On-board services
Above: NCL worked with the creators of Jersey Boys to produce a shorter, cruise-friendly version of the show.
Previous page: Stage shows, like this production of Kinky Boots, are the highlight for many cruise passengers.
“We are making a conscious effort to continue innovating across every part of our business, including entertainment,” says Richard Ambrose, vice-president of entertainment and cruise programmes at Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). “On board our ships, we will be continuing with our well-known and well-loved programme of high- calibre entertainment, and holidaymakers will still be able to enjoy award-winning productions straight from Broadway and the West End.” Royal Caribbean has already pioneered the return of elaborate performances, with the Quantum of the Seas starting to run a full programme from December on its cruises around Singapore. There were moments when it felt like it was the only show in town back up and running.
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“At one point, we were putting on the only show on earth,” says Nick Weir, senior vice-president of entertainment for Royal Caribbean International (RCCL). “Humans have a great ability to adapt, so there is no artistic limit to our vision because of Covid. Pre-production is happening via Zoom, which was challenging at first, but we have not had to compromise on shows. My goal as a producer is to make sure people don’t remember Covid once the curtain goes up.”
Open productions taking place on Royal Caribbean lines prior to the pandemic.
The good old days Before the pandemic, NCL’s programme was transporting guests from the gritty streets of New Jersey to glamour and fame with Jersey Boys; restaging the 1980s nostalgia of Footloose; evoking a New Orleans speakeasy with Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical; and reimagining the six
wives of Henry VIII telling their story in a non-stop pop rock show in SIX.
“I always say that NCL is the world’s largest regional theatre,” remarks Ambrose. “We continue to look for ways to offer guests one-of-a-kind experiences they wouldn’t expect on cruise ships. For example, on Norwegian Encore we built a real pub for The Choir of Man. I discovered the show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, so it was really important for me to be able to emulate the environment in which I first experienced their feel-good performance for our guests.” Throughout 2020, NCL used the pause in operations to work on new developments for its next class of ships, Leonardo, which will be launching between 2022 and 2027. Ambrose believes that, in terms of entertainment, these six vessels will showcase another raft of innovation. At the same time, NCL has made efforts to remind guests about the unforgettable experiences available across its fleet through its new content platform, ‘EMBARK with NCL’, which allows people to enjoy a front-row seat at the line’s highly anticipated comeback from the comfort of their home. The omni-channel platform launched with two special online showcases – a reunion of the cast of its most popular show, The Choir of Man, from London’s West End Garrick Theatre, and ‘Live from Broadway’, an exclusive compilation of Broadway and West End entertainment. “We have always had a fighting spirit,” says Ambrose. “Our team has been using this pause to prepare for our comeback, and the creative minds and incredible talent we have on board will
World Cruise Industry Review /
www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
Norwegian Cruise Line
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