END OF AN ERA

Marella cruises have announced they will be retiring the last two, as they call them ‘Classic Ships’.

Marella Dream and Marella Celebration.

This is following the retirement of the Marella Spirit in 2018 which was sadly sold for scrap to the horror of its loyal following.

The Dream was built in 1986 for Home Lines and since then has been owned by Holland America and Costa Cruises before transferring to Marella.

The Celebration was built in 1984 also for Holland America until she transferred to the Marella Fleet.

Don’t panic if you are booked on them as the ships are set to be phased out by 2024 so they will not be cancelling any cruises. This does not mean Marella are standing on their laurels with these two ships either as both had a refurbishment in November 2018 and Dream is heading into Dry-Dock in January 2020 for a full refurbishment so there is life in the old dog yet.

The Latest ship to join the fleet the Marella Explorer 2, which launches this month will carry 1814 passengers, Still relatively small by today’s standards but bigger than the Spirit which carried 1350 passengers or the Dream with 1506 and Celebration with 1254 passengers.

The UK Fleet will be left with the Discovery 1 and 2 and the Explorer 1 and 2. The Wider fleet, of course, incorporates the Mein Schiff Ships for the German Market.

You may or may not know this but Marella is also 50% owned by Royal Caribbean in a joint venture with the German company Tui.

Have you been on Marella recently? What are your thoughts on these ships?

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About Me

I have worked in the Travel Industry for 33 years, ever since leaving school. My Dad was in the Navy so I guess I get my wanderlust from him. I was a Manager in a successful Travel Agency for 16 years before joining Cruise.co.uk. I am married and have a son who…

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