theatre entertainment

[torty]

We've recently returned from a wonderful Fjords cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We've cruised with Princess quite often but have noticed over the past couple of cruises, including this latest one, that the entertainment in the theatre seems to have deteriorated somewhat. I know it's a subjective thing and you can't please everybody but we have fond memories of wonderful production shows but these seem to have been reduced in number to make way for individual singers/magicians, comediens etc and the few production shows they have don't seem to compare with previous ones. Is it just us or do others feel the same. It's a shame really as we feel Princess have lost quite a few brownie points because of this. We do enjoy cruising with them still but just wish they would bring back some of the excellent shows they had in the past. Presumably it's all down to finance, a solo performer is a lot cheaper than a group of singers/dancers/musicians. Would appreciate views of other Princess passengers

[skynight]

We've recently returned from a wonderful Fjords cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We've cruised with Princess quite often but have noticed over the past couple of cruises, including this latest one, that the entertainment in the theatre seems to have deteriorated somewhat. I know it's a subjective thing and you can't please everybody but we have fond memories of wonderful production shows but these seem to have been reduced in number to make way for individual singers/magicians, comediens etc and the few production shows they have don't seem to compare with previous ones. Is it just us or do others feel the same. It's a shame really as we feel Princess have lost quite a few brownie points because of this. We do enjoy cruising with them still but just wish they would bring back some of the excellent shows they had in the past. Presumably it's all down to finance, a solo performer is a lot cheaper than a group of singers/dancers/musicians. Would appreciate views of other Princess passengers

 

Funny you posted this comment. We were just speaking about this last night. Yes, we have noticed. I don't think it can totally be blamed on cost. The cruise line spends plenty of $$$ to produce a show, recruit and train the performers and pay them. Maybe a change should be made at the top, with the person that develops the shows is needed. Maybe they need to sign some contracts with well known singer/songwriters to do shows based on their materials. How about the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett? All the shows seem to be similar, a collection of songs and dances based on a trip through some time period. Maybe we have just seen too many shows. But, when cruising was new in the 80's and 90's there were fewer repeat customers. Now almost the entire ship is repeaters, and the line has to work hard to keep their entertainment fresh and new.

[Pia1913]

We've recently returned from a wonderful Fjords cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We've cruised with Princess quite often but have noticed over the past couple of cruises, including this latest one, that the entertainment in the theatre seems to have deteriorated somewhat. I know it's a subjective thing and you can't please everybody but we have fond memories of wonderful production shows but these seem to have been reduced in number to make way for individual singers/magicians, comediens etc and the few production shows they have don't seem to compare with previous ones. Is it just us or do others feel the same. It's a shame really as we feel Princess have lost quite a few brownie points because of this. We do enjoy cruising with them still but just wish they would bring back some of the excellent shows they had in the past. Presumably it's all down to finance, a solo performer is a lot cheaper than a group of singers/dancers/musicians. Would appreciate views of other Princess passengers

 

Same cruise; agree. I think they have attached Emily Reed permanently. :rolleyes:

[akeasley]

I've noticed the same thing. My mom and I were on the Star Princess a few weeks ago and the shows were the same as the ones we saw on the Crown Princess two years ago. This past cruise, I was just not impressed with the two shows we saw. They ended up canceling one later in the week because one of the two femals singers was sick. My mom and I were both surprised there wasn't a back-up singer available...maybe one of the dancers? I really hope that the entertainment picks up and Princess gets some new material. Even the titles of the shows seems to be the same.

[PescadoAmarillo]

There have been several posts lately about the decline in quality of Princess entertainment. Frankly, if you had shows longer than 30 minutes in the Princess Theater and alternative shows in either Explorers Lounge or Club Fusion, you were lucky, whatever the quality.

[cruisinggirl13]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have also noticed a decline in the quality of some of the piano entertainers in Crooners. I sent a letter about it to Customer Service and got a phone call back from a Princess rep telling me that they "are always trying new things" when it comes to entertainment, and that they appreciated my comments. In general, my husband and I love a good piano entertainer, but in two recent cruises, both of the entertainers in Crooners used synthesizers. The synthesizers were too loud, sounded like poor karaoke tracks, and (in our opinions) were an attempt to mask weak voices. We hope that Princess brings back true piano entertainers in Crooners - ones with good voices, great rapport with the audience, and ones who use their own voices and musical ability to entertain, without loud, overpowering synthesizers and tracks.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Welcome to the new improved Princess way of entertainment. Some people seem to love it since it provides more of an opertunity to see all of the shows on their schedule. :p

[Pia1913]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have also noticed a decline in the quality of some of the piano entertainers in Crooners. I sent a letter about it to Customer Service and got a phone call back from a Princess rep telling me that they "are always trying new things" when it comes to entertainment, and that they appreciated my comments. In general, my husband and I love a good piano entertainer, but in two recent cruises, both of the entertainers in Crooners used synthesizers. The synthesizers were too loud, sounded like poor karaoke tracks, and (in our opinions) were an attempt to mask weak voices. We hope that Princess brings back true piano entertainers in Crooners - ones with good voices, great rapport with the audience, and ones who use their own voices and musical ability to entertain, without loud, overpowering synthesizers and tracks.

 

Piano player Paul Burton currently on the CB is very good. And LIVE.

[caribill]

Welcome to the new improved Princess way of entertainment. Some people seem to love it since it provides more of an opertunity to see all of the shows on their schedule. :p

 

Old way: 90 minutes of different entertainers an evening

 

New way: 30 minutes of different entertainers an evening

 

Yes, it is more of an opportunity to see just 30 minutes than it was to see 90 minutes.

[Pia1913]

Old way: 90 minutes of different entertainers an evening

 

 

New way: 30 minutes of different entertainers an evening

 

Yes, it is more of an opportunity to see just 30 minutes than it was to see 90 minutes.

 

Bill, no show that I can recall ever lasted 90 minutes. Perhaps 50-55, but not more than an hour. And the 30 minute shows are really 35-40.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Bill, no show that I can recall ever lasted 90 minutes. Perhaps 50-55, but not more than an hour. And the 30 minute shows are really 35-40.

 

That is correct and I'll add to that by saying with the new improved shortened shows there is no other entertainment that evening available after the show unless you like the newlywed game or listening to music at a piano bar. The days of seeing a comedian after the main show are almost gone.

Of course if like MUTS or you're a casino person and don't mind the smoke then you'll be thrilled with the new way of doing things.

[highheel girl]

Bill, no show that I can recall ever lasted 90 minutes. Perhaps 50-55, but not more than an hour. And the 30 minute shows are really 35-40.

 

 

Yes I agree. ;)

[caribill]

Bill, no show that I can recall ever lasted 90 minutes. Perhaps 50-55, but not more than an hour. And the 30 minute shows are really 35-40.

 

By 90 minutes I meant a 45 minute show in the Princess Theater plus a 45 minute show in one of the lounges.

[Pasty]

Paul Bourton is dreadful. Anyone with pitch perfect hearing will notice he is often off key & very pitchy.

 

Agree the theatre shows have deteriorated, always enjoyed them in past.

[rcacace]

The shows we've seen on the Crown recently were definitely a shortened versions of the same ones they presented last year along with reduced guest entertainers they we used to look forward to in the past.

[ANYPORT]

Agree entertainments detiorated. Same old....same old. We had a guest entertainer on recent Crown cruise - think he was called Paul Baker. Musical theatre guy who's appeared in many west end shows. In our opinion EXCELLENT. He did two shows and both were full.

For all other shows it was easy to get a seat.... even a few mins before start!

Anyport

[Pia1913]

Paul Bourton is dreadful. Anyone with pitch perfect hearing will notice he is often off key & very pitchy.

 

Agree the theatre shows have deteriorated, always enjoyed them in past.

 

I wasn't critiquing pitch. I was critiquing him. He is fun.

[lovevacadays]

I used to love the production shows in the theater (Princess and other lines). However, I haven't gone to the production show in my last few cruises. Oh wait, I tried on the Crown in 2009 and walked out. In my opinion, Princess doesn't change them up often enough and there aren't any that really spark my interest anymore. I tend to spend my evenings listening to music in one of the lounges or doing one of the things you can only do on a cruise activities (trivia, themed nights, etc.)