5 things to know about new Port Canaveral cruise ship, including why locals can't sail
Marella Cruises is scheduled to start service out of Port Canaveral on May 7, when the Marella Discovery begins sailing from there.
But Space Coast residents generally won't be able to book a cruise on the Marella Discovery.
Here's are answers to why that's the case, plus other information about the ship and its cruises out of Port Canaveral, the world's busiest cruise port.
Why can't I buy a ticket to sail on the Marella Discovery?
Marella is component of the TUI Group, a major international travel company.
We're No. 1:Port Canaveral surpasses Miami as world's busiest cruise port
Port Canaveral officials say TUI's business model is to sell full-scale travel packages. So the cruise is part of a package that includes a flight from a United Kingdom airport to Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Some packages have an option to add a hotel stay in Florida.
When will the Marella Discovery start sailing from Port Canaveral?
The ship will have its first cruise from Port Canaveral's Cruise Terminal 5 on May 7, with 26 sailings scheduled between then and Nov. 5. Most are seven-night sailings, departing and returning on Sundays.
Marella will be the sixth cruise line with ships based at Port Canaveral, joining Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.
Marella originally planned to base the Discovery at Port Canaveral in 2021, but those plans were scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where will the Discovery cruise?
There are various itineraries from Port Canaveral. A typical one is called "American Dream," with stops in Charleston, South Carolina; New York City; and Freeport, Bahamas.
Is the Discovery a big ship?
Not compared with some of the megaships now operated by other cruise lines.
Positive outlook:CEO Murray delivers upbeat report on state of Port Canaveral after record year
The Marella Discovery has 915 cabins; a double-occupancy capacity of 1,830 passengers; and a full capacity of 2,076 passengers. It is 866 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 69,130 tons.
It has sailed under various names over the years. It initially sailed for Royal Caribbean International as the Splendour of the Seas, starting in 1996. The ship was refurbished in 2016, after being acquired by TUI.
In comparison, Royal Caribbean's Port Canaveral-based Wonder of the Seas ― the world's largest cruise ship now in operation — has 2,867 cabins; a double-occupancy capacity of 5,734 passengers; and a full capacity of 7,084 passengers. It is 1,188 feet long and has a gross tonnage of 235,600 tons.
What are some other features of the Discovery?
The ship has seven restaurants and seven bars, plus an 800-seat Broadway Show Lounge, an outdoor cinema and a five-story atrium.
It also has a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course and two pools onboard, one of which is indoors.
Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on Twitter at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Cruises on Marella Discovery from Port Canaveral aren't for locals
