Carnival getting rid of show bands

[papadewey]

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:

[bassmaster150]

I believe Gerry Cahill left the company about a month ago. For the record it really doesn't bother me a bit. I don't cruise for live bands. I cruise for the destinations and the fun that I have with my wife.

[thecruiserofships]

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:

 

I too am upset about the decrease of show bands. I will write a letter to Carnival.

However, Mr. Cahill has retired from Carnival and is no longer CEO. I think it would great if everyone would write to the new CEO Ms. Duffy when she comes into office in Feb. 2015. This could be the first issue she deals with!

[Disconnections]

Gerry Cahill is no longer with Carnival Cruise Lines.

 

Instead, address your letter to Christine Duffy (President of Carnival Cruise Lines) or email her directly in February.

Edited December 27, 2014 by Disconnections

[Havingfun2010]

I believe Gerry Cahill left the company about a month ago. For the record it really doesn't bother me a bit. I don't cruise for live bands. I cruise for the destinations and the fun that I have with my wife.

 

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?

[papadewey]

Thanks for the correction on the new CEO. Carnival corporate site still has Gary listed as CEO, the new CEO is Arnold Donald. Either way, write or e-mail Carnival. The bands make the shows and having a band gives Spontaneity to the shows.

If you could hear the difference side by side, you would know the difference it makes. I know many people just take the hard work of a show band for granted.

I take Carnival cruises to relax and enjoy to, but what if they all served the same food in buffet day after day, would that impact your cruise experience.

papadewey

[papadewey]

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?

 

I agree completely, I only wish I had known the plans were in place sooner to seriously downsize or completely remove these wonderful show bands.

 

papadewey

[Disconnections]

Thanks for the correction on the new CEO. Carnival corporate site still has Gary listed as CEO, the new CEO is Arnold Donald. Either way, write or e-mail Carnival. The bands make the shows and having a band gives Spontaneity to the shows.

If you could hear the difference side by side, you would know the difference it makes. I know many people just take the hard work of a show band for granted.

I take Carnival cruises to relax and enjoy to, but what if they all served the same food in buffet day after day, would that impact your cruise experience.

papadewey

 

Carnival Cruise Lines is only a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc. and IS NOT Carnival Corporation & plc. Carnival Cruise Lines, the one of which we are discussing, is still without a CEO and only had named a new President. Arnold Donald joined Carnival Corporation in mid-2013 to replace Micky Arison, not Gerry Cahill.

[buddylover]

We're with you Papadewey! Canned DJ music is in NO WAY any where near a reasonable substitute for LIVE bands. This "cut" has been going on for years at CCL....it was one of the first cutbacks they employed several years back....and it has definitely "cheapened" the cruise experience for us. We will write again (in the hopes someone new will listen??)....maybe if they get barraged with letters someone will listen?? We remain hopeful......

[iamsteph]

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

 

Where did you get this statistic, or what data did you use to come up with these numbers?

[cruisinpips]

Where did you get this statistic, or what data did you use to come up with these numbers?

 

Not sure where they got it, but here is the formula I used;

7X24=168. (7 days with 24 hours per day)

4x6=24 (assuming you got off in each port and spent an average of 6 hours in each)

24/168= .142, or 14%.

100%-14%=86% of time spent onboard.... I venture a guess that most people spend more time onboard than that.

Hope that helps:D:D

[PAPERBKWRITER]

When the band is down below in the orchestra pit there is little difference. Over the years I have been really impressed with the show bands and hope they keep them. Don't miss the LOUD steel bands though.

[iamsteph]

Not sure where they got it, but here is the formula I used;

7X24=168. (7 days with 24 hours per day)

4x6=24 (assuming you got off in each port and spent an average of 6 hours in each)

24/168= .142, or 14%.

100%-14%=86% of time spent onboard.... I venture a guess that most people spend more time onboard than that.

Hope that helps:D:D

 

The amount of time for sleep should also be added into the number of port hours, because when asleep, you're definitely not using the "live bands." Same could be said for the 1.5 hours spent each night in the dining room for dinner, the couple of hours total spent in the dining room for breakfast/sea day brunch. Then also subtract out time spent on the balcony, taking a nap, going to the spa, and so on.

 

My point is this: Just because you might spend 85% of your time on the ship doesn't mean that you are listening/want to listen to live music 100% of that time. Carnival is supposed to be a low-budget cruise line, and if switching to DJs, etc., keeps their pricing low and allows me to afford a cruise every year, then I'm all for it. If you want live music for every second your feet are on the ship, then switch cruise lines.

 

(The general "you" in my post is not directed to the person who came up with the numbers. :P )

Edited December 27, 2014 by iamsteph

[UpstateCruizer]

Not sure where they got it, but here is the formula I used;

7X24=168. (7 days with 24 hours per day)

4x6=24 (assuming you got off in each port and spent an average of 6 hours in each)

24/168= .142, or 14%.

100%-14%=86% of time spent onboard.... I venture a guess that most people spend more time onboard than that.

Hope that helps:D:D

 

Great way to break it down but this formula isn't really accurate other than to show how much time is spent onboard. It doesn't truly represent the impact of not having a live band on the average cruiser. I would venture to say that most cruisers sleep a portion of their time on the ship so music wouldn't be a factor. Many of the shows average an hour and only held 3-4 nights on each cruise and the lack of a show band might impact someone's overall cruise experience so we are talking 3-4 hours on average per cruise. What I have seen with the decline of the show bands is an increase in live entertainment. On all of our recent cruises we have enjoyed the life entertainment variety that has been scattered through out the ship. Solo guitar players alternating between the casino, lido deck Iguana, Red Frog bar and pub, atrium and even in the piano bar on nights when the piano player is off. There's a duo that sings in the atrium on many nights and various other locations. So while the show band decline might affect some in all fairness there has been a significant increase noted in other live entertainment!

Edited December 27, 2014 by UpstateCruizer

[Jayp27]

The amount of time for sleep should also be added into the number of port hours, because when asleep, you're definitely not using the "live bands." Same could be said for the 1.5 hours spent each night in the dining room for dinner, the couple of hours total spent in the dining room for breakfast/sea day brunch. Then also subtract out time spent on the balcony, taking a nap, going to the spa, and so on.

 

My point is this: Just because you might spend 85% of your time on the ship doesn't mean that you are listening/want to listen to live music 100% of that time. Carnival is supposed to be a low-budget cruise line, and if switching to DJs, etc., keeps their pricing low and allows me to afford a cruise every year, then I'm all for it. If you want live music for every second your feet are on the ship, then switch cruise lines.

 

(The general "you" in my post is not directed to the person who came up with the numbers. :P )

 

 

I agree while I do enjoy the live bands I don't spend all my time finding my way to them. I guess I could take it or leave it. Either way, I will still enjoy Carnival Cruises.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[SadieN]

FWIW the Carnival Spirit still has the showband.

 

I remember reading that Arison didn't want the expense of entertainment but saw it as a necessary evil.

Edited December 27, 2014 by SadieN

[Middleager]

I cruise for the destinations, the vacation (not having to cook, make beds, etc.), not for live bands.

 

Getting rid of the live bands is a good idea, as it'll cut cost -- costs I don't care to pay for.

[Havingfun2010]

Where did you get this statistic, or what data did you use to come up with these numbers?

 

7*24 = 168 hours

4 ports

4*7 = 28 hours in port

 

28 / 168 = 16% of your time is spent in port. The remaining time is: 84%

 

It's simple math, you spend 7 hours in port, and the rest of the time you are on the ship. So when you cruise, the ship is the main destination, where you eat, sleep, and get entertained, and not the ports. I do pick cruises for new ports, but it's just a quick stop. ON a port day, assuming you go to bed at 12 midnight, you will be in port for 7 hours, and than have an additional 7 hours awake for entertainment. Another way to look at a port day is it is 24 hours. 8 hours sleeping, which means you will have about 9 hours awake on the ship. Even on a port day, you will spend more time on the ship, than off the ship. Ports are great, but the ship is still the destination

[Havingfun2010]

The amount of time for sleep should also be added into the number of port hours, because when asleep, you're definitely not using the "live bands." Same could be said for the 1.5 hours spent each night in the dining room for dinner, the couple of hours total spent in the dining room for breakfast/sea day brunch. Then also subtract out time spent on the balcony, taking a nap, going to the spa, and so on.

 

My point is this: Just because you might spend 85% of your time on the ship doesn't mean that you are listening/want to listen to live music 100% of that time. Carnival is supposed to be a low-budget cruise line, and if switching to DJs, etc., keeps their pricing low and allows me to afford a cruise every year, then I'm all for it. If you want live music for every second your feet are on the ship, then switch cruise lines.

 

(The general "you" in my post is not directed to the person who came up with the numbers. :P )

 

The number was meant to show that the ship is the destination. The fact you mentioned it was a low budget cruise line, does not mean you should remove live entertainment. Contrary to popular believe, you can get on other cruise lines for close to the same price which means that Carnival really needs to add entertainment back to the cruise line. The last I checked, people still go to live entertainment and would rather see things "live" than on a shiny silver CD.

[cruizinisthebest]

I do enjoy live music. It's one of my favorite forms of entertainment. However on a cruise vacation as far as the main theater shows, I couldn't care less. This change doesn't bother me at all. I wouldn't mind more live music on the Lido deck, but honestly a mix would be best IMO. That constant calypso beat nonstop is just as bad as the non-stop dj.

[emtnmare2]

I cruise for the destinations, the vacation (not having to cook, make beds, etc.), not for live bands.

 

Getting rid of the live bands is a good idea, as it'll cut cost -- costs I don't care to pay for.

 

 

Always amazed how people want to throw one part of the cruise out that they do not use. I cruise to be at sea, could care less of the ports we go to. I enjoy all the aspects of a cruise and talking with people about their experience on the cruise.

 

If I was going to be self centered and just want a cruise to fit my standards I would get rid of reduce the following:

 

-Room stewards, I do not need my bed made, can save on tips.

-Casinos

-Bars, a coke machine in the corner would do.

-Main dinning room cut the staff and place the rest in the buffet also reduces tips.

-Reduce ports of call, less tax, less fuel. The list would be much longer if I wanted to continue.

 

I been cruising for a long time, I feel the continued pressures to cut costs does affect the experience. Just wish people would stop being so self centered.

[cmountainman]

I've been on several (14) cruises and have seen the bands dwindle. As a lover of live music, I certainly want the bands to stay. My question to all the other posters is; Are we cruising on a cheap cruise line or one that offers a great value? I book looking for value and that doesn't always mean lowest price. A previous poster said if it "keeps their pricing low and allows me to afford a cruise every year" to me sounds like they only go based on price so they could cruise 3 times in 2014. That's not a knock against them just an observation. I don't cruise Royal because I'm not paying extra for things that don't interest me. Flowrider surfing - I lived in Cali for 15 years and didn't surf so no, rock climbing - both knees replaced three years ago so no, ice skating - I live in upstate NH so plenty of chances to skate so no, and zip line - I'd rather do it with more than one line so no. I don't think any of us cruise for the band or the food or the room but as a combination of all of the pieces, as pieces are removed, the value goes down. Smaller or no bands, midnight buffet, pens in rooms, decks of cards on pillows, free soda, daily free sushi, enforcing dress code at dinner, and Caesar salad at the 24 hour pizza for those of us who didn't really want pizza. These are all things that will not make me stop cruising Carnival but does make me question if it is a good value. Long winded, I know but there's my two cents.

[SunshineCruiser24]

I don't see this as a necessarily bad thing. I like the playlist production shows, I don't see what is so superior about live music on the ship.

[Disconnections]

I've been on several (14) cruises and have seen the bands dwindle. As a lover of live music, I certainly want the bands to stay. My question to all the other posters is; Are we cruising on a cheap cruise line or one that offers a great value? I book looking for value and that doesn't always mean lowest price. A previous poster said if it "keeps their pricing low and allows me to afford a cruise every year" to me sounds like they only go based on price so they could cruise 3 times in 2014. That's not a knock against them just an observation. I don't cruise Royal because I'm not paying extra for things that don't interest me. Flowrider surfing - I lived in Cali for 15 years and didn't surf so no, rock climbing - both knees replaced three years ago so no, ice skating - I live in upstate NH so plenty of chances to skate so no, and zip line - I'd rather do it with more than one line so no. I don't think any of us cruise for the band or the food or the room but as a combination of all of the pieces, as pieces are removed, the value goes down. Smaller or no bands, midnight buffet, pens in rooms, decks of cards on pillows, free soda, daily free sushi, enforcing dress code at dinner, and Caesar salad at the 24 hour pizza for those of us who didn't really want pizza. These are all things that will not make me stop cruising Carnival but does make me question if it is a good value. Long winded, I know but there's my two cents.

 

Perceived value.

Edited December 27, 2014 by Disconnections

[SadieN]

............ That constant calypso beat nonstop is just as bad as the non-stop dj.

 

 

The steel drums are even worse on the West Coast. Should be Mariachi music here.