Case Study: 80’s Cruise 2020
A New Year’s Bash Like No Other!
The storm may have already been raging on the seas, but nothing could stop the ultimate cruise ship entertainment experience that was the 80’s Cruise 2020. With just five days to go and COVID-19 wreaking havoc in Europe, it seemed like the universe was working against us. But with some quick thinking and even quicker negotiations, our team was able to pull off what would normally take months to plan. When our lineup faced some serious cancellations, we didn’t lose hope. We had some incredible friends in the industry, such as Kool & The Gang and Taylor Dayne, who stepped in to save the day. It was a whirlwind of agent calls, deals, passports, and plans, but we pulled it off. And let me tell you, the show went on and it was absolutely unforgettable. The adventure may have started rocky, but the end result was nothing short of spectacular.
We stepped aboard that Sunday with our temperatures checked and new artists ready. Our first night kicked off with a New Year’s 1980s-style countdown to announce the lineup for the 2021 cruise, a moment we work all year to watch. There’s no greater gratification for what we do than to watch a live crowd react as each name is revealed. With legendary 80s acts including The Human League, 38 Special and Belinda Carlisle, the response was electrifying. At midnight the balloons fell on the fans buzzing with excitement.
We crowded into a small communication room with a working phone line to receive the sympathies of Bret Michael’s team. Medical concerns would keep him from boarding the next day. Then the B-52’s and Midnight Star both cancelled, citing their apprehension to travel with COVID-19 spreading.
Cruise Ship Production
Despite a lot of change, the dedicated fans proceeded to dance the night away. We worked closely with our partners at Entertainment Cruise Productions from owners to production staff on schedules, fills, and fixes. Kool & The Gang generously cancelled their new champagne brand launch in New York to stay on for another two shows. The Wailers hopped aboard the ship bringing us our first rays of sunshine of with reggae rocking a pool-side stage.
We are confident in saying that our cruise ship entertainment show did go on, despite the unexpected circumstances. We take pride in successfully finding replacements for the last-minute cancellations, while also strengthening our bond with our longtime client. Rest assured, we are already planning our outfits for next year’s cruise ship entertainment extravaganza!
