Cruise Blog

Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ Category

Sailing at last…….

Our second day onboard Norwegian Epic begin for me in a very relaxing way. As I was up early I decided to go check out the spa and decided to book a manicure as I have finally given up biting my nails. I was able to be seen immediately and had the most wonderful experience of a Fire and Ice manicure which cost $50 for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The manicurist was a lovely lady from Jamaica and I can honestly say it was the best manicure ever.

Janet came up to meet me and we headed to the Garden Cafe for breakfast where there was a wide variety of cereals , fresh fruit, pancakes, pastries and cooked breakfasts to name but a few. After this we decided to go and lie in the wonderful sun. We decided to lay near where one of the water flumes came out-bad mistake as we kept getting the spray from the ride although very cooling in the heat.

We sailed out of Southampton at 1pm and headed out round the Isle of Wight!! The deck area has three water slides and a childrens area as well as two small pools which I personally thought were a little inadequate for the size of the ship. At lunchtime we had the joy pf listening to a Caribbean style band whilst relaxing. At three o clock most people heade to the aft end to H2O where there was a large screen showing the England match. I am surprised the ship did not tip with the amount of people trying to see the screen. At least Engkland won – roll on Sunday!!!

This evening we had pre booked the Blue Man Group for 7pm and as a headline act and the fact that they have played Vegas we were really excited about seeing them. All I can say is WEIRD!!!!! I think I liked them but really not sure. Their act was a variety of drumming, spitting food and paint out of their mouts and covering the whole audience in toilet roll!

After this we experienced Morenos (Speciality Restaurnat) which is a Churrascaria. This means that you help yourself to the salad bar then when you are ready to receive the meats you turn over a ticket on your table from red to green to alert the Pasadores (waiting staff) to start serving you. They then come around with skewers of meat which they slice on to your plate at the table and when you have had enough to eat you turn the card over to red.

We certainly enjoyed the experience of the ship and are sorry we cannot cover it in more detail however if you need any advice then please do not hesitate to call either myself, Julie McIntyre or my partner in crime, Janet Baren.

Shakespeare and Blue Man lead new wave of cruise entertainment

On-board cruise entertainment could become a key selling point for agents, according to operators that are adding innovative new shows to their ships’ repertoires.

Cunard this week revealed plans to create a theatre group that will debut on its new ocean liner Queen Elizabeth later this year – bringing Shakespeare to the high seas.

Norwegian Cruise Line will launch its biggest-ever ship Norwegian Epic next week which it believes will take cruise entertainment to the next level.

The ship’s entertainment will feature the Blue Man Group, comedy group The Second City, Cirque Dreams and Dinner, and kids entertainment by Nickelodeon.

Andy Stuart, NCL’s executive vice-president of global sales and passenger services, said: “I hope people on Epic will say they chose their particular trip over another one because of the entertainment.”

As well as shortened versions of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Cunard’s 21-strong Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company will also perform Neil Simon plays.

President Peter Shanks explained that the line had chosen plays that would appeal to both its British and American passengers, and claimed it was a first for the industry that he was sure would be a great success.

Queen Elizabeth will embark on its inaugural voyage in October.