Note: This post is sponsored by Marella Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are my own based on my 8+ Cruises with Marella. My cruises with Marella were not press trips and I paid full price for them.
When I first heard that there were going to be penguins on my cruise ship, I didn’t believe it… but then, there they were!
Not real ones, obviously, but life-sized model penguins and they were kissing!
Marella has animal mascots on all of their cruise ships. You will find them randomly throughout the public areas of the ship.
I’m sure some move around on their own when nobody is looking!
The Story Behind Marella’s Animal Mascots
Each Marella ship has its own animal mascots. They just hang about the ship, no one really knows why!
It’s fun, and that is the point. It makes exploring the ship feel a bit like a treasure hunt. You never know where you are going to find them next!
The animals are unique to Marella cruise ships. It is a great way for guests to the remember the ships they have been on.
I have often heard people saying, “It was the ship with the alpacas” or “the one with the penguins…” The animals are pretty unforgettable, and a great way for Marella Cruises to have a memorable brand identity.
Meet the Animals
Marella Discovery – Alpacas
You don’t expect to see alpacas at sea, but Marella Cruises aren’t there to meet your expectations!
They turn up in the most unexpected places, and seem to move around the ship when you aren’t looking!
I was having a quiet sit down in a bar, looked up and there was an alpaca looking at me! I hadn’t noticed him there before…
(Many people refer to them as Llamas, but according to Marella Cruises, they are in fact alpacas.)
The alpaca is called Skipper.
Marella Discovery 2
On Marella Discovery 2, you will find Penguins. I found a couple kissing in the main atrium!
Marella Cruises are great fun, and penguins give the ship a fun friendly atmosphere. They are a little bit random, but I love them.
I found a pink penguin unexpectedly by the gangplank when I boarded the ship one day. I think he was just keeping an eye on everything and making sure all went to plan.
Marella Explorer – Giant Duck
Why just have penguins or alpacas when you can throw in a giant duck too?
I didn’t know I needed a giant duck in my life until I found this one. Apparently, the duck is called Dora…
There are often other smaller ducks to be found throughout the ship. It’s a great way to keep children entertained, you can go on a duck hunt onboard.
Marella Explorer 2
Why not throw in some cows too?
Cows can be found onboard Marella Explorer 2.
I found this lovely pink cow on the pool deck.
It didn’t move during my time onboard. I would imagine it’s much easier to move a penguin than a full sized cow!
Marella Explorer 2 is an adult-only ship. Maybe Marella thought that cows would appeal to a more mature audience…
Marella Voyager
Marella Voyager is the newest ship to the Marella Cruises fleet, she joined the fleet in June 2023.
I haven’t yet been lucky enough to sail on Marella Voyager, but the ship has zebras onboard, because why not?
Life-sized statues of neon-bright zebras are dotted across the decks.
You are sure not to forget being on this ship with these distinctive animals onboard.
Why These Random Animals Actually Make Sense
Having these distinctive animals onboard makes a lot of sense.
No one will forget being onboard a ship with such distinctive animals.
After all, how many of us have taken pictures with a Marella Cruises alpaca or penguin?
They provide great Instagrammable photo opportunities. This, in turn, is great advertising for the Marella Cruises brand.
Favourite Mascot Moments
My favourite Mascot moment was when our Emma Cruises channel mascot and some friends found the cow on Marella Explorer 2.
We were on a short cruise over the Easter holidays, but Hudson was getting up to mischief – as usual!
I was just trying to have a quiet drink in The Coffee Port, but Hudson had other ideas…
Before You Go
All of Marella’s ships had a previous life sailing for other cruise lines before joining the Marella fleet. Find out more about that here:
How Marella Cruises Transformed Ex-Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Ships
Have a look at all of the Marella ships, and compare them here:
Marella Cruises, Ships by Size – Photo Guide and Reviews
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