I recently returned from a cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas when I had a sudden realization: Royal Caribbean has the best entertainment in the cruise industry and the competition isn’t even close.

I've cruised with multiple cruise lines over the last few years, including brand-new ships from competitors like Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. Even while watching their top-tier entertainment, it didn't compare to Royal Caribbean.

In fact, it’s rare in today’s cruise landscape to find a cruise line willing to invest resources in live entertainment. Shows are expensive for cruise lines, especially compared to low-effort game shows that seem to be dominating the cruise industry. The costs come from employing cast members who need specialized training, along with the advanced technology that can cost millions to install and maintain.

Because of this, many cruise lines are scaling back their entertainment budgets by trimming cast sizes, replacing expensive Broadway shows, and leaning on low-cost variety acts to fill the schedule.

However, Royal Caribbean has taken the opposite approach. At a time when competitors are cutting back, Royal Caribbean continues to invest heavily in onboard entertainment. 

From Broadway musicals to high-diving acrobatics and state-of-the-art ice performances, Royal Caribbean is continuously pushing the boundaries of cruise entertainment. Some might argue that Royal Caribbean’s entertainment rivals major theme parks and Las Vegas productions. And that’s not an exaggeration, as the cruise line has been creating unparalleled entertainment for decades. 

Here’s why Royal Caribbean's entertainment is unlike anything else in the cruise industry, especially as rival brands continue scaling back. 

Royal Caribbean’s entertainment has always been ahead of its time

When Royal Caribbean launched Voyager of the Seas in 1999, it became the first cruise line to feature an ice-skating rink, called Studio B. At the time, it was an absurd concept to include an ice skating rink on a moving cruise ship. The investment was expensive and time consuming, as detailed in former Royal Caribbean Group CEO Richard Fain’s new book, Delivering the Wow.

Fain writes, “Adding an ice-skating rink on a ship turned out to be a difficult and expensive proposition. Yet it was our approach that made it a defining moment for our corporate culture. Our willingness to make such a major commitment spoke volumes about our determination to evolve from a cruise line to a true vacation provider.”

Royal Caribbean’s gamble paid off, as Studio B has become a fan favorite for cruisers. Now, the cruise line has incorporated an ice skating rink on every new ship, including its brand-new, groundbreaking Icon class. Fain even states that Royal Caribbean is the largest employer of figure skaters in America now!

In this way, each new ship class has continued to raise the bar with entertainment. For instance, the Oasis class was introduced in 2009 with an aft-facing AquaTheatre that featured high-divers, synchronized swimmers, and gravity-defying stunts. The industry had never seen anything like it before on a cruise ship, including 30-foot diving platforms and a deep, illuminated pool.

The AquaTheatre was a hit, and it's been incorporated in every Oasis class ship over the last decade. With this, Royal Caribbean has slowly established itself as the cruise industry’s leader in entertainment and live productions. And 15 years later, no other cruise line has even come close to replicating it.

Entertainment is a core identity of Royal Caribbean

For Royal Caribbean, entertainment has become a defining feature of the brand. With each new ship class, the cruise line continues to display its unwavering commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

Unlike competitors, Royal Caribbean has integrated top-notch entertainment into every new ship’s design. Every new Royal Caribbean ship is intentionally engineered around purpose-built entertainment venues, ensuring the ship’s design supports large-scale productions that rival those on land.

Although the Voyager and Freedom class introduced a new concept of imaginative entertainment, the Oasis Class remains one of the most entertainment-heavy ship classes ever built.

Each Oasis class ship features multiple world-class entertainment venues, including the AquaTheater for diving and aerial shows, Studio B for iconic ice-skating productions, and a full-scale Broadway theatre that seats over 1,300 guests. Broadway shows include full-scale, licensed productions such as Grease, Mamma Mia!, and Hairspray.

All of Royal Caribbean's Oasis class vessels also continue to receive show upgrades and technical enhancements. When Wonder of the Seas debuted in 2022, the inTENSE AquaTheatre show featured an all-female cast of athletes, synchronized swimmers, and high divers that performed alongside lasers and digital effects.

While cruising aboard Wonder of the Seas with my best friend last month, we were both in awe of all the entertainment aboard. Compared to competitor cruise lines, or even land-based vacations, it’s tough to compete. We marveled at the top-notch production shows each night, and even attended the inTENSE AquaTheatre show twice! 

Royal Caribbean continues its commitment to entertainment with the Icon class of ships

Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon class vessels take the cruise line’s entertainment to the next level. For example, while the AquaTheater on the Oasis Class ships was a huge success, Royal Caribbean chose to reimagine the concept by moving the production indoors beneath a breathtaking glass dome.

Fain describes in his book how he actually sketched the concept of the new AquaDome on a napkin and challenged engineers to bring it to life. This redesign turned out to be a major engineering hurdle for Royal Caribbean. Relocating the AquaTheater’s massive weight from the ship’s lower aft to its upper forward section was far from conventional.

In the end, Royal Caribbean redesigned its AquaTheatre into the AquaDome at the front of the ship’s top deck. The new aquatic venue is safely secured under a 327-ton glass dome, which is both a technical and creative masterpiece.

Inside the AquaDome, guests can experience shows like Aqua Action! and Pirates vs. Mermaids. Both of these high-energy productions showcase diving, robotics, and digital projections.

By moving the aquatic theatre indoors, the production team is now able to control lighting, temperature, and acoustics, which creates an immersive theatrical experience. In addition, weather isn’t a major concern like it is for the outdoor AquaTheaters on Oasis Class ships, which can be canceled due to high winds or storms.

In addition to the AquaDome, Royal Caribbean expanded its ice rink with Absolute Zero. This is the largest ice skating rink on any Royal Caribbean ship class! Featuring digital backdrops, custom sound design, and choreographed drone lighting, Absolute Zero’s shows take Royal Caribbean’s ice productions to a new level.

And the innovation doesn’t stop there! Royal Caribbean introduced The Wizard of Oz musical on Icon of the Seas, while Star of the Seas showcases Back to the Future: The Musical. Both of these have been huge hits with cruisers and praised for their impressive, full-scale productions.

In addition, it was recently announced that Legend of the Seas will feature the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The vessel is scheduled to join Royal Caribbean’s fleet in 2026. This further exemplifies Royal Caribbean's continued commitment to expanding its entertainment offerings, even when it's costly.

Competitors can’t keep up with Royal Caribbean's entertainment

(Deal or No Deal Gameshow on Carnival Mardi Gras)

Royal Caribbean’s dominance in entertainment comes down to its infrastructure. Because the cruise line designs ships around these performance spaces from the start, the entertainment offerings feel integral to the ship's design. 

For example, the AquaTheater and AquaDome require impressive engineering designs with specialized pools, multi-level seating, and hydraulic lifts that few shipbuilders could replicate without starting from scratch.

That’s likely why competitors haven’t followed suit. The cost and space requirements are restrictive, and for most cruise lines, entertainment simply doesn’t drive demand the way Royal Caribbean’s does. This allows Royal Caribbean to continue pushing the envelope, while other lines have been slowly scaling back on entertainment.

(Beetlejuice Musical on Norwegian Viva)

Most notably, Norwegian Cruise Line has been considered one of Royal Caribbean’s closest competitors, especially when it comes to onboard entertainment. The cruise line even earned acclaim for licensing Broadway hits such as Jersey Boys, Six, and Footloose.

However, in recent years, Norwegian Cruise Line made a series of disappointing entertainment cutbacks. The company reduced cast sizes, cancelled long-running contracts for Broadway productions, and replaced large-scale production shows with cheaper alternatives. Some cast members reported that entire production teams were being dismissed and others had substantially reduced schedules.

While Norwegian Cruise Line was once renowned for their Broadway production shows, that’s no longer the case. Essentially, it was too expensive to continue running shows of this caliber. The cruise line also cited that guests preferred shorter shows that were produced in-house compared to the longer Broadway shows.

(Variety act on Norwegian Star)

During my 12-night cruise with Norwegian last year, there were multiple nights without any sort of entertainment. This was shocking! While I don’t expect a Broadway production each night, some sort of variety act, comedian, or magician would be appreciated.

For long-time cruisers, the entertainment shift is noticeable and disappointing. Entertainment was once a defining feature of Norwegian Cruise Line, especially on its Breakaway and Prima class ships, but that distinction has started to fade.

In addition, when I cruised on Norwegian Viva during her inaugural season, I was surprised that one of the main production shows was a game show titled "Press Your Luck". While game shows can be fun, they’re cheaper to produce and don’t require the same level of talent or production resources as a full cast performance.

Many loyal Norwegian cruisers share the same sentiment - scaling back entertainment and removing Broadway production shows have been diluting the overall cruise experience.

Carnival takes an entirely different approach to entertainment, but it’s still not comparable

Carnival Cruise Line’s entertainment shows are designed for broad appeal, focusing on high-energy shows and in-house productions with singers, dancers, and aerialists.

On the cruise line’s newest Excel class ships, guests can enjoy theater productions like Celestial Strings or Rio Carnival, which combine dancing, live music, and choreographed performances. I enjoyed these production shows during my cruises aboard Carnival’s Excel class ships, but they weren’t at the same level as Royal Caribbean’s AquaTheater or ice shows.

Carnival also places a heavy emphasis on game shows, including Family Feud and Deal or No Deal. These interactive shows are fun and engaging for guests, especially those who enjoy being part of the spotlight, but they also highlight a shift in Carnival’s entertainment strategy. Instead of investing in large-scale, production-heavy performances, the line increasingly relies on guest participation, where passengers essentially become the performers themselves.

Comedy is another focus for Carnival’s onboard experience with the Punchliner Comedy Club offering daily shows for guests. The cruise line often features a rotating lineup of comedians offering both family-friendly and adults-only sets. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a signature element of Carnival’s laid-back, fun-focused atmosphere.

However, the format remains relatively simple with one comedian, a microphone, a spotlight, and a small stage. This is a far cry from the multimillion-dollar productions and immersive venues that you can find on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

Entertainment is a strategic investment for Royal Caribbean - and it’s working 

At a time when much of the cruise industry is making cost-cutting entertainment decisions, Royal Caribbean continues to do the opposite. Instead, Royal Caribbean is treating entertainment as a strategic investment rather than a discretionary expense.

The company’s commitment to awe-inspiring performances has become a core part of its brand identity. These are major engineering and financial investments incorporated directly into ship design. Unlike competitors, Royal Caribbean builds entire vessels with entertainment at the heart of the design, turning every ship into a destination in itself.

And the cruise line's strategy is working! Royal Caribbean Group reported record-breaking financial results in Q2 2025, with second-quarter revenue and net income climbing from prior year's financial results. 

In addition, load factors reached 110%, signaling demand continues to be exceptionally strong. This is an indication that guests are not only sailing, but also paying premiums to experience what Royal Caribbean offers.

The financial success and growth of Royal Caribbean highlight the brand’s strategy of differentiation through innovation, particularly in entertainment. There’s no denying that Royal Caribbean’s commitment to this advancement and innovation is directly fueling growth.

Additionally, the cruise line's newest ships consistently sell out faster with higher average fares than other ships. This further proves that guests see value in the unparalleled experience that Royal Caribbean offers. Unlike competitors who are scaling back production shows to save costs, Royal Caribbean has doubled down on creativity, boldness, and advancement. 

From the ice rinks of the Voyager Class to the cutting-edge AquaDome of the Icon Class, Royal Caribbean has spent decades transforming live entertainment into its competitive advantage. And as long as Royal Caribbean keeps treating entertainment as an investment, not an expense, it will continue to deliver something no other cruise line can replicate.

Note: If you purchase Richard Fain's book through our Amazon link in this article, we receive a small commission. This is no additional cost to you but it helps support our site. Thanks!

A good cruise director can make an already exciting voyage even more memorable.

The cruise director is often at the forefront of the onboard activities, from themed parties to the morning TV show. Their attitude and enthusiasm set the tone for the entire cruise.

If you’ve had an awesome cruise director before, then you know how important they are to the overall experience.

Whether you are curious about who the cruise director is on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise or want to book your next sailing with your favorite, the schedule below can help.

Editor's note: schedules can change at any time due to crew rotations and personal circumstances. We will update this article as new information becomes available. If you would like to share the cruise director on your current sailing, please email [email protected].

The last update was made on October 13, 2025

Adventure of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

John Blair 
As of: January 11, 2025
Sign off date: October 31, 2025

Allure of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Michele Scarpato 
As of: September 21, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Anthem of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram)

Michelle Oliveira
As of: July 12, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Brilliance of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Kat Falcon
As of: July 11, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Enchantment of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Rob McNally
As of: August 16, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Explorer of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook. Rous is on the right)

Mark Rous
As of: September 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Freedom of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Caroline Peters
As of: August 24, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Grandeur of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Chris Gruby
As of: September 13, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Harmony of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Mario Isla
As of: Unknown
Sign off date: November 9, 2025

Icon of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram)

Gemma Hugo
As of: August 15, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Independence of the Seas

Susan Adams
As of: September 10, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Jewel of the Seas

Eric Lopez
As of: October 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Liberty of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram)

Tami Salto
As of: August 30, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Mariner of the Seas

Bobby Broughton
As of: July 3, 2025
Sign off date: November 15, 2025

Navigator of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram)

Daniel Gilham
As of: September 15, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Oasis of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Cory Rogers
As of: August 8, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Odyssey of the Seas

Mey Lou
As of: Unknown
Sign off date: November 5, 2025

Steve Knisley
As of: November 5, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Ovation of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

James Robinson
As of: September 22, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Quantum of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Bal Gabor
As of: Unknown
Sign off date: TBA

Radiance of the Seas

Bill Brunkhors
As of: August 15, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Rhapsody of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram)

Carlo Loga
As of: September 14, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Serenade of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Joff Eaton
Sign on date: Unknown
Sign off date: TBA

Spectrum of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Bonnie Bai
Sign on date: Unknown
Sign off date: TBD

Star of the Seas

(Credit: LinkedIn)

Chris Brown
As of: October 12, 2025
Sign off date: TBD

Symphony of the Seas

(Credit: Instagram. Armstrong is on the right)

Lauren Armstrong
As of: September 14, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Utopia of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Marc Walker
Sign on date: October 3, 2025
Sign off date: January 31, 2026

Vision of the Seas

Dominic Richard
As of: October 9, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Voyager of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Sheenagh Walker-Ayers
As of: August 11, 2025
Sign off date: TBA

Wonder of the Seas

(Credit: Facebook)

Ricky Matthews
Sign on date: September 12, 2025
Sign off date: November 28, 2025

What does a Royal Caribbean cruise director do?

A cruise director is responsible for overseeing all entertainment and guest activities on the ship. 

They plan the onboard entertainment, including parties and shows, and coordinate with performers, musicians, and other entertainment staff to ensure everything runs smoothly and on schedule. 

As a public figure, they will also make onboard announcements, host events, and mingle with guests. A good cruise director is friendly and energetic, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for passengers. 

Royal Caribbean is known for the amazing shows on its cruise ships, but etiquette still applies even if you're in a theater at sea.

While there's clearly a difference between the Aquatheater on Utopia of the Seas and the Winter Garden Theater in Times Square, New York, respecting the performers and your fellow guests is still important.

There are plenty of unwritten rules on a cruise ship, and nearly all of them stem from the same basic concept: be considerate of others.

As I was enjoying Aqua80sToo on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, I couldn't help but notice certain things some people did during the show that could be avoided.

Hold seats

There's a fine line when it comes to reserving seats for friends or family.  If they're behind you in line and a few minutes delayed coming in, I can see that not being a problem.

However, it's when someone tries to hold seats for an extended period of time right up until the beginning of the show that creates an issue.

This is especially true with the very popular shows, such as an Aquatheater show or Broadway performance. Seats are limited and lots of people want to see the show.

Try to have your entire party arrive well before show time to ensure you can all get seats. Someone can always get up and go to the bathroom or grab a drink later.

If you're on an Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class ship, be sure to get tickets for everyone when show times become reservable.

Leave early to beat the crowd

I know you want to beat the crowd and get in the elevator before they get swamped, but leaving the show early is considered rude.

Leaving while the show is in progress or before the actors have finished their final curtain call is distractive to others and discourteous to the actors.

The expectation is you'll stay for the entire show and curtain call, and then depart.

Leaving the show earlier in the performance can happen, but this is about leaving in the final minutes simply to avoid the crowd out of the theater. In fact, I'll sometimes sit in my seat for a few extra minutes to let the crowd leave and then depart to avoid the crowd.

Talking during the show

Talking loudly during a show is the most clichéd faux pas of them all, but it happens a lot.

There's nothing wrong with whispering something, or sharing a quick giggle. The problem are the people having a full conversation during the show.

You can always excuse yourself to step out of the theater and finish the conversation.

Record during the show

Recording video during a Royal Caribbean show might be the most commonly broken piece of protocol I've noticed. 

Besides the fact there are announcements saying video recording is prohibited, there are three really good reasons not to record a video during the show.

First, your screen is bright in a dark theater and distracting to everyone behind you.

Second, I can tell you from experience you will never watch the video recording later when you get home.

Third, and most importantly, no one else at home wants to watch your video either. Yes, the skill and performance was amazing, but you really had to be there to appreciate it.

I'm certainly one to snap a photo during a show (for blogging purposes), but recording video is a bridge too far.

Vacation isn't a free pass to be rude

You're on vacation, and that comes with a certain attitude of enjoying yourself. But it's also not carte blanche to do whatever you want.

Whether in a show, waiting for an elevator, or sharing a bus during a shore excursion, it's always a good idea to be polite and respectful to others.

Cruises are pretty laid back to begin with, so no on expects country club level behavior.  And the truth is most passengers are quite polite.

However, cruises have their own subset of nuances that are important to note. I find most people want to make sure they're not making a mistake, whether it's about money, time, or etiquette. 

One of the best things about a Royal Caribbean cruise are the high caliber shows included in your cruise.

The notion of "dinner and a show" is part of the core cruise experience that you'll find on any Royal Caribbean ship.

In the evening, there are signature shows performed during a sailing. Some ships even have multiple theaters where different shows can be seen.

Royal Caribbean has built a reputation within the cruise industry for offering the best entertainment on any ship that can compete with land. Many of the shows are designed to be of the same quality that you'd find in Las Vegas or New York.

In fact, there are Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean that cost nothing extra to see and are the full show.

Depending on which ship you sail on, there are different shows to see. Most shows are performed a few times per cruise so that guests have an opportunity to see them at least once.

Here's a look at the signature stage shows, aqua shows, and Broadway shows available on each Royal Caribbean ship.

Adventure of the Seas

The Lyric Theater: Invitation to Dance

Invitation To Dance is a fusion of Latin and Ballroom dance, beautiful costumes and the excitement and energy of live theater. A sensual and passionate world-class production where Ballroom and Latin dance are reinvented for a diverse global audience.

The Lyric Theater: Can't Stop The Rock

Can't Stop The Rock takes the audience on a musical journey through Rock and Roll from movie soundtracks. Covering everything from Chubby Checker and Connie Francis to Whitney Houston and Prince. Over 40 years of some of the greatest live music.

Studio B: Cool Art... Hot Ice!

Explore the multifaceted world of art by embarking on an odyssey through time and geography. Join Arthur, our main character, as he is pulled into an adventure where art and life fuse as one. Our spectacular ice cast will draw you In, close the door behind, and take you on your own unique adventure.

Allure of the Seas

AquaTheater: Aqua80Too

A musical tribute to the 1980s, Aqua80Too is a new show for Allure of the Seas that was added in 2025.

It's a "sequel" to the original Aqua80s show that was first added to Oasis of the Seas. It's heavy on '80s nostalgia, covering different musical genres and running through lots of hit pop songs as divers, acrobats, and dancers entertain you.

Royal Theater: Mamma Mia!

Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise on the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives.

Royal Theater: Blue Planet - Home

Using our awesome theatrical technology and featuring one of the most talented casts of performers and artists that we have ever assembled, join Nadia as she journeys from the peaks of the mountaintops to the depths of the ocean on her mission to share her passion. Take a global adventure (without leaving your seat) and be prepared to be awed by soaring vocals, powerful music, amazing acrobatics and future-forward choreography. 

Studio B: BLADES!

Our talented skaters put their best blade forward in BLADES, a dazzling showcase of their very best moves set to their own favorite tunes. The cast has gone rogue, and anything can happen!

Anthem of the Seas

Two70: Spectra's Cabaret

Our Maestro and the Agents of Rhythm invite you to an electric multi-dimensional world where you will be transported into invisible realms. Each night, the portal opens for a limited period of time to a multimedia show brimming with kaleidoscopic sounds, effervescent colors, and dazzling movement. Spectra's Cabaret creates a world seen through the lens of music and technology, all the while exploring the deepest recesses of the heart

Royal Theater: We Will Rock You!

The spectacular Olivier Award-winning musical phenomenon WE WILL ROCK YOU rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at London's Dominion Theatre. Written by legendary comedian and author Ben Elton and with a score of killer Queen tunes such as Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free, Bohemian Rhapsody, and of course, We Will Rock You, it's the champion of all musicals.

Royal Theater: The Gift

A musical journey of fantasy and illusion that begins one stormy night with the arrival of a "Magical Gift."

A beautiful production that is sure to delight, inspire, and touch the hearts of all who come to see it.

Brilliance of the Seas

Pacifica Theater: Now & Forever

Join our cast for a high-energy look at contemporary Broadway numbers from shows such as The Producers, Fosse, The Full Monty, Mamma Mia!, and many more.

Enchantment of the Seas

Orpheum Theater: Can't Stop The Rock

Can't Stop The Rock takes the audience on a musical journey through Rock and Roll from movie soundtracks. Covering everything from Chubby Checker and Connie Francis to Whitney Houston and Prince. Over 40 years of some of the greatest movie music.

Orpheum Theater: Stage to Screen

A tribute to the great musicals that have made the successful jump from the Broadway stage to the glittering lights of Hollywood (and vice versa!).

Explorer of the Seas

Palace Theater: Fast Forward

A high-energy show highlighting the most popular movie musicals of the 1980s. With Fame, Footloose, Flashdance, and Saturday Night Fever, audiences are sure to leave energized!

Palace Theater: Spirits of the Seasons

The powerful driving forces of life serve as inspiration to the seasons that can sometimes be gentle, and at other times show all their might. Our skaters become the Season's spirits, displaying playfulness and charm, while changing to awe-inspiring power and might. Come and experience the wind, the snow, the rain, and thunder along with the delightful tease that our skaters have in store for you.

Palace Theater: Wild, Cool & Swingin

Wild, Cool & Swingin is an exciting look at the glamorous cities with the swankest atmospheres that led to the creation of music and dance synonymous with them. Audiences will be treated to the slick Broadway style of New York, the romance of San Francisco, the rhythm and blues of Chicago, the hot Latin Quarter of Miami, and the high life of Las Vegas. There is something for everyone with its broad musical appeal, and the glitz and glamour reflecting these cities at the height of fashion and style.

Freedom of the Seas

Studio B: Freedomlce.com - An Ice Adventure

The Internet has unleashed its power and is enabling awareness to the meaning of freedom around the globe. Take a seat on the "World Wide Web" as our stunning international ice cast takes you on an inspiring journey through freedom and excitement.

Royal Theater: Marquee

Nowhere are the marquees more brightly lit than 42nd Street! As beacons to the best of Broadway with stunning musicals, famous composers, and iconic choreographers. Get treated to the best of Broadway on the open sea - all you have to do is look for the Marquee.

Royal Theater: Once Upon a Time

The nostalgic fairy tales we all heard as children with a fun and new twist, told through music as popular and as timeless as the tales themselves. To get to happily ever after, join our spectacular cast for Once Upon a Time...

Grandeur of the Seas

Palladium Theater: Tango Buenos Aires

Experience the sensual character of Buenos Aires at a live Tango show. Violin, piano, bass, and bandoneon are the instruments that fire the orchestral music and inspire the ardent lyrics that accompany the passionate, yet highly stylized and ritualized dance. The show features various tango styles offering a cultural tour of Argentina's signature artistic form.

Palladium Theater: Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme

Starring the Royal Caribbean Singers & Dancers as they take a trip down Broadway's memory lane with witty and original renditions of classic scores from Broadway stage hits. Whether you love classic or contemporary, you'll feel like you were set down right in the heart of the Great White Way.

Harmony of the Seas

Royal Theater: GREASE

Slick back your hair and pack your poodle skirts. Summer Lovin' is in the air with an all-new, larger-than-life take on Broadway's hit musical, Grease. Including all of the famous songs from the '70s hit movie, you'll follow the romantic twists and turns of Sandy and Danny, two summer loves who navigate the tricky social waters of Rydell High School while keeping their reputations and relationship together.

Royal Theater: Columbus, The Musical!

Meet the other Columbus in Columbus, The Musical! Royal Caribbean's original production tells the tale of Christopher's luckless distant cousin, Marvin. Banished from his father's kingdom, Marvin sets sail on a madcap voyage of discovery in the hopes of claiming his own place in history. Unforeseen romance and a happily ever after story are on the map as Marvin Columbus crashes into his Caribbean destiny.

AquaTheater: The Fine Line

The Fine Line is the AquaTheater redefined with high-flying feats, mind-blowing stunts, and physically demanding acrobatics brought to life by the world's best extreme sports athletes. Designed as a 360-degree immersive entertainment show, revelers will be wishing they had eyes in the back of their head to take in all the action happening around them.

AquaTheater: Big Daddy's Hideaway Heist

Set in a swanky 1950s resort, a crafty burglar has taken off with a bounty of jewels, and the staff of Hideaway Resort must take the audience on a high-flying adventure to solve the crime of the century.

Studio B: 1887: A Journey in Time

Beginning their journey on the frozen River Seine. Juliet and her mysterious time-traveling companion, the Tempus, travel in multiple dimensions to discover the wonders of the world, and of the heart. World-class skaters and breathtaking technology combine in a unique way that is guaranteed to leave you both breathless and emotional. 

Icon of the Seas

Royal Theater: The Effectors: The Origin Story

The newest and most powerful superhero team was introduced to the world by Royal Caribbean... But the question remains, where did they come from? The creators of this spectacular comic book franchise now bring you The Effectors: the Origin Story. Let's find out how it all began.

Royal Theater: Wizard of Oz

Our iconic hero, Dorothy, leads the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto on the most famous journey of all time. From Kansas, over the Rainbow, to Munchkinland, the Emerald, and the Land of Oz, this unlikely team of friends discovers the truth about this strange new world, while also discovering the truth about themselves. The Yellow Brick Road awaits!

AquaTheater: Aqua Action!

A brand new venue for a brand new style of live entertainment. Forget all that has come before, take a deep breath, and watch in awe as Royal Caribbean Productions redefines everything that is possible in live performance. As new and revolutionary technology is combined with the most extreme athletic skill sets ever assembled, the lines between a live-action movie and a live theatrical experience are blurred. 

Absolute Zero: Starburst: Elemental Beauty

Starburst Elemental Beauty pays tribute to the building blocks of all that we are and all that we know: the Periodic Table of the Elements. Everything from Carbon to Neon, to life-sustaining Oxygen, is born from the epic and colossal explosion of giant stars. This brand new spectacular ice production puts you in the front now to witness the explosive power of a Supernova and then takes you on an unforgettable artistic journey through a curated selection of the most beautiful elements. Our biggest, most epic ice show ever!

Independence of the Seas

Royal Theater: Invitation to Dance

Invitation To Dance is a fusion of Latin and Ballroom dance, beautiful costumes and the excitement and energy of live theater. A sensual and passionate world-class production where Ballroom and Latin dance are reinvented for a diverse global audience.

Royal Theater: GREASE

Slick back your hair and pack your poodle skirts. Summer Lovin' is in the air with an all-new, larger-than-life take on Broadway's hit musical, Grease. Including all of the famous songs from the '70s hit movie, you'll follow the romantic twists and turns of Sandy and Danny, two summer loves who navigate the tricky social waters of Rydell High School while keeping their reputations and relationship together.

Studio B: Freeze Frame

Let our Skaters take you on a journey through the most memorable moments of world events. Experience "Slices of Time" from decades past as international newspaper headlines, scenic images of the arts, fashions, cars, artists, dances, and fads of the time travel by. Freeze Frame is truly a fun experience not to be missed!

Jewel of the Seas

Coral Theater: City of Dreams

Take an incredible journey to ancient Atlantis, the exotic East, colorful India, and the elegance of Venice, all combined with recognizable music, extravagant costumes, and cinematic scenery that transports you to these exciting locations. With our amazing cast of singers and dancers, enjoy the unique experience that is 'City of Dreams.'

Coral Theater: West End to Broadway

West End To Broadway celebrates the musical theater productions that have graced both the Broadway and West End Stages. Enjoy classic show tunes by Cole Porter and Andrew Lloyd Weber, alongside contemporary hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Copacabana. West End to Broadway is an extremely classy and entertaining show.

Liberty of the Seas

Platinum Theater: Saturday Night Fever

This musical is based on Nik Cohn's 1975 New York magazine article "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night" and Norman Wexler's 1977 screenplay it inspired, it focuses on Tony Manero, a Brooklyn youth whose weekend is spent at the local discotheque. There he luxuriates in the admiration of the crowd and a growing relationship with Stephanie Mangano, and can temporarily forget the realities of his life, including a dead-end job in a paint store.

Studio B: Encore!

We will visit and pay tribute to the colorful stages of London's West End, the historical Paris Opera House, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater, Tokyo's classical Kabuki, the energizing Hollywood Bowl, and a Grand Finale in none other than the entertainment capital of the world—Las Vegas! All this is brought to you by our incredible cast of Royal Caribbean ice skaters.

Mariner of the Seas

Royal Theater: Gallery of Dreams

From Mozart's Austria to 1940s Morocco to the Wild, Wild West, travel around the world and through the ages in this theatrical odyssey. Gallery of Dreams tells the story of a young artist whose sketches become reality as he makes his way through a museum and brings history to vivid life.

Studio B: Ice Under The Big Top

Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, Ice Under the Big Top! Watch and be amazed by the skating acrobatics, backstage romances, amusing clowns, snake charmers, and aerial thrills that will delight the adult and child in all of us.

Navigator of the Seas

Studio B: iSkate - Reach for the Stars Ice Show

A dazzling showcase of our skater's very best moves set to their own favorite tunes. This is a superb opportunity for our audiences to see the full set of skills, talent, and bravery that our award-winning, medal-winning, international cast has to offer.

Royal Theater: Showgirl! Past. Present. Future

Our new and totally original mega production Showgirl! Past. Present. Future combines next-generation choreography with incredible vocal performances and cutting-edge lighting and video effects, to deliver an entertainment event that will stimulate the full range of human senses. This incredible dance spectacular takes us on a stunning journey that features one of the most iconic of all entertainers, the beautiful Showgirl. By paying tribute to the past, the present, and the future of this enigmatic and world-famous artist, this remarkable entertainment experience will leave audiences completely awestruck.

Oasis of the Seas

Studio B: Frozen in Time

Loved by children all over the world, Hans Christian Anderson is best known for his fantastic fairy tales, including The Emperor's New Clothes, the Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Snow Queen. Your heart will be touched all over again by this spellbinding pantomime that weaves together the story of his real-life emotions and inspiration, with the timeless and classic creations of his imagination.

Royal Theater: CATS

The new 90-minute performance of the Award-winning musical, "CATS," with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh. This bespoke, custom-tailored version of one of the most famous musicals in the world, was created specifically for Royal Caribbean International and will take audiences on a unique artistic journey.

AquaTheater: Aqua80

Everybody loves the music of the 80s and everybody loves Royal Caribbean's spectacular Aquashows! There is no other show on Earth that will make you feel like this one will. The tempos, the energy, the drama, the action, and the fun. Don't miss it!

Odyssey of the Seas

Two70: The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure

The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure, is powered by our collective imaginations and is told in seven extraordinary chapters. This breathtaking journey reminds us that, in between the front and back covers of a great book, absolutely anything can happen!

Royal Theater: The Effectors

Join the Effectors as they take to the stage to demonstrate their awesome powers, and then come together to battle their archnemesis, Crash, as he tries to take over the world with his army of airborne Drone Soldiers and scary Henchmen. The Effectors is Royal Caribbean Productions' first globally copywritten IP, so come and enjoy the beginning of something BIG! A new Superhero franchise is born!

Royal Theater: Showgirl! Past, Present, Future

Paying tribute to the past, the present, and the future of this enigmatic and famous performer, this new dance spectacular takes us on a stunning journey that features one of the most iconic of all entertainers, the beautiful Showgirl.

Ovation of the Seas

Two70: Spectra's Cabaret

Our Maestro and the Agents of Rhythm invite you to an electric multi-dimensional world where you will be transported into invisible realms. Each night, the portal opens for a limited period of time to a multimedia show brimming with kaleidoscopic sounds, effervescent colors, and dazzling movement. Spectra's Cabaret creates a world seen through the lens of music and technology, all the while exploring the deepest recesses of the heart.

Royal Theater: Live. Love. Legs

This signature combination of incredibly talented artists, high-energy performances, and remarkable beauty delivers an unforgettable theatrical experience. This special collection of next-gen choreography and vocal performances features lavish costumes, jaw-dropping video effects, special music arrangements, and a fabulous group of international artists. Live. Love. Legs rewards the audience with full sensory overload!

Royal Theater: The Beautiful Dream

As goes in the land of dreaming, where secret wants and hidden fears lie deeply tucked in our subconscious, our greatest adventures often await in slumber. 

The Beautiful Dream is a story of a man who is visited by his departed soulmate who has come to help him rediscover his passion for life, and his will to love again. This is the biggest adventure of his life, the confrontation of his secret fears, and the dream of his eventual awakening.

Quantum of the Seas

Two70: Starwater

Starwater, a highly visual production, that fuses video mapping, groundbreaking robotic technology, and live performance artistry. Human emotions are explored as our muse brings together the magic of the stars and the mysteries of the seas. Harnessing the power of Two70's exclusive technical innovations, you won't see a show like this anywhere else in the world.

Royal Theater: Sequins & Feathers

With all its glitz and glamour, dynamics of beauty, music, and textures we celebrate the Showgirl. Bringing together the finest of LA, New York, Paris, and Las Vegas with stunning choreography and the finest performers from across the world.

Royal Theater: Sonic Odyssey

Royal Caribbean Productions presents an original production featuring The Earth Harp, designed and created by William Close, a semi-finalist in Season 7 of America's Got Talent. Sonic Odyssey takes the audience on a one-of-a-kind journey of music and sound, featuring the talented cast of the Royal Theater.

Radiance of the Seas

Aurora Theater: City of Dreams

Take an incredible journey to ancient Atlantis, the exotic East, colorful India, and the elegance of Venice, all combined with recognizable music, extravagant costumes, and cinematic scenery that transports you to these exciting locations. With our amazing cast of singers and dancers, enjoy the unique experience that is 'City of Dreams.'

Rhapsody of the Seas

Broadway Melodies Theater: Ballroom Fever

Ballroom Fever is a stunning production involving emotions that are represented through the many styles of ballroom dance.  Starting with the excitement & desire of the Latin style, the passion & romance of the Tango, the joy & amusement of the Jive, and the peace & serenity of the Waltz.

Broadway Melodies Theater: Pure Country

An ultimate collection of Country songs from your favorite and most recognizable artists. Tonight we will have you tapping your toes and singing along with Your Roval Caribbean Singers & Dancers!

Serenade of the Seas

Tropical Theater: Stage to Screen

A tribute to the great musicals that have made the successful jump from the Broadway stage to the glittering lights of Hollywood (and vice versa!).

Tropical Theater: Vibeology

Vibeology is a musical journey through some of the greatest music and musicians of the past decades. Giving originals a new twist with everything from remixed Elvis to Acapella Beatles, Motown, the 70's, from DJ to VJ this show captures the music that defined an era and pays homage to its Legends with Sting, Santana, and Cher.

Spectrum of the Seas

Two70: The Silk Road

The incredibly rich and diverse cultures, styles, designs, and visuals that are synonymous with the famous trade routes of the ancient Silk Road have been combined and integrated with beyond-state-of-the-art entertainment technology, to create one of the most unique live productions in the world! Two70's highly advanced technology, including 12k video resolution and 36-axis robotics, will now be pushed to its maximum limits, as we once again redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the creative arts.

Royal Theater: The Effectors

The Effectors; Pixel: beautiful, sexy, and confident, Reverb: unpredictable and mischievous, Lume: a sassy and dynamic supergirl, and Captain Viz: the leader of the pack, and always first into the fight, as they individually demonstrate their awesome powers, and then come together to battle their arch-nemesis, Crash, as he tries once again to stop the show and destroy the city of Showville.

Star of the Seas

Royal Theater: Back to the Future: The Musical

The Broadway musical based on the hit Broadway show is performed each sailing on Star of the Seas.

A stage adaptation of the well-known film, Back to the Future tells the story of what happens when a time machine takes a teenager back 30 years in the past to meet his parents while they were still in high school.

AquaTheater: Torque

A high energy show that includes diving, music, swimming, and stunts, Torque is meant to wow you as you watch acrobats take advantage of the AquaTheater for high risk stunts.

Absolute Zero: Starburst: SOL

SOL is the ice skating show that features a large cast of professional skaters performing stunts and spins, while telling the story of the sun and the solar system's own ballet.

Symphony of the Seas

AquaTheater: HiRO

Just when you thought you'd seen it all, Royal Caribbean brings you HiRO. With even more amazing high-flying feats and unexpected stunts, we bring together some of the world's best extreme sport athletes. HiRO redefines the limits of a theatrical production on the high seas. This mind-blowing show combines cutting-edge technology, future-forward choreography, and nighly innovative physicality in a never-seen-before way. It's exciting, jaw-dropping, and unpredictable, with no two shows ever being exactly the same. Get ready, because anything can happen!

Studio B: 1977: A Thrilling Adventure on Ice

Our time-traveling, dimension-hopping hero, the Tempus, is on another amazing adventure! This time the mission is to catch the infamous, Jewel Thief, Black Max. The story starts in London in 1977 and could end up anywhere.

Royal Theater: Hairspray!

Big hair, big dreams, all the right moves, and you've got one of the biggest Broadway hits of our time—Hairspray. Winner of eight Tony Awards and four Lawerence Oliver Awards, including Best New Musical, this feel-good musical is back by popular demand! Break out your bobby socks, because Tracy Turnblad won't stop until she gets her shot at fame dancing on the Corny Collins show. But TV stardom is just the beginning. Hairspray is back, and you can't stop the beat!

Royal Theater: Flight...Dare to Dream

Royal Caribbean's multi-million-dollar original production, spectacularly chronicles the evolution of humanity's endless fascination with flying. We begin in the future at the launch of the world's first aerospace cruiser, as we rocket our entire audience to MARS on its first-ever commercial flight to the red planet. The flight then continues on a unique journey, backwards in time, from one major aerospace "first" to the next. The grand finale is a stunning dramatization of the biggest moment of all, the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk!

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Theater: ALL IN!

All the technology, all the creativity, all the talent, all the design all the sound, all the costumes, all the video, all the lighting, all choreography, all the energy, and all the fun. ALL IN!

Studio B: YOUTOPIA Ice Spectacuar

It's not a typo. It's an ice-skating odyssey through ideal perfection, fantastical times and places, and unbelievable artistry while champion performers leave you in awe with countless spins, jumps, and stunts along the way. Find out what utopia means to you during YOUTOPIA!

AquaTheater: AQUA80too

Following on from the ramous AQUA80 show (on Oasis of the Seas) and responding to hundreds of thousands of requests, the Royal Caribbean Aqua Team are proud to present the sequel—AQUA80too! No other show on earth will make you feel like this one will. The tempos, the energy, the drama, the action and the fun, all rolled up into one.

Vision of the Seas

Masquerade Theater: Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme

Using rhythm, rhyme, words, and music, take a seat next to the greatest composers and lyricists from Broadway. With the classic music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sondheim, we bring new life into these iconic Broadway scores. It's a trip down Broadway's memory lane.

Masquerade Theater: Boogie Wonderland

Boogie Wonderland delivers the best of disco music with a ton of heart and soul! From artists such as Abba to Earth Wind and Fire, Boogie Wonderland will leave you wanting to spend the rest of the night dancing.

Voyager of the Seas

Royal Theater: Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme

Using rhythm, rhyme, words, and music, take a seat next to the greatest composers and lyricists from Broadway. With the classic music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sondheim, we bring new life into these iconic Broadway scores. It's a trip down Broadway's memory lane.

Studio B: Ice Odyssey

The game of Tarot has been capturing our imagination for centuries. Join our fantastic ice cast and experience this game coming to life in a mesmerizing and playful journey that you are not likely to forget. It's an evening of wonderful artistry, mystery, and passion.

Wonder of the Seas

Royal Theater: The Effectors II: Crash & Burn

The original and first-ever show to feature The Effectors on Spectrum of the Seas, was the most technologically advanced production in the history of the cruise industry... until now! The Effectors II: Crash & Burn on Wonder of the Seas, is our bigger, bolder, and even more spectacular sequel, and this time we will take things to a whole new level. Join us once again as The Effectors do battle with their arch-nemesis Crash and his new sidekick Burn. This time it's double the trouble! The question is: Can The Effectors still win? Get ready to, *ahem* Crash & Burn, as you will be amazed at the new world of live-action theater on Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Theater: Voices

Sync up your senses with a show that delivers a dynamic combination of virtual and live performances —in real time. World-class singers and dancers take the stage for a powerful new production in Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale. Watch as the all-star ensemble dials up the talent in an emotional show of monumental proportions inside the largest theatrical venue at sea. Increase your connection speed during our newest bespoke production.

AquaTheater: inTENse

From the creative teams that gave us The Fine Line and HiRO (on Harmony of the Seas & Symphony of the Seas), we now experience the incredible skills, the awesome athleticism, and the furious energy of the cast in our new AquaProduction, inTENse!

Studio B: Ice Spectacular: 365

The four seasons of Planet Earth and its 365-day journey around the Sun, provide the perfect backdrop to another incredible Royal Caribbean ice production! (... and there are emojis :-)

Other shows across the fleet

Welcome Aboard Showtime is a generic musical medley show on many ships. It's essentially a mix of music and dancing that has no plot.  It's an opportunity to set the tone for passengers for the rest of the sailing, and it incorporates dance numbers and music in a high-energy experience.

Center Stage combines the talents and skills of musicians onboard the ship, live musicians typically found in venues across the vessel. The show includes musical stylings from jazz and rock to Latin, pop, and swing. It is accompanied by a live orchestra.

Piano Man is an ultimate collection of songs from our favorite and most recognizable artists to ever sit behind the keys. Chart-topping hits from Elton John, Billy Joel, and the legendary Barry Manilow will have you tapping your toes and singing along.

Headliner Showtimes feature talented performers, from comedians to singers and musicians. 

Royal Caribbean has earned a reputation for amazing entertainment, but creating these shows is no simple task.

Royal Caribbean's entertainment team has created dozens of original productions, from music to dialogue to choreography.

At a recent panel interview on Utopia of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean Blog team spoke to the entertainment management onboard, and got some insight into the process of creating shows.

Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was just promoted to oversee the line's entertainment this May.

After 30-plus years of experience in Royal Caribbean entertainment, here's what she had to say about creating original shows and entertainment for new ships.

How long does it take to create an original show?

During the panel interview, the team was asked how long it takes to brainstorm, design, and create an original show.

Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, answered that it takes about 18 months. 

They often don't start from nothing—"We have an idea bank," she said.

But 18 months before a ship launches is the 'go time' to start fleshing out an idea and producing the show.

For Utopia of the Seas, the team actually had a more accelerated schedule.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship

"We finished [Icon] in January, and then we were like, oh, yeah, there's Utopia," she said. "So we went fast and furious."

The entertainment team has already started preparing for the next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.

With the ship launching in August of 2025, the team officially has 12 months to prepare.

According to Coachman, "We know that we're in a great place for Star."

Will Royal Caribbean produce more original shows?

Not every new Royal Caribbean ship has an original show.

Icon of the Seas, for example, hosts a Broadway-style production of The Wizard of Oz.

However, the entertainment crew has every intention to keep creating original productions.

It's one of Coachman's favorite parts of her job and the most fun she has in her role.

Alex Marchant, Senior and Managing producer of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, explained that it depends on each ship's itinerary and demographic.

"It's about the demographic, where the ship is sailing, how long the cruise is," he said.

"But we work with some incredibly talented creatives, and it's the direction we want to go."

Working with creators who write original music, direct choreography, and create costumes is one of the most exciting parts of the job.

Coachman and her team value human artistry, and want to highlight it in their productions.

Plus, the team gets to create something that they personally love.

For example, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, loves the Caribbean, so that inspired the show “Columbus, The Musical”.

"That's the fun part of what we do," Coachman said, "is sitting in a room and just brainstorming all the different ideas."

With such a creative team, they can keep creating stellar entertainment for many years to come.

How long does it take for entertainment to run smoothly on a new ship?

Brand new ships don't always have everything ready for the first sailing. It can take a few sailings for everything to be up and running as planned.

So, when a new ship like Utopia launches, when does the entertainment team sign off on it?

The entertainment management team was on board Utopia of the Seas to oversee its launch, and spent a week after the inaugural manage the launch.

"We're never done," Coachman joked, "But it gets to a point where you have to let it run and operate."

However, Utopia's launch, despite being a new challenge in the world of entertainment, "has been one of the most smooth transitions."

When it came to getting the venues and shows ready, things went smoothly for inauguration.

"We're in a very good place," Coachman said.

To keep entertainment up to guests' expectations, the team is also open to feedback at all times.

Which shows are on which Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean currently has 38 original shows in production.

Not all of its ships host an in-house produced show, but some shows are available on multiple vessels.

Below, we've collected all the current shows, and which ships they're available on.

• All in!: Utopia of the Seas
• The Effectors I: Odyssey of the Seas
• The Effectors II: Wonder of the Seas
• Live. Love. Legs: Ovation of the Seas
• Flight: Symphony of the Seas
• The Gift: Anthem of the Seas
• Sonic Odyssey: Quantum of the Seas
• The Beautiful Dream: Ovation of the Seas
• Blue Planet: Allure of the Seas
• Invitation to Dance: Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas
• Wild, Cool, and Swinging: Explorer of the Seas
• Ballroom Fever: Rhapsody of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas
• Piano Man: Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas
• City of Dreams: Jewel of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas
• Once Upon a Time: Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas
• Fast Forward: Explorer of the Seas
• Tango Buenos Aires: Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas
• Colombus: Harmony of the Seas
• Pure Country: Rhapsody of the Seas
• Center Stage: Brilliance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas
• Vibeology: Serenade of the Seas
• Boogie Wonderland: Vision of the Seas
• Music in Pictures: Voyager of the Seas
• Spectra's Cabaret: Anthem of the Seas
• Can't Stop the Rock: Adventure of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas
• Star Water: Quantum of the Seas
• In the Air: Liberty of the Seas
• One Sky: Oasis of the Seas
• Showgirl: Navigator of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas
• The Silk Road: Spectrum of the Seas
• Voices: Wonder of the Seas
• Sequins and Feathers: Quantum of the Seas
• Jackpot: Adventure of the Seas
• Gallery of Dreams: Mariner of the Seas
• Marquee: Freedom of the Seas
• Stage to Screen: Enchantment of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas
• Now and Forever: Brilliance of the Seas
• West End to Broadway: Jewel of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best entertainment that rivals New York or Las Vegas, and there's someone new in charge of it all.

Christine Coachman is the Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and she was promoted to oversee all of the line's entertainment in May.

Taking the reigns of a company that has almost 30 cruise ships with thousands of performers, singers, dancers, and musicians is not a simple task, but Ms. Coachman has been with the company for a long time. She's been at the forefront of Royal Caribbean's entertainment since the '90s.

At a sit down panel interview on Utopia of the Seas last week, Ms. Coachman spoke to Royal Caribbean Blog and other media outlets about her experience, plans for the future, and what Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve.

Coachman is no stranger to Royal Caribbean. "I've been around for quite a while," she said. 

She started in 1990 as a performer on Sovereign of the Seas and has familiarized herself with entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships for the past 34 years.

She explained how a brand-new ship like Utopia of the Seas needed a new approach to entertainment, especially since the vessel is starting by offering 3 and 4-night cruises.

Coachman's vision for future entertainment combines technology with human talent

When asked what she sees for the future of Royal Caribbean's entertainment, Coachman spoke about how much the cruise line has grown over the years.

When she first started on Sovereign of the Seas, she performed in one venue with a cast of 12 performers.

Decades later, on Utopia of the Seas, she now heads up a team of over 200 entertainment staff in 23 venues.

Coachman herself had a hand with Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Broadway shows: "I negotiated every single Broadway contract. So it's very important to me and the brand."

Although Utopia of the Seas is one of the only Oasis Class ships without a Broadway show (besides Wonder of the Seas, which boasts the in-house Effectors 2), Royal Caribbean isn't done producing them.

It will all depend on the demographic and ship's itinerary.

Original shows, like The Effectors, aren't going out of style, either. Coachman called brainstorming and creating these shows "the fun part of the job."

Her team has no lack of creativity, she said.

Moving forward, the cruise line looks toward incorporating modern technology with human talent.

"As an innovative corporation, technology is important in many aspects of what we do."

"But also it's really important to remember the human artistry. Without humans bringing that entertainment to life, what's the point?"

Comedians, for example, continue to be the cruise line's favorite headliners.

Out of 5,400 headliner bookings across the fleet this year, nearly 1,300 are comedians. That's nearly a quarter of all bookings.

Royal Caribbean—and Coachman herself—loves comedy. 

"I always need to find at least one time [to] sneak in the back [of a comedy show] and just laugh and forget about everything for a second," she said.

Utopia offers a taste of Royal Caribbean entertainment

Because Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship offering shorter itineraries, passengers have a lot of entertainment to cram into a few days.

"If you look at the big picture, Utopia is a taste," Christine Coachman said.

Entertainment on the vessel is intended to be "a taste of what you could experience on a longer itinerary."

To offer guests a preview of what longer sailings on Royal Caribbean could look like, the entertainment team worked to create several new parties.

To help prepare for the experience, they even created a new position called "Director of Parties and Nightlife." Ken Rush, former Cruise Director, serves in this position for Utopia.

Coachman called the ship a family experience that is also "one party after another."

First, guests will be immediately greeted by "Hey Utopia, Let's Get This Party Started," on the pool deck, which immediately transitions into the high-energy Sailaway party.

Royal Caribbean has designated crew members to become the Party Squad, a group intended to hype up the crowd and invite participation.

"You can participate or you can watch," Coachman said. She personally enjoys people-watching.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas preview: Sneak peek photos of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas introduces several new parties to guests as a party of the fast-paced experience.

The Silent Toga party is similar to the SHUSH! Silent party, but with ancient Roman togas for guests to style.

Senses will feature chill house music with projections of sunsets visible from the Royal Caribbean fleet worldwide.

At the Plunge pool party, the Party Squad will bring the hype with water guns that blast champagne into guests' mouths—a fan favorite.

Royal Kappa Chi is the cruise line's first after-party, a frat-themed throwback to college days of beer pong and flip cup.

High-energy, live musicians set the mood 

To help set the fast-paced mood onboard Utopia, Royal Caribbean has hired 29 resident musicians—more than on any other Oasis Class ship.

Cruisers love live music, and high-energy musicians bring the fun.

Coachman had a personal anecdote of experiencing the loud, high-energy fun at the outside Plunge pool party.

"Then I went inside the Royal Promenade and I was listening to the most elegant music from Enchanté, the duo onstage, and it was a complete switch within a matter of 15 minutes."

She remarked that music serves as a great method for setting the mood and appealing to multiple generations at once.

Utopia of the Seas features an eclectic variety of music, with high-class entertainers.

From the live music inside Bolero's to the soundtrack for shows like Aqua 82, the entertainment team works to mix up multiple genres and eras of music.

"The combination helps keep it fresh," Coachman said. 

Read more: New Royal Caribbean cruise ship sets sail. It's a cruise so nice you'll want to sail it twice

Family still has a place in Utopia's perfect weekend party

Royal Caribbean has always been a distinctly family brand, so how will families and kids fit into the new party-heavy Utopia of the Seas?

"There are a lot of parties and entertainment," Coachman explained, "There's a lot that families will want to do together."

However, the entertainment team is also planning for moments when parents want to go have a date night or hit a late-night party.

The Adventure Ocean children's program is ready to accommodate kids for even longer.

Utopia of the Seas introduces several changes to the program, which Royal Caribbean is hoping to extend out to other ships.

Starting on Day One, parents can drop off their kids "all the way up to the moment you drop off your luggage in your room."

Instead of having a longer orientation period, parents can take their children to Adventure Ocean as soon as they step onboard.

Utopia of the Seas has plenty of family moments, but also more opportunities for parents to get away.

Adventure Ocean will stay open until 1:00 A.M., and the team is considering extending that until 2:00 A.M.

For parents with younger kids or those who simply don't want to leave family for more than a few days, a weekend cruise is the perfect chance to get away.

Utopia will provide opportunities for family time, as well as adult get-aways and parties.

Nick Weir is out at Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean announced a shakeup within its Entertainment division on Monday with the announcement of a new leader in the division.

Effective immediately, Christine Coachman is the Vice President, Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International.

She replaces Nick Weir, who has left the company after 10 years with the company.

A spokesperson wished Mr. Weir well, "We thank Nick for his contributions over the years and wish him all the best."

An internal announcement by Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Sean Treacy, confirmed the switch.

"Please join me in congratulating Christine Coachman on her new role as Vice President, Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, effective today," the announcement read.

"Drawing from nearly 35 years-experience at Royal Caribbean, Christi will now lead the team responsible for bringing to life the best entertainment at sea. She will oversee the cruise line’s onboard entertainment and guest activities programming, as well as Royal Caribbean Productions, the industry’s only in-house department that creates, produces and manages the largest entertainment operation at sea."

He added, "I am excited to work even more closely with Christi as we continue to lead the industry in innovating the entertainment experience at sea."

Mr. Weir has been at the helm of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean since 2013.

He joined Royal Caribbean with more than 25 years of experience in both the entertainment and cruise industries. He came from an entertainment family, with his mother an accomplished cruise entertainer and his father was a pioneering Cruise Director.

Prior to working with Royal Caribbean, he owned and operated an entertainment consulting company with projects that included television and live event production services, speech and script writing, entertainment program analysis and solution development, charity event/live auction production, corporate video production, cruise industry start-up projects and Cruise Director services.

Mr. Weir had been at the forefront of so many of Royal Caribbean's Entertainment projects. He had recently talked about a 10 year plan for the cruise line to incorporate robotics into more shows and guest experiences.

Meet Christine Coachman

Ms. Coachman takes over the Entertainment division, and brings plenty of experience to the role.

She began her career as a dancer and went on to perform in many shows, events and conventions around the world before she joined the Entertainment Department at Royal Caribbean. 

She has written, cast and produced numerous productions for the cruise line and was previously responsible for the daily operation of front and back of house on board for all Produced Entertainment, including the fully licensed Broadway and West End Musicals, Signature Theater Productions, World Class Ice Productions, Spectacular Aquatic Shows and Two70 shows. 

She also managed the line's extensive Entertainment Studios in North Miami. 

Nick Weir's legacy

Following his departure on Monday, Mr. Weir leaves behind a decade of industry changes.

His most recent accomplishments can be seen on Royal Caribbean's blockbuster Icon of the Seas, which features variety of new shows and venues.

With Icon, the AquaTheater was moved indoors and expanded within the new AquaDome neighborhood. Plus, the ice skating rink was converted from square to oval shaped.  In both cases, this was done to address performance needs and open up more possibilities.

Under Weir, Royal Caribbean developed a variety of original productions, such as Columbus the Musical, Effectors, Flight, Aqua 80s, and many more.

Mr. Weir also holds a few patents that are part of the Royal Caribbean cruise experience.

Weir is listed as a patent author for the eMuster process that allows guests to conduct much of the mandatory maritime safety drill digitally.

He also patented show elements, such as the Water-based Pyrotechnic Illusion.

He was also fascinated by drones, as is evident in their utilization in Royal Caribbean's latest shows, as well as for the recent re-launch of Spectrum of the Seas in Asia.

How does this change impact cruises for guests?

We don't have details yet on what the future of the Entertainment division will look like, but in the short term, don't expect any noticeable changes onboard.

Entertainment on ships sailing follows a set pattern, and shows rarely change on ships. The hiring of new casts, execution of productions in place now, and scheduling will all continue as normal.

It's also likely plans for getting all the shows on Icon of the Seas fully operational as well as the show line-up for Utopia of the Seas are in place already.

The earliest possibility for a shift could come with Star of the Seas next year, as well as notable ship overhauls.  Allure of the Seas is scheduled for a major refurbishment in 2025 and when sister ship Oasis of the Seas had similar work done, new shows were added at that time.

Robotics is seen as the future for many functions, including cruise ships.

An evening show on a cruise is as synonymous with the industry as the buffet or the ports of call visited. Royal Caribbean sees the future of entertainment with robots as integral to the show as the performers.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir has not only been the head of Royal Caribbean's productions for decades, but he has been an early adopter of robots to augment the show experience.

Robotics offer a way to bring show elements previously impossible, or requiring a great deal of man power to accomplish.

Mr. Weir shared on Twitter that Royal Caribbean has, "a ten year program" for robotics.

While we don't have yet a clear indication of what robots the future holds, it's clear the line is deeply invested in iterating robot technology and opportunities with each new ship.

A foothold in robotics

Royal Caribbean's love affair with robots started with the Quantum Class ships that first launched in 2014.

At the time, Quantum of the Seas was referred to as an innovative new kind of ship, with plenty of tech to go with the robots. There were virtual balcony cabins, high-speed internet access (relative to the time), a new app, and wearable wristbands.

Robots were part of a big that tech push with Quantum. There were robot bartenders, robots in the theater, and even a robotic arm to take guests high above the ship.

The first glimpse passengers got of robots on Quantum was at the Bionic Bar, where robot bartenders take drink orders via tablets located around the bar. 

Passengers then watch as their drinks are prepared by the robot. The robotic arms draw liquor from dozens of bottles hanging from above, and are programmed to add just the right amount of mixers, ice and even lemons and mint. They can even shake the drink to mix it.

Bionic Bar would make its way onto a number of other cruise ships around the fleet, becoming a spectacle for anyone that walked by.

The other massive robotic presence on Quantum was in the Two70 venue, and this clearly resonated the most with Mr. Weir, as robots in theaters continue to appear in the line's latest ships.

On Quantum, robotic entertainment took to the stage with its Roboscreens. Partnering with ABB Robotics, Royal Caribbean utilized a handful of robot arms with screens attached to them to tell the stories in the new Two70 venue.

According to Royal Caribbean, it was the most complex robotics project that was happening outside of Mars.

An Iconic step forward

Robots on Quantum Class ships continued, and it took another step forward on Icon of the Seas.

The Aquadome is not only a new neighborhood, but also the first Aquatheater to incorporate robots into the show.

Combining the AquaTheater from Oasis Class ships with the roboscreens of Quantum Class, you get the next generation of robotics in a show. The idea was to create the greatest canvas to do entertainment on to date.

The six-axis robot arms in the Aquatheater are in the stage area on Icon had never been done before. When ready, the robot arms will be able to pick up the skate boarding half pipe during the show as part of the experience.

Not only does this tech allow for great stunts, developing this tech also allows them to build all sorts of heavy equipment for stage use.

Robots can recreate any sense of forced-motion and direction. One idea is to put a platform on a robot arm, so instead of having a spring board, divers can use the robot arm to be propelled. It's an idea Royal Caribbean has patented.

"Huge plans for robotics"

This ten year plan is to continue the advancement of robots in the shows you find on Royal Caribbean's next batch of new cruise ships.

Mr. Weir tweeted that they're making better progress than originally anticipated, "It’s going really well so far, we are in advance of schedule. Already adding concepts that were destined for Star of the Seas to Aqua Action on Icon."

One idea is what he calls, "Robolights", and they are being prepared on Icon of the Seas. Instead of a screen, the arms have lights on them to help control the lighting precisely to what the performers need.

"The Robolights™️ preparing themselves for a performance (literally) and a clip of them doing their thing in the actual show. "

"Theater World, meet Robot World… a natural partnership."

He shared concept art for what he calls, "robotic fountain system" that appears to be able to spray multiple streams of water from each arm.

Royal Caribbean has always emphasized the importance of live entertainment on its cruise ships, and it plans to expand that commitment with a host of new hires.

The cruise line announced a new plan that will open up more than one thousands new positions to fill.

In the next year, Royal Caribbean will look to hire more than 1,400 musicians, entertainers and production teams across the entire fleet. These new hires will join it's 3,000-plus cast members and production staff.

Not only will the new hiring's augment the existing fleet of 26 cruise ships, but some will be hired to work on Icon of the Seas when she launches in 2023.

Royal Caribbean hopes to fill roles for artists and behind-the-scenes teams to bring to life entertainment experiences across original and West End productions, music performances, ice skating shows, high diving and acrobatic feats, and much more.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, talked about the importance of hiring new entertainers, "Music and entertainment are essential to making Royal Caribbean holidays memorable."

"We keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible in entertainment in front of 105,000 guests each night, and the choice of career opportunities available to entertainment professionals is in the thousands. To continue raising the bar, we are expanding our incredibly talented roster of world-class vocalists, Olympic athletes, Broadway and West End stars, acclaimed producers and directors, to name a few."

We are also committing more resources than ever before to music and entertainment for 2023."

Helping the industry

Royal Caribbean not only needs to hire new employees as a way to staff their ships, but they see this as an opportunity to help an industry still struggling to get back to full operation.

According to a report by Help Musicians in January 2022, seventy-five percent of musicians worried about their financial situation at least once a day, and a quarter of them considered leaving their profession altogether.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Censuswide and surveyed 3,000 emerging musicians and 4,500 music-loving consumers in U.K., Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Norway. Highlights include:

• Eighty percent of Europe’s emerging musicians said that live performances are what they are most excited about in 2022.
• Seventy percent noted that performing for live audiences is the most rewarding part of their work.
• More than 35% of them said travelling and seeing new destinations is what they are most excited to do in 2022.
• A total of 68% of Europe’s music-loving consumers said that live music makes them feel at their happiest.
• One-third of consumers also said that live music was what they were most excited about in 2022.
• Eighty-five percent of people associate their best holiday memories with a music track, and 67% said that music and entertainment is important when choosing their next holiday.

As many as 25,000 performers from across the world audition for Royal Caribbean every year, with many training at its 132,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art entertainment studio facility in Miami. 

What getting hired by Royal Caribbean means to a performer

Rachael Hudson works on Wonder of the Seas in the Royal Caribbean original production “Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn”, and has been employed by the cruise line for more than five years.

She has been a featured singer on Explorer of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Quantum of the Seas.

“In our industry, the opportunity to perform live and hone your skills every day is so rare, and I am truly able to build a career at Royal Caribbean."

"I work alongside the world’s most experienced producers, choreographers and coaches in the business while travelling to amazing places like Miami, The Bahamas and Rome."

"After the last few years, it is incredible to be back performing live in front of audiences from all over the world.”

Another long-time Royal Caribbean executive has left the company, a celebrity chef returned onboard, Wonder of the Seas has a new show and more of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

There's been a number of updates that happened this week, so here's a look at all the changes you should be aware of from the past few days.

Each of these updates encompasses a different aspect of Royal Caribbean, and it's always a good idea to be up-to-date with what's happening.

Jamie Oliver visits Anthem of the Seas

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was spotted onboard Anthem of the Seas for a day visit.

Oliver is the namesake for the specialty restaurant onboard the ship, Jamie's Italian. 

Mr. Oliver visited the ship's bridge, and then headed to the restaurant to meet with the team.

"From checking out the ship's bridge, where is the captain and his crew steer the ship from, to getting stuck in with the Jamie's Italian team in the kitchen and meetings some guests on board. It was a very special day visiting our Jamie's Italian on board."

Effectors II begins performances on Wonder of the Seas

The newest show began on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted that shows of The Effectors 2 are now in previews.

It’s open! #TheEffectors2 #CrashnBurn, is now in previews on #WonderoftheSeas! It’s big, real big! ~We will be tweaking and testing things, and adding, fiddling, massaging and creating thru October – but it’s ready for prime-time. (Foto courtesy of @Del_Mak in the front row! :-) pic.twitter.com/4min6W81zA

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) June 21, 2022

According to Mr. Weir, they will be, "tweaking and testing things, and adding, fiddling, massaging and creating thru October".

The show is performed in the Royal Theater on Wonder of the Seas and it features a new character of Lume, who flies over the audience during the show.

#TheEffectors, #CrashnBurn. This is #Lume – she controls light and #laser… and, she FLYS! #WonderoftheSeas pic.twitter.com/eEDkKhW0Vv

— Nick Weir (@NickWeirShowbiz) June 21, 2022

Captain Patrik Dalhgren leaves Royal Caribbean

Another maritime executive has left the company for a new opportunity.

Royal Caribbean Group announced Captain Patrik Dahlgren has left after 23 years with the company.

In his most recent role, he was a Senior Vice President of global marine operations and a member of the Healthy Sail Panel.

He rose through the ranks in his time with the company, with his last seagoing command as Master of Oasis of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas. 

He was the lead contributor to the Quantum of the Seas development.

Captain Dahlgren leaves just a few months after Captain Hernan Zini also left for a new job. Royal Caribbean has also seen former Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Mark Tamis leave recently.

Royal Caribbean CEO celebrates upcoming Day of the Seafarer

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley took to Facebook to promote an important holiday in the maritime industry.

The Day of the Seafarer is on Saturday, June 25, and Mr. Bayley urged everyone to think about the hard working people on cruise ships.

"This day means a lot to us at Royal Caribbean, but also to me personally," Mr. Bayley wrote on Facebook.

"Our crew comes from over 120 countries! They are moms, dads, and siblings who contribute so much to their life at sea to keep the maritime industry up and running."

"We are endlessly proud and grateful for our amazing crew who keep our ships safe, our oceans clean, and our vacations epic!"

Mr. Bayley shared a link to a site where you can share your thanks and recognition of the crew members online.