The reality is that whenever you decide to book, Marella is a strong contender if you’re looking for a competitively priced cruise, particularly given that it operates on an all-inclusive basis.
As standard, flights, luggage, overseas transfers, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, day-to-night entertainment, gratuities and more are all bundled into your fare.
And, despite how generous the inclusions are, Marella doesn’t compromise on quality. As part of the TUI Group, the biggest travel group in the world, its team has the know-how and resources to deliver a polished end-to-end service. With a home-from-home atmosphere onboard, showstopping West End-style productions and over 100 destinations to choose from, it’s no surprise it's got broad appeal.
Don’t just take our word for it either. At the 2025 Wave Awards, Marella was named Britain’s favourite ocean cruise line based on public voting.
Whether you’re a return passenger or looking to try it out for the first time, there are several ways to secure the best possible fare. Without further ado, here’s when to book.
Booking early
There are lots of advantages to planning ahead, particularly if you have a specific itinerary in mind. For example, if you want to claim a place onboard to celebrate Christmas, ring in the New Year or experience a solar eclipse at sea, getting ahead of the crowd is highly recommended. The same goes for themed cruises, such as Musical Med-leys, as Marella’s music-themed mini cruises are affectionately known.
If you have your heart set on a specific cabin, snagging yours well in advance makes sense, too. Single cabins designed for solo travellers, for instance, tend to be in demand, so reserving yours with ample time before departure is a savvy move.
One way Marella makes it easy for guests to get a head start is its low deposit scheme, which lets you secure a short or mid-haul cruise for just £125 per person or a long-haul cruise from £175, with the second part of the deposit payable up to 12 weeks later.
Plus, many would say the anticipation of booking early is a bonus in and of itself. As you count down to your escape at sea, you get the added boost of knowing that an all-inclusive Marella cruise is on the horizon, with visions of poolside Mai Tais in the Caribbean sunshine to brighten your days.
Booking last minute
Marella caters to travellers of all stripes, and if you’re a more spontaneous sort, you’re in luck. Rather than pricing you out of a cruise, this line offers last-minute deals to popular destinations like the Greek Islands, Canary Islands, Dalmatian Coast and Caribbean. These include flights from a range of UK cities, such as London, Manchester, Bristol, Bournemouth and Birmingham.
You can also typically find last-minute offers on Marella Explorer 2, the cruise operator’s adults-only ship, as well as ones on family-friendly sailings scheduled outside of term time.
Best of all, if you’re able to be flexible, you can find some pretty jaw-dropping deals. At the time of writing, discounts range from around £100 to over £900, and you still receive the all-inclusive perks that Marella is known for: at least six onboard restaurants, a complimentary drinks package, dazzling performances and more.
In a nutshell, waiting until the last minute could be the most sensible decision you ever make.
Often, these eleventh-hour offers are available on cruises from roughly two months in advance until the day before departure (depending on availability), meaning, in theory, you could book today and find yourself dancing the night away at a poolside sail-away party tomorrow.
Shoulder season
Sailing directly before or after high season is a reliable way to score lower prices, quieter destinations and milder weather. The trick is knowing when shoulder season falls for your desired destination. As a general rule, you can count on the following:
- The Caribbean: Mid-April to mid-May and early November to mid-December
- The Mediterranean: April to May and September to October
- The Canaries: March to May and mid-September to November
Marella runs sailings across all of these regions in shoulder season, so you’ve got plenty of choice for a spring or autumn getaway.
Seasonal sales
Certain times of year see Marella offering guests generous discounts or perks. Here are the key ones to know:
Black Friday: This major shopping event, frequently paired with Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday, is a great time to get your holiday sorted, along with your Christmas shopping. Marella tends to get in on the act with discounts on both long and short-haul itineraries.
Wave Season: This is the cruise industry’s biggest annual sales period, typically running from January to March. This start-of-year window is an excellent time to get a deal on a Marella cruise and shake off the January blues while you’re at it.
You’ll usually need a customer account and a code from Marella to claim discounts, so signing up for the cruise line’s newsletter is a smart way to stay in the loop.
What other deals does Marella have?
Marella debuts new deals frequently, so it’s worth checking out its deals page to see what offers it has on.
Last minute deals
Set sail soon on an all-inclusive sailing with Marella Cruises. Get set for seven nights of sunshine, sea views and complimentary dining and drinks.
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