"It's showtime!" That's the word around Celebrity Cruises these days, as the cruise line prepares to unveil 18 shows in 18 months – all in partnership with some of today's biggest recording artists and awarding-winning theatrical and television productions. Here's more from the release:
"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.
"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."
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| Celebrity Summit |
By Bob and Sandy Nesoff
Members:
American Society of Journalists and Authors
North American Travel Journalists Association
Special to Cruising Squared
Starting in 1492 the hottest route in the cruise market was across the Atlantic and the Caribbean basin. That’s pretty much the same today as it was 521 years ago.
Accommodations back then were somewhat sparse. Bunks were either wooden racks or hammocks strung between two posts. Meals -- when they were served -- gave passengers two choices: “yes or no.”
One of the most looked forward to activities was spending brief periods of the day above deck attempting to breathe in some fresh air and ward off sunlight deprivation. The activities director more often than not was a burly man with a long, leather whip who encouraged crew and passengers to swab the deck, climb the masts to adjust sails and a wonderful array of menial chores.
Guests sailing on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda will experience a taste of Broadway thanks to a new partnership with New York's "54 Below." Located "in a cool, cozy cellar space beneath the legendary, disco-era Studio 54," it's described as “a throwback to the heyday of authentic New York nightlife” and “the hot new stage attracting Broadway’s brightest stars." Many of those stars will be featured during Summit's Bermuda vacation season, which runs May 5 through October, sailing from Cape Liberty, NJ. "We are incredibly excited to partner with 54 Below, offering our guests a unique theatrical experience featuring world-class Broadway talent in cabaret style performances," said Celebrity's Director of Entertainment Eric Bohus in their news release. -- Gerry
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