For the last several decades, cruises have become one of the most popular ways for people to travel the world. They not only give travelers the ability to see several places on a singular journey, but they often also provide entertainment and luxury while at sea between destinations. Themed cruises have grown in popularity more recently, perhaps because it is more appealing to think about spending a prolonged amount of time with a group of strangers on a cruise ship when you know that there is a guarantee you will share some common interests with your fellow passengers.
Broadway lovers will be excited to learn that there are in fact Broadway cruises, where they will not have to worry about being pushed overboard for singing too many showtunes but instead find that they are surrounded by people who will happily sing along with them! Whether you are looking for a European tour, an Alaskan adventure, or a beachy paradise voyage to Mexico, there is a cruise out there for every musical lover wanting to see and experience top destinations with like minded company.
Continue reading below to learn more about all that Broadway cruises have to offer and how to take the next step towards embarking on your own musical adventure!
Broadway Cruises
The Playbill Cruise/Playbill Travel
Playbill Travel offers carefully curated Playbill Cruises, offering guests a variety of engaging activities in destinations with rich cultures and histories by day, and dazzling concerts by spectacular Broadway stars by night. Next year you can go on a cultural and culinary river cruise through France on Broadway in Burgundy and Provence, or an Eastern European cruise rich in history on Broadway from Bulgaria to Budapest. What better way to end an inspiring day of exploration and fine cuisine than a concert from Broadway stars such as Jessie Mueller, Stephanie J. Block, Jordan Donica, John McDaniel, and many others.
The Broadway Cruise
There have been several iterations of The Broadway Cruise, with another cruise being announced soon. Not only are you able to see Broadway talent perform as you do in New York City and on the West End, but you will also be able to attend their stage door autograph experiences, workshops, dance classes, sing alongs, and industry panels whilst aboard! The industry panels are something fairly unique to The Broadway Cruise, covering topics ranging from “The Power of the Broadway Revival: Reinvention vs. Recreation” to “Women in Theater” to “Broadway’s Impact on Culture & Society.”
How often is the fellow theater kid next to you a Broadway performer like Wayne Brady, Shoshana Bean, Ana Gasteyer, or Brian Stokes Mitchell? If you would like to get an idea of what’s in store for the encore cruise, check out the recap video of The Broadway Cruise 3 that went from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico.
Seth Rudetsky’s Cruises
Presented by Playbill Travel is Seth Rudetsky’s Big Fat Broadway Cruise Collection, which unsurprisingly is hosted by Broadway pianist/conductor/author and Sirius XM radio host, Seth Rudestsky. Upcoming cruise offers include voyages to wonderful destinations like Alaska: Dawes Glacier, the Canary Islands & Portugal, and the Caribbean. The performances on these cruises are unique to other Broadway cruises because in between musical numbers, Seth Rudetsky does “hilarious off-the-cuff” interviews with the Broadway stars you know and love.
Other activites include trivia, Broadway Bingo, and Seth also teaches masterclasses to help aspiring performers polish their audition songs! Plus, you have the chance to rehearse on your cruise to perform in the final variety show alongside Broadway performers to end your journey with a bang.
Cruise Lines with Broadway-Caliber Musicals
If a full fledged Broadway Cruise feels a bit overwhelming to you or your travel companions, there are still opportunities to experience Broadway-caliber musicals at sea on more traditional cruises with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Disney Cruise Line.
Norwegian Cruise Line is known for offering full scale productions as opposed to the solo performances often offered on cruises. Some of the musicals you could see with Norwegian include Beetlejuice, Jersey Boys, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. To see a full list of their programming, click on this link. As an official sponsor of the Tony Awards, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers a wide variety of Broadway musicals like CATS, Mamma Mia, and Hairspray. For a full list of the shows available on each cruise, check out this list on Cruise Critic.
Disney Cruise Line is a great option for families and Disney musical lovers, as they offer Disney-exclusive entertainment that is not always available in New York City or on the West End in London. Maybe you and your family want to see destinations beyond the happiest place on Earth while still enjoying the magic of Disney fantasy. Visit their website for a complete list of shows and entertainment available on Disney Cruise Line.
Who Goes on Broadway Cruises: The Audience and the Talent
Curious what kind of company you will encounter on a Broadway Cruise? You can expect to find a somewhat similar crowd to the ones you meet in a Broadway or West End theater. There will be theatre lovers, Broadway fans, performers, world travelers, families, and retirees all aboard the same ship bonding over a shared passion of Broadway and traveling. (Of course, we can’t rule out the likelihood of the few dragged along spouses that we so often see in the theater.) Broadway cruises are a unique chance to bond with new friends through song, dance, and storytelling.
Not to mention, you will get several chances to get up close and personal with Broadway talent like Lilli Cooper, Sebastian Arcelus, Annaleigh Ashford, Bob Mackie, Solea Pfeiffer, and so many others. Whether it be through live concerts, Q&A’s, workshops, or sing along’s, there is no shortage of engagement with the wonderful talents and creatives that have made Broadway what it is today.
Booking and Cost
When it comes to booking a Broadway Cruise, the earlier the better. Often booking early means that you will have a wider selection of accommodations and be able to sign up for special activities and events like Broadway karaoke performances and singing backup for Broadway stars throughout the cruise. Consider joining mailing lists and keeping an eye out for your top choice performers and destinations so you can be sure to secure a spot on one of these musical voyages. For instance, if the Broadway Cruise 4 sounds like something you would enjoy, you can join their mailing list for updates.
Depending on the duration, theme, and line of your cruise, prices can vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars per person. Generally this price includes your accommodation, meals, beverages, excursions, amenities such as gyms, activities, and of course the entertainment. You will also have to factor in the cost of flights to the first port and the cost of any entry requirements for the countries you may visit. It is advised to review all the details surrounding cancellation policies and insurance before you book your cruise, as they can be costly.
Final tips and advice
Broadway cruises are quickly becoming a dream mode of travel for Broadway lovers around the world. Many musical fans have already visited New York City and London, others prefer magnificent natural landscapes to city skylines; regardless, they share the common desire to see new parts of the world and enjoy the magic of Broadway while they do it. Broadway-caliber performances are now accessible all over the world and at sea when you decide to embark on a Broadway cruise.
These cruises will bring together both theater lovers and travel lovers, hopefully resulting in continued exploration of the world and more varied audiences in Broadway and West End theaters. Connecting with people who have common interests with you while going on an unforgettable trip sounds like the perfect recipe for making lifelong friendships you might not otherwise find.
Whether you are looking for a cultural experience in a new country paired with concerts by Broadway talent or a fully inclusive Broadway experience with singing, dancing, sharing, and travel, you can find the Broadway cruise just right for you. Maybe you want to take the family on a Disney expedition where the kids can meet their favorite Disney characters and see live shows like Disney The Tale of Moana and hang out in the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge. Or maybe you want the chance to meet your favorite Broadway stars and get them to sign Playbills from your treasured collection before dressing up for a themed drag brunch the next morning.
Whatever you are hoping to experience on a musical voyage at sea, cruise lines like Playbill, The Broadway Cruise, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Disney have several options for you to explore. So pack your bags, prepare your sheet music, and go find your jazz shoes. Your dream vacation is on the horizon just waiting to be booked!
Broadway in New York City
Want to see a Broadway show a little closer to home? Check out the Top Broadway Shows playing in the theater district right now! And if you’re looking to save money for your next Broadway cruise, head to the TKTS Booth in Times Square to see what discount tickets are on offer.
