Today in Cruise Port St. Maarten: Marella Explorer
Cruise Port Philipsburg always welcomes interesting ships and can be a lively sight from the city, its beach, as well as Fort Amsterdam overlooking it. In this series of portraits of notable cruise ships passing through Port St. Maarten, today’s focus is on Marella Explorer. Here are some interesting facts that cannot be seen from the outside when admiring this impressive vessel.
Three Brands, Three Names
The “Century-class” Marella Explorer has a very German background, yet has sailed under several different names. The 1996-built passenger ship was constructed at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany—the same shipyard that later built many modern cruise ships such as Viking Sea and Mein Schiff 2, both frequent visitors to St. Maarten.
The ship began its life as Celebrity Galaxy for Celebrity Cruises, later sailed as Mein Schiff under TUI Cruises, and finally became Marella Explorer when it joined the Marella fleet in 2018. It has undergone major refurbishments, including a dry-dock refit before joining Marella in 2018 and another in 2021, during which numerous public areas and cabins were updated and modernized.
Custom-Made for Brits
The transition from the TUI brand to Marella was not a major leap—Marella is part of the TUI Group—but for the ship, the change was significant. Marella is a TUI brand created specifically to cater to British guests, whose preferences differ from the continental European markets TUI traditionally serves.
The aim was to create a cruise brand tailored to British tastes, culture, and expectations. Marella Cruises was launched in 2017/2018 by rebranding Thomson Cruises, a long-standing UK travel brand. TUI designed Marella to offer a truly all-inclusive cruise experience, covering meals, drinks, entertainment, and kids’ clubs. This approach simplifies holiday planning for UK customers, who often prefer packaged, worry-free vacations.
British Culture by Design
So how does British culture manifest itself in the middle of the Caribbean? Marella Explorer features one of the largest show lounges at sea, ideal for West End-style performances, as well as a Champneys spa for guests seeking relaxation alongside entertainment. Guests can also enjoy classic pub vibes at sea in The Squid & Anchor, styled like a traditional British pub with outdoor seating.
Deliberately Mid-Sized
Marella was developed as a new brand at a time when newly built cruise ships were already far larger than the Explorer. Rather than focusing on sheer size, the brand emphasizes quality. The goal was a fleet that feels friendly, relaxed, and contemporary, instead of ultra-luxurious or “mega-ship” oriented.
The ship carries around 2,681 guests and about 900 crew members, creating a welcoming and sociable atmosphere. With 13 decks and a cruising speed of around 22 knots, it is large enough to feel exciting while remaining small enough to feel personal.
Cruising from a Different Angle
When Marella Explorer arrives in St. Maarten—and the same applies to sister ships Marella Voyager and Marella Explorer 2, which are of similar size—it does so from less common points of departure. Marella Cruises uses Barbados and the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) as homeports. This is relatively unusual: St. Maarten cruise spotters know that most ships visiting the island typically depart from Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, or St. Maarten itself.
If you missed the ship, see for the St. Maarten cruise ship schedule when it returns, as it frequently visits in winter. Also make sure to reserve your St. Maarten shore excursions on time when mid-size or large ships like these are in.
