Splendour of the Seas — Historical Information & Legacy

Looking for Splendour of the Seas history? This page covers the history, legacy, and details of Splendour of the Seas, a Vision-class ship that served Royal Caribbean from 1996 to 2017 and now sails as Marella Discovery.

Splendour of the Seas offered the signature Vision-class experience with panoramic glass walls and about 1,804 guests at double occupancy. It suited travelers who appreciated the view-focused, intimate design of Royal Caribbean's mid-sized ships. The ship was sold to TUI/Marella Cruises in 2017 and continues sailing as Marella Discovery, preserving the distinctive glass-wrapped architecture. If you're looking for currently sailing Royal Caribbean ships, explore Vision-class sisters like Grandeur, Rhapsody, Vision, and Enchantment, or modern Radiance, Quantum, and Icon class vessels.

A First Look

Splendour of the Seas at Split, Croatia
Splendour of the Seas docked in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Splendour of the Seas bow view in Las Palmas

Splendour at a Glance

Grandeur of the Seas Rhapsody of the Seas Vision of the Seas Enchantment of the Seas Legend of the Seas

See All Ships

Hop between ship classes to compare size, venues, and vibes.

Radiance Class Voyager Class Freedom Class Quantum Class Oasis Class Icon Class Vision Class

Browse All Ships

Dining Venues on Splendour of the Seas

Splendour dining venue seating with ocean view

Prices can change at any time. These reflect the last sailing captured.

The Logbook — Tales From the Wake

Ship Map (Deck Plans)

Splendour of the Seas sailed for Royal Caribbean from 1996-2017. The ship was sold to TUI and now sails as Marella Discovery.

Splendour of the Seas simplified deck plan preview

Historic deck layouts from the Vision-class design are preserved for reference.

Where Is This Ship Now?

Splendour of the Seas now sails as Marella Discovery for Marella Cruises (TUI). The tracker shows the ship's current position under its new identity.

This ship left the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2017 and continues serving guests under Marella Cruises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Splendour of the Seas?

Splendour of the Seas was sold to TUI Cruises in 2017 and renamed Marella Discovery. The ship continues to sail under the Marella Cruises brand, offering cruises primarily to European markets. It remains one of the most recognizable Vision-class vessels with its distinctive glass-wrapped design.

Which ships are in the same class as Splendour of the Seas?

Splendour of the Seas was part of the Vision Class, which includes Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas. All share the signature glass-wrapped design with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout.

When did Splendour of the Seas enter service?

Splendour of the Seas entered service with Royal Caribbean in 1996. The ship offered Vision-class cruising experiences with about 1,804 guests at double occupancy until its sale to TUI/Marella in 2017.

What were the key features of Splendour of the Seas?

Splendour of the Seas featured the signature Vision-class glass-wrapped design with panoramic ocean views, main dining room, Windjammer Café, Chops Grille, and multiple bars and lounges. The 69,130 GT vessel offered an intimate, view-focused cruising experience.

Is Splendour of the Seas still in service?

Splendour of the Seas is no longer in service with Royal Caribbean. The ship was sold to TUI Cruises in 2017 and now operates as Marella Discovery. This page preserves the ship's Royal Caribbean history and legacy for those who sailed aboard during its RCI years (1996-2017).

Image Attributions