Marella Cruises, part of the leading travel and tourism company TUI Group, has announced the introduction of two indulgent new afternoon tea experiences across its entire fleet. The innovative offerings — a Chocolate Afternoon Tea and a Cheese Afternoon Tea — have been designed to enhance guests’ onboard dining experiences, blending traditional British indulgence with a contemporary twist.
The new concepts will be available fleetwide from this winter season, giving guests the opportunity to savour two distinct culinary journeys while sailing to some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. The launch reflects Marella Cruises’ continued investment in elevating its food and beverage portfolio, ensuring every voyage offers unique and memorable dining moments.
The Chocolate Afternoon Tea promises to delight those with a sweet tooth, featuring a curated selection of chocolate-infused pastries, cakes, and scones accompanied by a range of premium teas. Highlights include chocolate truffles, rich mousse cups, and cocoa-glazed éclairs, all crafted by Marella’s expert pastry chefs using high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world.
For guests preferring savoury indulgence, the Cheese Afternoon Tea offers an elegant alternative. This experience showcases an assortment of artisan cheeses, from creamy brie and mature cheddar to tangy blue varieties, paired with freshly baked breads, chutneys, and crackers. Carefully selected wines and teas complement the tasting, creating a refined and relaxing afternoon experience at sea.
According to Marella Cruises, both afternoon tea concepts have been developed following guest feedback highlighting a desire for more themed dining experiences onboard. The initiative aligns with TUI Group’s broader culinary strategy to offer authentic, high-quality, and diverse dining options that reflect global tastes and premium standards.
Guests can enjoy the new afternoon teas in selected onboard venues, including the popular Coffee Port and The Market Place, depending on the ship. Each menu has been tailored slightly to reflect the vessel’s individual style and destination itinerary, ensuring every ship offers its own distinctive twist on the experience.
Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Marella Cruises, said the new offerings exemplify the brand’s commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences. “We know food plays a key role in our guests’ cruise holidays. By introducing these two unique afternoon tea concepts, we’re giving our guests more choice and a taste of something truly special — whether they prefer rich chocolate indulgence or the savoury sophistication of fine cheeses.”
The afternoon teas will be available as bookable onboard experiences, allowing guests to reserve in advance or while at sea. Each experience is designed to offer both luxury and accessibility, with pricing structured to deliver excellent value for the quality and craftsmanship involved.
With the addition of the Chocolate and Cheese Afternoon Teas, Marella Cruises continues to strengthen its reputation for innovative and guest-focused culinary experiences. As the fleet sails into a new season, passengers can look forward to an even richer selection of gourmet offerings that celebrate both indulgence and creativity — hallmarks of the
