Save £300 per booking* and Live Happy with Marella Cruises
It’s time to book a memorable trip with Marella Cruises
The signs are unmistakable. It's wet, windy, and getting darker even earlier. And, after the washout summer we all endured, enough is enough: we deserve some sunshine.
Fortunately, our friends at Marella Cruises have us covered. Whether you want to make for the Middle East, cruise to the Caribbean, or enjoy an epic adventure in Asia, the all-inclusive line has a range of cruises on offer to help you escape the cold and soak up some vitamin D.
After all, what could be better than swapping soggy Blighty for somewhere brighter – be it for a few days, a fortnight, or longer.
Even better? A cruise with Marella won’t break the bank. That’s because the adult-only cruise line is offering an extra £300 off selected sailings* that depart between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024 – simply use code ‘CRUISE300’ when booking.
Here’s our top picks of the cruises to book pronto if you want to bask in some winter sun later this year…
Arabian Sunset 1This 14-night adult-only cruise onboard Marella Discovery 2, sister ship to Marella Discovery, departs from Aqaba – also known as the Jewel of the Red Sea. Located in the south of Jordan, Aqaba offers pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters and, crucially, it has sun at times of the year when Europe is under a dark blanket.
Aqaba is also the gateway to the Wadi Rum desert, with its endless red dunes, and the pink sandstone city of Petra.
Your second stop will be Muscat, Oman’s low-key capital, where a visit to Mutrah Souk, a labyrinth of stalls where the smell of frankincense fills the air, is a must. Then it’s onto India, more specifically Mumbai – the city where Bollywood began.
Last but by no means least, your cruise will conclude in Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, where you’ll head home.
Departs November 23, 2023. From £1,437 per person.*
Journey to Jamaica
Need some island spirit in your life? Then this 16-night cruise to Jamaica, the home of reggae, rum, and Bob Marley, is calling your name. You’ll finish your cruise in Montego Bay – the island’s second city.
But it’s not just Jamaica on the itinerary. Malaga, Gibraltar, and Funchal in Europe all feature. As do St John's, the bustling capital of Antigua; Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic; and the Turks And Caicos’ Grand Turk.
Truth be told, if you can’t decide between a holiday in Europe or a holiday in the Caribbean, then this cruise could be the answer.
Departs November 26, 2023. From £3,069 per person.*
A Canarian Christmas
Dreaming of a warm Christmas? You’re not alone. If ever there was a year that we deserved a sunny Yuletide, this is it. Bing Crosby may have yearned for a White Christmas but, after a summer that saw our picnics and barbecues washed away, we’d rather have some vitamin D.
All of which explains why Marella’s A Canarian Christmas cruise is, ahem, floating our boat. Setting sail from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, this week-long cruise calls at Las Palmas (Gran Canaria’s port and energetic capital), Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Funchal (the capital of the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira) and Santa Cruz de La Palma before returning to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Each of the Canary Islands has its own character and charm meaning that, on this cruise, you’ll be able to work out which island is perfect for you.
What they do have in common though is bright sunshine in December, a time of year when you’d be hunkered down next to a radiator in the UK.
Departs December 22, 2023. From £1,575 per person.*
Eastern Adventure 1“Go west” – so sang the Pet Shop Boys in their smash hit 1993 single. Yet with all due respect to Neil Tennant and team, it’s the east we’re dreaming of after Marella Cruises’ Eastern Adventure caught our attention.
Departing from Colombo in Sri Lanka on December 8, 2023, onboard Marella Discovery 2, your first port of call is Penang, Asia’s foodie capital. Here dishes to try include laksa, a delicious spicy coconut noodle soup, and roti canai – crispy, flaky flatbread.
From Penang, you’ll sail to Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur whose skyline is dotted with skyscrapers and minarets.
Singapore, where you can expect temples, shopping, and top-notch dining, is also on the itinerary. You'll have an overnight stay in Singapore so as to really make the most of the Lion State which is roaring once more.
Then it’s onto Thailand’s colourful capital, Bangkok – with its heady mix of temples, tuk tuks, cocktails, and clubs – and thrumming Ho Chi Minh City, easily one of Asia’s most evocative cities. Here you can visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the hidden network of underground tunnels that the Viet Cong used during the infamous Vietnam War.
Meanwhile, five sea days dotted across the cruise allow you plenty of time to get to know your fellow passengers and take advantage of everything that Marella Discovery 2 has to offer.
Departs December 6, 2023. From £2,190 per person.*
*Offer excludes any sailings shorter than seven-night duration. Offer must be selected at the time of booking and applies to new bookings only, is subject to availability. Offer is valid from 21st August 2023 to 02nd October 2023. Enter the code CRUISE300 in upper case when on the holiday payment page of Marella Cruises’ website. The offer is subject to availability and may be amended or withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices correct at the time of publication.
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About Kaye Holland
Kaye is a London-based wordsmith who has written for a range of publications including The Times, The Independent, The I, Culture Trip, The Sun, and ABTA among others. In June 2022, Kaye joined the Real Response Media where she looks – together with Lucy Abbott – after the World of Cruising website. Want to get in touch? Kaye can be reached at: [email protected]
