Marella Cruises (TUI's UK-based cruise line) offers all-inclusive pricing from around £1,200–£3,500+ per person depending on cabin grade and itinerary, making it one of the better-value all-inclusive options for British travelers — but the 'all-inclusive' label hides some real caveats worth knowing before you book.
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line
Most British cruisers jump at Marella because TUI markets it as truly all-inclusive. The reality is more nuanced — drinks, tips, and most meals are included, but specialty dining, excursions, and premium spirits can add up fast. Here's the honest breakdown.
What Marella Actually Costs: The Real Numbers
Marella Cruises prices in GBP and sells primarily to UK travelers. For 2025–2026 sailings, here's what you're realistically looking at for a 7-night cruise, per person based on double occupancy:
| Tier | Cabin Type | Typical Cost (per person, 7 nights) | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Inside cabin | £1,200–£1,800 | Flights (often), all meals, house drinks, tips |
| Mid-Range | Outside/Balcony | £1,800–£2,800 | Same inclusions, better cabin |
| Splurge | Suite / Premium cabin | £3,000–£5,000+ | Priority boarding, premium drinks, extras |
Compare that to Norwegian Cruise Line, where a 7-night Caribbean cruise might start at $699 per person before adding gratuities ($20/day = $140pp), drinks ($99–$118/day standalone, or the bundled service charge with More at Sea), and WiFi ($29.99/day). By the time you're done, you've easily added $500–$900 per person on top of the base fare. Marella's model, for the right traveler, genuinely does simplify the math.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
What Marella's All-Inclusive Actually Covers
Here's where TUI's marketing meets reality. The all-inclusive label is broadly accurate — more so than most mainstream lines — but it's not unlimited everything:
| Category | Included? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| House spirits, beer, wine | ✅ Yes | Standard brands only |
| Premium/top-shelf spirits | ❌ No | Extra charge |
| Specialty coffee (barista) | ❌ No | Typically £3–£5/cup |
| Gratuities/service charges | ✅ Yes | Genuinely built in |
| Main dining room meals | ✅ Yes | All venues except specialty |
| Specialty restaurants | ❌ No | Cover charges apply, typically £15–£30pp |
| WiFi | ❌ No | Sold separately, ~£15–£25/day |
| Shore excursions | ❌ No | TUI excursions priced at premium |
| Room service | ❌ No | Fee applies |
| Flights (UK departures) | Often ✅ | Check your package — some sailings are cruise-only |
The gratuities being genuinely included is a legitimate advantage. On Norwegian, you're paying $20/person/day non-adjustable — that's $280 per person on a 7-night cruise before you've bought a single cocktail.
Key Factors That Drive Your Marella Cost
1. Destination matters enormously. Mediterranean sailings (Spain, Greece, Croatia) sit in the mid-range. Caribbean Marella itineraries (operating from Barbados or Cancún) tend to be pricier. Canaries and short European hops are the entry-level price point.
2. Travel dates. UK school holidays — particularly July/August and half-term weeks — spike prices by 20–40% over shoulder-season equivalents. If you can sail in May, early June, or October, you'll see meaningful savings.
3. Cabin category. Marella's fleet (Explorer, Explorer 2, Discovery, Discovery 2, Journeys) varies in cabin quality. The newer Explorer-class ships command a premium and deliver noticeably better hardware.
4. Drinks upgrade. If you want premium brands beyond the house pour, Marella sells a Premium Drinks Package upgrade. Budget roughly £10–£15/person/day for the upgrade — still well under Norwegian's standalone premium package at $99–$118/day.
5. Shore excursions through TUI. This is where Marella quietly extracts margin. Expect £50–£150/person per excursion booked onboard or through TUI pre-cruise. Book independently at port — often 30–50% cheaper for the same tour.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
How Marella Compares to Norwegian on True All-In Cost
Let's make this concrete for a couple on a 7-night cruise:
| Cost Component | Marella (couple, 7 nights) | Norwegian (couple, 7 nights) |
|---|---|---|
| Base cruise fare | £2,400–£3,600 (~$3,000–$4,500) | $1,400–$2,800 |
| Gratuities | £0 (included) | $280 ($20pp/day) |
| Drinks package | £0–£210 (house included; premium upgrade optional) | $1,386–$1,652 (standalone Premium) or ~$210–$280 service charge with More at Sea bundle |
| WiFi (7 nights) | ~£200–£350 | $419.86 (Unlimited, 1 device each) |
| Specialty dining (2 meals each) | ~£120–£240 | $276 (3-meal SDP at $69/person) |
| Realistic total (couple) | ~£2,920–£4,400 | ~$3,765–$5,700+ |
At current exchange rates, Marella and Norwegian land in similar territory for a mid-range couple — but Marella's simplicity means you won't get surprised by a $900 bar bill at the end of the week.
Practical Tips to Get the Best Value from Marella
Book early or book late — nothing in between. TUI offers genuine early-booking discounts (sometimes 10–15% off), and last-minute deals within 6–8 weeks of departure can be steep. The middle window is where you pay the most.
Avoid TUI excursions for popular ports. In Palma, Dubrovnik, Santorini — independent operators offer the same routes for half the price. Save the TUI booking convenience for complex or tender-port excursions where pre-booking genuinely matters.
Skip the onboard WiFi for casual use. Marella's WiFi is sold as packages and isn't cheap. Many Mediterranean ports have free cafe WiFi within a 5-minute walk of the dock. Download Netflix before you board.
Upgrade the drinks package only if you drink premium. If you're happy with Gordons gin, standard wine, and mainstream lager, the house package is genuinely fine. Only upgrade if top-shelf spirits or specific wine labels matter to you.
Travel off-peak. A May Mediterranean sailing on Marella can be 25–35% cheaper than the identical itinerary in August — same ship, same food, fewer kids at the pool.
Which Type of Traveler Is Marella Right For?
Marella is a strong fit if you're a UK-based traveler who wants a genuinely simple pricing structure, doesn't obsess over ship size or entertainment scale, and values not tracking every drink on a tab. The fleet is mid-size (typically 1,800–2,000 passengers), the vibe is relaxed British holiday, and the all-inclusive model is more honest than most.
Marella is not the right call if you want mega-ship entertainment, specialty dining variety, a large casino, or the kind of loyalty-program perks that Norwegian's Latitude Rewards or Royal's Crown & Anchor deliver over time.
For US-based travelers, the logistics of a Marella booking (UK-centric pricing, TUI flight packages, GBP billing) make it a harder lift — Norwegian, Celebrity, or MSC will serve you better from American home ports.
Want to see how your specific Marella itinerary's true all-in cost stacks up against Norwegian or other lines? Run the numbers with CruiseMutiny — it breaks down every add-on so you know exactly what you're paying before you step onboard.