Just when we thought the Allure of the Seas was going to make a nonchalant entrance into the industry without the fanfare and red carpet that was rolled out for her sister ship, the Oasis, Royal Caribbean has announced a spotlight-stealing secret. When the new Allure debuts this December, the headline show will be none other than the long-time Broadway sensation, “Chicago." Productions will take place in the massive 1,380-seat Amber Theater – which holds more people in one room than the total passenger capacity of many cruise ships. Although the show will be slightly condensed to 90 minutes, it will still feature the same infamous musical numbers that bring the Prohibition-era to life.

With the Cirque du Soleil dinner show appearing on the new, Norwegian Epic, the well-received “Hairspray” on the Oasis, and now the addition of “Chicago” on the Allure, are these new mega-vessels setting the standard for cruise ship entertainment? Will the high seas become the new stage for rising stars?