Royal Caribbean has earned a reputation for amazing entertainment, but creating these shows is no simple task.
Royal Caribbean's entertainment team has created dozens of original productions, from music to dialogue to choreography.
At a recent panel interview on Utopia of the Seas, the Royal Caribbean Blog team spoke to the entertainment management onboard, and got some insight into the process of creating shows.
Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was just promoted to oversee the line's entertainment this May.
After 30-plus years of experience in Royal Caribbean entertainment, here's what she had to say about creating original shows and entertainment for new ships.
How long does it take to create an original show?
During the panel interview, the team was asked how long it takes to brainstorm, design, and create an original show.
Christine Coachman, Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, answered that it takes about 18 months.
They often don't start from nothing—"We have an idea bank," she said.
But 18 months before a ship launches is the 'go time' to start fleshing out an idea and producing the show.
For Utopia of the Seas, the team actually had a more accelerated schedule.
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"We finished [Icon] in January, and then we were like, oh, yeah, there's Utopia," she said. "So we went fast and furious."
The entertainment team has already started preparing for the next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.
With the ship launching in August of 2025, the team officially has 12 months to prepare.
According to Coachman, "We know that we're in a great place for Star."
Will Royal Caribbean produce more original shows?
Not every new Royal Caribbean ship has an original show.
Icon of the Seas, for example, hosts a Broadway-style production of The Wizard of Oz.
However, the entertainment crew has every intention to keep creating original productions.
It's one of Coachman's favorite parts of her job and the most fun she has in her role.
Alex Marchant, Senior and Managing producer of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, explained that it depends on each ship's itinerary and demographic.
"It's about the demographic, where the ship is sailing, how long the cruise is," he said.
"But we work with some incredibly talented creatives, and it's the direction we want to go."
Working with creators who write original music, direct choreography, and create costumes is one of the most exciting parts of the job.
Coachman and her team value human artistry, and want to highlight it in their productions.
Plus, the team gets to create something that they personally love.
For example, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, loves the Caribbean, so that inspired the show “Columbus, The Musical”.
"That's the fun part of what we do," Coachman said, "is sitting in a room and just brainstorming all the different ideas."
With such a creative team, they can keep creating stellar entertainment for many years to come.
How long does it take for entertainment to run smoothly on a new ship?
Brand new ships don't always have everything ready for the first sailing. It can take a few sailings for everything to be up and running as planned.
So, when a new ship like Utopia launches, when does the entertainment team sign off on it?
The entertainment management team was on board Utopia of the Seas to oversee its launch, and spent a week after the inaugural manage the launch.
"We're never done," Coachman joked, "But it gets to a point where you have to let it run and operate."
However, Utopia's launch, despite being a new challenge in the world of entertainment, "has been one of the most smooth transitions."
When it came to getting the venues and shows ready, things went smoothly for inauguration.
"We're in a very good place," Coachman said.
To keep entertainment up to guests' expectations, the team is also open to feedback at all times.
Which shows are on which Royal Caribbean ships?
Royal Caribbean currently has 38 original shows in production.
Not all of its ships host an in-house produced show, but some shows are available on multiple vessels.
Below, we've collected all the current shows, and which ships they're available on.
- All in!: Utopia of the Seas
- The Effectors I: Odyssey of the Seas
- The Effectors II: Wonder of the Seas
- Live. Love. Legs: Ovation of the Seas
- Flight: Symphony of the Seas
- The Gift: Anthem of the Seas
- Sonic Odyssey: Quantum of the Seas
- The Beautiful Dream: Ovation of the Seas
- Blue Planet: Allure of the Seas
- Invitation to Dance: Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas
- Wild, Cool, and Swinging: Explorer of the Seas
- Ballroom Fever: Rhapsody of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas
- Piano Man: Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas
- City of Dreams: Jewel of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas
- Once Upon a Time: Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas
- Fast Forward: Explorer of the Seas
- Tango Buenos Aires: Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas
- Colombus: Harmony of the Seas
- Pure Country: Rhapsody of the Seas
- Center Stage: Brilliance of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas
- Vibeology: Serenade of the Seas
- Boogie Wonderland: Vision of the Seas
- Music in Pictures: Voyager of the Seas
- Spectra's Cabaret: Anthem of the Seas
- Can't Stop the Rock: Adventure of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas
- Star Water: Quantum of the Seas
- In the Air: Liberty of the Seas
- One Sky: Oasis of the Seas
- Showgirl: Navigator of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Spectrum of the Seas
- The Silk Road: Spectrum of the Seas
- Voices: Wonder of the Seas
- Sequins and Feathers: Quantum of the Seas
- Jackpot: Adventure of the Seas
- Gallery of Dreams: Mariner of the Seas
- Marquee: Freedom of the Seas
- Stage to Screen: Enchantment of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas
- Now and Forever: Brilliance of the Seas
- West End to Broadway: Jewel of the Seas
