Carnival's new karaoke policy...

[terri910]

For those who enjoy karaoke on their cruises, we discovered Carnival has instituted a new policy in his karaoke lounge. Passengers can no longer supply their own karaoke discs to sing to.

 

Considering the dismal catalog of songs available on board to choose from, this was a huge disappointment to my husband and I.

 

The reasons we were given for this policy decision are: (1) passengers claiming their disc were damaged by the karaoke host/equipment; and (2) passengers bringing and singing songs with offensive language.

 

Once again, a few people with little to no common sense have ruined things for the majority.

 

I hope that Carnival's corporate powers-that-be reconsider this policy decision. Any other karaoke fans out there that want to supply their own discs (with the arrangements they love) or find a way for Carnival to expand their library catalog?

[BlueHerons]

. Any other karaoke fans out there that want to supply their own discs (with the arrangements they love) or find a way for Carnival to expand their library catalog?

 

Why don't you and other karaoke fans start writing letters (actual snail mail) to Carnival and ask them to upgrade their karaoke library? Couldn't hurt.

[pholter]

2 of my biggest reasons for cruising Carnival- Topless Adults Deck and Karaoke nightly on the sailings. I have to bring my own CDG's because the music they supply in their catalogs is dismal. Even when they had the right song, it was made by the absolute worst CDG company- very bad version of the songs- able to buy much cheaper, of course.

 

I guess I really will have to move on to a different line now if this is in fact true.

 

I know it seems ridiculous to others who don't enjoy Topless or Karaoke, but think about Carnival doing away with Camp Carnival and it's the same thing to me.

 

What a shame!!! :(

[MaryZ]

2 of my biggest reasons for cruising Carnival- Topless Adults Deck and Karaoke nightly on the sailings. I have to bring my own CDG's because the music they supply in their catalogs is dismal. Even when they had the right song, it was made by the absolute worst CDG company- very bad version of the songs- able to buy much cheaper, of course.

 

I guess I really will have to move on to a different line now if this is in fact true.

 

I know it seems ridiculous to others who don't enjoy Topless or Karaoke, but think about Carnival doing away with Camp Carnival and it's the same thing to me.

 

What a shame!!! :(

 

No I can agree, even tho I'm not into karaoke. The topless deck we solved by booking wraps. but I have lots of friends that love love love karaoke. They would be terribly disappointed not to be able to sing to their own choices of music. I've enjoyed it myself, but I am a terrible singer. Dogs cry, squirrels run away, cats put their paws over their ears...so no way I am getting put on a cd of the ship as the worst karaoke person to ever live :D

[pholter]

No I can agree, even tho I'm not into karaoke. The topless deck we solved by booking wraps. but I have lots of friends that love love love karaoke. They would be terribly disappointed not to be able to sing to their own choices of music. I've enjoyed it myself, but I am a terrible singer. Dogs cry, squirrels run away, cats put their paws over their ears...so no way I am getting put on a cd of the ship as the worst karaoke person to ever live :D

 

You are too too funny!! :) I bet you would be a blast to cruise with :p

[dixnew]

what boat were you on when they told you this? iam going on the inspiration in feb. and i always bring mine with me, this new rule is for the birds....

[smgardner]

I guess that is bad news for those into Karoke.I can't imagine going into the Karoke lounge if there is real music and real entertainers to listen to...thats just me. My wife and I stop at a littel pub next to the house here and there and hear the "singers". We do so because it is close by and do not venture far if having a drink. But, if there were professionals nearby it would be a no brainer. I spent many years in touring bands in the 1970s and 1980s, maybe that makes me scratch my head when folks would opt for amateurs over pros.

But me? I would rather hear live bands...to each there own I guess...

[LHP]

Just another reason for me to start sailing with Oceania, I guess!!

 

Seriously, I don't mind using their cdgs if they have my song ....but if they don't have what I want to do...Carnival and I are going to have to have a talk!!

[LHP]

I guess that is bad news for those into Karoke.I can't imagine going into the Karoke lounge if there is real music and real entertainers to listen to...thats just me. My wife and I stop at a littel pub next to the house here and there and hear the "singers". We do so because it is close by and do not venture far if having a drink. But, if there were professionals nearby it would be a no brainer. I spent many years in touring bands in the 1970s and 1980s, maybe that makes me scratch my head when folks would opt for amateurs over pros.

But me? I would rather hear live bands...to each there own I guess...

 

I always thought the same thing but am constantly amazed at the number of folks who come to listen to karaoke.

 

On the Victory a couple of months ago, we packed out the 300 seat Aft lounge for several hours with karaoke while Peter (Piano Bar~excellent) and Steve (soloist~excellent) sat with no one in there. Even the Asian band was not as crowded as we were in karaoke. Go figure??

[smgardner]

I always thought the same thing but am constantly amazed at the number of folks who come to listen to karaoke.

 

On the Victory a couple of months ago, we packed out the 300 seat Aft lounge for several hours with karaoke while Peter (Piano Bar~excellent) and Steve (soloist~excellent) sat with no one in there. Even the Asian band was not as crowded as we were in karaoke. Go figure??

 

 

Thats just brutal. I just do not understand it. It makes a statement to me that people do not care as much if the music sounds good or not. Obviously, alot of people would rather hear somebody sho thinks they can sing as opposed to someone who really can sing.

WEll, we will be cruising in January. There will be extra seats in the Karaoke bar as we are going to support the real thing...

[terri910]

what boat were you on when they told you this? iam going on the inspiration in feb. and i always bring mine with me, this new rule is for the birds....

We were on the Paradise Dec. 21-24. The Karaoke Hostess told us about the new policy and we spoke to the Cruise Director who confirmed it.

 

I will definitely be writing to Carnival corporate offices.

[terri910]

Just another reason for me to start sailing with Oceania, I guess!!

 

Seriously, I don't mind using their cdgs if they have my song ....but if they don't have what I want to do...Carnival and I are going to have to have a talk!!

That's it exactly, LHP. You know what a difference the different arrangements can make.

 

And truly, their library/catalog of sons was dismal.

[terri910]

I guess that is bad news for those into Karoke.I can't imagine going into the Karoke lounge if there is real music and real entertainers to listen to...thats just me. My wife and I stop at a littel pub next to the house here and there and hear the "singers". We do so because it is close by and do not venture far if having a drink. But, if there were professionals nearby it would be a no brainer. I spent many years in touring bands in the 1970s and 1980s, maybe that makes me scratch my head when folks would opt for amateurs over pros.

But me? I would rather hear live bands...to each there own I guess...

That's the reason why there are so many different things going on on the ship, smgardner. Different people enjoy different things.

 

Going strictly by what my husband and I enjoy onboard, no Carnival ship would ever need a cigar room, card room, or internet cafe. But we always see other people enjoying these areas and assume that if they were suddenly restricted, those passengers that have enjoyed them would be disappointed.

[sparkscruiser]

Does anyone have a list of what they have? I love to sing (and most say that I actually can!) but I also get very uncomfortable with an arrangement I am not familiar with.

[mjbearit]

I guess that is bad news for those into Karoke.I can't imagine going into the Karoke lounge if there is real music and real entertainers to listen to...thats just me. My wife and I stop at a littel pub next to the house here and there and hear the "singers". We do so because it is close by and do not venture far if having a drink. But, if there were professionals nearby it would be a no brainer. I spent many years in touring bands in the 1970s and 1980s, maybe that makes me scratch my head when folks would opt for amateurs over pros.

But me? I would rather hear live bands...to each there own I guess...

Not really much of a surprise. Think about what is considered entertainment nowadays. Jerry Springer? COPS? Wrestling? Basically if you have a trailer park and $50.00 you too can have a hit television show.

You just can't take your eyes off a good trainwreck!

[LHP]

We were on the Paradise Dec. 21-24. The Karaoke Hostess told us about the new policy and we spoke to the Cruise Director who confirmed it.

 

I will definitely be writing to Carnival corporate offices.

 

I have already emailed them.

 

Actually, now that I have thought about this (now that the initial shock is over)...Peter (Karaoke Host) on the Fantasy in August and Kyle (fill in Karaoke Host) on the Victory in October both told me they were not "suppose" to use other folks cdgs...but they both let me. Emie earlier this month on the Holiday never even brought it up...because we have sailed together before. She knows my routine... I just hand her the disk and say which number.

[LHP]

That's the reason why there are so many different things going on on the ship, smgardner. Different people enjoy different things.

 

Going strictly by what my husband and I enjoy onboard, no Carnival ship would ever need a cigar room, card room, or internet cafe. But we always see other people enjoying these areas and assume that if they were suddenly restricted, those passengers that have enjoyed them would be disappointed.

 

Very well said. Just announce that Carnival is closing all the casinos on the ship and watch this board light up!! Personally, it would not bother me one bit...because (except for my free slots entry) I don't gamble. :D

[terri910]

Does anyone have a list of what they have? I love to sing (and most say that I actually can!) but I also get very uncomfortable with an arrangement I am not familiar with.

I am not aware of any website or anything that lists Carnival's catalog.

 

I only recently (on our Labor Day Weekend cruise on the Paradise) shed my inhibitions enough to actually get up and sing (it was fun!) although I have enjoyed listening to hubby and others for a while. We specifically purchased a few discs of specific arrangements in keys that I am comfortable with. I was looking forward to finally participating, and if anything I think hubby was looking forward to it more than I. I sang one song with my husband because I did not feel confident enough to try an unfamiliar song on my own (he's good). We sang Nat "King" Cole & Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable" (so that's one I know is there). I thought I could handle Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash's "Jackson" with hubby, but they didn't have it! They didn't have ANY of Diana Krall's arrangements of vocal standards (which is what I'd brought along).

 

It just seems as though there is some other way to resolve the two problems we were told precipitated the new policy. The new policy just seems like a lazy approach.....

[LHP]

Does anyone have a list of what they have? I love to sing (and most say that I actually can!) but I also get very uncomfortable with an arrangement I am not familiar with.

 

Unfortunately, there are no "set" lists. It varies from ship to ship. And since "no one" is in charge of these lists for more than 6 months at a time...the vast majority of Karaoke Hosts don't have the time or inclination to keep them up to date.

[terri910]

I have already emailed them.

 

Actually, now that I have thought about this (now that the initial shock is over)...Peter (Karaoke Host) on the Fantasy in August and Kyle (fill in Karaoke Host) on the Victory in October both told me they were not "suppose" to use other folks cdgs...but they both let me. Emie earlier this month on the Holiday never even brought it up...because we have sailed together before. She knows my routine... I just hand her the disk and say which number.

Mysty wouldn't do it (even though she did remember us from Labor Day weekend)...she said she'd already been "written up" once for doing it. :(

[terri910]

Not really much of a surprise. Think about what is considered entertainment nowadays. Jerry Springer? COPS? Wrestling? Basically if you have a trailer park and $50.00 you too can have a hit television show.

You just can't take your eyes off a good trainwreck!

I almost did not start this thread because I KNEW there would be wonderfully insulting comments like this.

 

But I know there are many people that DO enjoy karaoke, so I went ahead and started the thread so they'd know.

 

But thanks for sharing....

[LHP]

It just seems as though there is some other way to resolve the two problems we were told precipitated the new policy. The new policy just seems like a lazy approach.....

 

That is exactly it....whatever is the easiest thing to do.

 

Sadly, I fear that not enough people actually bring their own cgds to make a difference...but I have already emailed.

[terri910]

That is exactly it....whatever is the easiest thing to do.

 

Sadly, I fear that not enough people actually bring their own cgds to make a difference...but I have already emailed.

I am never certain what is allowed on this forum. If I give you my email address, could you forward the email address of where I should send an email to let Carnival know of our disappointment?

 

terri91049@yahoo.com

[jakieemma]

I always thought the same thing but am constantly amazed at the number of folks who come to listen to karaoke.

 

On the Victory a couple of months ago, we packed out the 300 seat Aft lounge for several hours with karaoke while Peter (Piano Bar~excellent) and Steve (soloist~excellent) sat with no one in there. Even the Asian band was not as crowded as we were in karaoke. Go figure??

 

Do you think there are a lot of people who go in the lounge just to get a good laugh more than to enjoy someone singing who really can't sing? I mean, some are excellent singers, others are like the first week of American Idol. People watch the bad singers on American Idol to laugh at them, I know I do.

 

I would never go to any amature event just to mock someone but people do, even if they don't do it aloud. Especially those who are drinking and happen to wander in. Some people have never gone to Karaoke and because it is on the ship, they take a peek.

[LHP]

Do you think there are a lot of people who go in the lounge just to get a good laugh more than to enjoy someone singing who really can't sing? I mean, some are excellent singers, others are like the first week of American Idol. People watch the bad singers on American Idol to laugh at them, I know I do.

 

I would never go to any amature event just to mock someone but people do, even if they don't do it aloud. Especially those who are drinking and happen to wander in. Some people have never gone to Karaoke and because it is on the ship, they take a peek.

 

Actually where karaoke is concerned...a lot of times the best "entertainers" could not hit a note with both hands...but they are great entertainers!!

 

I don't think of it as "mocking" ... I think of it as people laughing WITH YOU...not AT YOU. I never laugh AT anyone...but I will laugh with them. If they are trying their hardest and having a good time..so am I!!!

 

As I always tell folks, "hey, if we were Whitney Houston...we would not be on a Carnival ship headed to Cozumel. We would be in Hollywood !!" We are just here to have fun.