What's stopping Celebrity from improving entertainment?

[jasm8449]

I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser, and don't have experience on other lines. However, I've read so many posts about the entertainment being superior on other mass lines. So Celebrity wouldn't be reinventing the wheel. They do so many things better than the other lines, why so obstinate about improving the entertainment offerings?

[TLCOhio]

I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser, and don't have experience on other lines. However, I've read so many posts about the entertainment being superior on other mass lines. So Celebrity wouldn't be reinventing the wheel. They do so many things better than the other lines, why so obstinate about improving the entertainment offerings?

 

What are you seeking and needing for "better" entertainment? The production shows in the main theater? Individual acts for that setting? The orchestra there? Smaller acts/performers around the ship? Some always like to complain and/or think the "grass is greener" on the other side. This ship is not Broadway or the West End of London.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 148,453 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Lois R]

I am a loyal Celebrity cruiser, and don't have experience on other lines. However, I've read so many posts about the entertainment being superior on other mass lines. So Celebrity wouldn't be reinventing the wheel. They do so many things better than the other lines, why so obstinate about improving the entertainment offerings?

 

What type of improvement are you looking for?

[neverbeenhere]

Can't speak for others, but... Many different comedians(We've could have seen Fred Klett a million times) New productions shows... done iBroadway, songs of world (or whatever it was called), etc... Not withstanding the language barrier, we wouldn't mind a play or mystery theater. Also, a World Champion Tittlywinks player would be fun to watch.(We would guess that would cost some serious cash.)

[fredflint]

Well a violin and flute player were not my idea of entertainment at all on my last cruise.

[neverbeenhere]

Unless that person did them both at once????

[VK3DQ]

What type of improvement are you looking for?

 

So what would I like to see :D

 

No cruise director , no amplified music , natural instruments , and voice , varied music in a number of smaller intimate venues on ship that carry about 400 passengers on long sea voyages , liners rather than cruise ships , no specialty dining just a traditional dining room and Lido Cafe providing quality food , a good libarary and a nice card room , totally no smoking ship , no balcony cabins but two complete veranda / promenade decks , a bridge that you can visit on request lots of teak decks and polished brass ..shuffleboard , scrabble rather than bingo , if you want to gamble there is the ships tote rather than a garish casino a couple of smallish cinemas when you can select a film to watch IE gold class type that serve drinks and snacks whilst the film is on and no kids under the age of 18 y/o

 

My suggested Route is Lisbon To Rio de Janeiro calling at Funchal and return on a regular service operated by four ships of approx 20,000 Tons

 

 

Oh dear .. one can dream

 

 

Regards

 

John

[NEARING 100 CRUISES]

Just off a 15 night cruise to Hawaii on the Century. Two of the three production shows were with canned music that was too loud to hear the singers. Disappointing. Jerry

[neverbeenhere]

Just off the Infinity, perhaps your ears were spared on the Century, as the "main" singer on the Infinity squeaked her way through the songs and the party band singer couldn't sing at all.

[shoreham01]

I have to say that having cruised with Princess, P&O and Celebrity, P&O did seem to be superior as far as entertainment was concerned. Having said that, I really doubt if we would every sail P&O again as the service and food was so poor when we sailed.

 

Princess and Celebrity are very similar, the first time you see their entertainment you think wow. Then it is rather a disappointment when you sail again with them and find the same entertainers and shows.

 

I think the problem is the expense of putting on the big shows, it must cost a considerable amout of money for the costumes, scenery and productions themselves so I can understand they don't change these every year. What would be good is a better selection of entertainers in the theatres.

 

I also find the sea days entertainment to be a bit of a yawn if you don't like trivia. Having said this, I really don't know what I would like to improve this. Maybe more interesting lectures. The port lecturer on our last cruise was particularly poor. I can't remember what they call the other guest speakers but that was dreadful too. It is pointless having a port lecturer who is just going to read off the daily information paper placed in your stateroom.

[deelastcre]

The Broadway shows, lounge entertainers, singers, and dancers are the worst in the cruise industry. I've sailed five lines and Celebrity would be ranked #5 in that area. They are doing everything else right and I am pleased, but would like to go to more than two shows and listen to some great jazz during those long cruises.

[deelastcre]

Just off the Infinity, perhaps your ears were spared on the Century, as the "main" singer on the Infinity squeaked her way through the songs and the party band singer couldn't sing at all.

I sailed on both recently and I enjoyed one show on Century and one on Infinity.

[CaroleSS]

We enjoy the evening shows, but do enjoy a variety of talents, not just singing and dancing.

 

While I do understand that the evening shows are expensive to stage, costume, choreograph, etc....it would be nice to see a little variety. We certainly have seen better evening shows on other lines (RCI) comes to mind!! Not sure why Celebrity can't have better shows since their sister line can!

 

HAL had a wonderful quartet that played a small bar every evening. We LOVED that. A cruise line can have nice music without a symphony band and the evening shows don't need canned music.

 

Surely Celebrity could offer a broader variety of entertainment.

[gcorgain]

My suggestions:

 

(1) Keep/add an acoustic guitar player

 

(2) Reinstate the piano player in an interactive setting. The challenge here is the venue. Obviously with the right talent this works (ala Perry Grant).

 

(3) Upgrade the quality of the party bands. While some are good, other have trouble hitting their notes.

 

(4) Add a little variety. I like the acapella groups, but maybe have two of these rotate with some other groups. This might work really well in the Med/Alaska where they could do a few days on a ship and rotate to another.

 

(5) The theme night transitions from the theme nights to the DJ are done in such a way that often the room empties completely. Seems like their might be a better way to do that transition.

 

Just my thoughts...

[mferranti]

So what would I like to see :D

 

No cruise director , no amplified music , natural instruments , and voice , varied music in a number of smaller intimate venues on ship that carry about 400 passengers on long sea voyages , liners rather than cruise ships , no specialty dining just a traditional dining room and Lido Cafe providing quality food , a good libarary and a nice card room , totally no smoking ship , no balcony cabins but two complete veranda / promenade decks , a bridge that you can visit on request lots of teak decks and polished brass ..shuffleboard , scrabble rather than bingo , if you want to gamble there is the ships tote rather than a garish casino a couple of smallish cinemas when you can select a film to watch IE gold class type that serve drinks and snacks whilst the film is on and no kids under the age of 18 y/o

 

My suggested Route is Lisbon To Rio de Janeiro calling at Funchal and return on a regular service operated by four ships of approx 20,000 Tons

 

 

Oh dear .. one can dream

 

 

Regards

 

John

Sounds like a business plan. Get a loan; buy some ships; start your own line. Maybe you'll get rich! :D

[VK3DQ]

Sounds like a business plan. Get a loan; buy some ships; start your own line. Maybe you'll get rich! :D

 

I wish .. but perhaps one day :p

 

What a thought ...:o

[neverbeenhere]

certainly not picking on your typing skills as mine sucks. But, you added much humor with the old Libarary for Library. Adding some financial advise... Don't invest your retirement in the plan, because ideas that sound to good to be true usually are.

[VK3DQ]

certainly not picking on your typing skills as mine sucks. But, you added much humor with the old Libarary for Library. Adding some financial advise... Don't invest your retirement in the plan, because ideas that sound to good to be true usually are.

 

Darn spell checkers ..:p but at least it added colour to the post and not color , as far as the retirement fund is concearned well too late its invested in sea voyages :D

 

And I must admit the subject has more appeal than yabbering on about how many free drinks one can get if one has status or how much one can smuggle on board.

 

regards

John

PS yes my typing and... spelling are in need of much improvment but its over 50 years since I left school

Edited November 24, 2013 by VK3DQ

[SixOneTwo]

I would like to see the return of musicians, rather than just a guitar player with a computer that plays background. Or a duo that has one keyboardist and a computerized percussion section. Unfortunately, the use of computerized music is a trend the world over, putting real musicians out of work.

 

I don't enjoy production shows, so can't comment on what's currently offered. If most people like it, they should continue. Not sure why it's so difficult to get quality talent, though. We all know waitresses and waiters in our home towns who are looking for singing/dancing gigs.

 

It would be wonderful if they could have more comedy acts on board and if they would require those comedians to completely refrain from cruise jokes. I've never been to a comedy show on a ship that didn't address the toilet flushing and the buffet and stupid passengers. Just deliver a routine like you would deliver in a land-based venue, please. Comedians work cheap. There are many good ones out there...

 

No more ventriloquists.

 

Remember the Ladder Guy? Bring him back.

[20pluscruises]

I would like to see the return of musicians, rather than just a guitar player with a computer that plays background. Or a duo that has one keyboardist and a computerized percussion section. Unfortunately, the use of computerized music is a trend the world over, putting real musicians out of work.

 

I don't enjoy production shows, so can't comment on what's currently offered. If most people like it, they should continue. Not sure why it's so difficult to get quality talent, though. We all know waitresses and waiters in our home towns who are looking for singing/dancing gigs.

 

It would be wonderful if they could have more comedy acts on board and if they would require those comedians to completely refrain from cruise jokes. I've never been to a comedy show on a ship that didn't address the toilet flushing and the buffet and stupid passengers. Just deliver a routine like you would deliver in a land-based venue, please. Comedians work cheap. There are many good ones out there...

 

No more ventriloquists.

 

Remember the Ladder Guy? Bring him back.

 

 

We were on one cruise (can't remeber which one...maybe HAL?) that had a seperate small theater for comedians. They were great as well as the venue. This spring on Equinox the late show was just sad.

[Lsimon]

When we first started sailing Celebrity the lounge entertainment was better than what we'd seen on other lines. They had fantastic island bands from the Caribbean that played great rock, party and Caribbean music. The acoustic guitar singer playing at the outdoor bar several times most nights was fantastic (on recent cruises they infrequently played the aft bar). They also had a separate ballroom dance band, harpist, classical quartet and piano bar player.

 

Since then the quantity and quality of the lounge entertainment on board has declined. I will say that after reaching a low point a few years ago the talent level of the lounge acts we've seen the past couple years has improved but overall I feel it is no where near the level it was when we first started sailing Celebrity 10 years ago. They've also had a large reduction in the number of lounge acts on each sailing as well.

 

Our Caribbean cruise last March was the first Caribbean cruise we've taken that had no Caribbean/Island music at all. The Filipino party band was fairly good but they seemed to play too broad of a range of music at each set - presumably to make up for the fact that they didn't have a separate ballroom dance band on board. I don't think there was even a classical music group (duo or quartet) on board as there had been in the past although they did have a jazz group.

[Lsimon]

...We've could have seen Fred Klett a million times...

 

I remember thinking Fred was and excellent comedian when we saw him the first time. We were thrilled to see him listed again on another cruise a year or so later ... until we found that his show was almost exactly the same as the prior show. Musical entertainment I can listen to more than once but after you've heard a comedian tell his jokes a repeat performance doesn't cut it.

[richsea]

Sounds like a business plan. Get a loan; buy some ships; start your own line. Maybe you'll get rich! :D

 

Yes, but you will wind up with ships with zero revenue. You will change your tune then! ( pun intended)

[vickykay]

We loved the Ladder Guy! I also miss the Caribbean music on the pool deck when cruising the Caribbean! I also remember ( and it was not that long ago) when the band at the pool play much longer sets. Now 45 minutes. We also miss the string quartets that were often in different area of the ship before dinner.

[Redtravel]

Entertainment is varied depending upon what is available through their booking agency. I have seen great, good, fair, and poor entertainment on many ships. It is just the luck of the draw. Celebrity often has good entertainment. They do not go looking for poor entertainment. It is what it is. If the entertainment is good, that's nice. If it is bad, I look for something else to do. I have walked out of the theater when the show is bad. There is no cruise line that always has good entertainment. Relax, enjoy the show...or not. There is always plenty of things to do on the ship.