Marella Discovery

The 1996-built (as "Splendour of the Seas") Marella Discovery 1 cruise ship (fka "TUI Discovery") is one of the Vision-class Royal Caribbean liners - with sisterships Vision OTS, Grandeur OTS, Enchantment OTS, Legend OTS (now Marella Discovery 2) and Rhapsody OTS. The vessel is fully-owned by TUI and chartered via the parent company TUI Cruises. Its operations for Marella Cruises (fka "Thomson Cruises", TUI's subsidiary company) started in June 2016, replacing Island Escape (now Ocean Gala) in the Mediterranean.

The vessel (IMO number 9070632) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 249639000) and registered in Valletta. With Royal Caribbean, Splendour of the Seas was Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311804000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises UK) is a British passenger shipping company and trademarked travel brand owned by TUI Group. The company entered the cruise market in 1973 via Thomson Holidays (now TUI UK), but due to rising fuel costs, this service was terminated in 1976. Thomson Cruises restarted passenger shipping operations in 1995. The Thomson brand was renamed to "Marella Cruises" in 2018. Marella's parent company (TUI Group) owns hotels, the sister-companies TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the travel brands International Expeditions and Zegrahm Expeditions, also aircraft and the airlines Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Nordic (Sweden), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, TUI fly the Netherlands.

The 2000-passenger ship Marella Discovery as "Splendour of the Seas" was one of RCI-Royal Caribbean's older boats. The first RCI vessels to offer balconies in a number of categories, the Vision-class ships feature acres of glass skylights allowing sunlight to flood in. A comprehensive refit in April 2016 will see Discovery transformed with a new design. Her exterior will feature a dynamic wave design to accentuate her sleek hull.

On April 13, 2016, Thomson Cruises announced that its newest fleet member will be named "TUI Discovery" (initially announced was the name "Thomson Discovery"). The "TUI Discovery" name was part of the company's re-branding and transfer from Thomson to TUI over the next 18 months and part of the strategy to introduce the TUI brand to UK clients. Marella Discovery is the first of Marella Cruises fleet to boast an all-inclusive drinks package as standard, and giving cruisers a wider choice of entertainment and dining included in the price of their vacation.

MS Marella Discovery also saw the introduction of new technology to personalize and modernize the onboard vacation experience. Passengers are now able to summon favorite tipples at the touch of a button from the sun loungers on adults-only deck "The Veranda", as well as to make entertainment-dinner-spa reservations at self-service kiosks, browse and buy photos made by professionals during the voyage. A hi-tech shore excursion shop showcases what to see in the destinations the ship visits.

Decks and Cabins

Marella Discovery staterooms (918 total) include nearly 40% of cabins with private step-out balconies. cabins are sized 150-190 ft2 (14-18 m2). There are a total of 15 cabin categories. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 17. The largest is the Royal Suite (990 ft2 / 92 m2 plus 140 ft2 / 13 m2 terrace).

The boat has 11 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 5 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Inside Marella Discovery there are a total of 8 dining venues including two brand new signature restaurants - "Gallery 47 degree" and "Snack Shack". Themed around British beach huts, the pool deck located Snack Shack is a festival-style eatery. It serves nachos and quesadillas during the day, popcorn and cocoa on film nights. Gallery 47-degree is located in the upstairs of MDR (main dining room) and serves contemporary Italian food.

Follows the complete list of Marella Discovery restaurants and food bars.

• Main Restaurant (Main Dining Room, complimentary, open-seating; offers buffet-style Breakfast 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. and Lunch 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. and waiter-served, multi-course Dinner 6:15 - 10:00 p.m.; once per week hosts the formal dress-code events Captain's Gala Dinner and Captain's Gala Reception, both with fixed dining times)
• Chef's Table (specialty, reservations-only, part of the MDR; opens at 7:00 p.m., with a 5-course gourmet dinner; guests can watch the chef preparing food in front of them)
• Gallery 47 (the signature restaurant inside the Main Restaurant; serves contemporary Italian specialties)
• Lido Restaurant (550-seat Lido buffet, open for Breakfast 7:00 -10:00 a.m., Lunch 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Dinner 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. and Late Night Snacks 9:30 - 12:00 p.m.; complimentary, with various food stations)
• Snack Bar (Snack Shack; complimentary deli restaurant; serves the outdoor pool deck area)
• A La Carte Restaurant (alternative dining venue; features International cuisine; part of the Sky Lounge; cover charges apply).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Marella Discovery is currently the largest in Marella's fleet. The ship features multiple dining options (7 restaurants, 8 bars), a rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course, casino, and indoor pool. The Broadway Show Lounge has an 800-plus capacity and plush seating. The Outdoor Movie Screen is a debut for Marella Cruises. It's an open-air cinema for movies under the stars.

Follows the complete list of Marella Discovery lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Broadway Show Lounge (802-seat, features grand production shows with dance, acrobatics, comedy, and games)
• Cocktail & Piano Bar (104-seat)
• Lounge (338-seat live show entertainment venue; during the day hosts bingo sessions, karaoke events, dance parties, art auctions, game shows)
• Broad Street Shops (duty-free shopping arcade with boutiques selling watches, fine jewelry, Marella Cruises logo merchandise, luxury perfumes, fashion clothes, liquor, tobaccos, convenience goods); Boutique (luxury Spa cosmetics, beauty products)
• Photo Gallery & Shop
• Library with Internet access
• Atrium (5-deck high social hub; served by the Atrium Bar)
• The Coffee Port (12-seat bar for specialty coffees and teas served with complimentary desserts)
• Casino (240-seat; served by its own Bar)
• Main Pool area (kids pool, 4 whirlpools, sunbathing area; served by an alfresco Pool Bar)
• Outdoor Movie Screen (outdoor cinema with a large LED screen for live shows, sporting events, movie projections)
• Observatory Deck (indoor observation lounge with 270-degree panoramic views)
• Sky Lounge & Bar (top-deck observation lounge area served by the Sky Bar)
• Marella Kids' Club (play area, complimentary; offers supervised age-appropriate activities for kids 3-11 yo); Video Games Arcade
• Solarium (adults-only relaxation area with a swimming pool, two Whirlpools, tennis tables; covered with a glass roof)
• Oceans Spa & Gym (Wellness Centre: Treatment Rooms, Sauna, Steam Room, Beauty Salon, Relaxation Area; The Gym is Marella Cruises fleet's largest and has a separate Aerobic Studio)
• Cafe (serves the Spa complex; offers fresh juices and healthy food menu)
• Sports Deck (outdoor area with tennis tables); Jogging Track; Greens (9-hole Mini-Golf Course); Rock Climbing Wall.

Following drydock 2021 refurbishment, the cruise ship now has "The Glass House" - a redesigned (beach club-style) pool deck (aft on Deck 9) with an indoor swimming pool and an a-la-carte-priced restaurant. By this refurbishment project, the entire Sundeck was revamped and redesigned by adding new cabana-style day beds, premium garden furniture (sun loungers, 4-seat dining tables, sofas, deckchairs). The swimming pool's tiles were changed, as well as the wall coverings, all the outdoor deck flooring, new lighting was installed (with different mood lights in the evenings). The Glass House also offers a-la-carte dining with two menus - deli-style food (during the day) and tapas-style menu when in the evenings transforms into a casual restaurant.

The Glass House Restaurant features a glass ceiling ensuring plenty of natural light at the all-day eatery, open for breakfast (7-10.30 am) serving a Continental buffet and juices. Sandwiches and salads are on offer for most of the day (11 am - 6 pm). The free option for dinner (6:30-9:30 pm) includes a choice of sharing platter, a selection of Spanish-style tapas, as well as a pizza with a variety of toppings.

Since November 2022, Marella UK (via partnership with OneSpaWorld Holdings/health and wellness company) provides ocean-inspired wellness products and services on all its ships. The range of OneSpaWorld's services includes Ocean Body Treatments (massages and polishes), Ocean Facial, Ocean Salon Services. On Marella ships, OneSpaWorld uses premium beauty brands like Elemis, L'Oreal, Kerastase. The brands owned by OneSpaWorld include Mandara Spa, Bliss Spa, Chavana Spa, Glow Spa.

Itineraries

Marella Discovery itinerary program started in June 2016 with the Inaugural Cruise from Palma de Mallorca. In 2017, the liner had scheduled Mediterranean 7-day itineraries from Palma, followed by a winter season in the Caribbean with roundtrips from homeport Bridgetown Barbados.

In May 2018, Marella Discovery started roundtrips from a UK homeport - Newcastle (Port of Tyne). The itinerary program included Norwegian Fjords, Scandinavia and Russia, Iceland and visits to some of the largest Baltic port cities - Stockholm, Tallinn, Sankt Petersburg, Oslo, Helsinki, Rostock. In September 2018, Marella Discovery was homeported in Southampton England for 4x roundtrip itineraries (themed "Baltic Treasures", "European Experience", "Fantastic Fjords", "Seeking the Northern Lights").

Following the Coronavirus crisis, Marella Discovery restarted voyages in September 2021 with roundtrips from Corfu Island (Port Kerkyra, Greece). Program 2021 included 3x 7-day itineraries:

• "Iconic Islands" (Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Chania Crete, Katakolon-Olympia)
• "Aegean Discovery" (Chania Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Piraeus-Athens, Katakolon-Olympia)
• "Aegean Shores" (Heraklion, Santorini, Rhodes, Piraeus-Athens, Zakinthos)

Followed the Caribbean 2021-2022 season with homeporting in Bridgetown Barbados.

In 2021, the liner had to be homeported in Florida USA (Port Canaveral/Orlando City) offering 4 new Caribbean itineraries with 11 different call ports and 26 departures (May 2nd through October 24th/2021). The ex-Florida roundtrips were 7-day and 14-day/B2Bs. However, this program was canceled and rescheduled for 2023 (May 7th through Oct 22nd).

Marella Discovery 1's Caribbean program with homeporting in Port Canaveral (Terminal 5) was based on 4 itineraries and 11x different call ports.

• "American Dream" and "Big Apple Adventure" itineraries are with an overnight in NYC.
• The "Sunshine States and Sands" itinerary visits Miami, Grand Turk Island, Amber Cove Dominicana, Key West FL.
• The "Floridian Favorites" itinerary (7- and 14-night roundtrips) features an overnight in Tampa and visits Nassau.

These Caribbean itineraries were also offered with extensions/cruise-and-hotel packages in Orlando City.

In 2023, Marella Discovery completed 28 Caribbean sailings and served a total of 85,533 passengers (embarking or disembarking). Most itineraries were 7 nights.

The ship's powerplant is based on Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 12V46) with combined power output 57,5 MW (77110 hp).

The vessel has Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard/hull number 103348, volume 69472 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 5200 tons, max draught 8,1 m.

Marella Discovery cruise ship (fka "Splendour of the Seas" and "TUI Discovery") was acquired by Marella in March 2015. The next month, the company revealed the name of its latest fleet addition - "Thomson Discovery". However, in mid-April 2016, the parent company TUI Cruises decided to change the vessel's name to "TUI Discovery". The reason for the change was introducing the TUI brand to the UK market.

Discovery 1 joined Marella's fleet on June 9, 2016. The ship is the line's biggest ever (with 915 staterooms, 40% of which with private balconies). Other best features are the multiple dining options, mini-golf course, casino, indoor swimming pool. The Broadway Show Lounge has 800+ capacity. The transformed Splendour OTS is also Marella's first liner with Outdoor Movie Screen and Rock-Climbing Wall, and the line's first ship to be operated with an all-inclusive drink package included as a standard amenity.

Following the GBP 10 million drydock refurbishment at Navantia shipyard (Cadiz Spain), Marella Discovery's christening ceremony was held on June 9, 2016, in Palma (Majorca Island, Spain). The naming ceremony was attended by 600+ suppliers, travel agents, and news media representatives. Twin godmothers for the event were two crew members - bar waitress (Philippines) and head waiter (east India). There was an after-party held on the ship's top deck, with traditional music and dances from the countries part of the Marella UK's cruise itineraries - Caribbean, Greece, France, Italy, Middle East, Spain. The naming ceremony was headed by the UK singer Jess Glynne, who also performed with the ship's own music band in a 30 min open deck show.

The Apollo Group company was contracted for providing both Marella Discovery ships with the entire onboard hotel product and services. This includes administration, food staff (preparation and serving), housekeeping staff, also the vessel's provisioning and crewing. Apollo also assisted in the refit and refurbishment of the former Legend of the Seas (done in Singapore). For Marella Cruises, Apollo Group is also managing the ships Marella Celebration and Marella Dream. Other luxury cruise lines served by Apollo are Oceania (6 ships fleet) and RSSC-Regent Seven Seas (4 ships fleet).

Ex-Florida USA itineraries 2023

In 2021, Marella UK planned to deploy the Discovery ship in the Caribbean with homeporting in Florida USA (Port Canaveral/Orlando City). The program was based on 4 new itineraries (11 different call ports) and a total of 26 departures (May 2 through October 24, 2021). The ex-Florida roundtrips were 7-day and 14-day/B2Bs. However, this program was canceled and rescheduled for 2023 (May 7 thru Oct 22).

Marella Discovery 1's Caribbean 2023 program from Port Canaveral (Terminal 5) included 4 different itineraries - "American Dream" and "Big Apple Adventure" (NYC/overnight), "Sunshine States and Sands" (visits Miami and Key West) and "Floridian Favorites" (7- and 14-night roundtrips visiting Fort Lauderdale and Tampa/overnight).

Next tables show the itineraries' call ports and times.

7-day "Sunshine State And Sands" itinerary

7-day "American Dream" itinerary

7-day "Floridian Favourites" " itinerary

14-day "East Coast Adventure" itinerary (Canada and New England USA)

Marella's ex-Florida voyages also can be extended with cruise-and-hotel packages in Orlando City.

Followed the 2023-2024 winter season based on 7-day Caribbean roundtrips from Bridgetown Barbados.

Marella Discovery refurbishments review

For drydock 2022 (November, at Navantia Shipyard) was contracted MJM Marine Ltd (part of MJM Group/Northern Ireland) for extensive outfitting of all passenger staterooms. The refurbishment project also included new cabin bathrooms and UV-free Antimicrobial Light technology (by Vyv Tech, NY USA) installed in all wet units by a team from LightPartner Lichtsysteme GmbH (Bremen, Germany)

Following drydock 2021 refurbishment, the ship now has "The Glass House" - a redesigned (beach club-style) pool deck (aft on Deck 9) with an indoor swimming pool and an a-la-carte-priced restaurant.

By refurb project 2021, the entire Sundeck was revamped and redesigned by adding new cabana-style day beds, premium garden furniture (sun loungers, 4-seat dining tables, sofas, deckchairs). The swimming pool's tiles were changed, as well as the wall coverings, all the outdoor deck flooring, new lighting was installed (with different mood lights in the evenings).

The Glass House also offers a-la-carte dining with two menus - deli-style food (during the day) and tapas-style menu when in the evenings transforms into a casual restaurant.

Itineraries 2016

In 2016, Marella Discovery offered 7-day Western Mediterranean roundtrips from Spain (Palma De Mallorca). Prices started from USD 740 per person.

Follows the list of itineraries (ports of call) out of Palma:

• Itinerary 1 (French Riviera cruises) 7-night to Corsica (Ajaccio), Rome (Civitavecchia port), Livorno (port to Florence/Pisa), France (St Raphael) and Barcelona.
• Itinerary 2 ("Cosmopolitan Classics") 7-night to Sicily (Messina), Naples, La Spezia, France (Villefranche port/ to Nice) and Spain (Palamos).
• Itinerary 2 ("Cosmopolitan Classics") 7-night to Sicily (Messina), Naples, La Spezia, France (Villefranche port/ to Nice) and Spain (Barcelona).
• Itinerary 3 ("Magic of Spain") 7-night to Spain (Cadiz /port to Seville), Portugal (Lisbon), UK (Gibraltar), Spain (Malaga, and Cartagena).
• Itinerary 3 ("Magic of Spain") 7-night to UK (Gibraltar), Portugal (Lisbon) and Spain (Cadiz/Seville, Malaga, and Cartagena).

Winter 2016-2017 Caribbean itineraries (7-night roundtrips from Barbados) visit ports in Martinique (Fort de France), Dominica (Roseau), Guadeloupe (Pointe a Pitre), St Lucia (Castries), St Vincent (Kingstown) and Grenada (St George). This itinerary is without any days at sea.

In 2018, Marella Cruises for the first time ever homeported ship in the UK. That was Marella Discovery in Newcastle UK (from May 2018). The ship operated on Iceland and Baltic Sea cruises (to Scandinavia, Russia, Norwegian Fjords) visiting major port cities, including Stockholm, Tallinn, Reykjavik, St Petersburg. In September 2018, the ship was repositioned to Southampton England for 4 itineraries themed "Baltic Treasures", "European Experience" (Germany, Belgium, France, Amsterdam overnight), "Fantastic Fjords" (Norway) and "Northern Lights".

Splendour Of The Seas ship

Follows the table with information regarding the previously named "Splendour Of The Seas" vessel.

• Passenger decks: 10
• Cabin grades number: 26
• Total number of cabins: 902 (of which 87 Suites, 144 Balcony rooms)
• Dining Rooms: King & I
• Restaurants and food bars: Windjammer (buffet), Park Cafe (deli), Chops Grille (steakhouse), Izumi (Asian), Dog House
• Lounges & Bars: Top Hat, Viking Crown (nightclub), Concierge, Diamond, Optix (teen), Adventure Ocean (kids), Schooner, R Bar, Cafe Latte-tudes, Ben & Jerry's, poolside bars
• Amenities: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Adventure Ocean (Youth program), Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.
• Vitality at Sea Spa, 6 jacuzzis, 3 pools, Rock-climbing Wall, Nursery
• Splendour was built in 1996 by the French shipbuilding company Chantiers de l'Atlantique (now part of STX France). The ship's godmother is Lise Wilhelmsen, the wife of Arne Wilhelmsen (yet another member of the Board of Royal Caribbean). Maiden Voyage began on the 31st of March, 1996.

RCI scheduled Splendour OTS drydock refurbishment for November 2013 (for the first time) to restructure this vessel effectively and quickly. Most of the public spaces were stripped down to steel and renovated, on many places new venues reappeared. One of the fun facts is that the renovation also resulted in 450 garbage containers full of the old Splendour's "not fun anymore" stuff. The Atrium was majorly changed, also every passenger room was completely renovated, including their bathrooms. New 124 balcony cabins were installed as well.

The 2013 refit was done in Cadiz, Spain. On Splendour OTS' latest transformation Royal Caribbean used 800 of the boat's own crew, plus 200 crew from other RCI ships. It was all done with the help of nearly 800 contractor firms, plus 200 of the Cadiz shipyard's workers.

One of the latest "gadget perks" found on Splendour OTS is the iPad in each cabin. Guests can order snacks from the room service menu to their rooms even at night, also to check their bills, make restaurant reservations, or just surf the Internet. Splendour features the RCI's signature rock-climbing and ice-skating activities, an 18-hole mini-golf course, a family pool deck, digital "Wayfinder" signage.

Splendour Of The Seas Itineraries 2016

Splendour OTS left the RCI fleet in April 2016. The last Royal Caribbean cruise was on April 4th - a 16-day Suez Canal transition from Dubai to Venice.

Follows the list of the vessel's last RCI itineraries (a roundtrip out of Dubai and the relocation to Europe) with indicative prices PP.

6-day roundtrip to Asia/Africa/M.E. from Dubai - Mon Mar 28 06:00pm (Dubai, departing), Tue Mar 29 08:00am to 05:00pm (Khasab), Wed Mar 30 09:00am to Thu Mar 31 06:00pm (Muscat), Fri Apr 01 (At Sea), Sat Apr 02 08:00am to 06:00pm (Abu Dhabi), Sun Apr 03 08:00am (Dubai, arrive) - prices started from Inside $780, Outside $940, Balcony $1570, Suite $2370.

16-day one-way to Asia/Africa/M.E. from Dubai - Mon Apr 04 06:00pm (Dubai, departing), Tue Apr 05 to Wed Apr 06 (At Sea), Thu Apr 07 08:00am to 08:00pm (Salalah), Fri Apr 08 to Mon Apr 11 (At Sea), Tue Apr 12 01:00am to 03:00pm (Transit the Suez Canal), Tue Apr 12 05:00pm to 09:00pm (Port Said), Wed Apr 13 08:00am to 08:00pm (Ashdod), Thu Apr 14 08:00am to 05:00pm (Haifa), Fri Apr 15 (At Sea), Sat Apr 16 08:00am to 06:00pm (Thira/Santorini), Sun Apr 17 06:00am to 08:00pm (Athens/Piraeus), Mon Apr 18 to Tue Apr 19 (At Sea), Wed Apr 20 06:15am (Venice, arrive) - prices started from Inside $960, Outside $1250, Balcony $2160.

These were the ship's last cruises in 2016 for the RCI-Royal Caribbean company.