Abba musical to debut on Quantum

Mamma Mia! Cruise ship entertainment keeps on getting better. I’m not just talking about an Abba tribute band here – though they are always among the most popular shows at sea. What’s coming next takes entertainment at sea to another level, because the hit musical based on Abba’s songs is to be the headline show on Quantum of the Seas when the new ship sails from New York in 12 months’ time.
First details of the booking were revealed as the cruise line’s float set sail down the streets of Manhattan as part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“The debut of Mamma Mia! on board Quantum of the Seas continues to raise the bar of what we offer our guests on our latest groundbreaking ship,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International.
“Since introducing Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas in 2009, our Tony award-winning musical productions have been incredibly well-received by guests, and we are proud to expand our Broadway at sea offerings with our fourth licensed main-stage production – more than any other cruise line.”
Royal Caribbean passengers can watch the 60’s-inspired bebop of Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas, the jazz-infused score of Chicago: The Musical on Allure of the Seas, and the toe-tapping disco beats of Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas.
Rival cruise line Norwegian jumped on the bandwagon with Rock of Ages on its last ship, Norwegian Breakaway, and introduces Legally Blonde on Norwegian Getaway in January next year.
The 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas debuts next November. Sister ship Anthem of the Seas, following in 2015, will be based in Southampton – Royal Caribbean is no doubt looking for a suitable production for its theatre.