Cruise ship?entertainment?is unquestionably better than ever. Even if some of the content — Broadway reviews, music through the decades, feathers and glitz — hasn’t changed, big-time production shows, the main staple, have gotten more and more professional, a result of improved sets, lighting, sound systems and ever-more talented casts. In addition, depending on the line, cruisers can enjoy ice skating productions, 90-minute-plus versions of Broadway musicals, performances by the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil, magic shows, cabaret shows and live music of all types. To stay competitive, cruise lines are spending more money than ever before on entertainment and it’s the passengers who win. Here are some favorites:
Carnival: Motor City
Carnival’s?Motor City?scores big for the quality of the production and the content. A talented cast of singers belts out the music of Motown from the 60s and 70s, performing hits of The Commodores, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and Stevie Wonder. The show also employs clever choreography, effective lighting, and special effects, plus posts video and still photography on LED screens, creating a lively and upbeat evening.
Crystal: Magic Castle at Sea
I love magic shows and Crystal’s new?Magic Castle at Sea?show is superb. In a small venue that hosts up to 25 guests at a time, professional magicians from the famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles do things with coins, cards and other objects that are simply amazing to witness close up. The magicians rotate through regularly, so even frequent cruisers have little chance of seeing the same performers. The show has been so popular that Crystal has expanded the number of performances per sailing. The best way to enjoy the sleight-of-hand: don’t try to figure it out, just watch and be amazed.
Disney: Aladdin — A Musical Spectacular
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Disney Cruise Line stages great shows; after all, The Walt Disney Company is a master of entertainment. And one of the best shows at sea is Disney’s Aladdin ? A Musical Spectacular. At 45-minutes long, the show is a perfect length for kids, who along with the adults in the audience, laugh at the silliness of the Genie. The content is from Disney’s movie, so songs such as?Whole New World?and?Friend Like Me?are familiar, adding to the fun. The special effects, a delightful magic carpet scene, and a dozen dancing genies intensify the excitement.
Norwegian: Cirque Dreams
The only evening show on this list that has an extra fee is?Cirque Dreams?on?Norwegian Epic?(a different version is now on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship,?Norwegian Breakaway). For people who like Cirque shows, the cost is well-worth it since dinner is included. Set in the specially designed, two-level Spiegel Tent,Cirque Dreams, a show-in- the-round, has tables and banquets on the lower level and a row of seats above that actually have a birds-eye view of all the action. Comedy and specialty circus-type acts mix with jaw-dropping acrobatics. Parents note: the show is more suitable for adults than young kids.
Oceania: Bon Appetit Culinary Center
It’s not a production show and it carries a participation fee. But for pure entertainment, I have to include the cooking classes at the Bon Appetit Culinary Center on?Oceania Marina?(Oceania features a culinary center on both of their new ships). OK, I’m not a chef and my cooking partner took away the big knife before I hurt someone. But I learned how to make gazpacho, lamb-burgers and Greek salad. The chef/teacher was an expert from?Bon Appetit?and she did a great job dealing with novices and experts alike. It’s a hands-on course with twelve seriously equipped cooking stations. Hey, I ate what I cooked. And survived.
Royal Caribbean: Hairspray
It’s not the easiest thing to put on a Broadway musical at sea. But Royal Caribbean, on?Oasis of the Seas, does this superbly with?Hairspray.?On Broadway since 2002, the musical is set in 1962 Baltimore. The 90-minute, no intermission, seagoing version features a huge cast with top-quality lead performers. The excellent choreography, lighting and staging moves the excitement level even higher. The last 20 minutes of the show may be one of the best endings ever. Royal Caribbean presents?Saturday Night Fever?andChicago?on other ships in their fleet.
Seabourn: Rock at the Opera
It’s not just the big ships that stage terrific production shows. Seabourn’s Rock at the Opera, performed by a group of seven exceptionally talented singers, combines music from classic operas and traditional melodies with more modern rock extravaganzas. The engaging mix segues from standards such as?La donna e mobile, from Verdi’s Rigoletto, to such popular tunes as O sole mio, Pinball Wizard from Tommy, and Aquarius from Hair. A professional dance couple and beautiful costumes help weave the segments together.
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