Some posts on this site contain affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Take a look at my privacy policy for more information.
![Marella Explorer cruise ship in a bay in Kefalonia with a yellow-green grassy hill behind. The ship has a two toned blue base, white exterior and a large cyan funnel with the Tui logo on it - a red smile with a dot above one end.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-05-800x533.jpg)
An in-depth review of the Marella Explorer cruise ship from TUI – including cabin reviews.
Lazing in a hammock on my balcony, watching the silky blue sea glide by. Dinner with the perfect view of the sun setting over the ocean. Unwinding in a sauna with huge windows, watching volcanic islands slip by as we sailed away from Santorini…
Just a few fleeting memories from a glorious week aboard the Marella Explorer – easily one of the most relaxing holidays I’ve had in a long time!
This was my first cruise with Marella Cruises. I’ve always been a fan of TUI so I was excited to see what their cruise company might be like – and they didn’t disappoint.
Relaxed | Affordable | Social
The vibe is just what you’d expect from TUI: relaxed, fun and social, with a big focus on entertainment. It’s also very affordable – the cruise packages include flights and transfers and are all-inclusive as standard (including drinks).
Compared with more luxurious cruise lines, the prices are pretty reasonable – as are the optional add-ons like premium drinks, spa treatments and excursions. Marella Cruises offers excellent value for money along with great service and a brilliant cruising experience.
![emily wearing a white dressing gown sitting alone on a grey garden chair next to a table on a cruise ship balcony with a view of the sea and a volcanic island near santorini just before sunset with golden haze and clear blue sky. Marella Explorer cruise review.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Marella-Cruise-1-400x600.jpg)
I did the Aegean Shores itinerary: eight days cruising around Greece and Turkey, stopping at Corfu, Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi, Athens and Kefalonia.
Think hot, lazy days by the pool, hopping off the boat to explore picturesque Greek villages and Athens’ colourful city centre, coming back to cool off in the saltwater pool on the top deck or to relax in the gorgeous spa.
If that sounds like your idea of a dream holiday, read on for a full, detailed review of the Marella Explorer ship, with photos and a balcony cabin review.
- Marella Explorer Review
- The pros of booking a TUI package
- Marella Explorer Cabin Reviews
- Activities and Facilities
- Marella Explorer Entertainment Review
- Marella Explorer Food Review
- Marella Explorer Shore Excursions Review
- Marella Explorer Facilities for Families
- Is the Marella Explorer Good for Solo Cruisers?
- More Info and FAQ
- Final Thoughts
DISCLAIMER: My trip was supported by Marella Cruises, but all words, photos, and opinions in this review are my own and are unbiased.
Marella Explorer Review
![Marella Explorer cruise ship in the ocean with blue sea all around. The ship has a two toned blue base, white exterior and a large cyan funnel with the Tui logo on it - a red smile with a dot above one end.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-22-800x533.jpg)
Before I crack on with my full review, here are a few facts about the Marella Explorer to introduce the ship:
- Guest Capacity: 1,924
- Number of Crew: 909
- Length: 262.5m (861 feet)
- Beam (Width): 32.2m (105 feet)
- Tonnage: 76,998 GRT
- Number of Decks: 13
The pros of booking a TUI package
![emily wearing a long orange dress with blue and white swirls standing on the deck of a cruise ship looking away from the camera over the balcony towards blue sea. It is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-13-400x600.jpg)
The thing I liked best about my Marella Cruise was that it was a package holiday. This meant everything was booked together: flights, transfers, port fees, the all-inclusive cruise – even tips, which are included in the cruise fee. The price you see advertised is the total you pay – SO EASY!
I flew with TUI from Bournemouth to Corfu, where Marella Cruises staff were waiting right outside baggage claim and again outside the exit to direct me to the transfer. A coach took us to the cruise port, where we were met by another TUI rep who explained the boarding process. Meanwhile, I left my suitcase on the bus and it was taken directly to my cabin for me.
The whole experience was super smooth – and I particularly loved the welcome letter waiting on the transfer coach, which outlined a few key aspects of what to expect. Perfect for your first time cruising.
Top tip: make sure you add luggage tags or leave the airline baggage labels on your suitcases so they are taken straight to your room for you onboard.
The package element really paid off on the way home. My flight home was one of those hit by the crazy CrowdStrike/Microsoft IT outage – but because it was a TUI flight, the cruise coordinated with the airport and kept us all onboard the ship for a few extra hours until things were settled. Much better waiting in the ship’s A/C, enjoying a few more free drinks, than hanging around outside the airport in 38-degree heat. Thank you, Marella!
![narrow street in a village in Crete, there is a white wall in the foreground on the right with a trailing plant with lots of small white flowers, behind that the yellow buildings lining the alley are out of focus and there is a green hill visible at the far end.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-35-800x533.jpg)
Marella Explorer Cabin Reviews
There are 962 cabins onboard the Marella Explorer, including a few set aside specifically for solo travellers. These are the different kinds of cabins available:
- Inside Cabin: 16m2. These are the most affordable cabins; they’re on the interior and have no windows.
- Outside Cabin: 17m2. These come with a porthole or picture window.
- Family Inside Cabin: 19m2. These cabins sleep up to five and feature a sliding door partition.
- Balcony Cabin: 17m2. Includes a queen bed and a sofa bed – plus a furnished private balcony.
- Balcony Cabin (Large Balcony): 16m2. Same as above – with a slightly bigger balcony.
- Family Balcony Cabin with Suite Service*: 20m2. Includes a double bed, a sofa bed and a fold-down bed (and a few additional perks).
- Balcony Junior Suite Cabin with Suite Service*: 22m2. Sleeps three with a queen bed and a sofa bed.
- Executive Suite Cabin with Suite Service*: 49m2. Sleeps four, with a sofa bed and a fixed queen-size bed – plus a furnished balcony.
- Single Outside or Inside Cabin: these are exactly the same as the regular cabins, but have been set aside specifically for solo cruisers.
*Suite Service: cabins feature a coffee machine, slippers, a dressing gown, upgraded toiletries and a pillow menu. You also get one continental breakfast in bed per person per week, and a free pressing service for up to three items.
Balcony Cabin (Large Balcony)
![Interior of a cruise ship cabin with one brown wall and one wall clad in light coloured wood. There is a double bed with white sheets, a grey throw and three small cyan cusions in front of the two white pillows. Behind the bed a small cupboard and some shelves are built into the wall. Marella Explorer balcony cabin review.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-33-800x533.jpg)
I stayed in one of the Large Balcony Cabins on Deck 9. It was a surprisingly big room and was really well designed to maximise the space, with loads of storage – including space under the bed for my suitcase.
The main highlight of the room is, of course, the balcony. These larger balconies are great if you want lots of quiet chill time. They come with a small table and chairs, a sun lounger, and a hammock: the perfect spot for lazing about watching the world go by!
![balcony on the side of a cruise ship with a small circular table and a chair next to a hammock strung up between the two walls, the furniture is all silhouetted against the blue sea behind the balcony's glass wall, and beyond the sea is a small brown rocky island.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-25-800x534.jpg)
There was plenty of storage, including two wardrobes and a tall cupboard with shelves, drawer space, and a small safe. There’s also a mini fridge, a desk with drawers, and two bedside tables with drawers. Above the fridge, you get a kettle with tea and coffee supplies topped up daily.
The en-suite bathroom, while very compact, didn’t feel too small. Ship shower cubicles are usually pretty narrow and the Marella is no exception, so that’s the only downside. There were shelves, cupboard space, and a large countertop around the sink – plenty of room for the excessive amounts of toiletries I always seem to pack!
One thing to note is that the bed is more like a foldaway bed, so the mattress was quite firm and wasn’t the comfiest in the world. It wasn’t uncomfortable, either: just OK.
![Interior of a cruise ship cabin with one brown wall and one wall clad in light coloured wood. There is a double bed with white sheets, a grey throw and three small cyan cusions in front of the two white pillows. Behind the bed a small cupboard and some shelves are built into the wall. Marella Explorer balcony cabin review.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-30-800x533.jpg)
The decor was simple and neutral: cream walls, brown carpets, and lots of light-coloured wood. If I’m being honest, it felt a teensy bit dull – but the view from the big balcony doors more than made up for it. The cabin was practical, comfortable and spacious – it didn’t need to be fancy (especially since I was hardly in it!).
VIDEO: Click here to watch my cabin tour on Instagram
![emily in a hammock on a balcony with a view of the blue sea behind. she is wearing a black and white swimsuit and has one leg raised up at the knee.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Marella-Cruise-5-400x600.jpg)
Activities and Facilities
There are SO many activities and facilities to enjoy onboard the Marella Explorer. Plus, there’s entertainment on throughout most of the day and night, so you’ll never find time to be bored!
Pools & Sunbathing Spaces
![small rectangular pool with very bright cyan tiles on the deck of a cruise ship surrounded by blue sun loungers on a very sunny day with clear blue sky overhead.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-26-400x600.jpg)
Deck 11 is the pool deck: a pretty big space with loads of sun loungers over two levels, surrounding a reasonably sized pool at the centre.
Although it’s officially one swimming pool, it’s more like two smaller pools next to each other. They’re both pretty deep and have a roomy, ankle-deep shallow area running around the edge so you can sit with your legs in the water. They’re filled with cold saltwater – which was delicious in the 35°C+ Greek heat!
Next to the pool are three hot tubs. These are raised up a little so you get some privacy while you’re in them. It was too hot for me to want to use them most days, but would be great if you were cruising in a cooler climate.
![Looking out over the pool deck of the Marella Explorer cruise ship with two small rectangular swimming pools in the centre surrounded by blue sun loungers. There are a large number of people on the deck and it looks very busy and crowded. There is a view of Athens behind the ship and clear blue sky overhead.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-29-800x533.jpg)
Be warned, the main pool area get pretty busy, especially on days when you’re at sea and in the afternoons (when people start returning from their shore excursions). I found mornings and late afternoons (after 5pm) to be the best times for swimming.
There’s also plenty of sunbathing space away from the pool – several of the decks had outside space with sunloungers along the sides or rear (aft) of the ship. And up on the very top deck, Deck 14, you have The Veranda: a peaceful, adults-only Sun Deck with plush padded sun loungers… PERFECT if you want to get away from the crowded chaos of the pool.
Gym, Sports and Recreation Facilities
![gym with laminated floor and white tiled cieling with a row of exercise bikes and running machines lined up in front of a row of large windows wiht a view of the sea and a rocky island in the distance.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-19-800x533.jpg)
Sports and recreation facilities onboard are limited (perhaps because the Marella Explorer is aimed towards adults rather than families). But there’s an excellent gym, and a few fun sports options (see the list below). Despite actually packing my gym gear for a change, I only made it into the gym long enough to take the above photo – but it looked good!
- Fully equipped gym with floor-to-ceiling windows for a workout with a view.
- Jogging track – a circuit around Deck 12 (go early, before they put the deck chairs out as these get in the way). 11 laps = 1 mile.
- Sports Court – for basketball or mini-football.
- Minigolf – a seven-hole putting course overlooking the ocean.
- Table tennis – on the Family Deck on Deck 12.
Ocean Spa
![large empty sauna with curved wooden benches in front of large windows with a view of the ocean and a rocky island in the distance - Marella Explorer Ocean Spa.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-18-800x533.jpg)
Hands down my FAVOURITE part of the Marella Explorer was the Ocean Spa. This is a huge spa area with two saunas, three steam rooms, heated relaxation beds, foot baths, an ice-bucket shower, and more.
The best part? The massive sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to sea. This was especially great during the evening, when we sailed away from port each day. There’s nothing quite like relaxing in a sauna whilst enjoying a front-row view of Greek islands gliding past!
I thought the price of the spa was very reasonable: I paid £99 for 7 days of unlimited access. The spa is open 8am-10pm so you can get a lot of use out of that! And you can get an even better deal when booked with a treatment.
There’s a great treatment menu with a huge range of beauty and wellness options. Again, the prices were surprisingly reasonable, especially if you book one of their special offers. I treated myself to a foot package which included a scrub, mask, foot massage and scalp massage for £59. I also had a 75-minute hot stone massage which I HIGHLY recommend – perfect after a long day exploring.
![room with fake grass floor and several wooden oval shaped swinging chairs with grey cushions. There are two grey circular pouffes between them and a glass wall with a view of the ocean.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-46-800x533.jpg)
Other Facilities
Indigo Casino – a small casino with slot machines and card tables, tucked behind Indigo Bar. I’m not a gambler, so I steered clear, but it looked like it had a fun atmosphere.
Broad Street shops – There’s a surprisingly large range of shops onboard the Marella Explorer where you can make the most of duty-free shopping at sea. Expect handbags, sunglasses, jewellery, watches, and perfume – as well as a few high-street brands. There’s also a small shop selling essentials like shampoo, perfect if you’ve forgotten something.
Cinema – I never watched a movie here, as I always watched the live entertainment during the evening. It was a decent-sized cinema and there were usually two showings a day, with a family-friendly option in the daytime (great if you need to get the kids out of the sun for a couple of hours).
Photo Studio & Kiosks – There were photographers at various spots throughout the ship ready to snap your pic if you wanted. But there’s also a studio on Deck 6 where you can get a professional photoshoot. Not my cup of tea – but would be great for a honeymoon. I did, however, pose for a photo with Captain Alan – which ended up looking like an engagement photo! I loved that TUI’s Navigate app used AI face recognition to automatically find any photos of me – making it easy to view them.
Marella Explorer Entertainment Review
![a large group of performers on a stage wearing circus themed costumes and standing facing out with their arms by their sides. There is a man in a suit and top hat at the top of a wooden step ladder and a lady in a sparkly body suit sitting on a silver moon suspended above the stage. They are lit by blue, red and purple theatre lights.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-04-800x533.jpg)
Broadway Show Lounge: A full-sized theatre with a different production every night – from musicals to comedians. The shows and performers were incredible – I was blown away by the two I watched. Make sure you catch Full Swing if it’s on during your cruise – pure 1930s fabulousness.
Movies by Moonlight: Alfresco films on the pool deck after dark, with hot chocolate and popcorn on hand. Perfect if you want a more chilled evening.
![top deck of a cruise ship at night with a pool lit up in blue and a big screen overlooking the pool. The Universal logo is on the screen. Marella Explorer cruise ship review.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-16-800x533.jpg)
Live Music: There were also live musicians at several venues across the ship each night. Again, these performers are so talented – and there’s a fantastic mix to suit all tastes. The Lounge and Indigo Bar are the best places to head for this.
Pub Fun: After dark, there were also game shows and pub quizzes at the onboard pub, the Squid and Anchor. These were just the right blend of challenging and holiday-park-cheesy fun – I had a blast losing spectacularly at the quiz night!
Other Entertainment: During the day, there was regular poolside entertainment (think trivia games, aqua aerobics and pool parties). In fact, it was so frequent it was almost a little annoying – but most of the other guests seemed to love it so it’s possible I’m just a grump!!
![white piece of paper with blue. There is a full paghe table with three columns listing different activities at different times.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Cruises-Activities-List-400x600.jpg)
![Top deck of a cruise ship at night not long after sunset with an orange glow at the bottom of the sky. The deck is lit by orange lighting and there is a small rectangular pool lit up in blue.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-43-400x600.jpg)
Marella Explorer Food Review
When it comes to dining on the Marella Explorer, you’re spoilt for choice. There are tons of different options and most of them are included in your all-inclusive package – including some that you might expect to pay extra for.
All-Inclusive Restaurants
Latitude 53: the main dining room
![Interior of the main dining room on the Marella Explorer cruise ship, looking out from the central staircase across the dining room which is split over two levels and has a circular blue ceiling with a map of the worlf on it, the lower floor has blue pattended carpet and both levels are full of circular tables with groups of people dining at them.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-27-800x533.jpg)
This is the main dining room on the Marella Explorer, spread across two floors at the back (aft) of the ship with glorious ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. This is particularly special around sunset!
The dress code is smart, but unlike other cruise lines, it’s not overly strict – think shirts, dresses, and no flip-flops.
Service was excellent, and the house wines (those included with the all-inclusive) were all great. The food was usually pretty good, although I have to confess that some of the mains were a tiny bit bland – I think they’re going for mass appeal rather than bold flavours. Still, I certainly never had a bad meal in this restaurant and I loved the vibe.
Vista: Italian cuisine
![close up of a white plate with spaghetti, courgette slices and prawns in a creamy sauce covered with parmesan shavings.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-28-800x533.jpg)
Vista is actually a section within the Latitude 53 dining room – so you get the same decor and gorgeous sea views. But the menu focuses on Italian cuisine, so it’s great if you fancy something a little different.
I found the food at Vista to be better than in Latitude 53 – although that may simply be my personal preference. Don’t miss the trio of mini tiramisus for dessert if it’s on the menu!
The Market Place: buffet restaurant
![Long counter at a buffet restaurant with red white and green striped tiling on the wall behind.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-15-800x533.jpg)
A fairly bog-standard cruise ship buffet – open all day for breakfast, lunch, “afternoon tea” (cakes and snacks) and dinner. Ideal if you need something quick & easy or don’t fancy dressing for dinner (the dress code is casual).
I wasn’t blown away by the food here, but it was decent and there was a great selection, especially at breakfast. I loved the fresh omelette station!
Snack Shack: poolside takeaway
![hand holding a white paper box with a burger and chips in it in front of a pink corrugated iron wall with the words Snack Shack printed on it in white.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-31-800x533.jpg)
Up on the pool deck, there’s a small takeaway joint serving up hot snacks like hot dogs, burgers and chicken wings. It’s great for a casual lunch if you don’t feel like changing out of your swimwear – and the food is all fresh, hot, and very tasty!
The Mediterranean: Pizza, pasta and tapas
![close up of a large black pan full of paella rice with chopped red and green peppers.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-11-800x533.jpg)
Behind the buffet restaurant, at the aft of the ship, is The Meditteranean – with seating both inside and outdoors. One half is Spanish tapas, the other half is Italian pizza and pasta.
Dinner is a la carte, with either tapas or Italian food depending on which section you head to. You can also pay an extra supplement for “espetadas” (Portuguese-style meat skewers. During the day, The Mediterranean also serves self-service lunches – and there’s a fantastic bar with some unique cocktails.
Speciality Restaurants (additional fee)
![white plate with three scallops surrounded by a smudge of cream coloured sauce, there is a glass of white wine on the table behind and white tablecloth on the table.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-17-400x600.jpg)
In addition to all the restaurants mentioned above, there are also four speciality restaurants. These aren’t included in the all-inclusive package so you have to pay a little extra to dine in one – and it’s highly recommended to book in advance as they can be hugely popular.
I found these restaurants to be incredibly reasonably priced considering how special the food is. For example, Surf & Turf costs £31.95pp for three courses (and house wine by the glass is still all-inclusive) while Kora La is £26.95pp.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse: Steak and seafood. This is the only one of the speciality restaurants I personally ate in, and it was definitely the best meal I had onboard so I’d highly recommend it. Perfect for a special occasion, date night, or just an indulgent treat.
Kora La: Pan-Asian cuisine spanning noodle dishes, curries, and more.
Umi Sushi: An upscale sushi bar near the back of the ship, serving traditional sushi and non-fish options.
The Dining Club: Super high-end fine dining for something truly special.
Other Extras
![hand holding a brown cardboard tub of yellow ice cream with a white gelato stand out of focus behind it.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-45-800x533.jpg)
Scoops – A small ice cream parlour on the pool deck – perfect on a hot day! One scoop costs £1.50 and they’re generous scoops, so again, it’s very affordable.
The Coffee Port – The onboard coffee shop is included in the Premium Drinks Package or you can pay as you go. You can get free tea and coffee in the restaurants and buffet – but for speciality coffees (latte etc) you need the Coffee Port. They also do some very tasty cakes and pastries.
Marella Explorer Bars
![Bright pink piano on a stage with a bar out of focus behind it, the neon sign on the wall says The Lounge.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-39-800x533.jpg)
A quick run-down of all the bars onboard the Marella Explorer – there are nine to choose from!
- The Lounge – a funky venue with daily live music, a colour-changing bar, hot pink piano, and cool-looking ring seats.
- 53 – intimate bar area right next to Latitude 53. Ideal for pre-dinner drinks.
- Pool Bar – poolside drinks, including frozen cocktails.
- The Shack – colourful poolside bar right above the Snack Shack.
- Bar @ The Mediterranean – wrapped around the Mediterranean restaurant with gorgeous sea views from the outdoor terrace.
- Indigo Bar – the place to come for fancy cocktails – including margaritas served in a box of smoke. Chilled in the day, with panoramic sea views, and vibing after dark with live music and late-night discos at the club (see below).
- Indigo Club – a small nightclub behind Indigo Bar, with regular silent discos!
- Aperitif – this fancy bar is right outside two of the most popular speciality restaurants, so it’s great for pre-dinner drinks.
- Squid & Anchor – Marella’s beloved pub at sea hosts quiz nights, gameshows and live music.
Marella Explorer Shore Excursions Review
![prow of a wooden ship sailing in very bridght blue sea wtih another wooden tall ship in the distance in front and two low rocky island beyond that. It is a very sunny day with clear blu sky above.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-21-400x600.jpg)
During my Aegean Shores cruise with Marella, I did two of their shore excursions: a wine-tasting and sightseeing tour in Crete, and a boat ride and volcano tour in Santorini (click here to watch a video of that one).
I found all the excursions to be very reasonably priced. Many of the full-day activities were around the £30-40 mark, and some of the more basic ones were £12-20. I also liked that there was no pushy sales rhetoric trying to convince me to book tours – if you prefer to stay on the ship, or explore on your own, it’s completely up to you.
Both the tours I did were really well organised. The day before, I received a ticket in my cabin with the meeting place and time. On arrival, staff were on hand to send me to the relevant bus or boat.
![yellow wall with a large painted mural depicting green doors with a painted young girl standing in the open doorway, she is wearing a pink skirt and yellow top and has long brown hair and fair skin.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-36-800x533.jpg)
We had expert local guides for both who were able to share a bit of local history and – in the case of Santorini’s volcano – geography.
In particular, I’d highly recommend the Santorini Volcano tour. This involved a boat ride in a wooden tall ship across to the volcanic island, a short hike up for a view of the caldera, and a quick pit stop to swim in the nearby hot springs. It was a fantastic day out and felt like a mini adventure!
Top tip: A bonus of booking an excursion is that the ship will wait for any delayed excursions. If you’re exploring on your own and you’re late back for any reason, the ship will sail without you!
Marella Explorer Facilities for Families
![Close up of an animal made out of a white towel on a bed, the animal resembles a teddy and has been given paper eyes. It is holding a leaflet for Marella Cruises.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-08-400x600.jpg)
Obviously, as a solo traveller, I didn’t need to use the Marella Explorer’s family facilities – but I took note of what was available!
Although there were a number of families onboard, I’d say the Explorer was definitely targeted more towards adults.
The Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 have much more on offer for families – including a climbing wall – so they might be worth a look if you’re travelling with kids. That said, there was still plenty onboard the Explorer for families:
- Babytainment classes – for kids under 3 (with parental supervision).
- M Club – a kids’ club for ages 3-11 with a range of acitivies.
- Cinema – there were quite a few kid’s films showing while I was on my cruise, usually during the day. Plus Movies by Moonlight on the pool deck, with popcorn and hot chocolate from the bar.
- Kid’s Pool – there’s a small, shallow kid’s pool with a mini slide at the rear (aft) of the ship. Whenever I walked past it was always much quieter than the main pool and there are several sun loungers and tables on the nearby deck.
- Family deck – where you’ll find the mini golf and sports court.
Good to Know: The pools on the Marella Explorer are pretty deep, but they do have ankle-deep shallow areas around the edges. If you have small kids I recommend bringing floatation devices and supervising them in the pool.
Is the Marella Explorer Good for Solo Cruisers?
![emily standing on the deck of a cruise ship looking away from the camera over the balcony towards blue sea and a small island with a castle on it. it is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-14-800x533.jpg)
Although I’m a seasoned solo traveller, this was my first time taking a cruise on my own. I wasn’t sure what to expect – and I was a little apprehensive, especially as I’d heard about travellers on other cruise lines being forced to sit at a communal dining table every night whether they wanted to or not.
But Marella Cruises does a great job at looking after solo travellers. On arrival, I had a special solo cruiser welcome letter in my cabin, inviting me to a special lunch meet-up on the first full day.
![Close up of a letter with printed text on white paper next to a pair of purple sunglasses. The text reads: Dear Guest Welcome aboard Marella Explorer We noticed you may be travelling alone and would like to invite you to our solo traveller meet-ups. These get-togethers are a great chance for you to meet other solo travellers and ourselves for a chat and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Quite a few of our solo travellers are seasoned independent explorers and always enjoy sharing their experiences. You're welcome to join us at our solo lunch meet-up tomorrow at 12:00 in Latitude 53, to meet your fellow solo travellers. The meeting point for the lunch will be at Bar 53 (Deck5), if you would like to attend please add your name to the sign up list at Reception (Deck 5). Just to let you know, starting from tomorrow each evening we'll always meet at 18:00 in The Lounge where we'll be having solo pre-dinner drinks, so if you miss the welcome lunch you can join us any evening. If you can't make it, or if it isn't really your thing, don't worry, we're always happy to chat. Just pass by the Guest Experience desk by Reception on Deck 5 - desk opening times are listed in Cruise News. Finally, we wish you a fantastic cruise and we very much look forward to meeting you. Kind regards, Aga & Lois Guest Experience Coordinators](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-40-800x533.jpg)
READ MORE: Is Marella Cruises Good for Solo Travellers
After that, there was a meetup every evening before dinner – and anyone who wanted to could go for dinner together afterwards. So you didn’t have to dine alone (but you could if you wanted to). I ended up dining with the solo group every night except one, when I took myself for a solo “date night” to the upgraded Surf & Turf restaurant.
Of course, the group of solo travellers onboard will always be a mixed bag. On my cruise, it was mostly women, and I was the youngest by about two decades (everyone else was 60+). But we still had a great time and I loved getting to know the group over the course of the week.
On top of that, there were loads of other ways to meet fellow cruisers through the daily activities and excursions. I’ve written a separate post with more detail about what it was like cruising solo with Marella – click here to check it out.
READ MORE: 7 Reasons to Take a Cruise on Your Own
More Info and FAQ
![Close up of the side of the Marella Explorer cruise ship with blue sea in front. The ship has a two toned blue base, white exterior and a large cyan funnel with the Tui logo on it - a red smile with a dot above one end.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-24-400x600.jpg)
Is there WiFi on the Marella Explorer?
Unfortunately, there’s no free WiFi onboard the Marella Explorer. You can purchase an internet package once you get on board – these start from £8 for an hour and go up to £90 for 15 days. For a one-week cruise, the £49 8-day 1.6GB package is probably the most cost-effective.
In my experience, the WiFi was pretty decent. The signal wasn’t always super strong, especially at sea, but it was surprisingly good most of the time. I was able to post Instagram Stories (including videos) throughout the trip, stream podcasts/music, and keep on top of my emails – but I never tried it for streaming videos or downloading large files.
Top Tip: If you prefer not to pay, you can usually find free WiFi at bars and coffee shops while you’re in port – handy for saying in touch with people at home.
What’s covered in Marella’s All-Inclusive package?
![hand holding a plastic tumbler of pina colada with a black paper straw in front of the pool deck of a cruise ship with the ship and pools out of focus in the background. There is a purple watch strap and a small black tatoo of a pterodactyl on the wrist.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-12-400x600.jpg)
OK – this is the great thing about Marella Cruises. All their ships are All-inclusive as standard, which includes all the restaurants I listed above.
Unlike many cruise lines, which sell separate drinks packages (some costing £100 a day!!) the all-inclusive package covers a huge number of soft and alcoholic drinks as standard. This includes wine, beer, some spirits, and a surprisingly decent cocktail list (these vary from bar to bar). It’s always super clear when a drink isn’t included and the waiter or bartender will tell you if something incurs an extra charge.
- Food
- Drinks – fountain soft drinks (unbranded), mocktails, and basic teas and coffees.
- Alcoholic drinks
- All crew tips
I’ve included some example menus below to show how many of the cocktails are included in the all-inclusive. As you can see, the premium drinks aren’t too pricey either:
![close up of a white menu with blue text listing different cocktails](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-48-400x600.jpg)
![close up of a white 2 page menu with blue text listing different cocktails](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-47-800x533.jpg)
Is it worth upgrading to the Premium All-Inclusive Package?
Honestly, I’m not really sure it is. The Premium All-Inclusive package includes almost all the drinks onboard (see below), including speciality coffees at the Coffee Port. But I thought the standard wines and beers were great, and there was a great range of cocktails included. So you really don’t need to upgrade unless you want the extra freedom and choice.
- Most drinks from The Coffee Port
- Cans of soft drinks (brand name ones)
- Upgraded wine list
- Upgraded cocktails list
- Premium spirits like Bombay Sapphire, Jack Daniels and Absolut Vodka.
- More choice of whiskies, brandies and Cognacs.
Final Thoughts
![emily standing on a cruise ship balcony with wooden floor and a glass wall with the clear blue sea behind. Emily is wearing a black wrap mini dress and a long orange patterned shawl and is holding a floppy beige sunhat in her left hand and holding onto the side of her sunglasses with the other.](https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Marella-Explorer-Cruise-Review-38-400x600.jpg)
To sum up, I LOVED my week aboard the Marella Explorer. This ship is at the more affordable, less luxurious, end of the scale – but it’s comfortable, well-equipped, and packed with facilities. These are, in my opinion, the main selling points:
1
Relaxed
Friendly but unfussy service, chilled-out vibes, loads of space for sunbathing, plenty of bars, an AMAZING spa, and fairly relaxed dress codes in the dining areas (compared with some of the high-end cruise lines).
2
Social
Loads of activities throughout the day, meet-ups for solo travellers, and plenty of ways to meet people.
3
Affordable
Good package deals, tons of drinks and dining options covered in the all-inclusive package, reasonable prices for the speciality restaurants and the spa, and very reasonably priced excursions. But all the extras are optional and by no means necessary to have a good time – so you could easily spend a week aboard without spending a penny more than your cruise fee.
The thing I like best about Marella Cruises is that they let you have exactly the kind of cruise you want. None of the activities felt “forced” or mandatory. If you wanted to lounge by the pool all day drinking cocktails, that was totally allowed. But if you wanted to fill your days with aqua aerobics and trivia quizzes, there was always something happening. There really is something for everyone onboard.
So, there’s my review of the Marella Explorer. Hopefully, I’ve covered pretty much everything you could possibly want to know about the ship, but feel free to comment below if you have a question!
Great review and thank you for all of the information! We are booked on the Marella Explorer for the same cruise in October then staying in Corfu for an additional week. We are really looking forward to a full holiday – will be my Husband’s first cruise, my third, one on Celebrity and the other on Princess. We’ve upgraded to a balcony and have booked 2 additional dinners, Surf & Turf and Kora La. Your review answered lots of our questions, thanks again and happy cruising!
Hi Linda! So glad you found this review helpful, I tried to cover every single detail. The balcony cabins are well worth it – nothing beats waking up to that sea view. Maybe treat yourselves to a room service breakfast one day!!
Have an amazing trip :)