Winter 2027 Sees Marella Expands Adults-Only Fleet

Adults-only cruising is set to grow across several cruise brands, with Marella Cruises leading the trend by making Marella Discovery 2 a permanent adults-only ship from winter 2027. Oceania Cruises, Ambassador Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line are also expanding their age-restricted offerings through a mix of dedicated ships, fleet-wide policies and select sailings.

Marella Discovery 2 will become the cruise line’s second permanently adults-only vessel, replacing its children’s facilities with new venues including a speakeasy, an escape room, a karaoke room and an arts and crafts space as part of its winter 2027 program.

The ship is already scheduled to operate adults-only cruises during winter 2026 and summer 2027 before continuing in the same format for a second consecutive winter season.

With demand for adults-only cruising continuing to grow, we’re investing in four new onboard concepts to enhance the experience even further,” said Chris Hackney, Chief Executive Officer of Marella Cruises.

Marella classifies its adults-only cruises as being for guests aged 17 and over.

The company’s first adults-only vessel, Marella Explorer 2, entered service in that role in 2019. Meanwhile,* Marella Discovery* is operating adults-only cruises from Cyprus during summer 2026 before returning to family-focused sailings for winter 2026-27.

Originally built in 1995 at Chantiers de l’Atlantique as Royal Caribbean’s* Legend of the Seas,* the 69,472 GT Marella Discovery 2 joined the Marella fleet in 2017 and accommodates approximately 1,800 guests at standard capacity.

Between November 2027 and March 2028, the ship will sail from Tenerife and Gran Canaria before relocating to Malaga for cruises between March and April 2028. Meanwhile its new seven-night “Atlantic Fusion” itinerary will include visits to ports in the Canary Islands as well as Agadir, Morocco.

Marella has not yet released detailed plans for the redesigned onboard venues. The vessel’s published schedule through mid-October 2027 also does not currently show a drydock period following its most recent shipyard stay in fall 2024.

In addition to expanding its adults-only offerings, Marella Cruises is increasing its Cruise & Stay program with 39 new hotel partners. The additions include properties in Malaga, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Barbados, La Romana and Palma, bringing the total number of participating hotels to 197.

Bookings for the winter 2027 program opened on July 2, 2026.