Best Cruise Lines for Onboard Entertainment

Evening entertainment is a highlight onboard any cruise holiday. There’s no better way to complete a day spent exploring global destinations or relaxing at sea than with an epic evening of music, dance, food and drinks.

Today, cruise lines are taking onboard entertainment to new heights, offering everything from interactive theatre productions to world-class live music experiences. Whatever your idea of an epic night out involves, you’re sure to find it at sea!

Not sure which cruise line best suits your entertainment desires? Here are some of the cruise lines with the best onboard entertainment.

Norwegian Cruise Line

With a history of pioneering the cruise experience, it’s no surprise that the evening entertainment offerings onboard Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are some of the best at sea. Every NCL  sailing offers Broadway and West-End calibre shows, including but not limited to the Tony Award-nominated Beetlejuice The Musical (debuting onboard Norwegian Viva in August 2023), Six The Musical and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. My Cruises Expert Deb can attest to the quality of entertainment onboard NCL: “I’ve seen Rock of Ages onboard Norwegian Breakaway and was blown away by the entire production – it was just as good as when I saw the same show on Broadway!” she said.

However, that’s not the only cruise ship entertainment available onboard NCL. Expect some stellar live music offerings, including the Cavern Club, which recreates the legendary Liverpool venue where the Beatles got their start. Plus, onboard some ships you can also enjoy live game show experiences, like The Price is Right LIVE, where you’ll have the chance to win incredible grand prizes.

Virgin Voyages

The cruise ship entertainment onboard Virgin Voyages is anything but ordinary. Instead, expect a festival-like line-up of immersive productions developed by the world’s most talked about directors, choreographers and artists. These exclusive stage productions include an interactive never-the-same-show-twice game show and a Romeo and Juliet retelling with an elaborate circus twist.

Plus, Virgin Voyages’ fleet of ships are packed bow to stern with innovative onboard spaces, meaning that you’ll never run out of exciting entertainment experiences. Spend one night belting out your favourite tunes at The Groupie private karaoke and the next dancing up a storm at The Manor, a two-storey, ‘70s-inspired nightclub.

Royal Caribbean

When it comes to jaw-dropping cruise line entertainment, it’s hard to beat Royal Caribbean. Offering both Tony Award-winning shows and awe-inspiring original productions, Royal Caribbean is renowned for having the largest variety of entertainment at sea. Depending on which ship you set sail aboard, expect to enjoy popular musical productions, such as Grease, Mamma Mia! and Hairspray.

In addition to showstopping productions, Royal Caribbean is also known for its showstopping venues. If cruising onboard an Oasis-class ship, be sure to catch a show at the AquaTheater, which combine mesmerising stunts, aerial acrobatics and spectacular dives into the deepest pool at sea. Plus, Royal Caribbean is the first and only cruise line with ice-skating shows, where professional skaters amaze with jumps, spins and lifts.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is a cruise line known for innovation and their onboard entertainment offerings are no exception. Entertainment surrounds you at every turn onboard a Celebrity Cruises ship, whether you’re interested in joining an epic themed party on the top deck or watching an award-winning stage production in the main theatre.

Even mealtimes are an entertaining affair onboard Celebrity Cruises. Don’t miss the chance to dine at Qsine Restaurant, which hosts the unique Le Petit Chef dining experience. Using 3D projection mapping technology, watch as a tiny animated chef creates a multi-course meal right at your table! With an elegant menu created by a Michelin Star Chef, Le Petit Chef is an entertainment highlight on every Celebrity Cruises’ voyage.

Princess Cruises

As six-time winner of ‘Best Cruise Line for Onboard Entertainment’ in Cruise Passenger Reader’s Choice Awards, it’s no surprise that Princess Cruises spoils for choice when it comes to evening entertainment. Expect to enjoy a wide variety of onboard entertainment options, including original musical productions, headline comedy acts, world-class magicians and illusionists and plenty of live music.

Princess Cruises also offers great family-friendly entertainment. Get involved in The Voice of the Ocean, an interactive singing competition that replicates the hit reality show, The Voice. Throughout the duration of your sailing, the show comes to life with blind auditions, mentor sessions and a finale performance where guests choose the winner. You can also catch Movies Under the Stars at the expansive poolside movie theatre

Holland America Line

Music lovers will love the cruise ship entertainment offered by Holland America Line. While still offering impressive production shows at the World Stage theatre, entertainment onboard these ships is centred around Music Walk, a trio of impressive music venues.

There’s the Rolling Stone Rock Room, which chronicles the best of the classic rock era and Billboard Onboard, where twin pianists play chart-toppers through the decades. Meanwhile, B.B. King’s Blues Club brings the best of Memphis music to sea. There’s a reason why Holland America is known for having the best music at sea.

Discover your kind of onboard entertainment with My Cruises

No matter which cruise line you choose, your voyage is guaranteed to be filled with entertaining moments. Find your dream cruise holiday with My Cruises, perfectly packaged with flights, hotel stays, guided tours, scenic rail journeys and so much more.

To find the best cruise line for you, get in touch with our Cruise Experts or start exploring our Hot Deals!