Disney Magic
If you’ve suffered through an awful rendition of We Are Family for the tenth time, or watched a comedian bomb, you know that while entertainment may not be the most important aspect of cruising, when it’s bad, you notice.
A decade ago, most cruise ships had the same thing to offer — a show room with a couple of musical reviews, a cocktail lounge with a pianist playing standards, and room with a dance floor and a band. Throw in a juggler and a comic and you had the formula for almost every ship on the briny.
But these days, cruisers are demanding more sophisticated options, and several ships are responding with new and different ways to enjoy your evenings on board.
Here’s our list of the Top 10 Cruise Ships for Entertainment and Nightlife:
1) Norwegian Epic
NCL’s spectacular new ship is breaking ground on several fronts, and entertainment is one of them. The ship’s 600-seat Epic Theater features eight performances each cruise by the fabulous Blue Man Group. If you haven’t seen them in New York or Las Vegas, don’t miss them. Modeled after Teatro Zinzanni, which has been a hit in San Francisco and Seattle for years, Cirque Dreams and Dinner combines dinner under a circus tent with performances by acrobats, jugglers, and other circus-style entertainers. At Legends in Concert, celebrity impersonators do Elvis, Madonna, Cher, and more. Comedy fans will enjoy improv troupe Second City, who perform in a space purpose built for them. And Fat Cats is a Chicago-style jazz and blues club.
2) Oasis of the Seas
With a three-tier theater built for Broadway productions — Hairspray is currently playing — the innovative Aqua Theater, which features synchronized swimmers, acrobats, and divers plunging from 18-meter towers, and ice shows at Studio B, Oasis of the Seas has plenty of variety. Jazz on 4, Blaze nightclub, and a comedy club round out the offerings. Best of all, you can make reservations for performances online before your cruise.
3) Disney Magic
You’d expect Disney to excel in this department, and they do. Magic features some of the most sophisticated lighting, special effects, and costume design at sea. The three-deck, 977-seat Walt Disney Theater has a 40-foot stage, Dolby sound, moveable backdrops and scenery, and a projection system that brings everything to life. Original Disney shows like Twice Charmed, Disney Dreams, and Villains Tonight are shown there, as well as 3D movies — a first for a cruise ship. The Buena Vista Theater also screens 3D movies and first-run Disney films. If you have young children, Disney really can’t be beat for family entertainment.
4) Disney Wonder
With basically the same facilities as her sister ship, Disney Wonder has production capabilities that are second to none. She puts them to good use in Toy Story — the Musical, a live version of the Disney-Pixar movie. With seven songs, ten fantastic sets, and fabulous costumes, it’s a terrific show for kids of all ages.
5) Queen Mary 2
People who felt a calling toward the stage themselves will enjoy the acting workshops put on by graduates of London’s Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts (RADA). At night, there are West End-style productions in the 1,094-seat Royal Court Theater. For something completely different, attend a presentation in Illuminations, the only planetarium at sea. You can take a virtual tour of the galaxy in the 500-seat stadium.
Royal Caribbean Studio B Ice Show
6) Freedom of the Seas
One of the best show lounges at sea, the Arcadia Theater has great lighting, a hydraulic orchestra pit, and three decks worth of seating. Three production shows with as many as 18 performers rotate during each cruise. Ice shows in Studio B are pretty impressive. And the Royal Caribbean Greatest Show at Sea Parade that takes place on the Promenade is a highlight of every cruise.
7) Carnival Splendor
The 1,400-seat Spectacular Showlounge has a revolving stage, an orchestra pit that can be raised and lowered hydraulically, three-level seating, and excellent sound. It’s a great place to see a show. The smaller El Morocco, designed to evoke a 1930s New York supper club, hosts musical acts and comedians. If you’re of a certain age, you can hear all your favorites in the Grand Piano Lounge.
8) Crystal Serenity
This ship always gets high marks from passengers, but those who are used to the variety and facilities of a larger ship may find it a little tame. Broadway-style shows are presented in the Galaxy Lounge. Recent movies are shown in the Hollywood Theater. And there’s nightly dancing to a band in the Stardust Club. Those who enjoy nightlife should head for Luxe, a South Beach-style club that doesn’t open until 10PM. Karaoke is followed by dancing until the wee hours.
9) Sapphire Princess
The two-deck Princess Theater has a $3 million sound-and-light system, a loading bay for sets and scenery, and a 9-piece orchestra, which makes their featured shows much better than most. Singers, dancers, musicians, and production values are usually quite good. A smaller venue, Club Fusion, has comedians, cabaret acts, and traditional cruise ship entertainment.
10) Celebrity Equinox
In addition to the usual stage shows and musical acts, Celebrity offers one of the most original performances at sea, — The Hot Glass Show, produced in cooperation with the Corning Museum of Glass. Glass blowers create art glass pieces in a studio/theater purpose built for them. Whiskey, port, and single-malt Scotch tasting are often held in the unimaginatively named Tastings. Wine tastings are held in Cellar Masters. And vodka and caviar tastings are available in Crush.
Disney Magic Image Flickr: jimbrickett
Royal Caribbean Studio B Ice Show Image Flickr: micah.d