An Introduction to Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises, a popular British cruise line operated by TUI UK, specializes in offering hassle-free, all-inclusive holidays at sea. With a focus on vibrant destinations, diverse entertainment, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, Marella provides a convenient and great-value option for UK travelers seeking sun-drenched escapes and cultural explorations without the worry of hidden costs.
A Brief History
Marella Cruises' history traces back to 1973 when Thomson Holidays (now TUI UK), a leading UK tour operator, first ventured into the cruise market. This initial foray was short-lived due to rising fuel costs. However, seeing the success of competitors, Thomson re-entered the cruise business in 1995 as Thomson Cruises.
For over two decades, Thomson Cruises became a familiar name for British holidaymakers, known for its strong focus on package holidays that included flights and transfers, making cruising accessible and straightforward. In 2017, Thomson Cruises rebranded as Marella Cruises, a name derived from the word for "shining sea" in the Maldivian language of Dhivehi. This rebrand coincided with the launch of newer, larger ships and a refreshed brand image, further cementing its commitment to delivering contemporary, all-inclusive cruise experiences for the UK market.
The Fleet: Designed for UK Holidaymakers
Marella Cruises operates a fleet of modern and refurbished ships, each designed to offer a comfortable and lively holiday experience. Their ships typically feature a wide range of dining options, West End-style entertainment, and amenities catering to families, couples, and groups.
Marella Discovery | Marella Discovery 2 | Marella Explorer | Marella Explorer 2 (Adults-only ship) | Marella Voyager (newest addition).
(Note: TUI Group has announced plans for new builds to replace the existing fleet, with deliveries expected from 2030.)
Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)
Marella Cruises specializes in "fly-cruises," where the cruise package includes flights from various UK airports directly to the ship's starting port, ensuring a seamless journey from doorstep to deck. They operate from key sun destinations globally. Example itineraries for 2025-2026 include:
Mediterranean: From Palma de Mallorca, Dubrovnik, or Valletta, exploring both Western (e.g., Spain, France, Italy) and Eastern (e.g., Greek Isles, Croatia) Mediterranean gems.
Canary Islands & Atlantic: Year-round sailings from Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, or Malaga, visiting the Canary Islands, Madeira, and parts of North Africa.
Caribbean: Winter season cruises from Bridgetown (Barbados) or La Romana (Dominican Republic), exploring various Caribbean islands.
Red Sea & Arabian Gulf: Seasonal itineraries often from Dubai or Limassol, exploring the Middle East.
Asia: Select itineraries may explore Southeast Asia from ports like Singapore.
Here's a comprehensive list of Marella Cruises' major starting ports:
Mediterranean:
Dubrovnik, Croatia | Heraklion (Crete), Greece | Malaga, Spain | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | Piraeus (Athens), Greece | Split, Croatia | Trieste, Italy (for Venice) | Valletta, Malta.
Canary Islands & Atlantic:
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Caribbean:
Bridgetown, Barbados | La Romana, Dominican Republic.
Middle East & Asia:
Dubai, UAE | Limassol, Cyprus | Singapore
Official Website
Marella Cruises is exclusively marketed to the UK, and its official website is integrated with TUI UK's main travel portal.
UK: Marella Cruises | Cruise Holidays 2025/2026 | TUI.co.uk
A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams
When planning your all-inclusive Marella cruise, it is essential to be extremely vigilant against potential scam attempts that are regrettably common in the travel industry. Be aware of these common red flags:
"Free Cruise" or Unbelievable Discount Offers: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited communication (emails, calls, texts, or social media ads) promising a "free cruise" or an impossibly cheap fare that seems too good to be true. These invariably come with hidden "port taxes," "service fees," or "membership fees" that are often the actual cost of a much cheaper, often lower-quality, trip, or are simply attempts to steal your money or personal data.
Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create convincing fake websites that mimic Marella Cruises' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials or credit card details on fraudulent sites. Always manually type the official website address (tui.co.uk/cruise/) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL carefully before entering any data.
High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of callers or online offers demanding an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used to prevent you from doing proper research and verification.
Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards). Be especially careful about offers for "free resort passes" in port that come with a requirement to attend a presentation; these can be high-pressure sales for travel clubs with no cooling-off period.
To ensure your fun-filled Marella cruise begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official Marella Cruises website or through a well-established, ABTA and ATOL-protected travel agent. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact Marella Cruises directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Enjoy your truly all-inclusive holiday with complete peace of mind.
Additional Resources
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