Carnival getting rid of show bands

[Disconnections]

Maybe you'd be happier on another cruise line, with other older folks.... :rolleyes:

 

If love my grandkids was on the cruise I think he was on, the onboard demographics and passenger age would be similar to that of Princess and Holland America.

 

Carnival does not always have the youngest passengers.

[love my grandkids]

Maybe you'd be happier on another cruise line, with other older folks.... :rolleyes:

 

Like Carnival and still fits our needs at certain times just not happy with direction of entertainment.

 

Judging by how few people seem to be seeing the playlist show think that Carnival realizes it is not well received.

 

Sorry if you didnt like my opinions but last I heard this was still CC.

[love my grandkids]

If love my grandkids was on the cruise I think he was on, the onboard demographics and passenger age would be similar to that of Princess and Holland America.

 

Carnival does not always have the youngest passengers.

 

On our just concluded 15 day cruise to Hawaii there was more than enough scooters to hold relay races down the promenade deck.

 

Average age was about 65 I do believe.

[GottaLuvCruising]

We have seen playlist on two ships and didnt have to worry about getting there early.

 

Last week saw Ticket to Ride again on Miracle and had to get there a half hour early to get a decent seat.

 

Hopefully Carnival is paying attention to attendance at their shows. Or they might be thinking if passengers avoid shows perhaps they will spend more time in casino.

 

Beancounters are saving a bunch by eliminating a bunch of musicians and dancers but with most people saying other competitors are improving their entertainment wondering about this.

 

We happen to share your opinion, but have given up on Carnival paying attention. This Liberty sailing (our 39th cruise) will likely be our last on Carnival. Entertainment is an important factor for us.

[GottaLuvCruising]

On our just concluded 15 day cruise to Hawaii there was more than enough scooters to hold relay races down the promenade deck.

 

Average age was about 65 I do believe.

 

We did a 15-night on the Spirit to Hawaii as well as a 12-night Spirit Hawaii to Vancouver. We also found it to draw an older demographic. The first sailing offered excellent entertainment, but the second one (a few years later) was very disappointing.

[GottaLuvCruising]

jimbo, I'd love to see Carnival's metrics for attendance/sales in the main lounge for Playlist as compared to the older shows. There was a time when I actually argued with someone in the lounge about seat saving for one of the production shows with the orchestra. The three Playlist Productions shows I saw on Glory in August did not have any problem with seat saving. (And yes, I did try three shows - unlike DH, who gave up after one show. I would describe two of the three as "pathetic.") I know entertainment is subjective, but I'm sure in Carnival's back rooms the assessment is all about dollars and cents. It's all about revenue. Maybe the cost of these shows is so significantly less than the older shows that they make sense.

 

John Heald actually claims that Playlist costs more...I call BS. I agree with "pathetic." We are booked on the Liberty because she still has "real" shows.

 

Fortunately there's something out there for everyone and lots of cruise lines from which to choose.

[GottaLuvCruising]

It's not just about the bands..

 

It's about the continued downgrading of the product. On our last (final?) Carnival cruise, talented singers and talented dancers were replaced by a few singers/dancers who couldn't sing and couldn't dance.

 

Sets were replaced by goofy computer generated backgrounds which seemed like something a high school kid programmed. Volume was increased to ear shattering in a futile attempt to mask the multiple mistakes of the singers.

 

How the mighty Carnival has fallen!

 

I can almost tolerate the mediocre talent and canned music (almost) if not for the retina-blasting giant annoying LED screens. Had to sit in the balcony to be able to endure it. Have sailed with Playlist three times (Breeze x2 and Glory x 1.) Never again.

[love my grandkids]

I can almost tolerate the mediocre talent and canned music (almost) if not for the retina-blasting giant annoying LED screens. Had to sit in the balcony to be able to endure it. Have sailed with Playlist three times (Breeze x2 and Glory x 1.) Never again.

 

We left diva as it was in the process of triggering migraine for DW. I would have left early in any case as I thought it was awful.

[love my grandkids]

John Heald actually claims that Playlist costs more...I call BS. I agree with "pathetic." We are booked on the Liberty because she still has "real" shows.

 

 

Did he really say that? Find it hard to believe it could possibly cost more.

[Disconnections]

Did he really say that? Find it hard to believe it could possibly cost more.

 

Research and development?

[goduckies05]

We left diva as it was in the process of triggering migraine for DW. I would have left early in any case as I thought it was awful.

 

I agree on Divas that one isn't very good but I enjoyed Latin Nights and of coarse Epic Rock.

 

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[SunshineCruiser24]

I'm pretty sure the playlist productions shows are real. As real as any other show. I happen to enjoy them more. I was just on the liberty and the one show I went to was boring and the singers were awful. It was so boring and forgettable that I had completely forgotten that I'd seen it the year before and I LOVE musical theater. I'm a season pass holder for the touring Broadway across America shows. The playlist production shows had me pumped and wanting to dance along.

[pretzellover]

Last summer we saw Epic Rock on Sunshine. Since I fall into the age group loves the 80s and 90s hair bands and rock, I loved it. However, I had no desire to see any of the other shows. Went with my family tonight to see Transiberian Orchestras annual Christmas show. I realized that their rock opera style concert uses many of the same elements in Epic Rock. I understand that nobody wants to see a rock concert every night on a cruise so we are happy seeing the rock show on one night, comedians another and the occasional magician/juggler.

 

 

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[Honolulu Blue]

It has been interesting reading the replies in this thread. I love my music - indeed, I'm listening to some as I type this - but I hardly ever listen to live music, go to musical theater, or indeed go to shows on the ship at all.

 

GottaLuvCruising mentioned Las Vegas. I agree that it has a huge number of entertainment options. I've been there 23 times and have paid to see exactly one comedy show. And the next production show I see there will be my first.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

[k2excursion]

I agree that the Playlist shows with no live music have been pathetic, certainly the ones that are on the Breeze. I hear that they are trying to do a better job with them, and the newer ones (like Epic Rock) have been better. But even with those, if they were to use live music instead of pressing play on a machine, it would add so much more to the performance.

 

My most recent cruise was on the Splendor, using a 9 to 10 member band for the shows. Meanwhile, there were several other bands & duos scattered throughout the ship, filling every venue with plenty of live music every night. There was no way to take it all in. I highly recommend the Splendor for those that enjoy live music. But definitely not the Breeze. That ship can be quite boring at night. The 3D theater is about all that is worth going to.

 

One of the singers on the Splendor, in one of the smaller venues, mentioned that Carnival is trying to get rid of live music on their ships, as she was saying how great the band was. I was told of these plans back in 2011 on the Dream by some entertainers. I then got torn to shreds on these boards by people saying that Carnival would never ever remove the show band. But a couple months later, it was done to 3 ships, and now it's been done to half the fleet. So if the live music matters to you, choose carefully. It won't matter to some of you, which is fine, but it will matter to many people.

[Out to sea!]

Carnival cruisers

 

Do you like a LIVE band during shows when you cruise? Well if you do, be aware that Carnival is on a path to rid themselves of the cost of these live bands. I just returned from a cruise on the Carnival Miracle which has the last of the 9 piece show bands, the leader of the band Omar, has a band called Omar and Miracles. They are high energy group of musicians which work very hard to assure LIVE music during shows.

 

If you are like me and want to not have a CD player provide your show music then please write to Carnival Corporation, either thru their e-mail on their web page or Gerald R. Cahill, at

Carnival Corporation

3655 NorthWest 87th Ave

Miami, FL 33178

 

Let them know you want live music not canned when you cruise.

 

papadewey:eek:

 

Eh, really doesn't matter to me as I rarely attend the shows so i guess i won't be writing in. :rolleyes:

[Out to sea!]

On a typical 7 night Caribbean Cruise, with 4 stops, a person will spend about 80-84% of their time on the ship. The ship is the destination, with a few side stops.

 

Live bands, whether they are show bands, poolside bands, night clubs etc have been and are still a part of every major cruise line. Even the Casino boats out of Florida have live music. IF the only music is a DJ, or prerecorded music than it cheapens the cruise. 80% of your time, and all they do is play canned music?

 

Anyone that wants to write, can do so today, and not wait until February. You can address it to any president, new or old, because it will be opened by staff who will compile the letters and submit it to the President.

 

Is not part of the fun, the music?

 

Correction, that cheapens the cruise to YOU! Some of us couldn't care less.

[GottaLuvCruising]

GottaLuvCruising mentioned Las Vegas. I agree that it has a huge number of entertainment options. I've been there 23 times and have paid to see exactly one comedy show. And the next production show I see there will be my first.

 

I was in Las Vegas last month - saw 9 shows in 5 days (2 most nights.) I love being able to read reviews and book the ones that appeal the most. Yes, I spend $$ on the shows, but I sure do love the entertainment. We also enjoy a lot of concerts and theater in our area.

 

Each person has his/her own preferences, but for a first-timer, one show only, I'd strongly recommend Vegas! The Show @ Saxe Theater, Planet Hollywood. Very well done! Any seat is good.

[skyeman27]

Correction, that cheapens the cruise to YOU! Some of us couldn't care less.

 

It cheapens the cruise for me also, dreading the day when the Blackjack Band on the Dream gets the pink slips...

[Disconnections]

One of the singers on the Splendor, in one of the smaller venues, mentioned that Carnival is trying to get rid of live music on their ships, as she was saying how great the band was. I was told of these plans back in 2011 on the Dream by some entertainers. I then got torn to shreds on these boards by people saying that Carnival would never ever remove the show band. But a couple months later, it was done to 3 ships, and now it's been done to half the fleet.

 

I think I remember that, actually.

[nbsjcruiser]

I'm pretty sure the playlist productions shows are real. As real as any other show. I happen to enjoy them more. I was just on the liberty and the one show I went to was boring and the singers were awful. It was so boring and forgettable that I had completely forgotten that I'd seen it the year before and I LOVE musical theater. I'm a season pass holder for the touring Broadway across America shows. The playlist production shows had me pumped and wanting to dance along.

 

What Carnival has done over the years is to take the quality of their theatrical shows and lower them to the point where they are like watching a high school production. The last couple of Carnival ships we were on we found the shows amateurish at best. Watching shows on RCI or NCL and you get the feeling they actually still care about live entertainment.

[LMaxwell]

What Carnival has done over the years is to take the quality of their theatrical shows and lower them to the point where they are like watching a high school production. The last couple of Carnival ships we were on we found the shows amateurish at best. Watching shows on RCI or NCL and you get the feeling they actually still care about live entertainment.

 

I wonder if any of the people posting here that they don't care about entertainment (gee, same 2 or 3 people that show up in every thread with anything negative Carnival, claiming a cut is an upgrade) EVER cruised more than 10 years ago, or even 20+ years ago and can remember the PHENOMENAL high energy, well done, rehearsed, choreographed entertainment Carnival was WELL KNOWN for.

 

Maybe they don't go to shows because, well, they are mostly crap now? Maybe if the entertainment was as lavish and exciting as it used to be they'd think differently? Or maybe they are just paid off by Carnival to post on this forum and downplay and negative opinions people have about cutbacks and reductions.

 

Hey, if you REALLY don't care about entertainment, go find another thread to post in. Carnival has lost tens of thousands of dollars of my bookings in recent years because I don't pay to watch a game show with guests as the main entertainment. I remember the colorful sets, big bands, great flashy dancers, etc. It's not the type of entertainment I go to at home, but it is part of the cruising experience. If you want to sit in a deck chair and hum to yourself, have at it, but getting a little sick of the same few people jumping into every conversation to defend cutbacks and telling others it doesn't matter.

[Disconnections]

Or maybe they are just paid off by Carnival to post on this forum and downplay and negative opinions people have about cutbacks and reductions.

 

From the brand ambassador himself: "while I can’t and won’t comment on what happens on other websites as that is none of my business, I will say that we are not “paying” anybody to write reviews or comments and if someone is having great things to say about this great company, then that is because that is what they think. And, as always, we welcome opinions and, positive or not, that is how we continue to learn what our guests want."

 

http://johnhealdsblog.com/2013/09/09/its-september-so-obviously-its-time-to-say-merry-christmas/

[LMaxwell]

Why would the word paying be in quotes? Do people think that means to add emphasis? It really just makes it look suspicious.

 

Regardless, if entertainment isn't a concern for a few particular posters I am not sure what they are doing in this thread bleating like sheep about that it doesn't matter to them. What are they trying to accomplish other than seeking attention, trying to derail a topic, or trying to downplay a corporate cut for some other motive?

[GottaLuvCruising]

I wonder if any of the people posting here that they don't care about entertainment (gee, same 2 or 3 people that show up in every thread with anything negative Carnival, claiming a cut is an upgrade) EVER cruised more than 10 years ago, or even 20+ years ago and can remember the PHENOMENAL high energy, well done, rehearsed, choreographed entertainment Carnival was WELL KNOWN for.

 

Maybe they don't go to shows because, well, they are mostly crap now? Maybe if the entertainment was as lavish and exciting as it used to be they'd think differently? Or maybe they are just paid off by Carnival to post on this forum and downplay and negative opinions people have about cutbacks and reductions.

 

Hey, if you REALLY don't care about entertainment, go find another thread to post in. Carnival has lost tens of thousands of dollars of my bookings in recent years because I don't pay to watch a game show with guests as the main entertainment. I remember the colorful sets, big bands, great flashy dancers, etc. It's not the type of entertainment I go to at home, but it is part of the cruising experience. If you want to sit in a deck chair and hum to yourself, have at it, but getting a little sick of the same few people jumping into every conversation to defend cutbacks and telling others it doesn't matter.

 

ROCK ON! (We so need a "like" button around here!)