What was the last live performance you saw?

Somewhere Over the Cruise Ship: My Broadway Moment at Sea

The last live performance I saw was in February 2026 aboard the absolutely gigantic and over-the-top fabulous Icon of the Seas… and let me just say this:

I may never emotionally recover from how good it was.

When my family cruises — which is honestly pretty often because apparently unpacking is not our lifestyle — one thing we ALWAYS do is go to the shows. And if you’ve ever cruised with Royal Caribbean, then you already know they don’t just “put on a little play.” No. They basically build Broadway in the middle of the ocean and say, “You’re welcome.”

This time, we saw The Wonderful Wizard of Oz brought to life in a way that made my jaw stay dropped for approximately 87% of the performance.

First of all, the costumes? UNREAL.

Not “cute community theater” unreal.

I’m talking “Did Glinda personally sew this with magic thread?” unreal.

The backdrops were so colorful, so detailed, and so 3D that I genuinely started wondering if I had accidentally walked through a portal into Oz myself. At one point, the scenery practically came INTO the audience and OVER the audience. I’m pretty sure I got hit in the face by a flying rainbow. And honestly? Worth it.

AND THEN…

THE ACTORS STARTED FLYING.

OVER.

THE.

AUDIENCE.

I’m sitting there minding my business one minute, and the next minute somebody from Oz is soaring over my head like we’re all extras in a Marvel movie.

It was absolutely incredible.

Meanwhile, during the whole show, I’m over there texting my friend — my “sister from another mother,” the other Christi — because she’s my Broadway play partner in crime. We’ve gone to so many plays together that at this point we probably deserve season tickets somewhere.

So while everybody else is sitting there politely watching the performance, I’m trying to secretly snap pictures and text her things like:

“YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THIS.”

“THIS IS INSANE.”

“THEY ARE LITERALLY FLYING OVER MY HEAD.”

“HOW IS THIS ON A SHIP?!”

And of course every blurry picture I sent looked like I took it during a small earthquake because I was trying not to get caught with my phone out while simultaneously losing my mind over the production.

At one point I probably looked like a sports commentator reporting live from Oz.

And listen… I’m going to say something bold here.

Christi and I saw Wicked in Birmingham, and we loved it. Truly. Don’t come for me, theater people.

BUT.

This ship performance of The Wizard of Oz was SO MUCH BETTER TO ME.

There. I said it.

The actors and actresses were phenomenal. The singing? Amazing. The stage production? Beyond anything I expected to see… ON A SHIP FLOATING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.

How does a cruise ship have better special effects than half the movies I’ve seen lately?

At one point I forgot I was at sea and not somewhere on actual Broadway. Except Broadway doesn’t usually have unlimited pizza two decks above the theater, so honestly the cruise wins.

What made it even more magical was how interactive it felt. The show didn’t stay stuck on the stage. It came out into the audience and made us feel like we were part of the story. We weren’t just watching Oz… we were IN Oz.

And if you know me, you know this movie has always been one of my favorites ever.

I’ve even BEEN Dorothy for Halloween before.

Not just “throw on a blue dress” Dorothy either.

Oh no.

I had a CUSTOM-MADE costume.

And my Maltese was Toto.

Yes, I’m that person.

And honestly? No regrets.

So naturally, seeing this production was basically my Super Bowl.

If you love live performances, musicals, or just want to sit in a theater wondering how in the world they pulled all this off on a moving ship, then book a cruise with Royal Caribbean immediately.

But here’s my warning:

BOOK YOUR SHOWS EARLY.

Those reservations disappear faster than the Wicked Witch of the West in a rainstorm.

And trust me…

You do NOT want to miss this one.🛳️🌈✨