"Double Tourism Boom" Revives Maritime Splendor | Drones Transform into Dance Troupe, "Fantasy" Brings the Climax

The original song and dance show "Fantastic Journey" performed by Princess Cruises attracted queues of eager audience members before the show even began; the spectacular performance also earned standing ovations from the crowd. (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

The flagship ship, the first under the world’s top three cruise companies to incorporate Chinese cultural design, will set sail from Taiwan as its home port during the cherry blossom seasons in Japan and Korea next year. One of its highlights, the original song and dance show, not only features a medley of globally popular hits and the Mandarin song "Little Apple," but also marks the first-ever drone performance at sea. A maritime song and dance spectacle that received standing ovations from the audience, this show not only tests the performers’ skills but also hides what behind-the-scenes surprises and risks? Follow our e-newsletter backstage to uncover the three key elements behind this sensory-shocking experience.

The original song and dance show "Fantastic Journey" on board the "Majestic Princess" weaves together a global medley of chart-topping hits to create a borderless musical performance. (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

● Global Hit Medley – A Borderless Fantastic Journey

Set to debut in Taiwan as a chartered voyage during the upcoming cherry blossom seasons in Japan and Korea, the "Majestic Princess" will feature the original song and dance show "Fantastic Journey (Fantastic Journey)," blending a medley of global hits. From pop diva Lady Gaga and boy band One Direction to rock legend Avril Lavigne, and even the catchy tune "Little Apple," the show combines internationally popular songs with eye-catching performances to energize the audience and deliver a borderless musical extravaganza.

The seemingly ordinary white moving backdrop on stage changes rhythmically with the show, creating dazzling visual effects for the "Fantastic Journey." (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

What appears to be a glamorous maritime song and dance show actually reveals the high-risk difficulty of the performances through the blend of dance and high-tech elements. (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

● Cutting-Edge Tech Unleashed – A Thrilling, Non-Stop Performance

Beyond dance, cutting-edge technology adds new highlights to the maritime show. A high-tech backdrop and elevating stage, built with a $6 million investment, deliver a series of fantastical visual effects—giant mysterious masks, flying dragons, and miniature cityscapes create an exciting and suspenseful atmosphere. "Fantastic Journey" also joins the global drone trend, deploying 16 drones that dance and flicker along with the live vocals, revolutionizing the traditional maritime song and dance performance.

Moreover, what looks like a dazzling maritime show actually reveals the high-risk difficulty of combining dance with advanced tech. For instance, the white moving panels used for lighting effects require actors to navigate carefully around onstage wiring while choreographing their movements through them. Entertainment host Theodore noted that even a slight misstep or hesitation could lead to instant injury.

Princess Cruises enhances nightly program variety by keeping nearly 400 performance costumes backstage; cast members must prepare their outfits for each show one to two hours in advance to ensure flawless execution. (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

Behind the actors’ powerful stage presence lies the challenge of quick-change costume agility. (Photo by Jian Yixin, Canon EOS M6)

● Lightning-Fast Costume Changes – 400 Outfits, Zero Mistakes

A single song and dance show strings together multiple global hits, and behind the actors’ striking stage personas is the challenge of rapid costume switches. To enhance nightly variety, the cruise carries nearly 400 performance costumes, so many they require automated racks for rotation. As such, the cast must prep their outfits one to two hours before each show to ensure everything goes smoothly, delivering a maritime night to remember.