ITTN’s Shane Cullen was on board the launch of TUI’s latest cruise ship, the Marella Voyager. The Irish travel trade and Shane joined the TUI Ireland for a 2-night trip from Malaga to Palma.
The Marella Voyager is homeporting in Palma, Majorca for Summer 2023 offering four Mediterranean itineraries, Magin of Spain, Highlights of the Mediterranean, Mediterranean Secrets and Cosmopolitan Classics. She then sails to Barbados where she will be homeporting for Winter 2023 offering three Caribbean itineraries, A Taste of the Tropics, Paradise Islands and Tropical Delights.
The Marella Voyager in Numbers
A quick glance at the key metrics onboard the Marella Voyager looks like this:
- 13 decks
- 952 cabins
- 17 restaurants
- 10 bars
- 1 pool
- 1,912 cruise passenger capacity
Staying on Board is Suite
The Marella Voyager has two Voyager Suites (Deck 10) which measure up to 35m2, fit four and benefit from Premier Services extras. Also with Premier Service are Executive Suites, Balcony Junior Suites, and Family Balcony Cabins (which sleep up to 5!).
Of the multiple other types of cabins on offer, it’s worth noting there are also Family Inside Cabins which sleep up to 5!
Dishes to Delight
There are 17 eateries to tantalise the tastebuds onboard TUI’s latest – the Marella Voyager. These serve 150+ different dishes to delight diners during their cruise.
For those not into meat, there are more than 37 new vegetarian and vegan dishes available onboard. In total, 25 per cent of the new menus will feature vegetarian dishes and 15 per cent will account for vegan options, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. From speciality vegan ice cream and lemon tarts, the menu will also include a spin on the much-loved Sunday Roast, with a full vegan roasting joint derived from oats.
Another highlight of Voyager’s food and beverage offering is The Kitchens, a new concept which features eight different eateries bringing to life classics and showcasing Indian, South Asian, Greek and Arabic flavours. The Kitchens also includes a bespoke dessert area that will test your willpower and delight your sweet tooth.
Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Cruise for TUI UK & Ireland said:
“We are so excited to present our wide range of new menus onboard Marella Voyager, which is the next exciting evolution in our fleet. With more than 150 bespoke dishes on offer, these newly developed menus feature concepts that will resonate with all. We’re bringing a twist to classic British food that we all know and love, while enticing passengers to branch out and sample something new. We understand what guests want from their cruise and what they love about our existing ships, so by ensuring we keep some Marella Cruises favourites as well as adding a different flavour to Marella Voyager, we will be providing more choices for our loyal customers and providing an exciting introduction to the brand for new customers”.
Facilities onboard Marella Voyager
Tuck in to:
Surf & Turf – the menu at this speciality restaurant includes the likes of steak, seafood, chicken and lamb dishes, as well as a long list of sides. Dining here on the first night was delicious with a very high standard of food and service. This is a must.
Latitude 53 – the ship’s main restaurant, and it’s spread across 2 storeys. It is waiter service too. Menu-wise, expect a selection of classic British dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marella has re-vamped the menu to include more vegan and vegetarian choices, dishes from the itineraries, British classics and international favourites.
Abuela’s – This eatery’s open for lunch and dinner and lines up a menu of classic Mexican options, like tacos and nachos, made with authentic ingredients.
Nonna’s – Guests can tuck into made-to-order pizza and pasta dishes for dinner and self-serve at lunchtime.
Vista – This classic Italian restaurant dishes up everything from Caprese salads and calamari to classic pasta dishes like carbonara. It’s nestled in Latitude 53, on Deck 5.
The Kitchens – This theatrical food hall houses eight different eateries, each serving something different. Guests can grab a sandwich or a salad, stop by for an ice cream, or sit down for a hearty roast dinner or an Asian-style curry.
Kora La – This swanky eatery offers up a selection of pan-Asian dishes for you to tuck into.
Chill out at:
Silver Fork – This speciality restaurant’s another Marella Voyager exclusive. The menu lines up a stack of British favourites, with an experiential twist but definitely not twisted. I savoured every bite of the beef Wellington and the apple crumble which followed.
The Summer House – This is located between Nonna’s and Abuela’s, serving up the likes of Mexican and Italian cocktails and cold beers. It’s got an indoor space with a retractable roof, plus an open-air area with top-notch views.
The Arts House – This art-themed bar’s unique to Marella Voyager. Guests can play shuffleboard or get stuck into some arts and crafts here in the daytime. Come evening, live singers and musicians take over entertainment duties.
Platter – opens late afternoons and evenings. The menu here’s designed for sharing – cruisers can pick cheese, meat or vegan boards, and there’s a wine and beer pairing list so guests can pair their tasty treats with a tipple or two.
The Exchange – This bar’s got a hidden-away feel to it, and once guests find it, they won’t want to leave. The menu’s full of unique cocktails that they won’t find elsewhere on the ship, and in the evenings, they can expect live music and immersive entertainment. The latter costs a little extra, and guests have to pre-book if they want to drink here.
Continue into the Night:
Squid and Anchor – styled to look like a traditional British pub, and lines up a drinks offering to match. In the evening, guests can enjoy everything from live bands and musicians to interactive game shows and quizzes.
Electric Rooms Bar/ Lounge, Club & Casino – the drinks menu has something for everyone, the club boasts an LED dance floor, and the casino counts blackjack and roulette among its featured games tables.
The Shack – This deck bar provides cool-down drinks, like frozen cocktails, in between sunbathing. It’s just above Snack Shack, so it features amazing views over the pool and sea. Alternatively, check out the Deck Bar beside the pool for a post-swim cocktail.
Aperitif – a drinking spot near a few of the ship’s specialty restaurants, making it a perfect pick for a pre-dinner drink. It also boasts a specialist gin and whiskey menu.
Flutes – sip glasses of champagne or prosecco while listening to the sounds of a pianist. It’s split over two floors, and there are handy ‘push for bubbles’ buttons dotted around. Champagne is not included in the All-Inclusive or Premium All-Inclusive package so charges apply.
Marella Cruises has taken two favourites from the rest of the fleet and added 10 brand new entertainment shows from Movies of the Musicals, Westend to Broadway, Diva and 80s Vision.
Occupy Your Day with:
Sunbeds on the adult-only “The Veranda”, try minigolf, chill in the pool, jet whirlpools or let the kids swim and splash in the kids’ pool.
For older kids, there is the Hideout stocked with movie screenings, games consoles and comfy chairs. During peak season, there are games and events to keep the kids captivated. M Club caters for 3-11-year-olds (free sessions) and there are even evening activities for children to enjoy such as pizza making. For those under 3, there is the Mini M Club for babies and toddlers packed with arts and crafts plus storytime sessions.
If you want to burn off the calories from dinner, there is a gym plus a top deck jogging track or if you want to relax, the Ocean Spa has a broad range of treatments.
Stay tuned to ITTN for more on Marella Voyager including the launch party and an exclusive interview with Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Cruise for TUI UK & Ireland.
