Home Blog Page 291

Carnival Cruise Line Announces Summer/Fall 2015 Carnival LIVE Concert Lineup

By
John Shallo
-
The Band Perry

Recently Carnival Cruise Line unveiled the roster of artists for its upcoming Carnival LIVE concert series, adding The Band Perry, BOSTON, Lionel Richie and Heart to the diverse and talented lineup of musical acts set to perform on board the “Fun Ships” this summer and fall.

The shows complement the highly anticipated spring series which kicked off last month and includes performances by Journey, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town, Smokey Robinson and Styx.

Bringing the best of musical entertainment to the seas, Carnival LIVE is a one-of-a-kind entertainment option that provides guests an opportunity to experience captivating concerts by major musical artists at a tremendous value.  Concerts are held in the ships’ intimate main theaters – ranging in guest capacity from 900 to 1,300 – meaning there’s never a bad seat in the house.

Carnival LIVE concerts are performed on Carnival vessels while they are docked in one of three ports of call:  Cozumel, Nassau and St. Thomas.

The Band Perry“We’re thrilled to build upon the tremendous success of Carnival LIVE with concerts this summer and fall by The Band Perry, BOSTON, Lionel Richie and Heart – four incredibly talented acts that will provide our guests with an extraordinary entertainment experience,” said Bernie Dillon, director of Carnival LIVE.

The Band Perry will perform July 28-29-30 on Carnival Sensation, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Magic, respectively, while those ships are docked in Nassau. During these shows, guests can enjoy up-close-and-personal performances by this award-winning trio who recently won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Gentle on My Mind at the 57th Grammy Awards.

Fans will get “more than a feeling” as they enjoy four shows this summer by rock superstars BOSTON which has sold more than 31 million records worldwide, including 17 million copies of their self-titled debut. BOSTON brings their high-energy performances to four Carnival ships in Nassau – Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Sensation and Carnival Ecstasy – Aug. 19-22.

Boston

Multiple Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer Lionel Richie will have audiences “dancing on the ceiling” on Carnival Freedom Oct. 14 and Carnival Pride Oct. 15 while those ships are docked in Nassau.  One of the most popular recording artists of all time, Richie has sold 100 million albums worldwide and is only one of two songwriters in history to have a number one record for nine consecutive years.

HeartRounding out the series is Heart, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and have sold more than 35 million records during their accomplished musical career that spans more than 35 years.  Guests can enjoy three shipboard performances in Cozumel by these rock legends:  Oct. 20 aboard Carnival Paradise, Oct. 21 aboard Carnival Ecstasy and Oct. 22 aboard Carnival Breeze.

Carnival LIVE tickets for 2015 range from $35 to $75 for general admission, significantly less than land-based venues.  VIP tickets are available for $125 to $250 and offer seating in the first four rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.

A full listing of the 2015 Carnival LIVE concert series is available by visiting www.carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE, contacting any travel agent or calling 1-800-CARNIVAL.

MSC Divina Ship Tour and Cruise Review

By
Randy Warren
-

Watch our review of MSC Divina and take a closer look at what makes her and MSC Cruises special. You’ll learn what sets her apart in a world of so many choices. Explore her beautiful public spaces, spacious staterooms and culinary offerings that help make her a true Diva.

Christened by legendary actress and “diva” Sophia Loren, MSC Divina features 1,751 staterooms, 322,900 square feet of public space, a casino, seven restaurants, 18 bars and lounges, five swimming pools (including an infinity pool), a 4-D Cinema, Formula 1 Simulator, the first Aqua Cycling at Sea, 2 bowling alleys, theater, gym, spa, internet café, conference center, kids and teen areas, Top 18 Solarium and the line’s signature ship within a ship, MSC Yacht Club.

Viking Longships Christening 2015: Amsterdam Celebration

By
John Shallo
-

Viking River Cruises christened 12 new riverboats in 2015. Celebrate the Viking Longships in Amsterdam, Netherlands with a review of the christening festivities: champagne bottles breaking, plus musicians and acrobats.

Celebrity Cruises Pulls Back the Curtain on 18 Shows in 18 Months

By
John Shallo
-

Inspired by the latest trends in entertainment and the hottest global tickets, Celebrity Cruises is redefining the way it will deliver premium, unexpected experiences to its guests. Celebrity is unveiling an impressive array of 18 shows in 18 months – all produced in partnership with masterminds behind some of today’s biggest recording artists and awarding-winning theatrical and television productions.

The 18 leading-edge shows, created exclusively for Celebrity, feature elements of drama, dance, comedy, musical theater and concert-style performances – blended in a way that has never been seen before at sea. Shows will include Elyria, an energetic, late-night production, where guests are transported to a witty, mischievous, dreamlike world. The new production will launch onboard Celebrity Constellation in April. iMagic, available onboard Celebrity Summit, is a modern luxury interpretation of the wonder of illusions, innovative, groundbreaking and uses incredible technology such as holograms, lasers and iPads, to tell the story.

Celebrity has attracted and collaborated with some of the best names in entertainment to produce the 18 shows. These include William Baker, who has created and directed global tours and music videos for some of the biggest names in popular music; and Steve Anderson, a musical director, producer and writer for world-renowned artists.

“Our discerning and well-traveled guests want modern luxury in all aspects of their Celebrity cruise vacation, including their entertainment,” said Becky Thomson-Foley, director of entertainment at Celebrity Cruises. “We continue to raise the bar by unveiling an array of shows that vary from groundbreaking and contemporary to magnificent and beautiful – all with lighthearted and humorous storylines, popular music and unique choreography. It is exciting to partner with incredible talent within the entertainment industry to create these fresh, unique experiences for vacationers.”

On Celebrity, entertainment does not just happen in the main theater, it happens all around guests in the many luxurious venues onboard. In addition to the 18 shows, Celebrity will offer up to 10 engaging entertainment experiences on every ship. Side Show is an interactive and vintage circus theme party. Reigning Rocks will blend the elegance of royalty with the glam of Brit Pop, and Night of the Dragon will feature the delicate beauty of Asian culture mixed with pop music, resulting in a high-energy celebration of culture.

All entertainment is created and perfected at “The Studio,” Celebrity’s production headquarters inside a newly built, 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility – a unique partnership between Florida International University (FIU) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), Celebrity’s parent company. Located on the FIU Biscayne Bay campus, the production and rehearsal facility, which can accommodate more than 460 cast members at one time, was officially opened Friday, March 20.

For more information about Celebrity Cruises entertainment, visit celebritycruises.com.

Viking River Cruises Expands Fleet With A Dozen New Ships Christened In Europe

By
John Shallo
-
Viking River Cruises christening ceremony in Amsterdam. The company christened a total of 12 new river vessels, including 10 of its award-winning Viking Longships(R) and two custom vessels for the Elbe River.

Marking another year of impressive growth, Viking River Cruises recently welcomed the newest additions to its fleet of river cruise vessels at a simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam and Rostock, Germany. The company christened a total of 12 new river vessels, including 10 of its award-winning Viking Longships® and two custom vessels for the Elbe River. This event officially brings Viking’s total river fleet size to 60 and comes just one year after the company set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ for the most new ships launched in a single day.

All 10 of the new Viking Longships will be deployed on Viking’s itineraries in Europe, including three of the most popular itineraries – Grand European Tour, Romantic Danube and Rhine Getaway. Also, as a result of high consumer demand for the Elegant Elbe itinerary, the two new specially designed ships will double the company’s capacity on the Elbe River for 2015.

“We are immensely proud of the response to our new ships that we continue to receive from guests and industry experts,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “It is always important that we recognize those who have helped us achieve success, and this year I am especially pleased to honor fellow Vikings as godmothers of our newest river vessels.”

Viking Godmothers
Staying true to the naval tradition, Viking named 12 of its longest-serving employees as ceremonial godmothers for the new ships. With representation from Viking’s onboard operations team, as well as from the operational headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, the corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and the London office, each godmother represents a department that has contributed to the consistently high guest satisfaction ratings and the growth and success of the company. The full list of godmothers includes:

  • Donora Anderson, Senior Director of Operations and godmother of Viking Skirnir
  • Clare Armitage, Senior Operations Executive and godmother of Viking Eir
  • Sinemie Bakker, Program Director and godmother of Viking Astrild
  • Henrieta Balisova, Program Director and godmother of Viking Vili
  • Adriana Filkaszova, Receptionist and godmother of Viking Beyla
  • Jana Hudakova, Chief Receptionist and godmother of Viking Mimir
  • Miriam Kajuchova, Housekeeper and godmother of Viking Ve
  • Karoline Landa, Controller & Hotel Manager and godmother of Viking Lofn
  • Kornelia Pfeiffenberger, Hotel Manager and godmother of Viking Vidar
  • Faye Pirie, Specialist Cruise Consultant and godmother of Viking Modi
  • Julie Rosoff, Senior Director of Marketing Services and godmother of Viking Mani
  • Verona Thiele, Concierge and godmother of Viking Gefjon

Viking Longships
Since debuting in 2012, Viking Longships have amassed a long list of prestigious awards. They topped Condé Nast Traveler’s annual readers’ Cruise Poll for best river cruise ships – with Viking Odin specifically being named  the #1 top-ranking river cruise ship – and the entire class of vessels was  named “Best New River Ships” in Cruise Critic’s® Editors’ Picks Awards.

Viking Longships integrate a patented corridor design and cutting-edge technology with comfortable amenities that reflect guest preferences and current travel trends. These features include a revolutionary all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace that reinvents the onboard lounge experience by bringing the panoramic outdoor river scenery indoors with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors and allows guests to enjoy the views and dine al fresco. Accommodating 190 passengers in 95 staterooms, Viking Longships have a patented layout that allows for two Explorer Suites – the largest river cruise suites in Europe – as well as seven two-room Veranda Suites with a full-size veranda in the living room and a French balcony in the bedroom; 39 Veranda Staterooms with full-size verandas; and 22 French Balcony Staterooms. Additionally, all Longships have sustainability upgrades, such as onboard solar panels and organic herb gardens, and energy-efficient hybrid engines that also reduce vibrations for a remarkably smooth ride.

Hosting 98 guests in 49 staterooms, sister ships Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla will be the newest and most modern ships sailing the Elbe River. Smaller than Viking Longships, with customized hulls and engines specially designed to navigate this unique river, these ships tout many of the same popular features – including an Aquavit Terrace, a wide variety of stateroom choices, hotel-style beds, energy-efficient hybrid engines, onboard solar panels and an organic herb garden, as well as Viking’s signature Scandinavian design aesthetic.

The expansion of Viking’s fleet comes as a response to increased traveler demand for destination-focused cruises, and there is still an opportunity to sail in 2015. Guests interested in current special savings discounts for 2015 departures and early pricing promotions for 2016 departures should visit the promotions page located on www.vikingrivercruises.com.

 

Royal Caribbean Declares A Tax Free Holiday for U.S. Cruise Addicts

By
John Shallo
-

Cruise line pays cruise taxes, port charges and fees, a savings of up to $200 savings per guest

This tax season, take a vacation from paying taxes for a cruise vacation. For five days only, from April 11 through 15, 2015, vacationers who book a new Royal Caribbean International sailing will have their cruise booking taxes, port charges and fees paid by the cruise line.

With Royal Caribbean’s Tax Free Holiday, U.S. residents can save up to $200 per guest when they make a new booking on a six-night or longer Bahamas, Caribbean and roundtrip-Europe itinerary. The offer applies to sailings that depart on April 15, 2015, through March 31, 2016, but does not include Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/TaxFree starting Saturday, April 11.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.

Onboard, guests are catered to with the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 12 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards. The cruise line sails 22 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Anthem of the Seas

By
John Shallo
-

Royal Caribbean International officially took delivery of its 23rd ship, Anthem of the Seas. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain officially received the new ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer in a signing ceremony held in Bremerhaven, Germany. Anthem of the Seas is the world’s most advanced cruise ship and reflects the best of Royal Caribbean’s history of innovating cruise ship design and cruise vacations.

“I am very happy to receive Anthem of the Seas from Meyer Werft Yards,” said Richard. “We’ve always broken the mold with each successive ship we build, and Anthem of the Seas is no different. I would like to thank Bernard and the Meyer Werft team for their ongoing partnership in designing and building awe-inspiring ships with us.”

“It’s wonderful to welcome Anthem of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family of ships,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Just like every Royal Caribbean ship, Anthem of the Seas will deliver to guests its own distinctive set of amazing adventures, whether sailing in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.”

Anthem of the Seas will now sail to Southampton, U.K., where the ship will homeport through October and sail to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands. The ship will be inaugurated in Southampton on April 20, when travel agent Godmother Emma Wilby will christen the ship to impart good luck and divine protection over the ship and all that sail on board, and perform a song to more than 1,300 invited guests. In November, New York Harbor will be Anthem of the Seas’ permanent home, where the ship will sail regularly from Cape Liberty Cruise Port on adventures to Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada and New England.

Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Anthem of the Seas | 20
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.’s Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain officially received the new ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer in a signing ceremony held in Bremerhaven, Germany. Pictured here are senior executives from both companies.

Guests will enjoy a wide range of Royal Caribbean’s unmatched onboard innovations, such as the North Star aerial observatory, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views, and the RipCord by iFLY skydiving and FlowRider surfing simulators. Guests will be dazzled with the ships’ transformative venues, such as the Two70 lounge, a great room by day and an immersive, multimedia entertainment spectacle at night. SeaPlex changes throughout the day to offer bumper cars, disco roller skating, circus school, and basketball and other sports. Guests also will delight at the expansive array of delicious fare in 18 distinctive onboard restaurants and enjoy Royal Caribbean Productions’ industry-renowned entertainment in Music Hall, the Royal Theater, and the Royal Esplanade.

Anthem of the Seas' newest resident
Anthem of the Seas’ newest resident – a giraffe wearing a swimsuit and buoy – is lifted into place.

Anthem of the Seas spans 16 guest decks; encompasses 167,800 gross registered tons; carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy; and features 2,090 staterooms. For more information, please visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/AnthemoftheSeas.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Onboard, guests are catered to with the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service by every staff and crew member. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 12 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

The cruise line sails 23 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, South America, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand. Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Carnival LIVE and Journey Concert aboard Carnival Liberty (Special Edition Podcast)

By
John Shallo
-

Carnival LIVE - JourneyJoin Cruise Addicts as we cruise aboard the Carnival Liberty to experience Carnival LIVE and Journey in concert. On this show we’ll be speaking with Felipe Couto, Cruise Director of the Carnival Liberty. He’s going tell us all about Carnival LIVE and some of what happens behind the scenes.

I’ll also chat with guests Carrie McLaren of CarrieWithChildren.com, Rick Howard of TravelWithRick.com, Amanda Tinney of WheresAmanda.com and Julie  Elsdon-Height of SoberJulie.com to get their review of Carnival LIVE and the Journey concert. Next we’ll be stopping off in Grand Turk and meet several local icons. We’ll be speaking with Barbie from Barbie’s Restaurant and also Jack of Jack’s Shack. You’ll meet them and get some tips on how to eat, drink and enjoy Grand Turk like a local.

Carnival LIVE tickets for 2015 range from $35 to $60 for general admission, significantly less than land-based concerts. VIP tickets are available for $125 to $250, offering fans seating in the first four rows, an artist meet and greet, a souvenir photo with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.

For a calendar of spring 2015 Carnival LIVE concerts and to learn more about the Carnival LIVE sailings this fall featuring Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Jewel, Daughtry and more, visit www.carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE

[podbean resource=”episode=eu6kr-5513bc” type=”audio-rectangle” height=”100″ skin=”1″ btn-skin=”107″ share=”1″ fonts=”Helvetica” auto=”0″ download=”0″ rtl=”0″]

Journey Rocks Fans Aboard Carnival Liberty

By
John Shallo
-
Carnival LIVE - Journey
Carnival LIVE - Journey
Our ticket to enter the Carnival LIVE Journey concert aboard Carnival Liberty.

As the ship’s clock struck 9 p.m., the band Journey took to the stage aboard the Carnival Liberty, offering 1,300 lucky guests a once-in-a-lifetime Carnival LIVE experience. Beginning with songs “Any Way You Want It,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” and “Be Good To Yourself.” The band treated us to a set of sixteen legendary songs along with two guitar solos and a keyboard medley.

A Journey fan for most of my life, being able to see them live in such a small venue was a bucket list moment. Frontman Arnel Pineda put on an amazing show filled with powerful vocals and unending energy. He ran and jumped to all corners of the Venetian Palace’s stage, reaching out to guests with high fives and interacting with them, making for a special experience.

A highlight of the show was hearing Jonathan Cain tell the story how the song “Faithfully” was written on the road aboard a bus one night and recorded the next day. The song recounts the life of a “Music Man” with its circus atmosphere on the road. As one of my favorite songs, hearing this story followed by the song live with its subtle intro, followed by the thunderous drums and guitar was almost surreal.

Journey take the stage aboard Carnival LIVE aboard Carnival Liberty
Journey take the stage aboard Carnival LIVE aboard Carnival Liberty

Neal Schon still has some hard feelings towards Steve Perry even after all these years. During the intro to “Lights,” he took a quick jab. He said “(Perry) says I only wrote 25 percent, but it wouldn’t sound this good with guitars if I only wrote 25 percent.” This surprised me since the the song was released in August 1978.

The Carnival LIVE Experience

One thing I enjoy most–next to cruise travel–is great live music. I’ve been to some amazing concerts in my life. Carnival LIVE offers the best of both worlds. It allows you to experience a great cruise vacation and have the option to see an amazing live show in an intimate setting for great price. You don’t have to drive to the arena, pay for parking, or sit on uncomfortable arena seats.

Carnival LIVE shows take place in the ship’s main show lounges — which range in seating capacity from 900 to 1,300 – for an on-board performance where there is never a bad seat in the house. Your seats are comfortable, and you even have a place to hold your drink, which is delivered to you before the show begins. Ticket prices for 2015 range from $35 to $60 for general admission. VIP tickets are available for $125 to $250 and come with a seat in the first four rows, an artist meet and greet, a souvenir photo with the artist, and a commemorative concert pass. Unlike other concert cruises, these sailings are not group cruises or full charters where the price of the concert is included in the price. The cruises are priced just like other sailings but give you the option to see a Carnival LIVE concert while onboard.

More Shows To Come – Carnival LIVE 2015 Schedule

Carnival LIVE continues its second season of concerts with more shows by the following:

Smokey Robinson performs in Cozumel, Mexico. Ticket prices: General admission $35/VIP $125

April 21 – Carnival Paradise departing from Tampa
April 22 – Carnival Ecstasy departing from Miami
April 23 – Carnival Breeze departing from Miami

Rascal Flatts perform in Cozumel, Mexico. Ticket prices: General admission $60/VIP $250

May 5 – Carnival Paradise departing from Tampa
May 6 – Carnival Ecstasy departing from Miami
May 7 – Carnival Breeze departing from Miami

STYX performs in Nassau, Bahamas. Ticket prices: General admission $35/VIP $125

June 16 – Carnival Sensation departing from Port Canaveral
June 17 – Carnival Sunshine departing from Port Canaveral
June 18 – Carnival Fantasy departing from Charleston
June 20 – Carnival Ecstasy departing from Miami

How To Book and Helpful Tips

Carnival LIVE Concert SeriesWhen booking your Carnival LIVE sailing, be sure to consider the following tips:

  1. Buy Tickets When Booking – Purchase your concert tickets when you book your cruise since tickets are limited. You can do this when you complete your initial check-in at Carnival.com and reach the step to purchase any optional tours and activities. Your Carnival LIVE sailing will have an extra line added (ie. Nassau – Little Big Town – BUY TICKETS) with an option to buy tickets if they are not sold out.

  2. Get To Show Early – Once onboard your Carnival LIVE cruise, come to the show early to get the best seats. General Admission seats are not reserved, so you will need to show up early to get the best pick. You may also consider sitting in the upper level instead of the lower level. These seats may offer you an unobstructed view, even if someone stands up during the show.

  3. Relax, You’re On A Cruise – You won’t have to drive to the arena or stadium. The need for a designated driver won’t be necessary. Don’t worry about the traffic jam leaving the show or having to get up for work in the morning. You’re on a cruise! Relax! When you leave the show, you’re only steps away from your cabin!

Video Highlights

Journey takes to the stage with the first of their sixteen song set #CarnivalLive

A video posted by John Shallo (@cruiseaddicts) on

Journey had the Carnival LIVE crowd singing every word. An amazing performance. #CarnivalLive A video posted by John Shallo (@cruiseaddicts) on

Neal Schon shreds in concert aboard Carnival Liberty #CarnivalLive

A video posted by John Shallo (@cruiseaddicts) on

Faithfully by Journey aboard Carnival Liberty #CarnivalLive A video posted by John Shallo (@cruiseaddicts) on

For a calendar of spring 2015 Carnival LIVE concerts and to learn more about the Carnival LIVE sailings this fall featuring Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, Jewel, Daughtry and more, visit www.carnival.com/CarnivalLIVE

Princess Cruises Unveils Partnership with Oscar-Winning Composer Stephen Schwartz

By
John Shallo
-

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Princess Cruises recently announced a first-of-its-kind cruise industry partnership with three-time Oscar winner and composer of Wicked, Pippin and Godspell Stephen Schwartz. At a special event at the Hudson Theater in New York City, Cruise Addicts was on hand to cover this special announcement in partnership with Cruise Radio.

We sat down with composer Stephen Schwartz, Jill Whelan, from The Love Boat, Ben Souza from CruiseFever, and Mike Faust from CruiseCurrents to hear more about this new partnership.

Listen To The Podcast:

Stephen Schwartz’s Award Winning Career

Stephen Schwartz
Three-time Oscar winner and composer of “Wicked” Stephen Schwartz partners with Princess Cruises to oversee the
creative development of four new musicals for the cruise line.

During his 40-year career, Schwartz has won four Grammys, three Academy Awards for “Best Song” and “Best Score” for Pocahontas and “Best Song” for The Prince of Egypt and has been nominated for six Tony Awards. He is the only songwriter in Broadway history to ever have three shows run more than 1,900 performances.

His first musical for Princess Cruises will celebrate Schwartz’s lifelong fascination with magic. Called Magic to Do, the show will combine thrilling magic with some of Schwartz’s most famous songs and a brand new song written exclusively for Princess. The show will debut aboard Crown Princess in the fall.

“Stephen is hands down one of the most talented and accomplished Broadway composers of all time and we couldn’t be more honored to partner with him to ideate and bring fresh talent together to create memorable entertainment experiences for our guests,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Princess is known for introducing product innovations and we’re thrilled to embark on this extraordinary new live-show entertainment, unlike anything any cruise line has ever before offered.”

“I’m excited about the possibility of using the enormous resources available with Princess to create new and innovative theatrical entertainment,” said Schwartz. “Their onboard theatres are Broadway-caliber venues with state-of-the-art technical capability, and coupled with their access to first-rate performers, I see it as an extraordinary and almost irresistible opportunity. I have already received overwhelming and enthusiastic interest from talented colleagues – writers, directors, and designers to whom I have spoken – and I hope together we will create new kinds of cruise ship shows to entertain and inspire Princess guests unlike any other productions at sea.”

Schwartz will oversee the creative development for all four shows, bringing together a cadre of Broadway talent to support the productions through direction and design. The Magic to Do team includes: Don Frantz, associate producer of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, among many other Broadway and international accomplishments; Gabriel Barre, internationally acclaimed director whose credits include the national tour of Pippin and the current Broadway-bound musical, Amazing Grace; Jeremy Railton, four-time Emmy winner whose extensive background in theatre, film, television and multi-media design includes the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies and the Academy Awards; Ken Billington, Tony award-winning lighting designer with nearly 100 Broadway show credits to his name, including Sweeney Todd and the current production of Chicago; Mark Hartman, award-winning music director with numerous Broadway credits including Sondheim on Sondheim, Avenue Q and the national tour of Pippin; and Jennifer Paulson-Lee, choreographer with credits including Enter Laughing, the Musical, A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream, 101 Dalmatians and Seussical.

Magic to Do
“Magic to Do,” will celebrate Stephen Schwartz’s lifelong fascination with magic and include a brand new song
written exclusively for Princess Cruises.

In addition, Jim Steinmeyer, the mastermind behind many of the great magic illusions over the last 25 years, will create the magic experience in Magic to Do. Steinmeyer has worked with some of the greatest magicians of all time including Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy and David Copperfield.

Help Wanted! Top Talent and Performers

Auditions for Magic to Do begin next week in New York and Toronto, followed by Los Angeles and Vancouver. Schwartz will participate in the audition process, helping source top talent and performers for the 45-minute show. More information can be found here: http://www.playbill.com/jobs/job_detail/343715.

Theater Producer Jayson Raitt will be working closely with Schwartz and consulting on the creative development of the three additional shows.

Additional information about Princess’ new partnership with Stephen Schwartz can be found at http://www.princess.com/schwartz.

1...290291292...314Page 291 of 314

© Copyright 1999-2025 - Cruise Addicts