Yesterday, I had the opportunity to step into the beating heart of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ entertainment production—the NCLH Creative Studios in Tampa. As part of a small group of travel industry and media guests, I witnessed firsthand how the magic comes together for three powerhouse cruise brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises.
As someone who proudly fancies himself a bit of an entertainer, walking through this campus felt like stepping into my dream playground. Every stage of the creative process—from concept and choreography to costumes, wigs, and set design—happens right here, and the creative energy is contagious.
Our first stop was a rehearsal space where performers were preparing for HIKO: Innovation Meets Wonder, the brand-new show set to debut aboard Norwegian Luna, one of the Prima Class ships—a class that holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Even without the lights, sets, or props, the energy was electric. Acrobatics, motion, and rhythm converged in raw, kinetic artistry as performers bounced from walls and trampolines in perfect synchrony.
Watching them work in a stripped-back studio made it clear that great performance does not rely on special effects. It lives in the bodies, timing, and trust of the performers, long before the curtain ever rises at sea.
Next, we stepped into the rehearsal space for Syd Norman’s Pour House, a fan-favorite rock venue across the Norwegian fleet. For Luna, the team is creating a band experience dedicated entirely to the music of the Eagles, which will appear as Syd Norman’s Presents: A Tribute to Eagles for guests on board. What we saw was stripped-down, pure, and full of heart—a talented group performing as if they were onstage at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The small audience of industry and media was completely enamored, clapping and singing along even in this bare-bones environment. Let’s just say my denim jumpsuit and Spanish silk scarf did not go unnoticed, and being called out by the band felt like a subtle confirmation that I was sending very clear “put me on that stage” energy.
Before the day ended, we were treated to a medley from the upcoming Elton John tribute show that will also debut aboard Norwegian Luna. Even in a raw rehearsal setting framed by scaffolding and giant faux pianos, the performance radiated color, character, and joy. It was a spectacle that honored the legend while somehow resonating with each person in the room on a deeply personal level.
Every part of the stage seemed to beam with light—not from electric boots or mohair suits, but from talent and passion pouring out of the cast. It was almost too much to take in at once, the kind of moment that reminds you how powerful live performance can be, even when you are seeing it mid-creation.
From there, we toured the costume workroom—a dazzling blend of artistry and precision. This is where costumes are designed, built, and maintained for productions across Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises, supporting dozens of shows at sea every day. I examined a single sequined cape with textured trim that took one person 80 hours to create, a tiny glimpse into the immense labor behind each garment.
These costumes are not only beautiful; they are engineered. Quick changes, varying body types, venue constraints, and the need for full physical movement all factor into every stitch, snap, and zipper, ensuring the performance feels seamless to the audience.
As someone who spent over two decades in cosmetics, the makeup and wig room might have been my favorite stop. Here, wigs are built from scratch, makeup looks are designed to match the mood and story of each show, and performers receive one-on-one or small-group lessons—often 1 to 2 hours each—on how to execute their looks consistently.
The level of detail is astonishing. It is not just about looking stage-ready; it is about ensuring that every performer can reproduce complex looks night after night, so the show’s visual identity stays intact across hundreds of performances.
We also met the laundry team responsible for caring for all of these costumes—one-of-a-kind pieces made from delicate and often temperamental materials. Their responsibility is immense, and yet what came through most was pride and passion in doing the job well.
That same dedication extended to the shipping and logistics team, which handles props, staging, shoes, and clothing, and moves them seamlessly to ships across the globe. It truly takes a village to keep entertainment running at this scale.
Finally, in the creative design studio, we stood among sketches, fabrics, and accessories as the department head reminded us that costumes have essentially been made the same way for more than 2,000 years: fabrics, thread, feathers, and embellishments, all sewn together by skilled hands.
What felt thrillingly modern, though, was seeing how innovation supports that tradition. Using tools like 3D printing, the team can scan and reproduce buttons or trim from shows that are decades old, or print intricate designs directly onto fabric to create unique textures and patterns that enhance the story onstage.
For travel advisors, experiences like this are more than a cool behind-the-scenes tour. They are storytelling fuel. Entertainment on Norwegian, Regent, and Oceania is not just a nightly diversion; it is a core part of the cruise narrative that guests carry home with them.
When you talk to clients about these brands, you can confidently share that there is an entire creative campus in Tampa where hundreds of passionate professionals—many of whom may never step onboard—devote their days to building moments of wonder, surprise, nostalgia, and joy. Guests may arrive for the itinerary, but they often leave humming a song, replaying a jaw-dropping acrobatic sequence in their minds, or remembering how a show made them feel seen.
What stays with me from this extraordinary day are two things. First, a selfish wish: to be invited back to play in these creative spaces and see what could be dreamed up together. And second, a deep appreciation for the countless people whose passion fuels entertainment across the NCLH fleet—people whose work adds heart, rhythm, and a little bit of sparkle to every sailing.
To everyone I had the privilege to meet at NCLH Creative Studios: Bravo. Bravo. And thank you.