Broadway at Sea: Redefining Cruise Ship Entertainment
Last Updated on September 26, 2024
Cruise ship entertainment has come a long way from the traditional lounge singers and poolside bands of the past. Today, major cruise lines are redefining what it means to be entertained at sea by offering full-scale Broadway and West End productions. These shows, performed by world-class talent, bring the magic of the theater to the high seas, allowing guests to experience award-winning musicals without ever leaving the ship.
The most popular cruise ship adaptations of Broadway shows are jukebox musicals, or plays consisting of popular songs everyone knows brought together under a singular plot. Most shows are also shortened versions of the Broadway productions; they remove the intermission and some scenes to get the shows closer to 90 minutes.
Here, we take a look at all the shows currently being performed on the high seas.
Royal Caribbean Broadway Shows
Back to the Future: The Musical – Star of the Seas
Back to the Future: The Musical is a musical adaptation of the beloved 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox. It opened in Manchester, England, in February 2020 before transferring to the West End in 2021. The show made its American debut on Broadway in August 2023, with a North American tour starting in June 2024.
Unlike many of Royal Caribbean’s other Broadway offerings, Back to the Future: The Musical is not a jukebox musical; most songs are original compositions specifically created for this production. While cruise lines often lean toward jukebox musicals for their familiarity and broad appeal, the Back to the Future brand itself is likely to attract audiences on its own merit. The show follows the misadventures of Marty McFly as he gets sent back into the past and has to find his way home.
Cats – Oasis of the Seas
Cats is one of the most quintessential Broadway shows. Created by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats debuted on Broadway in 1983, winning 7 Tony Awards that year. The show ran for 17 years on Broadway and has been performed around the world. It’s even seen a reinterpretation recently in New York City with Cats: The Jellicle Ball, reimagining the show in the Ballroom scene.
The show Cats is set in a magical junkyard and revolves around the Jellicle cats as they make the Jellicle choice, determining which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer. The show is best known for its amazing cat costumes and extraordinary choreography. It’s also known to be one of the most polarizing shows, with some people loving it and others hating it. While the plot is relatively light, you’ll at least recognize the song “Memory,” made famous by Barbara Streisand.
Grease – Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas
Take a trip back to the 1950s with Grease, the beloved musical that has entertained audiences for decades. While many people think of the movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John when they think of Grease, it was actually a Broadway show first, debuting in 1972.
This production brings all the nostalgia and excitement of the original Broadway show. Featuring timeless hits like “Summer Nights” and “You’re the One That I Want,” this musical tells the story of Sandy and Danny, two high school students who fall in love over the summer and must navigate their relationship when they return to Rydell High. The show’s energetic dance numbers and catchy tunes make it a crowd-pleaser on these Royal Caribbean ships.
Hairspray – Symphony of the Seas
The Symphony of the Seas hosts Hairspray, a vibrant musical set in 1960s Baltimore. Based on the 1988 John Waters movie starring Rikki Lake, this show follows Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big dreams of dancing on “The Corny Collins Show.” Since its Broadway debut in 2002, “Hairspray” has won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Hairspray tackles themes of racial integration in the ’60s along with body positivity, all while delivering infectious music and lively performances. The uplifting show is filled with catchy songs like “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” You’re sure the leave the Royal Theater with a smile on your face.
Mamma Mia – Allure of the Seas
Set to the music of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical that has captivated audiences worldwide. It debuted on Broadway in 1999 and has been showing on Allure of the Seas since the ship launched in 2009.
Guests will follow the story of Sophie, a young woman who invites three men to her wedding, hoping to discover which one is her father. The musical’s lively score features hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me,” making it a fun and energetic performance. You’re sure to see audience members singing along in this feel-good musical.
Saturday Night Fever – Liberty of the Seas
This jukebox musical is based on the 1977 film starring John Travolta. Set in Brooklyn, Saturday Night Fever story follows Tony Manero, a young man who escapes his everyday life by dancing at the local disco.
The stage version of the show debuted on Broadway in 1998 and ran for 501 performances. While it wasn’t nominated for any Tony Awards, its energetic score kept audiences coming back. The show features music by the Bee Gees, including hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever,” which helped define the disco era.
The Wizard of Oz – Icon of the Seas
If you think of The Wizard of Oz, your mind likely goes to the 1939 film classic starring Judy Garland. The show has actually been adapted three times for stage performances, the most recent appearing on Broadway in 2011. While most of the songs are from the original film, new songs were added to flesh out the stage production. The musical includes classic songs like “Over the Rainbow” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” It also has all the beloved characters, such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.
Icon of the Seas brings this enchanting world to life with a new interpretation. The production is modern and has an avant-garde take on the costumes and sets. When the ship debuted in 2022, guests were wowed by the production level of the performance, far surpassing anything they were expecting.
We Will Rock You – Anthem of the Seas
While We Will Rock You is not technically a Broadway show, it ran for 12 years at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End. The show is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Queen. Set in a dystopian future where musical instruments are banned, a group of rebels sets out to bring back rock and roll. The show features many of Queen’s greatest hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” and, of course, “We Will Rock You.” It’s been running in the Royal Theater on Anthem of the Seas since it debuted in 2015.
Norwegian Cruise Line Broadway Shows
Unfortunately, in recent years, Norwegian Cruise Line has been removing the Broadway shows from their ships. While they mostly received fantastic feedback from guests, they have removed Kinky Boots, Six, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical from their ships. It’s not known if they’ll also remove Jersey Boys and Million Dollar Quartet when their agreements are up.
Beetlejuice – Norwegian Viva
You’ve undoubtedly heard of the Beetlejuice movie, Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy classic featuring big names like Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton. And you may have seen Beetlejuice, the animated series which ran from 1989 to 1991. But you may not know Beetlejuice was adapted into a musical and ran on Broadway for nearly 700 performances between 2019 and 2023. Nominated for eight Tony awards, the show was widely viewed as a fun comedic take on the movie but suffered a relatively short run due to the pandemic.
Beetlejuice debuted on the Norwegian Viva when it set sail in 2022. The 90-minute production takes place in the Viva Theater. Norwegian worked with some of the original Broadway crew to design this performance’s exquisite sets and amazing costumes.
The Choir of Man – Norwegian Escape and Encore
The Choir of Man is another not-quite Broadway show, although it has been performed on the West End since 2021. The show originally debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, where Norwegian licensed this show for their new ship at the time, the Norwegian Escape.
The show combines live music, dance, and foot-stomping fun. Set in a British pub, The Choir of Man features a group of nine talented performers who deliver an energetic mix of pop songs, folk tunes, and pub anthems. With hits like “Some Nights,” “500 Miles,” and “Under the Bridge,” this show is a celebration of camaraderie, music, and the joy of being together. The casual atmosphere and interactive nature of the show make it a favorite among many guests.
Jersey Boys – Norwegian Bliss
Jersey Boys brings the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to life. This Tony Award-winning musical follows the journey of four blue-collar kids who became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. With classic hits like “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” and “Walk Like a Man,” “Jersey Boys” is both a musical and a historical narrative that showcases the ups and downs of fame. The energetic performances and memorable tunes make this a hit show on the Norwegian Bliss.
Million Dollar Quartet – Norwegian Getaway
Million Dollar Quartet is a jukebox musical that shows the day that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins found themselves together at a recording studio in Memphis. The show debuted on Broadway in 2010, receiving three Tony nominations and running for 489 performances. It has been on the Norwegian Getaway since the ship debuted in 2014.
The show dramatizes the real-life jam sessions between these artists that took place on December 4, 1956. It features many songs you’re sure to know, like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” In between the songs, you learn about the life of the artists and their time in the music industry.
What About Disney?
While Disney Cruise Line does offer Broadway-caliber shows on board all of their ships, these are productions created specifically for the cruise ships and not an adaptation of the Broadway production. For example, the Aladdin show on Broadway introduces new songs and a trio of friends rather than the money Abu. The Disney cruise ship version sticks closer to the original movie and doesn’t include any of the changes that were seen on Broadway.
That being said, these shows are incredibly well done, with special effects and casting that will rival anything you’ll see on Broadway. They are relatively light on the plot, though, as they squeeze each production into a 30 to 45-minute show.
- Aladdin – Fantasy and Wish
- Beauty and the Beast – Dream and Treasure
- Frozen: A Musical Spectacular – Destiny, Fantasy, Wonder
- The Little Mermaid – Wish
A Sea of Entertainment Awaits
Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or new to the world of musicals, these performances offer an unforgettable experience that rivals the stages of New York and London. Even better, none of these shows have an additional cost, meaning if you’re not typically someone who enjoys shows, you can try one out. From the nostalgic beats of classic jukebox musicals to the dazzling reinterpretations of timeless tales, the seas are brimming with options that will entertain and inspire you. So next time you find yourself onboard, make sure to catch a show—you might just discover your new favorite musical.
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