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Love P&O: Onboard Entertainment

Arcade game fun.

Get your game face on.

Pacific Explorer® and Pacific Encounter® both sport a dedicated arcade area for Cruiselings, young and old.

Lose yourself at Level Up, with virtual motorcycle racing, Jurassic Park Adventures, basketball hoops, air hockey and Plucky Ducky. Show off your strength on Boxer Prize or score yourself a cool plushie in one of our EClaw games.

Play and compete with your friends and new-found friends.

See you at Level Up!

P&O Entertainment - Blanc De Blanc

Introducing our brand new show on Pacific Encounter® and Pacific Adventure®, Blanc de Blanc Uncorked!

This incredible live show brings you the finest cabaret and acrobatic talent from around the world, and serves up an intoxicating blend of vintage glamour, risqué humour, opulence, and edge-of-your-seat theatre.

Immerse yourself in the hedonistic and glamorous world of Blanc De Blanc Uncorked.

Purple Rabbit

The NEW Purple Rabbit show from creative genius Scott Maidment, will debut on Pacific Explorer.

We are so excited to bring this show to life. Purple Rabbit is a perfect storm of world-class misfits delivering an evening of mischief, magic, and mind-blowing mayhem. What more could you ask for?

Showing only in Black Circus, tickets are available to purchase at the pop-up Box Office located on deck 5 in the Atrium.

Cruiselings, a spectacular NEW show is coming to Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure!

Together, with our friends at Grayboy Entertainment, ‘Musicology’, a sparkling new musical production has been born.

It's fast paced, highly visual and delivers a tribute to music throughout the ages, spanning rock, pop gospel, jazz, and everything in between. It also features incredible set design, costumes and choreography created by some of most notable names in the Australian entertainment business.

Here’s a sneak peek of 'Musicology' being rehearsed on the Gold Coast.

Who's excited?!

Rock Anthem of the Ages

Are you missing the excitement of a P&O stage show? Well here is some rock nostalgia just for you. Rock - Anthem of the Ages is a rock concert like no other at sea. Covering all of your favourite rock ‘n roll songs, it has some of the best riffs and vocals served up in pumping concert mode. Get your air guitar ready!

Love Riot is a unique, silicon dipped, high gloss, high-octane show that will knock your P&O socks off.

Exclusive to Black Circus on Pacific Explorer, this show will also be included in the entertainment line-up on Pacific Adventure & Pacific Encounter when they join the P&O family.

Immerse yourself in a bold & colourful night out onboard. Dinner and a show will never be the same after you’ve experienced Love Riot. Here is a taste :)

Up Close & Funny Comedy

To wrap up our month-long entertainment extravaganza, we ran an ‘Up Close and Funny’ event, drawing on the talents of some of the best comedians from the P&O Comedy Cruises. Filmed in the iconic ‘Sit Down Comedy Club’ in Brisbane, hosted by the hilarious Kat Davidson with comedy all-stars Lindsay Webb, Ellen Briggs and Terry Hansen, it was a comedy session full of laughs.

Enjoy the session ‘on-demand’ from the comforts of your own home.

P&O 80's Tribute

• P&O Cruises ( UK )

How do you book the Entertainment on My P & O Cruises

By amajaa , October 28, 2022 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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How do you book the entertainment on the My Cruise as it was supposed to be available from today but there is nothing showing and nothing to click into ?  

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20 minutes ago, amajaa said: How do you book the entertainment on the My Cruise as it was supposed to be available from today but there is nothing showing and nothing to click into ?  

For our cruise on Iona in 2 weeks, entertainment can now be booked through the my.pocruises.com website.

yorkshirephil

5 minutes ago, jaydee6969 said:   For our cruise on Iona in 2 weeks, entertainment can now be booked through the my.pocruises.com website.

Similar here, we got an email telling us entertainment is available to book for our cruise in 2 weeks, just logged into my account and booked for first week, I am assuming entertainment after the first week will become available once onboard? Very similar system to what we had 2 weeks ago on Msc Virtuosa.

Yes thanks, I’m in there and it isn’t showing anywhere. What exactly did you click into please? 

11 minutes ago, jaydee6969 said:   For our cruise on Iona in 2 weeks, entertainment can now be booked through the my.pocruises.com website.

1 minute ago, yorkshirephil said: Similar here, we got an email telling us entertainment is available to book for our cruise in 2 weeks, just logged into my account and booked for first week, I am assuming entertainment after the first week will become available once onboard? Very similar system to what we had 2 weeks ago on Msc Virtuosa.

Following on our cruise is in 2 weeks and it has said for ages available to book on 28th October , that date has now disappeared but there is nothing showing to book. Where am I looking exactly as I’ve tried clicking into all sorts of things. 

11 minutes ago, amajaa said:   Following on our cruise is in 2 weeks and it has said for ages available to book on 28th October , that date has now disappeared but there is nothing showing to book. Where am I looking exactly as I’ve tried clicking into all sorts of things. 

For me it was in the Entertainment tab;

Thanks @yorkshirephil  that’s where I thought it will be, ours is currently just showing a ‘o’ under all of ours. Guess I will have to keep going back in and looking.

A bit annoying if they say it will be available to book from today and then it isn’t but never mind I will keep looking 

1 hour ago, amajaa said: Thanks @yorkshirephil  that’s where I thought it will be, ours is currently just showing a ‘o’ under all of ours. Guess I will have to keep going back in and looking.   A bit annoying if they say it will be available to book from today and then it isn’t but never mind I will keep looking 

Ours was a few days late as well 

Yay, it just let me book 4 Headliners shows, it had two other shows showing , it let me book show 2 but show 1 wasn’t showing any dates when you went into it. I suppose 5 shows booked out of 14 isn’t too bad. Hope we can book more soon.   

Just have to get early dinning to go with early show now, which we can’t book till we are onboard I understand. 

We have done the opposite.  We do not want to be tied down to pre-booking shows and limiting what else we may be doing.  Will wait until each day and decide and try and get in.  If we don't we will find something else to do.

Happy afloat

19 hours ago, jaydee6969 said: We have done the opposite.  We do not want to be tied down to pre-booking shows and limiting what else we may be doing.  Will wait until each day and decide and try and get in.  If we don't we will find something else to do.

We're with you on this. It's a holiday, and I think it's really unfair to be asked, or even expected,  to pre plan your meals and activities a month in advance. If others don't mind then that's fine, but it's not for us.

terrierjohn

1 minute ago, Happy afloat said: We're with you on this. It's a holiday, and I think it's really unfair to be asked, or even expected,  to pre plan your meals and activities a month in advance. If others don't mind then that's fine, but it's not for us.

I agree totally but unfortunately there seem to be a lot of people who like to pre plan their holidays with finite accuracy, and then there are those who worry that if they don't book everything they risk missing out on something.

2 minutes ago, Happy afloat said: We're with you on this. It's a holiday, and I think it's really unfair to be asked, or even expected,  to pre plan your meals and activities a month in advance. If others don't mind then that's fine, but it's not for us.

I have booked ours for the first week, if we don't go then no worries someone who has queued on the night will get our place. It isn't as if you are committing to anything, we did this a few weeks ago on Virtuosa and it worked fine albeit we didn't attend every show we booked.

1 hour ago, yorkshirephil said: I have booked ours for the first week, if we don't go then no worries someone who has queued on the night will get our place. It isn't as if you are committing to anything, we did this a few weeks ago on Virtuosa and it worked fine albeit we didn't attend every show we booked.

Hi, as I said, if you don't mind then that's fine, I'm not sitting in judgement and it's not up to me to decry how anyone wants to do their holiday. It's just not for us. Have a great holiday 

1 hour ago, Happy afloat said: We're with you on this. It's a holiday, and I think it's really unfair to be asked, or even expected,  to pre plan your meals and activities a month in advance. If others don't mind then that's fine, but it's not for us.

I agree I would much prefer it to go back to how it was before Covid. The reason I wanted to book before we board is because watching the theatre shows is our favourite thing about cruising. From reading reports over the last year I am hearing about people not managing to get into shows so I wanted to make sure our main reason for cruising was going to be available to us. 

2 hours ago, yorkshirephil said: I have booked ours for the first week, if we don't go then no worries someone who has queued on the night will get our place. It isn't as if you are committing to anything, we did this a few weeks ago on Virtuosa and it worked fine albeit we didn't attend every show we booked.

However if the staff manning the door of the theatre don't show flexibility there are likely to be passengers turned away, if you haven't cancelled your reservation. Even worse, if you don't cancel your dining reservation in good time, then your table will be left empty far longer than necessary, increasing waiting times for everyone else.

9 minutes ago, terrierjohn said: However if the staff manning the door of the theatre don't show flexibility there are likely to be passengers turned away, if you haven't cancelled your reservation. Even worse, if you don't cancel your dining reservation in good time, then your table will be left empty far longer than necessary, increasing waiting times for everyone else.

I have only booked entertainment for the shows we feel we want to see, on Virtuosa I thought they had a good system where if you booked you must arrive no later than 5 minutes before showtime or you joined the queue for non booked who then filled the empty seats, the show lounge was full most nights, if ships capacity was above 4000 pax they had 3 shows. We have anytime dining on Arcadia and will just take it as it comes, as we tend to eat early and are happy to share we don't usually have any issues.

23 hours ago, terrierjohn said: I agree totally but unfortunately there seem to be a lot of people who like to pre plan their holidays with finite accuracy, and then there are those who worry that if they don't book everything they risk missing out on something.

A plan never survives first contact with the enemy, same for cruises

So I did manage to book the 4 Headliners shows as soon as they became available and have the confirmation email from P & O saying they are booked. Just gone in this morning and 2 of the Headliners shows have disappeared and 2 new ones have taken their place. So I thought okay I better book those but it is saying they ate not available .

Now I have the confirmation email saying I have booked the Headliners for those days it is just saying a different show for them. Do you all think my email will still be valid because the Headliners are my favourite theatre shows and I don’t want to miss them.

14 minutes ago, amajaa said: So I did manage to book the 4 Headliners shows as soon as they became available and have the confirmation email from P & O saying they are booked. Just gone in this morning and 2 of the Headliners shows have disappeared and 2 new ones have taken their place. So I thought okay I better book those but it is saying they ate not available . Now I have the confirmation email saying I have booked the Headliners for those days it is just saying a different show for them. Do you all think my email will still be valid because the Headliners are my favourite theatre shows and I don’t want to miss them.

When we were on the shows were moved around. If you had a booking for the date you could watch whatever was on

2 minutes ago, happy v said: When we were on the shows were moved around. If you had a booking for the date you could watch whatever was on

Thanks 👏 👏 👏 that is what I was hoping

We only book the Limelight Club and that’s only bookable two weeks in advance. Just need to put a date in my calendar as it soon gets booked up.

we're not on P&O till next October (Azura) - what is this booking the entertainment you speak of? Never seen that before! Is it for all shows or just some? 

Just now, elmsliebev said: we're not on P&O till next October (Azura) - what is this booking the entertainment you speak of? Never seen that before! Is it for all shows or just some? 

Last month on Iona we were able to book all the shows we wanted while on board, so while you can do it prior to the cruise, it's really not essential.

20 minutes ago, elmsliebev said: we're not on P&O till next October (Azura) - what is this booking the entertainment you speak of? Never seen that before! Is it for all shows or just some? 

 About two weeks before the cruise you can book some of the theatre shows. It is only showing 6 of the 14 nights for us before though. If you are in your Cruise Personaliser click on entertainment and you should get a date come up as to when you can book some shows. Ignore that date 🤣 and add two days and that might be the day. 

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See It to Believe It: P&O’s New Illusion Show Promises Wonder and Wows!

In a spectacular bid to dazzle passengers, P&O Cruises has announced an innovative entertainment addition to its fleet—a 45-minute magic and illusion show, promising to deliver Las Vegas-style glamor across five of its ships starting this summer.

The show, aptly named “Unbelievable,” is set to feature an impressive lineup, including UK television favorite Stephen Mulhern, alongside creative heavyweights Jonathan Wilkes and Paul Domaine.

Stephen Mulhern, celebrated for his charisma and connection with audiences as seen on shows like “Britain’s Got More Talent,” will take center stage via video, interacting with guests and orchestrating an array of stunning magic tricks.

The live performances will be executed by the Headliners Theatre cast on each ship, adding a personal touch to the already intimate setting.

Co-creator Jonathan Wilkes, alongside choreographer Paul Domaine, known for his work with icons such as Tina Turner and Cher, promises a show filled with breathtaking choreography and illusions. Audiences can expect to be mesmerized by acts including levitation and the classic “Sawing in Half.”

The cruise line, part of the Carnival Corporation and a favorite among UK travelers, will debut “Unbelievable” on the Britannia, Azura, Ventura, Arcadia, and Aurora.

Each ship offers a variety of itineraries, ranging from the Norwegian fjords to the Greek Islands, ensuring that the magic reaches a wide array of P&O’s clientele.

In addition to the entertainment, P&O Cruises is also set to launch a series of charity concerts featuring Gary Barlow, known for his role in Take That, with proceeds supporting Teenage Cancer Trust and Child Bereavement UK.

These concerts will enhance the line’s commitment to not only entertainment but also community support.

As P&O Cruises prepares to launch “Unbelievable,” passengers can also look forward to purchasing exclusive magic trick boxes as souvenirs, although details about the pricing and availability remain under wraps.

With summer 2024 around the corner, P&O Cruises is poised to offer its guests not just a voyage across the seas, but a magical journey that promises to be, quite literally, unbelievable.

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Inside the star-studded, music-packed entertainment on P&O Cruises ship Arvia

P&O Cruises ships all offer impressive entertainment and brand new vessel Arvia is no exception – so what can guests enjoy onboard?

In association with:

P&O Cruises entertainment ranges from breathtakingly talented, all-out evening shows you’ll always remember to live musicians tinkling on the ivories as you sip your cocktail.

New cruise ship Arvia, which launched in December 2022, with sailings available through Bolsover Cruise Club , boasts similarly amazing entertainment offerings to keep passengers toe-tapping all cruise long.

We’ve had a peek at the brilliant entertainment you can experience onboard…

What entertainment is on P&O Cruises Arvia?

Theatre on arvia.

There is cruise ship entertainment galore onboard Arvia, including the arrival of Take That’s biggest hits on the high seas.

Stage musical, Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical, is an adaptation of West End musical The Band, featuring the songs of Britain’s all-time most successful boy band, with a story by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth.

The show follows a group of girls who reunite after 25 years apart and try to fulfil their dream of meeting Take That. Never Forget your teenage crushes, right?

Another production among the entertainment on P&O Cruises ship Arvia is Festival, which promises epic artists along with tents, wellies and feel-good anthems. Yup, all the fun of the fair without any mud, unpleasant portaloos and ungodly queues for a pint. Win.

P&O Cruises entertainment such as these top-drawer theatrical performances on Arvia take place in Headliners Theatre, a classic and contemporary space for entertainment on Arvia cruise ship offering plush, comfortable seating and the latest LED technology.

A huge plus? The two-deck-high auditorium on decks 6 and 7 ensures everyone gets a good view (which you can’t guarantee at Glastonbury, let’s face it).

– READ MORE: 7 entertainment gems to discover on Arvia –

Music on Arvia

You know how Take That famously sang they could rule the world? Well, lead Singer Gary Barlow is pretty much ruling the seas when it comes to his partnership with P&O Cruises.

Not only are Barlow’s bangers (ahem) lighting up the theatre, but the hitmaker is also Music Director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona, ensuring cracking entertainment on P&O Cruises ships.

The 710 Club is the place to head onboard for all things Gazza – it serves up a raft of musical genres that have inspired the Back for Good singer and the sophisticated bar has been crafted to his creative vision (gosh, wonder what a bar would look like with our creative vision…).

Another music venue onboard for cruise ship entertainment is The Limelight Club featuring ticketed events exclusively for adults. Expect intimate low lighting, some of Britain’s best-loved performers and a fabulous three-course culinary experience (no Barlow included). Sign us up!

It’s not just grown-ups who get their own cool spot for cruise ship entertainment, though. Scene is a chilled games and entertainment hangout for teenagers aged 13 to 17.

Those interested in music can play their favourite bands on the jukebox, learn to DJ or even record a radio broadcast (watch out Roman Kemp). Alternatively, teens of a sporting bent can play football, pool or games consoles; or, dare we say it, simply chat with their newfound pals IRL.

– READ MORE: How good is P&O Cruises with children? –

The SkyDome became an iconic look when P&O Cruises unveiled Iona in 2021 and the one onboard Arvia is even better – it’s retractable! The natty sports car of cruise ships if you will!

The multipurpose P&O Cruises entertainment venue hosts myriad amusements for Arvia guests of all ages. There’s everything from family shows, game shows, interviews and cookery demonstrations to live music, guest tribute acts and dazzling aerialists.

Movie lovers will enjoy SkyDome’s open-air cinema SeaScreen – settle in to watch a blockbuster or warm up the vocal cords for classic movie sing-alongs.

Remember though, you can catch a flick any time of day at Ocean Studios, a four-screen cinema complex on Arvia, whether you’re sailing the Canary Islands or Curacao. Screenings run throughout the day catering for all ages, and there’s popcorn, ice cream and snacks to keep you fuelled up.

The fun continues well into the night at SkyDome, too, with dancing and late-night DJ sets under the stars. Celebration Nights even see cocktail parties hosted here. Better pack the fancy frock!

– READ MORE: What to do during a sea day on Arvia –

Caribbean with p&o cruises.

Duration: 7 nights Where: Bridgetown, Barbados | Curacao | La Romana | Dominican Republic | Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis | Antigua Ship: Arvia Price: £1,449 pp

Is Arvia a new ship?

Arvia is the latest cruise ship to join the P&O Cruises fleet, it set sail for the first time in December 2022. The name means “from the seashore” and the vessel is the sister ship to Iona.

According to P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow: “Arvia has been designed to travel to the sun year-round and to maximise views of the ocean and the seashore from everywhere on board.”

What date is Arvia maiden voyage?

Arvia’s maiden voyage was in December 2022, a 14-night cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands.

Where will Arvia be sailing?

In October 2023, Arvia returned to the Caribbean to operate its first full season of fly-cruises from home port Barbados until the end of March 2024.

Is Arvia an adult-only ship?

No, Arvia is not an adult-only ship – the vessel is family-friendly, as are fellow ships Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura.

P&O Cruises’ adults-only ships are Aurora and Arcadia.

Mediterranean with P&O Cruises

Duration: 14 nights Where: Southampton | Valencia, Spain | Marseilles, France | Barcelona, Spain | Cadiz, Spain | Southampton Ship: Arvia Price: From £899 pp

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Ahoy there!

Coolest Cruise Ship Entertainment on Ships Big and Small

I t’s not a surprise that people seek out cruises because they seek entertainment during vacation. Thus, cruise ship entertainment is a significant factor in guest satisfaction and perhaps even why a person books a particular cruise over another. 

You can embark on a cruise ship and go to many ports as you sail from destination to destination. Yet aboard a singular ship, you can be entertained in many ways, hopping from an entertainment venue onboard to one ride or another.

Whether bands, comedians, Broadway Shows , or rides – fascinating entertainment has become standard on big cruise lines. They have some of the most awe-inspiring entertainment anywhere, not just at sea! On smaller cruise ships, you can expect local entertainment onboard the ships in the evenings that bring the culture of the place you’re visiting to life.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase,  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend hotels, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Cruise Ship Entertainment on Big Ships

Theater on cruise ships.

Live performances are available in spades on cruise ships. Choose from Broadway shows, classical dance or additional productions created specifically for cruise ship audiences.

Broadway Shows on Cruise Ships

If you love musical theater, you’ll be pleased to know that cruise ships offer some of the best of Broadway at sea. 

From Jersey Boys to Kinky Boots, to Hairspray, Footloose, and more, well-known shows can be enjoyed on cruise ships across the Royal Caribbean and the Norwegian Cruise Line brands. 

Ballet at Sea

Celebrity Cruises has partnered with the American Ballet Theatre to offer performances abroad select ships, bringing classical dance to a broader audience. 

Additional Theater on Cruise Ships

Though some shows shown on big cruise ships may not have officially been on Broadway, they’re nonetheless produced at such a level. 

Original shows like Magic to Do on Princess cruises, created with famed Broadway superstar Stephen Schwartz, or Disney Crise Line’s Tangled: The Musical , wow audiences. Another Rose , on Virgin Voyages, is an unforgettable experience that combines a dinner party with acrobatics and a doomed love story.

Rides on Cruises

The bar keeps lifting for rides on cruise ships! It seems as time goes on and more ships come to market, who can do rides onboard cruise ships biggest and most creatively is always at stake. In addition, cruise lines outdo themselves – and each other – as technology advances. 

Waterslides

Waterslides on steroids seem to be a must on any mega-ship. They may wrap around half a cruise ship deck, like Disney Cruise Line’s AquaMouse on the new ship, Disney Wish, or swirl from one deck down two or three decks below, like on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. 

FlowRider Simulators

FlowRider simulates what it’s like to go surfing. But don’t worry about fish, coral, and other sea creatures because the current you ride is on water flowing above a manufactured blue “sea.” (You don’t even have to worry about duck-diving as surfers do in the ocean!) 

Who says you need to be on terra firma for zip lining? Ditch the jungle zip lines for cruise zip lines! 

It’s by no means the same experience (for starters, there’s only one or two lines on ships, not five or seven, and they’re short on most ships), but it’s fun nonetheless. Several Royal Caribbean ships have zip lines, and MSC Cruises has dueling zip lines. 

Ride a Roller Coaster at Sea

Carnival Mardi Gras has a roller coaster at sea. Yes, a roller coaster…at sea! Carnival describes BOLT as the “fastest and first” seacoaster. You manage your speed, so you can zip from start to finish or start off a bit slower your first time on the coaster if you please.

Fireworks on the Water

It may not be surprising that a Disney Cruise Line sailing includes a firework show one night!

Fun Activities on Cruise Ships 

Norwegian Speedway is the largest race track at sea. You can zip around turns (with a helmet) and race other passengers for a thrilling experience. Ride during the day and at night for two different experiences; neon lights illuminate the track after the sun goes down.  

Unique Viewing Decks

Want some wild cruise ship entertainment? Then, consider these revolutionary attractions onboard top cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean’s North Star is a mechanical arm with a pod on the end that takes guests far above the cruise ship’s top deck – and the ocean. 300 Feet above sea level, to be exact. This attraction currently holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship.

Another truly unique experience is Carnival’s SkyRide. This double-track ride allows guests to ride a “bicycle” high in the sky for unparalleled views from above.

Rock Climbing Walls

Anyone who has been rock climbing knows what a great workout it is. So skip the gym and head to a rock climbing wall aboard Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line.

Ropes Courses

If you like a challenge in the form of some heights and a balancing act, you’ll love going through ropes courses on cruise ships. Carnival has their SkyCourse , and Norwegian Cruise Line has a three-story ropes course.

Ice Skating Rink

Put on some skates and go on a romantic date (or family outing) aboard Royal Caribbean. This fun sport is the perfect activity for holding hands. If you’ve never tried it, a cruise is an ideal place to cure those cold feet. 

Whether or not you want to try it yourself, Royal Caribbean has professional ice skaters onboard for wonderfully entertaining performances at night. 

Kids of all ages will have a blast playing laser tag! Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have exciting and fun laser tag courses (some complete with black lights and others in the open air) where you can try your best to beat the other team. 

Movie Theaters and Planetariums

Movie theaters may be a dime a dozen on cruise ships. Most ships have a movie theater either by a pool or a dedicated theater with stadium seating. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that Cunard cruise ships have planetariums onboard! That’s right: out-of-this-world, universe-exploring planetariums! Set sail for the stars while you’re sailing on the sea. 

Music at Sea

In addition to many cruise lines having lounges where bands play nightly (whether jazz musicians or a guitarist and singer, for instance), some ships have other interesting musical acts. 

Norwegian Cruise Line even has dueling pianos, a partnership with Howl at the Moon.

Miniature Golf

If you love a playful round of miniature golf, you’ll love this activity on cruises. It is likely to be a fun activity on board that allows you to get fresh air, but it’ll also provide a little fun competition. Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line offer mini-golf.

Sports Entertainment

Cruise lines try to have the best onboard sports facilities possible, knowing that many cruise guests enjoy being active. This includes anything from onboard basketball courts, indoor (like on the Disney Wish ) and outdoor (like aboard Princess Cruise Ships), to golf simulators.

They stay on top of the times too! A perfect example of this is the addition of pickleball courts to many cruise ships .

Pickleball Courts on Cruise Ships

One of the newer popular sports activities on cruise ships – and sweeping the nation – is pickleball!

Cruise ships big and small are adding courts to attract people who love the sport or want to try it. AmaWaterways, a river cruise line, has added pickleball courts and big ships, like on Celebrity Cruises or Holland American Line.

Adults-Only Entertainment on Cruises 

In addition to cruise ship entertainment available for all ages, adult-only specific entertainment is available on cruise ships. 

For example, on many large and small ships, whether ocean or river cruise ships , you’ll be able to gamble in a casino, and on larger vessels, you’ll enjoy adults-only bars and nightclubs day and night.  

Cruise Ship Entertainment on Small Ships

These ships typically carry less than 1,000 passengers (often half that or less) and have more limited options yet cater to an older audience. Small cruise ship lines definitely want to entertain their passengers, yet the ports are often the main attraction. 

This means that there is undoubtedly onboard cruise ship entertainment, yet absent are rides for thrill seekers that need to one-up other cruise lines. 

Musical performances

SeaDream Yacht Club, for example, has an onboard piano bar where you can enjoy some live music as you wind down for the evening. 

A Danube River Cruise may present you with local performers, such as a group of German brass horn players while the ship is docked in Bavaria. 

Theatrical Performances 

Some small cruise ships entertain guests with theatrical performances at night – dance and drama included. For instance, American Queen Voyages, which primarily sails the Great Lakes and American Rivers, has an onboard theater with Broadway-caliber productions. 

Another example is Hungarian dancers that come on board to dance to a live band when you sail rivers in Europe . 

Crafts and Cooking Demonstrations

Some small ship cruises focus on cooking. Not just the cuisine served in the dining rooms but demonstrations . Scenic has a particular area for this purpose. Look for cruise itineraries with guest chefs of James Beard Award fame or Top Chef celebrity. 

Additionally, they may bring craft specialists onboard. Cruisers aboard Emerald Cruises may find themselves painting a pair of clogs when they sail on a river cruise in The Netherlands, doubling as a take-home souvenir.  

Will you Book a Cruise Based on Entertainment Options? 

If a cruise’s entertainment menu is how you’re choosing to book a cruise, you have some tough decisions to make, given the myriad of options available nowadays. But, no matter your choice, there will never be a lack of things to do on a cruise and the various ways you’ll pass the time while creating lifelong memories!

Researching cruises? Read this next:

• 26 Helpful Things to Know your First Time on a River Cruise
• First Time Snorkeling Tips for Non-Swimmers
• Stasher Bags Review: 16 Ways to Use these Reusable Bags on a Cruise

This article originally appeared on mxdwn.com and was written by Mikkel Woodruff.

P&O Cruises to retire its brand in Australia, fold operations into Carnival Cruise Line

P&O Cruises Australia has announced its fleet will soon be sailing to its final berth, ceasing its operations in 2025 after more than 90 years on the water.

The Australian travel brand will fold its operations into parent company Carnival Cruise Line from March 2025.

P&O's Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships and workforce will be rebranded and transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, while the Pacific Explorer, previously known as the Dawn Princess, will be retired.

Passengers set to cruise in 2024 will not be affected, while customers who had cruises booked on the Pacific Explorer after March 2, 2025 will have the option of a refund or credit for Carnival with extra onboard spending money.

It is the end of an era for the popular brand, which first sailed from Sydney on December 23, 1932, on a seven-day itinerary calling at Brisbane and Norfolk Island.

The company's first permanent ship in Australia, the Fairstar — heavily promoted as "the fun ship" — was part of the fleet for nine years until 1997.

P&O Cruises Australia issued its surprise notice to customers on Tuesday.

"As a result, all itineraries on Pacific Explorer scheduled to sail after 2nd March 2025 are being cancelled," it said.

"If you are booked on one of these itineraries you will be contacted by guest services in the coming days with refund details.

"We are all immensely proud of P&O Cruises Australia's 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region, and Carnival Cruise Line are honoured to carry forward its storied legacy and continue to deliver the same onboard experiences and itineraries."

Crews on the Pacific Explorer were expected to be redeployed to other ships, but a small number of workers in the P&O Australia head office would lose their jobs, a spokeswoman said.

Acting P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia lead Peter Little will be retained under the new title of country manager.

Carnival Cruise chief executive Josh Weinstein hailed P&O Cruises as a storied brand with an amazing team and lauded its accomplishments in Australia and the broader region.

"However, given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach," he said.

The Carnival brand will see its fleet boosted by eight ships after also acquiring vessels from sister line Costa Cruises and ordering new ships to come into operation in 2027 and 2028.

Under the changes, Carnival will continue to be the largest cruise operator in the region with 19 ships, representing almost 60 per cent of the market.

The P&O ships will have technology upgrades, including an ordering app and loyalty program, but will retain the "familiar feel and much of the same experiences" for Australian guests, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said.

Who owns P&O Cruises?

P&O Cruises is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. 

Carnival Corporation & plc owns a number of different brands including Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

What does P&O stand for?

The initials P and O stand for "Peninsular and Oriental", an abbreviation of The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

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