That’s Entertainment!

Having watched a number of Cirque Du Soleil types of shows on board ships, and there are plenty of them out there, I can assure you, some of the cruise lines are finally realising that they have exhausted this particular avenue (though I expect an equal number don’t!).
Quite a few ships, particularly the newer ones are bringing West End Musicals on board in the near future. Amongst them Hairspray!

It is hard to imagine, but these high-tech shows aboard a ship can cost between $500,000 and $1 million, plus the cost of paying performers, royalties, and so on. To justify this cost, it means that the shows need to remain on board for up to two years. This would be worth remembering if you have a favorite ship – you might get the same entertainment two years running!
Some of the smaller cruise ships are targeting entertainment as a cost cutting area, so be warned – you could find yourself listening to second rate singers and bands, or, God Forbid, watching even more Cirque Du Soleil type acrobatic performances!
Last Christmas (2009) I was on board the Fred Olsen Black Watch, and the female ‘Top of the Bill’ singer was bad pub singer standard at best.

I would be really interested to hear anybody’s feedback on cruise ship entertainment – so many of my clients give negative feedback about it, it’s a wonder that anybody turns up to watch it at all!