Tiffany, Claire Richards and Martin Kemp to headline Marella’s 80s vs 90s cruise

Marella Cruises has confirmed a trio of chart veterans, with Tiffany, Claire Richards and Martin Kemp set to lead the entertainment line-up on the Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s themed cruise, sailing on Marella Discovery in April 2027.

Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s returns in 2027

The 2027 edition of Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s is scheduled as a three-night, adults-only voyage on Marella Discovery from 28 April to 1 May 2027. The sailing is planned as a round-trip from Palma de Mallorca, calling at Valencia and Ibiza before returning to the Balearic capital.

Promotional material indicates the cruise is positioned as the ultimate music showdown at sea, inviting guests to champion either decade while enjoying a programme of live performances, DJ sets and late-night parties. Previous Electric Sunsets sailings have built a following among UK holidaymakers for pairing nostalgic pop with an all-inclusive cruise format.

According to publicly available information from Marella and trade partners, prices for the 2027 Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s cruise start from around £799 per person, with limited cruise-and-stay packages offered at selected hotels in Majorca. As with the wider Marella programme, the fare includes flights, transfers, tips and service charges.

The 2027 sailing marks the sixth year of Electric Sunsets, which has evolved into a recurring fixture in the line’s themed-cruise calendar alongside concepts focused on 1990s and 2000s pop and newer country music offerings.

Star trio leads nostalgic line-up

The headline announcement places three familiar UK names at the top of the bill. Pop singer Tiffany, known internationally for her late-1980s hit “I Think We’re Alone Now,” is slated to bring a set list that taps into the heyday of mall-pop and synth-heavy chart singles. Her inclusion reinforces the 80s side of the showdown and is expected to appeal to guests seeking classic singalong anthems.

Joining her is Claire Richards, best known as a member of British pop group Steps. Richards has remained active through TV work, solo material and touring reunions with the band, and is widely associated with upbeat choreography-led hits that bridge the late 90s and early 2000s. Onboard, she is expected to represent the 90s-leaning end of the bill with dance-pop and power ballads familiar to UK audiences.

Rounding out the trio is Martin Kemp, the Spandau Ballet bassist and actor whose career spans 80s new romantic chart success, film and television. In recent years he has developed a parallel profile as a crowd-pleasing DJ at retro-themed events. For Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s, promotional details indicate Kemp will perform DJ sets drawing on both eras, giving him a central role in the cruise’s decade-versus-decade narrative.

Additional acts, including DJ SASH! and further 80s and 90s artists, are also linked to the 2027 programme through trade and social media updates, pointing to a broader line-up designed to keep venues active across multiple evenings and late-night time slots.

Itinerary and onboard experience

The Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s cruise is scheduled to depart Palma in the evening, giving guests time to settle onboard before the first round of themed entertainment. Valencia and Ibiza both feature as single-day calls, with Marella promoting a balance of time ashore and extended late-night programming on the ship.

Onboard Marella Discovery, venues such as the main theatre, lounges and open-deck spaces are expected to host a mix of full production shows, intimate performances and DJ-led parties. Reports from earlier Electric Sunsets cruises describe costume nights, decade-themed trivia and extended bar hours as part of the format, with passengers encouraged to embrace 80s neon or 90s streetwear.

The itinerary’s short length and adults-only restriction are pitched at guests seeking a long weekend party at sea rather than a traditional multi-port sightseeing cruise. Travel agents and cruise commentators note that such short themed sailings have become a key entry point for first-time cruisers, particularly those attracted by music or comedy concepts.

For travellers extending their stay, Marella is promoting cruise-and-stay combinations with a small selection of hotels in Majorca. This allows guests to combine the themed voyage with additional beach or city time before or after the sailing.

Marella doubles down on themed-cruise strategy

The confirmation of Tiffany, Claire Richards and Martin Kemp for Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s comes as Marella Cruises expands its portfolio of short, experience-led sailings. In recent seasons the line has offered Electric Sunsets editions focused on 90s vs 00s, as well as new concepts built around country music. Industry coverage indicates that these itineraries have sold strongly, often attracting repeat guests.

Marella positions its ships as informal and all-inclusive, a combination that aligns with the festival-style atmosphere of Electric Sunsets. The cruise line’s marketing has increasingly emphasised nostalgia, familiar chart acts and relaxed dress codes to differentiate its product within the UK fly-cruise market.

Travel trade reports highlight that themed itineraries also support destination partners, with ports such as Palma, Valencia and Ibiza benefiting from added shoulder-season traffic linked to event cruises. For Marella, the model offers a way to use popular homeports in the Mediterranean while layering in entertainment that can be marketed independently of specific destinations.

By anchoring the 2027 edition of Electric Sunsets 80s vs 90s around recognisable names from both decades, Marella is aiming to sustain momentum behind a format that has become one of its most visible niche offerings, while giving fans of 80s and 90s pop a new reason to test the waters of a short, adults-only cruise holiday.