A Brampton dance group have been busy entertaining on the high seas as part of the professional entertainment team on a luxury cruise liner.

14 young performers from Nicola Ivinson’s School of Dance spent a week performing aboard the MSC Fantasia at the end of October.

The dancers, aged between 9 and 17, boarded the 18-deck cruise ship on Sunday October 21 with friends and family alongside them.

Dance school leader Nicola was extremely pleased with how the week of performances was received by passengers on the cruise.

“Each night more than 1,000 audience members watched as they performed their routines. They danced with such confidence and style that it looked as though they had performed on that stage many times before,” she said.

“The atmosphere in the theatre was electric. The audience clapped and cheered throughout the routines, with a standing ovation at the end.”

Nicola’s pride for her dancers is clear.

“To see the girls shine on stage in such a beautiful theatre was a really special moment,” she said.

“The dancers really bonded through the rehearsals before the cruise but even more so when on the ship.

“They helped each other with hair and make-up and supported each other just before the performances when the nerves started to kick in.

“From 18 months of planning to seven weeks of intense rehearsals, they finally accomplished what they set out to achieve; from a small town in the North of England to international recognition.”

The MSC Fantasia departed from Genoa in Italy before visiting a different Mediterranean port each day.

The ship, which carries up to 4,363 passengers, has everything from a 4D cinema to a Formula 1 simulator.

But even stacked up against all the cruise had to offer its passengers, Nicola’s dance group still managed to impress its international audience.

“Throughout the week, crew members and passengers of all nationalities were keen to congratulate the group on their talents,” Nicola said.

And just three days after returning, Nicola’s dance school received an invite to return for a future cruise.