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Introducing Norwegian's Behind The Scenes Tour

June 22, 2023

Sparkling pools, luxurious spas, clubs and bars of all types, delicious restaurants and spectacular entertainment, these are just some of the typical experiences you can expect aboard Norwegian Cruise Line ships. But have you ever wondered how these extraordinary floating cities function? It’s not magic, it takes a huge staff of specially trained individuals working 24/7 to maintain everything the average cruiser may not have ever thought about.

Ready to start planning? Explore all Norwegian cruises.

Go Behind The Scenes & View The Bridge

Whether you’re new to cruising or a bona fide expert at sea, it’s likely that taking a Behind The Scenes Tour with Norwegian, with exclusive access to the bridge, will have you seeing things from a new perspective. In fact, many other commercial cruise lines don’t even allow guests to view the bridge when they go behind the scenes. Talk about exceptional, right? And if you’ve been on one of those other tours, Norwegian’s is a great way to compare the depth of detail their entire staff takes into account to create the perfect guest experience on each and every sailing. From the kitchen to the theater to laundry and beyond, A Behind The Scenes Tour truly shows you the belly of the beast that keeps your vacation going.

Now Available to Book Before You Sail

It’s amazing to me how many people are devoted cruisers but never even knew that this tour exists. Probably because up until now, you could only book the tours once you’ve boarded your ship. But, for the first time ever, Norwegian has extended the opportunity to book your Behind The Scenes Tour before you cruise by calling your personal cruise consultant or by booking online! I want to note that tours are limited and tend to fill up fast, so I recommend trying to book as early as possible. Also, closed-toe shoes are required, so make sure you pack a pair if you plan on going. You’ll be happy you did because there’s plenty of walking and you’ll want to be comfortable.

Navigate I-95 Without the Crowds

Our tour guide was charming and delightful like all the staff at Norwegian. He walked us through the I-95, yes you read that correctly, named after the highway, the largest path the staff uses to get around the ship is called the I-95. Unlike the actual I-95, this hallway was organized, open and not overcrowded with people blaring horns — though it did have plenty of hustle and bustle. The walls are different than the lovely interior designed halls you’ll find above, stripped of all the fancy makeup, this is where you get to see the bones of the ship with thick piping across the ceiling and shiny non-slip floors.

Starting with the star of the show, the theater, you’ll be taken backstage to see the the dressing rooms with glamorous, classic light-bulb mirrors and beautiful costumes neatly hung in rows. You’ll also be able to walk across the stage and look out at the sea of roughly 850 plush red velvet chairs. Then you’ll see my personal favorite — the sound and lighting booth. Located up on the top of the theater behind the audience is where the real magic happens. These backstage technicians are the backbone of every production that goes on and without them the whole show would go dark, literally. Have your questions ready! Your guide will be happy to tell you all about the shows, training, where the cast auditions and rehearses — it’s your time to shine!

Watch How Thousands of Meals Are Prepared

Then there’s the kitchen otherwise known as The Galley and let me just say, this was by far the largest kitchen I have ever seen in my life — which makes sense when you have to feed thousands of people breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day. If you’ve ever worked back of house, this is something that would truly impress you. As you enter, you see a team of workers in crisp, white uniforms, hurriedly prepping and plating with great care and precision. Everything is laid out in organized stations exclusively dedicated to specific tasks and services, down to 24-hour room service. One might say, the staff runs a tight ship, (ha) following strict procedures and recipes to create the perfect meal every time.

From The Galley you’ll go to the Provisions Area where you’ll get to see massive dry and cold storage rooms and gigantic refrigerators. As they’ll explain to you, this is where food is received and stored throughout the cruise. You can ask things like where they source the ingredients, how they limit waste, how the ship gets supplies and all kinds of questions regarding the nitty gritty of bringing fine dining to thousands of hungry travelers across the seven seas.

Venture Below Sea Level

Next, they’ll escort you to the enormous laundry room, where you’ll get to see how they wash and prepare four tons of laundry every day! You’ll see how they separate items, check water sanitation, reserve water waste and more. Also, the laundry room is located below sea level, you wouldn’t have any idea being there, but it’s pretty cool!

See The Engine Control Room and The Bridge

After that, you’ll get access to one of the most important rooms on the ship — the engine control room. Inside, you feel like you’re in a spaceship with walls of blinking lights, computer screens, numbers and sounds happening all around, and engineers dressed like astronauts in all white spacesuit-looking jumpers. They’ll be able to answer any technical questions you have about the ship.

And finally, you have The Bridge, no that isn’t a Star Trek reference, The Bridge is actually what cruise ships call the room where they navigate the ship, and Norwegian is one of the only commercial cruise lines that allows guests in this area. This expansive room of massive windows provides completely unobstructed views of the open ocean, and it is stunning. You’ll get to learn about the ship’s officers, the command and anything else you want to know about what it takes to be a ship captain. You won’t be surprised to know that nowadays it’s pretty much 100% automated, but there is still a joystick in case they need to steer the ship manually. It’s not the pirate ship wheel you’re imagining, though. But not to worry, The Bridge is plenty impressive all on its own.

Afterwards, the tour is done and you can go back to splashing in the sunlight, or enjoying a drink by the pool, all with a whole new understanding of all the work that goes into giving you an incredible vacation. Overall, the tour lasted about an hour and a half and did not feel very long at all, though it did require a bit of walking, it was absolutely worth it. I recommend it for cruisers of pretty much any age. New cruisers and experienced ones, if you haven’t done a Norwegian Behind The Scenes Tour, it’s definitely something you should consider.

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Behind the Scenes of the Entertainment on Odyssey of the Seas

Category: Ships - August 20, 2021

When it comes to entertainment and immersive activities, Royal Caribbean’s show-stopping lineups are head and shoulders above the rest. Odyssey of the Seas, the latest of our game-changing ships to set sail, is no exception. From original, high-tech shows and live music to sky diving and bumper cars, there’s no shortage of adventures when you sail on this ship from South Florida to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and our private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We spoke to the person behind it all, Nick Weir, senior vice president of entertainment and a cruise industry veteran of 25 years. He gave the inside scoop on the boundary-pushing productions he and his team have created for Odyssey, plus the variety of activities for all types of guests, from kids to parents and grandparents.

Read on for the ins-and-outs and for a glimpse of what goes into making it all happen:

The head of entertainment for Royal Caribbean, Nick Weir, discusses new innovative entertainment on board.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Q: What’s your background and how did you get into the maritime industry?

Nick: I got into cruise partly because my parents were in the business. They were early adopters and really saw the potential of the industry early on. Because of them, I grew up on ships, so cruising is in my blood.

I didn’t think I’d join the family business at first, so I studied science at university. Then I went into entertainment, ending up in the U.K. television industry as a game show host and working off-screen. Eventually, I went to Las Vegas to operate an entertainment firm with clients like Andre Agassi and Robin Williams.

But through it all, I still had a love for cruising. I was even a cruise director in my early years. When this opportunity with Royal Caribbean came, it was a natural fit—I knew a lot about entertainment and the technology that now pushes the boundaries time and time again.

Friendly competition is the name of the game at the next-generation SeaPlex, the largest indoor and outdoor activity space at sea, on Odyssey of the Seas.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Q: What is some of your favorite entertainment on board Odyssey?

Nick: The sheer variety of entertainment is outstanding. On Odyssey, I absolutely love the live music. There’s nothing quite like sitting at a bar with a beer (or cocktail, whichever you might fancy) and watching a great band in a place like Music Hall, where there’s a revolving setlist to dance to on a nightly basis.

The comedy shows are another favorite, thanks to the truly cutting-edge comedians who literally create new jokes on our stages all the time. And something else especially cool on Odyssey is a touring troupe and their show, Tap Factory. It’s a set of very energetic and dynamic performances that features tappers and percussionists.

And, of course, there’s SeaPlex, the largest indoor and outdoor activity space at sea. It has something for everyone, from bumper cars and roller skating to a new addition, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

Q: A unique signature venue on board is Two70. How does it up the ante with entertainment, and what sets it apart?

Nick: Two70 is an innovative venue with a complex format that involves robotics, live entertainment, physical scenery and blurring realities. It’s one of the most technically sophisticated theaters in the world, with all kinds of surprising elements.

For starters, traditionally, people get ready for a show backstage. However, the back of the stage is the ocean. So instead, everything comes into view on a series of lifts. Even the artists come in on these torpedo tubes.

Then the room’s windows. They transform into Vistarama, a seamless video projection system—and that’s an understatement. At 135 feet wide and 12K resolution, Vistarama completely transforms the space. And not to be missed, our famous Roboscreens—six, 100-inch screens connected to robot arms that create scenes as they twist and move in sync with the music.

Two70 is a singular venue with the ocean as a backdrop and next-level technology infused throughout the space.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Q: One singular experience at Two70 is Oceanides. Can you explain what that is and what audiences can expect from it?

Nick: Oceanides is a five-minute, mysterious fairytale about mermaids. It pays tribute to Japan’s female free divers, the Ama, in a way that is unique to Two70.

We built a tank that had the same dimensions as one of our Roboscreens and filled it with water. Then, one by one, performers (the “mermaids”) went into the tank and “danced” underwater while being turned and moved. We filmed that and added mesmerizing lighting and colors.

Now, when we press a button, those moves are recreated by the Roboscreens as they show these performers in action onscreen. It’s the most amazing illusion.

Q: What else can audiences see at Two70?

Nick: There’s a new show called The Book, and it is outstanding. It’s actually my favorite right now. It’s about a character who has one very special power—he can take individual chapters from any book he wants to create a completely new story.

He opens his new book onstage, and boom, you’re off on a crazy ride. You’ll watch six different vignettes that take you from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the mountains and beyond.

Q: There’s also a glamorous show at the Royal Theater. What is that about and who will it appeal to most?

Nick: Showgirl: Past. Present. Future. will appeal to anyone who comes to see it. This show is all about celebrating and recognizing these frequently unsung performers. You start back in time with the 19th-century cancan era, then move forward to ’50s-style Las Vegas, the Super Bowl Halftime Show and into the future.

And the lavish costumes are as fun as the performances. Think traditional feathers, sequins and tuxedos, and cool, futuristic metal components.

Kids and the young at heart will love scaling the rock wall as they take in ocean views from 40 feet above deck.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Q: What are the best experiences for kids and families on a ship like Odyssey?

Nick: Our dedicated kids program, Adventure Ocean, has fantastic, interactive activities brought to life by our experienced staff. Kids can let their imaginations run the show and chart their own adventures. And teens have exclusive hangout areas too. They have everything from the latest music, games and movies to their own outdoor deck.

Then there’s our lineup of sports, from rock climbing to ice skating, to surfing on the FlowRider surf simulator and sky diving. Plus, there’s fun in the form of high-speed waterslides, aqua parks and the new Virtual Adventure Zone, the first fully immersive 4D VR experience at sea.

Q: What would the adults love the most?

Nick: On Quantum Class and Quantum Ultra Class ships, and in particular Odyssey, everything has got this hip vibe to it that will really appeal to adults. They can (and will) enjoy many of the thrilling experiences I already mentioned. Additionally, there are adventurous options like North Star, a glass observation capsule from where you can take in 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.

Of course, relaxing in the Vitality Spa or hanging poolside in loungers, shady casitas and hammocks while sipping on an island cocktail are always great options too.

The Royal Caribbean mobile app transforms the way travelers cruise and plan their days.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Q: Any insider tips on how to make the most of the entertainment lineup and the time you have on board?

Nick: Having the Royal Caribbean mobile app handy certainly helps because it puts the daily activities right in your pocket. You can easily plan out your days, and that’s always something I recommend our guests do in the morning. Whether you’re new to cruising or a veteran, there’s just so much cool stuff going on—you don’t want to miss a single thing.

I also have to mention our new matinee performances. You can watch some shows during the day to then have more flexibility at night to catch other productions, see our late-night comedians or watch your home team at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

There’s plenty more where that came from. Discover more about Odyssey and its lineup of cruises here.

For more behind-the-scenes entertainment action, follow @Nickweirshowbiz on Twitter.

Turnaround Day: Watch Behind the Scenes Of The Ultimate Pit Stop

In the cruise industry, turnaround days—when our guests from one journey disembark and new ones board—are a race against the clock for the ship’s crew. They have mere hours to fully prepare the ship for an entire new batch of guests—as well as stock up for the next itinerary.

Guest Blog: Behind the Scenes and Challenges on Oasis of the Seas

Lisa Bauer - Senior VP, Hotel Operations

Introducing Norwegian's Behind The Scenes Tour

How Does an Alaska Cruise Come to Life? A Look Behind the Scenes with Norwegian.

Constructing new piers, building a private port, working with indigenous tribes, and using our family as focus groups are all just part of what goes into building an Alaska cruise. Norwegian's SVP of Revenue Management, Chad Berkshire, takes us behind the scenes on the creation of these awe-inspiring experiences.

Oh Captain, Our Captain: How We Keep the Shows on Course

In football, the Head Coach works with Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Coordinators and several specialty coaches to run drills in practice. They create plays for their weekly games and plan all sorts of contingencies. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Production shows are led by their Creative Staff during rehearsals and have a few Captains of their own who take over the artistic integrity of the show once the shows are installed and the "Creatives" leave.

Installing For The Record, Part II: You Can’t Escape Opening Night

The hardworking technicians have hung lights over the stage and assembled the set, so now it’s time to bring in the performers. Before the Brat Pack takes over the stage, the Production Stage Manager leads everyone on a safety walk-thru. This is a tour in which the cast and musicians see onstage and backstage in full lighting and begin adjusting to the safety aspects of their performances. On land and at sea safety is an important element of the show. We don’t want anyone feeling unsafe while doing their job. This includes all performers and technical personnel.

Installing For The Record on Norwegian Escape

We’re amping things up on the Norwegian Escape, literally. While some shows, such as Burn the Floor, are on multiple ships, it is rare for one show to be installed twice on the same ship. Beginning April 9th, For The Record: The Brat Pack moved out of the Supper Club and headed upstairs to its new home, the Escape Theater. After Midnight has been here since the Escape opened and For the Record is the newest face on the marquee.

Behind the Scenes of the Entertainment on Odyssey of the Seas

When it comes to entertainment and immersive activities, Royal Caribbean’s show-stopping lineups are head and shoulders above the rest. Odyssey of the Seas, the latest of our game-changing ships to set sail, is no exception. From original, high-tech shows and live music to sky diving and bumper cars, there’s no shortage of adventures when you sail on this ship from South Florida to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean and our private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay.