Entertainment At Sea

"All the world's a stage", the saying goes! And on your cruise - the ship is the stage for a world of colorful entertainment and night-time enjoyment! And best of all, there is no cover charge, no tickets to buy or reserve, no waiting in line.

Dazzling musical revues salute the very best of Hollywood and Broadway, with advanced lighting and sound systems and spectacular special effects.

Your entertainment aboard spotlights a variety of marquee performers, including musicians and singers, comedians and magicians. Cruise lines recruit professional performers from some of the best-known stages on land.

The entertainers vary from ship to ship and line to line however don't be surprised if Bill Cosby, or Bowser from Sha Na Na or jazz greats Manhattan Transfer are on your ship. The shows will easily rival anything you might see on land. Except that on-board your ship you don't have to remember your tickets or struggle to find a parking space.

Not only will you enjoy Broadway style reviews, musicals, stand-up comics, movies and specialty acts, and guest talent shows, many cruise lines including Norwegian and Holland America offer "theme" cruises from Budd Friedmans famous Improv at Sea to a Bavarian style "Oktoberfest" where, in addition to daily beer tastings, the staff host a Bavarian Beer Garden Party and an authentic German/Bavarian dinner.

On this cruise, Anheuser Busch will provide a broad selection of their turn of the century recipe beers to enjoy all week, albeit at an nominal extra charge! The six man "Die Bier Barons" band will be on board to play traditional "Oom-Pah" and polka music.

Prefer country music? No problem, you can join top-act headliners and other guest performers aboard foot-stomping, knee-slapping country music cruises. Learn the latest line dancing or try not to smile as you two step your way across the Caribbean.

How much would you pay back home to catch a Broadway show, enjoy the midnight buffet and then head for late night comedy before you hit the disco? It's all included aboard your cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Lines treats you to extravagant, full-scale productions of classic Broadway musicals like Grease, 42nd Street, The Pirates of Penzance, The Will Rogers Follies, Crazy for You, and George M! And again, you don't pay for tickets! Just walk in to the beautiful theatre at sea, and enjoy the show.

Can theatres at sea rival those on land? A three-deck-high showroom, the Palladium, on Carnival Destiny, is home to two showstopping Vegas style productions that combine complex sets, laser technology and awesome talent that leaves you spellbound. And there is not a bad seat in the house!

After the show, visit one of the many lounges to enjoy a jazz ensemble, or 50's and 60's music or spend some fabulous times around the piano bar becoming a karaoke star.

Disney's Magic, is a masterpiece of entertainment at sea. On this ship, amazing diversions are everywhere. You can screen the ocean premiere of a new Disney film in the beautiful Buena Vista Theatre. And in the Walt Disney Theatre, you will view a magnificent tribute to the grand theatrical palaces of long ago that provided the inspiration for three all-new Disney productions-a different show each night of your cruise with state-of- the- art staging, lighting and special effects that only Disney can do!

Between your ports of call, you will be surprised how much there is to do on board your ship. When it comes to nighttime entertainment your choices are as diverse as you want to make them.

From ballroom dancing to late night comedy, from first run movies to dazzling shows, all free and all with guaranteed seating.

Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is Cruise Vacations Guide which offers advice and tips to those look to create memorable cruise vacations. Shore excursion and land tour information is also provided.