Marella Just Did What Other Cruise Lines Won't Dare Do

Has Marella Cruises become an anti-family cruise line... or has it always been one?

That might sound like a controversial question, but it's one that's worth asking.

This week, Marella Cruises announced that Marella Discovery 2 will become an adults-only ship from November 2027, joining Marella Explorer 2 as part of a growing adults-focused offering. Children's facilities will be replaced with new venues including a speakeasy, karaoke room, escape room and arts & crafts space.

But is this really a dramatic change in direction?
Or has Marella simply recognised what its strengths have always been?

In this episode, Jay explores why he believes Marella has never truly been the obvious choice for families when compared with cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and P&O Cruises. While those brands have invested billions into waterslides, family attractions and children's entertainment, Marella has built its reputation around older, smaller ships, friendly service, an all-inclusive product and a more relaxed onboard atmosphere.

The discussion also looks at a much bigger issue affecting the cruise industry.
Why are so few mainstream cruise lines willing to embrace adults-only cruising?

With research suggesting that many cruise passengers actively prefer adults-only holidays, is there a significant gap in the market that cruise lines have been reluctant to fill?

Jay also shares a surprising conversation with a cruise line executive who once claimed they wanted to move away from older passengers because, in their view, that customer base would eventually "die out." It's a mindset that raises important questions about how cruise lines view their long-term audience and whether they're focusing too heavily on attracting younger families while overlooking older travellers whose preferences and spending habits evolve over time.

As always, this is an opinion piece designed to encourage discussion. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Has Marella got this exactly right?
Would you pay more for an adults-only cruise?
Or do cruise lines have no choice but to keep prioritising families?

Let us know in the comments below.
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