Engaging entertainment abounds on cruise ships. The exact mix of entertainment varies by cruise line and ship, but you may find anything from parties and games to first-run movies, magic shows, musical revues, intimate cabarets, cooking demonstrations, comedy workshops, and dancing to live music. Some ships also stage big-time shows in state-of-the-art theaters, with production values and talent that rival New York’s Broadway and London’s West End.
Cruise lines do change their entertainment offerings over time, sometimes with little notice; but, here are some of the biggest, best-known stage productions you can enjoy at sea now.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss features
“Jersey Boys,” a musical that tells the behind-the-scenes story of Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame inductees Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. It’s full of
real-life joy and drama, not to mention hits like “Big Girls Don’t Cry,”
“Sherry” and “Working My Way Back to You.” On the Norwegian Encore, you
can catch “Kinky Boots” (based on the 2005 film), with music and lyrics by
Cyndi Lauper. Or, if you like some Tudor history mixed with your musical
entertainment, you’ll love “Six” – a modern take on the stories of the six
wives of King Henry VIII – on the Norwegian Bliss or Norwegian
Breakaway.
Royal Caribbean’s Broadway at Sea program includes a fabulous production of “Mamma Mia!” on the Allure of the Seas. You’ll want to dance and sing along to the catchy ABBA tunes like “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “The Winner Takes it All.” Other Royal Caribbean ships offer more Broadway classics, including the timeless “Cats” (Oasis of the Seas); the ‘50s fun of “Grease” (this version, on Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, was created just for Royal Caribbean); and the ’60 dance-show groove of “Hairspray” (Symphony of the Seas).
The ships of Disney Cruise Line feature gorgeous stage shows based on some of Disney’s most popular and beloved animated features, including “The Little Mermaid” (on the brand-new Disney Wish), “Tangled, The Musical” (Disney Magic), “Beauty and the Beast” (Disney Dream) and “Frozen” (Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy). All of these productions include enchanting special effects, along with wonderful costumes and sets – just what you would expect from Disney.
If you choose a ship by the entertainment that’s on board, be sure to check with Anita, your professional travel advisor, on exactly what you can expect to see on your next cruise.
