Vision-class · UK, Europe & Transatlantic
About Marella Discovery
Marella Discovery began life as Splendour of the Seas, the smallest of Royal Caribbean's six Vision-class ships, launched at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in 1995 and in service from March 1996. She transferred to TUI's UK cruise brand in 2016 as TUI Discovery and took the Marella Discovery name when the brand was renamed in 2017. At 69,130 gross tons she carries about 1,830 guests with a crew of roughly 720.
Highlights
- Built 1996 as Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas
- Smallest of the six Vision-class ships by length and tonnage
- Joined TUI in 2016 as TUI Discovery; renamed Marella Discovery in 2017
- Marella sells its cruises on an all-inclusive basis
Specifications
| Cruise line | Marella Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship class | Vision-class |
| Year built | 1996 |
| Shipyard | Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire |
| Gross tonnage | 69,130 GT |
| Guest capacity | 1,830 guests |
| Crew | 720 crew |
| Length | 264 m |
| Home port | London Tilbury / Amsterdam |
| Region | UK, Europe & Transatlantic |
| Status | In service |
Specifications from Wikipedia: Marella Discovery. Checked September 29, 2026.
At a glance
Derived from the specification table below.
- Space ratio: 37.8 GT per guest
- Gross tonnage divided by guest capacity — the standard measure of how much enclosed room each passenger has. Mainstream ships sit near 35; above roughly 50 is premium or luxury territory.
- Guest-to-crew ratio: 2.5 guests per crew member
- Fewer guests per crew member generally means more attentive service; mainstream ships are typically around 2.5 to 3.
- Age: 30 years since delivery
- Counted from the 1996 delivery year in the specification table below.
- Length: 264 m (866 ft)
- Overall length, which is what determines the berths and locks a ship can physically use.
How Marella Discovery compares with the other ships profiled here
Measured against the six ships profiled on this site, Marella Discovery is second for size, at 69,130 GT; second for guest capacity, at 1,830 guests; fifth for space per guest, at 37.8 GT per guest. Those six are the vessels this site keeps a profile on, not a survey of the industry, so the placings describe this table and nothing wider.
The closest comparable here by size is Azamara Quest, at 30,277 GT, against 69,130 GT for Marella Discovery.
| Ship | Gross tonnage | Guest capacity | GT per guest | Guests per crew | Year built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival Vista | 133,596 GT | 3,934 | 34.0 | 2.7 | 2016 |
| Marella Discovery | 69,130 GT | 1,830 | 37.8 | 2.5 | 1996 |
| Sirena | 30,277 GT | 688 | 44.0 | 1.8 | 1999 |
| Azamara Quest | 30,277 GT | 686 | 44.1 | 1.7 | 2000 |
| World Traveller | 9,934 GT | 200 | 49.7 | 1.5 | 2022 |
| Heritage Discoverer | 6,158 GT | 144 | 42.8 | 1.2 | 1989 |
Every figure is taken from the specification table on each ship's own profile, and each profile names its source. GT per guest and guests per crew are calculated from those figures.
Marella Discovery: frequently asked questions
How big is Marella Discovery?
Marella Discovery measures 69,130 gross tons, is 264 metres (866 feet) long, and carries up to 1,830 guests.
How many passengers does Marella Discovery carry?
Marella Discovery has a guest capacity of 1,830. A crew of 720 looks after them, about 2.5 guests per crew member.
Which cruise line operates Marella Discovery?
Marella Discovery is operated by Marella Cruises and belongs to the Vision-class.
When was Marella Discovery built?
Marella Discovery was delivered in 1996 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Saint-Nazaire, making it 30 years old.
Where does Marella Discovery sail?
Marella Discovery is deployed in the UK, Europe & Transatlantic region, sailing from London Tilbury / Amsterdam.