The ultimate guide to cruise ship entertainment
Cruise ships pack in a huge amount of entertainment, ensuring that you never suffer a dull moment. We take a look at what you can expect from different cruise lines and the unique shows on offer.
Cruise holidays aren’t just about breathtaking destinations and bottomless buffets (though, let’s be honest, those matter, too). In reality, these ocean-going cites act as floating entertainment centres, rich with concerts, performances, activities, and immersive experiences to cherish.
From Broadway-inspired performances to stand-up comedy from some of the biggest names in the business, alongside live music courtesy of astounding performers, and high-energy game nights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on that upcoming cruise.
The best bit? All these shows are free with your cruise ticket. You are, quite literally, quids in!
Looking for an overview of the wide range of onboard entertainment that you can take advantage of? We can help with that, so that you don’t miss out on the festivities.
Broadway at sea
One of the most significant highlights of cruise entertainment is the cruise lines' Broadway-style productions. You don’t need to pound the streets of New York to enjoy these performances – instead, it’s a swift walk down the corridor and down in the lift. Y’know, beyond the onboard bar that you’ve been frequenting.
These elaborate shows showcase excellent singers, dancers and actors performing renowned musicals and original theatre productions. Royal Caribbean stage full-length productions including Mamma Mia! and Grease in their dazzling theatres, while Disney Cruise Line is a delight to House of Mouse fans, with works including Beauty and the Beast and Frozen: The Musical.
Norwegian Cruise Line features award-winning Broadway shows such as Jersey Boys and Kinky Boots, while P&O Cruises runs Greatest Days, the official Take That musical. Carnival Cruise Line showcases its Playlist Productions; musical theatre reinvented with innovative technology and adrenaline-pumping performances.
For theatre fans, getting a front-row seat to these shows can create a night that’s not only memorable at sea, but a true highlight to enjoy forever.
Comedy nights
Comedy nights on your cruise holiday are perfect for those who love a good giggle and adore a belly laugh. High-end stand-up routines often feature professional comics, many of whom have appeared on such networks as Comedy Central and Netflix. Been watching Have I Got News for You, re-runs of Mock the Week or Live at the Appollo? You’ll likely recognise a few faces.
Carnival's Punchliner Comedy Club presents a mix of family-friendly and adult-only acts, while Norwegian Cruise Line's Levity Comedy Club serves up gut-busting performances from some of the best comedians in the industry.
Royal Caribbean’s Comedy Live is a standalone venue that supports rotating acts during each and every voyage. If you are going to an adult-only comedy show, be prepared for some one-liners that truly take the edge. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Regardless of which mainstream cruise line you opt to travel with, if they’ve got comedy on the menu, try every dish. Some of the up-and-coming comedians will hit the big time, but you can claim to have seen them before they were fashionable. How’s that for one-upmanship?
Piano bars and live music
Ship-based live music venues span every imaginable genre and almost every cruise usually has live music playing somewhere around the clock.
Interactive experiences abound in piano bars, where talented pianists take requests and lead sing-alongs like Holland America Line’s Billboard Onboard. Music lovers can relax at outlets such as the Norwegian Cruise Line’s The Cavern Club, a salute to The Beatles, or Jazz on Five, located on Celebrity Cruises’ ships, which features an upscale lounge vibe.
Classic rock or contemporary hits are covered on many ships by a cover band, performing anything from oldies to current day chart-toppers. On the other hand, Cunard is known for its sophisticated live orchestras and chamber music presentations, alongside waltzing lessons and dance classes. If you prefer Mozart over Dubstep, then Cunard may well be the choice for you.
Audience participation events
If you like interactive entertainment, cruise ships provide a slew of game shows and audience participation programs. The Love & Marriage Show makes a light-hearted way to measure how well couples know one another, and The Quest, a crazy, adult-only scavenger hunt, is popular on Royal Caribbean ships.
Daily trivia contests on subjects from pop culture to history offer prizes and onboard credit, whereas those seeking a high-energy experience can try a range of activities where winning ensures more than just a certificate.
With its diverse music, stunning performance and star-studded lineups, these events offer an opportunity to interact with your fellow passengers and make memories that you will never forget.
High-flying stunts
Some cruise lines have an edge when it comes to entertainment, offering high-energy productions that feature a combination of acrobatics, water acts, and even ice-skating shows. Royal Caribbean’s Aqua Theater displays stunning diving and acrobatics performed in a giant open-air water theatre. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Cirque Dreams is a circus-style performance with aerialists, contortionists, and gravity-defying acts. You’ll want to catch your jaw when it drops.
However, only with Royal Caribbean will you find an onboard ice-skating rink featuring dazzling ice shows, where breathtaking professional figure skating events meet the sea, offering a one-of-a-kind experience you never knew you were missing.
Movies under the stars and indoor cinemas
Movie lovers can catch classics, new releases, and even live sports under the stars at the large outdoor screens on dozens of cruise ships. Princess Cruises’ Movies Under the Stars, for example, is popular and includes complimentary blankets and popcorn for a cozy viewing experience.
Disney Cruise Line’s state-of-the-art indoor cinema, the Buena Vista Theatre, screens Disney classics as well as the newest blockbusters. For a truly immersive movie experience, MSC Cruises’ 4D Cinema combines a film with motion seats and sensory effects. Regardless of whether you like watching a movie under the dark sky or in a luxurious movie theatre, cruise ships have you covered.
For true film buffs, Cunard regularly host extensive film festivals on exclusive Transatlantic voyages. Take a look at their itinerary and bag yourself a golden ticket!
Late-night shenanigans
The fun doesn’t stop at sunset. This is where you get to slip on a tux and pretend to be James Bond or don your evening gown and strut around like Joan Crawford.
Most ships harbour lively casinos and nightclubs for party-hearty guests. You can feel the excitement and thrill of hitting it big as you try your luck on slot machines, as well as poker, blackjack, roulette and all the offerings that cruise casinos have to offer.
Nightclubs and themed parties invite guests to come together for dancing and socializing, and silent disco nights allow participants to tune into different music channels via wireless headphones. Karaoke nights are big, too, and a few cruises have even offered booths for singing in private.
Enrichment and learning at sea
For cruisers who want a more intellectually engaging trip, many cruise lines offer educational and enrichment programs. Among the informative speakers featured on Cunard’s Insights Program are experts on history, astronomy and art, sharing fascinating lectures with guests throughout the voyage. Seabourn Conversations are another opportunity to learn from experts during your voyage.
Various lines offer wine and whiskey tastings, providing connoisseurs an opportunity to sample varied flavours. Cooking demonstrations give hands-on lessons from top chefs that will stick with you, and improve your cuisine, for a lifetime.
Onboard passengers can also join dance and art classes, learning everything from ballroom dancing to watercolour painting, film making and crafts.
Every cruise offers an opportunity to expand your skills and knowledge, turning entertainment into the classiest education this side of society’s hierarchy.
Theme nights
Most cruise lines will have themed events on board that can add an extra layer of excitement to the journey. White parties, common on MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages, invite guests to dress in all white for a fashionable night of dancing.
Disney Cruise Line’s Pirate Night sets sail with swashbuckling fun, including fireworks at sea. Retro music enthusiasts should explore 70s and 80s dance nights, which give guests a chance to relive the disco era complete with classic DJ-style tunes and funky outfits.
Theme nights enhance your experience and allow you to truly feel immersed in your cruise, but don’t worry about feeling shy. Everyone takes part and gets into the spirit of the event. You’d be seriously missing out – especially when the party foam makes an appearance!
How to get the most from your cruise entertainment
With entertainment for every interest and age group, cruise ships are filled with fun!
Be it Broadway-style productions, stand-up comedy, action-packed stunt shows, or movie nights al fresco, the fun onboard never stops. The important thing to know is when it comes to cruise entertainment, check the daily schedule and reserve seats for popular shows as early as you can — and that you can have access to a variety of experiences.
All of the above will result in a high entertainment potential at sea which brings enjoyment, laughter, and unforgettable memories. It’s time for lights, camera, action!
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