NiGeL THoMPSoN Marjorie Yue Decks factor The force is strong on these cruises...

Cruise entertainment has seen a sea change in the last few years, with a new wave of ships equipped with state-ofthe-art technology bringing the West End and Broadway to the high seas.

And the growing popularity of live music on cruises gives fans the chance of getting on a boat that rocks – all included in the fare.

Celebrity Edge’s most advanced theatre has four stages and three gigantic moving projection screens and offers dazzling shows from the biggest cast of performers at sea.

Be mesmerised by the breathtaking high-diving aerial acts and stunning aquatic acrobatics in the AquaTheatre. celebritycruises.co.uk

MSC’s partnership with Cirque du Soleil will see two brand new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows flying high on MSC Bellissima, which launches in March. msccruises.co.uk

Award- winning musical Kinky Boots kicks off on Norwegian’s Encore from November when the NCL ship makes its debut, while the popular The Cavern Club is always a big hit with Beatles fans. ncl.com

P&O Cruises’ partnership with Strictly Come Dancing waltzes on. It features some of the show’s professional dancers and judge Craig Revel Horwood, plus a chance to join a dinner hosted by a pro dancer on four Strictly-themed itineraries lined up for this year. pocruise.com

For its latest ship, Carnival Cruise Line has raised the bar, teaming up with top creative directors from both Broadway and the West End to stage three dazzling new shows on Carnival Horizon. Soulbound is a high-energy journey through New Orleans, and, in Celestial Strings, classical meets pop in an enchanted garden, while Vintage Pop takes the audience back to the Great Gatsby.

Disney Cruise Line is sprinkling more of its magical dust in 2020 with the return of Star Wars Day at Sea on seven-night Disney Fantasy sailings in January and February from Florida to a galaxy far, far away (aka the Caribbean). disneycruise.com

More info: cruising.org

monkeyisland.co.uk

longleat.co.uk Secure your bike and more with a maximum-security lock operated via a smartphone app, so no keys or combinations. Access can be given to friends and family.

STar aweS Sail with Darth VaderYTL’s Monkey Island Estate in the Thames village of Bray, Berkshire, opens on Valentine’s Day. Once a haunt of artists and monarchs, its 18th century pavilions house 27 bedrooms, plus there’s a barn with 11 rooms and a spa on a barge moored in the river. Communal areas feature vaulted ceilings, 17th century frescoes and secret snugs. Doubles from £275, room only.Home to five koalas and two wombats, Koala Creek is opening at Longleat Safari Park onMarch 29. The enclosure has a natural stream, eucalyptus trees, climbing poles and indoor and outdoor habitats. Other residents include a clan of potoroos, which look like rabbit-sized kangaroos, and a pair of rare Cuban crocodiles, who are very active and entertaining.