ted, part of RWS Global, recently completed the installation for all-new entertainment aboard Marella Cruises’ latest ship, Marella Voyager. The firm is the sole entertainment provider across all Marella Cruise ships. It has created more than 40 brand-new experiences for the newest vessel and continues to manage and oversee the operation of the fleet’s entertainment.
ted offered a variety of services, including concept and design, music and media, show production, fitness and wellness, AV and technical, costume design and construction, talent casting and recruiting, and guest acts.
Choice and freedom onboard Marella Voyager
The Marella Voyager’s goal is to provide customers with as much choice and freedom as possible in every area of the ship, and a crucial component of this goal is making entertainment available to all passengers.
ted produced eight brand-new stage shows, 20 interactive gameshows, kid’s entertainment, appealing fitness & well-being sessions, a variety of themed deck parties, daytime entertainment, original costumes from design to completion, and an immersive experience in a new venue all unique to Marella Voyager, and sound & lighting design for all shows.
Additionally, the firm continues to bring onboard special performers including comedians, magicians, musical tributes and vocalists. To provide a great guest experience, all activities on board Voyager were created with a variety of ages and interests in mind. Every onboard entertainment experience incorporates ted’s cutting-edge audio, video, and lighting technologies.
The entertainment options on Marella Voyager range from fully produced musical productions and live orchestras to energetic dance shows. The M Club, which also has talent cast by ted, entertains kids on board with bespoke performances, games, and activities. Meanwhile, with a designated “FunFit” host on duty to promote guests’ health throughout the day, ted injects fun into fitness onboard., offering an 80’s retro workout class, Zumba, water aerobics, sunbed stretches, and meditation.
Delivering quality entertainment
According to guest feedback, “The Exchange,” a secret, adults-only speakeasy where visitors enter through a pair of traditional English red telephone boxes, is a firm favourite. To enter, visitors dial a certain number and provide a secret password. Inside, they meet characters who tell stories, perform songs, and interact with the audience.
The partnership between ted and Marella Cruises dates back to 2017 when the cruise line launched its Explorer ships. The new Marella Voyager is the fifth Marella ship that ted has provided bespoke entertainment for.
“We value our relationship with Marella Cruises as their exclusive entertainment provider and are excited to see guests’ response to our latest creations onboard,” says Robin Breese‑Davies, executive vice president of ted. “Producing entertainment offerings this robust for a single client allows us to zero in on our creativity while staying fresh and on-trend.”
Emma Carlisle, general manager of customer experience at Marella Cruises, adds:
“Marella Voyager is part of our strategic vision to continually modernise and grow our fleet, so it was key for us that we delivered brilliant entertainment on board for our customers. We’re proud to work with ted to ensure everyone has the best possible time on our ships, and with the combination of our fantastic product, great destinations and friendly service on board, alongside our entertainment programme, we’re confident customers will return home with memories that last a lifetime.”
Earlier this year, ted announced that it has deepened its merchandise partnerships with two large-scale park operators as a part of a global expansion. The firm, which is a certified B Corporation, will also be keeping sustainability top-of-mind throughout the process.
In May, RWS, alongside subsidiaries ted, JRA and ARC, relaunched as RWS Global, an experience team 120 years in the making. To find out more about the rebrand, blooloop spoke to Ryan Stana, CEO of RWS Global and key executives from across the RWS Global team.
