By
Elizabeth Robinson |
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 1 has entered dry dock in Cadiz, Spain to begin her transformation into Marella Cruises’ new ship Marella Explorer.
At 265 metres long and 32 metres wide, Marella Explorer will be the biggest ship to join the Marella Cruises fleet following the four-week multi-million pound refurbishment that will involve, approximately 1,600 people – including partners, contractors and the Marella Cruises team. The work will involve installing 45 square kilometres of carpet, more than 60 kilometres of data cabling and 650 wi-fi access points.
Two of the biggest new features onboard the 13-deck ship will be Indigo, a flagship bar, club and casino, and the first Champneys Spa at sea. Champneys Spa will offer a full-service thermal suite, treatment suites with their own showers and mini saunas, a Finnish sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows, and spa cabanas on the adults-only Veranda Deck. The 1,924-guest ship will also feature 962 cabins, nearly 40% of which will have balconies.
Marella Explorer will depart from Cadiz on 13 May and will be officially christened by newly appointed godmother Sue Stewart, Marella Cruises’ hotel operations manager, and Mandy Galloway, TUI retail agent. The ship will then embark on her first customer sailing around the Mediterranean, leaving from Palma, Majorca on 19 May.