Cirque du Soleil at Sea

MSC Cruises has announced it will partner with Cirque du Soleil to perform exclusive shows onboard their cruises. The shows are scheduled to start in 2017, and will be a part of passengers’ experience on the MSC Meraviglia. They will be brand new, and only performed on MSC ships. The cruise line also plans to bring Cirque shows to other ships in its fleet staring in 2019.

In addition to the shows themselves, MSC will be creating entertainment lounges to enhance the overall experience. These are more than mere performance spaces – they’re also meant to be a gathering place where the audience can relax and mingle before the show starts. Each lounge have room to hold more than 500 guests per show. With two shows performed six nights a week, many MSC passengers will get the chance to see the action.

Guests should expect an experience from the moment they walk through the door. Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, told USAToday that even the food would be served with, “spectacular interventions of artists.” Cirque du Soleil is no stranger to audience participation, so passengers are sure to be in for a treat. Although the details of show have not yet been announced, audiences can expect the acrobatic feat, aerial excitement and delightful storylines for which the troupe is known.

The partnership is no small investment on the part of MSC Cruises. According to the Los Angeles Times, the construction of the lounges alone will cost the line $21 million. However, the inclusion of such a show is sure to set the fleet apart – Cirque du Soleil is wildly popular, with millions of people flocking to its shows each year. The troupe started in Canada with only 73 employees in 1984, and in 30 years, has grown to be one of the most well-known acts in the world.