Marella Cruises: Complete guide to TUI cruise line

Marella Cruises is a very popular brand that many people choose to book with, thanks to the reasonably priced holidays available with the TUI cruise line.

However, there’s plenty to think about when organising a cruise holiday to make sure you’re sailing with the right line for you.

Travellers have all sorts of questions, whether it’s about the Wi-Fi onboard or what drinks are included. We’ve rounded up some of your most burning queries to give you that dose of clarity you need before you get that Marella Cruises getaway in the diary.

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Are Marella Cruises all-inclusive?

Yes, Marella Cruises are all-inclusive, no matter which ship you sail on or where you are cruising.

What is included in the Marella cruise all-inclusive offering?

Pretty much everything you can think of that you’d normally have to pay extra for on top of a regular cruise fare is included with Marella.

Flights, transfers, tips, food, drink and entertainment are all included with Marella’s all-inclusive holidays.

How much do Marella cruises cost?

The TUI cruise line is known for offering well-priced holidays with flights included, but the cost will vary hugely depending on where you sail and when you travel.

A seven-night summer cruise to the Mediterranean, for instance, can cost between £600 to £800 per person, while a seven-night winter-sun cruise to the Caribbean costs between £1,200 and £1,700.

However, the cruise line does offer some fantastic deals to help make your holiday even cheaper, sometimes with hundreds of pounds off, so it’s always worth checking the brand’s Marella cruise deal page!

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Is food free on a cruise?

Food is free – or rather included in your cruise fare – on all cruise lines, including Marella Cruises.

Marella Cruises dining

For instance, on adults-only ship Marella Explorer 2, guests can eat at the buffet restaurant The Market Place, pizza joint Nonna’s, relaxed eatery Snack Shack, Italian restaurant Vista and main waiter service restaurant Latitude 53 free of charge.

However, there are often speciality restaurants onboard cruise ships which are not included.

On Marella Explorer 2, for example, there is a Kora La – which serves a pan-Asian selection of curries and noodle dishes and sushi – and Surf & Turf Steakhouse – which specialises in meat and fish – to name two of the four speciality restaurants onboard at which passengers can dine at for a little extra.

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Is Wi-Fi free on Marella Cruises?

Wi-Fi isn’t included as standard on Marella Cruises. Guests can choose from different internet packages, including social-only access or full browsing, with rates available onboard or pre-bookable via Cruise Control.

Remember to check with your mobile provider for charges in international waters and for the countries you visit, too.

What currency is used on Marella Cruises?

British Sterling is used on Marella ships sailing in Europe, while US Dollars may be used in the Caribbean.

Everything you buy onboard will be charged to your cabin account, and you can settle it all by credit or debit card at the end of your cruise.

If you do want to pay the full sum in cash, Marella will request up to a £200 deposit per cabin per week.

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What drinks are included on Marella Cruises?

Drinks included in the cost of your TUI cruise fare are: selected draught beer and cider, wines by the glass, branded spirits and aperitifs, and a range of cocktails and soft drinks by the glass.

Marella holidays are all-inclusive as standard, but if you want an even greater variety of included drinks, you can upgrade to the Premium All Inclusive drinks package.

This includes all the above plus upgraded cocktails such as Mojitos and Aperol spritzes; all drinks from The Coffee Port (made with premium Lavazza Coffee); and premium gins, vodkas, rums and tequilas, including Absolut Vodka, Bombay Sapphire and Captain Morgan.

You’ll also get a greater choice of whiskies, brandies and Cognacs, including Jack Daniels; cans of soft drink and a 1.5 litre bottle of water, per cabin per day.

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How do I book excursions on Marella Cruises?

Marella shore excursions can be booked on the TUI website, which is the optimum way to get the best prices.

Trips can also be booked onboard the ships with the Destination Services team, but they do fill up, so you might not get the excursion you’re after.

Alternatively, if you book your cruise at a TUI Holiday Store, your Holiday Advisor can sort out your excursions for you.

How all-inclusive works on Marella cruise holidays

The good news is that nothing is confusing about Marella’s all-inclusive cruises. When you book and pay for your cruise, it’s automatically all-inclusive, with flights, transfers, tips, food, drink and entertainment all included.

Is Marella Explorer 2 all-inclusive?

Yes, Marella Explorer 2 is all-inclusive, as are all of Marella’s cruise ships. There are currently five ships in the fleet – Marella Explorer 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Voyager.

– READ MORE: What went down when I sailed on Marella Discovery…–

Can you smoke on Marella Cruises?

Passengers can only smoke cigarettes and e-cigarettes in designated areas on the open deck on Marella ships – lighting up is banned elsewhere.

Note that e-cigarettes are prohibited in several countries, and they may be taken off you at the airport, so do check the latest Foreign Office advice before you set sail.

Cambodia, Lebanon, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Uruguay, and Taiwan are among the countries that have banned vapes.

Does Marella Cruises have formal nights?

Marella has Dress to Impress nights, at which guests can don their party frocks.

There is generally one dress-to-impress night for every seven-night cruise, but they are also held on shorter sailings.

The dress code for such events is ’Smart’, which means trousers, smart tailored shorts or a skirt or dress, a shirt or polo shirt and smart shoes. Swimwear, sportswear, trainers or flip-flops are not allowed.

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