Marella Explorer 2

The 1995-built (as "Celebrity Century") cruise ship Marella Explorer 2 was previously operated as "SkySea Golden Era". She is one of the Century-class vessels, with sisterships Mein Schiff 1 (former Celebrity Galaxy, since 2018 Marella Explorer 1) and Celebrity Mercury (later Mein Schiff 2/Mein Schiff Herz, since 2023 Marella Voyager). The vessel was acquired by Marella Cruises (TUI’s UK brand) in 2018.

The ship (IMO number 9072446) is Malta-flagged (MMSI 249054000) and registered in Valletta.

History - construction and ownership

Marella Cruises (formerly Thomson Cruises UK) is a British cruise company and brand owned by TUI Group. The company entered the cruise market in 1973 through Thomson Holidays (now TUI UK), but rising fuel costs forced the service to close in 1976. Thomson Cruises resumed operations in 1995 and was rebranded as "Marella Cruises" in 2018. Marella’s parent company, TUI Group, also owns TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, International Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions, and several airlines, including Corsair International (France), TUI Airways (UK), TUI fly Nordic (Sweden), TUI fly Belgium, TUI fly Deutschland, and TUI fly Netherlands.

This 1900-passenger ship was originally built for Royal Caribbean’s subsidiary Celebrity Cruises. In 2008, she was renamed "Celebrity Mercury" and in 2009 joined the TUI fleet after an extensive drydock refit. The project added 314 balconies, 14 new suites, 10 cabins, the Murano specialty restaurant (with glass-blowing performances), a larger spa, and upgraded Millennium-class amenities and services.

The ship officially entered Marella’s fleet in late 2018. In March 2018, TUI Group announced that SkySea Golden Era (and not Schiff 2/Herz) would be transferred to Marella UK, with delivery scheduled for December 2018.

In January 2014, French media (including the CDF website) reported that Century would join the CDF fleet in 2015. CDF was an RCG-Royal Caribbean brand for the French market, operating two ex-Celebrity ships – MS Zenith and MS Horizon. Reports stated that Century would replace Zenith (planned for transfer to Pullmantur). In 2014, CDF carried around 100,000 passengers, with projections of about 120,000 in 2015 following Century’s addition. The 2015 program also introduced new shore excursion packages (3-5 tours per cruise, priced at EUR 100).

It was initially announced that in March 2019, the old Schiff 2 (Herz) would be transferred to Marella as "Marella Explorer 2". However, in March 2018 it was confirmed that she would remain with TUI under the new name "Mein Schiff Herz" (officially announced in April).

Explorer 2 became the fourth ship transferred from other RCG-owned brands, following Marella Discovery (2015, former Splendour of the Seas), Marella Discovery 2 (2017, former Legend of the Seas), and TUI Explorer, now Marella Explorer (2018, ex-Mein Schiff 1).

The ship introduced the fleet’s first kids’ pool, an expanded entertainment program, and 10 dining venues. Another innovation for Marella was a tasting menu restaurant designed as an intimate venue ideal for couples or small groups.

The Indigo flagship bar serves as the ship’s social hub. A new London-style Aperitif Bar connects the Kora La and Surf & Turf restaurants. Other highlights include The Scoops (an ice cream parlor with quirky bicycle-themed seating), The Lounge (with a color-changing bar and bright piano), and Hot Stone Grill (a specialty dining venue at a surcharge).

Decks and Cabins

Of all Marella Explorer 2 staterooms (907 total), about 40% feature private step-out balconies. All cabins offer individual air-conditioning, wardrobes, smart HDTVs, hairdryers, tea/coffee-making facilities, and en-suite bathrooms. Accommodation types include:

• Inside (16 m2 – among the fleet’s largest), Outside (17 m2), and Single Inside/Outside cabins (Decks 4, 5, 8, 9)
• Balcony cabins (17 m2), including 14 Family Balcony cabins (20 m2; Decks 9, 10, 12, each with two twin beds)
• Suites – Balcony Junior Suite (22 m2) and Executive Suite (49 m2)

The ship has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 6 include cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Marella Explorer 2 offers 10 dining venues, including Surf and Turf, Kora La, The Terrace, and Snack Shack. Kora La features Oriental-style lanterns and artwork, paired with a pan-Asian menu of noodle dishes and curries. This specialty venue carries a small surcharge.

Dining venues are located on decks 5, 6, 7, and 11. The complete list of restaurants and eateries includes:

• Latitude 53 (Decks 5 & 6) – the main waiter-service restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows and a gold-and-grey décor.
• Vista (Deck 5) – part of Latitude 53, transforming in the evening into an Italian restaurant serving regional specialties with authentic ingredients.
• The Dining Club (Deck 5) – a fine dining restaurant with experimental cuisine (cover charge). In 2019, it introduced the "Great Musical Afternoon Tea" – a music-themed dining event with white-glove service, gourmet dishes, teas, cocktails, and champagne (GBP 15 per person, reservations required).
• Kora La (Deck 7) – pan-Asian cuisine in an Oriental-inspired setting (surcharge).
• Surf and Turf Steakhouse (Deck 7) – premium meats, including 28-day-aged steaks, lobster, grilled chicken, and pork chops. Leather booth seating, artwork, and a cover charge apply.
• Snack Shack (Deck 11) – casual grab-and-go eatery with oversized deckchairs, beach huts, and a drinks station.
• The Market Place (Deck 11) – international buffet with multiple food stalls and live cooking stations.
• The Beach Cove – barbecue specialties with alfresco dining.
• Nonna’s – Italian trattoria serving traditional oven-baked pizzas and pasta.
• The Terrace (Deck 11).

In June 2025, the new fleetwide gastropub restaurant Piccadilly’s was launched:

• 250-seat traditional British dining venue, open 6 AM–9 PM, complimentary, walk-in only (no reservations).
• Menu highlights include starters like "Chicken or the Egg" (smoked chicken terrine, soft hen eggs, piccalilli), mains such as "Chicken Cock-a-Leekie" (stuffed roast chicken with vegetables), and sharing plates like "Great British Burgers" and "The Arthur Duke Pasty Duo".
• Complimentary options include chips with gravy, devilled chicken livers, smoked salmon roulade, Angus beef with Yorkshire pudding, steak and ale pie, roast chicken dinner, apple fritters, and a British cheese selection.
• Premium options (surcharge) include Seafood Thermidor Frites, Rack of Lamb, Pan-Seared Sirloin Steak, and Belgian Chocolate Dome.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Among Marella Explorer 2’s standout features are the Indigo flagship bar, club, and casino complex, and the first-at-sea Champneys Spa. Indigo, located on the top deck, boasts the fleet’s longest bar and a 1,000-seat Broadway show lounge. The lounge hosts cocktail-making sessions, demonstrations, and nightly shows. Indigo also includes a nightclub with DJ booth, dance floor, and casino with slot machines and card tables.

The swimming pool is on Deck 11, alongside the Oceans Gym and Champneys Spa. The spa features a Finnish sauna (with floor-to-ceiling windows), a Thermal Suite, treatment suites, mini saunas, and outdoor cabanas on the adults-only Veranda Deck.

Additional entertainment venues include:

• The Lounge (Deck 6) – with a color-changing bar, unique seating, and a hot-pink piano.
• Bar 53 (Deck 5) – ideal for pre-dinner drinks next to Latitude 53.
• The Shack (Deck 12) – a casual bar overlooking the pool, above Snack Shack.
• Indigo Bar (Deck 12) – the fleet’s longest bar featuring cocktail-making sessions and flair shows.
• 19th Hole – golf-themed clubhouse bar with buggy seating, simulators, craft beers, and cocktails.
• Flutes – champagne and Prosecco bar, perfect for pre- and post-dinner drinks.
• Broadway Show Lounge (Decks 6 & 7) – 1,000-seat theater with waiter service and new productions.
• Indigo Casino and Club (Deck 12) – gaming tables, slot machines, and nightclub ambiance.
• Aperitif (Deck 7) – a stylish champagne/prosecco bar connecting specialty restaurants.
• Squid and Anchor Pub (Deck 7) – Marella’s first onboard pub, offering whiskies, gins, quiz nights, and live music.
• Scoops – retro ice cream parlor with quirky seating and gelato (surcharge applies).
• The Coffee Port – serving Lavazza coffee, sweets, and live piano music (surcharge).
• Movies by Moonlight – outdoor cinema screenings.
• M Club – kids’ club with activities and games.
• Broad Street Shops – boutiques offering duty-free goods, jewelry, perfumes, and gifts.
• Photo Studio & Kiosks (Deck 6) – professional photography services and self-service kiosks.
• Champneys Spa – premium treatments, beauty salon, relaxation room, and fitness center.
• Pool Deck (Deck 11) – main pool area split by a stage for live shows, with three whirlpools.
• The Veranda – adults-only area with Balinese beds and cocoon chairs.
• Sports Court – basketball, volleyball, and mini-football.
• Mini-golf and table tennis – top deck (Sports and Family Deck).

Since November 2022, Marella has partnered with OneSpaWorld Holdings to provide ocean-inspired wellness products and services across the fleet, featuring brands such as Elemis, L’Oréal, and Kerastase. OneSpaWorld brands include Mandara Spa, Bliss Spa, Chavana Spa, and Glow Spa.

Itineraries

Marella Explorer 2’s debut program featured 7-day Adriatic and Mediterranean cruises from Naples, Italy.

During winter 2019-2020, she was deployed to the Caribbean, homeporting in Bridgetown, Barbados with itineraries to St Lucia, Aruba, and Saint Vincent.

Following the COVID-19 suspension, Marella Explorer 2 resumed service in July 2021, homeporting in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Restart itineraries included:

• 3-night "A Taste of Scotland" (cruise to nowhere/coastal navigation)
• 6-night "British Treasures" (Invergordon, Lerwick, Dundee)
• 7-night "Gaelic Getaway" (Belfast, Greenock-Glasgow, Kirkwall, Dundee)
• 7-night "British Delights" (Greenock-Glasgow, Holyhead, Dundee, Edinburgh)
• 8-night "Celtic Explorer" (Belfast, Greenock-Glasgow, Invergordon, Edinburgh)
• 11-night "Coastal Charms" (Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, Belfast, Torbay, Le Havre-Paris)
• 12-night "Icelandic Adventure" (Lerwick, Reykjavik, Isafjord, Akureyri, Kirkwall)

The winter 2021-2022 season was spent in the Caribbean, homeporting in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

For 2022, she was homeported in Dubrovnik, Croatia on 7-day roundtrip itineraries:

• "Adriatic Affair" (Rijeka, Ravenna, Koper, Venice, Split)
• "Adriatic Delights" (Zadar, Trieste, Venice, Ancona, Split)
• "Sail Three Seas" (Valletta, Messina, Taranto, Corfu, Kotor)
• "Greek Mystique" (Chania, Piraeus-Athens, Katakolon-Olympia, Corfu, Kotor)

The ship’s power plant consists of MAN B&W marine diesel engines (models 9L48/60 and 6L48/60) with a combined output of 29.25 MW (39,225 hp).

She was built by Meyer Werft Papenburg (yard/hull number 637) with a gross tonnage of 72,458 GT, a deadweight of 7,260 tons, and a maximum draught of 8.1 m.

Between 2015 and 2018, the vessel operated as "SkySea Golden Era" for the newly established China-based SkySea Cruise Line (a joint venture between RCCL-Royal Caribbean and Ctrip International Ltd). In late 2014, RCCL sold the ship to Ctrip for USD 157 million. She was officially transferred in April 2015 and began service in China, completing nearly 300 voyages and carrying about 500,000 passengers during that time.

Marella Explorer 2 was christened on March 30, 2019, in Port Malaga, Spain. Her godmothers were Mary Moreno (executive chef with TUI-Marella since 2015) and Paula Clark (cabin manager with TUI Cruises since 2004). The refurbished vessel began her Inaugural Cruise for Marella on April 2, 2019, from homeport Palma de Mallorca.

The table below shows the maiden voyage itinerary (7-day "Treasures of the Mediterranean") with ports of call and scheduled times:

Godspeed!

Marella Explorer 2 refurbishment 2019 review

The ship’s most recent drydocking took place in 2023 (October 31 to November 26) at Navantia (Cadiz), covering general maintenance, class inspections, and technical overhauls.

The conversion drydock from SkySea Golden Era to Marella Explorer 2 was completed at Navantia Shipyard (Cadiz, Spain) from January 26 to March 27, 2019. Prior to this, she visited COSCO Shipyard (Zhoushan, China) for general maintenance before her month-long repositioning voyage (via the Suez Canal) to Europe.

The 8-week drydock project involved around 1,520 people (contractors, partners, Marella crew, and about 300 Trimline specialists) and more than 190,000 man-hours. Works included new carpeting throughout (~43,000 m² / 16 mi² of carpet laid), ~70 km (43.5 mi) of network cabling, installation of 640 Wi-Fi points, full hull and superstructure repainting, glass refurbishments, cabin upgrades, and rebranding. She was also supplied with 9.5 tons of Marella Cruises-branded merchandise and about 1,000 crew uniforms and show costumes.

New venues added during the refit included the Clubhouse Bar, 19th Hole (featuring two golf simulators, buggy seating, craft beers, and golf-themed cocktails), Flutes (wine bar), Nonna’s (Italian trattoria serving traditional pizza and pasta), and The Beach Cove (BBQ restaurant). The Topdeck Veranda (VIP sunbathing area) was doubled in size compared to Marella Explorer 1. A new cabin category was also introduced – the Royal Suite (102 m² / 1,100 ft²).

The 2019 drydock, managed by Trimline Ltd (marine interior refurbishment specialists), also included the redesign and refurbishment of most onboard venues and public areas such as Lido Marketplace (buffet restaurant), Indigo Club, both Coffee Ports (now with USB charging points), Squid and Anchor Pub, Broadway Show Lounge, Latitude 53 (main restaurant), and Vista Dining Room.

Since January 26, 2019, the ship has been managed by Hamburg-based CCS (Columbia Cruise Services Ltd).

During the 2020 drydock (carried out by Trimline at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam), all staterooms were renovated (ceilings and walls repainted), including bathrooms, with some Suites receiving new wood flooring. The Market Place Buffet Restaurant (Deck 11) was upgraded with more durable resin flooring.

SkySea Golden Era ship review

Beginning in May 2015, Celebrity Century was renamed "SkySea Golden Era" and homeported in China, operating roundtrip itineraries. In 2018, she was based in Xiamen and Shanghai, sailing to Japan (Miyakojima, Naha-Okinawa), Vietnam (Da Nang, Halong Bay), and the Philippines.

On March 29, 2018, SkySea Cruise Line announced her final voyage – a 4-night roundtrip from Shanghai (August 29 – September 2, 2018) to Hakata-Fukuoka. The farewell cruise featured special events such as a Champagne Reception, Farewell Dessert, commemorative gifts, discounted shopping, and a 10% booking discount for returning passengers. The grand finale of the onboard talent show "SkySea Voice" was also held during this voyage.

SkySea Golden Era had 907 cabins, including 75 Suites across 26 categories. Dining venues included The Grand Restaurant (main dining room), Murano (specialty French restaurant), The Islands Café (buffet), Veranda Grill (poolside), Sushi Bar, and Sunset Bar. Lounges and bars included Rendezvous, The Crystal Room (disco), Cova Café, Martini Bar, Michael’s Club, pool bars, and Hemisphere nightclub. Other amenities included the Aqua Spa, four Jacuzzis, and two swimming pools.

Entertainment was high-quality and adult-oriented. On January 24, 2018, the interactive music show SAMAJAM debuted onboard, allowing guest participation and private bookings for corporate events. The show was performed on all SkySea cruises in 2018.

Celebrity Century’s maiden voyage was on December 20, 1995, originally as "GTS Century". In April 2006, she underwent a 5-week refit at Fincantieri Shipyard – the company’s most expensive refurbishment at that time. The project added 14 new suites, 10 new staterooms, balconies to 314 cabins, and introduced the Murano specialty restaurant (French cuisine) as well as an expanded spa complex.

Before joining SkySea, she was refitted in Singapore to better suit Chinese guests, adding new restaurants, a trampoline, and a mini-golf course. She also featured the fleet’s only AquaSpa Café (healthy dining). Notably, she was the setting for the episode "Ship of Fran’s" from season 3 of *The Nanny*.

Celebrity Century was the first cruise ship to feature an ice bar – the Martini Bar and Crush – with a frozen wall, ice-carved counter, and liquor encased in a solid block of ice. She also had a cigar lounge and Michael’s Club, offering hand-rolled cigars, port, and cognac.

RCCL sold the vessel to China’s Ctrip in late 2014 for USD 157 million. She was then managed by Exquisite Marine (a Ctrip subsidiary) from April 2015. Modifications included new restaurants, an ice bar, a trampoline, and a mini-golf course.

Ctrip, China’s largest travel agency, is a leading provider of transportation, accommodations, tours, corporate travel, and cruise bookings, holding over 10% of the country’s cruise market. SkySea Holdings was founded in 2013 with Stone Capital (a Shanghai-based private equity firm). RCCL and Ctrip each held 35%, while Stone Capital owned 30%. The line was managed by Min Fan (Ctrip’s Vice Chairman, President, and co-founder), with operational support from RCCL. Ctrip handled marketing, sales, and customer base, while RCCL managed ship operations and crew.

SkySea Cruises targeted China’s mid-to-high-end market, focusing on passengers aged 30–60. Plans were made to add one ship per year (through transfers of older vessels) and eventually to order a newbuild. In 2014, before SkySea began operations, the number of Chinese cruise tourists had already reached 90 million.

In spring 2017, SkySea added South Korea as a departure option in its Shanghai homeport program. Guests could embark in Busan, cruise to Japan, then disembark in Shanghai and fly home to South Korea.

SkySea Golden Era refurbishment 2017 review

On November 16, 2017, SkySea Cruises announced the completion of a drydock (October 25 – November 11) at COSCO Shipyard (Zhoushan, China). This project, in partnership with CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) and G-Art (interior design specialists), included:

• Routine maintenance work
• Addition of two new conference halls on decks 7 and 12
• "SkySea Board Room" (Deck 7) with 50 seats
• "SkySea Conference Room" (Deck 12) with 100 seats
• Grand Restaurant redesigned with a Chinese theme
• New beauty salon (in partnership with PhiSkin), expanded retail shops, and a new onboard pharmacy