The Tui-owned line will welcome Marella Voyager – currently Tui Cruises’ Mein Schiff Herz – in June 2023 with the vessel operating its debut season from Palma sailing the Mediterranean.
Originally built as a Century-class ship in 1997, Voyager will have the same guest capacity as Marella’s Explorer and Explorer 2 at around 1,900 passengers.
Once refit, Voyager will feature 10 all-inclusive bars and lounges and 10 eateries – with “at least eight” new venues and concepts including a new Mexican dining option and a “discreet” speakeasy bar.
Chris Hackney, managing director of cruise at Tui UK and Ireland, said the ship would “replicate” venues “guests know and love”, such as Marella’s Surf and Turf restaurant and Broadway Show Lounge, while introducing fresh concepts.
“We’re really excited, and it’s a great addition to our fleet,” he said, revealing the news to media on Wednesday evening (13 October).
“Voyager is a similar size to the ships we already have and we’ll have a consistent product offering across the fleet as well as fresh ideas.
“There will be a lot of similarities in terms of the core fundamentals – all-inclusive and family friendly – and it gives us the chance to come into the market with something new and something to build on after what will hopefully be a successful summer next year.”
Hackney said Marella had seen “strong booking numbers” for summer 2022 and would be operating its full four-ship fleet with the return of Marella Discovery 2 in March.
He said the line hoped to see the market “coming back fully” in 2023 and the timing of the launch of Voyager would “work very well”.
The ship’s debut season will go on sale from 4 November.
Meanwhile, Marella has confirmed it will operate new US-based itineraries during summer 2023 – with cruises featuring overnight stays in New York, Tampa and New Orleans.
Marella Discovery will homeport from Florida’s Port Canaveral and call also Charleston, Miami and parts of the Caribbean during its stateside stay.
Hackney said although plans to offer the US had previously been announced in late 2019, the pandemic had meant a delayed launched.
He added how offering new destinations was important for Marella customers based on company research and that the itineraries would give guests “a true flavour of the US”.
Packages with Tui flights to Florida will be offered, allowing cruise guests to have pre- and post-cruise stays.
“We have customers who are already really excited about this and we had strong bookings at the time [it was announced] and we know this what they want,” added Hackney.
The new itineraries – Sunshine and Jazz, Sunshine State and Sands, Floridian Favourites and American Dream – go on sale on 4 November.
