Marella Cruises Taps Denise van Outen as Chief Chill-Out Officer
Helping holidaymakers relax before they even hit the gangway
Marella Cruises just dropped a dose of good news for anyone who’s ever struggled to unwind before a holiday, because apparently half of us are still wound tighter than a luggage strap on day one of our getaway. Enter Denise van Outen, officially crowned Marella’s first-ever Chief Chill-out Officer, and here to help Britain relax a whole lot sooner.
According to new research from Marella Cruises, the signs that you're overdue for sunshine are all too familiar. Nearly half of travelers admit they spend hours Googling things to do long before departure, a third pull out their suitcase weeks in advance, and a bold 24 percent go on a full-blown holiday-outfit shopping spree. And yes, more than one in ten say the craving for suncream smell is a very real thing.
But even with all that eager anticipation, the study found it still takes the average Brit four days to fully unwind on holiday. Liverpool leads the way in early mental checkout, switching on that out-of-office mindset almost six days before their break, while Edinburgh residents hang onto work mode the longest.
So what’s Marella’s solution? Bring in someone who knows a thing or two about juggling a busy lifestyle while still finding moments to breathe. Denise van Outen is rolling up her sleeves, and maybe rolling into a fluffy robe, to share simple “lazy hacks” travellers can use to ease into vacation mode before they ever board. Think champagne breakfasts in bed, slipping into your holiday wardrobe while doing chores, or intentionally setting that mental OOO a few days early.
Denise Van Outen, Marella Cruises’ first ever chief chill-out officer.
With Marella Cruises providing all-inclusive, end-to-end holidays, flights, cabins, entertainment, food, drinks, transfers, and even regional flying from 20+ airports, the brand is committed to making relaxation as effortless as possible. And Denise is ready to guide Brits toward that instant-vacay vibe.
“I’m thrilled to be Marella Cruises’ first ever Chief Chill-out Officer and help Brits switch on their ‘mental out of office’ sooner,” she shared. “We all deserve to maximise our precious holiday time.”
The research backs her up: two-thirds of Brits wish they relaxed more easily, and 82 percent say a holiday abroad is the highlight of their year. With travellers taking, on average, two foreign getaways annually, and starting to daydream about the next one just 37 days after returning, there’s no question the craving for sunshine is strong.
And for anyone still waiting to book? Nearly six in ten say they haven’t secured a trip yet this year, but the biggest motivators are clear: new destinations, true relaxation, memorable experiences, and, for 38 percent, simply not having to decide what’s for dinner.
With Denise van Outen helping guests wind down sooner, Marella Cruises is setting the stage for holidays that feel longer, lighter, and a whole lot more relaxing, starting days before travellers ever step aboard.
If you ask us, that’s a chill-out strategy worth toasting.