Marella Explorer – Full Ship Guide

This is a sponsored post for Marella Cruises.

Of the five cruise ships in the Marella fleet, one of the largest is Marella Explorer, and she’s a great option for adults or families who want to enjoy a relaxing all-inclusive getaway.

She has some fantastic accommodation options and features onboard, including some excellent places to dine and lots of fun activities.

I spent a wonderful week onboard Marella Explorer. So in this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the ship, so that you can prep for a fun-packed cruise onboard.

Facts & Stats

While the Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 ships are twins that are almost identical, the same can’t be said for Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2. The ships aren’t completely different, and they do have similar histories, but they aren’t cookie-cutter ships either.

She isn’t quite the biggest ship in the fleet though – that honour goes to Marella Voyager. But she does have the highest guest capacity by a small amount.

Marella Explorer would not be considered a big ship in the cruise industry. With a gross tonnage under 100,000 and a passenger capacity under 2,000 guests, she would be considered a smaller mid-size ship. She has plenty of space for all guests and a good variety of bars and restaurants.

Here’s how Marella Explorer compares to the rest of the ships in the Marella Cruises fleet:

Ship	Year Built	Year Joined Marella	Size (gross tons)	Passenger capacity	Length	Beam/width	Total Decks
Marella Discovery 2	1995	2017	69,130	1,836	264m / 866ft	32m / 105ft	11
Marella Discovery	1996	2016	69,130	1,830	264m / 866ft	32m / 105ft	11
Marella Explorer	1996	2018	76,522	1,924	260m / 852ft	32m / 106ft	13
Marella Explorer 2	1995	2019	71,545	1,814	248m / 814ft	32m / 105ft	14
Marella Voyager	1997	2023	77,303	1,912	264m / 866ft	32m / 106ft	13

Marella Explorer’s History

None of the ships in the Marella Cruises fleet were purpose-built for the cruise line. All have been purchased or transferred over from sister brands, but with careful and loving refurbishment.

Marella Explorer was first built for Celebrity Cruises, sailing for the line as the MV Galaxy from her debut in 1996 until 2007. At this point, Celebrity rebranded their ships, and for the next two years, the ship was rechristened Celebrity Galaxy instead.

She then joined TUI, and became the first of the Mein Schiff cruise ships. For a year she cruised as Mein Schiff, before becoming Mein Schiff 1 to help differentiate her from later ships in the fleet.

Then, as part of a modernisation programme, Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 were transferred over to Thomson Cruises in 2018, rebranded as Marella, and Mein Schiff 1 became the Marella Explorer, but only after a fantastic multi-million-pound makeover in Cadiz to make sure she was at her best for many years to come.

Thanks to this dry dock refurbishment, Marella Explorer is a beautiful ship that feels bright, modern and comfortable, and guests love the experience onboard.

Marella Explorer Cabins

There are 962 cabins onboard Marella Explorer. These include the typical range of Inside, Outside and Balcony cabins, as well as some beautiful and spacious suites that you can enjoy. These cabins have all been well maintained and offer modern furnishings.

Regardless of which category you choose, you’ll always get the staple amenities – a flatscreen TV, air-conditioning, a safe and a hairdryer. You also get tea and coffee facilities – Marella is aimed at the British market and could hardly leave those out of the rooms!

Here’s the full list of cabin options on Marella Explorer:

Cabin	Sleeps	Deck Locations	Size (square feet)
Inside Cabin	2-4	4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12	172
Single Inside Cabin	1	4, 5	172
Family Inside Cabin	5	8, 10	205
Outside Cabin	2-4	4, 5, 8, 9	183
Single Outside Cabin	1	4, 5	183
Balcony Cabin	2-3	8, 9, 10	183 (not including balcony)
Balcony Cabin (Large Balcony)	2	9, 10, 12	172 (not including balcony)
Family Balcony Cabin with Suite Service	5	8, 10	215 (not including balcony)
Balcony Junior Suite	3	10, 12	237 (not including balcony)
Executive Suite	4	10	527 (not including balcony)

To learn more about the cabins on this ship and choose the best one for your cruise, I recommend that you also take a look at my guide: Marella Explorer 2’s Best & Worst Cabins

Suite Service with Marella Cruises

When you stay in one of the Suites on Marella Explorer (so that’s the Family Balcony Cabin, Balcony Junior Suite, and Executive Suite), you get to enjoy the Suite Service. That’s a selection of perks that guests in regular cabins don’t get to enjoy.

You get:

• A free pressing service – up to 3 items pressed in your first 24 hours on the ship
• Free continental breakfast in bed – one per week

Bars & Restaurants

You’ll never be short of dining options on Marella Explorer. There are 10 different restaurants on the ship, six of which have no additional charge so you can enjoy them as much as you want.

Plus, there are 10 bars, so you can never get bored of the same locations when enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail or unwinding after a theatre show.

Here’s a look at the restaurant options on Marella Explorer:

Latitude 53

Latitude 53 is the main dining room on the ship, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, with something for every palate.

The Dining Club

The Dining Club is a fine dining restaurant that serves special, high-end cuisine. Reservations are recommended and there is an extra charge to dine here. This is also where you can enjoy The Great Musical Afternoon Tea, with dishes inspired by classical West End shows.

Umi Sushi

Umi Sushi offers a wide range of sushi options, including non-fish dishes if you aren’t a seafood fan, as well as dim sum and other menu choices. This is another speciality restaurant so there is a fee to eat here, and reservations are recommended.

Vista

Situated within the Latitude 53 restaurant, this is a specialist area that serves Italian favourites during the evening. It’s included in your cruise fare.

The Market Place

The Market Place is the ship’s buffet, with a variety of food stalls serving all kinds of delightful casual options. Enjoy a fresh pizza, a panini made to order, or design your own stir-fry.

Kora La

A favourite of the fleet, Kora La is a pan-Asian speciality restaurant serving an extensive selection of dishes from across the continent. An extra charge applies.

Snack Shack

Open throughout the day, the Snack Shack offers various snack dishes and light lunches. It’s situated poolside so you don’t have to give up your lounger to get a bite to eat.

Surf & Turf Steakhouse

Surf & Turf is the ship’s main steak and seafood restaurant, also serving a selection of chicken and lamb dishes. Reservations are recommended, and an additional charge applies.

Tapas @ The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is an included restaurant open for lunch and dinner, split between Spanish and Italian cuisine. For Spanish dishes, enjoy all your tapas favourites, along with some menu items inspired by Portuguese cuisine too.

Italian @ The Mediterranean

In the Italian part of The Mediterranean, you can enjoy freshly-made pizza and pasta dishes, including the option to design your own pizza from a wide range of toppings.

On Board Activities

While most Marella cruise itineraries offer very few days at sea, there are still plenty of activities to keep you busy during the day on Marella Explorer should you want to stay onboard, along with a host of evening entertainment.

Take a Dip in the Outdoor Pool

Cool off in the main outdoor pool, complete with inviting whirlpools for a touch of relaxation. Whether you fancy a swim or a soak, it’s a great spot to unwind.

Tee Off at Mini Golf

Head to the top deck for a fun round of mini golf with ocean views. It’s a great way to test your putting skills while enjoying the fresh sea air.

Get Active on the Sports Court

Challenge friends or family to a game of basketball, football or table tennis. The sports court is perfect for keeping active while at sea. On a sea day, my son spent five whole hours here playing football with his friends!

Shop Till You Drop

Browse the onboard shops for jewellery, fashion and souvenirs. Whether you’re treating yourself or picking up gifts, there’s plenty to choose from.

Take a Run on the Jogging Track

Start your day with a run or a brisk walk on the ship’s jogging track. With stunning ocean views, it’s a scenic way to stay fit.

Capture Memories at the Photo Studio

Professional photographers are on hand to snap picture-perfect moments. Whether it’s a family portrait or a special occasion, you’ll have lasting memories to take home. You can also get your iris photographed up close!

Get Creative with Arts & Crafts

Unleash your inner artist with arts and crafts sessions. These fun activities are a great way to relax and try something new.

Indulge in Spa and Beauty Treatments

Pamper yourself with a massage, facial, or salon treatment. The spa offers a range of relaxing options to help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated. There’s also a thermal suite with sauna, steam room and relaxation areas.

Stay Fit at the Gym

The fully-equipped gym has pretty-much everything you need for a great workout. With cardio machines, weights, and ocean views, staying active has never been easier.

Play at the Gamer Zone

Gamers will love the dedicated Xbox area, where you can challenge friends or enjoy solo play. Perfect for kids and adults alike!

Enjoy Broadway-Style Shows

The Broadway Show Lounge hosts two performances every evening, featuring dazzling productions with talented singers and dancers.

Have a Laugh at the Squid and Anchor

This lively British pub is the place for interactive games, quizzes and live music performances. Grab a drink and enjoy the fun atmosphere.

Try Your Luck at the Casino

The casino offers a mix of fruit machines and card tables. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just fancy a flutter, it’s all part of the evening entertainment.

Watch The Latest Movies

Enjoy a film at the cinema, where you can catch Hollywood classics and the latest blockbusters.

Unwind at the Bars

For a more relaxed evening, head to one of the ship’s bars for a quiet drink. With a variety of lounges, there’s always the perfect spot to sip and socialise.

Have Fun In The Kids Club

Marella Explorer is family-friendly and does have dedicated spaces for children, including the M Club kids’ club for children aged 3 to 11, and the Hideout, perfect for teens.

If you’d like a closer look at this ship, then be sure to check out my ship tour on YouTube…

Marella Explorer’s Itineraries

There are some fantastic itinerary options available on Marella Explorer throughout the year.

She sails across the Mediterranean, including itineraries on the western side of the ocean for ports in Spain, France and Italy, and cruises in the east if you’d prefer to explore the Greek Isles.

Canary Islands cruises are also popular during the winter months, since they offer a relaxing beach getaway in warmer climates – perfect for escaping the chilly and miserable weather at home.

If you like the idea of a fun-packed family cruise that offers amazing value, or you want a quiet escape to the Canary Islands or the eastern Med, then Marella Explorer can do it all, and in some style.

She has some of the most varied dining choices of the Marella fleet, and her tasteful renovations ensure she offers a fabulous experience for all who board.

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