Join us on Marella Discovery in Barbados. From here we sail the Caribbean and discover some of the most beautiful islands in this part of the world.
Visiting islands you might only have seen on holiday programmes and in brochures, you will experience the islands of Antigua and its colourful waterfront and not to be missed Nelson’s Dockyard, St Maarten a tiny isle shared by the Dutch and French, One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls, Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse and Tortola where ancient rainforests hog the limelight!
Depart UK for Barbados. Here Marella will transfer you directly from the airport to the ship for this amazing cruise.
Departing 20:00
As we sail towards our first port of call, you can explore this beautiful ship.
There is so much Marella Discovery has to offer from the on board shops to the spa and gym.
Or just kick back and relax on the sun deck!
If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in the sunshine. And cuisine as sublime as those moon-white shores.
Nature’s the star attraction of Tortola. Ancient rainforests hog the limelight. Beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention. And opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting.
Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge.
Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss.
One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. And it excels in every sense, with its seductive blend of blonde sands and duck-egg blue seas. Away from the shores though, you’ll find plenty of historic sights to tick off your checklist. Or why not pop across to the neighbouring island of Nevis, which is just three kilometres over The Narrows channel?
Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse.
This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet of islands. There’s a scattering of little ones but the two main players are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Together, they’re shaped like a butterfly resting quietly on the sun-blushed Caribbean. As famous for its sugar and rum as it is top dive sites and sparkling sands, this place will sweep you off your feet…
And so we end this cruise – we have visited some of the most beautiful Caribbean islands and we hope you have made some beautiful memories.
Enjoy your last morning relaxing on board before transferring to the airport for the flight home.
Featuring many well-known Marella highlights , Marella Discovery has the charm of a mid-sized ship with loads of dining and entertainment facilities – there is something for everyone. Enjoy the onboard casino, spa and fitness area as you sail from destination to destination.
Fine food comes as normal on Marella Discovery especially in the two speciality restaurants. With an outdoor cinema to live shows in the Broadway Show Lounge, live bands and entertainers, the choice is yours onboard Marella Discovery.
There are numerous activities available during your cruise. From rock climbing if you’re brave enough to reach the top, you can enjoy the views spanning out before you. And if that isn’t your thing, perhaps you’d rather spend the afternoon dipping in and out of the pool and soaking up the sun. Round up the holiday and spoil yourself with a trip to the Ocean Spa and Beauty Salon where there’s a treatment to suit every need.
Each day onboard Marella Discovery can be different. Unwind at the spa, sunbathe by the pool or perfect your putt on the mini golf green – here are just some of the facilities on board:
Spa and Beauty Salon: At this state-of-the-art spa you can book in for treatments (charges apply), like facials, body wraps and massages, plus there’s a beauty salon. Alternatively, you can work up a sweat with the sea in sight at the gym.
Broad Street Shops: The onboard boutiques are open when the ship’s at sea, and stock a great range of duty-free products.
Live Casino: The stylish casino is open until late, and features blackjack tables, and fruit machines. If you’re a beginner, ask the croupiers about getting some lessons in. You’ve also got the entertainment – and the bar – in the Live Room to accompany you while you’re having a flutter.
Broadway Show Lounge: Plush seating and an 800-plus capacity give the ship’s main entertainment venue professional credentials. There are 11 unique shows, including West End to Broadway, an on-stage spectacular showcasing all your favourite musical theatre classics.
47°: Marella Discovery’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery. It also hosts The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. This weekly event brings the West End to Marella Cruises, with dishes inspired by famous musicals.
Inside Cabin: These cabins measure in at 12m², which means you get twin beds that can be made into a queen-size, plus an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower. (Cabins on Deck 2 or 3)
Outside Cabin: Outside Cabins feature either a porthole or a picture window. They’re 12m² in size, with twin beds that can be made into a queen-size. plus an en suite bathroom with a WC and shower. (Cabins on Deck 2 or 3)
Balcony Cabin: You can admire the horizon from your own furnished balcony with these cabins. Balcony Cabins are on deck 6, and feature a set of twin beds that can convert to a queen-size double bed. You can also expect an en suite with a WC and a shower, and a balcony. These newly refurbished cabins sleep two, and are between 13 and 14 m². And the en suite bathroom packs in a shower and a WC.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the event that there is no Tour Leader on board you will be looked after by the Marella Hosts’s who will arrange events where you can meet other solo travellers on the ship.
The Guest Experience Coordinator arranges get-togethers for solo travellers, like dinners and coffee mornings. If you’re worried about dining alone, have a chat with the ship’s restaurant manager, who’ll make sure you’re seated with other guests.
Yes. You’ll need your passport for all of our cruises. Without it, you won’t be able to board the ship.
The baggage allowance is 20kgs.
All Marella ships have a cash-free system. Everything is priced in sterling and is charged to your cabin account. At the end of your cruise you can settle it in cash or by credit or debit card. If you decide to settle your bill in cash you will be asked for up to £200 deposit per cabin per week.
As Marella ships are All Inclusive as standard, so selected draught beer and cider, wines by the glass, branded spirits and aperitifs, and a range of cocktails and soft drinks by the glass are all included in the price of your cruise. You have been upgraded to Premium All Inclusive drinks package for an extra range of drinks, which are normally chargeable. These include upgraded cocktails, premium spirits, Lavazza coffee, soft drink cans and a 1.5 litre bottle of water per cabin, per day.
There are designated Wi-Fi zones onboard. Internet access is charged to your cabin account at the rate advertised onboard. Mobiles can be used – make sure to check with your provider for charges in each country and in international waters, which applies when the ship’s at sea. There are telephones in each cabin, too, so it’s easy to stay in touch with people back home.
Packing for a cruise is just like packing for any other holiday, but there are a few things to bear in mind. Hairdryers and all towels – including pool towels – are provided. And don’t panic if you forget any essentials as our onboard shops stock things like toothpaste and other toiletries. Other than that, it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket with you, as there’s often a strong sea breeze.
Our dress code policy’s easily broken down into Beachwear, Casual and Smart. The first is a ‘come as you are’ affair, so bikinis and trunks get the thumbs up, plus we ask that you wear something on your feet for safety reasons. Meanwhile, Casual speaks for itself – we’re talking tops and shorts or a sundress. Then you’ve got Smart, which is when you’ll need to dress up a bit. Put your sports or swimwear away, and opt for trousers, smart tailored shorts or a skirt or dress, a shirt or polo shirt and smart shoes, so no trainers or flip flops. If you want to add a jacket or tie, that’s up to you. But our gala evenings, formal nights and Dress to Impress nights give you the chance to get really suited and booted. Each of our restaurants has a dress code, and this can differ depending on the time of day, but we’ll always let you know.
Finally, think about what’s suitable to wear on excursions. Some churches, for example, ask for legs and shoulders to be covered. Islamic countries have strict laws on dress, and in certain areas it will be required that you cover your shoulders and knees. When visiting Mosques or other holy sites, women may be required to cover their hair, arms and legs. Men will be required to wear long trousers and a top with sleeves.
Top tips:
• Attach a label to your hold luggage with your contact details on – this will help reunite you with your bag if it gets lost.
• Always carry valuables, medication and other essentials in your hand luggage.
You’ll normally need to leave your cabin by 8am on your last day, but you can still use all the onboard facilities until your transfer arrives. Speak to reception about a courtesy cabin so you can freshen up before you leave. Alternatively, you can organise a late check out. Again, reception will advise on this.
Of course. If you’ve got any dietary requirements, please make sure you mention it when you book and let the restaurant manager know once you’re onboard. Marella also provides vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and diabetic-friendly options on request. There may be some requests that can’t be accommodated, so it’s important you let us know when you book your cruise.Take a look at a sample menu to see the kind of dishes on offer.
It’s up to you if you want to explore without the help of a guide. The onboard Destination Services team can give you plenty of tips. Just remember that one of the benefits of the organised excursions is that if the tour is delayed, the ship will wait. If you’re on your own and you’re not back on the ship in time, the ship won’t wait for you.
You can use either a European or a US 2-pin adaptor in the cabins
It’s not always possible to tie a ship up at a dock. If this is the case, the ship will anchor a little way out from the shore, and use tender boats to get you to and from the ship. Tender ports are indicated in the itinerary where possible. You’ll still get plenty of time in the port, plus you can use the tender services to go back and forth from the ship as much as you like. Guests with disabilities or mobility issues will need to have some independent mobility to step in and out of the tender boat as our crew aren’t allowed to lift you.
Ask for for advice on things like ship accessibility, bringing equipment onboard, disabled facilities, and medical care. Marella has also teamed up with AccessAble, who have created detailed access guides for each ship. Visit their website to find out more. All Marella ships also have a small number of adapted cabins for less mobile passengers. Just remember to make sure one is definitely available before you book.
Making sure your wellbeing is looked after at all times while you’re onboard is really important. That’s why if you need help with daily tasks, like using the bathroom, eating, or moving around the ship, you’ll need to travel with a companion or a personal assistant who can help you. Unfortunately, the crew aren’t able to help with these kinds of responsibilities.
Each ship has a medical centre and there are English-speaking doctors and nurses on board who keep surgery hours. For emergencies, there’s always someone on call. If you need to pay for a medical procedure, the first £200 of your bill will be payable to the medical provider onboard.
All ships are non-smoking, which means you can only smoke in designated areas of the open deck. The same goes for e-cigarettes. Please note, e-cigarettes are banned in certain countries and will be confiscated at the airport. Make sure to check the Foreign Office website for the latest updates.
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| March | 27 °C | 18 °C |
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