Marella Cruises UK has confirmed the expansion of its summer 2027 programme with a return to Albania, marking its first call at the port of Sarandë. The addition represents the company’s debut in the Albanian Riviera, as part of broader itinerary developments across the Mediterranean and Adriatic regions.
Marella Discovery 2 will operate the new “Ionian Shores” itinerary, sailing from Dubrovnik and featuring both Sarandë and Syracuse, Italy, as new ports of call. The ship will operate as an adults-only vessel for the season, offering itineraries that include “Greek Mystique,” focusing on the Aegean and Ionian islands, and “Sail Three Seas,” which crosses the Aegean, Mediterranean and Adriatic. Departures are scheduled to begin on May 6th, 2027.
Meanwhile, the adults-only Marella Explorer 2 will homeport from Málaga for the first time in nearly ten years. Its itineraries include “Spirit of Spain,” featuring a return to Mahón, Menorca, and “Spanish Sights,” revisiting Castellón on Spain’s eastern coast. These sailings are due to commence on May 12th, 2027.
Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager will homeport from Palma, Majorca, while Marella Explorer will operate out of Corfu. All summer 2027 cruises will open for sale on October 16th, 2025.
To complement the programme, Marella has expanded its Cruise & Stay offering with 29 additional hotels across Majorca, Croatia, Corfu and Spain, adding to the existing portfolio of 121 hotels. The extended programme will operate from 21 UK and Irish airports.
The company indicated that these developments reflect growing demand for travel to destinations such as Portugal, North Africa and Albania. Marella’s all-inclusive policy, covering tips and service charges, remains in place, with prices for the “Ionian Shores” itinerary starting at GBP 1,930.