Norwegian Cruise Line unveils magic-themed dinner theater

By Tom Stieghorst

MIAMI BEACH — Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled a magic-themed dinner theater called Illusiionarium for the Norwegian Getaway ship, a ship that will debut in Miami in early 2014.

Speaking at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, Norwegian CEO Kevin Sheehan said the concept was inspired by magicians, the science fiction of Jules Verne and popular blockbuster movies featuring supernatural characters.

Illusionarium will replace the space occupied by Cirque Dreams on Norwegian Epic and Breakaway. It will have between 230 and 240 seats and the charge will be in the range of $35.

The centerpiece of the restaurant will be a video dome 30 feet in diameter that will serve as a projection screen for mystical places and scenes.

"When we saw some depictions of this, it was unbelievable to me that we could actually pull this off," Sheehan said.

The Illusionarium will offer 12 shows a cruise, two shows a night.

Norwegian also announced it will feature a fireworks show on each Getaway cruise.