Straight-from-Broadway shows and Broadway-style productions have long been staples of cruise ship entertainment.
Royal Caribbean has made a splash with cruise-ship performances of hit shows like “Cats,” “MAMMA MIA!,” and “Hairspray.” This summer, “Back to the Future The Musical” will headline the entertainment on its upcoming Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.
Related: Royal Caribbean makes major change for its new ship
Though Royal Caribbean touts itself as the only cruise line with Tony-Award winning Broadway shows, Norwegian Cruise Line has been known to bring some big name shows to sea too. But while Royal Caribbean continues to bet on Broadway, Norwegian has begun taking a different approach to live shows.
After digging into passenger feedback, Norwegian Cruise Line discovered that passengers were rating their in-house developed productions better than the Broadway shows the cruise line brought aboard its ships.
Now, Norwegian Cruise Line is drifting into concert-like experiences after overhauling its onboard entertainment, and it looks like MSC Cruises is following their lead.
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MSC Cruises has found that smaller is better when it comes to shows.
Image source: Daniel Kline/Come Cruise With Me
New MSC Cruises ship will feature ‘Dirty Dancing,’ Queen concerts
Passengers sailing on MSC Cruises’ upcoming ship, MSC World America, can have the time of their lives singing and dancing along to beloved songs from the classic Lionsgate film “Dirty Dancing,” with “Dirty Dancing in Concert,” a live-to-film concert experience.
As passengers watch the iconic ’80s film in the ship’s 1,150-seat World Theatre, a live band with singers and dancers will perform the film’s classic songs in-sync with the movie. During the finale, passengers will be invited to dance in the aisles and then continue the fun at a Dirty Dancing-themed after-party.
“Dirty Dancing in Concert” will be performed multiple times during each of MSC World America’s seven-night Caribbean cruises, including a matinee on sea days. When the new ship sets sail from Miami in April, passengers will discover a wide range of onboard entertainment options, including several other live concert experiences and theatrical productions.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises have huge 2025 ship plans
The other live concert experiences set to energize audiences on the new ship include “Hall of Fame,” a production inspired by pop legends’ iconic award show performances, Queen Symphonic, a rock and orchestra experience celebrating Queen’s greatest hits, and Cinesonic, a concert of iconic movie songs and cinematic scores.
Passengers will also enjoy new theatrical productions including Odyssey, a circus dance theatre spectacular, and Momentous, one of the largest illusion shows ever produced at sea. At the ship’s Luna Park venue, passengers will find immersive activities from e-gaming and dance classes to family game shows and late-night themed experiences for adults.
Norwegian Cruise Line will celebrate Prince with new concert experience
The announcement about MSC World America’s entertainment lineup comes after Norwegian Cruise Line revealed that its upcoming ship Norwegian Aqua will feature the first Prince tribute show at sea as its headline entertainment. “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an in-house Norwegian Cruise Line production and concert experience, will honor Prince’s music, energy, and life.
Set in the ship’s Aqua Theater & Club, the tribute show will feature performances of Prince’s chart-topping hits both on stage and off for a fully immersive experience. Passengers will have the option to enjoy the show on the dance floor with the cast or watch from traditional theater seating.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line takes a more simplified approach to dining
The Aqua Theater & Club will also host popular Norwegian Cruise Line concert experience, “Syd Norman’s Presents: Rumours,” a Fleetwood Mac tribute show. Other classic rock tribute shows will be performed in the intimate dive-bar venue, “Syd Norman’s Pour House.”
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Passengers on the new ship will also enjoy an enhanced version of the cruise line’s highest guest-rated show, “Elements,” which blends magic and visual acts of aerial acrobatics with music and dance. Other entertainment highlights include an expanded “Improv at Sea” comedy club with more seating, and popular game show “The Price is Right LIVE on NCL.”
Like MSC World America, Norwegian Aqua will sail an inaugural season of seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in April. Norwegian Aqua will cruise from Port Canaveral for its first season before sailing from New York City and later Miami.
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