The launch of P&O’s newest cruise ship, Azura, will be one of the highlights of 2010 with prima ballerina Darcey Bussell an elegant and glamorous godmother.
Passengers booked on her maiden voyage, a 16-night Mediterranean cruise leaving Southampton on April 12, will no doubt be looking forward to spectacular evenings of entertainment in the ship’s 800-seat theatre to match the splendour of destinations such as Dubrovnik and Venice.
I wonder how many will be impressed by the line-up announced today. Topping the bill is tenor Russell “The Voice” Watson, and he will be joined by Claire Sweeney and Gary Wilmot. Not exactly the biggest names in showbiz – although I can picture them introducing Songs of Praise, perhaps.
At least Claire will know what to expect; she sang on P&O ships early in her career, before she made her name on Brookside in the ’90s, and the first Celebrity Big Brother in 2001.
But I can’t see these performers setting the seas alight. It’s the sort of bill that prompts Simon Cowell to criticise X-Factor wannabes by comparing them to cruise ship singers.
New megaships like Oasis of the Seas boasts a full Broadway production of Hairspray The Musical, and the forthcoming Norwegian Epic will stage regular performances from the stunning and hilarious Blue Man Group, who fill theatres in New York, Las Vegas and Orlando.
When will British cruise ship entertainment catch up?
Have to agree with you captain this is exactly what I said at cruisebite.co.uk