MV Marella Explorer 2
ex Skysea Golden Era, Celebrity Century, Century
Marella Explorer 2 © Erwin Willemse (Velsen-Zuid, 22/11/2020)
Steel twin screw “Century Class” motor vessel built in 1995 by Jos L Meyer Werft, Papenburg, Germany (Yard No 637) as a Passenger (Cruise) ship for Celebrity Cruises
Technical Data
- Original Cost: $329 million
- Length: 246.50 m (overall) 211.90 m (between perpendiculars)
- Breadth of hull: 32.20m
- Draught: 7.70m
- Tonnage: 70606 gross/39625 net7260 deadweight
- Engines: 2 x MAN B&W 6L48/60 – 6 cylinder diesel + 2 x MAN B&W 8L48/60 – 8 cylinder diesel.
- Power: 37130 – 29250kW/
- Speed: 21.5 knots
- Capacity: 1750 – 1778 – 1814 passengers
- Crew: 858
- Passenger Decks: 10
- Call Sign: C6FU5, 9HJI9
- MMSI Number: 249054000
- IMO Number: 9072446
- Registry: Monrovia/Liberia 🇱🇷, Nassau/Bahamas 🇧🇸, Valletta/Malta 🇲🇹
- Sister Ship: Marella Explorer
Current AIS Location
Please note that this specific vessels AIS position data may be over an hour old and that the vessels position will only be displayed when it is within range of the VesselFinder AIS system. The AIS transponder/ship position data featured on this page is intended for information purposes only and it is in no way related to the 'Safety of Navigation at Sea'. All the AIS ship position data featured within this article is provided by VesselFinder and we are therefore not responsible for its content or its accuracy.
History
October 2nd 1995: Launched.
Century – Postcard
October 26th 1995: Christened.
Century © Meyer Werft
November 2nd 1995: First sea trial.
November 30th 1995: Delivered to Celebrity Cruises, Monrovia, Liberia.
December 6th 1995: Left Southampton for New York.
December 1995: Introduced into cruising services in the Caribbean.
April 2006: Rebuilt/modernised at Fincantieri, Palermo, Sicily with more cabins with balconies.
Century © Nigel Thornton (Dover, 08/06/2006)
May 30th 2006: Maiden cruise after conversion.
Century © John Mavin (Dover, 08/05/2007)
Century © Nigel Thornton (Dover, 08/05/2007)
February 2008: Renamed CELEBRITY CENTURY.
Celebrity Century © Cedric Hacke (Zeebrugge, 01/09/2008)
September 29th 2014: Sold to Exquisite Marine Ltd, Tortola, Virgin Islands.
Celebrity Century © Brian Fisher (Dubai, 06/04/2015)
May 17th 2015: Renamed SKYSEA GOLDEN ERA.
Skysea Golden Era © Emmanuel L (Valletta, Sea trials 30/12/2018)
January 25th 2019: Sold to TUI UK Ltd, Luton, England and renamed MARELLA EXPLORER 2.
April 2020: Laid up in Torbay Anchorage owing to Coronavirus Pandemic. Occasional trips Western and Eastern Channel.
Marella Explorer 2 © Erwin Willemse (Velsen-Zuid, 22/11/2020)
Marella Explorer 2 © Willem Oldenburg (Ijmuiden, 22/11/2020)
July 2nd 2021: Re-commenced cruising (UK waters only)
All information is believed to be correct and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. All items included in this article are subject to © copyright. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking: Brian Fisher, Cedric Hacke, Emmanuel L, John Mavin, Willem Oldenburg and Erwin Willemse for their assistance in producing this feature.
Article © Nigel Thornton and Ray Goodfellow (Dover Ferry Photos Group)
