With the cruise sector insisting on the maintenance of vessels despite a hectic post-pandemic recovery, two Marella Cruises vessels are undergoing drydock to be maintained. Marella Discovery and the Marella Voyager, which are some of the major ships in the fleet of the UK-based operator, were reported to have entered European shipyards earlier this month to undergo routine repairs.
This is a development that is expected to be announced by the cruise officials on November 17, 2025; it speaks volumes about how serious the cruise operators are in terms of safety, efficiency, and improved passenger experiences as the ships are ready to take on their winter seasons.
Both ships are halfway through the nominated refits, with the present date being November 25, 2025. The TUI Group includes Marella Cruises with a fleet specifically designed to meet the demands of British holidaymakers, who are provided with all-inclusive trips to the most popular locations. These dry docks are built to adhere to the international maritime standards, but with modern upgrades that are to suit the changes in environmental and operational requirements.
Refit of Marella Voyager in Spain
The Marella Voyager reached the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz in Spain, on November 6, 2025. This 1,912-passenger ship was first manufactured in the year 1997 and was refurbished on several occasions, but is currently undergoing an extensive maintenance program. The main operations involve regular inspections, technical upgrades on propulsion and navigation systems, and class society checks to ensure certification.
Engineers are drawing attention to clearing hulls, painting, and other minor maintenance of the interior to renew the public arena. The drydock can also be modified in an environmentally-friendly way, including better waste management systems and efficient lighting, which is in line with the sustainability objectives of Marella. It is projected to complete the process at the beginning of December, and the ship will be back in service on December 5, 2025.
After undergoing an eight-night repositioning cruise, Marella Voyager will set off from the Canary Islands with a departure port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Malaga, Spain. This schedule will become the beginning of its winter program, which will involve hot holiday destinations to Atlantic resorts such as Tenerife and Lanzarote. The disruptions have been minimised by accommodating passengers who have booked on sailings that have been affected or refunding them.
Overhaul of Marella Discovery in the Netherlands
In the meantime, the Marella Discovery had stopped at the Damen Shiprepair shipyard at Rotterdam, Netherlands, on November 11, 2025. This 1,830 passenger vessel, which was launched in 1996, is getting the same treatment, whereby it is undergoing regular maintenance, technical repairs, and rigorous class checks. Some of the areas of focus are the overhaul of engines, stabiliser inspection, and renovation of safety onboard machinery.
The refit includes the development of digital technologies to improve fuel efficiency and minimise emissions, and the industry’s move to net-zero operations by 2050. The interior work consists of cosmetic additions to dining places and cabins, so that there will be a new appearance for the future cruises. The cost of the whole procedure will be accomplished by the end of November, and the ship will re-enter service on December 2, 2025.
The Marella Discovery will then have a 14-night trans-Atlantic voyage since drydock between Vigo in Northern Spain and La Romana, Dominican Republic. This cruise is the beginning of its Caribbean winter cruise, and ports such as Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua will be visited. Marella has been proactive in handling changes in itinerary where the traveller has options in order to retain customer satisfaction.
Industry Environment and Advantages
These coincident drydocks underscore the heavy maintenance cycles of the cruise sector, which usually take two to five years to keep the vessels seaworthy. Navantia and Damen shipyards in Europe are preferred due to their experience in dealing with large vessels with state-of-the-art equipment to deal with complex repairs.
The upgrades not only increase the lifespan of the ships but also improve the amenities to the guests, including improved Wi-Fi and entertainment facilities. The work also helps in reducing carbon footprints on an environmental scale by using optimised machinery. Marella Cruises points out that such investments are expensive but crucial to survival in the competitive market in the long run.
With cruise demand in the world soaring, and expectations of 35 million passengers in 2026, this type of maintenance enjoys reliability. These two ships are part of the fleet operated by Marella, which is a key part of the tourism empire of TUI, bringing in a lot of revenue in the UK markets.
Future Implications
On the forward, these refits place the Marella Discovery and Voyager in good positions to experience successful winter deployments, making tourism inthe Canaries and the Caribbean successful. Industry experts observe that maintenance ensures a maintenance-free breakdown is avoided, and the brand image is preserved.
Marella has further plans on fleet improvement and perhaps newbuilds, as stated earlier in 2025. In the meantime, the emphasis has been put on uninterrupted services back to the sea, where the passengers are amazed by new ships that are full of adventure.
These European drydocks are a symbol of proactive care and sustainability in the face of increased scrutiny of the maritime ecosystem, with the needs of operation and care of the planet balanced.
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