Marella Cruises reveals headline acts for 30th Birthday sailings in May 2026

International

Live performances and celebrity Q&A sessions will mark three decades of Marella Cruises with celebratory voyages across the fleet

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.