What's really included with Marella Cruises' all-inclusive itineraries?
Marella Cruises has carved out a niche with its affordable yet all-inclusive offering, making holidays at sea with the TUI cruise line both simple and fun-packed.
Marella Cruises boasts five medium-sized ships* all of which operate as all-inclusive, no matter where in the world you're sailing.
Beer for brekkie? Why not. Start the day your way with Marella thanks to its wide set of inclusions: flights, transfers, meals, drinks, luggage, tips and service charges.
That means a hell of a lot of hassle is removed from your getaway (giving you more time to plan that holiday wardrobe). Oh, and don't forget all the free entertainment and activities thrown in. Let's take a deep dive...
Find your dream sailing: browse the latest itineraries from Marella Cruises by TUI* to find your next all-inclusive voyage today.
What's included?
Food
Three meals a day at no extra cost is standard on all-inclusive cruises, and Marella is no exception. No matter what ship you sail on, you'll have access to at least four restaurants.
These always comprise a main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, an Italian joint (pasta, please!) and grab-and-go option Snack Shack. Other outlets plate up tapas, pizzas, sharing boards and more, depending on your vessel. Yes, you can have seconds.
All ships also have buffets, except for the newest ship Marella Voyager*, which is home to a food hall with eight different eateries.
When we were onboard we took a shine to the eyeball-grabbing Yorkshire pudding wrap in The Gravy Boat and the stomach-pleasing banoffee pie at Cherry on Top (thank goodness there's a gym onboard).
Not included in the standard fare are the speciality restaurants, which cost extra. Kora La, serving Pan-Asian cuisine is a brand favourite and can be found on all ships, as is Surf & Turf Steakhouse. Elsewhere there are restaurants exclusive to particular ships.
Ships Marella Discovery* and Marella Discovery 2* have a Sushi Bar; Marella Explorer 2 has a fine-dining restaurant, The Dining Club; and Marella Voyager has Silver Fork (think British classics with a fine dining twist), to name a few highlights. The apple crumble created to look just like a fresh, gleaming, green apple at the latter got a hearty thumbs up from us.
Drinks
Ok, so back to that pint first thing: Marella Cruises' standard all-inclusive* package comes with both alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks: bottles and draught beers, ciders, wines, cocktails, cocktails, soft drinks and fruit juices.
This means you can swig away to your heart's content from morning 'til night, both with your meals at the included restaurants as well as in the ships's cafés and bars.
Sip on a Mai Tai from the deck bar while you sunbathe, knock back a beer while you quiz in Marella's pub at sea, the Squid & Anchor or opt for a G&T as you boogie to a silent disco at Indigo.
On the new ship Marella Voyager you can even "press for bubbles" in Flutes (although it's Prosecco, not Champagne, unless you're willing to splurge).
Talking of which, if you're a bit of a beverage boff and want the good stuff and an (even wider) range, there's the option to choose Premium All Inclusive*. With this package, you'll get your thirsty mitts on upgraded cocktails, premium spirits, canned soft drinks plus most drinks from the coffeehouse and lounge, The Coffee Port.
Entertainment
As with all cruises, Marella sailings pack in a wealth of fabulous activities* to keep you having fun all day long on board (although don't forget to head off the ship and make the most of your fantastic ports of call too!).
Expect multiple swimming pools, a gym, boutiques, movies under the stars, a casino, a jogging track, discos, West End-style shows, kids' clubs, a spa, live music, game shows and more.
On Marella Voyager, you can play shuffleboard or discover your inner Warhol with arts and crafts at an art-themed bar exclusive to the ship. Elsewhere, Marella Discovery houses an al fresco climbing wall, a gamer zone and mini golf.
Marella Explorer* has a sports court, table tennis and adult-only zone The Veranda while Marella Explorer 2 has golf simulators with professional hosts.
There is some chargeable entertainment too if you fancy extra kicks. Marella Discovery features Siren's Spell, a game which sees your team solve puzzles and complete challenges within 60 minutes to retrieve 'The Pearl of the Titan from Captain Turley'.
Meanwhile, on Marella Voyager, there's an immersive speakeasy experience with three cocktails served from a drink trolley included. Enter via a red telephone box (provided you can produce the correct password) before being whisked back to the 1920s complete with costumed performers and lots of singing, dancing and high jinks.
Flights
For added ease flights are included in the cost of your ocean holiday, and they're all timed perfectly with cruise arrival and departure times.
Which UK airports does Marella Cruises use?
Marella Cruises* offers flights to its ships from 21 major and regional airports across the UK, with flights operated by TUI Airways. You'll be given a standard seat (allocated at check-in), hand luggage and 20 kg check-in luggage per passenger, although there's always the option to upgrade and/or pay for extra baggage.
- Belfast International
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- East Midlands
- Exeter
- Glasgow
- Liverpool
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
- London Luton
- London Stansted
- Manchester
- Newcastle
If you don't wish to fly with TUI or don't need a flight, there's a Cruise Only* option which removes flights and transfers from your holiday package.
Where can you sail with Marella Cruises? See the current destinations and ports of call you can expect to visit on a Marella cruise* be it in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean or somewhere in between.
Transfers
Provided you do fly with TUI, transfers between the airport and your cruise ship will be provided. On arrival at your destination airport, a representative will greet you and your driver will be waiting with your name on a board to take you to the ship.
At the end of the trip, you will be collected from the vessel and taken to the airport. There are no transfers on the UK side, however.
Tips
Tips and service charges are included in the price of your cruise. Even in speciality restaurants (those not in the all-inclusive package), there will never be a suggested gratuity on your bill.
Instead, there's a note stating: "Remember, all tips are included." However, if you wish to tip crew then you are more than welcome.
Luggage
Due to flight restrictions, Marella Cruises' all-inclusive holidays include a 20 kg hold luggage allowance per person plus a single carry-on bag weighing up to 10 kg.
However, there's no limit to the number of bags you can take onboard the actual ship, so if you wish to pay for more you can.
Ready to book your cruise? Find the latest offers on all-inclusive Marella Cruises to more than 100 destinations.
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