For those who love/care about Entertainment - and cruise alot - Playlist opinions??

[PunkyH]

Well, we hated the new shows.!!! We have seen Latin nights, Motor City and Divas. We walked out the last night and said if this is what Carnival is coming to we may need to check out other lines.

[golfadj]

Well, we hated the new shows.!!! We have seen Latin nights, Motor City and Divas. We walked out the last night and said if this is what Carnival is coming to we may need to check out other lines.

 

Temped to ask JH about this when he comes back but he will say how many people love it and his minions would agree.

[SamGoodyTwoShoes]

You asked for opinions – so here is mine:

I live in south Florida. I cruise at least once a month. I honestly cannot tell you how many cruises I have been on in the last 35 years. I mostly sail on Carnival, but have sailed on ever cruise line.

I do prefer the older shows that Carnival had over the playlist shows today. The live band, more dancers, singers that could actually sing, costumes and stage sets – yes the shows were better.

I have though seen all 5 of the playlist shows;

Glory – Diva’s, Motor City, and Latin Nights

Breeze – Diva’s, Motor City, Brits

Imagination – Diva’s, Epic Rock

I don’t think the shows are as bad as some make them out to be. The cast, of course, makes a difference in the quality of the show. I guess I have a take it or leave it attitude towards the new shows. There was a time I wouldn’t miss the production show – now I see what else is going on at the same time and decide.

Here is something to think about – there are a few positive comments on this thread – from people who saw the shows on the Imagination and the Ecstasy – NONE of the fantasy class ships got the LED screens when they got the playlist shows. The fantasy class ships are all using a projection screen instead. In my opinion it is like night and day.

With the projection screen – the stage still has the scenery but you can SEE the performers. The LED screens are blinding. The performers on the Imagination (in my opinion) were very good. I did enjoy the shows on that ship. I have been on the Imagination 4 times since the new shows were added – I have seen each of them at least 3 times on that ship alone.

 

I will though agree with you with the repetitiveness – and it’s not just the shows. 2.0 are making all the ships the same. Everything is branded. The new décor of the Breeze is being carried to the new ships (Sunshine). I do think there will be a day when it won’t matter which ship you sail on – just pick the closest home port because the ship, itinerary, and shows are all going to be identical.

 

I concur that the shows aren't as bad as some purport and many people enjoy them. If 100 people don't like them, then probably at least 100 like them and 1000 or more don't care. Until you try to get them to pay more for something they don't care about in the first place.

 

It is no secret that branding is what Carnival is after and I doubt itineraries from LA and from Miami will ever be the same. I like the feeling of coming home when boarding a cruise ship. It makes it easier for passengers and crew to transfer between ships and helps to manage ever increasing costs.

[put me on a ship]

We're platinum, and the Playlist Productions are slightly better than the shows of old for the most part, but I don't think we will go to any of them again. Once was enough....they were bearable, and we didn't walk out.

 

We just got off an 11 day cruise on NCL Sun, and the shows, and entertainment in general BLEW away Carnival. We still love Carnival, but we have a second love now! (Basically, we don't cruise for the entertainment, but we do enjoy good entertainment!)

[wanderingjew]

You asked for opinions – so here is mine:

I live in south Florida. I cruise at least once a month. I honestly cannot tell you how many cruises I have been on in the last 35 years. I mostly sail on Carnival, but have sailed on ever cruise line.

I do prefer the older shows that Carnival had over the playlist shows today. The live band, more dancers, singers that could actually sing, costumes and stage sets – yes the shows were better.

I have though seen all 5 of the playlist shows;

Glory – Diva’s, Motor City, and Latin Nights

Breeze – Diva’s, Motor City, Brits

Imagination – Diva’s, Epic Rock

I don’t think the shows are as bad as some make them out to be. The cast, of course, makes a difference in the quality of the show. I guess I have a take it or leave it attitude towards the new shows. There was a time I wouldn’t miss the production show – now I see what else is going on at the same time and decide.

Here is something to think about – there are a few positive comments on this thread – from people who saw the shows on the Imagination and the Ecstasy – NONE of the fantasy class ships got the LED screens when they got the playlist shows. The fantasy class ships are all using a projection screen instead. In my opinion it is like night and day.

With the projection screen – the stage still has the scenery but you can SEE the performers. The LED screens are blinding. The performers on the Imagination (in my opinion) were very good. I did enjoy the shows on that ship. I have been on the Imagination 4 times since the new shows were added – I have seen each of them at least 3 times on that ship alone.

 

I will though agree with you with the repetitiveness – and it’s not just the shows. 2.0 are making all the ships the same. Everything is branded. The new décor of the Breeze is being carried to the new ships (Sunshine). I do think there will be a day when it won’t matter which ship you sail on – just pick the closest home port because the ship, itinerary, and shows are all going to be identical.

I have been on sunshine RCCL & NCL wthin the last 2 months 100+ cruises Diamond on CCL Platinum on the other 2 , the entertainment was so superior on the other lines i rate RCCL 9 NCL 8 & CCL 3 many venues for music on the other lines Playing music in the casino is terrible the slot machine noises clash with the music

[manmtnmike]

We're platinum, and the Playlist Productions are slightly better than the shows of old for the most part, but I don't think we will go to any of them again. Once was enough....they were bearable, and we didn't walk out.

 

We just got off an 11 day cruise on NCL Sun, and the shows, and entertainment in general BLEW away Carnival. We still love Carnival, but we have a second love now! (Basically, we don't cruise for the entertainment, but we do enjoy good entertainment!)

 

Well, Totally agree with the idea that any other cruise line has much better entertainment!!!

I've got to agree about CCL's less than stellar direction, and not sure what the... comments that I get from CCL... saying "Stay tuned for the exciting new developments!"

We're still hoping for a return to quality live bands, and not sure what'll happen with current entertainment direction...

I have a 3 day quickie before the 7 day RCCL Freedom of the Seas...

AND...Next years Liberty is a definite maybe...with a "wait and see" attitude. But RCCL's The Oasis of the Seas was INCOMPARABLE!!!

BTW: When were "Play list" productions introduced?

Just wondering if this was the exciting and new direction that was promised within the last year?

 

Sharecruises...Thanks for the thread! :)

 

Mike

Edited December 27, 2013 by manmtnmike

[ccruisequeen]

My last Inspiration cruise didn't have them and they haven't been added to the Miracle yet. I'm looking forward to finally seeing Ticket to Ride.

 

I think I'll avoid the playlist shows. One of the surveys I took after a cruise last year had to deal with the music for the playlist shows and I wasn't much impressed at that time.

[ELVISKL]

I frankly think they suck

[Cruizinman]

OP let me just say our group won't even bother with the shows any longer.

It's a total bomb.

[golfadj]

Well, Totally agree with the idea that any other cruise line has much better entertainment!!!

I've got to agree about CCL's less than stellar direction, and not sure what the... comments that I get from CCL... saying "Stay tuned for the exciting new developments!"

We're still hoping for a return to quality live bands, and not sure what'll happen with current entertainment direction...

I have a 3 day quickie before the 7 day RCCL Freedom of the Seas...

AND...Next years Liberty is a definite maybe...with a "wait and see" attitude. But RCCL's The Oasis of the Seas was INCOMPARABLE!!!

BTW: When were "Play list" productions introduced?

Just wondering if this was the exciting and new direction that was promised within the last year?

 

Sharecruises...Thanks for the thread! :)

 

Mike

 

Playlist was introduced about six months ago and pretty universally being panned.

[golfadj]

I frankly think they suck

 

Tell us how you really feel. LOL

 

Will see them on the Glory in less than two months and not expecting much at all.

[idiebabe]

I have to agree and think they suck, too!

[idiebabe]

I would not want to see these same shows over & over. It would have to be quite cheap to get me on another ship with Playlist shows. I would rather save up and take fewer cruises on more expensive cruiselines that have good entertainment but still have a young, vibrant feel to the overall crowd. On the Breeze, I did enjoy Divas good enough. It seems the younger crowd (which I am a part of and my parents are at heart) enjoyed that show more, as it uses more modern song choices, & they were good choices. But even with that show, the lack of live music and the performers being asked to do too much causes the whole production to suffer. It could be so much better. I am embarrassed to have seen the Brits and not walked out. I envy my mom for not having gone to that one. Motor City was okay, but I don't care to see it again.

 

It seems that they were trying to make things more modern, but they are failing at that, plus the quality has suffered in the attempt to be more modern. If they want to be more modern, they MUST have live music for the shows. You will not find any professional production show/concert anywhere in this culture that doesn't have live music...except for extremely low budget productions. I have been a performer in a very low budget production (EXTREMELY LOW BUDGET), and even we had live music. In fact, it was 100% live music. We would have cancelled the show if we had to use canned music. That was not even an option. We have only used canned music when we absolutely had to, and only as an early act in a festival tent (where nobody really paid attention to us).

 

In all fairness, I have read some people that have said that they have liked Playlist shows or some in particular & thought they were improvement. But they are in a great minority. Carnival is mostly looking to attract people that don't care about the shows...or newbies. The rest of us, they don't care if they lose.

 

You nailed it! Well said! :)

[Pjnc]

Hi All

 

I also think they are terrible. I walked out on the Brits and did not even bother to go again. Am booked on the Fantasy in Feb, hope they still have the old shows, but am also booked on the Sunshine in April and if they have playlist I guess I don't get to see any shows and it may be my last Carnival cruise until some entertainment changes are made.

 

I have been looking at MSC after reading about their entertainment quality.

 

Hope there are some changes for the better soon on Carnival

 

pat

murrells inlet, sc

[javamom]

We were only lightly entertained by the new shows. Have seen most of them now. We have no plans to return to any of them. What a change from just a couple of years ago! Loved the older shows and saw them multiple times.

 

I totally agree with everything said here.

[nealstuber]

I've seen the "Playlist Productions" on both the "Breeze", and the "Ecstasy". ."

 

They took "Extreme Country" off the Ecstasy? :(. CD Steve's fiddle on "The Devil went down in Georgia" was the best act of any cruise show we've ever seen and Rosie's "I hope you dance" was a very close 2nd. Watched them a second time on a B2B and it was even better.

 

If not for Cove Balconies out of Galveston, I would be totally done with this line!

[GottaLuvCruising]

They took "Extreme Country" off the Ecstasy? :(. CD Steve's fiddle on "The Devil went down in Georgia" was the best act of any cruise show we've ever seen and Rosie's "I hope you dance" was a very close 2nd. Watched them a second time on a B2B and it was even better.

 

If not for Cove Balconies out of Galveston, I would be totally done with this line!

 

CD Steve played fiddle for "Devil went down to Georgia" on the Paradise country show last month and was awesome. Wondering if it's the same person.

[nealstuber]

CD Steve played fiddle for "Devil went down to Georgia" on the Paradise country show last month and was awesome. Wondering if it's the same person.

 

Steve Cassell, and I'm glad to hear that the show might be still be going on (even if just for a little) while. PS - I am terrible with names but his stuck with me because he was so great - over 5 years ago. Couldn't give you the name of any CD or performer from the 4 cruises we have taken since.

[GottaLuvCruising]

Steve Cassell, and I'm glad to hear that the show might be still be going on (even if just for a little) while. PS - I am terrible with names but his stuck with me because he was so great - over 5 years ago. Couldn't give you the name of any CD or performer from the 4 cruises we have taken since.

 

That's him! He was on Paradise last month and they still have real shows - such a treat after Breeze & Glory. His persona was a little "goofy" (I retired from Disney, so not really a bad thing), but he was very nice and very talented!

[golfadj]

That's him! He was on Paradise last month and they still have real shows - such a treat after Breeze & Glory. His persona was a little "goofy" (I retired from Disney, so not really a bad thing), but he was very nice and very talented!

 

How sad that playlist is being universally panned.

Wander if Carnival knows it has such a loser.

[GottaLuvCruising]

How sad that playlist is being universally panned.

Wander if Carnival knows it has such a loser.

 

Wonder if they care? As long as they can fill their ships with folks who want the "cheapest" cruise, I suspect Carnival will continue the downgrades (as it appears with the dining changes). We expect more from our vacation dollars!

[golfadj]

Wonder if they care? As long as they can fill their ships with folks who want the "cheapest" cruise, I suspect Carnival will continue the downgrades (as it appears with the dining changes). We expect more from our vacation dollars!

 

They know at some point they need to get more for their cabins. So would think they would care if they saw they were driving off customers

[sharecruises]

I think it is like Invasion of the Body Snatchers

 

Carnival makes a big deal about the Guy's Burgers, Iquana, Alchemy Bar etc, and yes these are very good, the burgers are yummy....but...

 

 

the tradeoff is they put up the glaring wall of lights and trim the entertainers down to 8 and expect them to sing and dance in a widely different range/style of shows , with totally cheap costumes that look like they came from an online halloween store.

[GottaLuvCruising]

They know at some point they need to get more for their cabins. So would think they would care if they saw they were driving off customers

 

We can hope! In 2014, I am sailing only Princess and have encountered many others who are choosing anything but Carnival. Perhaps they will get the message and actually make some improvements. Of my 35 past cruises, 16 have been on Carnival and I've enjoyed most of them very much. The cutbacks have just gone too far.

[wanderingjew]

How sad that playlist is being universally panned.

Wander if Carnival knows it has such a loser.

They think it is BRILLIANT