Marella · Marella · In service since 1996
Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer is a Marella cruise ship operated by Marella, in service since 1996. At about 76,998 gross tons, it carries roughly 1,870–1,924 guests and ranks #2 by size in the 5-ship Marella fleet we cover.
- 76,998 gross tons
- 1,870–1,924 guests
- 866 ft long
Photo: Anne and David from Kent, England UK, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Ship facts
- Cruise line
- Marella Cruises
- Ship class
- Marella
- Entered service
- 1996 (30 years ago)
- Gross tonnage
- 76,998
- Guests
- 1,870–1,924
- Length
- 866 ft (263.9 m)
- Speed
- 22 knots
- Builder
- Meyer Werft
- Flag
- Malta
- IMO number
- 9106297
About Marella Explorer
Marella Explorer joined Marella Cruises in 2018 after sailing as Celebrity Galaxy and then TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1, and she arrived well adapted to European holidaymakers. She is designed for British guests, with drinks and tips included, a relaxed dress code and itineraries built around fly-cruises from UK airports. Her Celebrity heritage shows in her generous public rooms and classic layout. Dining includes included restaurants plus extra-cost options such as Kora La for pan-Asian cuisine and Surf & Turf for steaks and seafood. She suits UK travelers who want an easy, all-inclusive break in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or beyond.
Best for: British couples and families who want an all-inclusive fly-cruise on a comfortable mid-sized ship.
Marella Explorer highlights
- Drinks and tips included
- Kora La pan-Asian restaurant
- Surf & Turf steak and seafood restaurant
- Spacious public rooms from her Celebrity days
- Fly-cruises from UK airports
How Marella Explorer compares in size
- Marella Voyager77,302
- Marella Explorer76,998
- Marella Explorer 272,458
- Marella Discovery69,472
- Marella Discovery 269,472
Gross tonnage measures a ship's enclosed volume, not its weight. Source: Wikidata.
Marella sister ships
Sailing with Marella
Marella Cruises is TUI’s British cruise line, built for UK holidaymakers who want a relaxed, all-inclusive fly-cruise package: drinks and tips are included as standard, and most sailings pair with flights from UK airports. Ships are mid-size and informal, with some sailing as adults-only. It is designed and sold for British travelers, so North Americans will find it hard to arrange and less tailored to their tastes.
Read our full Marella guide: dining, drinks, tipping and who it suits →
Marella Explorer FAQs
How big is Marella Explorer?
Marella Explorer measures about 76,998 gross tons and is about 866 feet (264 m) long. That makes it #2 of 5 Marella ships we cover by tonnage, and #171 among all 255 ocean cruise ships in our guide.
How many passengers does Marella Explorer carry?
About 1,870–1,924 guests, according to Wikidata's record for the ship. Cruise lines usually quote capacity at two guests per cabin; with third and fourth berths filled, the maximum is higher.
When was Marella Explorer built?
Marella Explorer entered service in 1996 and was built by Meyer Werft. Older ships are often refurbished, so ask about recent upgrades when you compare sailings.
What class of ship is Marella Explorer?
Marella Explorer belongs to Marella's Marella, alongside Marella Voyager, Marella Explorer 2, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2. Ships in the same class share a layout and most signature features.
Is Marella Explorer good for families?
Marella’s family ships run kids clubs with activities by age group, busiest during UK school holidays. Children are not allowed on adults-only ships and sailings, so check the ship and date if traveling as a family. Facilities vary by ship, so check what Marella Explorer offers for your kids' ages.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia, Marella official site.