Janet Jackson as entertainment on a cruise ship?

by Chris Owen on

Kinda.

On new Norwegian Epic, the popular Legends in Concert tribute show has changed some of the acts.

New to the ship will be Janet Jackson, Neil Diamond and Aretha Franklin impersonators doing six 45-minute shows over during a seven-day cruise.

Las Vegas’ famed standard of live tribute shows has rounded up the largest collection of live tribute artists and celebrity look-alikes in the world for over 25 years. At Sea, the performers are rotated every four months on Norwegian Epic, the latest ship from Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Among other entertainment options on a Norwegian Epic cruise including a Cirque Dreams and Dinner dining experience and a performance by The Blue Man Group, Legends in Concert has proved to be a popular option.

“The Legends in Concert show in the Epic Theater and Legends Unplugged (stars say naughty things) in the Manhattan Room are a favorite of our guests,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO and recent star of TV reality show Undercover Boss who recently impersonated crew members on the ship.

Replacing Britney Spears, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson, the new performers will also do the Legends Unplugged show on three other nights in the ship’s supper club.

Replacing Kevin Sheehan on Undercover Boss will be Ronald Croatti, President and CEO of UniFirst, one of the nation’s largest producers of work-wear and uniforms.

Flickr photo by chvad_sb

Cruise line boss leaves boardroom, sneaks around ships

by Chris Owen on

Norwegian Cruise Lines President and CEO Kevin Sheehan has worn a lot of hats in his professional career. From helping found Spanish-language television network Telemundo to taking several companies public, he built a reputation for a tell-it-like-it-is persona. A philosophy of leading by example might just be tested this week though as the native New Yorker takes on an episode of CBS’ Undercover Boss.

Since taking over as boss of Norwegian Cruise Line in 2008, Sheehan has overseen big changes including the launch of new Norwegian Epic last Summer. But on January 2, 2011 he will be at sea with some different hats on. Hosting one of the line’s signature White Hot Parties, he’ll lead more than 1,000 guests in a line dance. Working alongside a deck repairman we’ll watch as Sheehan sneaks around ships trying to look like everybody else.

CBS’s pseudo-reality series, Undercover Boss, features a high-ranking executive posing as an entry-level worker in the company they manage. Camera crews, lights and associated production stuff is passed off as part of a “documentary” about what it’s like to be the new guy at work. Previous companies featured include Frontier Airlines, Johnny Rockets, Subway Restaurants and Direct-TV.

The show airs January 2, 2011 at 9:00PM Eastern.