GrownUps New Zealand

Entertainment at Sea

“All the world’s a stage”, the saying goes! And on your cruise – the ship is the stage for a world of colourful entertainment and night-time enjoyment! And best of all, there is no cover charge, no tickets to buy or reserve, no waiting in line.

Dazzling musical revues salute the very best of Hollywood and Broadway, with advanced lighting and sound systems and spectacular special effects.

Your entertainment aboard spotlights a variety of marquee performers, including musicians and singers, comedians and magicians. Cruise lines recruit professional performers from some of the best-known stages on land.

The entertainers vary from ship to ship and line to line however don’t be surprised if Bill Cosby, or Bowser from Sha Na Na or jazz greats Manhattan Transfer are on your ship. The shows will easily rival anything you might see on land. Except that on-board your ship you don’t have to remember your tickets or struggle to find a parking space.

Not only will you enjoy Broadway style reviews, musicals, stand-up comics, movies and specialty acts, and guest talent shows, many cruise lines offer “theme” cruises from Budd Friedmans famous Improv at Sea to a Bavarian style “Oktoberfest” where, in addition to daily beer tastings, the staff host a Bavarian Beer Garden Party and an authentic German/Bavarian dinner.

On one cruise, Anheuser Busch will provide a broad selection of their turn of the century recipe beers to enjoy all week, albeit at a nominal extra charge! The six man “Die Bier Barons” band will be on board to play traditional “Oom-Pah” and polka music.

Prefer country music? No problem, you can join top-act headliners and other guest performers aboard foot-stomping, knee-slapping country music cruises. Learn the latest line dancing or try not to smile as you two step your way across the Caribbean.

How much would you pay back home to catch a Broadway style show, enjoy the midnight buffet and then head for late night comedy before you hit the disco? It’s all included aboard your cruise ship.

A lot of cruise lines treats you to extravagant, full-scale productions of classic Broadway musicals like Grease, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy for You, and George M! And again, you don’t pay for tickets! Just walk in to the beautiful theatre at sea, and enjoy the show.

Can theatres at sea rival those on land? A three-deck-high showroom on one ship is home to two show stopping Vegas style productions that combine complex sets, laser technology and awesome talent that leaves you spellbound. And there is not a bad seat in the house!

After the show, visit one of the many lounges to enjoy a jazz ensemble, or 50’s and 60’s music or spend some fabulous times around the piano bar becoming a karaoke star. Or visit the casino and try your luck!

Between your ports of call, you will be surprised how much there is to do on board your ship and daytime activities include yoga, cooking classes, wine tasting, day spas, art galleries, guest speakers, bingo, and the list goes on. When it comes to night time entertainment your choices are as diverse as you want to make them.

From ballroom dancing to late night comedy, from first run movies to dazzling shows, all free and all with guaranteed seating.

Article by Sid Kaplan