Greece Gets Major Cruise Boost as Marella Cruises Adds Patras to Its Expanded Summer 2028 Programme

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Greece is expected to see a rise in cruise tourism during summer 2028. Marella Cruises will add Patras to its route for the first time. This move opens up a way for travellers to experience Greece’s rich history, vibrant culture and beautiful coastal spots. The stop in Patras will be part of Marella Explorer’s Mediterranean schedule, which begins in Corfu. Passengers will now have the chance to visit a mainland Greek destination. This expansion also helps Marella Cruises grow its footprint, in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Marella Cruises is widening its European cruise network for summer 2028, bringing the Greek city of Patras into its programme for the first time while launching new Mediterranean and transatlantic itineraries. The season will also bring a larger cruise-and-stay portfolio as the company spreads its ships across Corfu, Malaga, Palma and Dubrovnik.

Bookings for the summer 2028 collection will open on 15 October 2026.

Patras Opens a New Door to Mainland Greece

Patras will make its Marella debut in July 2028 when Marella Explorer begins calling at the western Greek city as part of the new “Grecian Gems” itinerary from Corfu.

The addition gives passengers an opportunity to discover a different side of Greece beyond the country’s internationally famous islands.

Overlooking the Gulf of Patras, the city combines archaeological heritage, historic architecture, art and waterfront landscapes. The Church of St Andrew is among its major landmarks.

Adding Patras also strengthens Marella’s Eastern Mediterranean programme by introducing another mainland Greek destination alongside its established regional offering.

“Grecian Gems” cruises will start from £1,966.

Malaga Powers a Fresh Spanish Programme

Marella Explorer 2 will return to Malaga for a new seven-night “Spanish Shores” programme beginning in June 2028.

Designed exclusively for adults, the ship will connect several distinctive destinations around Spain and the western Mediterranean.

After leaving Malaga, the itinerary heads to Gibraltar before a day at sea. The journey then continues to Ibiza Town, Mahon in Menorca, Palma in Majorca and Cartagena before returning to Malaga.

The route blends island escapes with historic port cities, giving passengers a varied Mediterranean experience within one week.

Longer Voyages Connect the Caribbean and Europe

Travellers looking for extended journeys will have several new choices as Marella expands its repositioning programme from April 2028.

Marella Explorer will operate two “Sail into Spring” voyages towards Corfu. One will run for 10 nights from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, while another will sail for 11 nights from Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Marella Discovery 2 will operate the five-night “Flavours of the Mediterranean” journey between Palma and Dubrovnik.

The programme will also feature two 13-night Atlantic crossings from Barbados.

Marella Explorer 2 will sail “Transatlantic Treasures” from Barbados to Malaga, while Marella Voyager will operate “Atlantic Horizons” between Barbados and Palma.

These longer voyages will help move ships between their winter and summer operating regions while providing passengers with additional days at sea. Enhanced entertainment programmes are planned for the repositioning sailings, including extra shows, showcases, speakers and tribute performances.

Four European Homeports Anchor the Summer Season

Marella’s broader 2028 deployment will maintain a strong presence across both the eastern and western Mediterranean.

Marella Explorer will operate from Corfu, while Marella Explorer 2 will sail from Malaga.

Palma will remain another important base, hosting Marella Discovery and Marella Voyager during the season.

Adults-only Marella Discovery 2 will operate from Dubrovnik, strengthening access to Croatia and the wider Adriatic.

The four-homeport structure allows the cruise line to cover a broad range of Mediterranean destinations while offering passengers different regional starting points.

Cruise-and-Stay Choices Rise to 119 Hotels

Marella is also increasing the scale of its cruise-and-stay holidays, giving passengers more opportunities to combine time at sea with a hotel break.

For summer 2028, 119 hotels will be available across Majorca, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Malaga.

The expanded programme will be supported by departures from 22 airports across the UK and Republic of Ireland, connecting travellers with Marella’s European fly-cruise network.

Passengers can use the cruise-and-stay format to spend additional time exploring their chosen Mediterranean destination before or after their voyage.

Marella’s all-inclusive structure will continue across its cruises, with tips and service charges included in the holiday price.

With Patras entering the network for the first time, fresh Spanish itineraries, longer Atlantic crossings and an expanded hotel selection, summer 2028 will give Marella passengers a wider range of ways to explore Greece, Spain, Croatia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and the wider Mediterranean.

The complete summer 2028 programme goes on sale on 15 October 2026.