
Marella Cruises, in partnership with hotel logistics services provider Apollo Group, is rolling out reusable coffee cups to all guests onboard its fleet of ships, after a successful trial on Marella Explorer, to support TUI’s commitment to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative.
During the three‑month trial, around 3,500 takeaway drinks were served each week at The Coffee Port, the ship’s Premium All Inclusive coffee shop, using reusable cups and lids onboard Marella Explorer. Over the trial, this equated to a total saving of 180,000 single-use items including cups, plastic lids and cardboard sleeves. The trial proved successful, with reusable alternatives significantly reducing reliance on single‑use items onboard, without compromising the flexibility of a takeaway offering.
The roll out will make reusable coffee cups available to all customers across the fleet of ships. Based on the trial data, by rolling out reusable coffee cups across the fleet, we’re set to eliminate more than 1.4 million single‑use plastic cups, lids and sleeves in 2026 alone, building on the 180,000 items already saved on one ship last year.
The reusable coffee cups will be placed in each cabin on arrival and can be used onboard and ashore. Customers will be able to return their cup to The Coffee Port once used and a clean one will be provided for each drink. At the end of each cruise, customers can leave their coffee cup in their cabin’s before disembarking the ship so they can be reused for future guests to use.
Marella Cruises is part of TUI Group. It is the third largest cruise line in the UK. As of 1 June 2023, there are five ships in the Marella Cruises fleet, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and the newest ship to the fleet, Marella Voyager.Marella Cruises offers its customers all-inclusive as standard with all tips and service charges included, customers enjoy an unrivalled level of service and award-winning entertainment. Marella Cruises has also received accolades in Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended for onboard service since 2019.