Marella Cruises Entertainment 2025/2026

Marella Cruises Entertainment 2025/2026: Production Shows, Cabaret & Themed Cruises

'Jumbo and the Wonder Circus' - just one of the many shows from RWS Global onboard Marella Cruises. Photo: Marella. Ruises

What Entertainment is on Marella Cruises in 2025/2026?

If you’re planning a cruise holiday in 2025 or 2026, Marella Cruises promises unmissable entertainment at sea. From West End-style shows and live cabaret to interactive quizzes and music-themed cruises, entertainment on Marella is bold, exciting, and designed to wow.

Whether you’re sailing on Marella Voyager, Explorer, Explorer 2, Discovery or Discovery 2, here’s what you can look forward to on board.

Marella Cruises Production Shows: Theatre at Sea

Marella Cruises offers a variety of production shows across its fleet, including West End-style shows in venues like The Broadway Show Lounge, and themed shows such as 'Yellow Submarine', 'Hollywoodland', and '7 Sins of Rock' on Marella Discovery 2, alongside other unique offerings like the puppet show 'Jumbo and the Wonder Circus'.

The specific shows can vary by ship, with other examples including the interactive shows 'The Lock In' and 'Heist' in The Exchange on Marella Voyager. Marella Cruises’ entertainment team, in partnership with RWS Global, creates exclusive productions packed with energy, music and immersive storytelling. Think dazzling lights, powerful vocals and non-stop choreography.

Top features of Marella production shows:

  • Broadway Show Lounge on each ship, with up to 12 full-scale shows per itinerary

  • Original productions created exclusively for Marella Cruises by RWS Global

  • Twice-nightly performances with themes ranging from classic musicals to pop culture revues

  • Advanced tech: LED backdrops, moving stages and immersive sound

  • Marella Voyager takes the lead with an all-new show programme for 2025

These shows are included in your cruise fare and are a major highlight of the Marella onboard experience.

Production Show Titles on Marella Explorer

Marella Cruises in partnership with RWS Global offer range of entertainment.

Photo: Marella Cruises

Marella Explorer features a dynamic range of themed production shows created in collaboration with entertainment provider ted (part of RWS Global) . Highlights have included: 

  • Rockology – A nostalgic live-musical exploration of rock history with songs from Fleetwood Mac.

  • Pop! – Celebrating pop legends.

  • Musicals – A Broadway-style montage of beloved musical theatre numbers.

  • Movies – Featuring film classics like Back to the Future, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Jaws, enhanced by the smell of popcorn.

  • Zuma – An energetic Latin dance spectacle with audience participation, followed by an afterparty in the bar.

  • Revive

  • Somebody to Love

  • Glitterball

  • Life Story - Elton

  • Rockology

  • Full Swing

  • Le Cabaret

  • Roadhouse Nights

Plus, CSI (Cruise Ship Investigation) — a child-friendly detective‑style mini‑show. 

Current Shows on Marella Voyager

There are 12 different shows over a 2 weeks cruise including:

  • Dreamers

  • Busby

  • Havana Nights

  • Battle of the Bands

  • West End to Broadway

  • Glitterball

  • Britannia

  • Coney Island

  • Summer of Love

  • Diva

  • Music of the movies

  • Rock Rebels

Current Shows on Marella Discovery 2

At the time of writing the following shows are featured on Discovery 2:

  • Yellow Submarine,

  • ABBA story,

  • Rockology,

  • The Greatest (Irish Dance theme),

  • Six Strings,

  • Orchestrated,

  • Ballroom Blitz,

  • Jumbo,

  • Sin City,

  • Movies,

  • West End to Broadway

  • COGS.

Cabaret, Comedy & Live Music on Marella Cruises

Looking for more relaxed, lounge-style entertainment? Marella’s evening options go beyond the stage. You’ll find something for every mood:

Marella Cruise cabaret & live entertainment includes:

  • Cabaret acts in bars and lounges—intimate and informal

  • Live acoustic musicians playing everything from jazz to pop classics

  • Comedy nights with guest comedians and entertainers

  • Themed quizzes, karaoke, murder mysteries, and interactive game shows

Venues like Squid & Anchor and Flutes also feature entertainment, from solo musicians and live bands to late-night gameshows.

Themed Cruises with Marella: Music at Sea 2025/2026

Marella Cruises are going bigger with themed cruise holidays in 2025 and 2026. These limited-time sailings are perfect for music lovers and fans of immersive entertainment.

2025/2026 Marella themed cruises to book now

Electric Sunsets: 90s vs 00s

  • Adults-only cruise with acts like B*Witched, The Honeyz, DJ SASH!, and more

  • Hosted on Marella Voyager in September 2025

  • Expect throwback dance parties, themed dress-up, and 00s karaoke

Country Rhythms – New for 2026!

  • Marella’s first country music themed cruise, launching February 2026 on Explorer 2

  • Featuring live performances from The Dolly Show, The Shires, and more

  • Themed line dancing, western nights, and custom production shows

Musical Medleys

Musical Med-Leys themed cruise coming in 2026 Photo: Marella Cruises

  • A dream cruise for musical theatre lovers

  • Singalongs, cast Q&As, and spectacular show nights at sea

  • Available on select Voyager sailings in 2025

📌 Tips for Enjoying Entertainment on Your Marella Cruise

  1. Plan around showtimes – There are usually two performances each night (e.g., 8:15 pm and 10:15 pm). Pick the one that best fits your dining time.

  2. Arrive 15–20 minutes early – Seating is first-come, first-served. The best sight lines are in the central lower section.

  3. Check the Cruise News/Navigate – This daily programme (delivered to your cabin or on app) lists which shows are on, so you can prioritise must-sees.

  4. Mix up your evenings – Alternate between production shows, cabaret, and live music venues to make the most of the variety.

  5. Bring a light sweater – The theatre can feel cool due to air-conditioning.

  6. Stay for the late show – The later performance tends to be a bit looser, with performers sometimes adding extra improvisation.

Which Marella Cruise Ships Have the Best Entertainment?

With Marella’s partnership with RWS Global, entertainment has been taken up a notch (which is saying something as it has always been great). Each ship features similar shows so it’s impossible to say if one is better than the other (although sometimes cast changes could impact). Guest reviews across the fleet are overwhelmingly positive and you can be assured you’ll have an enjoyably entertaining cruise whichever ship you choose.

Share your reviews of the shows on Your Marella Cruise in comments - and DM me on Instagram or Facebook with any new entertainment t I’ve not featured.