Caribbean sunshine will be just one flight away from Exeter Airport next winter with the launch of another new direct fly-cruise to Barbados.
The departure with Marella Cruises, TUI’s UK cruise line, will whisk holidaymakers from Exeter to Bridgetown, Barbados via TUI Airways on 9 December 2027 for a 14-night, adults-only all-inclusive cruise visiting some of the Caribbean’s most sought-after islands.
The new service follows the sell-out success of an Exeter fly-cruise to the Dominican Republic with TUI Airways and Marella Cruises, which was snapped up within weeks of going on sale earlier this summer.
The all-inclusive cruise onboard Marella Explorer 2 combines two itineraries: A Taste of the Tropics and Paradise Islands, taking in Caribbean islands including: Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Grenadines, Tobago, Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, St Maarten, St Kitts and Dominica.
Alternatively, for those who want to try Marella Cruises’ cruise and stay offering, Exeter Airport allows customers to fly to Barbados for a one week hotel stay at a range of TUI hotels in Barbados pre-cruise before the ‘Paradise Islands’ itinerary, or a one week hotel stay post-cruise after the ‘A Taste of the Tropics’ itinerary.
Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: “The speed at which the Dominican Republic fly-cruise sold out showed the strong demand for long-haul holidays from Exeter.
“This new departure with Marella Cruises gives customers another opportunity to start their Caribbean cruise close to home, with the convenience of direct flights to Barbados and no need to travel to a larger airport. It is a fantastic itinerary and further evidence of TUI’s confidence in Exeter.”
Chris Hackney, CEO at Marella Cruises, said: “We’re thrilled to expand our regional flying programme with a new direct fly-cruise from Exeter to Barbados at Marella Cruises. The strong demand we saw for our Dominican Republic departure demonstrated that customers value the convenience of starting their cruise closer to home and we’re pleased to be building on that success with another exciting Caribbean option.
“With direct flights, all-inclusive cruising as standard and the chance to visit some of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, this itinerary offers fantastic value and a memorable winter sunshine escape for customers across Exeter and the South West.”
The Marella Explorer 2 adults only all-inclusive cruise ship has 14 decks with 907 cabins, an Oceans Spa and gym, 10 restaurants and nine bars, a theatre with West End style entertainment, Indigo casino, minigolf and outdoor pool. The cruise is all-inclusive as standard, with flights, transfers, meals and drinks included.
The itinerary begins and ends in Bridgetown, Barbados. During the first week, the ship will call at Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, Castries in St Lucia, Bequia in the Grenadines, Scarborough in Tobago and St George’s in Grenada.
The second week visits Road Town in the British Virgin Islands, St John’s in Antigua, Philipsburg in St Maarten, Basseterre in St Kitts and Roseau in Dominica before returning to Barbados.
Marella Cruises offers its customers all-inclusive as standard with all tips and service charges included in the price so customers can enjoy an unrivalled level of service. Prices start from £1929* per person sharing an inside cabin for 14 night cruise on: ‘A Taste of the Tropics followed by Paradise Islands’ itinerary flying with TUI Airways from Exeter Airport to Bridgetown, Barbados on the 9 December 2027. To find out more about this holiday or go book, go to tui.co.uk/cruises, visit a local TUI holiday store or download the TUI app.
