1. Dump the "faux Las Vegas" revues. Most of them aren't cutting it, and there's only so much "loud singing and walking in circles" that you can stand.

2. Present real musical plays, in abbreviated but real form. Broadway is doing a huge business, and many of us know of plays past and present we'd love to see. In fact, the best night's entertainment I've ever seen was "Grease" on the Norwegian Sea.

3. The boomers remember the 50's, 60's, and 70's. And the U.S. (and other countries) have a lot of "tribute bands." Hire some of them. Have them put on a "concert" one night, and hold a dance the next night. Halfway through the cruise, swap bands with another ship and do it again. Imagine a "Beatles" concert, and a "Beatles" sock hop. Then give the band a night off as part of their pay, maybe? Hey, a Pink Floyd concert! Although I think a Pink Floyd sock hop might be a little strange....

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Originally posted by mrblanche:

1. Dump the "faux Las Vegas" revues. Most of them aren't cutting it, and there's only so much "loud singing and walking in circles" that you can stand.

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Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:

I agree. On our last QM2 trip, we decided to see the show in the Royal Court Theatre and what a show it was. Our cabin mates are in the entertainment business and agreed to give it a shot. We lasted 15 minutes before our friends had to excuse themselves for fear of breaking out in laughter (it was a musical and not a comedy). They basically said the same thing-bring some great band (or cover group) onboard instead of trying to put on a silly musical w/one person actually singing and the rest just moving their mouths to the pre-recorded music.

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This is one reason I always take an aisle seat during the shows. Works out best for a quick escape! In fact I had to do this on CENTURY last week. As much as I love Celebrity and the CENTURY, the shows in the main showlounge were dismal. Celebrity is not alone in this regard.

NCL used to have the full-scale Broadway shows and they were quite good. "Hello Dolly" and "Dreamgirls" are two standouts I really enjoyed. These are long gone and now the shows are mediocre like the rest of the cruise industry. In fact the shows on NORWEGIAN DAWN were pretty bad.

In today's market, Royal Caribbean's FREEDOM OF THE SEAS offered the two best shows I have seen at sea. One was the ice skating show which was superb, and the other was a production show that really broke the mold as far as cruise ship shows go. It was kind of like the movie Moulon Rouge (which I love) in that modern songs were used to tell a story. It worked extremely well and once again I find myself applauding RCI for taking a chance with something new and different. Unfortunately most cruise lines feel the same old canned and themed production shows will somehow keep their increasingly repeat clientèle entertained. Not so. At least on Carnival they still use a live orchestra for the shows. Most other lines have gone to 100% click-track which is disappointing.

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Originally posted by eroller:
This is one reason I always take an aisle seat during the shows. Works out best for a quick escape!

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Only an aisle seat? I sit at the back in the seat with the shortest exit.. for 'shows' I only go to see what they are like.. research! 15 mins is usually my lot, unless an illusionist, when I do choose a decent seat.

I really don't know why cruise lines wish to put on these shows, if I want to see one I will go to a proper theatre. I would much rather spend the evenings on a ship in a lounge with decent company having a chat, whilst listening to music that is not deafening/killing conversation. However there are some who would not miss a show for anything and rush straight from dinner to 'bags' a seat.

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Originally posted by sympatico:
some duds, like Joan Collins and Linda Evans (they are past their prime)

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Personally, I enjoy live music, singing and dancing from any era, as long as the people that are performing are talented. Most Cruise ships have some talented musician on board, some competent dancers, but the singing ability of the entertainment staff can vary considerable.

The QM2’s production shows ‘Appassionato’ and ‘Rock at the Opera’ (maiden season and year two, I believe) were outstanding by cruise ship standards. RCI’s production shows ‘Bond Voyage’ (a James Bond theme) and ‘History Repeating’ (both 2005) were also excellent.

All the above were high energy song and dance shows featuring contemporary pop music rather than Hollywood classics (although I like those too). However, RCI’s ‘Planet Ice’ ice show is probably the best show I’ve ever seen on board a ship.

I kind of admired NCL who used to do offer full (well abridged) Broadway musicals, but they did have a certain ‘old hat’ feel to them.

Which cruise line now offers a ‘Rapping and BMX Bike’ show? I think it may be Ocean Village? Now that’s different!

[ 02-11-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

However, the shows I hate the most are definitely the audience participation type like 'Mr & Mrs' Game shows. Strangely these get incredibly well attended. For some folk it is the only show that they will make an effort to go to.

I always feel sorry for the professional entertainment troop who train for years and rehearse their shows for hours, yet a bunch of amateurs doing a game show proves more popular. Well not with me. At least the troop get a night off.

Pam, I like chatting in the bar too, but I do it after the show. After all I've got all night and early morning.

P.S. mrblanche - The 'Australian Pink Floyd' (tribute Band) are brilliant, but I'm not sure everyone would appreciate them onboard a cruise ship? I would, though.

[ 02-11-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
[...]
When was the last time you saw a top line entertainer? Of course it' cost $$$ to get a headliner.
[...]

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Some lines actually have renowed artists aboard from time to time.

Europa comes to my mind - but also Silverseas (dind't they recently announce a film festival hosted by John Cleese?) or Seabourn (I rememeber an add for a cruise with some better know opera singers aboard) have interesting guests form time to time.

Of the mainstream lines HAL has occasionally interesting themed voyages - Jazz Fest at Sea or Prairie Home Companion.

Nevertheless, all that would not be a reason for me to book a cruise. I had easy access to 'very high quality entertainment' for most of my life (well, not here in Oak Ridge ) - no cruise ship is even coming close to that or is actually offering anything I am interested in.

[ 02-11-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

On a repositioning on Celebrity's "Millenium," a year or so ago, they put on an outstanding series of scenes and sequences from major shows in a fulll "Broadway Staging" mode. Their "Les Miserables" was top-notch, as I recall, and yes I had seen the original many years earlier.

They did several other production numbers as well, all of which were really top notch.

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Originally posted by Frosty 4:
When was the last time you saw a top line entertainer?

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The QM2 had Dame Shirley Bassey for the inaugural and later Carly Simon for the TV special, but they are exceptions to the rule.

If a cruise show makes me tap my foot and smile, if the performers are reasonably competent, if it is a pleasant way to pass one hour after diner and before the bar, I’m happy.

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P.S. mrblanche - The 'Australian Pink Floyd' (tribute Band) are brilliant, but I'm not sure everyone would appreciate them onboard a cruise ship? I would, though.

[ 02-11-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ][/QB]

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OK, let's be honest; music is subjective, too! But I can imagine a '50's tribute band followed by a '50's sock hop, then a '60's band followed by a '60's dance. The seventies? I don't think they want passengers consuming what it would take to enjoy some of those bands.

But the '60's have a lot of great choices, and a number of tribute bands. Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Rolling Stones, Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Turtles, Kinks, Herman's Hermits, Beach Boys, etc., etc. And a lot of those bands, while really good, are populated by guys who can't make a living in their own locality but would love to work on a cruise ship for a while.

I've discussed this a lot with other cruisers, and they agree that after a few of the production shows, they're ready for something more in their own "history."

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Originally posted by dmwnc1:
One of the few ventriloquist I have ever liked is the exceptional funny (and a rare talent) is Jeff Dunham here...

http://www.onastick.com/

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I'll go with Ron Lucas, who can make anything talk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-rO3E4a-zI

[ 02-12-2007: Message edited by: mrblanche ]

[ 02-12-2007: Message edited by: mrblanche ]

BillBoard recording artist Kristine W is yet again back on top of the charts with her latest project, FLY AGAIN, and is breaking dance music records worldwide.

......................GRAMMY award winning artist, the "Legendary" Ms. Thelma Houston. Award winning singer, songwriter and actress, Thelma claimed the top of the Pop, R&B and Dance charts with her high-powered rendition of "Don’t Leave Me This Way". This classic gold record gave Thelma the distinction of being the first female solo

..............................EVI KREIS is a pop singer songwriter and brilliant stage performer who’s career highlights include touring in the national cast of RENT as Roger, being featured on Donald Trump’s The Apprentice and conquering much of the country last year with his debut record "One Of The Ones

Olivia Cruises

Melissa Etheridge

Lily Tomlin

Suede

Doria Roberts

Kate Clinton

Zoe Lewis

Catie Curtis

Seems that the Gay and Lesbian charters get the better entertainers

[ 02-12-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

On RCI - the best I've seen was a Drifters tribute act.

Prize for worst show ever goes to Tubez IMHO - debuting on the Norwegian Pearl and hopefully going no further....

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Originally posted by Matts:
Prize for worst show ever goes to Tubez IMHO - debuting on the Norwegian Pearl and hopefully going no further...

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