Increasingly, cruise companies are striving to offer ever bigger, better, and more bombastic on-board entertainment options. While cruises are sold on how many destinations they take passengers to, most of their time is spent on the ship. It’s here that people want to enjoy their time to the fullest, beyond the sights and a spot of relaxation.
This is why ADA Cruises will soon be launching a new set of themed cruise routes that lean into the trend of themed ships and entertainment-based experiences. One will operate from Gran Canaria, which, if successful, could have knock-on effects locally, with businesses looking to tap into the trend on land, too.
Some more traditional forms of entertainment that are more closely associated with cruise ships have seen a resurgence due to them becoming so popular in new formats. Many people in the UK explore Vegas-style online slots, playing classic three-reel slots all the way to the newest games like Fury of Anubis and The Crystal Maze.
The interest in the online versions could encourage cruise lines to modernise their casino floors and integrate terminals with regularly-updating game libraries. From there, businesses around the ports could integrate something similar so that when passengers come on land, they can enjoy a similar experience.
The same can go for the array of theatre shows that have risen to prominence on ships. Broadway-style shows, musicals, stand-up comedians, and variety acts have become hugely popular on the ships and could hold appeal on land – especially for overnight stays. Some options are more high-tech and costly to get operational.
Interactive rooms powered by virtual reality technologies have become unique selling points aboard some ships. Still fairly niche in the entertainment space because of the novelty and cost, these rooms can offer a huge range of themes, settings, experiences, and tasks that give them very broad appeal.
Of course, on land, passengers want to go and see all of the things that the destination is famous for, be it monuments or beaches. So, encouraging them to pay for and engage with similar options to the cruise ship on land could be seen as too big an ask. Even so, passengers certainly want more on-board options.
While on board, passengers are immersed in the cruise experience regardless of what they do. Some cruise operators are taking it upon themselves to alter what that immersion looks like. Celebrity Cruises, for example, are creating themed experiences that reflect some of its top destinations.
Onboard their Caribbean cruise line options, the Celebrity Xcel have introduced The Bazaar. The marketplace, complete with street-style festivals on the ship, has been a huge hit, helping the company with its aim of increasing guest satisfaction through options that encourage guest participation.
Similarly, specialised venues on and within ships have been crafted to enable different kinds of entertainment experiences. The classic outdoor movie experience has been brought to cruise lines with state-of-the-art outdoor screening areas, putting an ocean backdrop to popular films, complete with complimentary popcorn.
As cruise ships double down on their array of entertainment options, passengers will come to seek something similar at port cities. Or, at the very least, will be in the mindset to seek them out across their trip.
