From Broadway to the high seas: The best onboard entertainment

IT COSTS just $10 but it has passengers onboard this cruise line surprised. Here’s what’s you never knew about cruise ship entertainment.

There’s no longer any need to head to Broadway, London’s West End or the Las Vegas showrooms to see the best theatre productions in the world, simply make a direct line to your nearest cruise port. Increasingly cruise ships are upping the ante on big productions, offering the spectacle, sizzle and showpersonship of some of the best theatre shows in the world. We put the spotlight on the latest you need to know about on the high seas.

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P&O Pacific Explorer, Love Riot. Picture: Supplied.

SPIEGELTENT-STYLE R-RATED ENTERTAINMENT

When you attend a Fringe Festival do you head directly for the Speigeltent to see some of the world’s best immersive live entertainment? P&O’s Pacific Explorer has brought a Speigel-worthy production to their Black Circus theatre. It just costs $10 to experience the adults-only Love Riot production (with a cocktail thrown in) directed by Scott Maidment, who was one of the masterminds behind Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour.

“Love Riot is like no other entertainment at sea and is more in keeping with the spectacular aerial circus artistry found at major festivals around the world,’ says P&O Cruises’ Director of Entertainment Brett Annable.

Expect a mix of comedy, acrobatics, dance and a touch of raunch. Beware, the 90-minute performance is not as tame as one might expect for a cruise ship production, there are some risqué surprises. Even better value is to buy The VIP Love Riot package, which includes a five-course degustation dinner and the show for $29.

Cirque du Soleil. Picture: MSC Cruises.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL AT SEA

It’s a dream come true for anyone that enjoys the aerobatics and theatrics that a Cirque du Soleil production brings. This year MSC Cruises debuted their exclusive partnership with Cirque du Soleil on the new MSC Meraviglia to much fanfare. And the good news is that they will be premiering a total of eight original shows across MSC Cruises’ four Meraviglia generation ships coming into service between now and 2020. It’s no easy feat to bring these dazzling productions onto a ship. They have created a purpose-built entertainment lounge with a 40m LED screen, a rotating stage, lifts, and a retractable staircase. Each show features an original soundtrack, staging and costumes with some of the artists having performed in other Cirque du Soleil shows on land.

"Born To Dance" on Princess Cruises. Picture: Supplied.

A DEDICATED PRODUCTION STUDIO

Ever wondered why the latest productions on Royal Caribbean ships such as Ovation of the Seas as well as Celebrity ships such as Celebrity Solstice are of such a high calibre? It’s because the cruise line has its own dedicated production studios in Miami where they conceive, produce and rehearse for each show. Royal Caribbean Productions manages the largest premium entertainment operation at sea, from full Broadway musicals, to Las Vegas style production shows, and even ice spectaculars.

Case in point; on Ovation of the Seas, which is sailing in Australian waters, you can see the Vegas-style Live Love Legs with aerial acrobatics, spectacular choreography, beautiful costumes and stunning vocal performances from international artists.

Burn the Floor on Norwegian Jewel. Picture: Norwegian Cruise Lines/Barry Matheson

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY

On board Norwegian Cruise Line you can expect to see incredibly choreographed performances of the jive, swing, Fosse, the Madison and the twist in the production, Burn the Floor. The cast has travelled the world performing in more than 300 cities in over 29 countries, including the Longacre Theatre on Broadway. It’s proved so popular that Regent Seven Seas Explorer has now also adopted the show. Meanwhile, Frankie Valli fans take note, on the new Norwegian Bliss, set to sail from June 2018 you can see the Tony-award winning production of Jersey Boys.

The Faceless Muse in VIAGGIO. Picture: I. Sarfatti/MSC Cruises

AN AWARD-WINNING PARTNERSHIP

An exclusive partnership with one of Broadway’s most recognised and celebrated composers, Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin), allows those cruising with Princess to enjoy top-class musicals. Anyone who saw Magic To Do, which debuted in 2015 will know what to expect.

The latest production, Born To Dance, is now showing aboard Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess, and Regal Princess. It’s a musical that celebrates the hard work of professional dancers and takes in highlights of the best of Broadway including West Side Story, A Chorus Line, and Chicago.

VIAGGIO on MSC Cruises. Picture: MSC Ccruises.

SHAKESPEARE AT SEA

Those yearning for some Shakespeare should book in for a transatlantic voyage on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. Cunard have teamed up with the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) to present specially edited versions of his renowned plays (as well as other literary classics) that last no more than an hour in the Royal Court Theatre. Fancy yourself a budding thespian? Graduates from the academy, whose famous alumni include the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir John Gielgud, also pass on acting tips at interactive workshops.

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