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Taking over from Marella Dream as the line's newest and largest ship, the 1,830-passenger Marella Discovery set sail on its maiden voyage from Palma de Mallorca in June 2016. It was joined by a sister vessel, Marella Discovery II, in April 2017.
Marella Discovery is not a new-build however, but a well-seasoned (1996) ship that had previously been sailing as Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas. It had a $53 million overhaul in 2011, and a further six-week refit completed in April 2016, and was unveiled in its present incarnation complete with new name, new signage and new features. (Note: It was reborn as TUI Discovery, but that name was changed in October 2017. Marella, incidentally, is Celtic for "shining sea".)
The ship was reborn sporting a brand-new look and feel, with a modern wave design on the hull, brightened up interiors and a number of new features including speciality restaurants, several new bars, and redesigned public spaces. Gone is the dark and dingy casino, replaced with the light and colourful flagship Live Room bar. Dining areas sparkle (with the exception of the still rather dowdy buffet restaurant), and updated cabins are modern, clean and comfortable. A minnow compared to most of its contemporaries, Marella Discovery won't be overwhelming for first-timers, while still managing to squeeze enough in to keep the more seasoned cruiser happy.
Marella Cruises (nee Thomson) is in fact the U.K. cruise brand of German giant, the TUI Group, but despite its German owners -- the vessel is as British as cod and chips. Expect British-brand teabags (both Yorkshire and Twinings), bottles of HP sauce, and John Smith's by the pint. While still offering plenty of mainstream mealtime favourites, dining on the Discovery has seriously upped its game, in both its free and speciality offerings. Its main dining room, 47°, backs up glittering surrounds with excellent food and service, while the Surf & Turf Steakhouse would compare well with any land-based eatery. Service throughout the ship (from the mostly long-term serving crew) is efficient, smiley, and super-friendly -- expect to be on first name terms with some by the end of the cruise.
Although largely lacking the way of hi-tech wizardry or state-of-the-art showstoppers, the likes of virtual dance classes and touch-screen booking technology do lend the ship a distinctively 21st-century feel. While billed as family-friendly -- and it largely is -- parents with younger kids might struggle to keep their tots entertained. The ship was a deserved winner of the 2016 Editors' Picks Awards for Best New Ship, and the move (in 2017) to the ship going all-inclusive has cemented its appeal as a great all-rounder accessible to most budgets.
There's been a concerted shift to a more casual approach to dress on the Marella Discovery. While scruffy is certainly not de la mode, younger passengers lean towards a relaxed mix of jeans, t-shirts, and the odd piece of sportswear; more senior cruisers tend to stick to smart casual. There's still opportunities to break out the glad rags, with the traditional Captain's Gala Night replaced with a Dress To Impress evening; fancy gowns and tuxes aren't compulsory, though plenty seize the chance to pull on their best. The main restaurants -- 47° and Gallery 47° -- don't allow vests, shorts, or swimwear, and the two a la carte eateries and cocktail bar require collared shirts (with or without tie).
Theatre. The ship's 800-plus capacity Broadway Show Lounge is a glittering homage to the Golden Age of 1920s New York, with swathes of polished brass, cut-glass skyscraper statues, and Art Nouveau touches that extend to colourful stained glass panelling, An undulating golden 'sea' of seats and a trio of chandeliers complete the shimmering space. A team of big names has helped create 11 new West End-style shows, including choreographer and dancer Tara Wilkinson, who has worked on hit shows, Motown and The Full Monty, and Martyn Ford, a musical arranger and conductor who has worked alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber. Located on Deck 4, the shows are typically musical-themed performances such as Legends Live -- where iconic artists are conjured up through their hits -- and Medieval Madness, complete with jesters, jousting and men in tights. Shows start at 8:15 p.m. most nights with a repeat performance at 10:15 p.m.; after that the Late Night Live slot kicks off at 11:15 p.m. usually featuring a comedy act.
Daily Fun. Discovery sees the introduction of a new entertainment programme, with everything from multi-media music challenges to innovative Virtual Dance lessons (featuring Strictly Coming Dancing's Anton du Beke), plus the usual raft of trivia quizzes, bingo sessions, and towel-folding demonstrations. There's an almost constant rotation of live music throughout the day that starts at the main poolside stage, and moves into the various bars and lounges towards the evening. Music tends towards polished bands and solo artists performing renditions of classic hits, which can get a little samey towards the end of the week. Daily activities and times are listed in the ship's Cruise News.
Marella Cruises is bang on trend with the line's first ever Breakout & Escape Rooms, pioneered by the previous owners of this ship (but on two much larger models -- Anthem of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas). While the idea is straightforward -- to 'escape' the room within the allotted hour by solving a series of clues -- breaking the codes can be far from simple. Most involve finding the combination to a lock which opens a locker or drawer containing further clues. While there are also plenty of red herrings, the control room feeds in extra hints to keep the game moving along, so don't worry about getting stuck! Groups are from two to five players, and there's a choice between a murder mystery or spy themed experience (murder mystery is a little easier). At £15 per person (or £75 for exclusive use) it's not cheap, but a lot of fun.
At Night. Movies by Moonlight are screened on the line's first outdoor cinema screen on Deck 9 overlooking the main pool. There are two viewings nightly (7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) with films tending towards family-friendly blockbusters. Popcorn and hot chocolate are available from the poolside far (for a fee) and blankets are provided. Movies were shown even during stormy weather, to an empty deck (though you can get a good view from up in Kora La restaurant).
The Live Casino (Deck 4; 8:30 p.m. until late) is located in the corner of the Live Room lounge and offers three tables and various slot machines. With no roulette wheel or craps table it feels a little like an afterthought. Blackjack is the game of choice with regular specials (announced in the daily Cruise News newsletter) that boost your chances of a pay out. Croupiers are also happy to give lessons to the uninitiated. Chips cashed in get added to passengers' onboard accounts.
Bars & lounges. While Marella advertises eight bars onboard, there's closer to five 'proper' bars with the other venues where drinks happen to be available. Most bars are buzzy and inviting, especially when featuring a live act, with updated interiors that feel fresh and contemporary or with polished-up pizzazz reminiscent of the classic cruise lounge. We never waited long to be approached for table service, and none of the bars ever felt crowded.
A lengthy drinks menu covers a decent selection of wines, including a few sparkling options; familiar pub staples such as Foster's, John Smith's, and Heineken; international and U.K. bottled lagers and ales; dozens of aperitifs, whiskies, and liqueurs; and a dizzying array of cocktails that includes frozen margaritas and a Martini collection. All spirits are served as 40ml measures -- 60 percent more than the U.K. standard measure -- and drinks hover around typical pub prices (though cocktails are a snip at £4.60).
Atrium Bar (Deck 4): Situated at the bottom of a soaring five-storey atrium with shimmering glass lifts gliding towards a glass dome ceiling, this bar certainly features the most dramatic setting. During its incarnation as Splendour, acrobats performed from steel girders across the top of the space; sadly Marella has decided not to continue the tradition. What they do put on is regular musical performances most evenings, and you can also catch the Captain's address here. Open from 10:00 a.m. until midnight.
Live Room (Deck 4): The Atrium leads into the Live Room, billed as Discovery's "flagship bar" and home to the ship's largest selection of beers on-tap (which even includes some decent ales). Formerly home to Splendour's casino, the once blackened-out windows now let sunlight flood in and show off the now vibrant, colourful and contemporary interiors. It's also billed as a room for families, though there isn't anything particularly kid-friendly about it. There's a bright yellow grand piano, dance floor and live music (though mostly just at night). A small casino area occupies a corner of the room, and is over-18s only. The bar is open from 3:00 p.m. until the last gambler leaves the table (though we didn't try this out).
Venue (Deck 5): Tucked behind the ship's retail section, this spacious bar combines the air of a classic cruise lounge -- complete with metallic pillars, copper-top tables, and undulating bar -- with a large hi-tech LED screen. Expect regular virtual entertainment such as the ship's new Splash Live! Interactive show for children and Virtual Dance classes with (a virtual) Anton du Beke teaching how to rumba and cha-cha-cha (with added professional live coaches). Open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The Coffee Port (Deck 5): Not so much a bar but a café selling barista-made Lavazza coffee for slightly more than the High Street prices (£2.50 regular/£2.95 large). It also offers a range of breakfast pastries in the morning, plus an impressive selection of sweet treats such as waffles, sundaes, and ice-cream served in large sugar cones through the day. Seating is spread across two sides of the atrium, one side with a small library with books and board games, the other featuring sporting memorabilia.
Pool Bar (Deck 9): An early-opening, semi-circular bar ideal for eye-openers and poolside refreshments, as well as offering hot chocolate and popcorn during Movies by Moonlight. Open 8 a.m. until late.
Deck 10 Bar (Deck 10): A circular bar servicing the sun worshippers on the top terrace; open noon to 6 p.m. during appropriately warm weather.
Bar Eleven (Deck 11): A swish, contemporary space with shimmering LED pattern ceiling, moody low-lighting, and chilled urbane lounge bar vibe. Alongside the regular drinks menu, there's a collection expertly mixed cocktails that include the Earl Grey-infused Five O' Clock tea and smoky Chocolate Ember, served with real smoke. Later the bar transforms into a late-night disco with the ship's resident DJ spinning tunes from midnight until the small hours.
Pools. The ship's two pools are located on Deck 9, one indoor and one outdoor and both filled with filtered sea water (and generally open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). The outdoor pool has a kids' splash area gated off from a deeper area that reaches 1.7 metres (five-and-a-half feet) though isn't big enough for a proper swim. It is flanked by two hot tubs, each of which can fit up to eight bathers. At one end you'll find a large outdoor cinema screen and there's enough surrounding terrace and sun loungers to ever feel too busy.
On the same deck you'll find the indoor pool in the Glass House area, which doubles as a restaurant. Classical-style columns and wall friezes evoke ancient Rome, while surrounded by abundant (artificial) plantlife is the heated pool. Although on the small side, there are two whirlpool tubs either side (each also accommodating up to eight). A retractable roof occasionally opens in finer weather. The pool is adults-only between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Recreation. While there's certainly little in the way of cutting-edge outdoor recreation, Discovery features the fleet's first climbing wall located on Deck 10, where sessions take place under the supervision of rock-climbing experts. Behind the wall is a nine-hole mini-golf course, and you'll also find shuffleboard up here too. Poolside there is morning Zumba classes, plus regular games of rope quoits and inflatable darts competitions.
Sun Decks. There is an adults-only sunbathing area called The Veranda, at the back of the ship on Deck 9. It's limited space-wise, and there is no fee, so it fills up quickly. There are loungers and large cushioned pod-like chairs. The Veranda also features lounger-side call button -- which guarantees service within 30 seconds -- though in our experience these were not always deployed.
There's also the relatively child-free sun terrace on Deck 10, with plenty of loungers and an open-air bar.
Services. All the guest services can be found midship on Deck 5, just above the Atrium Bar. Here you will find a 24-hour reception, as well as the 'Destination Services' shore excursions desk. The Broad Street Shops, which include Duty Free and designer products, adjoin here, as does the Photo Gallery. Passengers can also use interactive screens on decks 4 and 6 (which use state-of-the-art facial recognition) to peruse and purchase any photos taken onboard.
Although there's no dedicated internet café or corner, Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship and connection speeds are good enough for most browsing and email. Charges start from £8 for an hour, £15 for a day, £25 for 3 days, £49 for 8 days and £90 for 15 days, but be warned data limits apply and can run out before the time does.
Spa. Discovery's Ocean Spa & Beauty Salon is the largest wellness space in the fleet, comprising no less than eight treatment rooms (half with sea views), a hair and nail salon, and skin rejuvenation clinic. Marble accented his and hers changing rooms provide plenty of clean towels, secure lockers, and even a steam room in each. There's also a relaxation lounge with comfy seating (which looks out over The Verandah) and ambient music, as well as iced cucumber water and a selection of teas and juices.
The spa offers an exhaustive list of massage, body treatments, and skin care therapies. Massage on offer includes the likes of hot stone, Swedish, deep tissue, and herb and coconut poultice; couples' massages are also available. Massages start at a pricey £72 for 50 minutes, going up to £160 for a 90-minute 'bamboo' treatment. Body and face therapies also average around the £100-mark, as do acupuncture sessions. An impressive list of hair services is also available, including highlights, perms, and waxing.
Kid- and teen-friendly treatments are even on offer, including mother-and-daughter manicures and pedicures, teen spa specials, and sherbet scrubs for under-12s. The spa is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days.
Fitness. Just off the spa is the gym, a bright and fairly spacious fitness room with a decent selection of equipment including eight running machines, five cross-trainers, four exercise bikes, and about half a dozen weights machines. There's also plenty of free weights and a small studio area where free stretch and abs workout session take place most morning, plus occasional yoga classes (at £7 each). There's also a running track that encircles Deck 10, where four times round equals one mile.
Free Dining. In keeping with Marella Cruises' ethos, most dining is free, though they've also significantly upped their gastronomic game onboard Marella Discovery. While lacking a roster of fancy chefs (like its closest British rival P&O Cruises) the ship's free dining focuses on good quality and varied fare likely to appeal to a wide spectrum of tastes; without forgetting the burger-and-chips, brown sauce, and ketchup.
47° (Deck 4). This ritzy restaurant is the ship's main dining room offers waiter service dining for breakfast (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.), lunch (noon to 2 p.m.) and dinner (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.). The lower half is a wonderful light-filled space combining lots of shiny stainless steel girders and polished marble trim with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that add superb sea (or coastal) views to mealtimes. A chandelier encircled by shards of green glass illuminates the grand piano below, while a twin staircase sweeps up to the gallery half of the restaurant (Gallery 47°). White cotton-topped tables comes in various sizes from two to eight seats; restaurant staff offer diners shared tables at peak times (when queuing is also common).
47° provides the only waiter-service breakfast on the ship, and is certainly the more relaxing way to enjoy one's morning meal. The breakfast menu includes an a la carte Full English option with cooked-to-order eggs, joined by fancier dishes such as smoked salmon, and daily-changing specials like raspberry pancakes and eggs Florentine. On top of that there's a buffet of fruit, cereals, and yogurt, plus pots of Twinings tea and real orange juice are served to your table.
Lunch and dinner menus change daily, with starters including the likes of prawn and crab fritters, honey and clove basted York ham, and cream of chicken and tarragon, which is certainly a move away from prawn cocktails and Caesar salads. Mains might include roasted cod fillet, Greek-style lamb kebabs and Croque Monsieur (essentially a toasted ham and cheese sandwich and a pretty odd choice as a main dish in the MDR). Also always available on the lunch menu is jacket potato with a variety of fillings including chicken korma or chilli con carne; and a create-your-own burger with veggie option. Dinner menus adds a few fancier 'Chef's Suggestions'. Desserts are typically the likes of fruit crumble, cheesecake, and a sugar-free option, as well as a selection of ice creams. The menu also includes icons denoting vegetarian, gluten free or a dish with a gluten-free option.
What is nice is unlike pretty well all non-luxury mainstream cruise lines we can think of, wine will be included from summer 2017. Until then you can order it by the bottle or glass; glasses are unlimited and waiters offer frequent refills, so be careful!
The food is certainly not radical (and why should it be?), but it's a significant departure from what you might expect on a Marella ship. The menu can be a little hit and miss with some dishes not quite delivering on their promise (the lobster in the underwhelming Lobster Mac & Cheese was elusive); though there's enough razzle-dazzle and attentive service to distract you from any minor shortcomings. And in case you were wondering, the restaurant is named after the latitude of Saint Nazaire, where the ship was built.
Gallery 47° (Deck 5). Marella surveyed its guests at the start of the Marella Discovery process about what they would like to see onboard the new ship, and when it came to dining one cuisine stood out (no not Indian, astonishingly): Italian. And that's what Gallery 47° is. It is still part of the MDR (the galleried upper half), but the menu up here is exclusively Italian. As with the MDR, the design is bright, open, and swanky with large windows along both sides for great sea-view panoramas. The experience begins with a platter of typical Italian antipasti (various cheese, cold cuts, and olives) as well as a fine selection of breads. Starters might include arancini (fried balls of cheese risotto), calamari or beef carpaccio; mains are typically along the lines of mixed fried fish, veal escalope or slow-braised pork shank. There is also a selection of pasta (including fungi ravioli and lasagna) and calzone dishes, while desserts include tiramisu, warm chocolate pudding, and lemon meringue tart. None of this is going to trouble Jamie Oliver much, but it's a great move by the line to directly accommodate the wishes of its past passengers -- and not charge for the privilege.
Islands (Deck 9). The buffet restaurant occupies a privileged position right at the front overlooking the ship's bow. Tables seating two to six fill the space between the serving area and wraparound windows, making for some excellent views. With its nautical-theme decor, clipper-ship murals, and old-fashioned furniture, its the most dating-looking of the onboard eateries, and low-lighting can make it feel a little gloomy at night. The quality and variety of food, however, is generally very good -- at least for buffet -- and marks another step forward for the line's dining.
Most passengers head here for breakfast (7 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.), mainly due to a genuinely impressive selection spread around its numerous self-serve islands (with names such as 'crisp & sizzlin'', 'fresh from the garden' and 'light & sweet'). Islands were always staffed and trays rarely empty, though queues for the cooked-to-order omelette station and coffee and juice dispensers were not uncommon. Lunch (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and dinner (6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) buffets often feature themed dishes drawn from the likes of Middle Eastern, Portuguese and Mexican cuisine, plus a carvery with slow-cooked roasts such as lamb or pork. Waiting staff provide a table service for drinks (at bar prices). Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available, though not extensive, as are sugar-free desserts.
Snack Shack (Deck 9). Located on the pool deck (and open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) this fun and informal snack bar is themed around British beach huts, with seating at one of a row of colorful booths or around picnic-style tables. A range of healthy grab 'n' go items that include Greek salads, falafel wraps, and fresh fruit pots are available from the fridge and ideal for stashing for packed lunches on excursions. At the other end is a not-so-healthy hot buffet of hotdogs, burgers, and (naturally) fish and chips. Breakfast items (served until 10.30 a.m.) also range from egg and bacon butties and cheese croissants, to Bircher muesli and fruit yogurts.
The Glass House (Deck 9). A glass ceiling ensures plenty of natural light at this all-day eatery, which opens for breakfast (7 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.) serving a simple Continental buffet and fresh juices. Salads and sandwiches are on offer for most of the day (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The free option for dinner (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) is a choice of sharing platter (meats, cheeses, or both), a selection of Spanish-style tapas, and a pizza with range of toppings. Alternatively for a £9.95 cover charge diners can have the 'Hot Stone' experience where diners get to grill their own meat presented on a sizzling stone plate; options includes marinated tenderloin pork medallions and 28-day aged Angus beef skewer, as well as a Stilton-glazed Portobello mushrooms for veggies. Desserts might include crème caramel or chocolate-espresso mousse (though the free option doesn't provide a pudding course).
With this area used primarily as an indoor pool, the layout and ambience of this all-day eatery feels a little awkward, at least by day when the pool and surrounding loungers are in use. By night, however, its one of the quieter, least busy, and most relaxing dining options on the ship.
Room Service. A Continental breakfast is available from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. for £4.95 per person and includes a fruit juice, hot drink, bakery selection and choice of cereals (covering favourites such as Weetabix, All Bran, and Rice Krispies). Passengers must hang their breakfast order form on their cabin door before 4 a.m. The regular room service menu is detailed in the Life Onboard guide, left in all cabins, and includes omelettes (£4.95), pizzas (£4.95), "Light Bites" (from £2), which include French Onion soup, Caesar salad, steak sandwich, cheeseburger and vegetable lasagna. Drinks including lager, juices, hot drinks, and wine by the bottle or glass are also available.
Fee Dining. Both of the for-fee restaurants appear on other ships in the Marella/TUI fleet: Kora La on Marella Dream and Surf & Turf is lifted from the TUI Cruises' fleet (where it's very popular among the German clientele). The cover charge in Kora La (£19.95 per diner) can feel a little steep, especially when the odd dish doesn't lift itself beyond the quality available in free dining. The Surf & Turf menu, however, is worth every penny of the extra outlay (£24.95 each) and stands head-and-shoulders above its for-fee rival -- positioned just opposite high up on Deck 11. Reservations need to be made for both, and it's not unusual for them to be fully booked up by mid-week, so get your booking in early.
Kora La (Deck 11); £19.95: The Pan-Asian menu is designed by Ian Pengelly, the man behind the popular London restaurant House of Ho. It's a lovely space with a subtle Oriental vibe designed and ranged around a semi-circular spot with views over the main pool deck. Its small but regularly changing menu ranges across the entire region, picking the best dishes from each. Starters might include chilli salt squid, honey glazed spare ribs, and duck and watermelon salad (one of their signature starters and we thought a real standout dish). Mains include the likes of Thai green salmon curry, vegetable stir-fry noodles, and "shaking beef". There is also a selection of speciality curries -- including chicken Kashmiri, lamb madras, beef panang and prawn vindaloo -- cooked to order and as spicy as you dare. While portions are very generous and flavors bold, we found some of the dishes lacked finesse. Also on offer is a list of signature cocktails that infuse ingredients such as fiery green chilli and fresh ginger and certainly have plenty of zing (at £4.95 each). There is also a small sushi bar where guests can choose up to eight pieces of sushi roll, sashimi or nigiri, washed down with a choice of Asian beers. The restaurant is only open for dinner between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Surf & Turf Steakhouse (Deck 11); £24.95: Imported from Tui Cruises' Mein Schiffs but tweaked for the British palate, the Surf & Turf Steakhouse does what it says on the tin, and some. The vibe is smart, intimate and inviting with darkwood panelling, atmospheric lighting, and splashes of crimson; a leather-button banquette stretches the length of the main dining area. At the more refined end of a long list of starters are the likes of crab bisque and pan-seared diver scallops, while old favourites are also given a twist -- Caesar salad is prepared at the table and prawn cocktail includes crayfish. Unsurprisingly, it's the 28-day-aged Angus steaks that steal the show, from the huge 32oz Tomahawk rib-eye (cut for sharing), to the 6oz fillet mignon with lobster tail (our personal pick which was cooked to perfection). Further mains include lamb and pork chops, grilled chicken and seafood dishes, while sides are the likes of potato and horseradish mash, poached asparagus, and chips with truffle salt. Opening times are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The ship has 915 cabins, broken down into: 357 with balconies; 230 outside and 328 inside. There are numerous cabin types (seven in all) in different styles and layouts, including suites, solos, family and accessible. The percentage number of balcony cabins may not be high by modern-day cruise ship standards (39 percent), but it is very high for Marella -- the next highest, Marella Celebration, has just seven percent.
Standard cabins are comfortable and clean, and even the smallest have soft seating and desks with chairs; upgraded cabins add sitting areas with sofas and coffee tables. Storage space is generous, with plenty of hanging racks and shelves in the wardrobes, deep drawers and more shelves in the desks and bedside tables. All have also been refurbished and modernized in smart Marella colours (light blues and pastels), as well as splashes of turquoise and orange, patterned carpets, and contemporary artworks. However, although they superficially look and feel new, 21 years is a long time in the world of cruise ships, and there are aspects that feel dated. Some of the wood panelling and bathroom fittings look dated, while other aspects -- such as lack of keycard slots to activate lights -- feel old fashioned.
All cabins come with the following features as standard: air-conditioning, hairdryers; 32-inch flat-screen TVs; tea- and coffee-making facilities (with Yorkshire Tea teabags) and electronic safes. There are around a dozen TV channels that include Sky and BBC news, a couple of movie channels (with countdowns to the next showing), a few music stations, and a live video stream from the ship's bridge. Suites have a number of additional features (see below).
Compact bathrooms have ample storage in IKEA-style units, mosaic-backed basins, and large mirrors. While showers have excellent water pressure and temperature control, each has only one small shelf and the dreaded clingy plastic curtain -- which can also make for wet floors. Toiletries in most are limited to hand soap and wall-mounted generic 'body wash'; suites however feature a set of Clarins-brand products -- a surprisingly luxurious touch.
Plug sockets are U.S.- and European-style (not U.K.-three pin), so bring an adaptor. You'll also have to unplug either the kettle or minibar in some rooms to use the European sockets.
Note you can reserve a specific cabin for £45 on all Marella ships.
Inside: There are three types of inside cabins ranging from 12 to 15 square metres (132 to 165 square feet). The smaller ones are on decks 2 and 3 and sleep up to four people. They have twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed and a shower room. The three- and four-berth cabins have upper berths that fold down for extra sleeping space. At the upper end in terms of size are the Inside Plus cabins on decks 7 and 8. They have the same features but sleep just two people.
Outside. Outside cabins can be found on decks 2 and 3, and have a picture window or porthole. They have twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed, a sitting area with a sofa, and a shower room. The three- and four-berth cabins have upper berths that fold down for extra sleeping space. They are 14 square metres (150 square feet). The second Outside category is 'Deluxe', which are bigger (20 square metres or 215 square feet), and features a floor-to-ceiling window. They also have a sitting area with a sofabed and shower room. They sleep up to four people and can be found on decks 7 and 8.
Balcony. Standard Balcony Cabins are 13-14 square metres (139-150 square feet) and are located on Deck 6. They have a small sitting area, a shower room and a small balcony, big enough for two chairs and a small table. Deluxe Balcony Cabins are larger at 15-16 square metres (161 to 172 square feet) and are on decks 6 and 7. They have all the same features, except that if there are four of you, you'll also get a sofabed.
Suites. All suites enjoy a number of extra amenities and perks including coffee-pod machines and fancy bathroom toiletries; express check-in; priority luggage delivery; free pressing service (up to three items per person in the first 24 hours onboard), and free Continental breakfast-in-bed (one per person, per week). All suites also have bathrooms with tubs. Suite guests also have access to the Executive Lounge on Deck 8, which has concierge facilities and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Note: The Family Cabins are all classified as suites and so are entitled to suite perks.
Junior Suite. There are 67 Junior Suites on deck 8 which come in at around 21 square metres (226 square feet), and can sleep up to four people. As well as twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed, there is a wide sitting area, with a sofabed, two chairs, a circular foot rest and a coffee table, which leads out to a square-shaped balcony, wide enough for two loungers. Back inside, you get ample wardrobe space, two bedside tables, a minibar and a coffee-pod machine. There is also ample shelving for books/laptop charging etc. The bathroom has a tub with shower. There are some variations on the Junior Suites, including an aft Junior Suite, which is a square room with no corridor, but a bigger balcony.
Grand Suite. There are 12 Grand Suites measuring 32 square metres (355 square feet) which have a 10 square metre (114 square foot) balcony. They have the same features as a Junior Suite, but the extra space means there is more distinction between the sleeping and sitting areas, with an L-shaped sofa and a larger corridor/foyer area as you enter. There is also a large mirror behind the bed, and a raised bar area as you enter.
Executive Suite. There are five Executive Suites, which come in at a vast 47 square metres (505 square feet). They have a separate living area, divided by glass doors, and which features a queen-size sofabed, a fixed desk, numerous chairs and occasional tables and a glass wall leading out to the balcony. The sleeping area has a queen-size bed.
Royal Suite. The ship's top cabin on deck 8 at the front right is the aptly-named Royal Suite which measures up to the size of a small flat: 90 square metres or 990 square feet. It comes with a separate living room with a sofabed, a bedroom with a king size bed, and even a baby grand piano. The balcony is the size of an inside cabin -- 12 square metres (139 square feet) -- and the bathroom features a whirlpool tub.
Inside single. These come in at 12 square metres (132 square feet) and are on decks 2 and 3. They have exactly the same features -- and are in fact the same size -- as standard inside cabins, but are specifically for solo travelers (i.e. you don't have to pay the single supplement).
Outside single. These are on decks 2 and 3, and are specifically designed for solo travellers. A picture window or porthole offers sea views, and the cabin has twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed, a sitting area with a sofa, and a shower room. These cabins measure 14 square metres (150 square feet) and are the same size as a standard outside, you just don't have to pay the single supplement.
Family. There are two types of Family cabin: Family Junior Suite and a Family Suite, both with balconies. The Family Junior Suite is on deck 8 and is 39 square metres (419 square feet) and sleeps six. It has one bedroom with twin beds (which covert to a queen-sized bed) and a living area with a double sofabed and twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed. The Family Suite is a touch bigger (40 square metres/430 square feet) and sleeps seven people, in two separate rooms -- one with twin beds that convert to a queen-size double bed and another with a fold-down bed. There are two bathrooms, one with a shower, and one with a tub. Plus, there is a living area with a double sofabed.
Accessible. 12 cabins are wheelchair-accessible and available in two categories: insides (14 square metres/251 square feet) and outsides (slightly larger). They have open bed frames, wider entry doors, space to turn, lowered desks and wardrobe hangers, bathrooms with wide doors, roll-in shower with a fold-down bench, support bars, a raised toilet and a lowered sink.
