Will Cruisers Have ‘The Time of Their Life’ Watching a 1987 Movie on World America?

January 29, 2025 Randy Young

MSC Cruises has been heavily promoting its newest ship coming to the U.S., World America. The cruise line is hoping to make a big splash in the North American market with a ship packed full of bells and whistles. The ship has also been “Americanized” with new venues like a sports bar. However, its recent announcement of the entertainment lineup has us wondering if MSC is going far enough.

Dirty Dancing Live-to-Film “Concert”

MSC recently sent out a press release detailing the new entertainment options coming to World America. The headlining show? Dirty Dancing. But rather than a Broadway-style adaptation, MSC is offering a “Live-to-Film” experience. This means the movie will be played while the music is performed live—typically by a symphony or live band.

According to MSC, the film will be backed by “a talented live band and spectacular singers belting out classic songs in sync with the movie, with dazzling dancers amping up the atmosphere.” At the end of the “concert,” guests will be invited to dance in the aisles and sing along to a Dirty Dancing-themed after-party.

It’s an unusual choice for MSC to feature a 1987 film that many younger cruisers may not have seen. Instead of using the existing stage adaptation, the cruise line opted for a live-to-film approach.

It’s also worth noting that Dirty Dancing isn’t particularly known for its score. While the Grammy Award-winning song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” and other hits like “She’s Like the Wind” and “Hungry Eyes” are well known, they aren’t exactly upbeat, dance-party tunes.

Other Entertainment Options for World America

World Theater

The 1,150-seat World Theater will also host three other productions during the ship’s seven-day sailings:

Odyssey – A captivating acrobatic spectacle set against the dreamlike backdrop of an ethereal journey influenced by Homer’s Odyssey. This production is being produced by Anystage Creative, a company known for its big spectaculars from Macau to Mumbai.
Momentous – One of the largest illusion shows ever produced at sea features a renowned resident guest artist who will captivate and amaze audiences with impressive moments of magic. This experience is created in collaboration with Twins FX, known for their stunning special effects in the musical “Back to the Future.” Their work spans various Disney productions and notable films and TV series, including “Doctor Who,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “The Mummy”.
Hall of Fame – Experience the ultimate live pop concert featuring the iconic music and unforgettable moments of pop legends. This event is produced by ONLYCHILD, a multidisciplinary creative studio renowned for its work and collaborations in music, fashion, live theatre, and film. Their impressive credits include A-list music stars like Kylie Minogue, as well as partnerships with major brands such as MTV, Netflix, Vogue, and Missoni.

Panorama Lounge

World America will also feature a second large performance space called Panorama Lounge. Located at the back of the ship, this venue boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and state-of-the-art projection technology to create immersive experiences. The space will host two concert-style productions:

Queen Symphonic – This exclusive version of the international hit concert *Queen Rock Symphonic* showcases a spectacular blend of Queen’s greatest hits on a theatrical scale. Performed by a live rock band alongside talented singers, dancers, and awe-inspiring acrobatics, this dynamic event features a stunning 36-piece orchestra on screen – specially recorded for this production – providing the perfect backdrop for the show.
Cinesonic – A breathtaking concert of iconic movie songs and cinematic scores, brought to life by state-of-the-art motion graphics and exhilarating performances from the cast of superb singers, dancers and acrobats. With exciting new musical arrangements crafted exclusively for MSC Cruises, this concert celebrates the very best of movie magic!

Is This Entertainment Enough to Make a Splash in the American Market?

Cruise ship entertainment has evolved dramatically in recent years. Royal Caribbean is offering full-scale Broadway productions like Back to the Future and The Wizard of Oz, while Norwegian Cruise Line has moved in the opposite direction, canceling nearly all Broadway shows in favor of lower-budget, in-house musical revues. MSC seems to be striking a middle ground—offering well-known shows but taking a more cost-effective route with the live-to-film concept.

Will this approach resonate with Americans trying out this new ship? Only time will tell.