Playbill Travel has unveiled a new, shorter travel plan option for theatregoers looking to explore the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In addition to the previously announced week-long experience, the FringeShip Weekend Getaway Package will be offered August 8-11.
Playbill's inaugural FringeShip and floating hotel will dock for the week of August 8-15 in Edinburgh's port district of Leith, and the weekend option will allow travelers to take advantage of all of the offerings on board the FringeShip (a.k.a. Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition) for a shorter trip.
“Playbill is very proud to be associated with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We believe this annual gathering is an incubator of theatrical creativity, a cradle for newborn productions, and the home of brilliant originality—it speaks to our passion, and we can’t wait to be a part of it this summer,” Philip S. Birsh, President and CEO of Playbill, Inc. said in a statement. "Our goal for this FringeShip Weekend Getaway Package is to allow guests who cannot stay for an entire week to Edinburgh, to come for a weekend filled with incredible performances, meals, and accommodations all included, thus, allowing those to experience Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a wonderful stay on our chartered Ship.”
The FringeShip Weekend Getaway Package includes hotel accommodations for August 8-11; breakfast, lunch, and dinner with supplementary drink packages and specialty dining packages available; and daily free coach transportation to the heart of the festival. Events and amenities on board also include piano sing-alongs, trivia games, daily happy hours, silent discos, a wellness center, gym, two swimming pools, and a top deck open-air lounge with a late-night pizza parlor.
Guests will also be treated to exclusive onboard Fringe performances. On August 8, performances will include the Welcome to FringeShip Welcome Party and a silent disco. On August 9, a morning Fringe Showcase will feature Hold Onto Your Butts, Tom Brace: The Ride 4D, Ni Mi Madre, and more. In the evening, performances will include Rachel Redleaf's Too Much of a Good Thing cabaret and an evening piano sing-along hosted by Fringe favorite Rob Madge (My Son's a Queer).
On August 10, a morning Fringe showcase will feature shows including I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical, Pear, and 2 Become Wand. In the evening, guests will be treated to Fringe's Pleasance Theatre Trust. On August 11, Tony winner Frances Ruffelle (Les Misérables) and West End actor Norman Bowman will star in a performance of The Scot and the Showgirl.
Tickets for the Playbill FringeShip begin at $225 per day per person—the price encompasses a stay in a suite or cabin, all meals, as well as access to all the ship’s amenities, Playbill-sponsored Fringe entertainment, and transportation.
Visit FringeShip.com to book, and follow along with Playbill's Fringe coverage here.