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TUI's UK subsidiary Marella Cruises has confirmed the return of its music–themed programme, "Country Rhythms," scheduled for November 2027 aboard the adults-only ship Marella Explorer.
The announcement follows the company's initial run of themed sailings, which it describes as having generated strong demand and positive commercial uptake, prompting a second season of dedicated country music cruises.
The 2027 deployment will consist of two separate short cruises departing in mid-November. Both itineraries are scheduled to begin from Málaga, with one operating as a 4-night voyage and the other extending to 5 nights. The ships' routeing includes passage through the Strait of Gibraltar and calls at Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura and Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, with the longer sailing continuing to Santa Cruz de Tenerife before disembarkation.
The onboard product is structured around a country music festival format at sea. Marella has indicated that guests will be offered live performances from country artists, although the final line-up will be announced at a later stage. The programme also includes themed entertainment such as barn dance events, line dancing instruction, and staged productions centred on country music themes.
Bookings for the sailings are planned to open in July 2026, with departures positioned as part of Marella's broader winter cruising schedule in the Canary Islands and Western Mediterranean. The voyages will be supported by TUI Airways flight arrangements from multiple UK regional airports, reinforcing the line's package holiday model that integrates air transport with cruise operations.
According to the company's chief executive, Chris Hackney, the decision to reintroduce the concept was framed as a response to sustained customer interest in themed cruising and the commercial performance of the inaugural programme. He noted that passenger demand and internal market research had indicated continued appetite for music-led itineraries combined with Marella's all-inclusive cruise product, and that further announcements regarding the programme would follow.
The cruise line continues to position its themed sailings within its wider all-inclusive model, under which fares incorporate accommodation, meals, beverages, and service charges. Pricing for the 4-night itinerary is set from ~GBP 749 per person at launch.
The return of "Country Rhythms" forms part of a broader trend within cruise operations toward niche, experience-led itineraries designed to extend brand differentiation through entertainment-focused voyages, particularly during shoulder-season deployments in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands region.
