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Is Marella Cruises Good for Solo Travellers?


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emily standing on the deck of a cruise ship looking away from the camera over the balcony towards blue sea and a small island with a castle on it. it is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above. Marella Cruises singles and solo travellers.

Questioning what travelling with Marella Cruises is like for singles and solo travellers? After spending every week cruising solo, right here’s my trustworthy assessment…

It didn’t take me very lengthy in any respect to grasp I used to be going to like cruising solo! Standing on my cabin’s balcony, looking to sea and realising that the most important determination I’d should make that day was which guide to learn first – and which patch of sunshine to lie in while studying it!

This was every week of doing precisely what I needed, after I needed, with out as soon as feeling responsible or compromising. Plenty of self-indulgent me-time – and, in contrast to my regular solo travels, all of it fully hassle-free and organised by another person!

Marella Cruises was an excellent choice for my first solo cruise. They’re recognized for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes, and there have been a great deal of social actions and meet-ups, so I by no means felt lonely. However on the identical time, the vibe onboard was tremendous relaxed and nothing felt too full-on or obligatory – so I used to be in a position to spend a number of time chilling out in precisely my very own manner, too. Briefly, one of the best of each worlds!

On this publish, I’ve tried to cowl each element of the expertise as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises. In the event you’re contemplating reserving your first solo cruise – otherwise you’ve already booked one and wish to know what to anticipate – this publish is for you. Bon voyage!

Disclaimer – my latest journey with Marella Cruises was a part of a press journey. Nevertheless, this weblog publish wasn’t requested by them and I’m writing it purely as a result of I wish to! As at all times, all phrases and opinions are my very own.

Marella Cruises for Singles and Solo Travellers

emily wearing a white dressing gown sitting alone on a grey garden chair next to a table on a cruise ship balcony with a view of the sea and a volcanic island near santorini just before sunset with golden haze and clear blue sky

Beneath, I’ve shared my experiences as a solo traveller onboard the Marella Explorer. This was on the 7-night Aegean Shores itinerary in Greece; however after chatting to fellow solo cruisers and the onboard Visitor Expertise Coordinators, this appears to be the everyday expertise for singles and solo travellers throughout all Marella Cruises…

Marella Cruises Singles Cabins

Some cruise ships have particular, smaller single-occupancy cabins onboard for solo travellers. Marella Cruises do have particular cabins for solo travellers (single cabins), however they’re precisely the identical as common cabins.

Interior of a cruise ship cabin with one brown wall and one wall clad in light coloured wood. There is a double bed with white sheets, a grey throw and three small cyan cusions in front of the two white pillows. Behind the bed a small cupboard and some shelves are built into the wall.
Balcony Cabin on the Marella Explorer. This isn’t one of many Single Cabins, however it’s the identical measurement and the same structure to an Inside Cabin.

You may normally select from a Single Inside or Single Exterior cabin they usually’re the identical measurement and setup as the usual Inside or Exterior Cabins, with double or twin beds.

The solo cabins weren’t constructed for this function, however they’re put aside particularly for single travellers. This has been finished in order that solo cruisers don’t should pay a hefty single complement as you do on different cruise traces.

High tip: There are a really restricted variety of solo cabins they usually can promote out quick, so guide as far upfront as you may.

Marella Explorer cruise ship in a bay in Kefalonia with a yellow-green grassy hill behind. The ship has a two toned blue base, white exterior and a large cyan funnel with the Tui logo on it - a red smile with a dot above one end.
Marella Explorer in Kefalonia

Is there a single complement on Marella Cruises?

The fast reply to this query isn’t any – however it’s sophisticated! Not like some cruise traces, there’s no Single Complement for solo travellers on Marella Cruises.

It is because they’ve a small variety of single cabins put aside on every ship (see above). You pay for the cabin as an entire fairly than a “per particular person” worth, so there’s no complement.

Nevertheless, a single cabin is greater than half the value of a normal cabin for 2 folks – so it seems like the one complement is constructed into the price of the room. It’s nonetheless loads lower than the one complement on many cruise traces (which typically cost as much as 100% of the cruise fare as a complement).

Listed below are a few examples to offer you an thought of worth comparisons (packages are All Inclusive as commonplace and embody flights/transfers):

  • Aegean Shores* itinerary, Marella Explorer, 9 Might 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at present £1852, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1340pp (£2679 complete). *that is the itinerary I did.
  • Paradise Islands itinerary (Caribbean), Marella Discovery, 6 February 2025. A Single Inside Cabin is at present £2101, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1510pp (£3019 complete).
  • Atlantic Islands itinerary, Marella Voyager, 3 April 2026. A Single Inside Cabin is at present £1854, whereas an Inside Cabin for 2 folks is £1216pp (£2432 complete).

High Tip: Marella Cruises usually runs particular reductions for solo travellers so maintain an eye fixed out for these. Proper now, solo cruises can save £150 on  all sailings as much as April 2026 utilizing code SOLO150.

emily wearing a long blue dress with white swirls standing on the balcony of a cruise ship looking away from the camera over the balcony towards blue sea with a view of corfu port beyong that. It is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above.

Life Aboard Marella Cruises as a Solo Traveller

Meetups and occasions for solo travellers

Nervous you’ll get lonely on a solo cruise? Don’t panic, as a result of Marella Cruises is among the greatest cruise traces for taking care of solo travellers.

After I arrived onboard, there was a particular solo cruiser welcome letter in my cabin, inviting me to a lunch meet-up:

Close up of a letter with printed text on white paper next to a pair of purple sunglasses. The text reads: Dear Guest Welcome aboard Marella Explorer We noticed you may be travelling alone and would like to invite you to our solo traveller meet-ups. These get-togethers are a great chance for you to meet other solo travellers and ourselves for a chat and an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Quite a few of our solo travellers are seasoned independent explorers and always enjoy sharing their experiences. You're welcome to join us at our solo lunch meet-up tomorrow at 12:00 in Latitude 53, to meet your fellow solo travellers. The meeting point for the lunch will be at Bar 53 (Deck5), if you would like to attend please add your name to the sign up list at Reception (Deck 5). Just to let you know, starting from tomorrow each evening we'll always meet at 18:00 in The Lounge where we'll be having solo pre-dinner drinks, so if you miss the welcome lunch you can join us any evening. If you can't make it, or if it isn't really your thing, don't worry, we're always happy to chat. Just pass by the Guest Experience desk by Reception on Deck 5 - desk opening times are listed in Cruise News. Finally, we wish you a fantastic cruise and we very much look forward to meeting you. Kind regards, Aga & Lois Guest Experience Coordinators

So, on the primary full day of the cruise, I headed alongside to the Solo Traveller Lunch in the primary eating room. The occasion (and all of the others) was organised by the ship’s two Visitor Expertise Coordinators. Aga and Lois had been completely pretty, and clearly have lots of observe at getting dialog flowing between a gaggle of strangers. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than we had been all chatting and attending to know each other over lunch.

That very same night, we met for pre-dinner drinks in one of many onboard bars (and a fast meet and greet with the ship’s surprisingly dishy captain!), earlier than heading all the way down to dinner collectively.

dark brown wood tabletop with two drinks glasses, the closest is a tall tumbler wiht an orange cocktail and ice, behind is a wine glass with red wine and several ladies out of focus in the background.
Solo traveller meetup.

After that, we met for drinks and dinner each night time of the cruise. We didn’t all be part of each night time, as a result of not one of the occasions had been obligatory, however it was pretty to have the choice of firm over dinner.

Among the solo travellers additionally met up by the pool in the course of the day or to discover the port cities collectively. Personally, I most popular to sit back and do my very own factor in the course of the day, then meet everybody up with the group within the night to swap tales about what we’d been as much as every day!

Good to Know: It’s price noting that there was nothing organised for the primary night time onboard so I needed to dine alone. I didn’t thoughts in any respect, however in the event you’re feeling nervous about travelling solo that is one thing to concentrate on.

What are the opposite solo travellers like on a Marella Cruise?

At 37, I used to be the youngest of the group of solo cruises by about twenty years. Our group was largely women aged from round mid-sixties to mid-eighties. There was additionally one man in his late fifties, however he solely got here to the primary meetup (I feel we scared him off!).

Interior of the main dining room on the Marella Explorer cruise ship, looking out from the central staircase across the dining room which is split over two levels and has a circular blue ceiling with a map of the worlf on it, the lower floor has blue pattended carpet and both levels are full of circular tables with groups of people dining at them.

Clearly, this was simply my expertise throughout a one-week cruise. Marella Cruises enchantment to an enormous vary of travellers – there was an enormous combine onboard and many younger adults (largely {couples}). A number of of the opposite women within the group had been seasoned solo travellers – they instructed me that there’s normally a greater mixture of genders, however that the ages do are typically older on the entire.

In the event you’re in your twenties, which may put you off. However I get pleasure from chatting to anybody and everybody, and I had a blast with my solo women. We had been normally those laughing (aka cackling) the loudest within the bar each night time!

Additionally – the 2 Visitor Expertise Coordinators had been a lot youthful (I’d guess twenties) they usually got here to each meet-up, so if you’re youthful you’ll seemingly nonetheless have somebody your personal age to speak to.

Solo Eating on Marella Cruises

white plate with three scallops surrounded by a smudge of cream coloured sauce, there is a glass of white wine on the table behind and white tablecloth on the table. Marella Cruises for solo travellers and singles.
Solo “date night time” within the speciality steak restaurant

Some cruise ships have a communal eating desk for solo travellers, so that you’re pressured to decide on between eating on the buffet or eating with a gaggle of strangers.

Not so with Marella Cruises, fortunately. You’re free to take a seat at a desk by yourself in the event you desire, even in the primary eating room.

High tip: There is perhaps a little bit of a wait, and you’ll’t pre-book a desk in the primary restaurant, so attempt heading for dinner both as quickly because it opens or after about 7:30pm.

In the event you don’t wish to dine alone, the solo travellers meet for drinks within the early night daily – and normally head for dinner collectively afterwards.

In the event you don’t get on with the opposite solo cruisers, otherwise you’d fairly dine at a unique time or in a unique restaurant, nobody will drive you to dine with the group! I dined with the solo traveller group for five out of seven night meals: there was no meetup on our first night time, so I dined alone, and I additionally paid for one of many speciality eating places as a particular deal with for myself.

High tip: If you end up eating solo and really feel just a little self-conscious about it, attempt taking a guide with you. I at all times discover studying distraction after I’m eating alone.

Suggestions for Cruising Solo with Marella

Tips on how to meet folks as a solo cruiser

1 – Go to the meet-ups. As I’ve shared above, Marella Cruises organise day by day meet-ups for solo travellers. In the event you’re feeling nervous, do not forget that everyone seems to be in the identical boat as you – and the Coordinators do an excellent job of getting everybody chatting! In the event you miss the primary one, don’t fear: you’ll nonetheless be greater than welcome on the subsequent.

2 – Contemplate reserving a number of excursions. I discovered many of the excursions onboard my Marella Cruise to be very fairly priced. They had been additionally an effective way to satisfy folks – I used to be chatting to strangers very quickly while wine tasting in Crete!

prow of a wooden ship sailing in very bridght blue sea wtih another wooden tall ship in the distance in front and two low rocky island beyond that. It is a very sunny day with clear blu sky above.
Excursions are a great way to satisfy fellow cruisers.

3 – Take part with the actions and courses. There appeared to be one thing happening nearly each minute of the day on my Marella Cruise. From dance courses to pool-side quizzes, there’s one thing for everybody – and these actions present the right setting for making associates. Go alongside to a category on the gymnasium, give aqua aerobics a go on the pool deck, or attempt your hand at shuffleboard!

4 – Hang around on the deck or within the bars. Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene, which signifies that many individuals guide with the intention of assembly fellow cruisers. Throughout my cruise, I discovered there have been at all times folks wanting to speak, particularly on the pool deck and the adults-only

You simply want an open thoughts and to be prepared and prepared to get chatting, and making associates onboard might be surprisingly straightforward. BUT if you wish to do your personal factor, not one of the social actions are obligatory – you’re free to laze round with a guide or headphones on in peace!

Tips on how to Make the Most of Your Solo Cruise

large empty sauna with curved wooden benches in front of large windows wiht a view of the ocean and a rocky island in the distance - Marella Explorer Ocean Spa.
I HIGHLY suggest utilizing the spa whilst you’re onboard

To start with – embrace the me-time! I LOVED chilling out alone, doing my very own factor, and being totally egocentric for every week! How usually do you get to spend all day doing precisely what you need?

Secondly, listed here are a number of of my tricks to benefit from your time onboard a Marella Cruise:

E book the spa. I believed the spa was very fairly priced: on my cruise, it was £99 for limitless entry for 7 days. If you wish to loosen up and benefit from your me-time, it’s WELL price paying for spa entry. And that is additionally one other great spot to satisfy fellow cruisers!

Splurge on a balcony. Balcony cabins clearly value a bit extra, however when you’ve got the funds I’d extremely suggest reserving one. They arrive with hammocks and/or sunloungers and make a unbelievable place for some quiet, secluded me-time. Click on right here to observe my video for a cabin tour.

Don’t be afraid to discover the port by yourself. The day by day e-newsletter and TUI’s Navigate app have a number of ideas and useful recommendation for every new port, and it’s normally very simple to get on and off the ship – ask employees for ideas in the event you’re unsure.
One among my fellow solo travellers was too nervous to get off the ship by herself and I actually felt she’d missed out. That mentioned – if you’re nervous, reserving one or two excursions means you may get out and discover while not having to organise all of it your self!

READ MORE: 7 Suggestions for Your First Cruise Solo

Marella Cruises for Solo Travellers: Fast Recap

emily wearing a long orange dress with blue and white swirls standing on the deck of a cruise ship looking away from the camera over the balcony towards blue sea. It is a very sunny day with clear blue sky above. Marella Cruises Solo Travellers
  • No single complement – and a restricted variety of Single Cabins put aside for solo travellers.
    • Nevertheless, the complement is considerably constructed into the room worth as a substitute.
  • First-day meet and greet for solo travellers and day by day night drinks meet-ups, organised by the Visitor Expertise Coordinators.
  • No obligatory shared tables at dinner, even in the primary eating room.
  • LOADS of actions, courses, and leisure to select from – a lot of them nice methods to satisfy different travellers.
  • Shore excursions are fairly priced (in contrast with different cruise traces) and an effective way to satisfy different cruisers.
  • Marella Cruises are recognized for his or her social scene and enjoyable vibes so that they’re an excellent selection if you wish to meet folks and make associates.
    • However there are nonetheless a great deal of choices in the event you simply wish to be by yourself, get pleasure from some me-time, and loosen up!

Learn Extra

7 Causes to Take a Cruise Solo

My Suggestions for Cruising Solo

Marella Explorer Assessment

I’d love to listen to about your experiences as a solo traveller with Marella Cruises! Scroll down to go away a remark…