I’ve just stepped off a weeklong Canary Islands cruise aboard Marella Explorer, and if you’re considering Marella for your next getaway, you’re in the right place.
In this review, I’ll walk you through everything — from flights and embarkation to food, entertainment, cabins, and value — with all the highs and the few lows included.
Whether you’re new to Marella or a curious cruise fan, here’s an honest look at what to expect on board.
Starting the Cruise: Seamless from Plane to Ship
Our adventure began in Tenerife, one of the sunniest islands in the Canaries. Now, Marella doesn’t sail from UK ports, but every cruise is bundled with flights, and you can fly from around 25 UK airports.
We chose Bristol, which made our trip even easier. The package included a generous 20kg checked bag and 10kg of hand luggage per person, which turned out to be more than enough.
The flight zipped by, and as soon as we landed, a TUI coach whisked us straight to the ship. No need to deal with luggage — it was taken care of at the airport and magically reappeared outside our cabin within the hour.
Check-in was refreshingly simple. Because TUI’s chartered flights arrive throughout the day, the port terminal never gets overcrowded. We breezed through passport control and were on the ship before we knew it — no hotel stay required the night before, no stressful connections, no hauling bags around.
This is where Marella really shines: one operator controls the flight, transfer, and cruise, so they ensure it all runs smoothly.
First Impressions: A Pleasant Surprise
I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting too much at first. Marella Explorer is around 30 years old and once sailed under Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. I was bracing for a slightly worn, dated ship.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The public spaces felt bright, refreshed, and modern, with no real sign of her age. From the sleek atrium to the stylish bars and lounges, she had the feel of a ship that’s been lovingly maintained.
Explorer is mid-sized, carrying about 2,000 guests, which, in my opinion, is the perfect balance. Easy to navigate, yet still full of variety and elbow room.
We grabbed a bite at the buffet, enjoyed a drink poolside, and did a little wandering — and honestly, it didn’t take long for the ship to win me over.
Accommodation: Comfy and Clean with a Few Quirks
We chose an Ocean View cabin, which felt like a great value since the upgrade from an inside cabin was minimal.
On a ship like Marella Explorer, balcony cabins are limited and more expensive, so the Ocean View strikes a great middle ground.
Our cabin slept four, with Pullman beds that came down from the ceiling for the kids.
The layout wasn’t ideal for us — my husband and I had to sleep in twin beds due to the ladder placement — but it worked.
One thing we noticed: the Pullman beds weren’t folded away daily, which is usually standard on other lines. But since they weren’t doubling as a sofa, we didn’t mind.
🌟 Bonus: The daily towel animals more than made up for it. And yes — chocolates on the pillow too.
The room was spotlessly clean, well-appointed, and even included a kettle with tea and coffee, which is a thoughtful British touch.
There was also a carafe for filling with water — handy, since there was a water station right outside our room.
Initially, the air conditioning wasn’t working, but a quick call to guest services had an engineer in the room within minutes.
One fix, and it stayed perfect the rest of the cruise — a huge contrast to other ships where A/C problems drag on for days.
🔎 Tip: On Marella’s deck plans, look for the raindrop symbols — those indicate where the water machines are. Choosing a room nearby is a smart move.
🍽️ Dining: Plenty of Variety, All Included
Food was one of the biggest surprises of the cruise, in a good way.
Not only was the buffet excellent, but we were impressed with how many dining venues there were. Beyond the main dining room and buffet, we enjoyed:
- An Italian restaurant
- A pizza & pasta café
- A tapas bar
- A poolside snack shack with burgers and grab-and-go bites
Every day, the buffet featured a new theme and had live cooking stations. The only miss? A so-called vindaloo that turned out to be more of a mild veggie stew.
When I asked why it wasn’t spicy, the server smiled and said, “Not everyone likes spice.” Fair point — but maybe don’t label it vindaloo!
Specialty venues like steak, sushi, and Asian fusion were available at extra cost, but honestly, we never felt the need to pay more. The standard fare was solid and satisfying.
✅ Dietary needs? Marella does an excellent job with clear food labeling — vegan, vegetarian, and allergen-friendly items were always easy to spot. And yes, the kids’ menu was great, too.
🍹 Drinks: All-Inclusive and Generous
Unlike many cruise lines where drink packages cost a small fortune, Marella includes a drinks package for everyone — no need to upgrade unless you want something premium.
That meant:
- Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks
- A rotating list of cocktails per bar, with at least five unique options at each one
- No bar queues, ever!
I half expected slow service since no one’s tipping per drink, but the opposite was true. Bar staff were prompt, friendly, and often came to us before we even made it to the bar.
At various venues — including the theater and pool — pre-poured trays of Prosecco and cocktails were waiting for guests. It was such a fun touch, and the vibe always felt celebratory.
🥂 Want something stronger? You can upgrade to a premium package, but even if you don’t, individual premium drinks are affordably priced.
Entertainment & Activities: Always Something Going On
If you’re the kind of cruiser who gets antsy with too much downtime, Marella won’t let you sit still—unless you want to.
Every day, the activity schedule was jam-packed: from bingo and deck games to craft classes, dance lessons, and films in the onboard cinema.
There was live music in multiple venues every evening and even a mini funfair-style setup on one of the sea days.
The nightly theater shows were West-End inspired, with two performances — one at 8:30 p.m. and one at 10:30 p.m. — so you could easily work them around dinner.
The Squid and Anchor pub also hosted fun nightly game shows. One thing to note: after the first show ends, everyone rushes straight to the pub to snag a good spot — so if you want to do both, move fast!
🎟️ Small gripe? The entertainment started to feel a little samey after a few nights. Singers and dancers were great, but we missed the variety of magicians, comedians, or acrobats you sometimes get on larger ships.
👨👩👧👦 Family Facilities: Good, But Room to Improve
Marella does cater to families, and for the most part, they do it well. The kids club, which welcomes ages 3 to 11, was fine but didn’t blow our socks off.
Our kids enjoyed it, but said it felt average compared to other cruise lines. One issue was how the age groups were split (or sometimes not split) — on some days, all ages were together, which meant older kids got a bit bored.
When the groups were separated (ages 3–7 and 8–11), they operated at different times, which made it tricky for families like ours with one child in each group.
Also, booking a spot wasn’t via app — instead, you had to write your child’s name on paper 24 hours in advance. That’s a bit old-school and makes last-minute changes difficult.
But outside the kids’ club, our children had a blast. The football pitch was always buzzing with games, and they also loved mini golf, table tennis, and especially the Gamer Zone, which had six Xbox consoles available for open play.
Older kids (12 to 17) could head to The Hideout, where they had unlimited access to table tennis and air hockey, plus organized hangouts throughout the cruise.
🗺️ Itinerary: Canary Islands Done Right
We were sailing the Canary Islands itinerary, and honestly? It was ideal. Even though it was February, the weather hovered around 20–25°C, making it perfect for sunbathing without being sweltering.
What we really appreciated was how port-intensive the cruise was — only one sea day across the whole week.
Compared to a two-week round-trip from Southampton, flying straight to Tenerife let us visit more ports in half the time.
When rough seas threatened our stop in Madeira, the captain made a proactive call to swap ports and adjust the order, and because we booked excursions through Marella, we were automatically rebooked with zero hassle.
🚍 The excursions themselves? Well-priced and well-run, and the flexibility was a welcome bonus.
💷 Value for Money: Sneakily Excellent
At first glance, Marella Cruises might seem pricey, especially compared to some budget-friendly cruise fares online.
But once you factor in what’s included, it’s actually a great deal:
- Return flights from UK airports
- Transfers between the airport and the ship
- Checked and hand baggage
- Accommodation
- Tips & service charges
- All-inclusive drinks
- Multiple free dining venues
- Live shows and activities
And even if you don’t drink alcohol, there’s still plenty to enjoy: mocktails, coffees, teas, fresh juices, and sodas are all part of the package.
🧾 Tip: If you’re traveling as a family, it’s worth pricing out what you’d pay on another line once you add drinks and extras — Marella often works out cheaper in the end.
🧳 The Bottom Line: Easy, Comfortable & Designed for Brits
Marella Cruises has built up a loyal following, and after a week onboard, it’s easy to see why. The whole experience felt stress-free and casual, from booking to disembarkation.
It’s clearly designed with British travelers in mind — Yorkshire puds in the buffet, PG Tips in your cabin, crisps in the pub. And the relaxed, friendly vibe made the ship feel welcoming from day one.
If you’re after cutting-edge water slides or towering ropes courses, this isn’t that kind of cruise.
But for a solid, easygoing getaway with good food, free-flowing drinks, and a little bit of everything, Marella delivers.
🎯Verdict: A hassle-free, all-inclusive cruise that offers great value — especially for British travelers and families looking for sun, sea, and simplicity.
