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Norwegian Cruise Line Entertainment: Which Shows Are on Which NCL Ships?

Contributor
Melinda Crow

Last updated
Mar 6, 2024

Read time
5 min read

Norwegian Cruise Line entertainment is some of the most well-known performances on the seas. While the current trend is toward more walk-on solo entertainers like comedians and magicians, NCL still holds a top ranking when it comes to huge stage productions, including Broadway-style shows.

Entertainment is mostly included in the price. Shows that do cost money also include food (and sometimes wine, as in the case of "Wine Lovers The Musical"), so you get more for your specialty dining dollar.

But which Norwegian ships offer which NCL shows? To help you plan your evenings onboard and figure out whether you want to skip the theater for an evening, Cruise Critic has tracked down the line's production shows, including a brief description and which ships you'll find them on. We’ve also thrown in a bit about the itineraries where you can expect to enjoy the onboard shows to kickstart your cruise dreams.

Ballroom Blitz: Norwegian Epic Entertainment

Norwegian Epic (Photo: Norwegian)

Norwegian Epic hosts this high-energy showcase of ballroom dancing which will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to dance in the aisles. It features everything you love about couples dancing and is the perfect entertainment match for Epic’s sailings in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Band on the Run: Norwegian Star Entertainment

Norwegian Stars Theater (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Star brings this traditional song-and-dance revue to the stage. Band on the Run spans the decades and focuses on all kinds of musical groups, including The Temptations, KC & the Sunshine Band, the Village People, Paul McCartney and Wings, Styx and the Eagles. Star’s far-reaching itineraries that include Iceland and Buenos Aires, make this a perfect entertainment break.

Beetlejuice: Norwegian Viva Entertainment

Norwegian Viva offers Beetlejuice: The Musical as one entertainment option. (Photo: Matthew Murphy)

Yup, the “ghost with the most” now graces the stage of Norwegian Viva. It’s the latest straight-from-Broadway hit hosted by NCL. You can catch the show on cruises from Galveston, San Juan and Lisbon.

Blazing Boots: Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade Entertainment

Norwegian Gem

Take a dip into the world of country music onboard Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Jade with all the costumes and dances you'd expect, plus foot-tapping songs from some of the most popular country stars like Luke Bryan, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and more. Gem cruises the Bahamas, Canada and the Caribbean, while Jade ventures to Alaska and the Panama Canal.

Burn the Floor: Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway Entertainment

Dancers performing Burn the Floor on Norwegian Getaway (Photo: NCL)

This energetic dance showcase has been performed on Broadway and London's West End, and now finds a home on Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway. The show features tangos, sambas, mambos, quicksteps, swing dancing, waltzes, jives and many other dance forms. Look for Breakaway cruises sailing from New York, Miami and Barcelona, while Getaway often sails from New Orleans and Athens.

Choir of Man: Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape Entertainment

Norwegian Escape Exterior (Photo: NCL)

Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Escape bring you this thrilling combination of live music, stunning choreography and engaging storytelling. Set in a pub atmosphere, the show captivates audiences with its infectious camaraderie and toe-tapping renditions of popular songs, creating an unforgettable sing-along theatrical experience. Both ships are Caribbean staples, but Encore also features Alaskan cruises from Seattle.

Cirque Dreams Steam: Norwegian Getaway Entertainment

Cirque Dreams Epicurean on Norwegian Epic (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Located in the Spiegel Tent onboard Norwegian Getaway, this version of the for-fee Cirque Dreams and Dinner show is a steampunk adventure inspired by science fiction and Victorian fashion. Costumes and variety acts are over the top.

Elements: Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Joy Entertainment

Norwegian Dawn Activity/Entertainment

Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Joy offer a free Cirque du Soleil-style show featuring aerial and acrobatic performances, magic tricks and moody dance numbers all set to a range of ethereal music. Dawn cruises the world, visiting incredible ports like Paris, Stockholm and Doha, Qatar. Joy stays a little closer to home, cruising from ports like Los Angeles and Port Canaveral.

Jersey Boys: Norwegian Bliss Entertainment

"Jersey Boys" in Bliss Theater on Norwegian Bliss (Photo: Cruise Critic)

From your seat in the theater on Norwegian Bliss, Jersey Boys takes you on a journey from the raw streets of New Jersey to the glitz and global stardom as you immerse yourself in the remarkable true tale of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Let the band electrify your night with their enduring melodies. Catch the show on cruises to Alaska -- both round-trips to and from Seattle and one-way sailings from Fairbanks.

Le Cirque Bijou: Norwegian Jewel Entertainment

Norwegian Jewel (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Jewel is a fitting home for this moody dreamscape where jewels of all kinds (rubies, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds) come to life. This show features atmospheric lighting, aerial acts and dancing. Catch the show as you sail to fascinating ports like Grenada and the ABC Islands.

Legends in Concert: Norwegian Pearl Entertainment

Norwegian Pearl (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Pearl showcases this Las Vegas staple, this show features some of the best celebrity tribute artists out there. The "stars" rotate but be prepared to be swept away by Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Cher, Brittany Spears and many others. The show is a fun break from Pearl’s port intensive cruises in the Adriatic, with stops in Dubrovnik and Corfu.

Million Dollar Quartet: Norwegian Getaway Entertainment

Norwegian Getaway has yet another former Broadway hit: Million Dollar Quartet. It dramatizes the 1956 recording session that featured Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. The show features a selection of these artists' greatest hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Walk the Line" and "Great Balls of Fire."

Paradis: Norwegian Star Entertainment

Norwegian Star

Norwegian Star offers this visual and musical tribute to the glory days of the Parisian cabaret featuring risqué dance numbers and energetic songs. Star’s itineraries tend to be ten days or more, visiting far-off destinations like Casablanca, the Canary Islands and Greenland.

Rock You Tonight: Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun Entertainment

Norwegian Sun in Victoria, Canada (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Sun bring you an explosive tribute to rock icons Queen, Journey and The Who that will have you rocking the night away. Jewel cruises sail from ports like Boston, Tokyo and Tampa. Look for exciting cruises on Sun from Auckland and Melbourne.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical: Norwegian Prima Entertainment

The Donna Summer Musical Debuts aboard Norwegian Prima (Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line)

Norwegian Prima is the perfect new home for this dynamic stage production chronicling the life and career of the legendary disco queen, Donna Summer. Through a fusion of electrifying performances and nostalgic hits, the musical celebrates the impact and legacy of this iconic artist. Prima cruises include distant ports like London and Rome as well as those closer to home like Cozumel.

Wine Lovers the Musical: Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Escape Entertainment

This for-fee musical comedy luncheon on select ships is held in the Supper Club or Spiegel Tent depending on the ship. It includes six tasting glasses of wine as you follow the budding romance of a couple at a wine class.

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Publish date February 20, 2020
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