Is CHICAGO being closed down on Allure?

[ChitownGus]

Just talked to Customer Service because I had issues with booking Chicago for my upcoming June 1st cruise on Allure (although I could book everything else). when I try to book, it gives me a 'system unavailable' message. So I called Customer Service and was told they are contemplating shutting down the show, and they aren't opening it for reservations until they know what is happening. The said they may replace it, or just remove the show and not replace it with another show (which I find unlikely).

 

Has anyone heard anything on this? We will be disappointed if we don't get to see either this show or a "broadway" type show as a replacement.

[bozman2112]

We are Sailing Allure on June 15'th and are experiencing the same issue as you are. Thank you for contacting customer service because I had sent an email last week to which I have yet to get a reply. So at least now I know.

 

Bob

[Dave85]

I just booked Chicago for the May 11 sailing without incident...

 

I'd be VERY surprised if they "shut down the show..." That's a very strange response you got.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Dave85

[mzready2go]

I just spoke to Royal Caribbean and was told that typically bookings begin

3 months in advance however Chicago has not yet loaded. I was advised

to check back in a couple of weeks. I'm on Allure June 8 which means I

would have to wait until March.

She was not aware of any show cancellations

[sandy1754]

I just booked mine this week for the week of may 25. I had no problems.

[backhli]

We are on the June 8th sailing, and I was told yesterday they just haven't opened that one yet. We were able to book all the others.

 

 

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[sleepless]

I called about this issue also. My B2B cruises are June 29 and July 6. The rep said it was too early for me to be booking my entertainment. I said that I have done everything else; she checked my reservation - noticed that I had everything else booked.

 

The rep tried to to book it for me, and could not. In fact, Chicago would not come up on her screen. She put me on hold, checked with someone else. To make a long story short, the rep stated that Chicago had not been loaded into the Entertainment schedule yet (she was unsure why as everything else was), and should be available as we get closer to the 90 days prior to our cruises.

[teachchem]

We are on the June 8th sailing, and I was told yesterday they just haven't opened that one yet. We were able to book all the others.

 

 

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I am also on the Allure June 8th and I don't seem to have access to booking shows yet. Are you a C&A member that gets to book before everyone else. I'm just confused on how you were able to book the shows.

Edited February 14, 2014 by teachchem

[leisuretraveler223]

As others have said, you're simply too far out to book the show. With regards to what the representative told you, I have no clue where he or she got that. But I promise you it is incorrect. IF they decide to pull a show (keep in mins Hairspray is still going strong and started a year earlier), the first people to know most certainly will not be their phone staff.

 

This is example number 3,726,403 of why RCI customer service representatives are fairly useless...

[Familygoboston]

We heard from one of the entertainment managers on board during a tour that the shows are planned and mounted with the intention of being staged for several years. This is one of the newest shows, so it seems strange they would change it this soon...bit two things I can speculate : (these are totally out of my head and I have no idea, just thoughts!) One is that some have felt this show was not "family friendly" enough for such a "family" oriented ship. The second is that because it is not an "original" Royal creation as many of the production shows are; they may have run into issues with the costs of the "rights" to the show, although I find it hard to believe they would not have secured long term rights for casting such a big production- the actual production on board is quite simplistic, so maybe they knew they had a short window before needing to renegotiate:confused: (all of this is entirely speculation on my part!)

 

Another thought is that the casts are cast as a group, and rehearse together in Miami before coming aboard together to replace the existing cast. (More info from the stage manager) The cast stays on board till their contracts are up and then are replaced all at once. (Obviously stuff happens and some one might have to switch out due to personal matters or injury) Is it possible a new group transitions at the time of your cruise and they just don't have the exact details yet? :confused:

 

Another thought- transitioning to a show that would have more appeal in Europe, since Allure plans to summer there? :confused:

 

Interesting information from the rep, Ill be watching to see how it plays out.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Familygoboston

[CVU]

 

Another thought- transitioning to a show that would have more appeal in Europe, since Allure plans to summer there? :confused:

 

Interesting information from the rep, Ill be watching to see how it plays out.

 

We saw Chicago live in London when it was first out and it was sold out.

[leisuretraveler223]

Another thought is that the casts are cast as a group, and rehearse together in Miami before coming aboard together to replace the existing cast. (More info from the stage manager) The cast stays on board till their contracts are up and then are replaced all at once.

 

Ah, the latest example of the WILDLY varied responses we all seem to get from those "in the know". The stage manager when I was on The Allure in 2012 told us basically the EXACT opposite. Different performers have varied contract lengths and dates. And the cast often partially changes as some come and go.

 

Two places in the world I always appreciate this phenomenon: cruise ships and Las Vegas! I ALWAYS take what I hear from those supposedly "in the know" with a hefty grain of salt!;)

[Familygoboston]

Ah, the latest example of the WILDLY varied responses we all seem to get from those "in the know". The stage manager when I was on The Allure in 2012 told us basically the EXACT opposite. Different performers have varied contract lengths and dates. And the cast often partially changes as some come and go.

 

Two places in the world I always appreciate this phenomenon: cruise ships and Las Vegas! I ALWAYS take what I hear from those supposedly "in the know" with a hefty grain of salt!;)

I've heard that's true for the shows that cast a variety of talents, like the aqua show or the aerial/acrobatic shows. This manager was speaking about the production shows, so both could be true...or as you point out, not;)

Edited February 14, 2014 by Familygoboston

[xxoocruiser]

Though timing has been known to fluctuate , on average show reservations for Oasis and Allure generally don't open until 90 days before the sail date. Given that it's currently .

[janetz]

Honestly, I thought Chicago on the Allure was just ok. Hairspray on the Oasis, great. If you miss Chicago,;) its ok.

Edited February 15, 2014 by janetz

[Gayle V]

Timing sure must fluctuate an awful lot. We just booked all our entertainment, (including Hairspray) a few days ago, for our cruise on the Oasis. We don't sail 'till November.

[TravelerThom]

Ah, the latest example of the WILDLY varied responses we all seem to get from those "in the know". The stage manager when I was on The Allure in 2012 told us basically the EXACT opposite. Different performers have varied contract lengths and dates. And the cast often partially changes as some come and go...

I have done quite a number of back stage tours (D+ on RCI; E+ on X) and have ALWAYS been told that the production show cast comes and leaves as a group; I was told this once again on both Allure and Independence within the last month. The Allure Singers and Dancers Cast #8 (I think that is the correct Cast number) is getting ready to leave and be replaced with Cast #9. The acrobats that perform in both the Aqua Show and Blue Planet production show are not on the same schedule as the Singers and Dancers (who are also in Blue Planet). The orchestra musicians do come and go individually.

 

Thom

[rsharp83]

On my Allure All Access tour we were there for a cast change over for Blue Planet. The entire cast changed. We even saw the well wishes message from the old cast on the message board in the dressing room. Then we saw the first performance of the new cast.

 

They rehearse together and change out as a group. Unless there is some incident/injury etc. they function as groups that do a performance contract runs together.

 

 

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[Tennessee_Cruiser]

Honestly, I thought Chicago on the Allure was just ok. Hairspray on the Oasis, great. If you miss Chicago,;) its ok.

 

I agree. Chicago is one of my favorite musicals and I love the movie! On the Allure, so much of it is cut and it feels rushed. Going on the Allure for the second time in March and we might skip Chicago (but would love to see Hairspray again!).

[seaofwonder]

We were also told on Allure that they come and go as an entire cast.

 

As for the length, we were also told that they have a commitment to X number of years (I want to say 5, but that might not be the right number....it was more than 3 though) due to the enormous cost.

 

 

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[TravelerThom]

...As for the length, we were also told that they have a commitment to X number of years (I want to say 5, but that might not be the right number....it was more than 3 though) due to the enormous cost...

Generically due to the cost of mounting a production, RCCL intends for any production show to last for a minimum of 5 years. We saw the very last production show on RCCL's Celebrity Mercury on its final cruise, and that show had been on for the entire 14 years that the Mercury was in the fleet. Part of the reason for ship rotation is to provide new shows in a particular port. Since presumably Oasis III will have a new/different show, I think that III will be based in Port Everglades and the original Oasis with Hairspray will move to Port Canaveral or Asia or maybe Des Moines:p

 

I THINK I was told that RCI originally signed a commitment to run Chicago for 3 years with an option for some number (5?) of additional years. Last month we were told that the contract forbids "sick tracks" (to be used if the star can't sing), and that live understudies are required. Both Chicago and Hairspray are "Las Vegas style" versions - 90 minutes with no intermission. We were told that Momma Mia's owner/producers are allowing it to go to Quantum only as the full 2.5 hour show with intermission; if that is true I hope RCI has a plan in place to deal with seats when people leave at intermission or I foresee a riot over seats:eek:

 

Thom

[Familygoboston]

Generically due to the cost of mounting a production, RCCL intends for any production show to last for a minimum of 5 years. We saw the very last production show on RCCL's Celebrity Mercury on its final cruise, and that show had been on for the entire 14 years that the Mercury was in the fleet. Part of the reason for ship rotation is to provide new shows in a particular port. Since presumably Oasis III will have a new/different show, I think that III will be based in Port Everglades and the original Oasis with Hairspray will move to Port Canaveral or Asia or maybe Des Moines:p

 

I THINK I was told that RCI originally signed a commitment to run Chicago for 3 years with an option for some number (5?) of additional years. Last month we were told that the contract forbids "sick tracks" (to be used if the star can't sing), and that live understudies are required. Both Chicago and Hairspray are "Las Vegas style" versions - 90 minutes with no intermission. We were told that Momma Mia's owner/producers are allowing it to go to Quantum only as the full 2.5 hour show with intermission; if that is true I hope RCI has a plan in place to deal with seats when people leave at intermission or I foresee a riot over seats:eek:

 

Thom

 

Agree, having seen the show, ( and I love it!) I am imagining just about every guy in the audience will leave at intermission to go to the casino;):p

[Gluis011]

I have a nov. 9 sail date and today I was able to book reservations for every show except the Chicago show and get the same message about not being available at the moment.

[Memsy87]

I booked mine for the 27th April sailing with no problem last week and haven't been notified of any changes yet

[Memsy87]

in fact, it's still on our itinerary for the night of the 28th April.