Caribbean Winter 2025 With Marella Cruises - New Ports & Classic Itineraries To Enjoy!

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Marella Cruises has an incredible line-up of cruises for the winter 2025/26 season that you are not going to want to miss!

While there are amazing options in the Canary Islands and Europe, in this guide I’m going to focus on the Caribbean cruises available onboard Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2, as there are some fantastic new cruises you can choose from along with some old favourite itineraries too.

Marella Explorer is also sailing from Barbados so you’ve plenty of options!

Here’s a look at why you should be excited about Marella’s Caribbean cruises in winter 2025.

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New ports to discover

Marella has introduced two new ports of call to its itineraries for the winter 2025 season, both featuring on the ‘Tropical Isles’ itinerary sailing from La Romana, Dominican Republic.

Alongside the visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands; and Frederikstad, US Virgin Islands, the ship will call at Isla Catalina and Ponce for the first time.

Isla Catalina, Dominican Republic

This small island is just off the coast of the Dominican Republic, and it’s a beautiful location that feels like a real paradise. The lush forests and white sands are idyllic, and the sea water is clear as crystal.

While most people here prefer to just soak up the atmosphere under the natural shade of the palm trees, there are more active excursion options including guided walks or snorkelling.

Ponce, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s second city, Ponce, is a sophisticated destination with stunning architecture, offering plenty of fantastic photo opportunities as you wander the streets. The firehouse, with its black and red stripes, is a highlight but there are many others too.

The boardwalk is a lively hub of activity, with restaurants and bars to enjoy, while there are some fascinating museums too – chief among them, the Museo de Arte de Ponce, with a huge collection of art from across the world.

As well as these new ports of call, there are also new overnight stays on two Exotic Islands sailings in the port of Willemstad, giving you ample time to explore this fantastic destination.

Vibrant and colorful architecture of Willemstad, the capital city of Curaçao. The waterfront is lined with brightly painted buildings that reflect a blend of Dutch colonial architecture and Caribbean flair, making this view instantly recognizable. These historical buildings, with their unique facades and hues ranging from pastel pinks to deep blues and bright yellows, mirror beautifully on the calm waters of the harbor, enhancing the picturesque quality of the scene. Willemstad is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also a lively cultural hub, and this image beautifully represents its inviting and cheerful atmosphere.

Cruise & Stay options

During the winter season, Marella Cruises offers 167 hotels based in home port destinations as options for a Cruise & Stay break, so you can always pick the perfect destination if you want to extend your cruise with a land holiday before or after you sail.

In the Caribbean, guests can pick from new hotel options if they wish to pair a cruise onboard Marella Discovery or Marella Discovery 2 with a stay – such as the Ocean El Faro in Punta Cana, and the Radisson Aquatica in Hastings, Barbados.

Both are luxurious hotel options right on the beach – so you can unwind in absolute tranquillity and enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea right outside your hotel room. And by booking a Marella Cruise & Stay package, all your transfers between the airport, the hotel and cruise ship will be included too – so easy!

About the ships

Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are the smallest ships in the Marella fleet, though not by much. And their size doesn’t mean they’re in any way lacking – both are packed with great dining venues, bars and activities to enjoy during your Caribbean cruise holiday.

As well as the main dining room and the buffet, guests can try Italian cuisine in Gallery 47°, tapas platters in The Glass House, and enjoy snacks from the Snack Shack by the pool, all as part of the All Inclusive package.

Kora La’s pan-Asian cuisine, the Sushi Bar, and the Surf & Turf Steakhouse are also available on both ships, for an additional fee.

Both ships have an outdoor cinema to let you enjoy a movie by moonlight, a Broadway Show Lounge and a casino for your evening entertainment, a climbing wall, mini golf, shops and more too to keep you entertained.

And both ships are family-friendly, so if you want to take the kids, they’ll be able to enjoy the kids’ clubs on the ships while you unwind!

Marella Explorer is also family-friendly, and a slightly larger ship. It has some dining options you won’t find on Marella Discovery or Marella Discovery 2, such as The Mediterranean with Tapas and Italian options.

It also has an indoor cinema and a sports court for even more variety during your cruise.

Final word

Marella Cruises’ Caribbean sailings for winter 2025/26 are absolutely worth checking out. Each itinerary is packed with exciting destinations and you’ll love enjoying the hot weather, pristine beaches and sparkling waters away from the cold and wet winter weather back home.

Book now if you want the best cabins, and secure your cruise with a low deposit too, so you can spread the cost and start planning for your tropical getaway onboard an All Inclusive Marella cruise ship.