Key Aspects:
- Cunard’s Queen Anne has updated fees for Bright Lights Society performances and what those fees include.
- Three different shows now have fees from $20-46 (USD) per person, with select drinks included.
- This is not the first time cruise lines have offered shows and performances that require extra fees.
One appeal of a cruise vacation is that plenty of dining, activities, and entertainment is included in the cruise fare. For guests on Cunard Line, however, a little less entertainment is now included.
Select shows at the immersive Bright Lights Society “show bar” aboard the new Queen Anne now have a nominal fee for guests to enjoy the signature performances. The fees, however, do include some special bonuses.
“Select shows such as Fizz and Noir now carry an entry charge of US$20pp, which includes a glass of champagne, a souvenir programme, and the service charge,” the cruise line’s website explains.
Fizz is a burlesque-style show with live music and immersive cabaret. The host, Monsieur Laurent, guides the evening and keeps guests engaged as they step back to the glittering era of these eye-raising shows.
Noir, on the other hand, is an interactive murder mystery that draws guests into the plot and subplots (though no one is forced to participate!) with intrigue and romance.
For both shows, guests get a glass of champagne to enjoy during the performance, as well as a souvenir program to commemorate the very special experience.
The third show offered at the Bright Lights Society is Bitter Sweet Symphony, which carries a higher fee of $46 per person. This fee covers three cocktails formulated to complement the unique music and dance performance. Non-alcoholic options are also available upon request.
If guests cancel their reservations for any of the shows at the last minute or simply fail to attend, cancellation fees will also apply.
To be clear, these fees are only for shows at the Bright Lights Society aboard Queen Anne, an exclusive venue only found on the Pinnacle-class vessel.
Bright Lights Society is located on Deck 2, forward on the starboard side of the ship, across from the Golden Lion. It is one of the more intimate venues onboard and even with fees, each show sells out quickly.
Queen Anne is currently sailing in Europe, offering longer itineraries in the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, northern Europe, and the Greek Isles.
In January 2026, the ship will begin her 109-night Full World Voyage, a complete global circumnavigation and an epic journey for any traveler to experience.
Should Shows Cost Extra Fees?
While most guests who attend the Bright Lights Society performances agree the cost is well worth the quality of the experiences, others are less thrilled with signature entertainment becoming an add-on cost.
It isn’t unusual for cruise ships to feature add-on attractions. This ranges from specialty dining restaurants and escape rooms to signature attractions such as the Bolt rollercoaster on Carnival’s Excel-class ships to the Crown’s Edge ropes course on Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships.
Read Also: What Cruise Lines Does Carnival Own? (Cunard Included!)
Entertainment and shows, however, are generally all included in a cruise price. The exception is when prizes or food are part of the experience, such as Deal or No Deal participation or intimate cooking classes.
Some cruise lines have offered special event concerts, such as Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival LIVE Spotlight Series shows with exclusive performers. Those concerts range from $35-250 per person, depending on the featured artist, venue capacity, ship, and sailing date.
While not everyone may approve of extra-pay performances, the great news is that ships like Queen Anne offer many other activities and entertainment options that do not have additional fees.
Guests can always choose what they’d like to do onboard, and it is possible to have an amazing cruise vacation without additional spending.
