Marella Voyager

The 1997-built Marella Voyager cruise ship (fka Mein Schiff Herz, and the old "Mein Schiff 2") was originally ordered and launched for Celebrity Cruises under the name Celebrity Mercury. The liner joined TUI Cruises (as "Mein Schiff 2") in 2009 and in 2019 was renamed "Mein Schiff Herz", after the newbuild Mein Schiff 2 took the old name upon entering TUI's fleet.

The vessel (IMO number 9106302) is currently Malta-flagged (MMSI 249053000) and registered in Valletta.

In mid-October 2021, TUI announced that in 2023 Schiff Herz will be transferred to Marella Cruises UK. The last voyage for TUI was scheduled for April 6, 2023.

Following a major drydock in 2023 (April-May), the ship (renamed Marella Voyager) started operations for Marella UK on June 3, 2023 (maiden Voyage).

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 vessel was delivered on November 2, 1997, as Celebrity Mercury. It was decommissioned in February 2011 and transferred to TUI in March 2011. In March-May 2011, the ship was in drydock (at Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven) and officially christened (Mein Schiff 2) on May 14, 2011. The 2011 rebuilding project cost the shipowner around EUR 50 million

The 1900-passenger ship Celebrity Mercury debuted in 1997 as the last of all three Century-class boats. The sisterships (Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Century) are currently named Marella Explorer (formerly Mein Schiff 1) and Marella Explorer 2 (formerly SkySea Golden Era).

Mein Schiff Herz entered service for TUI with passenger capacity 1912 (double occupancy/lower berths) and 956 staterooms (652 outside, of which 427 with balconies). Marella Voyager's capacity is 1904 passengers (952 staterooms).

After starting operations for TUI, Schiff 2 was homeported in Germany (Hamburg and Kiel) in 2011-2012. In the period Fall 2012 through November 2013, the boat was deployed in the Mediterranean. During winter were operated Caribbean cruises. For winter 2014-2015 season, the liner was deployed to Middle East (Arabian Sea) for roundtrips from Dubai.

In May 2015, RCCL decided to transfer the liner to Thomson Cruises (now Marella, within TUI Group) in 2019 under the name "TUI Explorer 2". Initially was announced that in March 2019, the old Schiff 2 (Herz) will be transferred to Marella as "Marella Explorer 2". In March 2018, TUI announced that it will stay in TUI fleet. The new name "Mein Schiff Herz" was announced in late-April.

Decks and Cabins

Marella Voyager staterooms (956/952 total) include 51x Suites and 376x Balcony cabins, with all 17 categories. The largest are the Ina Muller Themen Suites/Voyager Suites on Deck 10 - sized (530 ft2 / 49 m2 plus 140 ft2 / 13 m2 terrace).

All passenger staterooms offer as standard/complimentary amenities 2x single beds (1x Queen-size double bed convertible to twins), bedside cabinets (with drawers and reading lamps), sofabed (and/or 1-2 Pullman beds/fold-down beds), smart HDTV (satellite reception, infotainment system with on-demand movies, Internet, ship info channel), direct dial phone, wardrobe, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), minibar, Nespresso coffee machines (2x capsules are included per day), water carafe with glasses, mirrored dressing table (writing desk) with chair, en-suite bathroom (wall mounted toilet/WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, bath products - shower gel, shampoo, conditioner), individually controlled air-conditioning, 24-hour room service.

The boat has 13 decks of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 6 with cabins.

(Marella Voyager ship review) Onboard facilities and amenities

In July 2022, Marella announced that the Voyager ship will have the fleet-firsts/new venues "Silver Fork" (a British-themed specialty restaurant), The Arts House (an art-themed bar where passengers can play shuffleboard and enjoy arts and crafts during the day, and live music performances in the evenings) and "The Kitchens" (a theatrical food hall that combines 8 separate eateries offering a wide variety of food - salads, sandwiches, roasts, desserts, ice cream).

DINING VENUES

The dining scene packs in a variety of restaurants (a total of 16 dining venues), such as waiter-service specialty spots, a self-service buffet, and grab-and-go snacks. Marella Voyager boasts some exclusive eateries like its Mexican Restaurant, the only one of its kind in the fleet. When it comes to bars, Marella Voyager's line-up ticks off everything from Squid & Anchor (the popular British-style pub) to the stylish Speakeasy Bar (new venue).

Abuela's (deck 11) is a new for Marella eatery open for lunch and dinner, which lines up a menu of classic Mexican foods, such as tacos and nachos, all made with authentic ingredients.

Platter (deck 7) is open late afternoons and evenings. The menu is designed for sharing and there is a wine list so guests can pair their tasty treats with a tipple or two. Reservations are recommended.

The Kitchens (deck 11) is made up of 8 different eateries. Guests can grab a salad or sandwich, stop by for ice cream or sit down for an Asian-style Curry or a roast dinner.

Snack Shack (deck 11) is the spot for bites to eat by the pool. It is nestled on the pool deck and offers grab 'n' go snacks and light options throughout the day.

Vista Room (deck 5) is in Latitude 53 (main dining room). In the evenings, it changes into a classy Italian restaurant with a menu of regional dishes all made with authentic ingredients.

Surf & Turf (deck 7) is a steakhouse/specialty restaurant offering premium seafood, chicken, lamb, steaks, various gourmet dishes, as well as a list of sides. There is a charge to dine here and reservations are recommended.

Latitude 53 (decks 5-6) is the main restaurant, spread across 2 floors. It is all waiter service here, and the floor-to-ceiling windows provide top-class views. Guests can expect a selection of classic British dishes.

Silver Fork (deck 5) is a specialty restaurant and another Marella Voyager exclusive. Its menu includes British favorites with a contemporary twist. There is a charge to dine here. Reservations are recommended.

Nonna's (deck 11) offers made-to-order pizza and pasta dishes for lunch and dinner along with many more Italian specialties for lunch and dinner.

Kora La (deck 7) is a firm Marella Cruises favorite. The eatery offers a selection of pan-Asian dishes. This is one of the ship's specialty restaurants, so there is a charge to dine here. Reservations are recommended.

ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

Marella Voyager's Broadway Show Lounge is big enough to rival the theatres in London's West End, and the shows are best-in-class. There are 11 productions throughout their voyage, with two showings every evening. Alternatively, guests are able to head to the Squid & Anchor Pub for a game show or a quiz. They can make their way to the Bar, Club and Casino, and let loose on the dancefloor or try their luck at the blackjack/roulette tables.

The Cinema (deck 6) screens a variety of Hollywood classic films along with the latest movie releases throughout the day and in the evenings.

Squid and Anchor (deck 7) is styled to look like a traditional British pub. In the evening, guests can enjoy everything from interactive game shows and quizzes to live bands and musicians.

The Sushi Bar is a specialty restaurant that serves sushi, sashimi, and nigiri that are prepared right in front of your eyes. It also serves cooked Japanese dishes, dim sum, desserts, and beverages. There is a charge to dine here, reservations are recommended.

Bar 53 (deck 5) is right by the main dining room, so it is the ideal place for pre-dinner drinks.

The Exchange (deck 8) has got a hidden-away feel. The menu offers unique cocktails that are not available elsewhere on the ship. In the evenings, guests can expect immersive entertainment and live music. There is a charge here and reservations are recommended.

Flutes (deck 5) is where guests can sip glasses of Champagne/Prosecco while listening to a pianist. It is split over 2 floors, and there are "push for bubbles" buttons around.

The Shack (deck 12) is a drinking hole that looks out over the pool deck and features a drinks menu of classic alcoholic options, frozen cocktails, and soft drinks.

Electric Rooms Bar/Lounge, Nightclub & Casino (deck 12) offers a drinks menu that has something for everyone, the club has an LED dancefloor, and the casino counts blackjack/roulette among the featured games tables.

The Arts House (deck 6) is an art-themed bar unique to Marella Voyager. Passengers can play shuffleboard or get stuck into some arts & crafts here in the daytime. Come evening, live musicians and singers take over.

Broadway Show Lounge (decks 6-7) offers shows that are well worth a shout-out, 11 in total, with 2 performances per night.

Aperitif (deck 7) is a drinking spot near a few of the specialty restaurants, making it a pick for pre-dinner drinks. The Aperitif Bar also has an extensive gin and whiskey menu.

OTHER ONBOARD AMENITIES (wellness/Spa & fitness, pools, shopping, sports, kids-teens)

The Coffee Port is a one-stop shop for hot drinks/sweet treats. Luxurious Lavazza is on the menu, alongside a selection of pastries, cakes, and other confectioneries. Drinks here are only included as part of the line's Premium Drinks Package.

The Deck Bar is next to the pool, making it the best watering hole for post-swim cocktails.

The Summerhouse (between Abuela's and Nonna's) is a bar specializing in cold beers and Mexican cocktails. It has an indoor space (covered by a retractable roof) and an open-air seating area.

The Crazy Golf (on the top deck) is where vacationers can work on their putting skills during a round on the mini-golf course.

The Medical Centre/Infirmary on deck 4 has resident English-speaking physicians and nurses on 24-hour duty, also providing prescriptions and consultations.

The Broad Street Shops sell duty-free merchandise and have everything from in-fashion perfumes to classy jewelry and plenty of souvenirs. Since July 2023, Marella Voyager's onboard retail shops are managed by Harding+ (UK-based travel and cruise retail group). On the ship were also introduced new brands like Fable (British-themed fashion accessories and jewelry), Pandora (jewelry), Rolex (Swiss watches), TAG Heuer (luxury chronograph Swiss watches), Thought Clothing UK (women's garments made from sustainable fibers/cotton, wool, hemp, bamboo).

• Note: In 2020, Harding was acquired by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP (1983-founded, NYC-based investment management firm with USD 34+ billion in managed assets).
• Harding has hubs in Bristol (England), Miami (Florida USA) and Sydney (NSW Australia).

The Reception is open 24/7, so the friendly team is always on hand to help with any queries.

The Destination Services on deck 5 is where passengers can book a place on one of the line's shore excursions, or find out more about the ports they'll visit.

The Cruise Holiday Store on deck 6 is where vacationers can book another cruise while they are at sea.

The Photo Studio is where guests can schedule a professional photo shoot with one of the onboard photographers. There are many kiosks dotted around the vessel to view and buy any pictures taken during the sessions.

The Hideout (teen lounge) is a hangout spot for older children and teenagers. It is loaded with game consoles and comfy chairs. In the high season, it hosts supervised organized games and events.

M Club (kids lounge) features games and activities for the little ones hosted by the M Crew cast of characters exclusive to Marella. There are many evening activities, too like pizza-making sessions and movie nights.

Mini M Club is the ship's nursery where babies and toddlers can relax and play. It hosts various youngster-friendly activities, such as story time sessions and arts & crafts.

The Gym is where guests can work out with a sea-view backdrop. It has everything needed for a full-body workout, including cardio machines and strength-training gear.

The Pool is the site for a lot of the action on Marella Voyager. Passengers can get involved with the daily entertainment schedule here or enjoy a relaxing soak.

The Kids' pool is reserved for littler cruisers, and it is the perfect size to enjoy a cool-down splash.

Two whirlpools are available next to the outdoor pool. Each one is fitted with water jets.

Spa & Beauty Salon. The treatment menu includes all the usuals, from manicures and pedicures to facials and massages. 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.

The Veranda is at the front of the ship, providing a selection of Balinese beds. It is in a spot that offers first-class views, and the call-for-drinks buttons give it a luxe feel.

The Jogging Track is found on the top deck, meaning guests can count their steps and enjoy some fresh air while taking in the beautiful sea views.

(Mein Schiff Herz ship review) Onboard facilities and amenities

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff Herz restaurants and food bars.

• Atlantic Classic (950-seat, complimentary main dining room (of all three) for buffet-style Breakfast and waiter-served Lunch and Dinner. Some menu inclusions are at extra charge.
• Richards (aka Fine Dining/65-seat dinner restaurant, reservations required, at surcharge PP)
• Dinnerzimmer (private dining annex to the Steakhouse restaurant)
• Surf und Turf (specialty seafood and steakhouse restaurant)
• Blaue Welt Bar (45-seat sushi bar at a surcharge, dinner-only between 6:30-11 pm.)
• Anckelmannsplatz buffet restaurant (412-seat, with partially covered outdoor area for al-fresco dining; complimentary, self-service, with various food stations)
• GOSCH Sylt (80-seat complimentary seafood restaurant, a la carte menu; with outdoor seating area)
• Cliff Grill 24 (24-hour, 40-seat complimentary Grill Bar, serving the pool deck area)
• La Vela (66-seat complimentary bistro)
• Aussenalster Bar (97-seat complimentary al fresco dining and sports bar with 153-seat outdoor seating area).

Almost all beverages, food and gratuities are included in cruise ticket prices. The aft-located Diamond Bar (at the rear) offers classy evening entertainment. The Show Lounge presents musicals, acrobatics, magic and stand-up comedy shows. Disco dancing in AbtanzBar in the evenings is among the most popular onboard activities.

The ship has Sea Spa (with beauty salon and saunas) and a large fitness area (also used for aerobic classes). The wellness area consists of a steam room and a large sea-view sauna room. Sport-themed excursions are offered during port days and include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, paddle boating.

Follows the complete list of Mein Schiff 2 lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Theatre (main show lounge for grand-style show productions / 2 nightly shows; had a revolving stage and eight dynamic LED screens)
• Internet computers room
• Sturmfrei (Teens Lounge featuring video gaming consoles, dance floor, foosball table, activities like karaoke, cooking classes, teen parties, movies, etc.)
• Atelier (Workshop/art studio for painters); Art Gallery; Fotogalerie (Photo Gallery); Library/Bibliothek
• Meerleben (Sea Life - the first-at-sea marine life and maritime dedicated area)
• Wein und Wahrheit Vinothek (20-seat fine wine shop)
• Schau Bar (248-seat cocktail bar with outdoor seating area for 18 guests)
• The Neuer Wall shopping arcades
• Blaue Welt (Bar Lounge), TUI Bar; Unschlag Bar (60-seat sports bar); Uberschau Bar (50-seat wellness bar with a "healthy drinks" menu)
• Himmel und Meer Lounge (Suite Guests only); X-Lounge (Suite-guests only lounge)
• SPA und Meer (SPA and Sea complex with a Finnish Sauna, Oriental steam bath, relaxation area, Thalassotherapy centre, Thalasso Spa Suite, Samova Tea Lounge, Beauty Salon)
• Sport und Gesunheit (Sport and Health Fitness Centre; Fitness classes/personal trainers provided at surcharge)
• 2 swimming pools - Aussenpool (outdoor pool area with a 25 m long swimming pool), a smaller pool, 4 Whirlpools, extensive sunbathing area, served by Unverzicht Bar)
• Insel der Seerauber (Pirates' Island Kids Club complimentary lounge)
• Sun deck area (11,990 m2; the forward section features Entspannungsinseln/Relaxation Islands with mini-balconies, available for rent)
• Outdoor sports area (with a full-size Sports Court for playing basketball, volleyball, tennis, plus a golf simulator)
• Grune Oase (Green Oasis - outdoor sports area for open-air classes - stretching, relaxation, Yoga, Pilates); Power Walking / Jogging Track.

TUI schiff einkaufsbummel (onboard shopping)

TUI schiff SPA und Sport

TUI schiff sonnenbereiche und poolbereiche (sundeck and pool deck areas)

Itineraries

After joining Marella Cruises and following a month-long drydock refurbishment in Cadiz Spain, the boat (renamed Marella Voyager) started operations on June 3, 2023 (Maiden Voyage/7-day "Highlights Of The Mediterranean" itinerary), leaving from Palma de Mallorca.

Marella Voyager's cruises were open for booking on November 4, 2021.

The inaugural season's itineraries (all 7-day roundtrips from Palma de Mallorca/Majorca Island) included:

• "Mediterranean Secrets" (June through September 2023) visits Piombino (Siena & Pisa), Savona (Genoa & Turin), Calvi (Corsica), Toulon (France), Palamos (Spain).
• "Highlights of the Mediterranean ((June-Oct 2023) visits Ajaccio (Corsica), Civitavecchia-Rome, Livorno (Florence & Pisa), St Raphael (St Tropez & Cannes), Barcelona.
• "Magic of Spain" (July-Oct 2023) visits Gibraltar, Cadiz-Seville, Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia.
• "Cosmopolitan Classics" (July-Oct 2023) visits Palamos, Villefranche (Monaco & Nice), Piombino (Siena & Pisa), Naples (Pompeii & Capri), Olbia (Sardinia).

For winter 2023-2024 (Nov-April) the ship was deployed in the Caribbean and homeported in Bridgetown Barbados. The 7-day itineraries were operated with UK fly-cruise packages. The ex-Barbados Caribbean program was based no 3x different itineraries - Paradise Islands (Tortola BV, Philipsburg St Maarten, Basseterre St Kitts, St Johns Antigua, Roseau Dominica), Tropical Delights (Castries St Lucia, St Georges Grenada, Kralendijk Bonaire, Oranjestad Aruba, Willemstad Curacao) and A Taste Of The Tropics (Scarborough Tobago, St Georges Grenada, Castries St Lucia, Kingstown/St Vincent Grenadines, Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe).

Mein Schiff Herz itineraries

Mein Schiff Herz's itinerary program was based on Mediterranean roundtrips leaving from homeport Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Spain) during summer, and voyages to Spain's Canary Islands during winter (leaving out of homeport Tenerife).

Mediterranean itineraries visited ports in France (including Corsica Island), Italy (including the islands Sardinia and Sicily), Spain (overnight in Barcelona), Malta (Valletta Harbour), UK (Gibraltar), Greece (also the Greek isles Crete and Santorini).

The roundtrips to the Canaries also visited Portugal's Madeira Island (Funchal). Roundtrip Tenerife itineraries visited Cape Verde Islands (western Africa) and Portugal's Azores Islands.

For winter 2020-2021 season (November through March), TUI planned for Mein Schiff Herz a deployment in South Africa. The 14-day roundtrip itinerary (from homeport Cape Town) visited Port Elizabeth and Walvis Bay Namibia, both with overnight stays. The season had to start on December 2nd (2020) with pricing from EUR 3100 pp (inclusive of the roundtrip flight Germany-South Africa).

However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, these plans were canceled and Schiff Herz restarted operations on September 3, 2021 (7-day and 14-day Mediterranean itineraries from homeports Palma de Mallorca and Malaga).

The ship's powerplant is based on MAN B&W marine diesel engines (models 6UEC52LS and 9L48/60) with combined power output 31,5 MW (42240 hp).

The vessel has Meyer Werft Papenburg yard/hull number 639, volume 77302 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 9600 tons, max draught 8,5 m.

The 3rd Rockliner concert (with Udo Lindenberg) took place on Schiff 2 in 2014. The previous two rock-themed music cruises were on the sistership Schiff 1 (held in 2010). Schiff 2 also hosted the 5th "Full Metal Cruise" (in 2016). The previous four were on Schiff 1.

Schiff 2's godmother was Anja Fichtel - fence champion at Summer Olympics 1988 (Seoul, South Korea). TUI Herz ship's Captain was Helge Wrage.

On April 18, 2023, Chris Hackney (Marella's Managing Director) announced that Marella Voyager will have two godmothers, both of whom are employees of TUI/Marella - Tatyana "Tatty" Olkhovska (Chief Purser since 2017, with TUI since 2003) and Jacqui Nobile (Senior Manager of Destination Services Operations, with TUI since 1994). Curiously, the ship's godmothers were selected in consultation with TUI's senior management, and the criteria were the employee's length of service and career progression within the company.

The naming ceremony was initially scheduled for May 31, 2023, to be held in Port Malaga (Spain).

Next two tables show the ship's last voyage for TUI (from Tenerife) and the first voyage for Marella UK (from Majorca), both in 2023.

(Mein Schiff Herz) 10-day relocation itinerary (RepositionCruises.com) from the Canaries to Majorca.

(Marella Voyager's MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023) 7-day "Highlights Of The Mediterranean" itinerary - from GBP 1195 (EUR 1430 / USD 1550) per person with double occupancy.

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing) 15 day from Europe to Caribbean/barbados

7-day Caribbean itinerary "Paradise Islands"

7-day Caribbean itinerary "Tropical Delights"

7-day Caribbean itinerary "A Taste Of The Tropics"

Godspeed!

Marella Voyager refurbishment 2023 review

The ship's first (bu Marella UK) drydock refurbishment was in 2023 (April-May), conducted at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz Spain.

The drydocking in 2023 was a full-scale (33-day) refit and refurb project that included adding many of Marella's signature venues, facilities and amenities, as well as new for the British brand venues - Abuela's (Mexican restaurant) and the Speakeasy Bar.

The scope of works also included a full machinery/systems overhaul, as well as superstructure and hull cleaning and painting.

The project was supervised by Trimline Group (UK-based interior outfitting company), led by Naomi Cooper (Director of Projects for Trimline Ltd/on-site management team). It involved 180 workers/contractors including electricians, decorators, upholsterers, floor layers, joiners, laborers, hard surface repair experts, polishers, plumbers, welders, HVAC and other specialists.

Among the new spaces is The Exchange (Marella's first) featuring an art deco bar (with a classic speak-easy ambiance) and the Flutes (champagne bar). The renovations also included the installation of LED lighting by GDS Pioneering Light (Bristol England-based manufacturer).

Trimline UK-redesigned spaces included the venues Squid & Anchor, two restaurants (Latitude, Vista), the new Santorini and St Lucia-themed suites, Destination Experiences, Dining Club, M Club, as well as 900+ passenger staterooms.

All public areas received new carpeting. The Broadway Show Lounge was fully renovated. The Electric Rooms (Bar/Lounge and Nightclub & Casino) received a state-of-the-art LED dance floor.

TUI Mein Schiff Herz refurbishments review

Mein Schiff Herz's last drydock refurbishment (by TUI) was in March 2022 (by Navantia in Cadiz).

The ship's drydock 2019 refurbishment (February 14 - March 2, in Marseille France) resulted in the following updates and changes: hull works (including repainting), machinery works (general maintenance), overhaul/redesign and renovations of interior spaces (X-Lounge, all Junior Suites, Shore Excursions Office, Anckelmannsplatz/Lido Buffet restaurant).

A new Italian specialty restaurant (La Spezia) was opened via a partnership with celebrity chef Theodor Falser.

Drydock 2013 refurbishment (November 1-7, in Cadiz) resulted in the following changes:

A new outdoor yoga area (Deck 12) was installed. The LED lighting and new carpeting in public places were installed. Cliff 24 Bar was renovated. The entire exterior was repainted, including the hull (with new / eco coating).