Why Marella Cruises Excel at Entertainment
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 20 August 2026
Meeting the talented cast of The Exchange after an incredible evening performance on Marella Voyager
🚢Sponsored by Marella Cruises
Think cruises are boring? Think again.
One of the biggest myths about cruising is that there's nothing to do. If you've never been on a cruise before, you might picture endless days lying by the pool or spending your evenings back in your cabin.
That couldn't be further from the truth, especially if you're sailing with Marella Cruises.
We've cruised with a wide range of cruise lines over the years, from some of the biggest ships in the world to smaller 8 passenger yachts. Yet time and time again, it's Marella that stands out when it comes to entertainment. It's one of the reasons we keep coming back.
Whether you're into live music, West End-style theatre shows, quizzes, dance classes or simply relaxing with a drink while listening to a talented musician, there's always something going on. Better still, if you'd rather have some time to yourself and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, that's just as easy too.
There's Never a Dull Moment
One thing Marella absolutely get right is that the entertainment isn't just about what happens in the evening.
From morning until late into the night, there's always something happening somewhere on the ship. Sea days fly by because there's so much choice, and we've often found ourselves saying, "Where has the day gone?"
You can be as busy or as relaxed as you like.
Prefer to Watch?
We MEET THE CAPTAIN and visit THE EXCHANGE - Our day in Barcelona on Marella Voyager
Onboard Marella Voyager we made full use of the pool deck and tool part in some poolside entertainment. Today we were lucky to be invited up onto the bridge of Voyager. It was an incredible experience. Tonight was our second visit to the Exchange, this time to experience ‘the Heist’. Again, it was a great experience, and we cannot recommend it highly enough.
Dom taking on the challenge and reaching the top of the climbing wall aboard Marella Discovery
What Can You Do During the Day?
The entertainment team work incredibly hard to make sure there's something for everyone.
Depending on which ship you're sailing on, you might find:
Deck games and competitions
Poolside games with the entertainment team
Live music throughout the day
Rock climbing
Escape rooms
Cooking demonstrations
Gin and wine tasting sessions
Dance classes
Arts and crafts workshops
Quizzes and trivia
Destination talks before arriving in port
One thing we've always loved about Marella is that there's never any pressure to join in. The entertainment team are fantastic at getting people involved, but if you'd rather sit back and watch with a coffee or cocktail in hand, that's absolutely fine too.
Evening Entertainment is Where Marella Really Shines
If you ask us what Marella do best, we'd probably say the evening entertainment. Every night the main theatre comes alive with fantastic production shows. The costumes, choreography, lighting and live vocals are all incredibly impressive. On a 14-night cruise you'll usually see around 12 different production shows, so there's plenty of variety and very little repetition. On the other 2 days, a fly-out guest act provides the entertainment instead.
But that's only the beginning. Across the ship you'll also find:
Several live bands performing every evening
Solo singers and cabaret acts
Comedy acts
Interactive game shows
Quiz nights
Late-night entertainment
A nightclub where you can dance until the early hours
Some ships also have venues that make them a little bit different.
On Marella Voyager, The Exchange has become one of our favourite venues onboard, offering a 1920s-inspired immersive experience that’s unlike anywhere else in the fleet.
Tom taking some time to relax in the calm atmosphere of The Glass House aboard Marella Discovery
Or Maybe It's Time to Relax
Every Marella ship has a spa where, for an extra charge, you can escape the hustle and bustle for a while.
You'll find facilities such as:
Saunas
Steam rooms
Relaxation areas
Sensory showers
Heated relaxation beds
Fancy treating yourself? There are also plenty of massages, facials and beauty treatments available for an additional cost.
How Do You Know What's Happening?
Every evening you'll receive Cruise News, Marella's daily programme, delivered to your cabin. It lists everything happening the following day, from fitness classes and quizzes to theatre shows and live music.
If you prefer using your phone, the onboard app is even better. Not only can you browse the daily programme, but you can also:
Book speciality dining
View restaurant menus
Reserve shore excursions
Check opening times around the ship
There's also Cruise Director TV on your cabin television, with a fresh update every day highlighting everything that's happening onboard.
And don't worry, you'll definitely know when something big is about to start. The Cruise Director regularly makes announcements throughout the day, so it's almost impossible to miss anything.
Travelling with Children?
Marella has a mixed fleet, with a combination of family-friendly and adults-only ships. At the time of writing, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer and Marella Voyager welcome families with children, while Marella Explorer 2 sails as an adults-only ship year-round, and Marella Discovery operates adults-only sailings for the summer 2026 season before returning to family cruising for winter.
From November 2026, Marella Discovery 2 will become Marella’s second adults-only ship year-round.
The family-friendly ships offer kids' clubs, teen hang-out spots, organised activities and dedicated entertainment teams to keep younger cruisers busy throughout the holiday. That means parents get a chance to relax too!
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Captain Derek Gray during the lively Meet the Captain event in the Squid & Anchor on Marella Voyager
The Secret Ingredient? The People.
If there's one thing that really makes Marella stand out, it's the crew.
The entertainment team bring so much energy to every sailing, and it's clear they genuinely enjoy what they do. Leading them is the Cruise Director.
If you're new to cruising, the Cruise Director is responsible for overseeing all the entertainment, activities and social events onboard. They're also the face of the ship, introducing shows, hosting events and making sure everyone has an unforgettable holiday.
We've sailed with lots of different cruise lines over the years, but we'd struggle to name many Cruise Directors from those cruises.
With Marella, we could probably name every single one!
That says everything about how approachable, memorable and involved they are throughout your holiday.
What If You Don't Want All the Entertainment?
Not everyone wants to be busy all day, and that's perfectly okay.
One thing Marella do really well is providing plenty of quieter spaces where you can simply sit back and relax.
Some of our favourite spots include:
The Coffee Port
The Glass House (on Marella Discovery & Marella Discovery 2)
Bar Eleven (during the daytime) on Marella Discovery and Marella Discovery 2 and Indigo during the daytime on Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2
They're perfect for enjoying a coffee, reading a book or simply watching the sea drift by.
Sail with Us! Our First Ever Group Cruise 🚢
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Join us aboard Cunard’s stunning new ship, Queen Anne, for a 7-night Spain & Portugal voyage sailing roundtrip from Southampton on 24 October 2027.
Expect exclusive Tom & Dom Travel events, beautiful ports, and the chance to cruise with fellow channel fans.
Tom and Dom at Lisbon's iconic Portas do Sol viewpoint, with Queen Anne anchored on the glittering Tagus
Celebrating sailaway with the branded selfie frame at the Sail and Shine party aboard Marella Discovery
Our Verdict
For mid-sized ships such as those in the Marella fleet which are smaller than many of the mega ships sailing today, Marella Cruises has no trouble matching their pace when it comes to entertainment.
From impressive production shows and fantastic live music to quizzes, activities and some of the friendliest entertainment teams at sea, there's always something happening without it ever feeling overwhelming.
It's one of the biggest reasons we keep booking Marella Cruises.
Whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends, family or even solo, you'll never be short of things to do. And if your idea of the perfect holiday is simply finding a quiet corner with a drink and watching the world go by, you'll find that too.
That's what makes Marella so special. They give you the freedom to enjoy your holiday exactly the way you want to.
Where will your next horizon take you? Discover your Marella Cruise today!
Before you go... check these out next:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of entertainment is included on a Marella cruise?
Marella Cruises includes a full schedule of daily and evening entertainment within the standard holiday fare. Guests can enjoy West End-style production shows in the main Broadway Show Lounge, live musicians and bands across various lounges, interactive quizzes, game shows, and daytime activities such as dance classes and deck games, all at no extra cost.
Do you need to pre-book theatre shows on Marella Cruises?
No, you do not need to pre-book theatre shows on Marella Cruises. Seats in the Broadway Show Lounge are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most ships feature two showtimes each evening to comfortably accommodate both early and late dining preferences.
Are there daytime activities on sea days with Marella Cruises?
Yes, Marella Cruises offers an extensive daytime activity programme, particularly on sea days. Depending on the ship, activities range from fitness classes, arts and crafts workshops, and cooking demonstrations to poolside trivia, deck competitions, and destination talks. Selected ships also feature outdoor climbing walls and escape rooms.
Is Marella Cruises entertainment suitable for first-time cruisers?
Marella Cruises entertainment is well-suited to first-time cruisers who prefer a relaxed, approachable atmosphere without strict schedules. Because shows, live music, and daytime activities are included and do not require advance reservations, newcomers can easily explore different venues and sample events at their own pace.
Do Marella cruise ships have live music and nightlife?
Yes, live music is a central feature across the Marella Cruises fleet. Throughout the day and evening, guests can find acoustic performers, classical duos, resident party bands, and late-night DJ sets across different bars, lounges, and the onboard nightclub.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
