"Rock of Ages" perfectly represents Breakaway

[OceanBlue123]

I have been on 20 cruises in as many years. At an average of 3 big production shows per cruise, that makes about 60 shows. The only show I think I saw twice was Disney Dreams, and before my cruise on the Breakaway, that show was my favorite. No more. Rock of Ages easily surpassed it. Why? Because it is 100 minutes (very long by ship standards) of incredible music, singing, and dancing. I laughed, I cried, I stomped my feet, and I tried my best not to sing along (it was not easy). At the end I was part of the quickest, most complete standing ovation I have ever seen on a cruise ship, so I know I was not the only one that felt that way. My whole family liked this show so much we did stand-by the next night and saw it again.

 

Why do I think this show perfectly represent the Breakaway? Because, although it was the best cruise ship show I have ever seen, it was also easily the most inappropriate show I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Scantily clad girls and boys (and we are talking underwear here, not bathing suits). Simulated sex acts that included Oral (for both girls and boys), Heterosexual, Homosexual, Strip Club lap dances, Under Age and even Bestiality. Oh, and there were even a couple of Germans thrown into the mix (inside joke if you have not seen it). Again, best show ever, but I sure am glad my kids were old enough to handle it.

 

The Breakaway is similar. Wonderful in its own way, yet truly inappropriate in many others. Fabulous casino – but I could not last very long before my eyes were tearing from the smoke. Incredible water slides and ropes course – but so crowded you cannot find a deck chair or fit into the pool. Incredible Cirque style show, but you pay through the nose to see it. It seems like every big positive also has a big negative to go with it. The reviews for Breakaway are similar. Love it or hate it – few people are in between these extremes.

 

For those keeping score, in the last month Breakaway’s overall rating in the Member’s review section has actually dropped another couple of points and now stands at only 61%.

[mrwilliamt]

Because, although it was the best cruise ship show I have ever seen, it was also easily the most inappropriate show I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Scantily clad girls and boys (and we are talking underwear here, not bathing suits). Simulated sex acts that included Oral (for both girls and boys), Heterosexual, Homosexual, Strip Club lap dances, Under Age and even Bestiality. Oh, and there were even a couple of Germans thrown into the mix (inside joke if you have not seen it). .

 

So excited to see the show. My wife and I saw it on Broadway, when it starred Constantine Maroulis from American Idol fame. It kicked ass...I hear this is a shortened version of the Broadway Production. So excited....23 more days....

[sdmike]

Certainly does not sound that "kid friendly"...I guess depending on the age of your kids. :) I enjoyed the movie for the most part, and LOVE the music, but I'm still a bit surprised that something that risque is on a family cruise ship.

[SuiteCruiser]

I have been on 20 cruises in as many years. At an average of 3 big production shows per cruise, that makes about 60 shows. The only show I think I saw twice was Disney Dreams, and before my cruise on the Breakaway, that show was my favorite. No more. Rock of Ages easily surpassed it. Why? Because it is 100 minutes (very long by ship standards) of incredible music, singing, and dancing. I laughed, I cried, I stomped my feet, and I tried my best not to sing along (it was not easy). At the end I was part of the quickest, most complete standing ovation I have ever seen on a cruise ship, so I know I was not the only one that felt that way. My whole family liked this show so much we did stand-by the next night and saw it again.

 

Why do I think this show perfectly represent the Breakaway? Because, although it was the best cruise ship show I have ever seen, it was also easily the most inappropriate show I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Scantily clad girls and boys (and we are talking underwear here, not bathing suits). Simulated sex acts that included Oral (for both girls and boys), Heterosexual, Homosexual, Strip Club lap dances, Under Age and even Bestiality. Oh, and there were even a couple of Germans thrown into the mix (inside joke if you have not seen it). Again, best show ever, but I sure am glad my kids were old enough to handle it.

 

The Breakaway is similar. Wonderful in its own way, yet truly inappropriate in many others. Fabulous casino – but I could not last very long before my eyes were tearing from the smoke. Incredible water slides and ropes course – but so crowded you cannot find a deck chair or fit into the pool. Incredible Cirque style show, but you pay through the nose to see it. It seems like every big positive also has a big negative to go with it. The reviews for Breakaway are similar. Love it or hate it – few people are in between these extremes.

 

For those keeping score, in the last month Breakaway’s overall rating in the Member’s review section has actually dropped another couple of points and now stands at only 61%.

 

Thank you for posting this. Really well written and I was going to pass on the show (I'm not a big show person, but love the casino), but you've totally changed my mind.

[Cubechick]

Certainly does not sound that "kid friendly"...I guess depending on the age of your kids. :) I enjoyed the movie for the most part, and LOVE the music, but I'm still a bit surprised that something that risque is on a family cruise ship.

 

This is not Disney. I see no problem with an evening show not appropriate for children. Frankly, it's the only show we've seen on a ship that we both loved.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We'll be seeing it Tuesday evening. Looking forward to it!

 

Tom

[SissasMomE]

Ugh - that sounds just downright nasty and gross. Glad Legally Blonde will be on the Getaway instead!

[sdmike]

This is not Disney. I see no problem with an evening show not appropriate for children. Frankly, it's the only show we've seen on a ship that we both loved.

 

I'm perfectly fine with some shows not being appropriate for kids (like howl at the moon after 11), but I would expect the MAIN show on the ship to be family friendly.

[Gig103]

I don't get your comparison, but Rock of ages sounds like an awesome show to me!

[Us2inFL]

This is not Disney. I see no problem with an evening show not appropriate for children. Frankly, it's the only show we've seen on a ship that we both loved.

 

Exactly, quit the milk toasty, everything's got to be for everyone approach, and start treating adults like adults.

 

A couple of years ago on Pearl, a few coots complained that the aerialist in Sea Legs Cirque had a leotard that was too skimpy.

 

Hey folks, get with the program, we're not in 1846!

 

Edited to add: I remember my parents took me to "Follies de Paris" at some hotel in Miami in 1966. The theater host mentioned some of the show's content, just so they knew. I was 9 at the time.

[richs52]

Underwear and homosexuals? Better alert the church elders!!

[JessLCH]

I'm perfectly fine with some shows not being appropriate for kids (like howl at the moon after 11), but I would expect the MAIN show on the ship to be family friendly.

 

I totally agree with this, especially since NCL tries so hard to be family friendly in so many ways. This is a huge mistake on NCL's part. Blue Man Group on Epic is a perfect headliner...wild, crazy, fun, different, unique and appropriate for ALL ages. I am really disappointed that Rock of Ages is not family friendly. That said, I'd like to see it on our cruise, but will not be bringing the kids, 12 and 9).

 

OP: I appreciate your honest feedback.

[punkincc]

Your review of ROA is making me regret skipping over the Breakaway and booking the Getaway! I can only hope Legally Blonde will be as good a production. Have never seen a Broadway show and this may be the closest I'll ever come!

 

And as a previous poster said, NCL tries so hard to be family friendly with all the slides, ropes courses and great kids programming, what's wrong with having a little entertainment meant just for Mom and Dad? Surely families can find something for the kiddies to do for 1 hour out of the entire cruise!

[Starry Eyes]

I totally agree with this, especially since NCL tries so hard to be family friendly in so many ways. This is a huge mistake on NCL's part. Blue Man Group on Epic is a perfect headliner...wild, crazy, fun, different, unique and appropriate for ALL ages. I am really disappointed that Rock of Ages is not family friendly. That said, I'd like to see it on our cruise, but will not be bringing the kids, 12 and 9).

 

OP: I appreciate your honest feedback.

 

different strokes.

Traveling without children and reading lots of hype, DH and I looked forward to Blue Man Group on our Epic cruise. we arrived early and got great seats. to be kind, we found it juvenile and did not enjoy it at all. we left early. maybe if we had kids with us we'd have enjoyed their reactions and therefore enjoyed the show. as two adults, for us that was BMG most disappointing show at sea. OTOH we loved Rock of Ages. so many shows are geared to kids, it is nice to have some shows for the adults.

 

there are many entertainment options on Breakaway, and most are family friendly. please do not fuss over an adult show.

[Winston Wolf]

Underwear and homosexuals? Better alert the church elders!!

 

Lmao

[GUEST080219]

it was also easily the most inappropriate show I have ever seen on a cruise ship. Scantily clad girls and boys (and we are talking underwear here, not bathing suits). Simulated sex acts that included Oral (for both girls and boys), Heterosexual, Homosexual, Strip Club lap dances, Under Age and even Bestiality.

 

They must have changed the show after I saw it on board. Seriously if someone reads your description and then goes to the show to see what you described they will be more than disappointed.

[OceanBlue123]

They must have changed the show after I saw it on board. Seriously if someone reads your description and then goes to the show to see what you described they will be more than disappointed.

I also wrote that it had, "incredible music, singing, and dancing. I laughed, I cried, I stomped my feet, and I tried my best not to sing along."

 

It is easy to criticize, but it is not really fair unless you can offer up a better description.

[OceanBlue123]

I totally agree with this, especially since NCL tries so hard to be family friendly in so many ways. This is a huge mistake on NCL's part. Blue Man Group on Epic is a perfect headliner...wild, crazy, fun, different, unique and appropriate for ALL ages. I am really disappointed that Rock of Ages is not family friendly. That said, I'd like to see it on our cruise, but will not be bringing the kids, 12 and 9).

 

OP: I appreciate your honest feedback.

Should you take your kids to see Rock of Ages? I did, and they loved it, but they are young teenagers. It was rather awkward when my son asked me, right in front of his mother and sister, “What is Camel Toe?” (It is written on a character’s T-shirt.) Those are the kinds of things a parent should think about before determining if their children belong at this show.

 

You will see lap dances and may wonder if your child is ready to know about that. Another time the girls have a seat and your kids might ask you “why are the guys putting there heads in the girl’s laps?” As an adult, that was awesome, everybody gets a turn, and the scene was not very long at all. But your child will still see it and may ask you to explain it. This is what the “may not be appropriate” warning is all about. Are you comfortable having that conversation with your child? Some feel that their kids are never too young to learn about such things. Others disagree.

 

Some parents take their young children to the later shows and expect them sleep right through it. A show like Burn the Floor will actually help put them to sleep for you! However, one warning that I can post without qualification. Do NOT expect your young child to be able to sleep through Rock of Ages. It is loud. Very loud. It is Rock and Roll. It is supposed to be loud.

[Medtech2]

Should you take your kids to see Rock of Ages? I did, and they loved it, but they are young teenagers. It was rather awkward when my son asked me, right in front of his mother and sister, “What is Camel Toe?” (It is written on a character’s T-shirt.) Those are the kinds of things a parent should think about before determining if their children belong at this show.

 

You will see lap dances and may wonder if your child is ready to know about that. Another time the girls have a seat and your kids might ask you “why are the guys putting there heads in the girl’s laps?” As an adult, that was awesome, everybody gets a turn, and the scene was not very long at all. But your child will still see it and may ask you to explain it. This is what the “may not be appropriate” warning is all about. Are you comfortable having that conversation with your child? Some feel that their kids are never too young to learn about such things. Others disagree.

 

Some parents take their young children to the later shows and expect them sleep right through it. A show like Burn the Floor will actually help put them to sleep for you! However, one warning that I can post without qualification. Do NOT expect your young child to be able to sleep through Rock of Ages. It is loud. Very loud. It is Rock and Roll. It is supposed to be loud.

Okay, I am an adult and I just had to google Camel Toe. I never would have noticed or thought it was anything if I had seen that on a shirt...

[SuiteCruiser]

Okay, I am an adult and I just had to google Camel Toe. I never would have noticed or thought it was anything if I had seen that on a shirt...

 

Lol! If you want to see a good example check out the initial "prancercize" video, I couldn't get passed it.

[CruisinMaterial]

They must have changed the show after I saw it on board. Seriously if someone reads your description and then goes to the show to see what you described they will be more than disappointed.

 

His description while eye-catching is a true to form representation of the Rock of Ages production. I don't think I've seen anyone call it out quite like that but his/her depiction is quite accurate. It was highly sexualized and having my mother sitting next to me made me cringe. If I had been on the ship by myself or with friends it would have been different! This show really isn't appropriate for a cruise ship audience. The audiences are too diverse and too many come away being offended by some aspect of it. :(

[karoo]

I'm looking forward to Rock of Ages. I loved the movie. Personally Blue Man group was a definite fail for me-juvenile and silly, although I left early so maybe by the end it got better, but my friends who stuck it out said=No, it was more of the same.' They stuck it out because they were hoping it would get better. There is plenty for kids to do on board -they even have their own club with activities and the Pool deck is always full of them enjoying the pool/slides etc etc. On a cruise you definitely need some adult only activities.

[Cubechick]

Rock of Ages was the best production show we've ever seen on a ship.

[Winston Wolf]

I've seen BMG and Rock of Ages theatre productions. RoA >>>>>>BMG.

 

I was practically bored to tears after about 10 minutes of BMG.

[GUEST080219]

The audiences are too diverse and too many come away being offended by some aspect of it. :(

 

I agree with that. But really I see more sexualised appearances on daytime TV shows and most fashion advertisements show more skin. The whole show is tame for today standards and the "sex scenes" are so over the top. If you had sex like in the scene with the feet above the wall in the last two years, congratulations ;)

 

If you prefer to not watch the show I would say good decision as I felt super bored. The storyline is cheesy, uninspired and predictable. But please don't decide so because you think it is in any way sex heavy or offensive.