Illusionarium seating?

There looks to be 2 different "pricing" on the seating options for the Illusionarium on the Getaway.

Can anyone ellaborate (that has been to this show) the difference and is the cheaper seating a lot worse?

I can remember when we booked the Cirque show on the Epic, the big talk was to save your money and book the cheaper seats and to make sure you went upstairs to the balcony for the best view.

Is this the same? Is it 2 levels? What's the difference in the seating? :confused:

The cheaper seats are just farther from the stage. There is only one level in the getaway, unlike the Epic with the balcony. We had the premium seating and were pleased with the seats/view. Worth the price IMO. It is still suggested to arrive a bit early (30-45 minutes) as that's when the queue starts forming. Seats in each category are first come first served.

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The cheaper seats are just farther from the stage. There is only one level in the getaway, unlike the Epic with the balcony. We had the premium seating and were pleased with the seats/view. Worth the price IMO. It is still suggested to arrive a bit early (30-45 minutes) as that's when the queue starts forming. Seats in each category are first come first served.

 

 

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So are you saying that you possibly could pay for premium seating, but yet might not get in the front row if you are not lined up early? :confused:

I believe even though the shows are different on Breakaway and Getaway, the seating plan is the same. If I am wrong stop reading now ; ) On Vreakaway, the performance is in the middle of the tent. Behind the performers is a small slightly elevated "stage" with 2 tables for 4. Regular seating fans out from the performance area like rays from the sun. The people in the Haven get first dibs on regular seating so if there are a lot of them, even if you are first in line, you may not be sitting at the first seats of a table. Your odds of getting close to the front of the tables (and not being in the booths against the back of the room) are pretty high if you are on line first. The priority, extra charge, seating is on the "stage." That means you pay more to sit BEHIND the performance and see most of it from the performers' backs. For the most part, the performers face forward. It's a small enough room that even if you were stuck in a booth, you would still not have a hard time seeing the show.

I believe even though the shows are different on Breakaway and Getaway, the seating plan is the same. If I am wrong stop reading now ; ) On Vreakaway, the performance is in the middle of the tent. Behind the performers is a small slightly elevated "stage" with 2 tables for 4. Regular seating fans out from the performance area like rays from the sun. The people in the Haven get first dibs on regular seating so if there are a lot of them, even if you are first in line, you may not be sitting at the first seats of a table. Your odds of getting close to the front of the tables (and not being in the booths against the back of the room) are pretty high if you are on line first. The priority, extra charge, seating is on the "stage." That means you pay more to sit BEHIND the performance and see most of it from the performers' backs. For the most part, the performers face forward. It's a small enough room that even if you were stuck in a booth, you would still not have a hard time seeing the show.

Well that REALLY confused me then. Why would anyone pay premium to sit behind the performance and not be able to see them perform from the front? That doesn't make any sense. :confused:

So you are saying that the priority seating only has a total of 2 tables that only fit 4 people at each table and it's up on the stage behind the performers? I'm confused.

The regular seating is in the back and in big booths. The premium seating is closer to the stage at long tables that seat about 12. You'll want to get premium seating for the best view of the dome (although without this you won't lose out on much) and best view of the show. You do still want to be in line early if you want the closest premium seats. We got there about 20 minutes before showtime and got a good seat, although not the closest to the stage.

The seating for Illusionarium is totally different than for Cirque. No balcony in the Illusionarium venue. The stage is slightly elevated and to the front.

We bought premium seating and were there 30 to 40 min early to line up. There were already many in line. You wait for the hostess to lead you to a table. There are several very long rows across the room. When we entered the room, the front tables closest to the stage were all filled ( suite guests or early premium tickets holders? ). We were seated in the row furthest back from the stage. It did not detract that much from the show, as we could see pretty well, but I did wonder why I had bothered to pay the extra money:confused:.

Around the back of the room, and I think on just one side, there are booths that will seat 2 to 4 people. I don't know if they are standard seating, but they look like a good location to me, although I don't know how the sight line is to the ceiling.

Long story short, I'd just get standard tickets if I had it to do over. Not worth lining up 60 min ahead and then having the front all taken by suite guests anyway perhaps.

The regular seating is in the back and in big booths. The premium seating is closer to the stage at long tables that seat about 12. You'll want to get premium seating for the best view of the dome (although without this you won't lose out on much) and best view of the show. You do still want to be in line early if you want the closest premium seats. We got there about 20 minutes before showtime and got a good seat, although not the closest to the stage.

The seating for Illusionarium is totally different than for Cirque. No balcony in the Illusionarium venue. The stage is slightly elevated and to the front.

 

We bought premium seating and were there 30 to 40 min early to line up. There were already many in line. You wait for the hostess to lead you to a table. There are several very long rows across the room. When we entered the room, the front tables closest to the stage were all filled ( suite guests or early premium tickets holders? ). We were seated in the row furthest back from the stage. It did not detract that much from the show, as we could see pretty well, but I did wonder why I had bothered to pay the extra money:confused:.

 

Around the back of the room, and I think on just one side, there are booths that will seat 2 to 4 people. I don't know if they are standard seating, but they look like a good location to me, although I don't know how the sight line is to the ceiling.

 

Long story short, I'd just get standard tickets if I had it to do over. Not worth lining up 60 min ahead and then having the front all taken by suite guests anyway perhaps.

My reason behind asking is that I will have my youngest daughter (6 yrs old) and my grandson (5 years old) with us and I would think they would need to be closer in order to see (especially if they are sitting at a table with normal low chairs, which would put their little heads at about even with the table to begin with). :o

I would just hate to spend money on the "good" seats and still be stuck so far back that they won't be able to see.

I googled "illusionarium photo" and the result was renderings of the area. However, there is one photo from someone's blog that shows how high the stage is next to the dining tables and a performer standing on the stage. Maybe that will help. http://travelswithanthony.wordpress.com/tag/illusionarium/ he has a short review of the Getaway which may be of some help to you.

I also found this German Blog but they have a picture of the empty Illusionarium and that may give you a better idea of layout.

http://www.cruisetricks.de/norwegian-getaway-kleine-unterschiede-zur-breakaway/

I googled "illusionarium photo" and the result was renderings of the area. However, there is one photo from someone's blog that shows how high the stage is next to the dining tables and a performer standing on the stage. Maybe that will help. http://travelswithanthony.wordpress.com/tag/illusionarium/ he has a short review of the Getaway which may be of some help to you.

 

I also found this German Blog but they have a picture of the empty Illusionarium and that may give you a better idea of layout.

http://www.cruisetricks.de/norwegian-getaway-kleine-unterschiede-zur-breakaway/

Sorry if I missed it but can anyone tell me the regular cost and how much extra for the premium seating. Thanks!

Sorry if I missed it but can anyone tell me the regular cost and how much extra for the premium seating. Thanks!

$24 and $29 each person.

 

I also found this German Blog but they have a picture of the empty Illusionarium and that may give you a better idea of layout.

http://www.cruisetricks.de/norwegian-getaway-kleine-unterschiede-zur-breakaway/

The picture in that blog looks like the stage is in the middle with seating all around.

However, when I do a search on google, it looks like there's a stage behind it.

This picture shows 2 tables up on the stage. Should I assume this is what the other poster was talking about having 2 tables for 4 people? That just seems weird and like if it would be in the way of the performance.

I find pictures of the "booths", that I have to say look pretty "cozy" to me, but yet just how far away are they?

When you look at pictures, like the following, the booths look pretty far away and I can't imagine the little ones being able to see. (Although I don't know if this is an actual picture or just a rendering).

I wish I could find a picture of someone actually standing on the stage taking a picture out at the seats to see how far it looks away from there.

FYI, it seems they are now calling the seating options "floor" (premium) and "banquet".

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I believe even though the shows are different on Breakaway and Getaway, the seating plan is the same. If I am wrong stop reading now ; ) On Vreakaway, the performance is in the middle of the tent. Behind the performers is a small slightly elevated "stage" with 2 tables for 4. Regular seating fans out from the performance area like rays from the sun. The people in the Haven get first dibs on regular seating so if there are a lot of them, even if you are first in line, you may not be sitting at the first seats of a table. Your odds of getting close to the front of the tables (and not being in the booths against the back of the room) are pretty high if you are on line first. The priority, extra charge, seating is on the "stage." That means you pay more to sit BEHIND the performance and see most of it from the performers' backs. For the most part, the performers face forward. It's a small enough room that even if you were stuck in a booth, you would still not have a hard time seeing the show.

On the Breakaway, Premium is the seating closer to the performance area, and regular seating is in the booths along the wall. The small tables on stage are yet another "upsell" option and on our sailing last year were EXTREMELY expensive - I can't remember exactly how much, but they were in the hundreds for each table for four (like $400 and included maybe two drinks for each person?). The amount may change sailing to sailing, but they were very expensive on our Breakaway sailing again in January, and you had to book the whole table.

Even with premium seating and lining up early, you still might not get a "front row" table unless you are a Haven guest, as those guests are escorted in to select seating before they open the doors to those lined up inside.

Robin

My thinking is that this theater is the same size as the Spiegel Tent on the Epic. I don't know for sure because I have not been on the Getaway or the Breakaway. I did just get off the Epic for the second time and we did go see the Cirque show. Different than 4 years ago. New costumes and story. That room was kind of small but had 2 levels. Btw the top level is now premium seating. I know you're leaving soon and need to make reservations. I would book later in the week and when you board on day 1 take a peak and see what the venue looks like.

You can always try to change your reservation.

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You can totally ignore everyone using Breakaway or Epic as a basis for explanation. I've been to all three, and Getaway's layout is completely different. It is only one level, not two as on Epic. As you've notice, the stage at Illusionarium is located against the aft wall, not in the center of the room as on Breakaway. Getaway also does not have the two $450 VIP tables on the stage that are in Cirque on Breakaway. I sat at one of those VIP tables. I thought it was well worth the price to be completely immersed in the show, and I think it's a shame that they aren't on Getaway. As I understand it, they can't have tables on the stage at Illusionarium because it would ruin the tricks. Still, the premium seating is fantastic. You should come as early as you can though because Haven/VIP passengers take a majority of the best seats near the stage before general seating opens up.

I don't think the show is worth seeing from the regular banquet seating in the booths. There's quite a bit of special effects and you really need to be seated in the premium seating under the dome to get the full effect. There are small TV screens positioned above the booths to show what's happening on the dome, but it's just not the same. The actual tricks are visible from the back, but closer is always better. I was amongst the lucky ones picked to help with a trick on stage, and even inches away I still couldn't figure out what was happening!

The picture in that blog looks like the stage is in the middle with seating all around.

 

However, when I do a search on google, it looks like there's a stage behind it.

 

 

 

This picture shows 2 tables up on the stage. Should I assume this is what the other poster was talking about having 2 tables for 4 people? That just seems weird and like if it would be in the way of the performance.

 

 

I find pictures of the "booths", that I have to say look pretty "cozy" to me, but yet just how far away are they?

 

 

 

When you look at pictures, like the following, the booths look pretty far away and I can't imagine the little ones being able to see. (Although I don't know if this is an actual picture or just a rendering).

 

 

 

I wish I could find a picture of someone actually standing on the stage taking a picture out at the seats to see how far it looks away from there.

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear! Lol.

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You can totally ignore everyone using Breakaway or Epic as a basis for explanation. I've been to all three, and Getaway's layout is completely different. It is only one level, not two as on Epic. As you've notice, the stage at Illusionarium is located against the aft wall, not in the center of the room as on Breakaway. Getaway also does not have the two $450 VIP tables on the stage that are in Cirque on Breakaway. I sat at one of those VIP tables. I thought it was well worth the price to be completely immersed in the show, and I think it's a shame that they aren't on Getaway. As I understand it, they can't have tables on the stage at Illusionarium because it would ruin the tricks. Still, the premium seating is fantastic. You should come as early as you can though because Haven/VIP passengers take a majority of the best seats near the stage before general seating opens up.

 

 

 

I don't think the show is worth seeing from the regular banquet seating in the booths. There's quite a bit of special effects and you really need to be seated in the premium seating under the dome to get the full effect. There are small TV screens positioned above the booths to show what's happening on the dome, but it's just not the same. The actual tricks are visible from the back, but closer is always better. I was amongst the lucky ones picked to help with a trick on stage, and even inches away I still couldn't figure out what was happening!

I guess I have to assume that none of the premium seating is going to be bad, or they wouldn't call it that. For that reason, I plan to book premium so that I DON'T have to show up early. If Haven guests or whatever want to sit there forever waiting on the show or people lining up to get a better seat, they can have at it. I have other things to spend my cruise time doing. Any ol' premium seat should work.

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I guess I have to assume that none of the premium seating is going to be bad, or they wouldn't call it that. For that reason, I plan to book premium so that I DON'T have to show up early. If Haven guests or whatever want to sit there forever waiting on the show or people lining up to get a better seat, they can have at it. I have other things to spend my cruise time doing. Any ol' premium seat should work.

 

 

 

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Well, it's only a $5 difference in price now between premium and standard, so if your premium seat location is not completely to your likeing, you've only wasted $5. I think it was $39 and $29 when I booked. Not sure why the price drop...maybe too many complaints from people like me who wondered why they spent an extra $10 to sit in the back of the room.

One of the pictures shows a long table sitting parallel to the stage at the back of the room. That is where our "premium seats" were. The only thing farther away from us was the booths across the isle behind us. But at least we were facing forward and did not have to crain our necks right or left the entire time.

The person who posted that there is no stage seating is correct. The picture showing the 2 small tables on the stage is a depiction of the stage set up for the Wine Lovers Musical and Lunch which is held in the Illusionarium as well. They may change up the floor plan for each show based on the number of tickets, but generally the rows go off the stage from the front like spokes on a wheel with some long tables facing forward in the back.

I just want to caution you re your statement that you will book premium so that you don't have to show up early. We were 40 minutes or more early, and premium, and we still sat at the back of the room. You may get lucky, but if you show up 15 minutes before, I can almost guarantee where you'll be.;).

I wish someone who sat in a booth would post. They still look to me like the best seats in the house. Even where we sat, we did not feel like we missed anything that happened on the stage.

I just want to caution you re your statement that you will book premium so that you don't have to show up early. We were 40 minutes or more early, and premium, and we still sat at the back of the room. You may get lucky, but if you show up 15 minutes before, I can almost guarantee where you'll be.;).

That's fine with me. I've heard lots of good things about this show, and I'm sure they aren't all from front row people. If those were truly the only seats worth having, there would be a lot of really angry terrible reviews, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Sure, they might be better, but that's not important to me. I'd rather spend those 45 minutes doing something fun, as opposed to sitting or standing and waiting.

That's fine with me. I've heard lots of good things about this show, and I'm sure they aren't all from front row people. If those were truly the only seats worth having, there would be a lot of really angry terrible reviews, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Sure, they might be better, but that's not important to me. I'd rather spend those 45 minutes doing something fun, as opposed to sitting or standing and waiting.

I think you are absolutely right. The only annoying thing was having paid an extra $10 for seemingly no extra benefit. BUT, we felt like we missed nothing, really enjoyed the show, and it was not worth wasting precious cruise time to complain somewhere! They probably start the seating process at least 30 minutes prior to show time, bring a drink with you and enjoy!

We are haven guests, and have the udp so plan to try and go to the illusionarium the first night. We will be taking our 3yo. Do we "Buy" premium seats or regular? Confused since it's free first night and also if we get in early since we are haven?

Thanks for sharing any experience as haven guests!! :)

We are haven guests, and have the udp so plan to try and go to the illusionarium the first night. We will be taking our 3yo. Do we "Buy" premium seats or regular? Confused since it's free first night and also if we get in early since we are haven?

Thanks for sharing any experience as haven guests!! :)

I would buy Premium seats if you are sure you do not want to be seated in the booths in the back. As Haven guests, you will get first selection of seats in your paid area. Your concierge will tell you where to meet and what time to be escorted to the theater for seating.

Robin

I think you are absolutely right. The only annoying thing was having paid an extra $10 for seemingly no extra benefit. BUT, we felt like we missed nothing, really enjoyed the show, and it was not worth wasting precious cruise time to complain somewhere! They probably start the seating process at least 30 minutes prior to show time, bring a drink with you and enjoy!

I'll definitely report back afterwards on whether or not my plan was worthwhile. Booking opens for me tomorrow, finally!

Thanks Robin!