P&O Cruises and Grayboy Entertainment, have sailed “outside the square” with the lines’ newest production show, “Life as We Know It”.

The vibrant, thought provoking production blends contemporary music and choreography with the awe inspiring feats of onboard circus troupe, ‘Pacific Cirque’, as it takes passengers on a journey through the ebbs and flows of life.

Grayboy Entertainment founder and managing director Graeme Gillies said that the production was a departure from those currently showing aboard P&O Cruises.

“It is to the credit of P&O and Carnival that they are willing to step out of the box of entertainment on cruise ships,” Mr Gillies said to media aboard Pacific Dawn in Brisbane on Monday.

“With global interest in cruising, it’s a good time to think about what people really want.”

“We’re happy to think outside the square,” Carnival Australia entertainment manager David Druery told e-Travel Blackboard.

“We want to create variety and offer something for everyone.”

An all-star lineup was involved in creating “Life as We Know It”, which Carnival Australia vice president hotel operations Sture Myrmell said was the brain child of Mr Gillies.

Renowned Australian choreographer, William A Forsythe, worked with Pacific Cirque’s UK producer Micha Bergese in the development of the production that features music by Gotye, Christina Aguilera and The Black Eyed Peas, among others.

Drawing inspiration from the ‘steampunk’ style made famous by film producer Tim Burton, the elaborately detailed costumes featuring rich fabrics adorned with metal trimmings, were designed by Australia’s Nigel Shaw who has designed pieces for icons including Lady Gaga and Madonna.

“P&O Cruises is Australia’s biggest cruise line with its own style of cruising so we want to create shows that are unique to our ships,” Mr Myrmell said.

“’Life as We Know It’ delivers on that brief – it’s very fresh, visual and high impact, so we think it will be a big hit with our passengers.”

Debuting last month aboard the Brisbane-based ship, the show utilizes the advanced LED displays that were renewed and refreshed during Pacific Dawn’s dry dock in May this year. 

“Life as We Know It” is expected to roll-out on sister-ship, Pacific Jewel next year.