Gone are the days when ship entertainment consisted of cruise staff doubling as entertainers, with comedians and singers rounding out the shows. High quality, innovation and partnering bring the best of entertainment onboard ships. With their new tagline: "Premium Class™ With a True Italian Signature," MSC Cruises has embraced Italian style aboard, and one entertainment option on the MSC Opera includes Enrico Scotto, "The Italian Tenor," with a repertoire that goes well beyond opera.

When Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Valor debuted in December 2004, her 1,400-seat medieval-themed theater, the "Ivanhoe Show Lounge," debuted not one, but two high-energy Las Vegas-style revue shows. These shows fully utilize the lounge's shipboard technology that includes multi-million dollar lighting and sound system.

Specializations that match the cruise line's personality are also prevalent. Onboard Cunard Line's QM2, the Royal Court Theatre features original productions created by Belinda King, a renowned British producer. "Zing Went the Strings" is attribute to the songs, films and life of Judy Garland, while "Rock @ the Opera" is a musical that uses the best contemporary rock music.

Innovation is prevalent as well. When Royal Caribbean launched the first of their "Voyager" class ships in l999, they included a special "Royal Promenade" in the design. Not just an area connecting one part of the ship's interior to the next, this "bustling boulevard" is complete with shops and cafés that come alive at night with street performers and lively street fairs.

The "Royal Promenade" spans the length of two football fields and is four decks high. Another innovative "first" for the cruise industry was Royal Caribbean's inclusion of an actual ice-skating rink onboard each of the "Voyager" class ships. Located in the ship's multipurpose "Studio B," the ice-skating rink serves dual purposes. Guests can use the rink for iceskating and ice skates are complimentary for guests; also professional ice shows are offered periodically throughout the week. Partnering with well-known entertainers and directors is another area where cruise lines have enhanced their entertainment offerings.

In l998, Holland America Line introduced their new production, "Copacabana," on the Volendam, which was produced by singing legend Barry Manilow's management company. "Copacabana" is still playing to capacity crowds who sail on the Volendam and the Ryndam. Princess Cruises launched a unique outdoor entertainment concept when their "Movies Under the Stars" debuted aboard the Caribbean Princess last April. A specially designed giant Times Square-style 300-foot screen located on the Calypso Pool area offers up to three feature-length films throughout the day, ranging from first run hits and family cinema to late night movies.

Major sporting events are also fea-tured. To round out this ultimate poolside experience, passengers can make complimentary chaise lounge reservations, and casual dining as well as special movie-themed cocktails are available. In the evening, the viewing experience is enhanced with free popcorn, a variety of movie nibbles, and the lounge chairs are covered with special cushions and blankets. And once a week, cruise staff members disguised as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and other Oz characters lead audiences through a full participation routine as the "Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz" feature is shown.

About The Author - Cindy Bertram

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