The line announced intentions last month to offer UK-based itineraries and has now confirmed Marella Explorer will sail from the south coast from 25 June for seven new voyages and Marella Explorer 2, its adult-only ship, will operate from Newcastle from 10 July.

Cruises onboard Explorer go on sale Friday (16 April) and Explorer 2 voyages will be bookable by the end of the month.

All adult guests will be required to have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccination at least seven days before travelling. Passengers under 18 will be asked to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test before boarding.

Marella confirmed a continued pause in operations for Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 until 31 July, with the ships homeporting in Palma and Corfu this summer.

Among Explorer’s UK offerings will be a three-night Sail the South Coast itinerary visiting Dover and Portland. Cruisers looking for a longer break can choose Marella’s Sail the Irish Sea voyage – departing in August and visiting Liverpool, Dublin and the Irish town of Cobh.

Scotland is also on offer with Marella’s British Sights and Seas cruise which includes visits to Invergordon, Kirkwall and Leith. The line’s A Taste of the West Coast voyage sees Explorer sail to Greenock, Belfast and Holyhead before finishing in Portland.

Tui UK and Ireland’s managing director of cruise, Chris Hackney, said: “After pausing our operations for more than year, we are delighted to announce our UK summer programme and welcome our wonderful customers back onboard our ships.

"The safety and wellbeing of both our crew and passengers remains our priority, which is why we have vaccination and testing protocols for all sailings from UK ports this summer. 
 
“Domestic sailings are a great step for the cruise industry and has given us the opportunity to take our customers to new destinations full of culture and history whilst still being close to home. We’re looking forward to this new adventure on the British seas and are dedicated to making sure our customers have the most memorable and exciting cruise with us.”