Cruise Line Entertainment Takes a Bow

Living within an hour drive of New York City, I’m lucky enough to be able to enjoy some of the world’s finest entertainment at venues like Carnegie Hall, Radio City and Lincoln Center. Then of course, there’s the Great White Way; who would dispute that Broadway theatrical productions are the best in the world? So, is it possible for a person who’s experienced the top echelon of music and theater to be roused by cruise ship entertainment?   Absolutely!

Cruise ship entertainment has come a long way from the glitzy and glamorous musical reviews of the past! Lavish set design, special effects, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems and talented casts add up to professional performances that are as good as those found in New York and Las Vegas. Here are just a few examples:

Royal Caribbean’s Broadway at Sea features performances of some of the world's most famous musicals. Cats (Oasis of the Seas), Chicago: The Musical (Allure of the Seas) and Saturday Night Fever (Liberty of the Seas) are available to passengers at no extra charge. I recently saw Mama Mia on Quantum of the Seas and felt it was every bit as good as the version I saw on Broadway! During the finale there wasn’t a guest in the theater that wasn’t out of their seat singing and dancing!

Norwegian Cruise Line does Broadway productions too. On Norwegian Breakaway, you can see Rock of Ages, a five-time Tony® Award-nominated musical that relives the music of the 1980s. Legally Blonde the Musical, a shortened version of the off-Broadway production, can be seen on the Norwegian Getaway. And if you have never seen the totally outrageous antics of Blue Man Group in Las Vegas or N.Y.C., you can catch them on the Norwegian Epic.

The Walt Disney Company is a master of entertainment so it shouldn't be a surprise that Disney Cruise Line stages amazing shows appropriate for the entire family! Onboard the Disney Fantasy, Disney's Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular will thrill adults and children alike with its flying carpets, magic lamps, wise-cracking genies, princesses and evil wizards. Disney Dreams - An Enchanted Classic is still running on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder and it is one of my all- time favorites!

Princess Cruises has just announced a partnership with composer Stephen Schwartz, of Wicked and Pippin fame. He will oversee four musical shows that are scheduled to make their debut on Princess cruise ships in coming years. The first musical to be produced will be called Magic to Do, scheduled to debut aboard the Crown Princess next fall.

Carnival Cruise Line teamed up with renowned comedian and TV personality George Lopez to help select talent for their fleetwide Punchliner Comedy Clubs. Early evening shows are family-friendly but the late night, age 18 and up shows are completely uncensored! And imagine having the unique opportunity to see a band you love rock the ship in a theater venue! That’s what Carnival Live Concert Series is all about! 2015 acts include Styx, Journey, Rascal Flatts, Smokey Robinson and critically acclaimed country group, Little Big Town.