Encore: Ncl replacing canceled production show with game show

[fstuff1]

I'm currently on Encore and they replaced kinky boots with Wheel of Fortune.

And I was told you have to pay to be a contestant. 

(When I was on Prima in 2022, Price is right was free to be a contestant.)

 

Wonder what will replace Six on both Breakaway and Bliss?

 

Edit:

And on some Jewel class ships, they went from 3 production shows to 2. 

What's going to replace it?

And what are the production cast assigned to do on their new off day? Or will they just be paid 1/3 less? 

 

Edited January 17 by fstuff1

[luv2kroooz]

Game shows popping up on multiple Carnival ships, oops, I mean NCL......Price is Right, Press Your Luck, wheel of Fortune. 

 

Here is what Richard Ambrose of NCL said in Sept 2023 when the Broadway shows were axed.....

 

"Our direction will continue to be to deliver first-class, creative shows with quality talent and productions that our guests will love. That will not change," Ambrose said. "While we may have removed some big-book musicals, we still have plenty of top entertainment to offer our guests around the fleet. We are currently working with the world's best creative talents both inside and outside the theatrical realm and exploring new innovative and exciting entertainment for our guests."

[Buford T Justiice]

I don't understand how they (1) can find smart enough participants, and (2) will stop the open-bar over- indulged smart guy from sharing his intelligence and shouting out the answer..

[shof515]

search the forum, lots of topics about the entertainment downgrade with game shows as the head line show

[FLAHAM]

I like reality television .  I would like to see “Married at First Sight” replace a production show.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

I'm currently on Encore and they replaced kinky boots with Wheel of Fortune.

And I was told you have to pay to be a contestant. 

(When I was on Prima in 2022, Price is right was free to be a contestant.)

 

Wonder what will replace Six on both Breakaway and Bliss?

 

Edit:

And on some Jewel class ships, they went from 3 production shows to 2. 

What's going to replace it?

And what are the production cast assigned to do on their new off day? Or will they just be paid 1/3 less? 

 

Yeah. That was always the plan from the time Kinky was canned. And previously discussed. Game shows appeal to the contemporary cruiser more than old fashion production shows. We enjoyed the game shows a lot (even though we are ancient). 

Edited January 18 by BirdTravels

[Topdog52]

2 hours ago, shof515 said:

search the forum, lots of topics about the entertainment downgrade with game shows as the head line show

If I wanted game shows, I would of stayed home, and watched them on my TV!!

[G-DawgMN]

3 hours ago, fstuff1 said:

 

 

Wonder what will replace Six on both Breakaway and Bliss?

 

 

 I’m on the Breakaway in a week and it looks like Six is replaced with Wheel of Fortune. Burn the Floor is still showing as reservable. 

[sansroof]

This is like the 4th thread on this topic. 

Edited January 18 by sansroof

[UKstages]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Game shows appeal to the contemporary cruiser more than old fashion production shows.

 

who is this "contemporary cruiser" i keep hearing so much about?

 

and why does he or she have such bad taste?

 

and how does one know what the contemporary cruiser likes?

 

i'm cruising next week... i must be a contemporary cruiser!

 

it's not that young and old don't like game shows; it's not that contemporary and old fashioned cruisers don't like game shows... it's that pretty much everybody who likes them doesn't want them to replace scripted entertainment.

 

game shows appeal to CFOs because they have a "cast" of 1 to 4 people and one fixed set.

[SoloAlaska]

2 hours ago, FLAHAM said:

I like reality television .  I would like to see “Married at First Sight” replace a production show.

Haha with a built in honeymoon. I’m in as a contestant.

[luv2kroooz]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Game shows appeal to the contemporary cruiser more than old fashion production shows.....

 

.....of course they do....that's what we were told about traditional buffets, spacious nightclubs, and pool decks with functional swimming pools. Contemporary cruisers don't want that. We see how that is working out for NCL as they scramble to make changes to their new builds.

 

I have ocean front property for sale out in Arizona. From your front porch you can see the sea. DM if interested.

 

Seriously though, this is an example of cost cutting. The contemporary cruiser jargon that repeatedly gets trotted out here is a pretty weak one.

 

NCL knew exactly what is was doing and why it was doing it a few months ago. It isn't going to come out and say that it can't afford production shows anymore, especially since they are the currently the standard in the industry for evening entertainment.

 

You have to skillfully and critically analyze. The cost savings can be used to repay their extreme amount of debt. And the guest participation costs for the game shows can also help. Sadly, we've reached another new low.

 

Enjoy your game shows!! I heard the Price is Right Live! is starting it's run out at the Venetian in Vegas next month. If anyone learns when Press Your Luck Live!  debuts on Broadway, please DM me. I love to watch for the whammies.

 

🤷🤷

Edited January 18 by luv2kroooz

[PATRLR]

9 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Game shows appeal to the contemporary cruiser more than old fashion production shows. 

Nonsense.  It's just another cost cutting move.  But, I get it, you need to promote that company line.

1 hour ago, luv2kroooz said:

 

.....of course they do....that's what we were told about traditional buffets, spacious nightclubs, and pool decks with functional swimming pools. Contemporary cruisers don't want that. We see how that is working out for NCL as they scramble to make changes to their new builds.

 

I have ocean front property for sale out in Arizona. From your front porch you can see the sea. DM if interested.

 

Seriously though, this is an example of cost cutting. The contemporary cruiser jargon that repeatedly gets trotted out here is a pretty weak one.

 

NCL knew exactly what is was doing and why it was doing it a few months ago. It isn't going to come out and say that it can't afford production shows anymore, especially since they are the currently the standard in the industry for evening entertainment.

 

You have to skillfully and critically analyze. The cost savings can be used to repay their extreme amount of debt. And the guest participation costs for the game shows can also help. Sadly, we've reached another new low.

Well said.  

I find the "contemporary cruiser" line to be not much different than the "for your convenience" line. 

[BirdTravels]

Just now, PATRLR said:

Nonsense.  It's just another cost cutting move.  But, I get it, you need to promote that company line.

Well said.  

I find the "contemporary cruiser" line to be not much different than the "for your convenience" line. 

Kinky Boots was never full. There was no interest in it.
 

The Price is Right and Press Your Luck were SRO. Case closed. 

[vacation44]

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 Game shows appeal to the contemporary cruiser more than old fashion production shows. 

Please let us know who exactly is the "contemporary cruiser".   

[david_sobe]

NCL used to have 3 licensed Vegas or Broadway style shows.  Then it was two. Now it's one.  I just feel bad for the performers who practiced for months and performed and then discarded after Covid.  I know its all about money.  When I was on Encore you needed reservations to get in to the theater.  It was sold out.  Remember all the people venting here they did not make pre-cruise reservations and could not get a seat on the ship?  Cruise ships will always have game shows and contests.  Its good to have a variety of entertainment.  Will NCL go full circle and someday have all cruise line entertainment with cruise line workers putting on shows again?  Who knows.  But entertainment is one of the biggest cut backs of all cruise lines especially NCL.

[Asawi]

The entertainment isn't a big deal for me when cruising. BUT, having said that, when there is something that looks like it could be to my liking I try to catch it. And get a little bit annoyed if it clashes with other things (like the slooooow dinner service on Star back in October). When shows are replaced with game shows it makes things a lot easier for me. Since I HATE game shows there is a lot less risk of "missing out" and I can have my dinner for as long as it takes. Or finish that exciting book. Or...

(Yeah, I'm one of those tiresome "glass half full" people... 😄 )

[luv2kroooz]

56 minutes ago, vacation44 said:

Please let us know who exactly is the "contemporary cruiser".   

Haha. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

 

No one I've met and certainly not any of the recent Prima/Viva passengers making YouTube videos complaining about overcrowded buffets and pool decks and undersized nightclubs. It might just be word salad being used in a weak attempt to justify design flaws and refocus attention away from the publicity these ships are receiving, the overwhelming majority of which has been negative. Or maybe "contemporary cruisers" are sailing on Virgin Voyages or Celebrity...🤷🤷

[PATRLR]

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Kinky Boots was never full. There was no interest in it.

Bull!  Our Encore cruise in November 22 we couldn't get into 1 of the showings.  We ended up at the later showing on the second night in seats way at the back.

And if Kinky Boots really wasn't drawing crowds, why not replace it with a full production show that does?  I'll answer it for you: cost.  It's way cheaper to put a game show in their than a full production show.  

Edited January 18 by PATRLR

[graphicguy]

I don't know about the costs associated with the Broadway type shows vs game shows.  Those game shows have to be pricey to produce and license, also, I would imagine.

 

Personally, I thought SIX and Kinky Boots were a let down. No harm, no foul!  My tastes are probably different than most, though.

 

Don't care for game shows, either.  So, doubt I'll be attending those.

 

The smaller shows in Syd Norman's and The Cavern Club have ALL BEEN EXCELLENT!  I'm OK with beefing up the quality of the smaller shows vs the shows in the Big Theaters.  

 

That said, I believe the days of Blue Man, Rock of Ages, etc are behind us when sailing NCL.  How that evolves is anyone's guess and no one in here knows.

[PATRLR]

 

21 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I don't know about the costs associated with the Broadway type shows vs game shows.  Those game shows have to be pricey to produce and license, also, I would imagine.

I'm sure there is a cost, but I would think the production shows with all of their cast members are way, way more expensive to put on than a game show that uses cruise staff.

 

20 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

That said, I believe the days of Blue Man, Rock of Ages, etc are behind us when sailing NCL.

 

I agree.  What I object to is NCL and their representatives on this board portraying it as anything other than cost cutting. 

 

 

 

 

 

[graphicguy]

9 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

 

I'm sure there is a cost, but I would think the production shows with all of their cast members are way, way more expensive to put on than a game show that uses cruise staff.

 

 

I agree.  What I object to is NCL and their representatives on this board portraying it as anything other than cost cutting. 

 

 

 

 

 

Been around here long enough that if I get upset at something or someone who has posted something in here that I just let it go.  Not successful all the time.  But, I try.

 

I think in the 13-14 years I've been posting here, I've only put one person on ignore.  I feel good about that.

[UKstages]

45 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I don't know about the costs associated with the Broadway type shows vs game shows.  Those game shows have to be pricey to produce and license, also, I would imagine.

 

 

they are, but not as pricey... you're dealing chiefly with licensing costs... the permission to recreate an official version of the game show along with its trade dress. labor costs are low, ridiculously low compared to full scale productions.

 

"elements" has, i dunno, what? maybe twenty or twenty-five people onstage and another dozen or more backstage. there are multiple costume changes and elaborate set pieces.  "price is right" has a "cast" of two. there are some folks backstage, but probably not as many as a production show. there are also prizes... which may run an additional $750 or so per performance. my spidey sense tells me that some of those prizes are free in exchange for promotional consideration. there is also insurance... NCL or the independent production company likely has insurance in case somebody wins the big prize... just as they probably do in the casino for those lotto drawings during which nobody has ever won a million dollars.

 

but, on balance, it is not only much cheaper to produce a game show... it also causes a lot fewer headaches. with a production show, you have to deal with the original creative teams and work with them to create a "tab" version of the show (a shorter version). there are multiple costume designs and set pieces. there are more ongoing rehearsals as cast members come and go. you have to deal with dissatisfaction from a segment of guests who will object to content or language in "priscilla" or "six" or "jersey boys" or "donna" or "kinky boots" or whatever. what are people going to say about "price is right?" they object to the choice of beats headphones as a gift?

 

 

37 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

I would think the production shows with all of their cast members are way, way more expensive to put on than a game show that uses cruise staff.

 

i haven't seen "press your luck," which i understand up to now has used an unprepared and underrehearsed cruise director as emcee. and while "deal or no deal" generally uses the cruise director or a staff member as host, "price is right" is a slick, heavily produced show with strong production values. it has a cast of two, a warm up person who doubles as the announcer, as well as a host. they are cast and hired specifically for these roles.

 

while NCL has a tradition of atrium-style game show entertainment, the direction they are headed in with their new game show initiative is for  polished, fully staged shows, produced by independent production companies. but these shows, as slick as they are, are far less expensive than broadway musicals.

[schmoopie17]

1 hour ago, graphicguy said:

 

I think in the 13-14 years I've been posting here, I've only put one person on ignore.  I feel good about that.

I've been on CC for almost 20 years and have completely forgotten that you can put people on ignore.

 

Thanks for the reminder. I have some catching up to do...

Edited January 18 by schmoopie17

[PATRLR]

10 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said:

I've been on CC for almost 20 years and have completely forgotten that you can put people on ignore.

 

Thanks for the reminder. I have some catching up to do...

Yes, thanks for the reminder, I too have some catching up to do.  Now, who was that poster that is obsessed with hash browns... 😉 🙂