There are so many reasons to host a film screening on your cruise ship. Maybe you’re an employee looking to plan a kid’s activity for a rainy day, an adult-only get-together, or a family event. Whatever your case may be, there’s no better way to experience a film than with the beautiful backdrop of being at sea. Use this article as your guide for hosting a public movie screening for your guests. Movies are a great way to entertain cruise ship passengers while they travel to or from their destination on the high seas.
How do you host a movie screening on a cruise?
There are many different areas of the ship to choose from, both indoors and outdoors. Make sure you have the perfect place in mind before you start to plan the rest of your event. This could include the top deck, or maybe one of the event rooms. When you decide where you’d like to host it, finalize a date and time with the events team to make sure they do not already have something booked!
Another thing you will need to secure before your screening is public performance rights. Purchasing these rights ensure you are screening the film in a legal manner, as they are not always included with your film’s purchase. Read our article on how to secure public performance rights to learn more.
How much does it cost?
Public performance rights will vary depending on the film, so make sure to budget for this. Prices usually range from $200 to $400 USD. You can use Video Librarian's distributor database to contact the distributor of the film you want to screen in order to secure public screening rights. You can also use Swank's on-board programming guide if you want to screen more popular, blockbuster films.
What materials will I need for a public screening?
Make sure to budget for equipment rental as well as any snacks, drinks, or festive decorations. Seating may already be provided or may be able to be borrowed, but be sure to inquire about this ahead of time.
If you choose to host your event outdoors, it may be wise to monitor the weather. If it gets to be too windy or starts to rain, make sure you have a backup plan! Don’t forget to spread the word about your event as well by hanging signage in heavily trafficked areas, or simply by word of mouth.