tell me all about Carnival karaoke!

[tk22]

It is usually done in a rotation type of list so that more people get to sing, she was not running it right. who was the host do you know

 

It said in Fun Times "Karaoke with Magda". I thought maybe she wasn't running it correctly - maybe it was her first time as a karaoke host!!??!! It was disappointing, but we still had a fantastic cruise:D.

[Magic City Cruiser]

Linda (LHP) is unable to answer because she is on a B2B on the Carnival Triumph from New Orleans...

 

Howver, in nine days I am sure she will tell us all about it.

 

DANG! We're getting on as she gets off! I won't even be able to see the Triumph Karaoke review! I reckon we'll figure it out as we go! FYI, I'm cruising with a group of 10 and we have "choregraphed" a song which includes giving out treats to the audience and ending in a conga line! Ha! We can't wait!

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I like to think of myself as a karaoke superstar (:p) and I am REALLY looking forward to rocking the boat at karaoke!! :cool:

 

What can I expect? Meaning, is it a nightly event? And how crowded does it usually get, can I expect to get on stage or will there be 1,000 people ahead of me in line? Do they have a good play list, or is it pretty limited? I assume duets are okay also?

 

Thank you!

 

Well Linda pretty much answered you but here's my two cents from my experience. I go to early dining and karaoke usually starts about the time I'm done eating. I usually get there just before it starts. The books are pretty shameful but better than RCI & NCL from my past experience. I always bring my own CDG's and they always let me use them. There have been times when the cd wouldn't play on their system but that is rare.

 

Toward the beginning, the rotation is slow and I usually sing about every 3 or 4 people, then as the time goes on and the place starts filling up and people get their foo foo drinks, it starts to pick up and you might only sing once in an hour. But I usually get to sing at least 3 songs a night. Sometimes they have an activity happening right after karaoke in the lounge so the place will start to get packed with standing room only toward the end of karaoke (comic or hypnotist show etc) and the KJ often puts me up to sing last and I sing a parody funny song for everyone that gets the place laughing and having a good time.

 

Sometimes they have some drunk rowdy groups in there and kids should NOT be present but often see them in there. Kids generally don't sing in adult karaoke. They sometimes have family karaoke for them during the day or directly before adult karaoke.

 

The people singing also try out for the Legends show throughout the cruise and the they have the legends show on the last night of the cruise. They have Madonna, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, etc that you dress up like and rehearse with the band and back up singers and you perform on stage to their song. But they only have a few characters and specific songs cuz they have to have costumes for each performer.

 

We were on the Conquest in May and we had several in our group who wanted to sing, but we got there about ten minutes after the time it was supposed to begin and couldn't sing because the lady running the karaoke said the list was full - the same few people were singing song after song. The next evening we got there on time and there was only one spot left on the list - again people had gotten there early and were allowed to start signing up. So, it might have appeared there were just watchers to most people there as the same people were singing over and over. We gave up and didn't go to karaoke the rest of the trip - disappointing, but we didn't dwell on it; just moved on to fun elsewhere!

 

I don't know much about how karaoke is run, but other people more familiar with karaoke said it should have been done in a "rotation" so more people could sing? I don't sing, but to me it is more fun to watch when a variety of people sing.

 

I haven't seen that happen on my CCL cruises. The KJ definitely didn't know what they were doing. Usually they have a song list at the front that you sign up for and you only get to put one song up at a time and can't put another one in until you have sang a song then you go up to add another song. You can't sing twice in a row. It is supposed to be a rotation and I find it odd that you only get to sing once a night. On RCL I only got to sing once and that is cuz their karaoke was one night the whole cruise. The other nights was tryouts for their superstar competitions and I don't competitions.

[DFW Airwolf]

It said in Fun Times "Karaoke with Magda". I thought maybe she wasn't running it correctly - maybe it was her first time as a karaoke host!!??!! It was disappointing, but we still had a fantastic cruise:D.

 

I know the best time we had on the Conquest was ehwn Vitali was the KJ. The last time we were, they had a substitute KJ & it was his last cruise (And it showed) We will be back on next April (Celebrating my 50th Birthday. And I expect lots of FUN) and plan on doing Karoke ever night.

 

Also have heard that Karoke is being moved from the Degas to the smaller Vincents lounge because of the new Comedy Club thing Carnival is doing.

[ThisFemmeKat]

thanks for all the great info.. just waiting to hear if anyone knows which ships have the superstar karaoke already?

[SkyMaster]

We're just off "Legend", and unfortunately, also had a Karaoke Hostess who "played favorites" with the rotation. She'd let just a few folks sing over and over, while the rest of us sat and waited. She admitted that she was just filling in while someone else was on vacation! Later in the week they had a male member of the entertainment staff do the karaoke, and he was much, much better.

They didn't have "Superstar Karaoke" aboard Legend yet, but Jen, the CD told me that they should have it aboard by the end of October or so. No karaoke in the afternoons either, so that too was a disappointment. Overall, not a very good karaoke week aboard Legend.

 

"SKY"

[Julienatul]

Sounds fun!m going to have to check it out this cruise.

[littlesnit]

Just got back from a week on the Pride and the karaoke was jumpin'! They had Superstar karaoke the first day! The regular KJ hosts it and the band is great. No, they can't change keys, so I was limited, but I asked Christina, their female vocalist, to cover the chorus lead for me on one song and I sang the low harmony and did the verse leads, and it worked out A-OK. I ran into the guitar player the next day and grilled him about Superstar and here's what he told me: they will be adding more songs, they're reading from charts so they can't change keys, and they're hoping to phase out the recorded karaoke :eek:. (Bad news for me.) The band is really hot and their female vocalist is only 19 and didn't know most of the songs before. She caught on quick(ly). You'd think she was singing these songs forever.

 

Ok, regular karaoke on the Pride: Smoked every night. MELVIN is a great host. He let me use my own discs which I made from my purchased discs and downloads transposed into my keys. I had 100 songs with me so didn't have to sing the same song twice. They usually had karaoke in the afternoon and later in the evening. It was in the Starry Nights lounge and sometimes in Butterflies. They had no karaoke on Saturday night because of the Legends show.

 

I didn't make every show because I was just too tired after being out on excursions a couple of days, but the nights I did go, I was able to sing a couple of times, (one night twice in a row), but it was pretty well attended. Lots of good singers, and lots more people near the end of the week. It sometimes ran for 4 hours!!!!

 

I didn't make the other Superstar shows, though (I think it was Thursday) there were 2 shows on the same day. Superstar is in Butterflies.

 

That's all I can think of for now. Any specific questions I will try to answer.

 

Hopefully you will cruise the Pride soon and get to experience Melvin. He has a great voice and is aspiring to become part of the production shows. That will be a sad loss to us, but good for him. He's an excellent host and I didn't notice any favortism.

[shortstuf1255]

I got off the Dream a week ago and Yes they have Superstart Karaoke

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I hope they DON'T phase out regular karaoke. That will be a big disappointment for me. I'm not interested in singing with a band that I've never practiced with. I've done that before I didn't like it.

[hotmonia]

On the Triumph during the day they would do it on the Promenade deck, right outside of the casino. It got pretty good, crowd wise. At night it was in one of the lounges, and the one night I was there it was pretty crowded as well.

[Kkate]

Just off the Freedom and the host was a guy called Kim who was the funniest and best one yet! Most nights people were lined up at the doors waiting for a seat.

[Jabee]

Linda (LHP) is unable to answer because she is on a B2B on the Carnival Triumph from New Orleans...

 

Howver, in nine days I am sure she will tell us all about it.

 

DANG! We're getting on as she gets off! I won't even be able to see the Triumph Karaoke review! I reckon we'll figure it out as we go! FYI, I'm cruising with a group of 10 and we have "choregraphed" a song which includes giving out treats to the audience and ending in a conga line! Ha! We can't wait!

 

Yes..and I will boarding when you get off on the 16th....we are doing he seven night Key West, Nassau, and Freeport trip. With Linda on there for nine nights, I suspect she will get this mess of holding Karaoke in three or four different places straightened out.

[Jabee]

The people singing also try out for the Legends show throughout the cruise and the they have the legends show on the last night of the cruise. They have Madonna, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, etc that you dress up like and rehearse with the band and back up singers and you perform on stage to their song. But they only have a few characters and specific songs cuz they have to have costumes for each performer.

 

Remember...the Legends show is only on seven night trips. On lesser ones they will have a "Talent Show." You can choose your own music and sing with the band. It is a lot of fun.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Thanks JaBee. I don't participate in either but good info for others that are interested. The KJ always tries to convince me to do it but I just can't bring myself to do it. I sing for fun only and don't like real big crowds so I haven't even attended the legends show or talents shows and would NEVER sing in it.:eek: That would just freak me out. I guess I'm still a little on the shy side. I can sing in front of people in the lounge but singing on a stage in the theatre is a little intimidating to me.

[airhead22]

Just off the Freedom and the host was a guy called Kim who was the funniest and best one yet! Most nights people were lined up at the doors waiting for a seat.

 

 

 

 

I was on last weeks sailing and Kim was the best part of being onboard. We went to every session just to see him!!!

[thelioness1210]

Is it only for adults? My nine year old loves Karaoke, she likes to sing popular country songs. Or do they have a special time for kids to sing?

[Thoth]

There seems to be a rule....the crazier the better. I can sing lovely songs all night with moderate sucess, but sing one hard rock song and everybody just loves me.

I don't get it !!

[STGx3]

On the Spirit last week I was lucky to hit a dead night there were 15-20 people attending I think the KJ's name was Joe? She was a female, though, and was good. Very talkative. I was up first and sang Dancing Queen... I think people weren't sure if it was okay to laugh or if it would hurt my feelings. I am not the greatest singer haha..

[misstopgun]

I used to host karaoke as a part time job and loved it. On cruise ships however most of the hosts can't or are not allowed to mix the sound and enhance the experience for those singing or listening. Many times you cannot hear yourself sing. I haven't been to karaoke my last 5 cruises. Has it gotten any better?

[littlesnit]

Melvin on the Pride is awesome!!!!

 

We had Leanne last year on the Triumph and she also was great.

 

I went to most of their shows because they were fair and knew how to run their equipment. They also sang very well which helped.

[LHP]

Is it only for adults? My nine year old loves Karaoke, she likes to sing popular country songs. Or do they have a special time for kids to sing?

 

Not to worry....most ships have a "family hour" where ANY age can sing...and then the rest of the time is for adults only!

 

Just check your Fun Times....and if you don't see if...just talk to the karaoke host.

[LHP]

Hey guys....

 

SOOO sorry for being so late posting this....

 

my life has been like that little hamster in the cage running his legs off since we returned.

 

(new windows throughout the house) etc

 

First, Melvin and Kim are my cruise sons. LOVE THEM.....

Secondly, LeAnn also ROCKS....

 

our karaoke host was Ashley from India and we had a blast with him.

 

Now be aware that he does something I have never experienced with any other karaoke host. He walks around with a wireless mic and has people from the audience (who can't carry a tune) sing along with you.

 

FORTUNATELY...it is usually just a few notes during the chorus...so it did not bother me...BUT I can see how it might bother others.

 

I have several friends from India who are karaoke hosts (Rozwin is another cruise son)....and their culture seems to be very "direct". So please don't take it personally.

 

For example...if you walk up and ask about a book or sign up slips before Ashley has them set out...he will only say (and pretty sternly) " 5 minutes.... "

 

He isn't trying to be reprimanding in tone, but that is how it can come across.

 

Absolutely loved him as a person.....and (except for that microphone thing that rightfully bugs some folks) he goes a great job.

 

I will be "away" for about a week starting Saturday. We are taking DJ to tour Nascar garages in North Carolina...ending up at the Talladega race....

 

so if I miss any other posts...I will try to catch up when we get back.

 

BTW< the Triumph DOES have the Legend Show on the 7 day...the TALENT SHOW on the 5 day and nothing on the 4 day.....

 

They did not have Superstar yet....

[LHP]

I hope they DON'T phase out regular karaoke. That will be a big disappointment for me. I'm not interested in singing with a band that I've never practiced with. I've done that before I didn't like it.

 

You and me BOTH...

 

we need to be VOCAL about Carnival keeping it.

 

Personally, it is a major reason we are staying with Carnival now that DJ is getting older and (maybe) can handle the change to another cruise line.

 

(for those that don't know ...DJ has Autism and "change is not their friend")

[LHP]

No key change for SUPERSTAR ???? aaauuugggggghhhhhh :(

 

The vain of my karaoke existance.....I have such a limited range....I can only do a VERY few songs in their original key.

 

For example...I can sing "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey...BUT NOT in the original key.

 

I can sing Mariah Carey's "Hero"....but NOT in the original key....

 

Btw, Tim (Senior AV Tech for Carnival) made sure the key control WAS working on the Triumph when I got there.

 

THANK YOU TIM!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!