Broadway takes to the seas!

Norwegian Cruise Line currently has the first of its two “Project Breakaway” cruise ships in construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.  The 4,000 passenger Norwegian Breakaway launches in April 2013 and will be based in New York year round, with sailings to the Bahamas, Southern Caribbean and Bermuda.

Not only will it have the usual fantastic facilities on board, but is planning to follow on Norwegian Cruise’s trend with performances of Broadway’s musical “Rock of Ages”.  This 1980’s classic sports tight jeans, teased hair and the music of the era and was specifically chosen because of its energy and its broad appeal to different audiences.  The show has everyone on their feet with classic rock tracks from glam rock bands such as Styx, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry and Europe.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s president and CEO says  “As a lifelong New Yorker, it’s critically important to me that Norwegian Breakaway becomes New York’s ship and our goal is to bring elements of New York on board so that guests will feel a real connection to the ship as New York’s true flagship.”

Along with “Burn the Floor” a contemporary ballroom dance extravaganza and “Cirque Dreams and Dinner Jungle Fantasy” which debuted on Broadway in 2008, the 4000 passengers will be spoilt for choice for entertainment.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has definitely ‘pushed the boat out’ with Broadway musicals on its ships “Hairspray”, “Chicago” and “Saturday Night Fever” in recent years, but their association with musicals leads right back to the 1970’s  when their flagship SS Norway staged “Hello Dolly” and “A Chorus Line”.

The cruise line hit the headlines in June with a controversial promotional campaign at the Tony Awards with a live link-up to a performance of “Hairspray” on Oasis of the Seas.

If musicals really aren’t your thing, Norwegian Breakaway will offer other entertainment such as The Second City, a comedy troupe, Howl at the Moon a rock’n’roll piano act, and Slam Allen, a New York born jazz musician will be playing at the Fat Cats Jazz and Blues Club

The musicals Rock of Ages and Burn the Floor will be repeated up to six times during the cruise, and Cirque Dreams & Dinner — Jungle Fantasy and The Second City will be shown 12 times.  Howl at the Moon will play four times and Slam Allen will do five performances.  In order to get your cruise organised, some of the shows on the Norwegian Breakaway can be reserved up to 45 days before sailing so you don’t miss out.

Image courtesy of NCL