What Entertainment Is There On board A Cruise?

On a cruise ship, entertainment is always guaranteed. Whether it’s for the kids, strictly adults-only or something the whole family can enjoy, there’s always going to be plenty of options to keep everyone happy. On the biggest ones, it’s part and parcel of any cruise line’s offering, up there with lively swimming areas and incredible onboard restaurants.

During your time at sea, you’ll be treated to live theatre, sports, games, music and stand-up comedy whether it’s day or night. In fact, there’s so much to choose from that, even on a 14-day jaunt, you won’t find yourself short on shows and productions to watch.

But no two cruise lines’ entertainment options are the same. And their programs read more like the listings of upcoming Broadway shows compared to what you might be picturing, putting on cruise line-exclusive productions to set themselves apart from each other.

But who offers what? To help you out, we’ve compiled exactly what you can expect entertainment-wise from each of the major cruise line operators below. Be warned: things are about to start getting exciting!

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Touting itself as having the greatest shows at sea, the line might well be onto something. For one, they’re the only cruise line offering Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals as part of their line-up. But what else is waiting in the wings? Guests can expect to be wowed by original productions, ice skating shows and Aqua Theatre – a combination of high-wire and high drama!

But we know you want to hear more about those Tony Award-winning musicals, right? The  following shows exclusive to these ships:

• Mamma Mia on Allure of the Seas: The iconic smash hit – at sea for the first time – is a pop treat fit for dancing queens of any age. Who could say to ABBA while sailing between destinations?
• Cats on Oasis of the Seas: Forget the film from a few years ago, this is the best way to experience Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical. It’s played in over 20 countries across 250 cities – and now it’s hitting the high seas.
• Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas: Get your platforms at the ready, it’s time to strut your stuff. Indulge your inner Travolta with a take on the legendary seventies classic – polyester suit optional, of course!

Celebrity Cruises

Another award winner, Celebrity keep it strictly original, with a range of incredible productions created just for the line – and impossible to see anywhere else. Love your live music? Rockumentary brings incredible iconic performances from throughout the ages back to life. Maybe it’s something sensual you’re after? The adults-only Elyria might be for you. Expect temptation, excitement and more – you’ll just have to see for yourself.

As for ship-exclusives, here’s a taste of what else is instore:

• iHollywood on Summit and Constellation: Experience the glamour of an Oscars Party, soundtracked by the biggest bops from your favourite movies, spanning the 30s right up until the present day.

• Simply Ballroom on Millennium: Strictly who? No need to bring your own dancing shoes, just sit back and prepare to be amazed by classic ballroom dances through the ages.
  
• Topper on Equinox and Eclipse: Like things on the whimsical side? Topper’s steampunk vibes and quirky adventures ticks that box, taking you on a tale of friendship, told from a giant mechanical hat.

Princess Cruises

Whatever your idea of a good time is, Princess’ ships are flush with entertainment options to match. All-ages productions, dance classes, stuff for the kids, top-deck film screenings, stand up sets, magic acts – you name it, Princess probably has it. You’ll can even try your hand at Deal or No Deal and belt out the classics on The Voice.

How about exclusives? Across their fleet, you can find:

• Rock Opera on Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess: Spanning genres, languages (including American Sign Language) and wardrobes, this combo of fashion, sights and sounds is one that’ll delight all music lovers.

• Spotlight Bar on Discovery Princess: Set to a soundtrack of modern classics, the regulars of the Spotlight Bar turn their favourite haunt into a dancefloor full of incredible moves. We’ll drink to that!
• 5-SKIES on Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess: A video game come to life, 5-SKIES follows Gamer 1 as goes on a virtual reality-fuelled adventure across five increasingly tougher levels. The line’s most technologically advanced production!

MSC Cruises

Indoor and out, MSC‘s entertainment is what you go with if you need to get the pulse racing. How’s this for a lineup: zip lines, 4D cinemas, flight simulators, bridges towering over the top deck, waterparks and the Robotron, a rollercoaster at sea that takes the brave for a spin 53 metres above the sea.

All of its ships also feature a programme of Broadway-inspired shows, but its exclusive Carousel Productions at Sea shows take place on the following ships:

• Ajerdez on MSC Virtuosa: A rock musical inspired by chess? A duel between two queens vying for the affections of a king, this is one show that definitely has to be seen to be believed.

• Strings on MSC Grandiosa: A high-flying spectacle that tells the tale of a toy maker and his muse, Strings’ combines spectacular acrobatics with a live soundtrack to create a sight and sound masterpiece.

• House of Houdini on MSC Meraviglia: A tribute to the one-of-a-kind illusionist, MSC-style! A fusion of incredible performances, envy-inducing costumes and props straight from Houdini’s back catalogue of tricks, prepare to be amazed.

Costa Cruises

Whether it’s friends or family you’re holidaying with, Costa keeps everyone happy with a range of outdoor and indoor entertainment options. Adventurous type? See how you fare at the Rope Garden Adventure Park. For competitive kids, there’s mini golf and a table football area, while high rollers can try their hand at the onboard casino.

Costa also offers:

• The Voice of the Sea: The hit singing show comes to Costa! Think you can impress the judges with the power of your voice alone? Time to warm up those pipes…
• CoDe Museum: A tribute to Costa’s Italian heritage, take a stroll through this awe inspiring museum dedicated to the country’s iconic design vibes through the ages.

Norwegian Cruise Line

A treat for the eyes and the ears, Norwegian Cruise Line’s entertainment options are a real who who’s of pop culture from across the ages: Performances of Footloose, a recreation of Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club and tributes to the likes of Lady Gage, Adele, and Tina Turner. If it’s number ones you’re after, you’ll find them here, along with these ship-exclusive shows:

• Beetlejuice on NCL Viva: Get ready to jump in the line, Tim Burton’s scarily good Beetlejuice film comes to NCL Viva – expect the same head-spinning special effects and paranormal goings-on as the original!
• Burn The Floor on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic: The Broadway sensation rocks up to three of the line’s ships, bringing with it the same spice and sizzle that’s wowed over 300 countries. Like your dancing with a side of steam? Things’ll definitely heat up with this one.
• Six on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway: Ready to rip up the history book? Six is. Retelling the story of Henry VIII’s not-so-dearly departed, these six queens set the record straight, with real pop star sass.

Disney Cruise Line

Surprise of the century: Disney’s ships have buckets of unbelievable entertainment options for the whole family! From themed deck parties, West End-style musicals and a chance to watch the biggest movies before anyone else poolside or under the stars, Mickey and Co. have well and truly got you covered.

Here’s what else they have up their sleeves:

• Tangled: The Musical on Disney Magic: Unravel the tale of Rapunzel’s classic story all over again with unforgettable songs, costumes and performances.
• Freezing the Night Away on Disney Wonder and Disney Magic: A deck party from the world of Frozen, the festivities are chilly, but the vibes are anything but. Altogether now: “Let it go, let it go…!”
• Star Wars Day at Sea on Disney Fantasy: May the fun be with you when your ship turns into a tribute to the iconic space saga.

Carnival Cruises

Buzzing with line-exclusive musicals, comedy clubs and karaoke, every day (and night)’s a party onboard Carnival. You’ll even have a chance to win big on Deal or No Deal!

Here’s what else is in store:

• Family Feud on Carnival Celebration: Face-Off, Fast Money, they classic set: all the best bits of the legendary show are right here. Whether you’re taking part or in the audience, the survey says this won’t be one you’ll want to miss.
• Thrill Theater on Carnival Horizon: Love the cinema but need more…immersion? Thrill Theater can help with that: your seat moves with the action onscreen, you might even feel gusts of wind and splashes of water along the way!

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

Featuring ship-exclusive theatre companies bringing you individualised programmes of live music, comedians, illusionists, and artists, Fred Olsen’s slate of entertainment is diverse and varied. Guests even have a chance to expand their horizons and learn something new, whether it’s the ukelele, local dishes, or a dance move or two.

• Art classes on Borealis and Bolette: In their beautiful, purpose-built studio spaces, all equipped with top-of-the-range art materials, learn how to paint and draw or give block-printing a go, surrounded by amazing views and lots of natural light.

Excited? We bet you are! To find out how to book yourself onto an adventure with one of these amazing cruise lines for prices you won’t find anywhere else, explore our unreal deals right here.