On Board Entertainment...Come on Now!

While the shows on the ship may not be top quality entertainment, they are better than anything we can see at home which is nothing. Between working two jobs and living in the middle of nowhere we never get to go to anything. For us going to any show on a ship is a real treat, no matter the quality.

yep. where i live, you have to drive a good ways for anything decent.

as for the effort it takes to pull off a show? yall have no idea! The reason i went on my 1st cruise back in 2003 was because of my school's dance team. we had the honor (along with other schools) of being invited on by Carnival and do a production for the entire cruise ship! putting together choreography and performing on a MOVING ship is not so easy. granted, our production was not as grand as other shows, but it was still a lot of hard work to do and to pull off! I guess i just have a better appreciation for it because i have actually been there, done that and know what it takes.

Production shows used to be rather good. when they switched to playlist boy did it go downhill.

 

Than they made love and marriage game an evening entertainment when it used to be on a sea day afternoon.

 

Hasbro would be good if we were a bunch of 9 year olds but for evening entertainment? Good grief.

 

Lately when they have rock band they put them outside casino with lots of people walking back and forth in a noisy and smoky atmosphere. Used to put them in a lounge with an environment made to hear them sing and you could dance to.

 

Leaves us with piano bar and comedy club.

I soo hate what they did to our rock bands and where they stick them nowadays. Put them back in a lounge environment again. PLEASE..

We have seen good bands draw very well

You are so right golfadj.

I will be sailing on the Splendor the end of September and will be seeing Music Asia. What do you think my chances are that they will be in a lounge????

Okay so the typical show I have seen on a cruise ship is a live band, some singers, dancers and actors.

 

If these types and quality of shows were being shown on the local park for free...I would not go. My family would not go. My co-workers would not go. My neighbors would not go. I do not know anyone who would go.

So what makes these such a big attraction on a cruise ship? I mean people wait in line and run into the theatre when the doors open (I know..we got caught up in this one our first cruise.....never again). Is it the captive audience syndrome? Or limited seating means it must be good? I don't get it.

 

How many here go to these types of shows on a regular basis when not on a cruise..even if they were better than what you see on a cruise? Would you pay for it?

 

Just curious.

 

I do like the comedians in the lounge though.

You make a good point. I suspect that, in order to have really good entertainment on a cruise, the type you'd be willing to stand in line to see, we'd all have to pay extra for. In order to have quality entertainment on a cruise, which would you rather do, pay a higher price for a cruise just to have that entertainment, or buy tickets to a specific show? Either way, you can't get something for nothing. I don't know how much Carnival (or any of the cruise lines) pay their entertainment staff, but I'm sure it's not a huge salary. If you look around, you'll notice that most (if not all) of the singers and dancers you see perform in the theater also do other jobs on the ship. It may be with Guest Services, Hotel staff, Bar staff, or some other area. Since we're on a ship, out in the middle of the ocean, we are a captive audience, with limited choices in entertainment.

You are so right golfadj.

 

I will be sailing on the Splendor the end of September and will be seeing Music Asia. What do you think my chances are that they will be in a lounge????

Based on our last 5 or so cruises not likely they will be in a lounge. After we got off the Liberty in June complained about this to JH who seemed to agreew with me and said he would look into it. Never heard anything more.

Stu, you don't find that to be high quality entertainment? :rolleyes:

 

In all seriousness, after the Playlist Productions feedback, they did introduce Carnival Live which has been "positive."

We will be on the Conquest in a few weeks and not sure if they have playlists or live. Hopefully live as we thought playlist sucked and walked out on two shows.

Flashing lights are an awesome trigger to give DW migraines

They did. It's called Carnival Live and HASBRO! The Game Show. Both are shown alongside the Love & Marriage show, Carnival Legends show, as well as Game Show Mania in the Main Show Lounge. If you want to sit down and enjoy a nice show before visiting the Punchliner's Comedy Club, you can experience one of Carnival's new shows featured in Playlist Productions

I'm hoping this is said in jest....:eek:

The last big show I recall is the Latin one with all the Vegas style costumes. The dancing and music was fabulous, filled the stage and had the audience cheering.

Now it's a bunch of cruisers and their kids being silly in some stupid game show while their relatives cheer them on.

You make a good point. I suspect that, in order to have really good entertainment on a cruise, the type you'd be willing to stand in line to see, we'd all have to pay extra for. In order to have quality entertainment on a cruise, which would you rather do, pay a higher price for a cruise just to have that entertainment, or buy tickets to a specific show? Either way, you can't get something for nothing. I don't know how much Carnival (or any of the cruise lines) pay their entertainment staff, but I'm sure it's not a huge salary. If you look around, you'll notice that most (if not all) of the singers and dancers you see perform in the theater also do other jobs on the ship. It may be with Guest Services, Hotel staff, Bar staff, or some other area. Since we're on a ship, out in the middle of the ocean, we are a captive audience, with limited choices in entertainment.

I am not sure about other cruise lines but on Carnival the production singers do not have to work other jobs with exception of the muster drill. All staff work that. The showband singer does not have other jobs either. Perhaps you may have seen the singers and dancers on another line having to do other jobs. One job you may see them do is possibly giving out cards at bingo and collecting the fee. But otherwise none of the production singers, dancers or showband singers are required to do other jobs on the ship.

You are so right golfadj.

 

I will be sailing on the Splendor the end of September and will be seeing Music Asia. What do you think my chances are that they will be in a lounge????

Just got off Splendor July 31st and you will be happy to know Music Asia was there! They are fabulous and can play anything! They were outside casino and I "think" the lounge.

Here's why I like them...the dancers and singers...IMHO...put in a tremendous amount of effort. Yes, one of the dancers is serving your lunch and the singer may be working in the gym. But so far, I truly have seen effort in them trying to be Broadway's best...which many of them will never be.

 

The best caliber shows so far has been on the Disney Dream. However, I expect them to be good and extremely well done given the cruise fare you pay.

 

My family and I will continue to go to watch some of the most hard working folks in the entertainment business.

Ditch diggers work hard...but I am not going to stop and watch them!

we dont go to these kinds of shows at home. mostly because these kinds of shows are held in big cities (most are a good 2hrs drive from us) where traffic is crazy, prices are crazy, and crowds are crazy

 

But on cruises, we take full advantage! i LOVE the shows i see on cruises! Last week on the Magic, we saw the magician Jason Byrne! he has a contract with the Magic and they fly him in from Vegas!! his show was outstanding! definitely not a show i'd see anywhere around here at home!

I agree..the magicians are worth the effort. I am referring to the broadway/musical/variety type shows.

You make a good point. I suspect that, in order to have really good entertainment on a cruise, the type you'd be willing to stand in line to see, we'd all have to pay extra for. In order to have quality entertainment on a cruise, which would you rather do, pay a higher price for a cruise just to have that entertainment, or buy tickets to a specific show? Either way, you can't get something for nothing. I don't know how much Carnival (or any of the cruise lines) pay their entertainment staff, but I'm sure it's not a huge salary. If you look around, you'll notice that most (if not all) of the singers and dancers you see perform in the theater also do other jobs on the ship. It may be with Guest Services, Hotel staff, Bar staff, or some other area. Since we're on a ship, out in the middle of the ocean, we are a captive audience, with limited choices in entertainment.

They could kill the shows and lower the price for everyone. Then put in some good entertainment and charge admission to those who wanted to see what they are offering. Pay as you go...just like the restaurants, excursions, etc. I think many go because they feel they already paid for it. Already starting it with the concerts I guess.

One cannot expect Broadway caliber shows on a cruise ship. Just think about how much it costs to see a Broadway show. Well over $100.00 per ticket. I do not cruise expecting to be blown away by the nightly entertainment when my cruise fare is well below $100.00/day!

I go in to the theatre with realistic expectations and have often been very pleasantly surprised, as well as entertained.

Use to be that the stage shows were fantastic and people would give standing ovations. Now they are just ................. OK. Maybe it is a sign of old age for me but why does the music for these shows need be played at a deafening rate. I mean crazy loud. While this is happening, they shoot beams of light at the audience. Not a problem until one of the beams hits your eyes and you are blinded for several seconds. I don't blame the dancers and singers. They are doing as directed but who ever controls the shows needs to talk with the audience. They need to go over the basics of what makes for a good show and it is not lightning.

Carnival is just looking for an excuse to re-design the theater area - do you realize how much space the theater takes up?

If the current and future crop of shows have 1/2 filled seats, then the bean counters can pronounce that cruisers don't like theater entertainment. They will then propose that in the next series of upgrades, the theater will be repurposed for shops and cabin suites that can generate income.

Changing all that empty space into revenue generating areas makes the beards drool!

Carnival is just looking for an excuse to re-design the theater area - do you realize how much space the theater takes up?

 

If the current and future crop of shows have 1/2 filled seats, then the bean counters can pronounce that cruisers don't like theater entertainment. They will then propose that in the next series of upgrades, the theater will be repurposed for shops and cabin suites that can generate income.

 

Changing all that empty space into revenue generating areas makes the beards drool!

They will then propose? You do realize they already did this on the Carnival Sunshine, correct? The theater is a multi-purpose room that acts as a theater and a nightclub. In addition, one floor of the theater has been transformed into staterooms. Now that's progress!

At one time the showroom used to feature unique variety act. They were terrific. Anyone ever see El Gaucho? He was amazing. Once upon a time the showroom the showroom had a live orchestra backing up name acts. Saw Peter Noone and Herman`s Hermits, they were great. The showroom would have two shows per night. Sadly those days are gone.

They will then propose? You do realize they already did this on the Carnival Sunshine, correct? The theater is a multi-purpose room that acts as a theater and a nightclub. In addition, one floor of the theater has been transformed into staterooms. Now that's progress!

No I hadn't realized that the theater on the Destiny was re-purposed when they did the Sunshine makeover. I've only sailed the Destiny. However I've been predicting this on CC for years now.......well before the Sunshine was redesigned. A few more years and the theater will be a memory.

No I hadn't realized that the theater on the Destiny was re-purposed when they did the Sunshine makeover. I've only sailed the Destiny. However I've been predicting this on CC for years now.......well before the Sunshine was redesigned. A few more years and the theater will be a memory.

I've only sailed on the Carnival Destiny as well, with no current future plans to sail on the Carnival Sunshine.

A lot of work goes into these shows.

A lot of work goes into my 4 year old's preschool end of the semester show. They practice for months. That doesn't mean they are very good, and neither are the shows on Carnival.

The last time we attended a cruise ship show, we were laughing so hard at how amateurish and ridiculous the performance was, that we had to leave the theater. We were in tears. I must say though that it was one of the most fun and memorable moments of the cruise, seriously! We still laugh out loud when the song "When Doves Cry" comes on the radio. Takes us right back to that theater. :o

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To each their own, but these acts are old style...not even old school...LOL

We are play or theater type people and I think a poll on this subject would be great....anyone game?

Their audience has changed and they have not.

And to be sure, it's still always about money ... For the Corp. pockets.

Please, Carnival: How about some more music relative to your passengers. comedy, etc....anything but the boring stuff you offer.

Here's why I like them...the dancers and singers...IMHO...put in a tremendous amount of effort. Yes, one of the dancers is serving your lunch and the singer may be working in the gym. But so far, I truly have seen effort in them trying to be Broadway's best...which many of them will never be.

 

The best caliber shows so far has been on the Disney Dream. However, I expect them to be good and extremely well done given the cruise fare you pay.

 

My family and I will continue to go to watch some of the most hard working folks in the entertainment business.

There has never been a show (outside of a crew talent show) where the dancers are also your waiters and the singer also works in the gym.... when did you come up this? It's simply not true.... could you be more condecending?

I'm hoping this is said in jest....:eek:

 

The last big show I recall is the Latin one with all the Vegas style costumes. The dancing and music was fabulous, filled the stage and had the audience cheering.

 

Now it's a bunch of cruisers and their kids being silly in some stupid game show while their relatives cheer them on.

If the Hasbro games had some skill attached to them perhaps they could be just a little interesting. What they have now is just boring and they will do it without me.

They will then propose? You do realize they already did this on the Carnival Sunshine, correct? The theater is a multi-purpose room that acts as a theater and a nightclub. In addition, one floor of the theater has been transformed into staterooms. Now that's progress!

Between this and the tiny room they do the comedy club in the Sunshine is not for me.

Live in a small town and entertainment available on the ship is huge for us. We are starting to go to other cruise lines and this will continue.

Some nights we go to the show, some nights we don't. Sometimes we just go to "kill" an hour or so. On board a ship, they kind of have a captive audience and it pretty much depends on what the other options for the evening are. There was an other tread about a particular Broadway production on a particular ship (I don't remember the exact details) but we would NEVER choose or opt out of a particular sailing just based on what the production show onboard was going to be. For us anyway, that's probably the least important criteria for choosing a specific cruise.