Does this disturbing new trend bother anyone else?

[Jeafl]

Just for reference, we are Platinum on Carnival so we have been on many cruises over the year and have seen many changes, most not for the better.  We just returned from a 7-day on the Firenze.  We also did a 10-day on the Venezia and an 8-day on the Magic this year.  What is really standing out to me is that Carnival is moving away from from professional entertainers and is leaning more towards passengers entertaining other passengers at night.  

 

For example, it used to be on a 7-8 day cruise you would have at least 4-5 production shows in the theater.  Last week there were TWO. Plus a juggler who couldn't hold onto what he was juggling to save his soul.  I was embarrassed for him.  The other nights are now Family Feud, Deal or No Deal, Love and Marriage show, some other game show which was where a parent and a child went on stage and answered questions about each other like the Newlywed Game.  There was also a Guess the Lyrics game show, as well as Karaoke every night, and other passenger led entertainment as well.

 

Yesterday I saw a poll from John Heald asking if people would be interested in an "open mic night" in the comedy clubs.  I, for one, enjoy most of the professional comedians, but would not enjoy watching my fellow drunk passengers attempt comedy on stage. 

 

I understand that Carnival lost a lot of money during Covid and is trying to recoup their losses, but honestly, enough is enough with the passengers being your entertainment.

 

Am I the only one who is usually not entertained by the talents or non-talents of fellow passengers?  Or am I just getting old and cranky?

[shof515]

unfortunately this is a common trend with cruise lines. look at what Norwegian is doing with their entertainment replacing theater shows with wheel of fortune, press your luck 

[pe4all]

We liked the production shows on Carnival.  Yes, CCL seems to have gone the route of "game shows" - even bingo as a show.  Maybe it is hard to find entertainers, who pull double-duty at bingo, etc.    Disappointing, but we find other things to do at night rather than attend the game shows.

[jeblack1]

We only go to the shows and on the Celebration there was a "professional" show each night.  Can't recall going to any of the amateur hour shows, nor would I want to.  However with seemingly half of primetime shows being reality television, it is apparently what the people want. 

 

It would just make me not want to go to any shows if this was all that was offered.

[Diamond-56-Plus]

1 hour ago, Jeafl said:

Just for reference, we are Platinum on Carnival so we have been on many cruises over the year and have seen many changes, most not for the better.  We just returned from a 7-day on the Firenze.  We also did a 10-day on the Venezia and an 8-day on the Magic this year.  What is really standing out to me is that Carnival is moving away from from professional entertainers and is leaning more towards passengers entertaining other passengers at night.  

 

For example, it used to be on a 7-8 day cruise you would have at least 4-5 production shows in the theater.  Last week there were TWO. Plus a juggler who couldn't hold onto what he was juggling to save his soul.  I was embarrassed for him.  The other nights are now Family Feud, Deal or No Deal, Love and Marriage show, some other game show which was where a parent and a child went on stage and answered questions about each other like the Newlywed Game.  There was also a Guess the Lyrics game show, as well as Karaoke every night, and other passenger led entertainment as well.

 

Yesterday I saw a poll from John Heald asking if people would be interested in an "open mic night" in the comedy clubs.  I, for one, enjoy most of the professional comedians, but would not enjoy watching my fellow drunk passengers attempt comedy on stage. 

 

I understand that Carnival lost a lot of money during Covid and is trying to recoup their losses, but honestly, enough is enough with the passengers being your entertainment.

 

Am I the only one who is usually not entertained by the talents or non-talents of fellow passengers?  Or am I just getting old and cranky?

 I'd say you pretty much hit the nail square on the head with those comments.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, Jeafl said:

Plus a juggler who couldn't hold onto what he was juggling to save his soul.  I was embarrassed for him.

we must have had the same juggler on our recent Princess cruise. Even my kid said it was embarrassing. 

 

1 hour ago, Jeafl said:

honestly, enough is enough with the passengers being your entertainment.

amen.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

I would imagine it's getting harder and harder to find professional talent to do the shows.  Even if they brought back the budget for it, they may not be able to find suitable performers

 

Looking at our local Renaissance Festival as a comparable example, they seem to have less performers than they used to. 

 

We also seem to have less circuses and other similar types of live entertainment. Maybe all going the way of Vaudville.  To be replaced by reality tv.  Yuck.

[NYcruzzer]

1 hour ago, shof515 said:

unfortunately this is a common trend with cruise lines. look at what Norwegian is doing with their entertainment replacing theater shows with wheel of fortune, press your luck 

Fortunately MSC is bucking this trend. On my recent 7 night  cruise on MSC Meraviglia there was 3 full scale production shows. Two magician/illusionist and 2 comedy shows in the main showroom. All very good I might add.

Edited yesterday at 02:46 PM by NYcruzzer

[MsTabbyKats]

I really am not entertained by "passenger shows" at all.  I prefer production shows...even if the production leaves a lot to be desired (as long as the singers can carry a tune and the dancers don't trip over their feet).  Neutral about comedians/juggers.

 

I was on the Venezia last Jan and thought the entertainment was ok.  I'll be on her again in Nov....and hope it's at least almost as good.

[firefly333]

I just got off baby sized adventure of the seas to Bermuda. I wanted to overnight in Bermuda so booked it. Not for the ship. The Two Tenors was a hit.

 

My fsvorite was I went to the finals for adult karaoke. I'll be honest they were all great. I am so glad I didnt only see the final winner,  I saw the top ten. 3 women were awesome, but the best 2 split the popular vote and a religious song won by a smidgen. So seeing the best imo not just the winner was a awesome show. 

 

So I am not again pax talent.

 

I am pretty sure on carnival before covid I saw some talent shows by talented pax who I also enjoyed. Comedians...not my thing.  But I'd watch a talent show or adult karaoke winners show.

[i_love_long_islands]

On Firenze, the piano player had some "medical emergency" the week of the inaugural sailing.

 

One night, the piano bar was packed and the piano player was a no show. Some folks got up and started playing the piano.

 

Some Carnival worker came in and had a fit. Said to stop playing the piano because it cost $20,000.

 

Well, the next night the piano player showed up. Sadly, the cruise passenger was better than he was.

 

But overall, we enjoy Carnivals entertainment. We are not big on karaoke. The "house" bands we've listened to on Pano, Radiance and Firenze, have all been excellent. Always bummed when they have to stop playing at midnight or so.

[ninjacat123]

We were on Pride first week in September to Bermuda for 7 nights and saw 3 musical/dancing productions and I thought they were great.  Saw 3 comedians, very funny.  Went to Deal or No Deal which was entertaining but we left after the first "win".  I hope Carnival keeps the productions shows, comics, violinists, bands etc.  The "passenger shows" are okay but don't really hold my attention or feel like true entertainment in my opinion.

Edited yesterday at 04:03 PM by ninjacat123

[ProgRockCruiser]

I suppose this is parallel to what has happened to major network Prime Time TV:  Reality TV shows have smothered a good chunk of what used to be original programming, because it is so much cheaper to make.  To get good shows you often have to go to streaming / Cable-only package sources (Amazon, HBO, etc).

 

I don't think it is a lack of available talent, but perhaps the lack of budget required to keep those shows going - or rather the realization that there isn't the need to spend the money, even if a drop in the bucket overall, if the pax prefer to self-entertain.

[Roscoe13]

Passengers have always been my entertainment. 

[mz-s]

Everything on the modern mass market lines that do not directly drive revenue are endangered.

 

The shows that cost big money (training and paying a crew of performers) even though they're basically just karaoke in front of a screensaver - as good as gone. Replaced by a campy "game show" emceed by the cruise director (that Carnival already pays) and the fun squad (ditto). As mentioned other lines are doing the same.

 

I don't know how much Carnival spends on their comedy program but I am sure it pales in comparison to the alcohol sales.

 

How much further can they cut - daily housekeeping next? It's a game of chicken, who will move first.

[ninjacat123]

I was amazed to hear that a magician/comic was flown in for two shows on our Mediterranean cruise Oct 2023 from Texas then flown back to Texas.  I thought that was not good production/entertainment value. He was pretty average in my opinion. If the budget needs to be trimmed, I think acts like that should be the first to go.

[Paelos]

As long as they don't get rid of comedy, I'm fine. We never go to the production shows because we're not into the singing and dancing. I like the Love and Marriage show occasionally, but the idea of an open mic comedy night sounds like a complete disaster.

 

Then again, I think Carnival in general is just sadly giving up on the things that made them amazing to sail with due to costs. The food comparatively to five years ago is lower quality and especially noticeable in the buffet. The comedy is fine, but usually only one of the comedians is worth seeing and they do entirely too much lame crowd work now instead of their sets. The fun squad seems cut back on staff and WAY overworked, I'm actually shocked they can keep going at the pace they do.

[Jamman54]

38 minutes ago, Roscoe13 said:

Passengers have always been my entertainment. 

And vice-versa! 😂

[abbeydoo]

1 hour ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I suppose this is parallel to what has happened to major network Prime Time TV:  Reality TV shows have smothered a good chunk of what used to be original programming, because it is so much cheaper to make.  

I would agree. It's just a reflection of what considered entertainment by many in society. The cruise lines need to hear in their feedback (or through voting with feet) if passengers want something different otherwise nothing will change. 

[MsTabbyKats]

I guess...one can say....as I've said about "people needing menus in leather binders".....if this is what you need (professional entertainment, me included)....Carnival may not be the right line for you.

 

 

[mz-s]

17 minutes ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I guess...one can say....as I've said about "people needing menus in leather binders".....if this is what you need (professional entertainment, me included)....Carnival may not be the right line for you.

 

 

 

Where does it end? The standards for Carnival's product in all aspects keep going one direction - down. Where is the bottom?

[MsTabbyKats]

55 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Where does it end? The standards for Carnival's product in all aspects keep going one direction - down. Where is the bottom?

On our last cruise....DH loved the brunch.  That's probably the #1 reason for scheduling our upcoming cruise.  If they mess that up....there's no going back...especially if the entertainment is reduced to passenger game shows.

[Number12]

It seems to me, from watching America's Got Talent, that there are a lot of talented entertainers out there that would love a cruise ship gig.  We always enjoy it when  magicians, jugglers, or other variety acts are brought on board.

[mfs2k]

Add it to the list of expense cutbacks they figure new customers won't notice, because they have nothing to compare to, but those of us who have been Carnival cruisers for many years notice.

[Oletruckdude]

We have always loved the production shows. The casino is our #1 interest with the production shows #2, and the comedy shows #3. 

We see more then enough passenger "talent" on the lido. No interest in watching it as an official entertainment show.