Brits aboard: Marella Cruises’ UK coastal cruises are shore to be a hit

April 21, 2021

Marella Cruises is offering a series of UK coastal cruises this summer, with two ships sailing from Southampton and Newcastle

Ever sailed on Marella Cruises? Fancy one of their newly-released UK coastal cruises? We rate this line for their affordable, family-friendly sailings – plus, you may even find an actual hammock on your balcony!

The 1,924 guest Marella Explorer will set sail from Southampton on seven cruises between 25 June and September, visiting ports of call including, Belfast, Dublin and Liverpool.

The 1,814 passenger MarellaExplorer 2, the lines’ adult-only ship, will also offer UK coastal cruises from Newcastle from Saturday 10 July to September, with even more ports of call. These sailings will go on sale by the end of April.

All itineraries are perfect for those looking to explore via sea, the history and culture of some amazing British cities and towns. Plus, there will be excursions so you can make the most of your time ashore.

Staycation sailings

Three-night UK coastal cruises will cost from under £450pp, with all-inclusive board basis as standard.

‘Sail the South Coast’ is a great taster for those new to cruising, with a three-night itinerary from Southampton, visiting Dover for Canterbury Cathedral and Portland for the beautiful Abbotsbury Swannery & Gardens.

Those looking for a longer break can experience the new ‘Sail the Irish Sea’. Departing in August from Southampton, it will visit popular cities including Liverpool, Dublin and Cobh in the Republic of Ireland.

Customers who would like to explore the Land of the Brave will be able to with a number of Scottish itineraries, including ‘British Sights and Seas’ which will visit five Scottish hotspots.

The history-rich itinerary has a day at sea before visiting the stunning views of Invergordon, the old historic town of Kirkwall and the rich culture of Leith, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle before heading to Newcastle and then back down to Southampton.

‘Taste of the West Coast’ will also see Marella Explorer sail to Greenock, the capital of Northern Ireland – Belfast and Holyhead before finishing the itinerary in Portland.

‘Sail the Irish Sea’ visits Dublin and the Liffey River

Marella Cruises is a family friendly, all-inclusive cruise line and to ensure the safety of both customers and crew, they will have in place vaccination and testing requirements for UK coastal cruises this summer.

Anyone aged 18-years and older will be required to have had both Covid-19 jabs at least seven days before travelling. All under 18-year-olds, excluding infants under the age of two who will not be able to sail as they are exempt from testing, will be asked to have a lateral flow test.

All guests must also provide proof of a negative lateral flow test before boarding the ships at the start of the cruise.

Cruisers can still enjoy the same great facilities onboard including the luxury Champneys spa, a wide range of dining experiences, fitness classes, award-winning entertainment and activities such as the indoor cinema and mini golf.

A most British adventure

‘After pausing our operations for more than year, we are delighted to announce our UK summer programme and welcome our wonderful customers back onboard our ships,’ said managing director of Cruise TUI UK & I Chris Hackney.

‘The safety and wellbeing of both our crew and passengers remains our priority, which is why we have vaccination and testing protocols for all sailings from UK ports this summer.

‘Domestic sailings are a great step for the cruise industry and has given us the opportunity to take our customers to new destinations full of culture and history while still being close to home. We’re looking forward to this new adventure on the British seas and are dedicated to making sure our customers have the most memorable and exciting cruise with us.’

*UK sailings are available only for UK residents with a permanent UK address and a valid passport. Those booked on Marella Explorer or Marella Explorer 2 international cruises will be cancelled and offered the chance to rebook a UK sailing with an incentive, or receive a full refund.