Step on board: a luxury entertainment adventure with Oceania Cruises

Carrier has assembled a team of creative professionals at the top of their games – whose credits cover Broadway, the West End and beyond – to bring these visions to life. This includes directors Richard J Hinds and Jenn Rapp.

Hinds is currently the associate choreographer for the hugely acclaimed Broadway productions of Company and Come from Away. He also worked on the Broadway productions of Disney’s Newsies and Jekyll and Hyde, and served as associate choreographer on the National Theatre’s production of Here Lies Love. 

Rapp is associate director/choreographer on The Illusionists, the huge variety-style magic show which has taken Broadway, the West End, Sydney Opera House, Thailand, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Mexico, Hong Kong and other spots around the world by storm. She was chosen for the VISTA project because of her specialised work on DCappella, a premier a cappella singing group featuring seven world-class vocalists performing reimagined classics from the Disney songbook. 

"These two are only the beginning of an award-winning creative team, including theatrical costume designers and choreographers who will make magic for the exciting launch of the VISTA entertainment programme," says Carrier. "I wanted to be as innovative as possible with the performance space itself, so the first people to join our creative team were scenic designer Adam Koch, whose award-winning shows include national and international tours, alongside award-winning video designer Steven Royal and acclaimed lighting experts Q Factory Lighting." 

For the four shows, Carrier and Franklyn Warfield, senior manager for theatrical casting, are looking for top triple-threat talent.  Warfield says: "We need specialist singers and dancers. We’re looking for singers who are super diverse in the kind of material they can sing, with really fantastic voices, combined with people who can hold the stage in a really compelling way. Our dancers will have to be masters of many different styles, from ballet contemporary to ballroom, jazz, hip hop and musical theatre styles. We’re on the lookout for very special people." 

Being a performer on VISTA is unlike any other performing role at sea. The on-board cast will not only be performing the four main stage shows but will also be interacting with guests daily. Oceania Cruises’ luxury journeys are smaller and more exclusive than many other companies, meaning performers have the opportunity to get to know guests closely.

"They are the entertainment team on board. They mingle with the guests, host events, have dinner with the guests and are expected to be true brand ambassadors of the vessel," says Carrier.

"They are very recognisable to the guests," Warfield adds. "We want to create the through line between onstage and offstage opportunities. The more personal connections you make with the audience, the bigger fans they are going to be with you on stage. Their personality one-on-one is what makes the show successful. You essentially become the celebrity on the ship, you’re the recognisable star that everyone wants to talk to."

These cast members are an integral part of life on-board the VISTA, becoming the public face of Oceania Cruises. Carrier says: "We often hear stories of guests asking who the performers will be before the cruise starts. Our guests get to know these performers and become very close to them. It’s a really important role." 

During auditions, Carrier and Warfield assess performers’ dancing and singing skills. After the in-person auditions, the team will schedule a Zoom interview with select performers to find out about their personality, background in customer service and ability to be Oceania Cruises’ on-board celebrities.  

"We want them to be pleasant, approachable and outgoing," says Carrier. "They will learn so much about social interaction, being on mic and striking up a conversation with a stranger. What they take away from this is extraordinary." 

The inaugural cast will spend several months in Tampa, Florida, developing the shows with the top-tier artistic team from the Creative Studios by NCLH before sailing on the VISTA for around three to five months. "It’s like originating a role in a Broadway show," he says. "There will be lots of changes, but it will be incredibly exciting." 

Future casts will spend around six to eight months on board. Carrier, who has extensive experience performing on cruise ships, adds: "People love life on board. It’s the destinations, the travel – not to mention the ability to save money on board, because there’s no rent to pay. We find people keep coming back for years. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to get used to, but, once you figure it out, it’s outstanding." 

The first round of auditions takes place in London between September 26 and 28, with further audition opportunities every six months. Carrier and the team at the Creative Studios are excited by what’s to come.  

"This new entertainment programme will be unlike anything Oceania Cruises has ever seen," says Carrier. "It’s a new beginning on a brand-new luxury ship. It’s a step into the unknown. How exciting is that?"