Blue Man Group Joins Epic! What Do You Think?

[melissa@cruisecritic]

When Norwegian Cruise Line released the first details last June about Norwegian Epic's lounges and nightlife spots, we asked you, via a poll on this forum, which innovative offerings you were most excited about. Interestingly, a whopping 42 percent of respondents said they actually prefer traditional fare -- such as evening shows in the main theater -- to ice bars, bowling alleys and poolside dance clubs.

Well, the line today announced one of the "evening shows" that'll be featured on Epic -- and it's anything but traditional! The Blue Man Group will perform its unique, interactive music-and-comedy routine in the 600-plus-seat Epic Theater several times per cruise. The Blue Men themselves were on hand for the reveal today in NYC. (Performances will be free; click here for the full story and to see pictures.) Also announced: a dinner-theater offering under a "big top" tent at the top of the ship, for $15 per person, featuring -- we're told -- aerialists who'll refill water glasses.

So, what do you think about the entertainment options onboard Epic? Vote above, and post your opinion below!

[Mooder]

I'm very excited about it. One of the things I love about cruising are the many choices. So, one minute I can be relaxing in my cabin and the next seeing a fun show!

[ZoneHPH]

i voted for something else: Kareoke...all night long!

[indimini]

Blue Man Group offering just swayed us from a Hawiian cruise to a trip on the Epic! I was just getting ready to book a Jan cruise in the islands when NCL called me tonight.

The new bars and shows including Circque + Dinner plus the lower cost of travel (we're on the East coast) has got us very excited about the Epic (despite it's ungainly appearance in the drawings.)

[lovingwife1229]

My husband and I saw the Blue Man Group in Vegas...and walked out after 20 minutes or so.

According to the poll I seem to be in the minority..but then again...I'm not planning on sailing on the Epic anyway.

I hope whoever does cruise with them...has a great time. I am looking forward to reading the reviews.



The NCL Gem 2011!

[Addictedtwo]

I think the line up for Epic looks good but I have major doubts that they will be able to maintain all these acts once they start seeing their bottom line for the Epic.
There are only 7 shows per cruise and they have to mix it up some so I see it as a costly venture paying all the entertainers, putting them up and feeding them.

NCL was at one point not too long ago in the process of replacing "JAR" with their own dance company but then they fired the VIP who was heading this change. So I believe JAR are here to stay.

[beccab]

I didn't like BMG either but DH did.

[BIG_Steve]

Originally Posted by lovingwife1229

My husband and I saw the Blue Man Group in Vegas...and walked out after 20 minutes or so.

According to the poll I seem to be in the minority..but then again...I'm not planning on sailing on the Epic anyway.

I hope whoever does cruise with them...has a great time. I am looking forward to reading the reviews.



The NCL Gem 2011!

I hated Blue man group also. Last time I said that (somewhere else) I was called an empty headed Neaderthal. LOL I may be, but BMG still ain't funny!

I don't begrudge anyone though. I'd just go to the casino that night.

[marvin79]

I LOVE blue man group! I think is awesome.... In my opinion, NCL has really gone all the way on this. The cirque dinner theater looks really cool too, also the second city venue. I already booked for 17JUL10 and I am really looking forward to it.

[bradtoon]

I personally think these entertainment venues will be just another mechanism for the F3 style to nickel and dime you...

Theres deffinatly going to be a surcharge for the dinner and circus, and probably one for tickets in the tiny theater

[shipty2]

I have never even for one second considered taking a cruise on a Norwegian cruise line ship. That has all changed now. Although I have not been to Vegas and do not plan on going any time soon I would love to see Blue Man Group and this would be ideal for my family. I'll be spending my evening pricing out a cruise on the Epic.

[indimini]

Just booked for Jan 1, 2011 on the Epic. Only "problem" was after sailing in an AB on the Pearl last year, my wife and son insisted we couldn't go back to a family balcony room. Oh well, there's plenty of time to get the trip paid off between now and Oct 2010, lol.

We liked that the Villa's provide a separate restaurant and lounge right near the cabins. It should be perfect for just relaxing the week away.

[dtracker]

I've never had a desire to sail the Lego built Epic for many reasons, and the BMG doesn't attract me either. JMHO.

DT

[LOWTYD]

I don't know if I love the BMG because I never saw their show. Just bits and pcs but I hear they are very good. Cirque & Dinner.....I don't know....I never saw Cirque De Soleil becasue I just wasn't into it but I may be intrigued by someone pouring my water dangling from a wire....
I will be in the funky bars...but maybe not every night. (but that was vote)

[Host Michell]

I love BMG and think this sounds like a great avenue for exploration. It might or might not work out -- but it's definitely an exciting new direction to explore. Coupled with the fact that the basic cruise fares on the Epic are quite reasonable, I'm sure this will be a surcharge thing (along with other offerings)... but nobody "has" to visit them. NCL is again pushing the envelope, and traditional cruise fans will balk and scream and squeal -- but the envelope will again expand.

PS I predict that within the next 18 months the phrase "nickel and dime" will be gone from the NCL boards, because it will also have spread through the other cruiseline boards, and then vanished entirely. The concept of "leisure cruising" is changing. Our cruise in a suite on NCL last month cost less than my first cruise in an oceanview cabin 14+ years ago (without inflation adjustments) -- that differential comes from somewhere -- and on EVERY line, it's coming from separating services, restaurants, shows, etc. and charging extra for the "extra" experience. This vacation style is moving to an a la carte, pay as you go, experience.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Michel. I agree with you -- and I don't think I've seen anyone put it as articulately as you've just done....

Carolyn

Carolyn Spencer Brown
Editor in Chief
Cruise Critic

Originally Posted by MichellP

I love BMG and think this sounds like a great avenue for exploration. It might or might not work out -- but it's definitely an exciting new direction to explore. Coupled with the fact that the basic cruise fares on the Epic are quite reasonable, I'm sure this will be a surcharge thing (along with other offerings)... but nobody "has" to visit them. NCL is again pushing the envelope, and traditional cruise fans will balk and scream and squeal -- but the envelope will again expand.

PS I predict that within the next 18 months the phrase "nickel and dime" will be gone from the NCL boards, because it will also have spread through the other cruiseline boards, and then vanished entirely. The concept of "leisure cruising" is changing. Our cruise in a suite on NCL last month cost less than my first cruise in an oceanview cabin 14+ years ago (without inflation adjustments) -- that differential comes from somewhere -- and on EVERY line, it's coming from separating services, restaurants, shows, etc. and charging extra for the "extra" experience. This vacation style is moving to an a la carte, pay as you go, experience.

[Surfgirl]

Blue Man Group is FABULOUS! I saw the show in New York City... loved it so much, I went a second time.

I'd like to see them in Las Vegas, because I think the show is different. For anyone who did see that one... um... did you get buried under a few feet of toilet paper?

You wouldn't get me on the Epic for anything. TOOOOO BIG... TOOO CROWDED.

[snorklin'barb]

Originally Posted by bradtoon

I personally think these entertainment venues will be just another mechanism for the F3 style to nickel and dime you...

Theres deffinatly going to be a surcharge for the dinner and circus, and probably one for tickets in the tiny theater

Here's the link to CC's story on the announcements - you'll notice the Cirque & Dinner does carry a charge of $15 and BMG will be free.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3231

"Tiny" theater of 685 seats wth multiple shows is just what BMG wants. The founders yesterday at the reveal stressed that it is very important to carry the intimate atmosphere of the Astor Theater to the cruise ship venue so that they can interact with the audience.

Why, when a cruise line (any of them) offers something special at an additional charge, do some people say "nickel and diming"? Would you rather they just didn't offer specialty restaurants or an interactive dinner theater experience a la Cirque?

Should the other lines, who are quickly following suit on their new ships, cease and desist from such extras, too?

[dfishner]

I was not a big fan when I first read about Epic especially not having a main dining room and hearing they were charging for some of the lounges like the ice bar which I feel will not work in the long run. When Epic started to release what was on her my opinion started to change and now hearing they added BMG and the Cirque with dinner I thought wow that is something new and interesting. Having 14 different food venues is also a big plus. I have grown more interested in Epic now still think it is one ugly ship but once your on her who cares anyway. So now I am considering it where a few months ago I thought no way.

[AFT_LOVER]

So when suite folks want their private area for dinner, pool, spoiling & they have to go somewhere, so atop the bridge was planned to keep the ship stable. Thus you hate the look, so tell them as you probably are one also. Paying over $10K a cruise for a week, they deserve special treatment.

I laughed like crazy when my PCC told me about CEO Kevin Sheehan being painted blue, glued to a canvas and hung upside down as part of Norwegian Epic ‘big reveal’ in Manhattan. Hold her to post photos! But that was the inro to BMG. 10 touring groups, even foreign countries have them. It is a FREE show in a showplace, which no one knew we would have from the news when Epic was announced.