I went on a Marella Cruises trip via Leeds Bradford Airport - and discovered a new way to holiday

“You’ll be converted.”

That was what people kept telling me in the months leading up to my first cruise, a trip on TUI’s Marella Discovery 2.

My knowledge of cruise holidays was extremely limited, fed only by brief clips of Jane McDonald on 90s BBC show ‘The Cruise’.

I had no idea what to expect, but the strong assertions that I would fall in love with a new way to holiday just kept coming. To be honest, I brushed them off. I had no doubts it would be fun, but would it really change my entire viewpoint on holidays? There was definitely some scepticism.

Anyway, fast forward to a week after the trip and I am in the habit of regularly wasting hours watching ship tours on YouTube and staring at itineraries, mouth ajar and eyes wide open. I am deep in the rabbit hole and fear I may never come out.

TUI were kind enough to invite me and my partner onto the Marella Discovery 2, which sailed as Royal Carribean’s ‘Legend of the Seas’ in a past life and will become adults-only from winter 2026 onwards. It has 11 decks, 918 cabins, nine restaurants, seven bars and two pools. Oh, and a theatre, spa, mini-golf course and climbing wall.

We enjoyed the week-long ‘Cosmopolitan Charms’ route, starting in the Balearic Islands capital of Palma and visiting Palermo, Naples, Civitavecchia, Propriano and Barcelona. Logistics-wise, it was all plain-sailing - pun intended.

TUI offer an end-to-end service as part of an all-encompassing package taking you from airport to ship and back again. Flights to and from Leeds Bradford Airport, transfers, food, drinks, entertainment, tips and cabin accommodation - it’s all included.

We flew to Palma from Leeds Bradford and were whisked over to the ship by a coach upon landing. Within about 20 minutes of boarding - 18 of which were spent watching the sun set over the port from our cabin’s balcony - I started to understand why people had spoken so glowingly about cruising.

The ship itself is a classic one that has been modernised, but the polishing has not stripped Marella Discovery 2 of its vintage charm. So many aspects of the ship - such as the grand atrium and stunning show lounge - just ooze class.

I spent so much of the first evening, as well as the sea day that followed before our first stop, just wandering around in a mesmerised state. Marella cruises are all-inclusive and for £12.75 per person per night if booked in advance, you can upgrade to the premium package and drink almost everything from the bars and The Coffee Port.

We did this and would wholeheartedly recommend it - particularly if you are a cocktail lover. In fact, I’d have upgraded just to sample the deliciously smoky old fashioned cocktails in Bar 11, the classiest and most scenic of the ship’s watering holes. Located on the top deck, we loved heading there for a panoramic view of the ocean as we sipped drinks in big comfortable chairs.

We also enjoyed plenty of time in the Squid & Anchor - the ship’s British-style pub at sea - and The Live Room & Casino. Both boasted fantastic atmospheres, with almost constant entertainment ranging from live music to gameshows.

It wasn’t just a week of drinking though - there was plenty of eating too. Eateries Islands Buffet, 47°, Gallery°, Piccadilly’s, The Glasshouse and Snack Shack are included in the standard all-inclusive. For Kora La, Surf & Turf Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, there are advance charges of £18.95, £38.95 and £32.95 respectively.

I expected the food to be good but all expectations were surpassed. From the beef wellington at 47° to the carrot cake in The Glasshouse, everything was stunningly prepared. The culinary highlight for me was the lamb bhuna at Kora La, which was spiced to absolute perfection.

When you reel off the ship’s offerings in a big list, it can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, you never feel like that on the ship. It is so easy to navigate and we felt like we’d lived there our whole lives within 24 hours of being on board.

The Marella Cruise Control app - available whether you have Wi-Fi or not - was a massive help. It has timings for dining and entertainment, as well as port arrivals and departures. You can book excursions on it too - more on that soon.

If it does all get a bit much, the ship’s spa is a haven. I went for a deep tissue massage and emerged feeling like a new man, free of knots and any stress at all. My partner had a fire and ice manicure and was blown away by the attention to detail.

I had my massage on the penultimate day of the holiday, by which time most of the stress had already been forcibly removed from my body. Port days had served up some of the most memorable moments of my entire life, days I know I’ll recall and recount for years to come.

In Naples, we ticked off the hauntingly beautiful Pompeii, the preserved city that stands in the garden of Mount Vesuvius. We then went up the volcano itself as part of the same excursion package. TUI take care of absolutely everything, looking after all your transport and information needs.

The only thing they did not do was carry my overfed body to the top of the Vesuvius walking trail, for which I can forgive them.

After docking in Civitavecchia, we booked a coach into Rome and got the chance to explore one of the world’s most stunning cities at our own leisure. In Barcelona, we booked onto the ‘Barcelona Coastline By Helicopter’ excursion, which was just as breathtaking as it sounds. We were flown over the sea and given a jaw-dropping view of the city, spotting sights such as La Sagrada Familia in the distance.

To see so many sights in the space of a week, and to enjoy such luxurious indulgence every single night back on the ship, was beyond special. Since returning, curious family members and friends have been keen to know what our favourite part of the experience was.

For all the brilliance of the facilities, food and excursions, it was the service from staff I was most impressed by. Sincerely, there is no exaggeration when I say I have never experienced service quite like it.

All week, in every nook and cranny of the ship, staff simply could not do enough for you. It is the people that made my first cruise experience so intoxicating, and it is them I will blame for the hours I have disposed of living vicariously through online cruise vloggers.

Consider me a convert.

Prices and links

Premium All-Inclusive: £12.95 per person when booked in advance

Pompeii and Vesuvius excursion: £108 per person

Barcelona Coastline by Helicopter excursion: £138 per person

Rome On Your Own - 7 Hours: £55 per person

Book Marella Cruise: www.tui.co.uk/cruises

Book excursions: https://marellacruisecontrol.tui.co.uk/login