--- type: cruise schema_type: TouristTrip id: d2afc401-817c-4592-a28e-b4e78626caa6 slug: 2245019 voyage_code: None cruise_line: Marella Cruises ship: Marella Explorer 2 departure_date: return_date: nights: 14 embarkation_port: Bridgetown,Barbados disembarkation_port: Bridgetown,Barbados starting_price_usd: None bookable: false last_updated: 2026-05-05T03:01:49Z --- # Cocktails and Coconuts followed by A Christmas in Paradise > Marella Cruises · Marella Explorer 2 · Dec 17 – 31   (14 nights) ## Quick Facts | Attribute | Value | |-----------|-------| | **Cruise Line** | Marella Cruises | | **Ship** | Marella Explorer 2 | | **Duration** | 14 nights | | **Departure Date** | N/A | | **Return Date** | N/A | | **Embarkation Port** | Bridgetown,Barbados | | **Disembarkation Port** | Bridgetown,Barbados | | **Starting Price** | N/A USD per person | | **Voyage Code** | None | ## Itinerary ### Day 1: Bridgetown,Barbados **Arrives:** 12:00 AM · **Departs:** 08:00 PM A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base....... ### Day 2: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 3: St Johns,Antigua **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in the sunshine. And cuisine as sublime as those moon-white shores...... ### Day 4: Philipsburg,St Maarten **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss....... ### Day 5: Road Town **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM Nature’s the star attraction in the British Virgin Islands. We dock at Tortola, the biggest isle. Here, ancient rainforests hog the limelight, beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention, and opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting....... ### Day 6: Basseterre,St Kitts **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. And it excels in every sense, with its seductive blend of blonde sands and duck-egg blue seas. Away from the shores though, you’ll find plenty of historic sights to tick off your checklist. Or why not pop across to the neighbouring island of Nevis, which is just three kilometres over The Narrows channel?...... ### Day 7: Pointe a Pitre **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 04:00 PM Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse. This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet of islands. There’s a scattering of little ones but the two main players are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Together, they’re shaped like a butterfly resting quietly on the sun-blushed Caribbean. As famous for its sugar and rum as it is top dive sites and sparkling sands, this place will sweep you off your feet… ### Day 8: Bridgetown,Barbados **Arrives:** 07:30 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base....... ### Day 9: Castries,St Lucia **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM This truly tropical isle is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean. Think glossy rainforests showered in sunbeams. Vivid yellow banana plantations. And striking, syrup-coloured sands that simply demand your tanning time. The coral reefs are out of this world, too. Be dazzled by the rainbow of colours hidden beneath the waves, then let the St Lucian sun gently dry your skin. For a paradise escape, this place comes up trumps every time....... ### Day 10: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 11: Kralendijk, Bonaire **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM If you’re in any doubt concerning what Bonaire’s all about, just look at an island number plate – above every registration number you’ll find the words ‘Divers’ Paradise’. This island in the Leeward Antilles is consistently rated as one of the best dive and snorkelling destinations in the world. Shipwrecks, tropical fish and seahorses are ripe in the waters that surround the island. Above the waterline, meanwhile, there are wild flamingo herds to see and craggy national parks to ex... ### Day 12: Oranjestad, Aruba **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 10:00 PM Nowhere showcases Aruba’s Dutch roots quite like Oranjestad. With its gable-topped houses and colonial clock towers, the island’s good-looking capital is like a little slice of Amsterdam. Of course, it’s got some only-in-the-Caribbean touches, too. Palm trees flutter in the breeze. Hourglass-fine sands stretch on for miles. And colourful wooden huts serve up a winning combination of fresh seafood and strong rum cocktails....... ### Day 13: Willemstad, Curacao **Arrives:** 08:00 AM · **Departs:** 06:00 PM This little Dutch island is slowly beginning to creep onto the tourist radar, and for good reason. It offers up an unbeatable mix of footprint-free beaches and pretty colonial towns. The storybook port of Willemstad leads the pack, with its candy-coloured, red-roofed houses that gild the downtown area. It’s such an impressive sight, UNESCO have even granted the town a place on its World Heritage list....... ### Day 14: At Sea Enjoy a relaxing day at sea exploring the ship's amenities. ### Day 15: Bridgetown,Barbados **Arrives:** 07:00 AM · **Departs:** 12:00 AM A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island with a big fan base....... ## Pricing Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy in USD. | Cabin Type | Starting Price | |------------|----------------| | Pricing | Contact for latest fares | ## Ship Information ### Marella Explorer 2 Marella Explorer 2, is joining the fleet in summer 2019. Marella Explorer is the ship’s big sister, so you can expect some similar qualities, like a range of restaurants, a Champneys Spa and Indigo – a chic bar-club-casino space. But there’s one big difference between them – Marella Explorer 2’s reserved for adults. #### Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Passenger Capacity | 1,814 | | Crew | 780 | | Gross Tonnage | 72,458.0 | | Length | 814.0 ft | | Total Cabins | 907 | ## Onboard Amenities ### Entertainment - **Indigo Club**: Fast Facts: Silent Discos Late Night Disco On Deck 12 You’ll find the club in the middle of Indigo. It flaunts a dancefloor and a DJ booth. Available... - **Squid & Anchor**: Squid & Anchor Fast Facts: Quizzes Gameshows Marella's Own Pub at Sea This pub at sea is a modern take on a traditional British watering hole. As suc... - **Flutes**: Fast Facts: Champagne and Prosecco Bar Perfect for pre-dinner drinks Press for bubbles buttons If you’re after something bubbly, Flutes is the bar fo... - **Movies by Moonlight**: Fast Facts: Classic Movies Latest Box Office Hits Movies Under the Moonlight Our open-air cinema lets you watch classic movies and the latest box off... - **Indigo Casino**: Fast Facts: Blackjack Tables Fruit Machines On Deck 12 If you’re feeling lucky, you can try out the slot machines and card tables at the Indigo Casin... ### Food and Drink - **The Coffee Port**: If you’re in need of a caffeine boost, this place will do the trick. It’s the biggest Coffee Port in our fleet, serving sweet treats courtesy of our i... - **Piccadilly's**: Fast Facts: Open for dinner Waiter service Included Piccadilly's is our brand-new British restaurant, sat in the main dining room on all ships. The m... - **Nonna's**: Fast Facts: Pasta and Pizza Options Open for lunch and dinner Included You can make your own pizza and pasta dishes from scratch at this laidback piz... - **The Dining Club**: Fast Facts: Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available Dress Code: Smart The Dining Club, tucked away on Deck 5, rustles up French contemporary food w... - **Vista**: Fast Facts: Italian Restaurant Serves Dinner Included You’ll find Vista – our resident Italian restaurant – on Deck 6, on the second floor of the shi... ### Recreational - **Pool**: The pool is split in two by a small stage in the middle, and you can look forward to daily entertainment. - **Pool bar**: Like the name suggests, this bar sits next to the pool, so it’s great for grabbing drinks and frozen cocktails. - **Minigolf**: Couples can practice putting on this nine-hole minigolf green. It’s right at the top of the ship, so it comes with great sea views. - **Photo Studio**: Pop into the studio for a professional photoshoot. You’ll also find kiosks, where you can view and buy all the photos captured by our onboard photogra... - **Scoops**: Fast Facts: For those with a sweet tooth, try S... ### Other - **Medical Centre**: If you’re not feeling well, visit the Medical Centre. You’ll be met by an English-speaking doctor, who can carry out a consultation and prescribe medi... ### Technology - **Destination Services**: If you want to find out more about our ports of call and excursions, come and chat to our Destination Services team. They’ve got guides and maps to he... - **Reception**: Reception is the place to go for any queries, currency exchange and wake-up calls. Plus, it’s open around-the-clock. - **The Navigate App**: Once you're onboard, open up your smartphone's web browser to use the Navigate App. There's no download necessary and it lets you book restaurants, se... ### Fitness - **Running track**: Get some fresh air, stretch your legs and take in the horizon views as you follow the running track, which weaves around the top deck. ### Relaxation - **The Veranda**: Cocoon chairs and Balinese beds give The Veranda its luxe feel. Plus, it's at the back of the ship, so it shows off stellar views of the horizon. - **Spa and beauty salon***: At this state-of-the-art spa you can book in for treatments, like facials, body wraps and massages, plus there’s a beauty salon. The spa doesn’t scrim... - **The 19th Hole**: Fast Facts:Themed cocktails... ## Ports of Call ### Bridgetown,Barbados *Coordinates: 13.1132, -59.5988* A hypnotic calypso isle, Barbados is the ultimate Caribbean dream. And at just 21 miles by 14 miles, the island really is your oyster. Of course, it’s most famous for its palm-fringed beaches, but there’s more than talcum powder sands here. We’re talking a duty-free shopping scene. Gorgeous green countryside. And sights that are second to none. In a coconut shell, it’s the small island wit... ### St Johns,Antigua *Coordinates: 17.1167, -61.85* If you’re a big fan of the beach, prepare to lose your heart to this place. Antiguans like to boast they have a different one for every day of the year. Without doubt, porcelain, palm-fringed sands and still turquoise waters are the star of this island show. But that’s not all Antigua’s got to boast about. Get ready for towns in a rainbow riot of colours. Quiet countryside that slumbers in t... ### Philipsburg,St Maarten *Coordinates: 18.0237, -63.0458* Two flags rule over this tiny isle – the French and the Dutch. Philipsburg is the Dutch capital and the place to head for a serious shopping splurge. Marigot, meanwhile, is the French capital, where you can divide your time between bistros and boutiques. Add to the mix dreamy Caribbean coves, kaleidoscopic reefs and lashings of sunshine and you’ve got all the ingredients for tropical bliss....... ### Road Town *Coordinates: 18.3489, -64.9165* Nature’s the star attraction in the British Virgin Islands. We dock at Tortola, the biggest isle. Here, ancient rainforests hog the limelight, beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention, and opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting....... ### Basseterre,St Kitts One of the British Leeward Islands, St Kitts is one of the Caribbean’s pearls. Once an illustrious sugar colony, it now focuses its efforts on being a tropical paradise. And it excels in every sense, with its seductive blend of blonde sands and duck-egg blue seas. Away from the shores though, you’ll find plenty of historic sights to tick off your checklist. Or why not pop across to the neighbo... ### Pointe a Pitre *Coordinates: 16.2732, -61.4669* Flick through your French dictionary while sipping a Caribbean rum punch – Guadeloupe is where French and African influences fuse. This gorgeous spot is actually a bouquet of islands. There’s a scattering of little ones but the two main players are Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre. Together, they’re shaped like a butterfly resting quietly on the sun-blushed Caribbean. As famous for its sugar and... ### Castries,St Lucia *Coordinates: 13.9956, -61.0064* This truly tropical isle is one of the prettiest in the Caribbean. Think glossy rainforests showered in sunbeams. Vivid yellow banana plantations. And striking, syrup-coloured sands that simply demand your tanning time. The coral reefs are out of this world, too. Be dazzled by the rainbow of colours hidden beneath the waves, then let the St Lucian sun gently dry your skin. For a paradise escape, t... ### Kralendijk, Bonaire *Coordinates: 12.1507, -68.2767* If you’re in any doubt concerning what Bonaire’s all about, just look at an island number plate – above every registration number you’ll find the words ‘Divers’ Paradise’. This island in the Leeward Antilles is consistently rated as one of the best dive and snorkelling destinations in the world. Shipwrecks, tropical fish and seahorses are ripe in the waters that surround the island. ... ### Oranjestad, Aruba *Coordinates: 12.519, -70.037* Nowhere showcases Aruba’s Dutch roots quite like Oranjestad. With its gable-topped houses and colonial clock towers, the island’s good-looking capital is like a little slice of Amsterdam. Of course, it’s got some only-in-the-Caribbean touches, too. Palm trees flutter in the breeze. Hourglass-fine sands stretch on for miles. And colourful wooden huts serve up a winning combination of fresh se... ### Willemstad, Curacao *Coordinates: 12.1167, -68.9333* This little Dutch island is slowly beginning to creep onto the tourist radar, and for good reason. It offers up an unbeatable mix of footprint-free beaches and pretty colonial towns. The storybook port of Willemstad leads the pack, with its candy-coloured, red-roofed houses that gild the downtown area. It’s such an impressive sight, UNESCO have even granted the town a place on its World Heritage... ## Booking Information - **Book This Cruise:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2245019 - **Compare Prices:** CruisePirate compares prices across multiple booking channels - **Price Alerts:** Set up alerts for price drops on this sailing - **Support:** Contact our AI-powered cruise assistant for personalized recommendations ### Why Book with CruisePirate? - Real-time price comparison across booking channels - AI-powered cruise recommendations - Transparent pricing with no hidden fees - Expert cruise search and filtering --- ## Technical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2245019 - **Markdown URL:** https://cruisepirate.ai/cruise/2245019.md - **API Endpoint:** https://cruisepirate.ai/api/cruises/2245019/ - **Primary Image:** https://images.cruisepirate.ai/v3/static/cruise-lines/marella-cruises/marella-explorer-2/other/43377.webp - **Data Source:** CruisePirate Cruise Database - **Last Updated:** 2026-05-05 03:01:49 UTC