Your Guide to Cruising - In association with Marella Cruises 2018

Your guide to

CRUISING +

INCREDIBLE SHIPS CRUISE AND STAY ALL INCLUSIVE DEALS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Welcome

Editor's letter

Iʼm delighted to welcome you to this fantastic supplement showcasing award-winning cruise line Marella Cruises.

On their superb itineraries you can sail to over 200 destinations across the globe. Marella Cruisesʼ fleet of six ships offer cruising in exceptional comfort, as you explore ancient cities, discover sun-soaked islands and experience new flavours and cultures.

The cruise line changed names from Thomson Cruises to Marella Cruises last year, but the exceptional service, quality ships, and interesting itineraries remain the same, and there are some superb surprises in store.

Read on to discover everything Marella Cruises can offer you and your cruising companions.

Liz Jarvis, Editor liz.jarvis@cruise-international.com

Contents 4 Discover Marella Cruises Explore the exciting opportunities available to Marella Cruisesʼ customers across the fleet and across the globe

8 Marella Explorer 2

An introduction to the newest ship in the Marella Cruisesʼ fleet. Discover where the brand new ship will sail and what passengers have to look forward to on board

12 Fleet Focus

Get to know the Marella Cruisesʼ fleet and discover where each cruise ship will be sailing in the next year

16 Itineraries

Get in depth details on some of Marella Cruises most exciting itineraries for 2018/19, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean

Follow us Facebook.com/MarellaCruises/ @MarellaCruises

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Discover MARELLA CRUISES Exciting new ships, adventurous new itineraries and all cruises all inclusive by summer 2019 – there has never been a better time to choose Marella Cruises

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ith Marella Cruises, you can sail to over 200 destinations in comfort, exploring ancient cities, soaking up the sunshine on tropical islands and marvelling at breathtaking fjords. 2018 saw the cruise line’s name change from TUI to Marella Cruises, but the exceptional and friendly service remains the same.

Marella is a part of TUI – the world’s largest travel group. This means they can sort every step of your cruise, including flights, transfers, excursions and hotels. Plus, they are the only cruise company to offer flights from 22 regional UK airports.

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Marella Cruises

FRIENDLY SERVICE Marellaʼs crews will give you the warmest of welcomes, always going the extra mile to make you feel at home.

It’s probably why their customers rave about the great atmosphere on board.

TIME TO EXPLORE From Havana to Helsinki, Marella cruises to over 200 destinations every year. And new destinations are being added all the time. Almost all of their cruises set sail at night, meaning fewer days are spent at sea, and you have more time on shore.

EVERYTHING’S INCLUDED Marella Cruises include tips and service charges in the price, so you can relax in carefree bliss without having to worry about bills at the end of your holiday.

Plus, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 are All Inclusive as standard. This isnʼt limited to just drinks – it includes dining in at least four onboard

What's included

• Return flights • All tips and service charges • Onboard accommodation, with nightly turndown service • 27kg luggage allowance, including hand luggage • Full Board meals in a range of restaurants • Entertainment • Coach transfers and port taxes • A fantastic range of drinks on all ships from May 2019

restaurants and some facilities.

And from the summer of 2019, Marella Dream and Marella Celebration will also become All Inclusive, too.

UNBEATABLE CHOICE

Marella Cruises also keeps a close eye on journeys and onboard practices to minimise the impact on the environment, including a fleet-wide ‘say no to straws’ policy. 

Marella offers a wide selection of Cruise & Stay holidays, which let you pair time on board with a stay at a hotel – whichever way round you fancy.

You can choose from over 140 properties across eight destinations, ranging from luxurious TUI Sensatori resorts to budget-friendly Skytours hotels. You can opt for a three, four or seven-night stay.

A BETTER WORLD TUI Care Foundation projects are improving the lives of young people, caring for the natural world and helping local communities thrive in the destinations the line visits.

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Choose how you CRUISE

A choice of immersive itineraries, a variety of new ships, and a range of different activities and entertainment, means you choose how you cruise

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he beauty of a Marella cruise is flexibility. It’s entirely up to you how you cruise — whether you want to combine a cruise with a land-based holiday, or do two cruises back to back, or spend a little longer in a destination before or after your cruise, the choice is yours.

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CRUISE & STAY Here’s how Cruise & Stay works: spend a week cruising, and once you’ve returned to the home port, follow it up with three, four, or seven nights in one of Marella’s specially selected hotels.

Alternatively, you could switch it around by choosing to Stay & Cruise, setting sail after a week relaxing on the beach.

So what are the benefits of Cruise & Stay? For a start, it gives you more time to explore your favourite destination.

It’s a great alternative to the

Marella Cruises traditional two-week holiday, too – try mixing things up by combining your usual beach break with one that takes you to a new destination each day.

COMBINE CRUISES When a week at sea just doesn’t cut it, why not stay on board longer? Once your itinerary is over, you’ll remain on the ship for the next one, opening up a new range of ports. Look out for the Combine Cruises logo in the Marella Cruisesʼ brochure to see which ones can be paired up.

ADULTS-ONLY CRUISES Marella Discovery’s winter 2018 Asia itineraries are all adults-only. And the newest ship Marella Explorer 2 will be totally

a cabin-only cruise. And don’t worry, other than the journey, everything else is included.

Plus, with sailings that range from three to 25 nights, you can cruise for as little or as long as you like.

*ADDITIONAL CHARGE APPLIES

WHY NOT UPGRADE?

reserved for grown-ups, so you can hop on board adults-only cruises from Naples in summer 2019.

TOTAL FLEXIBILITY If you prefer to arrange your own flights and transfers, book

Want a fast track check-in at the port, breakfast in bed once a week, and a free clothes pressing? You get all of the above with Premier Service. On Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2, Premier Service is included when you book a variety of suites. On recently launched ship, Marella Explorer, you’ll need to book an Executive Suite, a Junior Suite or a Family Balcony Cabin. The same for Marella Explorer 2, but you’ll also get it thrown in with a Royal Suite. On Marella Dream, it’s included with Deluxe Cabins, Suites, and Grand Suites.

Deluxe Balcony Cabins and Suites come with Premier Service on board Marella Celebration.*

Southampton to the spectacular cities of Northern Europe.

MARELLA EXPLORER 2 The latest addition to the Marella Cruisesʼ fleet is Marella Explorer 2. Reserved exclusively for adults only, this stunning ship, sister ship to Marella Explorer, will be sailing from Marella’s new homeport of Naples, Italy, from May 2019, dropping in on beautiful places such as Dubrovnik, Rome and Toulon.

NEW PORTS Marella will begin sailing to eight new ports in 2019. Highlights include Skagen in Denmark, Castellon in Spain and Santa Margherita in Italy, from where you can explore pretty Portofino.

The possibilities are endless.

NO-FLY CRUISES If you would prefer not to fly to join your cruise ship, in summer 2019, Marella Explorer will sail from Newcastle and TUI Holiday Store | tui.co.uk/cruise | 0871 2302800* *calls cost 10p per minute plus your phone company's access charge

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MARELLA EXPLORER Marella Explorer 2 is Marella’ —

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elcome to a new way to explore. Escape the stresses of daily life — no commute and no chores, no children, and with everything at your fingertips, including all-inclusive drinks. If that’s your idea of a perfect holiday, then look no further than a cruise on board Marella Explorer 2. You won’t find kids’ clubs or games rooms on this ship either, because it is exclusively for adults.

Treat your taste buds at a range of restaurants, with food from around the world, including Europe and Asia. There’s no shortage of bars to relax in, either. Sip coffee as you listen to piano, or head to Indigo for a cocktail with a horizon view. And of course you’ll be treated to the great personal service that Marella Cruises is known for.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect on board:

you can find contemporary Italian restaurant Vista. Right next door is the bar, 53, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.

Snack Shack

Watch chefs whip up dishes from around the world at this buffet restaurant, which is made up of lots of different food stalls.

Food stalls, colourful beach huts and oversized deckchairs set the scene at this laidback and fun eatery. So you can look forward to delicious grab ‘n’ go breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

Thereʼs a drinks station on hand too, as well as deck bar The Shack, overlooking the pool.

Latitude 53

Surf & Turf Steakhouse

The main waiter service restaurant is a good-looking dining venue, with a gold and grey colour scheme and striking, floor-to-ceiling windows. And in the evening, this is where

With a fabulous menu featuring pork chops, lobster, grilled chicken and 28-day-aged steaks, the interiors are inspired by the meaty menu, as well, and leather booth seating.*

The Market Place

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Kora La Youʼll feel like youʼve switched continents when you dine at this restaurant. Oriental-style lanterns and paintings are paired with a pan-Asian menu of curries and noodle dishes.*

The Dining Club This fine dining restaurant was made for foodies. Youʼll

Marella Explorer 2

parlour serves up dollops of delicious ice-cream in a range of flavours. The seatingʼs just as quirky – a collection of bike seats sit facing out to sea.*

Broadway Show Lounge This two-storey show lounge rivals any Broadway theatre.

There are brand-new shows on offer, plus itʼs waiter service, so you can get a drink while you’re enjoying the entertainment without missing a thing.

Broad Street Shops When the ship is at sea, thereʼs plenty of time to hit the onboard shops for souvenirs and gifts.

be treated to high-end cuisine, making it the ideal spot for an extra special evening.*

Aperitif Smoky and fruit-infused cocktails are on the menu at this effortlessly cool speakeasy-style bar. Itʼs a great spot to head to before a gourmet meal at one of the speciality restaurants.

* EXTRA CHARGE APPLIES

Indigo Bar, Club & Casino Whether youʼre after a bar, a club or a casino, Marella’s flagship venue gives you all three, making for a great night out. During the day, you can come here to grab a drink from the impressive feature bar and soak up the 360-degree views from its top-of-the-ship location.

And then after dark, things really

start to liven up, with flare demonstrations and cocktail-making sessions. You could hit the dancefloor, or try out the slot machines and card tables at the casino.

Or simply enjoy a quiet nightcap.

Squid and Anchor Marellaʼs first pub at sea is a uniquely modern take on a traditional tavern. There are two bars to pick from – one offers premium gins and whiskies.* Plus, this place is the home of a live band and quiz nights.

Scoops For those with a sweet tooth, try Scoops. This vintage-looking

Marella Explorer 2ʼs boutiques are stocked with everyday essentials and loads of duty-free products, including perfume and jewellery. There’s also a photo studio, so you can book in for a professional photoshoot – plus you’ll have the opportunity to view and buy the photos captured by the onboard  photography team.

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And relax…

Blissful therapies and indulgence are at your facilities on Marella Explorer 2

M

arella Explorer 2 is sophistication at sea.

Book in for some first-class pampering at the Champneys Spa. Or sink into the oh-so-comfy daybeds at The Veranda — cocoon chairs and Balinese beds add to The Verandaʼs luxe atmosphere.

As the sun sets, sip a G&T and listen to music at the cruise lineʼs British pub at sea.

By evening, your at home routine will be the furthest thing from your relaxed mind.

Sequin-adorned singers and dancers take to the stage at the Broadway Show Lounge, while waiters deliver drinks to your table. And Indigo transforms itself into a nightclub with a casino to hand.

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Sleep in comfort

An Inside Deck 4/5 cabin comes as standard, but you can pay extra and upgrade to one of the many and varied suites and cabins with balconies to suit your group size.

Marella Explorer 2

Champneys Spa at Sea

Fitness at Sea

Rest and relaxation is a top priority for Marella Cruises.

Theyʼve teamed up with the UKʼs original health spa, Champneys, so you can look forward to first-class pampering on board Marella Explorer and new Marella Explorer 2.

You may have heard of Champneys City Spas and Spa Resorts, but this is the companyʼs first spa at sea.

Youʼll be able to pick from Champneys treatments, such as body wraps, facials and massages – including the signature “Marella Massage” designed exclusively for the cruise line.

At Champneys, wellness is a way of life – even when cruising. As well as beauty treatments, the full alphabet of fitness classes are available, from aquafit and Pilates to yoga. There are more out-there sessions, too, like Jumpga – a HIIT-yoga combo on mini-trampolines*.

Five Star Faciltiies This spa is bigger than any others in the Marella Cruisesʼ fleet. So you can expect treatment rooms, couplesʼ suites with private saunas, a steam room and a relaxation room with sweeping sea views.

Time to explore When the sun rises, you’ll feel primed and ready to explore.

Whizz around Rome on a Segway, admire Venice from a gondola or kayak around Dubrovnik – these are just some of the tours you can head out on when Marella Explorer 2 sets sail from Naples, Italy, in May 2019. And if you choose Marellaʼs Cruise & Stay option, thereʼll be the chance to spend time in scenic Sorrento, perfect for a romantic stroll or an Aperol Spritz overlooking the glittering bay.

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Meet the

MARELLA CRUISES’ FLEET Kidsʼ clubs and splash pools or adults-only and cool bars, Marella Cruises has ships for everyone

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ou can expect the same great service, food and entertainment on every single Marella ship.

They’ll even be All Inclusive as standard from summer 2019.

But of course, each vessel has a personality of its own. Read on to find out what’s on board each ship and where they’ll be sailing.

MARELLA EXPLORER & MARELLA EXPLORER 2 The newest ships in the Marella fleet both come with a flagship bar, club and casino called Indigo, with panoramic sea views.

Plus, they boast the biggest choice of restaurants and bars. Marella Explorer caters to families, while its sister ship, Marella Explorer 2, is adults-ups only.

MARELLA DREAM The two-storey show lounge gets all the applause on board Marella Dream.

Elsewhere, you’ll find stylish bars and lounges, and a great choice of restaurants.

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Meet the Marella Cruisesʼ fleet

Dining experience Formal or informal, buffet or à la carte, full English breakfast or continental, the best thing about the dining experience on a Marella cruise, is the great choice available to passengers. Each ship has at least three restaurants to suit different tastes and occasions.

Raise your glass

MARELLA DISCOVERY & MARELLA DISCOVERY 2 These sister ships each offer a range of restaurants, a rock-climbing wall, and state-of-the-art entertainment.

MARELLA CELEBRATION As one of the smallest, there’s a cosy feel about this ship.

Highlights include a premium coffee shop and three sophisticated à la carte eateries.

Marella doesn’t just offer a fantastic selection of restaurants, but with a choice of bars on every ship, from classy piano bars to late-night clubs, there are plenty of options for drinks, too.

That’s entertainment!

Marella Cruises is fantastic when it comes to onboard entertainment. From Broadway Shows, to live music and a nightclub, you can sing and dance the night away.

Days at sea The second day on most Marella itineraries is spent at sea, which means the time is yours to do as you like. Keep active with things like aerobics, Zumba and shuffleboard. Or take some downtime in the spa and work your way through the wonderfully relaxing menu of treatments. Onboard hosts also lead quizzes and bingo, and you can sign up for cocktail-making and wine-tasting. Do keep in mind that you will have to pay a little extra for some activities.

Make sure to check your daily Cruise News for the top events on each day.

Get the kids on board A family cruise is one of the easiest and most stress-free holidays you'll ever have.

Marella offers plenty to keep younger passenger entertained, from child-only activities on board your ship, to fun-filled excursions, making cruising with the whole family fun and  utterly unforgettable.

Where can we cruise?

Marella Cruises sails to over 200 destinations across the globe.

All you need to do is decide is where to explore next...

F

rom glaciers to volcanoes and beaches to bazaars, you can explore so much more on a Marella Cruises holiday.

Here’s your handy guide to which ships sail where.

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Explore with Marella Cruises

CARIBBEAN & CENTRAL AMERICA November 2018 – April 2019 Marella Explorer, Marella Discovery 2 and Marella Celebration Extraordinary scenery is what the Caribbean and Central America are known around the world for. There are paradise beaches on the small islands of St Kitts, St Lucia and Aruba. Thereʼs tropical jungle blanketing Costa Rica. Thereʼs stately architecture in Havana and Cartagena. And crystal waters throughout the region.

CANARY ISLANDS & MOROCCO November 2018 – April 2019 Marella Dream The landscape in this part of the globe is otherworldly. Funchal in Madeira, Portugal, is said to have gardens to rival Babylon, Agadir has perpetually moving desert sands, and Lanzarote offers lunar-like scenery.

EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN May – October 2019 Marella Discovery and Marella Celebration The cities of the Eastern Mediterranean are the patriarchs of Europe. The foundations of Athens were laid down

thousands of years ago, while Dubrovnik was born in the 7th century AD.

are all ports of call and all offer stunning architecture, a rich history and wonderful cuisine.

SCANDINAVIA AND THE BALTIC

ASIA

May – October 2019 Marella Explorer This part of the world is home to the Norwegian fjords, where tranquil waterways weave through glacier-filled valleys.

Stockholm and Reykjavik offer sights, culture and innovative cuisine. And itʼs all within easy reach of the UK.

WESTERN EXPLORER May – October 2019, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Dream The Western Mediterranean is home to many extraordinary cities. Rome, Pisa, Barcelona, Valencia and the French Riviera

November 2018 – April 2019, Marella Discovery This beautiful continent is the centre of Buddhist culture and boasts perfect beaches and incredible cuisine. Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India and Thailand are all visited.

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Choose your Marella Cruise

Choose your cruise With outstanding itineraries to choose from, the world’s your oyster with Marella Cruises Adriatic Affair Explore the Adriatic on Marellaʼs Adriatic Affair cruise on Marella Celebration. Youʼll wander through ancient cobbled streets, with architecture including its stunning 17th-century cathedral and striking gold and silver ruins. Then head for Hvar Town, a beautiful old city of ancient walls and palaces overlooking the busy bay. Experience the hustle and bustle of Anconaʼs harbour, and explore the townʼs historic landmarks, and striking Roman, Greek and gothic architecture throughout. Koper offers the perfect combination of old and new, with a maze of streets containing historic sights and modern chic shops. Departs 24 October 2019 and prices start from £928.

Treasures of the Mediterranean Discover the Treasures of the Mediterranean on board new ship Marella Explorer 2.

This blissful cruise allows you to meander along the leafy boulevards of Palma in Majorca enjoy and enjoy vibrant city life in Olbia in Sardinia. Youʼll cruise to Marellaʼs new home port of Naples to enjoy the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the rugged coastal landscape of Capri, before heading to Rome (Civitavecchia) to explore one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Ajaccio in Corsica boasts stunning coastline and

lovely coastal towns. Youʼll then head on to Spain for blissful days on sun-kissed beaches, and evenings spent enjoying local cuisine and drinks. Departs 2 April 2019 and prices start from £865.

Colourful Coasts Experience the vibrant and action-packed adventure side of cruising, with Marellaʼs Colourful Coasts itinerary on board Marella Dream. The golden dunes drenched in year-round sunshine, rugged mountains and whitewashed villages of Gran Canaria will begin your voyage. Santa Cruz De La Palma, your next stop, offers similar opportunities to explore the great outdoors, with rolling mountains, plunging valleys and sweet-smelling pine forests. Delightful Funchal, Madeira provides beautiful scenery and bewitching cobbled streets, quaint museums and buzzing café and restaurant life, then itʼs on to Agadir, Morocco, with glittering sands, souks brimming with sparkling trinkets and medinas that ring with the music of snake-charmers.

Lanzarote, with its extraordinary lunar landscape and sun-soaked beaches is the penultimate stop, before beautiful Santa Cruz de Tenerife concludes your adventure. Departs 2 February 2019 and prices start from £783.

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Adriatic Explorer For a voyage offering endless beauty, the Adriatic Explorer cruise on Marella Discovery begins and ends in vibrant Corfu. Awash with colourful flowers, Corfu boasts golden beaches, lush landscape and lovely villages. Next up is Koper in Slovenia, with meandering streets, stunning architecture and picturesque squares. Venice, Italy, with 117 islands, 150 canals and more than 400 bridges is next on the list and is guaranteed to be a highlight, followed

by Split in Croatia, where the Cathedral of St Domnius and

waterfalls at Krka are particular highlights. The ancient cities of Dubrovnik in Croatia and Kotor in Montenegro follow, with spectacular scenery to remember.

Departs 3 May 2019 and prices start from £1,083.

Exotic Explorer Travel further for guaranteed paradise beaches on Marellaʼs Exotic Explorer cruise on Marella Discovery 2. The voyage begins and ends in Montego Bay, Jamaica, you can enjoy Jamaicaʼs bubbly side in the lively north coast town has a strip full of reggae bars and Caribbean restaurants, and you can dip in and out for rum cocktails and jerk chicken. Next stop is Roatan, Honduras with its trademark white-sand beaches, coconut palms and lush green rainforest. Equally beautiful and next on the itinerary is Santo Tomas De Castilla in Guatemala, Belize City in Belize and Costa

Maya in Mexico – all offer wonderful food and welcoming people. Departs 19 March 2019 and prices start from £1,392.

Seven Shores Discover the truly blissful shores of the Caribbean, on Marellaʼs Seven Shores cruise on board Marella Explorer. Take in the unique beauty of Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent, Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Lucia and Jamaica. The islands provide perfect white sandy beaches, lush rainforest, hidden coves and crystal waters. Itʼs the trip of a lifetime. Departs 21 April 2019 and prices start from £1,392.

Choose your Marella cruise

New home in Naples For summer 2019, Marella Explorer 2 is putting down roots in Naples. This new Italian homeport guarantees a big dose of ‘la dolce vita’, with pizzeria-packed streets, sweeping sea views and a towering volcano. From this lovely port, you’ll be able to set off on wonderful European itineraries.

LIVORNO

MYKONOS TOWN

Livorno sits on Italy’s north-west coast, giving you easy access to Tuscany’s storybook cities. A drive inland will lead you past Pisa and its famous tower, before ending up in Florence. The city is a showcase for Renaissance architecture — perfect palaces, galleries and ancient churches. Explore Livorno on the Mediterranean Gems itinerary.

Greece’s designer island has a suitably chic capital. If celebrity spotting, high-end boutiques and impressive eateries are your thing, try Marella’s glorious Greek Getaway cruise. This place has traditional touches, too, like a white-and-blue colour palette with sugar cube houses and hilltop windmills. It has higgledy-piggledy lanes, ripe for exploring. Or you can retreat to a beach. There are stretches with bars and quiet coves.

SPLIT A few years ago, Split was deemed to be up-and-coming.

These days, it’s arrived. It’s even competing for Dubrovnik’s crown as Croatia’s top destination. And it won’t be long before you're thoroughly charmed on the Adriatic Splendours itinerary.

PIOMBINO Chances are you’ve probably not heard of Piombino, but this history-drenched Italian town’s your gateway to a pair of Italian heavyweights. Hop on board the Island Discovery itinerary for a chance to pose in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and admire the masterpieces in Siena Cathedral. Post-sightseeing, you can feast on Tuscan classics in little tucked-away trattorias.

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