My all-inclusive Eurovision cruise was cheaper and more fun than Basel
I’m perched on a spacious chaise longue large enough for multiple people, a massive Piña Colada beside me, in a makeshift setup.
Eurovision
A themed conga line is happening on the opposite side. Before me, vibrant water slides release fully-grown men sporting smiles as wide as my cocktail.
A mega-ship voyage and Eurovision are undoubtedly a perfect pair, akin to a vibrant, joyful, inclusive paradise. They both exude flamboyance, appeal to the masses, and sparkle extravagantly, which explains why Royal Caribbean chose to combine them for a Eurovision-inspired cruise through various Mediterranean coastal towns.
Barcelona
, Palma, Marseille, Florence,
Rome
And Naples, which sponsored the contest, initially introduced themed cruises last summer.
Happening during the week preceding the Eurovision finale (with one more elimination during this time),
Independence of the Seas
from Southampton
Next month, the theme will be quite understated, likely due to the majority of travelers hailing from the U.S., where Eurovision — even though it’s the most watched non-sporting television event globally, reaching over 160 million viewers — holds absolutely no significance.
However, one of the wonderful aspects of Eurovision is having an instant sense of belonging within a community. Similar to how traveling as a gay individual allows you to quickly connect with like-minded souls; at Eurovision events, enthusiasts similarly identify their tribe right away. The flamboyant costumes certainly aid this process. Additionally, there’s significant overlap between Eurovision followers and another large group.
LGBTQ+
and Eurovision demographics.
Our ship, the
Allure of the Seas
features a daily gathering for the LGBTQ+ community at 10 PM in Vintages, one of the vessel’s more elegant lounges. In an instant, I had located many members of the Eurovision group, though the Americans struggled somewhat with the local customs. When explaining this to them,
Celine Dion
Won for Switzerland in 1988 only appeared to leave them even more bewildered.
A value-packed voyage
Andreas and Manni from Malmö, Sweden — a city that has organized the Eurovision contest two times — have boarded the cruise due to the high cost of attending the live events; each ticket costs approximately £1,000 per person just for the three performances, not including lodging and daily spending in what is already an expensive locale.
Basel
, where the final is being hosted.
Even the EuroClub – the competition’s official party place with a capacity of around 3,000 – is now prohibitively expensive for most, with neighbouring bars gladly sucking up the clientele.
“When we included the drinks package,” explains Manni about the cruise, “the total cost was approximately £1,400 per person.” This covers meals, beverages, vacation, and even the Eurovision contest. Additionally, there are weekend deals available for those starting their journey from later stops along the route.
The excitement of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final Viewing Party cruise kicks off during breakfast at Windjammer — regardless of how late you stayed up last night — a massive open-space dining area located on the 16th floor of this colossal 18-story ship. The venue offers nearly an acre of buffet stations showcasing top selections from international culinary delights.
I opt for a hodgepodge meal consisting of lentil curry, chickpea salad, and pieces of broccoli (plant-based choices tend to be inconsistent on such voyages), along with a buck’s fizz. The dish arrives accompanied by a sideshow of zip-liners who zoom past the window during their morning sessions.
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In addition to Eurovision-inspired soirees, sing-alongs, trivia sessions, a grand banquet, and live shows, the voyage offers an array of activities spanning from decidedly tacky to utterly luxurious. Catering to over 6,000 passengers requires considerable effort to maintain their amusement.
On the 8th deck, Central Park is an outdoor garden featuring architectural elements reminiscent of those designed by Calatrava, jutting from the floor. It’s surrounded by some of the most sophisticated venues aboard – charming small-scale Italian and French restaurants, snug wine and tapas bars, cozy morning cafés for those who prefer something more tranquil than the bustling Windjammer area. In the evenings, a live jazz ensemble entertains guests, taking song requests though they might not be familiar with every tune requested.
On the fifth deck lies The Boardwalk, which we reach once aboard the vessel. Resembling a Westfield mall rather than a cruise liner, this area brims with retail stores, moderately priced eateries, and a floating cocktail lounge that spans two levels as you enjoy your vodka martini. Simply put, the technical aspects of its design leave me utterly astounded.
On our inaugural evening, 10,000 balloons cascade from the heavens at midnight simply to kick off the celebration.
As far as I can tell, there are currently six theaters featuring top-tier productions such as the popular “Mamma Mia!” musical, which gained attention from the Eurovision contest; “Blue Planet,” a theatrical work centered around environmental themes with well-known song selections; “Blades,” an impressive display by former Olympic figure skaters; and finally, “Adult Comedy,” an adults-only comedy act that quickly becomes sold-out whenever scheduled.
Include three swimming pools, endless hot tubs, a water park, mini-golf, an even wilder surfing simulator, an ever-popular late-night casino (a haven for smokers), and various excursions available when docked, and there’s scarcely enough time left for sleeping.
“I see your Swedish flags are quite tattered,” I remark to Andreas and Manni as they adorn their balcony with colorful rainbows and plenty of gold and blue from their homeland, preparing for the finale, amidst reports that a Eurovision performer might make an appearance aboard.
“That’s because we emerge victorious so frequently,” states Manni. “They never get an opportunity to recuperate.” We’ll see if this holds up during the viewing party on Saturday evening.
Royal Caribbean’s upcoming Eurovision cruise
departs Southampton on 18 June
for three nights, calling at Bruges
.