Marella Cruises is set to dock at Isla Catalina, Dominican Republic, and Ponce, Puerto Rico for the first time.
- Starting from December 16, 2025, these additions mark a notable expansion in the cruise line’s offerings.
- The new ‘Tropical Isles’ itinerary will feature ports like San Juan, Charlotte Amalie, and Fredriksted.
- Marella Discovery 2 will also offer ‘Exotic Islands’ itineraries including Barbados and St. Lucia.
- Tui River Cruises launches new Danube and Rhine sailings for winter 2025.
Marella Cruises has announced an expansion into new Caribbean ports for its winter 2025 season, with the inclusion of Isla Catalina in the Dominican Republic and Ponce in Puerto Rico. This marks a significant development for the cruise line, as it will be the first time it has included these destinations in its itineraries, reflecting a commitment to broadening its cruise offerings.
The expanded ‘Tropical Isles’ itinerary will commence from La Romana, Dominican Republic. Passengers will have the opportunity to explore various notable locations, including San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie and Fredriksted in the US Virgin Islands, before reaching the new ports of Isla Catalina and Ponce, and returning to La Romana. Such an itinerary promises a rich exploration of diverse Caribbean cultures and landscapes.
In addition to the ‘Tropical Isles’ route, the Marella Discovery 2 will introduce the ‘Exotic Islands’ itinerary beginning January 2026. This includes highly sought-after destinations such as Barbados, St. Lucia, Aruba, Curacao, and Grenada. Furthermore, guests will enjoy overnight stays on board in Willemstad, Curacao, along with cruise-and-stay options at premier locations like the Hilton Barbados Resort and Radisson Aquatica in Barbados.
Chris Hackney, the managing director at Marella Cruises, expressed the company’s enthusiasm about the new programme, noting its emphasis on offering guests access to more remote and less visited destinations. Hackney stated, “We’re excited to be announcing our winter 2025 programme, with our more remote island ports of call in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, allowing our guests to discover more.”
Complementing these developments, Tui River Cruises is set to offer enticing new sailings on the Danube and Rhine rivers beginning in winter 2025. Passengers can opt for shorter four- and five-night journeys during the festive season, presenting an ideal introduction for those new to river cruising. Katy Berzins, head of river cruises at Tui, highlighted the novelty and appeal of these shorter itineraries, emphasising their suitability for first-time cruisers eager to explore the enchanting European rivers during the holiday period.
Marella Cruises’ introduction of new ports in their 2025 itinerary represents an exciting expansion of their Caribbean offerings, while Tui River Cruises brings innovative shorter sailings to Europe’s waterways.
