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Marella Cruises reveals headline acts for 30th Birthday sailings in May 2026
Marella Cruises has unveiled the first headline acts
for its 30th Birthday sailings, which will take place across its fleet of five
ships from 1 May 2026 onwards. To celebrate three decades of the UK cruise
line, guests can look forward to live performances from Fleur East, Boyzlife
and La Voix, alongside special Q&A sessions with Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards
and Anthea Turner.
Palma at the centre of the celebrations
Marella Discovery 2 will host the heart of the
birthday festivities in Palma. Singer and radio presenter Fleur East will
headline the celebrations with a live set featuring some of her best-known
tracks, including Uptown Funk and Sax. The sailing will also include a live
Q&A session with Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, who will reflect on his journey
to the 1988 Winter Olympics and his enduring public profile.
Departing from the same port, Marella Explorer will
welcome Boyzlife, the supergroup formed by former Boyzone and Westlife members
Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden. Guests can expect a performance featuring major
hits from both bands, accompanied by a live conversation with Eddie “The Eagle”
Edwards, focusing on his life story and sporting legacy.
Show-stopping performances at sea
Onboard Marella Voyager, the birthday celebrations
will be led by La Voix, known to audiences from Strictly Come Dancing and Drag
Race. Her performance will combine powerful vocals, musical numbers and classic
show tunes as part of a full-scale celebration at sea.
In Limassol, Cyprus, Marella Discovery will host a
live Q&A with Anthea Turner. She will share highlights from her presenting
career, including her work on well-known British television programmes such as
Blue Peter, GMTV and Wish You Were Here.
A nostalgic programme across the fleet
All seven-night 30th Birthday sailings will feature a
programme of special onboard events. These include a dedicated Birthday Gala,
“Party Like It’s 1996” themed evenings, quayside celebrations, 1990s trivia
quizzes and curated TV box sets from the decade in which Marella Cruises was
founded. Further headline acts for Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Discovery are
expected to be announced in the coming months.
Celebrating 30 years with guests
Chris Hackney, CEO of Marella Cruises, said: “With
Marella Cruises marking 30 years in the UK, we’re excited to announce these
headline acts and Q&A sessions for both new and returning cruise customers.
Our customers value our all-inclusive offering and seamless end-to-end service,
and this celebration will take them on a nostalgic journey back to 1996 with
music, quizzes and onboard entertainment inspired by the era. We can’t wait to
welcome guests aboard our ships to celebrate this milestone birthday with us.”
Fleur East added: “Being able to be part of this
milestone for Marella Cruises’ 30th birthday celebrations is truly exciting.
After performing onboard Marella Discovery 2 during the launch of the ship, I
am excited to be back playing again for all customers onboard to enjoy.”
Marella Cruises continues to offer an all-inclusive
experience as standard, with tips and service charges included in the cruise
fare. Prices for the 30th Birthday sailings start from £1,305 per person on
board Marella Explorer.
Image Credit: © TUI Group
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