Best shows - which line, region and ship class?

[cconrad]

My partner and I really enjoyed the shows on our first cruise (Celebrity Equinox, Caribbean) and were disappointed by the shows on our second (MSC Poesia, Baltic). Which lines and ship classes feature most Broadway/Westside-style shows per cruise and is there a difference between regions (we are especially interested in trying Mediterranean next)?

[Hlitner]

This is one of those situation where bigger is better, and I strongly dislike mega ships.  But we all have our priorities.   You are generally going to find the best production shows on the monster RCI or NCL vessels.  Keep in mind that will be sharing those ships with over 4000 (even 5000) of your best friends :).  

 

Hank

[leaveitallbehind]

RCCL Oasis class ships offer a broad range of Broadway shows that are different on each ship. Oasis class ships also have the Aqua theater, which is an outdoor water show with well choreographed water and diving performances  Quantum class ships offer a very unique and innovative type of show in their 270 lounge. Other class ships offer Cirque du Solet style performances as well.  Attached is a CC link identifying the different shows and entertainment on the different RCCL ships.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles/which-shows-are-on-which-royal-caribbean-cruise-ships

[lenquixote66]

Entertainment is not the same as it was years ago.When I started to cruise 50 plus years ago entertainers were A list .

In 1994 I was on a cruise and saw a group The Three Tenors .They were great.In 2019 one of the 3 was singing in a restaurant in my area.

I had the opportunity to speak to him and he said that cruise ships were no longer booking elite entertainers.They preferred to showcase their staff.

[leaveitallbehind]

9 minutes ago, lenquixote66 said:

Entertainment is not the same as it was years ago.When I started to cruise 50 plus years ago entertainers were A list .

In 1994 I was on a cruise and saw a group The Three Tenors .They were great.In 2019 one of the 3 was singing in a restaurant in my area.

I had the opportunity to speak to him and he said that cruise ships were no longer booking elite entertainers.They preferred to showcase their staff.

In the early 90's we were on a cruise on a sea day and while everyone was at the pool and other venues, my wife and I stopped at the casino to play some blackjack.  We were at a table by ourselves when a man approached and asked if he could join us.  After talking a bit we realized he was Norm Crosby, who was performing a comedy act that night in the theater.  Pretty sure we lost at the table but had a very enjoyable time with him that afternoon.  As you suggest, times - and on board entertainers - have certainly changed.

[lenquixote66]

16 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

In the early 90's we were on a cruise on a sea day and while everyone was at the pool and other venues, my wife and I stopped at the casino to play some blackjack.  We were at a table by ourselves when a man approached and asked if he could join us.  After talking a bit we realized he was Norm Crosby, who was performing a comedy act that night in the theater.  Pretty sure we lost at the table but had a very enjoyable time with him that afternoon.  As you suggest, times - and on board entertainers - have certainly changed.

My wife and I saw a very young Norm Crosby at a comedy club in NYC .We thought he was great .

[Szt]

I know there are lots of “theme” cruises. Maybe there are some for theater lovers. 

[George C]

Best entertainment is rccl oasis class, Broadway show, ice show , aqua shows , piano bar , guitar player in pub. Latin band etc etc 

[Aquahound]

Royal Caribbean Oasis class, hands down.  

[Ashland]

RCI Navigator has the best ice show !!!

[SRQbeachgirl]

On 10/20/2023 at 12:13 PM, leaveitallbehind said:

In the early 90's we were on a cruise on a sea day and while everyone was at the pool and other venues, my wife and I stopped at the casino to play some blackjack.  We were at a table by ourselves when a man approached and asked if he could join us.  After talking a bit we realized he was Norm Crosby, who was performing a comedy act that night in the theater.  Pretty sure we lost at the table but had a very enjoyable time with him that afternoon.  As you suggest, times - and on board entertainers - have certainly changed.

 

Back in the mid-90s we shared a table at the Midnight Buffet with Jon Bauman (aka "Bowser" from Sha Na Na) who was performing on the ship. He was incredibly nice and we had a great conversation with him (and put away a lot of lobsters).

[Szt]

6 hours ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

Back in the mid-90s we shared a table at the Midnight Buffet with Jon Bauman (aka "Bowser" from Sha Na Na) who was performing on the ship. He was incredibly nice and we had a great conversation with him (and put away a lot of lobsters).

Funny, we sat next to him on a plane once. Nice guy.