Marella Cruises vs Royal Caribbean International

The core difference

Marella Cruises and Royal Caribbean International are both mainstream cruise lines — and that is where the similarity ends. Comparing them is like comparing a village pub with a Las Vegas resort: both serve drinks and food, both provide entertainment, but the experience, the scale, and the ambition are fundamentally different. One is a five-ship British all-inclusive brand flying guests from regional UK airports. The other is the world’s largest cruise line with 29 ships, the biggest passenger vessels ever built, and a relentless commitment to redefining what a cruise ship can be.

Marella is TUI UK’s dedicated cruise brand — formerly Thomson Cruises, rebranded in 2017 with a name meaning “shining sea” in Celtic. Five mid-size ships (Discovery, Discovery 2, Explorer, Explorer 2, and Voyager) carry 1,800 to 2,200 guests on Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canary Islands, and North African itineraries. The all-inclusive model bundles flights from 22 UK regional airports, all meals, selected drinks, entertainment, and gratuities. Explorer 2 is an adults-only ship with The Dining Club and cocktail bars that sit a step above the rest of the fleet. Piccadilly’s, a 250-seat gastropub launched in 2025, operates across all five ships. The atmosphere is unmistakably British, relaxed, and social.

Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest cruise line with a fleet of 29 ships — soon to be 30 with Legend of the Seas joining in 2026. The Icon class ships (Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas) are the largest passenger vessels ever built, exceeding 250,000 gross tonnes and carrying over 5,000 guests across eight distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own personality, dining, and entertainment. Icon of the Seas features the largest waterpark at sea, a surf simulator, rock climbing walls, a zip line, an ice-skating rink, and a Central Park-style open-air garden. The Oasis class ships (Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas) remain crowd favourites. The fleet spans everything from the 2,090-guest Vision-class ships to the 7,600-guest Icon class. Perfect Day at CocoCay — the line’s private Bahamian island — is consistently rated among the best private island experiences in cruising.

For Australian travellers, this comparison is decisively one-sided. Royal Caribbean homeports multiple ships from Sydney each summer, prices in AUD, and operates one of the strongest mainstream loyalty programmes in the industry. Marella is a UK domestic product with no Australian relevance beyond a holiday add-on.

What is actually included

The inclusion philosophies reflect different market strategies — bundled simplicity versus a la carte flexibility.

Marella’s all-inclusive model covers return flights from UK regional airports, full-board dining, selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment, and gratuities. The package is transparent — the advertised price is close to the final cost. Premium drinks upgrades, shore excursions, spa treatments, and The Dining Club are additional. The TUI ecosystem allows bundling of flights, transfers, and pre-cruise hotels into a single financially protected package.

Royal Caribbean’s base fare covers accommodation, main dining room meals, buffet and casual dining, most entertainment, and pool access. A la carte add-ons include the Deluxe Beverage Package (approximately USD 70-90 per person per day), VOOM Wi-Fi (approximately USD 15-25 per day per device), speciality dining covers (USD 30-80 per person depending on the restaurant), and shore excursions. Gratuities are charged at approximately USD 16-20 per person per day depending on stateroom category. Promotional bundles frequently offer two to four add-ons at discounted rates when purchased with the cruise fare. The Star Class suite tier on Oasis and Icon class ships includes a Royal Genie personal concierge, premium beverage package, speciality dining, and priority access — a luxury-level inclusion without a separate loyalty or suite programme.

The total cost comparison is instructive. Marella’s seven-night Mediterranean all-inclusive from a UK airport costs approximately GBP 800-1,200 per person (roughly AUD 1,600-2,400). A comparable Royal Caribbean seven-night Mediterranean cruise in a balcony stateroom with beverage package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities costs approximately USD 1,500-2,500 per person (roughly AUD 2,300-3,800) before flights. Marella’s included UK flights add genuine value for British guests; Australians must fund their own travel to the UK regardless.

Dining and culinary experience

The dining comparison is shaped entirely by scale.

Marella’s dining is honest and British-focused. Main dining rooms serve international menus alongside British favourites. Piccadilly’s, the fleet-wide gastropub launched in 2025, serves traditional British comfort food from morning through evening — a genuinely distinctive addition. The Dining Club on select ships provides a premium surcharge experience. Buffet dining, poolside grills, and room service round out four to six venues per ship. The food is well-prepared and reliable. It serves its market without pretending to be anything it is not.

Royal Caribbean’s dining programme has improved markedly in recent years and benefits from the sheer scale of the newest ships. Complimentary dining includes the main dining room (with My Time Dining for flexible scheduling), the Windjammer buffet, and casual options like Park Cafe (Central Park salads and sandwiches), Sorrento’s (pizza), and El Loco Fresh (Mexican). Speciality surcharge restaurants vary by ship class: Wonderland (imaginative, molecular-inspired cuisine), Chops Grille (steakhouse), 150 Central Park (fine dining on Oasis class), Izumi (Japanese), Giovanni’s Table (Italian), Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, and the Mason Jar (southern American cuisine on Icon class). Icon of the Seas introduced 40 dining and bar options across its eight neighbourhoods — a number that makes Marella’s four to six venues feel almost quaint. The quality at the top end — 150 Central Park and Wonderland — is genuinely strong, comparing favourably with premium line dining.

For dining variety and culinary ambition, Royal Caribbean occupies a different tier entirely. For included simplicity and straightforward British comfort food, Marella delivers exactly what its market expects.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation comparison illustrates the difference between a compact refurbished fleet and the most ambitious new-build programme in cruising history.

Marella’s staterooms are functional mid-market cabins across five second-hand ships. Inside cabins, ocean-view rooms, balcony staterooms, and modest suites are available. Voyager (formerly Mein Schiff Herz) offers the most contemporary accommodation. Explorer 2’s adults-only environment ensures quieter corridors. The suites serve their price point without aspiration to luxury — Marella’s top category is a comfortable cabin, not an experience.

Royal Caribbean’s accommodation ranges from budget to spectacular. Inside cabins on newer ships start at approximately 150-170 square feet. Oceanview and balcony staterooms provide standard accommodation. The differentiation begins at suite level: Junior Suites, Grand Suites, Owner’s Suites, and the headline Royal Loft Suite (on Oasis class, spanning two levels with a private balcony, baby grand piano, and floor-to-ceiling windows). On Icon of the Seas, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is a two-storey suite sleeping up to eight with a slide from the upper bedroom to the living area, in-suite cinema, and private balcony — a stateroom concept unimaginable on any Marella vessel. Star Class suites on select ships include the Royal Genie personal concierge who arranges priority everything — dining, shows, shore excursions, and surprise-and-delight moments throughout the voyage.

The accommodation gap mirrors the broader gap between these lines. Marella offers functional, well-maintained cabins at a competitive price. Royal Caribbean offers everything from budget interiors to the most innovative suite concepts in mainstream cruising.

Pricing and value

Marella’s seven-night Mediterranean all-inclusive from a UK airport starts from approximately GBP 800 to 1,200 per person (roughly AUD 1,600-2,400) including flights, meals, drinks, and gratuities. For budget-conscious British travellers, this represents outstanding mainstream value.

Royal Caribbean’s pricing spans an enormous range. A three-night Caribbean getaway from Miami in an inside cabin starts from approximately USD 300 per person — one of the best-value cruise experiences available. A seven-night Mediterranean in a balcony cabin runs approximately USD 1,200-2,000 per person before add-ons. Adding the beverage package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities pushes the total to approximately USD 1,800-2,800 per person. Icon of the Seas commands a premium — seven-night Caribbean sailings in a balcony stateroom start from approximately USD 2,000 per person before extras. Star Class suites on Icon of the Seas can exceed USD 10,000 per person for a seven-night sailing.

For Australian travellers, Royal Caribbean’s local pricing, AUD options, and Sydney departures eliminate the international flight cost entirely for Australian-waters sailings. A seven-night Australian coastal or New Zealand cruise from Sydney in a balcony cabin starts from approximately AUD 1,500-2,500 per person — competitive with Marella’s UK-inclusive pricing without requiring a flight to Britain.

Spa and wellness

Marella’s spa facilities are adequate for the fleet’s mid-market positioning — treatment rooms, sauna, and fitness centre on each ship. Explorer 2 provides the most tranquil spa setting in the fleet thanks to the adults-only policy. Treatments include standard massage, facial, and beauty services at prices typical of mainstream cruising. The pool deck and sun lounger areas provide outdoor relaxation. The spa is a functional amenity rather than a draw.

Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa operations scale with the ship size. On Oasis and Icon class ships, the spa complexes are extensive — thermal suites, saunas, steam rooms, heated stone loungers, and a wide range of treatments. The fitness centres feature modern equipment with ocean views and group classes including yoga, Pilates, and spinning. Beyond the spa, Royal Caribbean’s active wellness offerings — the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, ice-skating rinks, and the running track — provide physical activity that no Marella ship can match. The waterpark on Icon of the Seas (Category 6, with six waterslides) is arguably a wellness facility in its own right. The Solarium — an adults-only covered pool area with loungers and a relaxation atmosphere — exists on every ship in the fleet and provides a peaceful retreat from the main pool deck energy. For active travellers who value physical recreation alongside traditional spa treatments, Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are unmatched in the mainstream segment.

The wellness comparison mirrors the broader comparison: Royal Caribbean offers more of everything — more pool areas, more active facilities, more spa options, more outdoor space. Marella offers adequate facilities at a price point where the spa is a pleasant addition rather than a reason to choose the line.

Entertainment and enrichment

The entertainment comparison reveals the most dramatic gap in this pairing.

Marella’s entertainment is tailored for British audiences — West End-style shows, live bands, comedians, quiz nights, and tribute acts. Piccadilly’s gastropub adds a social venue with a pub atmosphere. Explorer 2 offers more sophisticated evening programming. The entertainment is enjoyable, sociable, and appropriately scaled for mid-size ships. It does not pretend to compete with mega-ship spectacle.

Royal Caribbean’s entertainment is industry-leading. The line has invested more in onboard entertainment than any competitor. Broadway and West End productions include Grease, Mamma Mia!, Cats, and Hairspray, performed with full casts and live orchestras. The AquaTheater on Oasis class ships stages high-diving and acrobatic shows above a pool. Ice-skating shows perform in the Studio B rink. Icon of the Seas debuted new entertainment formats across its eight neighbourhoods. Beyond theatre, the ships feature FlowRider surf simulators, rock climbing walls, zip lines (the Ultimate Abyss dry slide on Oasis class drops ten storeys), go-karts on select ships, bumper cars, laser tag, escape rooms, and full casinos. Perfect Day at CocoCay delivers a full day of waterpark, beach, and overwater cabana experiences that Marella’s port calls cannot replicate. For families, the Adventure Ocean programme is the gold standard — dedicated spaces and supervised activities for every age group from toddlers to teenagers.

For sheer entertainment breadth, Royal Caribbean is in a category of its own — not just compared to Marella, but across the entire cruise industry.

Fleet and destination coverage

Marella operates five mid-size ships on Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Caribbean, and North African routes, departing exclusively from UK airports. The fleet consists entirely of refurbished older tonnage. No ships sail in Australian waters, Alaska, Northern Europe, or Asia.

Royal Caribbean operates 29 ships across multiple generations and classes, from the 2,090-guest Vision class to the 7,600-guest Icon class. The fleet sails the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Northern Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, transatlantic, and around-the-world itineraries. The line homeports ships from Sydney each Australian summer, with Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas among regular Australian deployments. Short three- and four-night getaways from Florida are among the best-value cruise experiences available. The Perfect Day island collection (CocoCay in the Bahamas, with additional destinations in development) adds exclusive Royal Caribbean port experiences. With Legend of the Seas joining in 2026, the fleet continues to grow.

Where each line excels

Marella excels in:

• All-inclusive simplicity. Flights from 22 UK airports, meals, selected drinks, entertainment, and gratuities in a single transparent price. No onboard account to settle at disembarkation.
• Adults-only cruising. Explorer 2 is a genuinely adults-only ship with The Dining Club, cocktail bars, and a refined atmosphere — rare at this price point. Royal Caribbean has no adults-only ships, though the Solarium provides an adults-only pool area.
• Piccadilly’s gastropub. The 2025 fleet-wide launch of a 250-seat British gastropub adds a distinctive dining and social venue to every ship.
• Budget entry point. For first-time British cruisers, Marella removes every barrier — no hidden costs, no package decisions, no tipping calculations, no flight bookings.

Royal Caribbean excels in:

• Innovation and scale. Icon of the Seas — 250,000 gross tonnes, eight neighbourhoods, the largest waterpark at sea — redefines what a cruise ship can be. No other line builds at this ambition level.
• Family cruising. Adventure Ocean kids’ programmes, teen spaces, family suites, and onboard activities from surf simulators to ice-skating rinks make Royal Caribbean the gold standard for family holidays at sea.
• Perfect Day at CocoCay. The private Bahamian island with Thrill Waterpark, helium balloon rides, and overwater cabanas is consistently rated the best private island experience in cruising.
• Australian homeporting. Multiple ships deploy from Sydney each summer, with AUD pricing, a local website, and travel agent partnerships across Australia. No international flights required for Australian-waters sailings.
• Cross-brand loyalty. The Crown and Anchor Society transfers across Celebrity Cruises and Silversea via the Points Choice programme — a loyalty pathway from mainstream through premium to ultra-luxury.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Marella Explorer 2: Western Mediterranean (7 nights, adults-only, from UK airport). The only Marella itinerary worth recommending to Australian travellers — an all-inclusive, adults-only Mediterranean cruise as an add-on to a UK holiday. Good value, refined atmosphere, British comfort food and included drinks. Book through TUI UK while visiting Britain.

Royal Caribbean: Australian Coastal (various lengths, from Sydney). Ovation of the Seas or Quantum of the Seas sailing the Australian coast or to New Zealand — no international flights required. Itineraries range from short four-night getaways to 12-night New Zealand explorations. This is the most accessible mainstream cruise for Australian travellers from this pairing.

Royal Caribbean: Icon of the Seas, Eastern Caribbean (7 nights, from Miami). The world’s largest cruise ship with eight neighbourhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and 40 dining and bar options. A stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay adds the line’s private island with Thrill Waterpark, helium balloon ride, and overwater cabanas. A once-in-a-lifetime mega-ship experience for families. Fly to Miami from Australian east coast cities via Los Angeles or Dallas.

Royal Caribbean: Alaska on Ovation of the Seas (7 nights, from Seattle). The Quantum class ship brings North Star (a jewel-shaped glass capsule rising 300 feet above sea level) and Two70 (a multi-storey entertainment venue with floor-to-ceiling glass) to Alaska’s glaciers and fjords. Accessible from Australian gateways via connections through Los Angeles or direct flights to Seattle.

Royal Caribbean: New Zealand on Ovation of the Seas (various lengths, from Sydney). The most accessible Royal Caribbean itinerary for Australian travellers — no international flights required. The Quantum class ship on New Zealand itineraries combines mega-ship entertainment with Milford Sound scenery and New Zealand port calls. Departing from Sydney each Australian summer.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

For Marella, book Explorer 2 for couples — the adults-only ship with The Dining Club and a refined atmosphere. For families, Discovery 2 has the strongest kids’ programming, though it cannot compete with Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean. Voyager is the newest hull with the most contemporary spaces. Avoid the older Discovery ships for a first Marella experience.

For Royal Caribbean, the Icon class (Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas) delivers the most ambitious cruise experience available anywhere. The Oasis class (Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas) remains the sweet spot for families wanting mega-ship entertainment at a slightly lower price point than Icon class. Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas are the ships Australians will encounter on Sydney homeport sailings — modern Quantum class vessels with North Star, bumper cars, and Two70. For budget-conscious first-time cruisers, the Freedom class (Freedom, Liberty, Independence of the Seas) offers a strong mainstream experience at competitive pricing. Avoid the Vision-class ships for a first Royal Caribbean experience — they are the oldest in the fleet and lack the signature innovations.

For Australian travellers specifically

This is where the comparison becomes entirely one-sided.

Marella has no Australian market presence. The line books through TUI UK, flies guests from British airports, and does not price in AUD. There is no Australian website, no local sales team, and no Southern Hemisphere deployment. Marella is relevant to Australian travellers only as an add-on to a UK visit — a week on the adults-only Explorer 2 is a pleasant and affordable way to cruise the Mediterranean while visiting Britain.

Royal Caribbean is one of the most prominent cruise lines in the Australian market. Multiple ships homeport from Sydney each summer, with itineraries covering the Australian coast, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The line prices in AUD on its Australian website (royalcaribbean.com.au). The Crown and Anchor Society loyalty programme transfers across Celebrity Cruises and Silversea via the Points Choice programme — creating a direct pathway from domestic mainstream cruising to ultra-luxury for frequent Australian cruisers. Adventure Ocean kids’ programming makes Royal Caribbean the default choice for Australian families. Perfect Day at CocoCay, while requiring travel to the Caribbean, has become a bucket-list destination in its own right. Royal Caribbean’s local marketing, travel agent partnerships, and frequent promotional offers ensure strong visibility and competitive pricing in the Australian market.

The onboard atmosphere

Marella’s atmosphere is British holiday relaxation. The guest mix is overwhelmingly British. Quiz nights, roast dinners, afternoon tea, tribute bands, and a warm pub-like sociability define the experience. Explorer 2 is calmer and more cocktail-bar refined without the family energy. The dress code is smart casual throughout — no formal nights. The atmosphere is familiar, warm, and unpretentious for British guests.

Royal Caribbean’s atmosphere is energetic, diverse, and family-friendly. The guest mix is international — heavily North American, with a strong Australian contingent on Sydney-departing ships and a growing global representation. Pool decks are lively. Entertainment districts hum from morning to late evening. The dress code is resort casual with optional smart casual evenings — no formal nights on shorter sailings, one or two on longer voyages. The atmosphere rewards families, groups, and social travellers who want to be surrounded by activity and choice. Quieter spaces exist — the Solarium adults-only pool area, the library, the spa — but the overall energy level is higher than any Marella ship. On Australian summer sailings from Sydney, the passenger mix is heavily Australian, creating a familiar and comfortable social atmosphere for local travellers.

The bottom line

Marella and Royal Caribbean serve the same mainstream market at profoundly different scales. Marella is the best-value all-inclusive British ocean cruise — flights, drinks, meals, and tips in a single fare, with the adults-only Explorer 2 as a genuine highlight for couples. Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest and most innovative cruise line, with 29 ships delivering everything from budget three-night getaways to the 250,000-tonne Icon of the Seas experience.

For Australian travellers, Royal Caribbean wins this comparison conclusively. It homeports from Sydney, prices in AUD, offers the strongest family cruise programme in the industry, and provides a loyalty pathway that extends to Celebrity and Silversea. The entertainment, dining variety, fleet scale, and destination coverage are in a different league from Marella’s five-ship operation. The Crown and Anchor Society loyalty programme means every Australian cruise from Sydney builds status that unlocks benefits on Celebrity and Silversea — a long-term value proposition that Marella, with no loyalty programme, cannot offer.

Marella is worth considering only as an add-on to a UK holiday — a week on Explorer 2 from a British regional airport is a pleasant, affordable Mediterranean cruise for couples already visiting Britain. But as a primary cruise product for Australians, Royal Caribbean’s local presence, global fleet, and relentless innovation make the choice straightforward.