Pack your trunk! This all-inclusive cruise has a life-size elephant puppet

Marella Cruises has addressed the elephant in the room as the all-inclusive cruise line unveiled its latest entertainment lineup for ship Marella Discovery 2.

A highlight of the new Marella Cruises entertainment programme is the cruise debut of a life-size elephant puppet in the show Jumbo and The Wonder Circus. The West-End style production, inspired by War Horse, Life of Pi and My Neighbour Totoro, will premiere in June.

What is the new Marella Cruises entertainment?

Jumbo and The Wonder Circus, features a puppet made from lightweight materials, allowing for flexible and lifelike movements of its trunk, legs and head. The puppet, replicating a full-sized African elephant, stands at 2.16m high, 2.9m long and 1m wide. (Just don’t ask Brooklyn Beckham to take photos for you).

Set in a vintage circus, the story follows Jumbo the Elephant and his bond with Madame Rose, the circus owner. When Jumbo runs away after being spooked, the circus acts come together to save him and bring him home.

The Marella show features bespoke costumes, traditional circus set designs and aerial performances, all set to special arrangements of hits from modern bands such as Coldplay, Katy Perry, Paloma Faith and U2.

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New Marella Cruises shows

Other debuting shows on Marella Discovery 2 include Yellow Submarine, celebrating The Beatles’ iconic tracks with a giant inflatable yellow submarine (we said Marella was going big!), quirky sets and psychedelic 60s costumes.

There’a also Hollywoodland, a love story about an aspiring actor with music from such films as La La Land and Singin’ in the Rain; and also production 7 Sins of Rock, showcasing rock classics from Pink, Muse, Oasis and Aerosmith. Maybe don’t get your hopes up for Ryan Gosling and Jack Black though.

Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Marella Cruises, commented: “We’re always looking to refresh our entertainment onboard, and with Jumbo and the Wonder Circus, the life-size puppet will be a first for a cruise line to be showcasing such an act, along with the other shows coming to Marella Discovery 2.

“Our new West-End style entertainment will give customers a new range of entertainment to enjoy when they’re on board our ship.”

Sarah-Lou Twist, Creative Director for RWS Global, the entertainment agency behind the venture, added: “RWS Global is thrilled to be pushing boundaries when it comes to new productions on the Marella Cruises fleet.

“We understand that theatre shows are a big part of the cruise experience for the guests, so we aim to bring fresh and innovative concepts to stage that rival the quality of entertainment seen in the West End and on Broadway.”

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