Marella Just Added These New Cruise Ports for Summer 2027 (Unexpected Destinations)

Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. My cruises with Marella were not press trips and I paid full price for them.

Marella Cruises has announced it will be visiting some new, exciting destinations in summer 2027, I’ve never been to either so was very excited to find out all about these ports.

In 2027, Marella will be visiting Saranda in Albania and Syracuse in Sicily.

Although Marella featured Saranda on an itinerary before, some years ago, this is the first time they will actually be visiting the Albanian port. The original itinerary was changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

They will be visiting Syracuse in Sicily, a new port for them.

The new ports of call in Albania and Italy will be visited on Marella Discovery 2, during the “Ionian Shores” itinerary. The voyages will sail from Dubrovnik, Croatia.

These summer sailings are available to book now.

These adult-only voyages from Dubrovnik, Croatia, include stops in Syracuse, Italy; Saranda, Albania; Argostoli, Kefalonia; Valletta, Malta; and Corfu, Greece.

Sailings begin on May 6, 2027.

In this article, we look at these two exciting ports and find out what you can expect from both.

Saranda, Albania

Saranda is a stunning coastal town on the Albanian Riviera.

The town itself is sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and the hills of olive groves.

The town of Saranda is on a horseshoe-shaped bay, edged by sandy beaches and a promenade.

The town is called Sarandë in Albanian, but is often written as Saranda in English due to keyboard limitations. Sarandë and Saranda refer to the same place.

It is in the Balkan region of Europe, but it is not in the European Union.

Albania was under communist rule until 1991.

Climate & Weather in Albania

Albania’s climate varies depending on the region.

There is a largely Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers along the coast.

Inland, there is a slightly more continental climate with cold winters with snow on the mountains and very hot summer days.

Temperatures can reach around 33°C/91°F during the summer and drop to 4°C/39°F in winter.

Currency in Albania

The currency of Albania is the Albanian Lek.

Many banks, large supermarkets and international hotels will accept major credit and debit cards, however smaller businesses and taxis normally only accept cash.

Euros are widely accepted in Saranda, especially in tourist areas.

Language in Albania

Albanian is the official language of Albania, and it is spoken by almost 98% of the population.

The remaining 2% of the population speak Greek, Romani, Bulgarian or Serb.

Around 40% of the population speak English, with more English speakers in popular tourist destinations.

It may be worth learning some Albanian phrases before travelling to speak with locals. Albanians are very welcoming to visitors.

Things to see In And Around Saranda

• Lekursi Castle
  • Lekursi Castle is a castle on Lekursi Hill, just behind Saranda, with an amazing view over the town and bay.
  • This is Saranda’s most iconic and popular viewpoint.

• Butrint Archaeological Site
  • Butrint is a significant, extensive archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Albania.
  • It has a unique mix of history and nature with ruins spanning from prehistoric times through Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman eras.
  • It has remarkably preserved structures like a Roman theatre, a Byzantine baptistery with mosaics, and a Venetian fortification.
  • This is all set within a rich natural landscape that’s part of Butrint National Park
• Saranda Blue Eye Spring
  • This is a stunning natural spring near Saranda.
  • It’s famous for its deep blue, crystal-clear water that looks like a human eye with its dark blue and turquoise rings.
  • It is fed by an underground cave system and is designated a Natural Monument.
• The remains of a Byzantine church and synagogue, dating back to the 5th century, can be found in central Saranda
  • Visitors can admire the ancient mosaics.
  • The site is free for visitors to enjoy.
• Porto Palermo Castle
  • This was built under Venetian control in the late 15th century.
  • This ruined castle has stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Albanian Riviera.
  • Porto Palermo is located on a small island in the Bay of Palermo, around 27 miles from Saranda.
    • The island is connected to the mainland by a small strip of land, so you can just walk out to the castle.

Syracuse, Sicily

Syracuse is located in eastern Sicily and offers travellers a glimpse into past Mediterranean cultures.

Sicily is an island that is officially an autonomous region of Italy.

Although it is part of Italy, it maintains distinct cultural traditions, history, and dialect.

Many residents refer to themselves as Sicilian rather than Italian, even though they hold Italian citizenship.

Syracuse is well worth visiting, especially for its stunning, historic island centre, Ortigia.

Ortigia offers ancient ruins, Baroque architecture, great food, and seaside charm, making it a highlight of any Sicilian trip.

It is an ideal stop for history buffs and food lovers alike.

It has a Greek theatre dating back to around the 5th century BC and vibrant streets lined with Baroque architecture and expansive piazzas (public squares or marketplaces).

The city boasts ancient ruins, lively markets, great beaches, and plenty of alfresco dining spots. The historic centre of Ortigia is easily explored on foot, revealing hidden gems around every corner.

The town can be spelt “Ortigia” or “Ortygia”. Both are correct and widely used for the spelling of the historic island centre of Syracuse, Sicily.

Ortigia is the current Italian spelling and the one you will most frequently find on local signs, maps, and within Italy.

Ortygia is the traditional English spelling. It is a direct transliteration of the Ancient Greek Ortygía (Ὀρτυγία), which means “island of quails”.

Climate and Weather

Syracuse, Sicily, has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate with hot summers (July highs around 32°C/90°F) and mild winters (lows around 10°C/50°F).

Most rain falls in winter, but there is plenty of sunshine year-round, especially from April to October. This makes it a perfect spot to visit in spring and autumn.

Syracuse has over 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.

Currency in Sicily

Like the rest of Italy, Sicily uses the Euro as its currency. It makes it very straightforward as many of your other ports of call will also be in the Eurozone.

Card payments are widely accepted in Syracuse, Sicily, especially at hotels, major shops, and most restaurants in tourist areas like Ortigia.

Italian law requires all businesses to accept electronic payments.

You can easily get Euros from ATMs in Syracuse. They can be found near banks, supermarkets, and in the Ortigia town centre.

Language in Syracuse

In Syracuse, Sicily, the official language is Italian.

You may also hear Sicilian dialect (a distinct language influenced by Greek, Arabic, and other languages) spoken in informal settings.

English is common in tourist areas and among younger people.

Most locals speak Italian, and learning basic Italian phrases will be very helpful, as English isn’t widely spoken outside tourist areas.

Things To Do In And Around Syracuse

• Wander through Ortigia
  • The best way to see the connecting island of Ortigia is just to wander. It’s difficult to get lost – it measures just 1km by 500 metres- but is packed with over 2,500 years of history.
  • Architectural styles vary widely, encompassing Greek and Roman remains, medieval Norman buildings and a great deal of Baroque architecture.
  • Boutiques, restaurants, and bars are all around, and it is especially nice to sit out on the western side in the late afternoon, warmed by the sun and with a view over the lagoon.
  • The colourful daily morning street market in Ortigia sells a fantastic array of fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. The delicatessen at the end of the market makes a very interesting stop for foodies.
• The archaeological park in the northwest is a must-visit
  • It’s home to the awe-inspiring Greek theatre, built to accommodate 15,000 spectators
• The Roman Amphitheatre
  • Can be found within the park and is also very impressive
  • It’s one of the largest to be found anywhere.
• Visit the mysterious “Ear of Dionysius” cave
  • This famous limestone cave in the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse is known for its remarkable acoustics that amplify sound.
  • This led to legends that tyrant Dionysius I used it as a prison to eavesdrop on prisoners through a small opening
• The surrounding towns of Noto, Modica, and Ragusa are all UNESCO World Heritage sites and can be visited in a day
  • The interesting city of Taormina is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Sicily, due to its restored medieval buildings, breathtaking views of Mount Etna and lively streets.

Before You Go

I loved my cruise on Marella Voyager so much, I booked another cruise on her whilst still onboard! Find out why here:

I Booked The Same Cruise Ship Twice – Here’s Why

Find out what is great about disembarkation day on Marella cruises here:

The Unexpected Disembarkation Day Perk of Marella Cruises