Who knew that some of the best and most entertaining shows to see on Earth are at sea?!

Long-time cruisers and travelers know that they can see Broadway and West-End, and other exceptional shows in a cruise ship’s theatre – and is just another of the many reasons to embark upon a cruise.

When you are onboard, you will notice the guests who truly love their entertainment… they are the ones that turn up early for the best seats in the house, they have already grabbed a drink – and wait patiently for the curtain to rise to be transported into another dimension for one of the most mesmerizing nights of their lives. And this can be you too! Experiencing the drama, the excitement, and the thrill of exceptional onboard entertainment – along with all of the luxuries of a cruise ship!

Broadway on Deck

Sailing directly from Australia’s shores, Broadway shows are what you have come to expect from cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruiseline, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines and so many more. With full-scale production shows and licensed renditions of popular shows being showcased onboard, you would be hard pressed to choose from simple local highlights, traditional songs and cultural dance recitals to the all singing, all dancing performances such as Rock of Ages, Cats, Queen of the Desert and Saturday Night Fever, to crowd favorite musicals like Grease and Mamma Mia, and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, the world’s biggest cruise ship, soon to be home to the stage musical Hairspray.

Additionally, by cruising further afield into Asia, the US, Europe and the Mediterranean, from river cruises to ocean cruises, the offering is almost endless from the ever-popular Jersey Boys, and Priscilla to My Revolution and there’s more!

There’s a New Spin on Things…

On the other hand, P&O Cruises has put a new spin on things, and it’s a first at sea! Pacific Explorer is currently home to the strictly ADULTS-ONLY Love Riot, showcasing an ensemble of talented latex-clad dancers in a burlesque routine. It’s not for everyone, for sure, but it’s definitely a stand out, and something new at sea. This adults-only show is exclusive and will set you back $10 with an included drink, or you can take the $30 dinner-and-show package and make a night of it.

For those who are not really into this sort of risqué performance, there are other theatre shows and original productions onboard too, such as Twice Upon a Time – taking guests out of this world for the evening. Then again, there are more ships to sail on with equally entertaining options – ask your cruise specialist about them today!

Purely Professional

More than 10,000 passengers a week will see Burn the Floor, currently playing on four of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, including Norwegian Breakaway. With over a hundred global performers and dancers under contract you are almost guaranteed to enjoy engaging professional performances. Created by Australian producer Harley Medcalf, Burn the Floor will leave you in awe as you groove to the beat, with jaw-dropping choreography and heart stopping moves. Over the years Medcalf has been known to bring high-profile artists such as Elton John to Australia via Norwegian Cruises, so you can expect a similar calibre of entertainment onboard.

For a variety of fun, live musical performances, you also can’t go wrong with Carnival Cruise Line’s ensemble of talented acts. We recommend checking out the music-driven Playlist Productions, that allow guests to witness high-tech elements alongside familiar sing-along songs, as each 30-35 minute show will dazzle and inspire awe. Performances are coupled with LED screens and special effects to add brilliance and showmanship to the whole experience. Here’s the best part – it’s all free of charge!

And finally, let’s consider Cunard’s sophisticated entertainment experiences onboard the three Queens – Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and the illustrious Queen Mary 2. Imagine it, Cunard’s White Star Service and extra touches of luxury combined with superlative performances from world-renowned opera singers and the National Symphony Orchestra, West-End and Broadway style dramatic and theatre performances showcasing well-known actors from London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and so much more. You’ll be held truly spellbound. C’est Magnifique!