Key Aspects:
- TUI Cruises is testing a paid prime seating reservation system for main shows aboard one ship, Mein Schiff 7.
- For a small fee, guests can reserve front row seats or other unobstructed views, though other seats remain free.
- At this time, the program is only onboard Mein Schiff 7 but may be rolled out to other ships if it proves successful.
Theater production shows are a mainstay of cruise ship entertainment, ranging from Vegas-style spectaculars to Broadway musicals to concerts, game shows, and specialty acts. That free entertainment is a great draw for cruise vacations, but on one cruise line, it may no longer be free for the best seats.
According to Kreuzfahrt Terminal, German cruise line TUI Cruises is now testing a new pay-per-seat reservation model for shows aboard the 2,534-guest Mein Schiff 7.
Prime seats in the 3-story main theater can be reserved for €14.50-15 per person (approximately $16.50-17 USD). This option not only guarantees guests a close, unobstructed view of the top entertainment, but also ensures those guests do not need to arrive at the theater long before showtime when there are many other activities to enjoy onboard the ship.
Two reservation options are currently available. The first is “Showtime Front Row” which includes a central front row seat. The second is “Showtime Plus” which is an unobstructed view, but not in the front row. Both options include a glass of champagne or a cocktail as an added perk.
It is also hoped the new reservation system will reduce seat saving, which cruise guests consistently find to be one of the most annoying behaviors onboard a ship, especially in top venues.
The main theater on Mein Schiff 7 seats approximately 1,000 guests. Because the ship can welcome a total of 2,534 guests at double occupancy, the main theater cannot seat everyone even with two showtimes for top performances. This is common on cruise ships, and not every guest wants to attend the various shows onboard.
Nevertheless, the most popular shows do fill up and finding seats right before showtime can be challenging, if not impossible. This reservation system may reduce that stress and give more guests the opportunity to enjoy the very best seats and views, if they are willing to pay the surcharge.
To be clear, however, the main production shows are still free aboard Mein Schiff 7. The fee only applies to select reserved seats and guests can still choose to enjoy the production shows without any cost.
Will Other Ships Charge for Seating?
At the moment, the show seating surcharge is only noted aboard Mein Schiff 7. This strongly indicates this to be a test project rather than a fleetwide change.
Based on guest feedback and the popularity of the option, it is possible that pricing may be adjusted or other tweaks could be made, such as higher charges for the most popular shows or showtimes, different drink selections, or other seating options with the surcharge.
It is not unusual for cruise lines to test new procedures and options in a limited fashion before making adjustments or cancelling the idea altogether.
There has been no official announcement of the surcharge and it is not yet mentioned on the cruise line’s official website.
Reservations Not Uncommon
Several other cruise lines already offer reservations for show seating, including Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line. Those reservations are free but do not reserve a specific seat or guarantee any specific view.
Without reservations, guests can wait in a stand-by line before the show. Guests in the stand-by line will generally be admitted to the theater 10-20 minutes before the show begins if there are seats remaining (which there usually are).
There is no indication that other cruise lines are considering the same type of paid reservation system for prime seating for production shows. If the trial proves very successful for TUI Cruises, it is possible other lines may experiment with similar programs.
Some cruise lines do already charge for prime poolside cabanas as well as other premium areas onboard, such as the Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Cruise Line ships or thermal wellness suites on many different lines. The expansion to paid prime seating in main theaters may only be a matter of time.
