Playbill Travel is prepping a ship for the lucky travelers who will be aboard its next cruise, September’s Broadway on the Mediterranean. As with all Playbill’s cruises, the week-long trip will feature stops at fabulous destinations as well as performances by some of Broadway’s biggest stars, including Tony winners Audra McDonald, Gavin Creel, Santino Fontana, and Nikki M. James, plus Christopher Fitzgerald, Will Swenson, Caissie Levy, and John McDaniel.

Sound like a perfect week? The Broadway performers that Playbill handpicks for these intimate travel experiences think so too.

One such performer is Santino Fontana, a recent Tony winner for Tootsie, who joined Playbill for Rhine River Cruise in 2017. He’ll be back on board in September for Broadway on the Mediterranean, an event that has proved so popular that Playbill has already sold out the ship, its largest ever. But don’t despair if you were hoping to experience the magic of Broadway on the high seas. There’s still room on 2023’s Broadway in Alaska voyage, which is set to feature Tony winner Stephanie J. Block and Tony nominees Rob McClure, Kate Baldwin, and Ramin Karimloo.

As you begin to consider the preparations you’ll need to make to snag your spot on a trip-of-a-lifetime Playbill cruise, let Fontana provide some inspiration. Here’s how he preps for his trips and what elements of the Playbill cruise adventure he can’t wait to experience again.

What is your fondest Playbill cruise memory?
Fontana: I think my fondest memory was when I was standing on the deck of the ship drinking an Aperol spritz, surrounded by friends, as we sailed past castle after castle on the Rhine river and I thought, “How the hell did luck into this?”

What destination on this cruise are you most excited about and why?
All of them? I’ve never been to southern Italy so I’m pretty excited for Sorrento. And looking forward to getting in touch with my Spanish roots with all those stops in Spain.

How do you spend your free time while on a Playbill cruise?
I don’t remember a lot of free time on the last trip, because there’s so many amazing things to do…I really packed my days. This time, I’m hoping for some more relaxation…but I’m mostly excited to be with people I love and respect in the Mediterranean…I love a Broadway field trip.

What can travelers expect from your show?
Something unexpected. Because I have no idea what I’m going to do yet. I have a bunch of ideas but I’m marinating still...

What kind of traveler are you? Do you overpack or under-pack?
I’m definitely an under-packer. I always assume no one’s looking at me so if I wear the same stuff too often, who cares? I also hate checking bags, and almost never do.

Cabins are now on sale for Playbill Travel’s Broadway in Alaska, July 21-28, 2023, featuring Kate Baldwin, Stephanie J. Block, Ramin Karimloo and Rob McClure. Playbill Travel is currently accepting waitlist travelers for its sold out cruises: Broadway on the Mediterranean (September 7-14, 2022) and Broadway, Tulips & Chocolate (April 16-23, 2023). Call Playbill Travel to book at 866.455.6789 or visit PlaybillTravel.com.