Marella Explorer and Marella Discovery in Weymouth Bay.
Photo: Andrew Bone
Licence: CC BY 2.0; cropped by CruisePing
The best Marella cruise ship is not simply the newest one. Marella Voyager has the broadest dining choice and freshest public rooms, Explorer 2 is the only permanently adults-only vessel, Explorer is the strongest family all-rounder, and the Discovery twins offer useful smaller-ship facilities. The right answer changes with the passenger.
All five ships share Marella’s All Inclusive base proposition. This guide therefore concentrates on what actually differs: passenger mix, dining breadth, pools, activity space and itinerary.
The quick recommendation
| Passenger priority | Best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall first Marella cruise | Marella Voyager | Freshest public rooms and strongest dining range |
| Adults-only every week of the year | Marella Explorer 2 | Only permanently adults-only ship |
| Families wanting the broadest all-round offer | Marella Explorer | Children’s facilities, large spa, dining and nightlife |
| Indoor pool and smaller-ship character | Marella Discovery | Two pools, climbing wall and manageable layout |
| Best Discovery-class itinerary | Marella Discovery 2 | Choose by route, date and price rather than hardware |
Best for first-time Marella passengers: Voyager
Voyager presents the clearest current version of the brand. The Kitchens food hall, wide restaurant selection, indoor cinema and fresh conversion give first-time passengers enough choice without the intimidating scale of a mega-ship.
Its weakness is price. Marella can charge a premium for Voyager, and some of the most interesting dining and entertainment experiences cost extra. If the same itinerary is substantially cheaper on Explorer or Discovery, the newer public spaces may not justify the difference.
Best for adults-only cruising: Explorer 2
Explorer 2 is the uncomplicated answer when children must not be onboard. TUI’s current policy makes it adults-only throughout the year, while Discovery and Discovery 2 only have selected seasonal adult programmes.
The ship remains lively, with Indigo, a casino, shows and busy bars. Choose it for the absence of children and a sociable atmosphere – not because it behaves like a quiet luxury retreat.
Best family all-rounder: Explorer
Explorer balances family facilities with enough adult space to work for multigenerational groups. It has children’s clubs, cinema, minigolf and sports areas, alongside the fleet’s largest spa, broad dining and a substantial nightlife offer.
Voyager has more dining choice, while Discovery has an indoor pool and climbing wall. Explorer wins when the group wants the broadest conventional compromise rather than one standout feature.
Best in mixed weather: the Discovery ships
Discovery and Discovery 2 each have an indoor and outdoor pool. That makes them particularly practical when a sailing includes cooler or changeable weather. Their climbing walls, minigolf and outdoor cinemas add useful family options without the scale of a resort ship.
There is very little reason to rank one Discovery sister above the other. Published capacity differs slightly, but the passenger experience is substantially the same. The itinerary, departure airport, adults-only status on the exact date and cabin price should decide.
Best for dining
Voyager wins on range. Explorer is the strongest alternative for passengers who prefer a more conventional buffet-and-restaurant structure. Explorer 2 offers good adult dining but fewer venues, while the Discovery pair are entirely adequate for a week rather than destination restaurants in themselves.
All Inclusive does not mean every restaurant is included. Compare the included venue list before assuming that a ship with a larger advertised restaurant count will cost no more onboard.
Best for a smaller, easier ship
Explorer 2 carries the fewest passengers, but the Discovery twins often feel the most straightforward because of their central atriums and recognisable public-room sequence. None of the five is truly small; they are medium-sized ships by current standards.
Passengers with limited mobility should not choose from capacity alone. Lift position, cabin route, tender ports and airport assistance can matter more than the difference of a hundred passengers.
The itinerary should break the tie
Marella’s ships spend much of the year on fly-cruise programmes where the route is central to the value. A weaker ship on the ideal itinerary is often a better holiday than the flagship on repetitive or inconvenient dates.
CruisePing would shortlist the itinerary first, remove ships that fail an essential requirement such as adults-only or indoor swimming, then compare the total package and cabin. That approach prevents a marketing label from making the decision.
Final ranking – used carefully
- Marella Voyager – best all-round first choice and strongest dining.
- Marella Explorer 2 – best when adults-only is non-negotiable.
- Marella Explorer – best mixed-age and family all-rounder.
- Marella Discovery – best smaller-feeling option with an indoor pool.
- Marella Discovery 2 – effectively equal to Discovery; choose by itinerary.
Use the full Marella Cruises guide for inclusions and package advice, and the individual ship guides before selecting a cabin.