Carnival entertainment goes even further downhill

[golfadj]

When I hear the complaints about the quality/quantity of live production shows, it makes me wonder whether the cruise line has decided to cater to people like me who really don't care about entertainment on a cruise ship.

 

I get that there is some tradition of having entertainment on cruise ships. On the other hand, if I was going on a regular vacation, it is highly unlikely that I would seek out this type of entertainment, so why is it a given that they will keep them on cruise ships? I'm assuming they can't completely cut them out, because customers might revolt. But I take it that they are spending less and less on the formal entertainment, which means my cabin fare is going down (or not going up), or it is going to more important things, which is fine with me.

 

Cruise entertainment more important to us as we live in a small town and dont have these types of entertainment available to us.

[alabamaprincess]

Cruise entertainment more important to us as we live in a small town and dont have these types of entertainment available to us.

I agree I look forward to a musical show in the theatre in the evening. I'm not a gambler, so the casino holds no appeal for me. I don't play bingo. I only drink one or two mixed drinks a day while I'm on a cruise. Even less when I'm at home.

I look forward to a couple of productions in the show room and sing a longs in the piano bar. I even enjoy listening to some of the live music in the atrium or on the promenade. Its part of the cruise experience for me.

[Mrs.G's Mr.G]

I found that odd as well. It's like going to dinner theatre, saying you didn't like the show, and then be asked why did you go?

 

How do you know if you are going to like it or not unless you go? If you like the shows fine, but are you saying you like them even without seeing them? Just because an opinion in different from yours does not make that opinion wrong.

[Podna's]

I guess we are stuck with these less than stellar shows due to the investment of these screens. Too bad they didn't listen when they surveyed. Most said they hated it, yet they proceeded with it being part of the 2.0 downgrades.

 

 

 

Every survey shows dissatisfaction.

 

 

Mine have never shown dissatisfaction. How'd you get to see everyone's survey?

[Rowan555]

We haven't gone to a show on a cruise in the past dozen or so cruises. I wouldn't care if they completely eliminated the Welcome Aboard Show, production shows, and other things they do in the main lounge.

[Tee & Chilli]

Writing from the Sunshine 8 day. Latin nights was awful. The performance for Motor City was just ok. The ringers voices were cracking. The magician last night kept using kids from the audience and giving away was of his tricks. We left after 15 minutes. The introduction said he was a hilarious magician. He was neither.

[Seago2]

Why would they invest real money in free shows? If you're not in the show you're in the casino, or out having a drink, or getting a latte, or if you're like my husband and me you're getting bags of gummi funnels (yes) and reading books- after stopping to look at the pictures we buy too many of. They want you out and about and spending. No one cruises for the shows so what does it matter? Meanwhile we have the epileptic seizure-inducing Playlist and annoying Hasbro.

[golfadj]

Why would they invest real money in free shows? If you're not in the show you're in the casino, or out having a drink, or getting a latte, or if you're like my husband and me you're getting bags of gummi funnels (yes) and reading books- after stopping to look at the pictures we buy too many of. They want you out and about and spending. No one cruises for the shows so what does it matter? Meanwhile we have the epileptic seizure-inducing Playlist and annoying Hasbro.

 

I agree with you to a point. The entertainment is part of what draws us to the ship in the first place.

[ready2cruzagain]

We did our first Princess earlier this year and definitely a cut above in all aspects. Doing our second one in a year and very possible will do more Princess than Carnival in a few years time.

Carnival's lack of entertainment is the reason we are doing Princess. Princess still has what Carnival use to have. And honestly, our December cruises are cheaper than what we could book on Carnival. :eek:

 

I know it all goes to Corporate but...Carnival is failing where Princess is not.

[andy.capitan]

If someone cruises based on entertainment and is dissatisfied with Carnival's, to continue to cruise on Carnival is illogical. All signs indicate Carnival is committed to Playlist and expecting them to change that is also illogical.

[cruizinisthebest]

Yeah if that was at the top of my list in terms of what I wanted out of a vacation, I would go elsewhere. I thought the couple playlist shows I've seen were good. Not everyone hates them. Carnival seems committed to them. If it's that unsatisfying, there are other options for sure.

Edited September 10, 2014 by cruizinisthebest

[cruzn buckeye]

Carnival's lack of entertainment is the reason we are doing Princess. Princess still has what Carnival use to have. And honestly, our December cruises are cheaper than what we could book on Carnival. :eek:

 

I know it all goes to Corporate but...Carnival is failing where Princess is not.

too bad they don't have good solo rates... neither do the other lines... or I might just give them a try... I wouldn't give up carnival... but the entertainment is nothing like it used to be... and the reason people don't go to the shows is just that... when I began cruising with them, I wouldn't miss a show... it was so much fun!

[SMSACE6]

There are many reasons why a person will continue to cruise on Carnival, even if they don't like the "new" entertainment (ie, playlist), and sometimes they choose to continue to cruise carnival because of family and friends who prefer Carnival, or sometimes they continue to cruise Carnival because it fits their budget (like me), but even though we continue to sail Carnival for our own reasons, we should still have the right to critique things that we find have become subpar or disappointing.

 

I cannot yet comment on playlist, since I have not cruised on Carnival since 2010, but after my November cruise on Freedom which does now have playlist productions, I will add my voice to the melee. And if I happen to like playlist or don't, I will voice my opinion on it. But even if I don't like playlist it would not stop me from cruising on Carnival ships because there are many other reason to cruise on Carnival. This is Cruise Critic, and we are here because we can voice our opinion.

Edited September 10, 2014 by SMSACE6

[golfadj]

There are many reasons why a person will continue to cruise on Carnival, even if they don't like the "new" entertainment (ie, playlist), and sometimes they choose to continue to cruise carnival because of family and friends who prefer Carnival, or sometimes they continue to cruise Carnival because it fits their budget (like me), but even though we continue to sail Carnival for our own reasons, we should still have the right to critique things that we find have become subpar or disappointing.

 

I cannot yet comment on playlist, since I have not cruised on Carnival since 2010, but after my November cruise on Freedom which does now have playlist productions, I will add my voice to the melee. And if I happen to like playlist or don't, I will voice my opinion on it. But even if I don't like playlist it would not stop me from cruising on Carnival ships because there are many other reason to cruise on Carnival. This is Cruise Critic, and we are here because we can voice our opinion.

 

Never understood why people come in here and criticize people for having different opinions than they do.

[nybumpkin]

Yeah if that was at the top of my list in terms of what I wanted out of a vacation, I would go elsewhere. I thought the couple playlist shows I've seen were good. Not everyone hates them. Carnival seems committed to them. If it's that unsatisfying, there are other options for sure.

Entertainment's not at the top of my list, but I do enjoy a good show. In the case of Playlist, the main lounge is not where I will be spending my cruise dollars. I may not be spending dollars at all, instead spending time out on my balcony. I'm sure that's not what Carnival wants of their passengers.

[cruizinisthebest]

Never understood why people come in here and criticize people for having different opinions than they do.

 

I myself certainly was not criticizing you for having an opinion, which I understand and partially agree with. My apologies if you were offended by what I said. I commented earlier in the thread in agreement with much of your sentiment.

[Shayhooper]

Carnival's lack of entertainment is the reason we are doing Princess. Princess still has what Carnival use to have. And honestly, our December cruises are cheaper than what we could book on Carnival. :eek:

 

I know it all goes to Corporate but...Carnival is failing where Princess is not.

 

The cruise I have booked for February was cheaper than Carnival and has entertainment like Blue Man Group and 2nd City, both of which I am very much looking forward to.

 

I will still sail Carnival but only when I am looking for a short break from reality to sleep and enjoy some drinks on the deck. Longer cruises where I am looking for more of a complete package will be booked with other cruise lines.

[kybluecruiser]

Never understood why people come in here and criticize people for having different opinions than they do.

 

You are right everybody has an opinion. Just because somebody states an opinion dosent make it the gospel truth. What you and others dont like may be very popular with others. Just because something may not be popular here on cruise critic dosent mean it isnt well recieved elsewhere. If playlist was as unpopular as some here would make it seem. Dont you think carnival would change it. Many people of the generation x and millennials probably enjoy it more then say the boomer generation. And that seems to be carnival's target audience for new cruisers.

[hightownCO]

We were on Liberty and the entertainment was very nice; actually, fantastic for Carnival (no question Royal blows Carnival away with entertainment). We had the 'Singing with the Big Band' as well as a comedy juggling show (both fly ons) and four different comedians. One Hasbro show but there was so much other stuff going on we did not see it. The cruise director had one of the singers do an evening of singing with the ship orchestra (yes, they had that too) and it was lovely. What I don't understand is how the budgets for these ships are so drastically different. Maybe has to do with size but that much? I have determined that the cruise directors really do make the difference. Clearly how they maximize the usage of the entertainers they have on board make a difference but somehow the way they use their budget and/or fight for their budget is priceless.

 

Thanks for posting about the Liberty. Will be on her in <2months and good to hear about your experience.

[golfadj]

I myself certainly was not criticizing you for having an opinion, which I understand and partially agree with. My apologies if you were offended by what I said. I commented earlier in the thread in agreement with much of your sentiment.

 

My comment was more of a general one and certainly not directed in any part at you.:)

[golfadj]

You are right everybody has an opinion. Just because somebody states an opinion dosent make it the gospel truth. What you and others dont like may be very popular with others. Just because something may not be popular here on cruise critic dosent mean it isnt well recieved elsewhere. If playlist was as unpopular as some here would make it seem. Dont you think carnival would change it. Many people of the generation x and millennials probably enjoy it more then say the boomer generation. And that seems to be carnival's target audience for new cruisers.

 

Could be younger folks enjoy it more than us but looking at attendance to this type of shows on the two cruises we have seen it on, attendance is about as low as I have ever seen for a show on Carnival.

 

As far as I can tell new cruisers spend a lot more than experienced ones so sure that Carnival wants them more than us.

[jimbo5544]

This is a pretty interesting thread. More to the point of some others (threads) that I had posted in the past as to how I think it is a time of change and cruising is evolving into something different than we have experienced in the past. Whether Carnival has it right or not with Playlist productions, changes in what is offered as part of a cruise is evolving into something different.

 

Royal and NCL are taking it in different directions. Whether any of the the frequent (or anybody for that matter) like what each one is doing (or not) is fairly immaterial. We got a glimpse of where Carnival is headed with what was changed in the main show room on the Sunshine. I feel fairly certain that was a test, but there is a message there.

 

Interestingly enough, if you look at some of the posts on this thread, there is a fairly wide gambit of what people want on a cruise.From main production shows, to Broadway plays, to smaller bar or club aspects of entertainment to nothing (just let me cruise and relax).

 

Where is it all headed? I have no idea, but I hope that QOTS is not the answer to the question.

[jimbo5544]

You are right everybody has an opinion. Just because somebody states an opinion dosent make it the gospel truth. What you and others dont like may be very popular with others. Just because something may not be popular here on cruise critic dosent mean it isnt well recieved elsewhere. If playlist was as unpopular as some here would make it seem. Dont you think carnival would change it. Many people of the generation x and millennials probably enjoy it more then say the boomer generation. And that seems to be carnival's target audience for new cruisers.

Nice post. I was told by a BDM at Carnival that their median age was 53...... blew me away. Kind of head scratching material in what you want to entertain, especially when most think of Carnival as the FUN ships for families.

[RuthlessBoss]

Could be younger folks enjoy it more than us but looking at attendance to this type of shows on the two cruises we have seen it on, attendance is about as low as I have ever seen for a show on Carnival.

 

As far as I can tell new cruisers spend a lot more than experienced ones so sure that Carnival wants them more than us.

 

As a boomer myself, our outlook is different in many ways. We cruised for the shows, the dining, the midnight buffet galas. The newer cruisers like the outdoor movies, the casinos, the water areas etc. It's basically a whole new breed of cruisers, and their priorities do not include looking forward to what we did. If they don't attend shows, it doesn't necessarily mean it's because they don't like them, many have not even been to one. So, I don't feel attendance being down is all about people not liking them. There are far more options out there to stay occupied. As for Hasbro, it's geared to people and kids who think it's a big deal to get on stage and have their pictures taken doing something not available to them in life. It's enjoyment to families mostly, not for us boomers who have other priorities to keep ourselves entertained.

[Warm Breezes]

You are right everybody has an opinion. Just because somebody states an opinion dosent make it the gospel truth. What you and others dont like may be very popular with others. Just because something may not be popular here on cruise critic dosent mean it isnt well recieved elsewhere. If playlist was as unpopular as some here would make it seem. Dont you think carnival would change it. Many people of the generation x and millennials probably enjoy it more then say the boomer generation. And that seems to be carnival's target audience for new cruisers.

 

I have yet to see the playlist productions. A co-worker of mine took his first cruise on Carnival Glory a couple of months ago with his GF and I was curious as to what they thought of the playlist productions on Glory. I didn't tell him about the complaints I had been reading on CC. He came back and said they loved it. He loved everything about his Glory cruise and is now caught the cruising bug just like me:D. Apparently not everyone is as down on them as some are here on CC.