Princess v RCI entertainment question

[grtar]

We were on the Star Princess (Western Caribbean) six years ago and we just returned from a 9 night Eastern Caribbean on the Navigator of the Seas.

 

This was only our second cruise and we loved them both. We did notice that on the Star, there seemed to be multiple entertainment options each night in different venues. On the Navigator the nightly entertainment was limited to the Metropolis Theatre unless you went to one of the lounges to listen to musicians.

 

We are looking at a 10 night Southern Caribbean on the Emerald Princess in March of next year. Does Princess still offer a wide assortment of entertainment options?

[1 HappyCruiser]

It looks as though RCI is cutting back the sane as Princess is. Most Princess ships have or are going to 30 minute shows & not much else after that unless you enjoy listening to music of dancing. We've been limiting our watching of the decent movies at home so that we'll have something to do on the ship at night.

Maybe they'll have another round of bingo scheduled for 10 PM. :rolleyes:

[Amtrack Springfield]

No, as of this date they have changed the format of the nightly shows on the Emerald as a test. They have shorten the shows to 30 minutes. They still have the Princess singers and dancers, comedians, etc. Princess has beening getting alot of negative reviews of the new format. You sit waiting longer for the show than the actual performance. There is nothing to do after 9 P.M. unless you like to dance.

[1 HappyCruiser]

No, as of this date they have changed the format of the nightly shows on the Emerald as a test. They have shorten the shows to 30 minutes. They still have the Princess singers and dancers, comedians, etc. Princess has beening getting alot of negative reviews of the new format. You sit waiting longer for the show than the actual performance. There is nothing to do after 9 P.M. unless you like to dance.

 

We haven't sailed since the "new improved shortened" shows have begun but did they at least utilize the Explorer's and Fusion lounges to show movies? or was MUTS the only option for that?

I've got a feeling we'll me watching some of our own movies that we bring, in the cabin since dancing or listening to piano music isn't our thing .

[Happy2cruise]

We haven't sailed since the "new improved shortened" shows have begun but did they at least utilize the Explorer's and Fusion lounges to show movies? or was MUTS the only option for that?

I've got a feeling we'll me watching some of our own movies that we bring, in the cabin since dancing or listening to piano music isn't our thing .

 

Just off the Emerald and no they did not show movies in Explorer's or Club Fusion.

[bostonfred]

The day i watch a movie on a cruise ship is the day i stop cruising.i have always found plenty to do.i'd even stargaze or people watch as opposed to go back to my room and watch a movie!!

[roe2ship]

No, as of this date they have changed the format of the nightly shows on the Emerald as a test. They have shorten the shows to 30 minutes. They still have the Princess singers and dancers, comedians, etc. Princess has beening getting alot of negative reviews of the new format. You sit waiting longer for the show than the actual performance. There is nothing to do after 9 P.M. unless you like to dance.

This sure is diappointing to read. Princess always had a wide variety of evening entertainment. Are the comedian shows also down to 30 minutes too??

[pmd98052]

No, as of this date they have changed the format of the nightly shows on the Emerald as a test. They have shorten the shows to 30 minutes. They still have the Princess singers and dancers, comedians, etc. Princess has beening getting alot of negative reviews of the new format. You sit waiting longer for the show than the actual performance. There is nothing to do after 9 P.M. unless you like to dance.

 

They were about to roll this out to the Sapphire late last Month (March) but it was postponed so hopefully lots of negative feedback is changing some minds.

 

I thought the March 10th Hawaii cruise on the Sapphire had excellent entertainment so I hope they're leaving things alone....

[Amtrack Springfield]

You need to call Princess and voice your opinion. We don't like the 30 minute shows. You sit waiting in the theater longer than the show. The performers don't like it either.

[1 HappyCruiser]

This sure is diappointing to read. Princess always had a wide variety of evening entertainment. Are the comedian shows also down to 30 minutes too??

 

Yep, according to what I read here on CC. The hypnotist show must really be bad since it takes him 15 or 20 minutes to get the people to volunteer & get them under and before you know it the shows over. Not worth the time to go if they only allow them 30 minutes. :mad:

[1 HappyCruiser]

Just off the Emerald and no they did not show movies in Explorer's or Club Fusion.

 

That's just great. :mad: If a person has no interest in going to a lounge to listen to a piano player or go dancing, what else is there to do after the main show? It doesn't sound like much.

What make it even sadder is that people who are now just beginning their cruise carrier will no doubt be bored to death with the entertainment. I can understand that it's probably an economic move but to antagonize prospective new cruisers from cruising again in the future is not the way to go- raise cruise fares if necessary.

[itzmered]

In December on the Caribbean Princess most nights there was some type of "game" show or Princess Pop Star going on in Explorers after the 1st show in the theater. Plus there is Movies Under the Stars every evening. We never had a problem finding plenty to do each evening and never just sat in a lounge and listened to music :) One night of the 14 we were tired and did sit in our cabin and watch a movie ;)

[PescadoAmarillo]

The only people who seem to be happy with Anytime Entertainment are late diners. Early diners find themselves either racing through their dinner or standing outside the theater waiting to get into the 8:30pm show. But when that show's over at 9, it's fairly slim pickings. UNLESS you want to watch a game show or dance or listen to karaoke.

 

Even the string quartet is gone. :(

[pmd98052]

Depends on the quality of the bands. With Indigo on the Sapphire to Hawaii two weeks ago we skipped the shows to catch the band! :)

[caribill]

The Star, at least last month, had different 45 minute shows in Explorer's Lounge and the Princess Theater most evenings.

 

In addition there were games (marriage game, trivia, etc) and other activities in the Vista Lounge as well as music and dancing in other lounges.

 

There was no shortage of entertainment options.

[simbasmom]

No, as of this date they have changed the format of the nightly shows on the Emerald as a test. They have shorten the shows to 30 minutes. They still have the Princess singers and dancers, comedians, etc. Princess has beening getting alot of negative reviews of the new format. You sit waiting longer for the show than the actual performance. There is nothing to do after 9 P.M. unless you like to dance.

 

I'm curious as to how long this test on the Emerald is supposed to last. Our son is a musician, often performs for stage shows, and is joining the Emerald in June. Nothing's been said to him about the length of shows being different from other ships he's worked on. This'll be interesting to see how long it lasts, IF it becomes permanent.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Last cruise on the Emerald, although they hadn't shortened the production shows to 30 minutes, I did notice they cut a few dance routines & songs from they same shows previously. I suppose it was in anticipation of the 30 minute shows to yet be introduced.

[Infi]

Just curious if they have rolled out the "entertainment experiment" on other ships or if it's still contained to the Emerald currently.

[MSUcruisers]

The Star, at least last month, had different 45 minute shows in Explorer's Lounge and the Princess Theater most evenings.

 

In addition there were games (marriage game, trivia, etc) and other activities in the Vista Lounge as well as music and dancing in other lounges.

 

There was no shortage of entertainment options.

 

I was disappointed with the 30-minute shows on the Emerald in February. We enjoyed the times when all Princess ships had multiple venues to select from as you did on the Star.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Just curious if they have rolled out the "entertainment experiment" on other ships or if it's still contained to the Emerald currently.

 

I was fully expecting the 30 minute shown on the Crown but they keep them to the usually 45-50 minutes but they were lacking any additional show each evening like in the past. They had things like trivia, newly wed game, etc.

They defitnely have cutback.

Does anyone know if the other cruise lines are doing likewise or is it just Princess?

[silverjoe]

We we were on the emerald princess eastern Caribbean cruise this past February. While they did cut down the musical production shows to about 35 minutes, they did add a third show which gave more options and led to less crowded theaters. Two of the shows, beatlemaniacs and Steve Moris, also had a second night that they performed in the Club Fusion. Those were extended shows with new material and they were about an hour each. Both of these performers/groups were in the finals for Princess Entertainer of the Year. There was also the opening welcome to the cruise show, as well as the last night cruise staff international show. Both were good, as well as the additional singer/dancer productions, some of which we had seen before. We did not feel that we went wanting for any entertainment during this cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Joe

[maxmia]

We have had 2 cruises with HAL in the past 8 months, one was a 23 night from LA to Sydney, and there was entertainment every night. Our last cruise was in March/April this year, over 14 nights, and on two occasions they played movies in the theatre. Very disappointing for us, we don't cruise to watch movies. Trying Princess in October, don't like the sound of this thread, entertainment is part of the cruise experience. Hope the Sea Princess in still keeping the old format.:rolleyes: Barbara.