked forward to the cruise newspaper pushed under our door every night!”

21/05/2023 – Sunshine States and Sands

Marella discovery

“The whole cruise was fantastic but what added that little bit extra was the friendliness and hardworking nature of the crew. Three notable names were Joan, Vicky and Aung that looked after us and our cabin. Nothing was too much trouble and seeing them each morning with a very cheery hello, or coming back to our room with lovely towel sculptures each day, was the little touch that made the cruise a special holiday for us.”

19/05/2023 - Adriatic Explorer

Marella Explorer

“I had a fantastic time. The holiday was made due to wonderful staff. The captain had a very friendly attitude too. I will definitely be back on a Marella cruise. I have done many over the years with TUI and Marella. Staff are always of a high standard.”

19/05/2023 – Adriatic Explorer

Marella Explorer

“First ever cruise and we have been spoilt. The whole process from airport to cabin is seamless. TUI definitely have great organisational skills in every area. Ida went above and beyond to look after me in my cabin (deck 3) and Tria, also deck 3, was great for my sister’s cabin. Cabins were spotless and we loved the animal characters made from towels! The waiter service in the buffet restaurant was tremendous and plates were cleared efficiently. All staff were exceptionally friendly throughout the ship. Loved the entertainment and the comfy seating in the show theatre. Loved the pina coladas!”

23/05/2023 – Mediterranean Medley

Marella Discovery 2

“From the time we stepped onboard to the very last day, we were looked after by happy, smiling staff. Lovely food, great entertainment and lovely surroundings.”

23/05/2023 – Mediterranean Medley

Marella Discovery 2

“Overall, we had a fantastic cruise. From arriving in Palma, after a smooth transfer we were onto the ship very quickly. The staff were amazing, working so hard to please so many people, which can be hard work. The food was lovely no matter where you decided to eat. The restaurant service was also very nice, we were served swiftly and nothing was too much bother. We took two excursions which were well organised and the guides were very good. Overall, as first time cruisers we thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely book again. Thank you all for all the hard work.” 16/05/2023 – Treasures of the Mediterranean Marella Discovery 2