Marella Explorer 2 to Enter Drydock in January 2026

Marella Explorer 2 is set to pause operations in early January 2026 for a routine drydock, returning to service on Feb. 5, 2026. The maintenance period comes as the ship marks roughly three decades since first entering service in late 1995 under a different name and operator.

Drydock timing and what has been disclosed

Available reports describe the early-2026 project as routine maintenance work, with the ship expected to be out of service for nearly a month before welcoming guests back on Feb. 5. No detailed scope for the work package was publicly provided in the available information, and no official statement from Marella Cruises about the drydock was included in those reports.

Where the ship is scheduled to sail after the yard period

After re-entering service in February 2026, Marella Explorer 2 is scheduled to operate a year of regional deployments across Europe before a late-year repositioning to the Caribbean.

• Canary Islands itineraries are scheduled during the first months of 2026 after the ship returns to service.
• The ship is set for a spring season in the Western Mediterranean as part of its Europe-heavy schedule.
• Weeklong cruises to the Adriatic and the Greek Isles are scheduled to operate from Dubrovnik, Croatia.
• The vessel is scheduled to reposition to the Caribbean in November 2026, operating cruises departing from Barbados.

A 30-year timeline of name changes and redeployments

The ship first debuted on Dec. 20, 1995, after being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Originally ordered by Celebrity Cruises, the vessel entered service as Celebrity Century and was described at debut as a 70,000-ton newbuild carrying 1,750 guests; in its current Marella Cruises configuration, it is listed as a 1,814-guest ship.

For its maiden season, the ship operated year-round from Fort Lauderdale, rotating weeklong itineraries to the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. After nearly 20 years with Celebrity, the vessel was slated in 2015 to transfer to Croisières de France, a Royal Caribbean-related brand, but that move was later cancelled.

The ship was then purchased by Ctrip, a major online travel agency in China, which launched a joint venture operation with Royal Caribbean. Renamed SkySea Golden Era, it spent three years operating cruises in China before SkySea ceased operations in 2018, prompting the ship’s return to Europe in preparation for its next redeployment.

Following a major refurbishment, the vessel joined Marella Cruises in early 2019 as Marella Explorer 2. It continues to serve the British market, including Marella’s fly-cruise product, with itineraries spanning North America, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Early-2026 drydock activity elsewhere in the fleet landscape

Marella Explorer 2 is one of several ships scheduled for yard work in early 2026. Celebrity Infinity is set for routine maintenance at Chantier Naval de Marseille and is scheduled to resume Eastern Mediterranean cruises by Jan. 11, 2026, while Costa Toscana is due to undergo its first mandatory drydock, including class inspections and maintenance, after canceling its Middle East season for 2025.

Other projects highlighted in early-2026 reporting include Margaritaville at Sea Paradise enhancements at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, featuring the addition of a modern buffet area, and conversion work for Ideal ahead of its debut for Tianjin Oriental International Cruise Line in China after an extended period out of service.

Marella Explorer 2 is scheduled to return from drydock on Feb. 5, 2026, then continue into Canary Islands and Mediterranean deployments before repositioning to the Caribbean in November for departures from Barbados.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will Marella Explorer 2 return from drydock in 2026?

The ship is scheduled to welcome guests back on Feb. 5, 2026, after entering drydock in early January.

What is the scope of the 2026 drydock for Marella Explorer 2?

The project has been described in available reports as routine maintenance, with no detailed scope publicly provided. No official statement from Marella Cruises about the work package was included in the available information.

What are the ship’s previous names?

The vessel debuted in 1995 as Celebrity Century and later sailed as SkySea Golden Era before entering service for Marella Cruises in 2019 as Marella Explorer 2.

Where was Marella Explorer 2 built, and when did it first enter service?

The ship was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and first entered service on Dec. 20, 1995.

Where is Marella Explorer 2 scheduled to sail in 2026?

Its schedule includes the Canary Islands early in the year, the Western Mediterranean in spring, weeklong Adriatic and Greek Isles cruises from Dubrovnik, and Caribbean cruises from Barbados starting in November 2026.