Are you Karaoke Queens?? ( or Kings)

[Jabee]

I freely acknowledge Linda (LHP) as the Karaoke Queen, but I am a King.

 

I dont go to Karaoke on a shipe....I LIVE IN KARAOKE on the ship...

I always have early dining so I can get to Karaoke about 15 minutes before it starts, meet the host and pick out a few songs.

 

I have sung Legends/Talent Show on every cruise I have been on, except the first (it was not publicized well and I did not know about it.)

 

I sing classic crooners songs like Frank Sinatra, some Elvis, Neil Diamond, and others.

 

When I am not singing, I always sit close to the stage to offer my encouragement to others. I try to clap or even sing with them if they do not know the song well.

 

Just remember this...the more the merrier...the more people who take part the more fun it will be!!

 

COme on down on your next cruise....find a song....and have fun.

[Starz723]

Refresh my memory please.. What time do they usually start the karaoke. Why am I thinking it starts kinda late, like around 11pm? After the main shows. Is that right?

 

I honestly cannot remember. Maybe cause every cruise line has different times.

 

Im cruising on the Miracle this coming July.. What time do they have karaoke.

 

I chose late dining for the first time because Im a group cruise leader and the majority of the group wanted late dining, so there it is.

[DanJ]

Carnival seems to do karaoke a lot more frequently than Princess. On the Pride last summer, they did it some afternoons, some early evenings and most late evenings. I do recall that the later evening sessions were the busiest, and they also happened to be the one lively place on the ship after 11.

[SkyMaster]

Carnival seems to do karaoke a lot more frequently than Princess. On the Pride last summer, they did it some afternoons, some early evenings and most late evenings. I do recall that the later evening sessions were the busiest, and they also happened to be the one lively place on the ship after 11.

 

That's one of the MAJOR reasons I started cruising Carnival a lot more than the other lines. They do indeed do Karaoke almost every night, and even in the afternoons on sea days sometimes. (Triumph had a GREAT program where they did karaoke at the stage in the casino in the afternoons. It got a lot of people involved who probably would have never gone to regular karaoke.)

 

"SKY"

[luvmyboyz]

My best friend and I used to go to a karaoke bar every week for years in our early twenties and we were always a hit, but as I got older I developed stage fright (or maybe just started drinking less?) :p

 

Anyway, I still sing all the time when I am alone or in front of my kids, but I have the hardest time singing in front of anyone else now! I'm just always afraid I'm going to sound bad, I guess. Up until last year, even my husband had never heard me sing. The he and my parents made me do karaoke on the Pride, and I was just getting over a cold, and they didn't have any songs I was certain that I could sing well, and so I tried a song I wasn't sure of, and of course, I squeaked. How freaking ironic is that?

 

The funny thing is, now I am super angry and determined to prove myself! I mean, seriously, all this time I refuse to let my husband hear me sing despite knowing I sing well, and then I finally get up there in front of him and embarrass myself? Really?

 

So now I am totally doing karaoke on our next cruise, and I'm going to be awesome! Haha! :p

 

(So when you hear about the girl who made a fool out of herself at karaoke and then threw herself overboard, um, yeah, that will be me!! LOL)

[teeny25]

You will always see me on a cruise belting out a few songs. I've gotten quite the praise too :) Nothing like being stopped in the elevator and having a fellow passenger compliment you :D Can't wait to do it again!!!!

[teeny25]

I agree that Carnival does more than Princess. We went on the Emerald for 7 days in Jan and the only time you could sing was to try out for their competition(which only older singers were voted into) and one other night besides that. Very disappointing! Their piano lounge was a disappointment too. The guy was good but it was very mellow and no one sang along like they did when we went on the Triumph. Carnival is def best for singers!!

[DanJ]

I agree that Carnival does more than Princess. We went on the Emerald for 7 days in Jan and the only time you could sing was to try out for their competition(which only older singers were voted into) and one other night besides that.

 

As a general rule, I don't like contests. My first introduction to karaoke was at a specially designed and designated karaoke bar in 1991. This wasn't a bar that had karaoke, this place was built from the ground up to be a karaoke bar. It was laid out with seating that wrapped around the stage, and it had an awesome sound system, and karaoke was 7 nights a week. Since it was new, they wanted to make a splash, so they had a year long contest with the grand prize being a new car. Well, this drew out every diva you ever could think of, and really led to a snobbish atmosphere, kind of like a fitness club you felt you needed to already be in great shape before you joined. These people would come in on contest night, and you never saw them again. Eventually the bar turned into a place where people would come in early (they opened at 7) and practice new songs, then move onto the more popular, fun, bars later on in the evening.

 

Anyway, I wasn't good enough to compete with those people, so I didn't try. However, I did enter the contest with the mindset of it simply being another karaoke night. I mean, I can go into any karaoke bar on a Saturday night and sing in between a whole bunch of near professionals, so why not do it on the Wednesday contest night, too? I treat the Princess Pop Stars thing the same. I'm not singing in it because I want to win a contest, I'm singing because I want to sing.

[luvmyboyz]

I'm not singing in it because I want to win a contest, I'm singing because I want to sing.

 

That's a great attitude!

[kellbellscruise]

I would say to all those afraid to try it... grab a friend or two... they are better than liquid courage... it really is fun... have great night all....kell

[LHP]

LHP - where are you? She is surely the Queen of Karaoke on Carnival! I, on the other hand, don't have the guts to give it a try - though each cruise I am getting closer to taking the leap!

 

Sorry I am so late in answering.....

 

I WAS ON A CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And yes, we had a blast in karaoke. Folks are so kind.... they come...they listen....they ask you if you are a professional.... it is WONDERFUL!!!!

 

But the BEST is when I get the privilege of getting ladies on stage who would have never DREAMED in a million years of getting up there..... they won't get up to sing...but they WILL get up to DANCE!!!!

 

We pulled off an AMAZING Proud Mary (Tina Turner version) with 4 ladies that brought the house down!!!!!!!!!

 

I also got to sing with the band from the Phillipines.

soooo much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LHP]

We heard LHP sing on our Freedom cruise in 2008. She was very good! I wasn't sure it was her until we ran into her on an elevator and I asked.

 

My daughter, mom, and I all got up on stage at another event on that cruise and sang. That was in the bigger lounge. We were part of the group when they called up the women on stage. My husband even got up when they called up the men. :)

 

OK...I can't pay you more than the $25 we agreed on....LOL

 

Thanks for the compliment. It is certainly my pleasure to have the privilege of singing for wonderful folks like you!!!

[LHP]

Triumph, October 11. The JSCruisers will most DEF be the talk of Cruise Karaoke!! Yall come!:D

 

Aw man...we are doing a back to back on the Triumph and we are getting off the ship on Oct. 11th..... :(

[LHP]

Hi Marge,

I had no trouble using my own discs on the Triumph last Sept. Leanne was very nice about it, even apologetic that they didn't have a pitch changer on the system in the lounge. They did have one at the afternoon show at the casino stage, and she said she wished they would update the system they used in the lounge. (Again, karaoke unfortunately not a priority for the cruise lines.) Sometimes there is a pitch changer and the host doesn't know about it. I've shown at least 3 hosts on ships how to use that function.

 

I'm sailing on the Pride this fall and since I've updated all my own equipment, I can now make discs of my favorite songs in my keys. Maybe you can find a local karaoke DJ to do the same for you before you cruise.

 

Happy sailing,

 

 

Le Anne is WONDERFUL.

 

OK...about using your own disks....

 

every karaoke host has the "power" to say yes or no.....

 

BUT if you will agree to 3 simple rules....MOST of the time ..it will be yes...

 

1) It has to be mainstream music. The Paradise got a bunch of thugs that were bringing on violent vulgar homemade rap and it almost cost all of us the privilege of using our own CDGs.

 

2) NO bootleg. You have to have the original disks. Even though I have disks that are ripped, altered and burned in the correct key...I carry the originals as well...so show these songs are not bootleg.

 

3) ALL CDGS are the singers responsibility. Even if the karaoke host (in a fit of rage) decides to eat your CDG for dinner....the singer is responsible. Some moron "claimed" their CD was scratched by a host and it almost cost all of us the privilege when they threatened to sue (over a $25 CD). So if the host eats it, plays frisbee with it....or throws it overboard just for the heck of it.... the singer agrees not to hold Carnival (or the host) responsible.

 

Now in all the years that I have been using my own disks....not ONE has ever gotten damaged. The karaoke hosts have taken better care of them than I do.

 

 

IF you want to use your own disks.....I suggest that you ask NICELY and let the karaoke host know that you agree to the above listed rules!!

 

If they still say no....it is usually because they are brand new....

[LHP]

As for the folks that sing....

 

give me someone with no vocal ability and TONS of entertainment value any day over someone who is "technically" proficient...but boring as drying paint!

 

It is all about the FUN!!!!

[LHP]

For folks headed to the Glory....that is where Megan is headed today.

 

Tell her that her Cruise Mom said HI!!!

[poptart]

I freely acknowledge Linda (LHP) as the Karaoke Queen, but I am a King.

 

When I am not singing, I always sit close to the stage to offer my encouragement to others. I try to clap or even sing with them if they do not know the song well.

 

Just remember this...the more the merrier...the more people who take part the more fun it will be!!

 

COme on down on your next cruise....find a song....and have fun.

 

We loved sailing with you on the Fantasy last year....and yup you are awesome!!! Gave me cold chills more than once.:D

 

Besides having an amazing voice, you put on a good show..stage presence! :D

 

Haven't sailed with Linda before, but hope our paths will also cross one day.

[LHP]

Jabee and I will sail together one day....and THAT is going to be one WONDERFUL CRUISE~!!!!!~ :D

[littlesnit]

Hi LHP,

I agree about Leanne being awesome. She's the best KJ I've seen yet on a cruise. Unfortunately, as she told me last year, she's trying to move up and out of the karaoke spotlight. That will be a sad day for us all if she's successful.

 

I see that we're cruising over some of the same dates this October, though on different ships. Shoot, I was hoping to meet up with you. Maybe someday.

 

To All,

Just wanted to share with you what a crazy night I had last night running my show. I had a pretty nice crowd, mostly my regulars. Then about midnight a handful of people came in and one girl asked if I was running karaoke. I told her yes, and she said "Good, we're having a pub crawl and this is our last stop." She said there were about 20 more people coming. (Oh joy, we're a corner bar, crowded already, and we need 25 more people who have been drinking for hours!!!:eek:) As I'm not a youngster anymore, I decided to take my heart meds right then. It helped.

 

They were pretty rowdy, all crowded around the front of my set-up, some standing on chairs. I kept waiting for bodies to come flying onto my table and into my equipment, but, thankfully, that never happened. I had to keep asking them to remove the drinks they had set on my stuff (liquids and electronics don't mix well.) Luckily, they didn't get too arrogant, and some of them started to watch and chastise others in their group about where they were putting their drinks. It was a pretty hairy night and it got pretty loud. They were pretty rambunctious bunch, and some were a little obnoxious. Boy, I was glad to get home at 2:00 a.m. with my equipment and myself unscathed. Luckily my meds act like a downer, so I got to the point where I could joke with them and kinda keep them appeased. But I know from experience it could have gotten really ugly. Hope I don't see that crowd for at least another year. I always say, "Karaoke is like a box of chocolates, . . . ."

[cruiseox]

Have run karaoke shows in the past and sing regularly at the local bars. Eager to try on my first cruise. One question though, I have seen other karaoke cruise posts that allude to CDGs and karaoke discs. Do cruise ships really still use discs? I have not seen a karaoke show run other than by computer in at least three years. Just curious, particularly for Carnival, as it am sailing on the Fantasy in October. Sure a good time will be had whatever

format is used.

[SkyMaster]

We cruise a LOT, and I am a "Karaoke King", :D but frankly I haven't sailed a ship yet that didn't use CD+G disks! I've not sailed "Dream" yet, and as I understand it, they have the new solid state diskless system, but someone said that even they still have the equipment, and ability to play regular CD+G disks. I'm sure LPH, or someone else will verify this info, but that's what I've observed. By the way, karaoke aboard Carnival ships is more often than not, really, really a good group, and GREAT fun.

 

Ken

"SKY"

[jg51]

Hello, folks.

I am "reviving" this old (May) thread to ask you for some information that will be very important to me. I just read/skimmed the entire thread and didn't find the key info mentioned.

 

In the past couple of years, I have cruised a total of 28 nights on one of the NCL ships, and one of my favorite activities has been karaoke (singing and listening) -- after not having ever even seen it before in my long life! I'd say that I enjoyed it so much that I wish that there were two or more hours of it available every day on every cruise.

 

And so, I'd like to ask all of you the following questions, hoping that you will answer any one or more of them (briefly or even at great length):

 

(1) On which NCL ships have you found karaoke to be a major activity? Please mention something like ...

"On the ___, we had it 5 out of 7 nights, for an average of 90 minutes per night," or ...

"On the ___, we had it only twice out of 7 nights, for 60 minutes each night," or ...

"On the ___, we had it both in the afternoon for two hours (while at sea) and in the evening for two hours every night except Embarkation Day."

 

(2) On which cruise lines and ships OTHER THAN NCL did you find karaoke to be a major activity? (If possible, please give details, as mentioned above.)

 

(3) On which cruise lines or ships have you found karaoke to be totally (or almost totally) ignored?

 

(4) On the ships where you have found karaoke, has it been done with music stored on CDs (which get lost or broken) or music stored on a computer's hard disk?

 

(5) Where you have found karaoke, which lines/ships have used overhead, big-screen TVs for the lyrics (visible to the singer and attendees), and which lines/ships have instead used only one small, low-level monitor (visible only to the singer)?

 

Thanks, in advance, for your efforts!

[LHP]

Hello, folks.

I am "reviving" this old (May) thread to ask you for some information that will be very important to me. I just read/skimmed the entire thread and didn't find the key info mentioned.

 

In the past couple of years, I have cruised a total of 28 nights on one of the NCL ships, and one of my favorite activities has been karaoke (singing and listening) -- after not having ever even seen it before in my long life! I'd say that I enjoyed it so much that I wish that there were two or more hours of it available every day on every cruise.

 

And so, I'd like to ask all of you the following questions, hoping that you will answer any one or more of them (briefly or even at great length):

 

(1) On which NCL ships have you found karaoke to be a major activity? Please mention something like ...

"On the ___, we had it 5 out of 7 nights, for an average of 90 minutes per night," or ...

"On the ___, we had it only twice out of 7 nights, for 60 minutes each night," or ...

"On the ___, we had it both in the afternoon for two hours (while at sea) and in the evening for two hours every night except Embarkation Day."

 

 

We have never sailed on NCL so I can not answer.

 

 

(2) On which cruise lines and ships OTHER THAN NCL did you find karaoke to be a major activity? (If possible, please give details, as mentioned above.)

 

We have only sailed on Carnival and it is a MAJOR activity. It is an average of 3 hours a night. Sometimes all at once...sometimes with a 45 minute break thrown in there. Now having said that, Carnival is about the add the Punchline Comedy Clubs fleetwide and the Fantasy class ships do not have an extra lounge to put karaoke in like the larger ships....so only time will tell if it affects the karaoke on the Fantasy class ships.

 

 

(3) On which cruise lines or ships have you found karaoke to be totally (or almost totally) ignored?

 

NO ANSWER

 

 

(4) On the ships where you have found karaoke, has it been done with music stored on CDs (which get lost or broken) or music stored on a computer's hard disk?

 

On Carnival, 19 or 20 of the ships use the CAVS. (music on cdgs that the karaoke host pulls from a binder and loads). I think that 4 use the Ethemedia system that is a computer kiosk. However, even on the ships that use the Ethemedia system....they have the CAVS for back up.

 

 

(5) Where you have found karaoke, which lines/ships have used overhead, big-screen TVs for the lyrics (visible to the singer and attendees), and which lines/ships have instead used only one small, low-level monitor (visible only to the singer)?

 

 

MOST of the Carnival ships use a big projection screen that comes down from the ceiling. However, from time to time...that will be broken on a ship ...so you will just have the small monitor.

 

 

Thanks, in advance, for your efforts!

 

Hope that helps.....

[jg51]

Hope that helps.....

It does help, "LHP."

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I was pleasantly surprised to read your answer to the second question ("on Carnival ... it is a MAJOR activity. It is an average of 3 hours a night. Sometimes all at once...sometimes with a 45 minute break thrown in there.") The only problem is that I have not yet ever been able to find a Carnival cruise itinerary that attracted me. I guess that I'll have to look again!

 

I wanted to explain why I mentioned NCL in the first question.

Due to a mistake (too complicated to explain), I thought this thread was in the Norwegian forum, rather than in the Carnival forum.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

I speak in front of crowds of well over 1,000 people at company meetings, however would never get on stage to sing. I enjoy listening to others but I do not have a muscial bone in my body, the room would empty out as I attempt my first note.

 

I'm the complete opposite. I can sing in front of people but I can't speak to them. Go figure.:rolleyes: But I love singing karaoke and I sing every week here in my hometown. My last cruise was on RCI Mariner and I didn't enjoy my cruise nearly as much because their karaoke was all competition stuff and that takes the fun out of it for me. I want to do it for fun, not to win a competition. I'm a really good billiards player too but when someone challenges me to play in a pool tournament, I turn in to a complete biotch. No fun.