Marella Cruises is a British cruise line owned by TUI Group. Operating primarily for the UK holiday market, it combines cruises with TUI's wider flight and package-holiday network and is particularly associated with all-inclusive fly-cruise holidays.
History of Marella Cruises
The cruise operation began in 1996 as Thomson Cruises. It developed as part of the Thomson holiday business, offering cruise packages supported by charter flights and regional departures from the UK.
In October 2017, Thomson Cruises was renamed Marella Cruises as the wider Thomson business adopted the TUI name. The word “Marella” was introduced as a standalone cruise brand while remaining within TUI Group. The line marked its 30th anniversary in 2026.
Marella Cruises fleet
Marella Cruises currently operates five mid-sized ships:
- Marella Discovery — a family-friendly ship with 918 cabins, indoor and outdoor pools, a climbing wall, escape room and outdoor cinema.
- Marella Discovery 2 — sister ship to Marella Discovery, with 918 cabins, nine restaurants, seven bars and indoor and outdoor pools. It becomes an adults-only ship from November 2026.
- Marella Explorer — a family-friendly ship with 962 cabins, a large spa, indoor cinema, family facilities and a broad choice of dining venues.
- Marella Explorer 2 — the fleet's established adults-only ship, with 907 cabins, restaurants, bars, a spa and a golf simulator.
- Marella Voyager — the newest addition to the Marella fleet, entering service for the line in June 2023 with 956 cabins and an extensive collection of restaurants, bars and entertainment spaces.
The ships were built for other cruise operators before joining Marella and have been refurbished and adapted for the line's British-focused onboard product. Fleet composition and individual ship roles can change, so travellers should confirm the current arrangements before booking.
Destinations and fly-cruise holidays
Marella operates itineraries in regions including the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Canary Islands, Atlantic islands and Caribbean. Programmes vary by season and can include both fly-cruises and selected cruise-only options.
The fly-cruise model allows guests to combine a TUI Airways flight, transfers and a cruise in one package. Departures are offered from a range of UK regional airports depending on the destination and season, reducing the need for every guest to travel through a single London airport.
What's included
Marella cruises are sold as all-inclusive as standard. The core fare generally includes accommodation, meals in included restaurants, selected drinks and snacks, and the main entertainment programme. Flights, luggage and transfers are included when the holiday is booked as a TUI fly-cruise package. Speciality restaurants, premium drinks, shore experiences, spa treatments and certain other services may cost extra.
Onboard experience
The onboard style is informal and tailored to British holidaymakers. Across the fleet, facilities can include West End-style production shows, live music, quizzes, cinemas, swimming pools, spas, casinos, children's clubs, climbing walls, miniature golf and a mixture of buffet, main dining and speciality restaurants. The exact selection varies considerably between ships.
Marella Explorer 2 operates exclusively for adults. Marella Discovery 2 joins it as an adults-only ship from November 2026, while Marella Discovery, Marella Explorer and Marella Voyager remain the principal family-friendly ships.
Leadership and company base
Chris Hackney is chief executive officer of Marella Cruises. Marella Cruises Limited is registered at TUI's Wigmore House base in Luton, Bedfordshire, and forms part of TUI Group.