Carnival Cruise Line Rolls Out
Fun Ship 2.0
 |
| Guy's Burger Joint |
October 2011: A program that promises to dramatically transform Carnival's memorable on-board vacation experience, the multi-year, $500-million Fun Ship 2.0 initiative will offer new dining choices, more exciting bars and lounges, and diverse entertainment options through new partnerships and branded spaces. In the first phase alone, which extends through the end of 2015, Carnival will invest more than $500 million across most of its fleet.
As a centerpiece of Fun Ship 2.0, Carnival announced partnerships with entertainer George Lopez, who will become Carnival's creative director for comedy and enhance its fleetwide comedy clubs; Food Network star Guy Fieri, who will develop a burger venue called Guy's Burger Joint; leading video game manufacturer EA SPORTS to create the first-ever EA SPORTS Bar at sea; and Hasbro for new larger-than-life game shows featuring iconic games and brands. The company also worked with leading production talent to create a high-energy musical showcase and announced that celebrity song master DJ IRIE was named Official DJ of Carnival Cruise Lines. Plus, Carnival announced more of its unique branded spaces with the RedFrog Rum Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and three other fun themed bars and lounges, as well as a new complimentary BlueIguana Cantina casual dining option.
"Fun Ship 2.0 is the largest and most ambitious initiative that our company has ever undertaken and it will serve to significantly transform the Carnival vacation experience for our guests," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.
However, don't look for all the changes across the fleet right away. Once known for their consistency—for instance Carnival passengers could count on having a water slide on every ship—that changed with their enhancements of Fantasy-class ships. While the "Evolutions of Fun" initiative introduced new features to some of that ship class, they didn't all "evolve" equally. So, when can you expect to see the Fun Ship 2.0 features aboard your favorite Carnival ship? And what will they be? Implementation starts with Carnival Liberty and when she emerges from drylock in late-October 2011 she will have some, but not all the 2.0 elements. For instance Carnival Liberty will not immediately offer Punchliners Comedy Club & Brunch presented by George Lopez or a Library Bar. The program continues through 2015 and we have the Implementation Schedule for the fleet here.
 |
| EA Sports Bar |
Fun Names You Know
Through its partnership with comedian and TV personality George Lopez, Carnival will bring even more laughs to The Punchliner Comedy Club Presented by George Lopez. As Carnival's "curator of comedy," Lopez will act as a consultant on the vetting and hiring of comedic talent in one of the line's most popular nighttime entertainment options. Pre-recorded voice and video messages from Lopez will welcome guests and club patrons, and a new Punchliner Comedy Brunch will keep diners laughing with live comedic entertainment in the line's main dining rooms. Over the next year, the revamped clubs will roll out fleetwide, creating laughter during multiple shows each voyage.
At Guy's Burger Joint, successful restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality Guy Fieri teams up with Carnival to cook up the best burgers at sea, and best of all, they're free! Choices include fresh-off-the-grill burgers designed by Fieri, or build-your-own at a condiment bar. For lunch, a snack, or dinner, guests can drop by this laid-back poolside dining venue modeled after a road-side burger joint off an iconic coastal highway. And, yes, you can get fries with that.
Under license from Hasbro, Inc, Carnival will create Hasbro, The Game Show, a new series of larger-than-life productions and entertainment activities based on the popular Family Game Night television show from The Hub. Six main games are to be featured.
 |
| RedFrog Rum Bar |
Cheers! For Fun New Grown-up Spaces
Kids have their clubs and Carnival's new themed bars and lounges offer adults new destinations in distinctive environments with signature drink menus. The bars will encourage guests to try interesting drink concoctions formulated by their expert mixologists.
Carnival has partnered with EA SPORTS, the leading sports videogame brand in the world, on an exciting new sports bar concept. Designed to be the ultimate hangout for sports fanatics, guests can play their favorite EA SPORTS videogames, watch live sports on a massive video wall comprised of 16 different 46-inch big-screen displays, and keep up with real-time sports scores 24/7 live on the ticker.In addition, patrons can enjoy a full drink menu and popular sports bar snacks.
No need to change from shorts and flip flops to enjoy Carnival's two new fun and relaxed poolside destinations. RedFrog Rum Bar (sure to become a Cruise Diva favorite) offers guests the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with a pool-side version of the popular Caribbean themed RedFrog Pub, which debuted on the Carnival Magic. It will specialize in Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival's private label draft brew, ThirstyFrog Red. Just across the deck, BlueIguana Tequila Bar provides a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere specializing in tequila-based frozen drinks and Mexican beers. Live music will fill the area as performers will entertain patrons at both bars. Let's hear it for some Jimmy Buffett tunes!
To cure what ails you, Alchemy Bar is Carnival's vintage-themed cocktail "pharmacy," the go-to spot for guests who are seeking a unique experience with interesting drink flavors and ingredients and possibly some hair-of-the-dog. Carnival's expert mixologists will "prescribe" concoctions from different fun categories or guests can create their own custom cocktails. Meanwhile, The Library Bar is a new intimate cocktail lounge featuring bar service and automatic wine dispensers, ideal for guests seeking a more relaxed and quiet venue. Hint: bring your own books.
 |
| BlueIguana Tequila Bar |
Fun (Free!) Food
Carnival is expanding on its array of dining options with new venues that focus on free favorite foods that are highly popular among guests including burgers at Guy's Burger Joint and fresh Mexican cuisine at the new BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside dining destination offering freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas. Hungry passengers can watch the tortilla maker create fresh wheat and jalapeno tortillas, then enjoy three types of tacos with a variety of toppings, and three kinds of burritos with fantastic fillings, plus chips and salsa.
That's (More) Entertainment!
Carnival is taking shipboard entertainment to a new level. Working with leaders and industry experts from George Lopez and Hasbro to DJ IRIE and top Broadway producers, Carnival will offer not only a larger variety of new high-caliber entertainment but also more interactive shows.
Playlist Productions is a dramatic retooling of the line's legendary revues that combine captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects that set a new standard in seagoing productions. These popular music-driven revues featuring a diversity of musical styles, genres, and eras are designed to appeal to a broad cross-section of guests. Playlist Performances will feature hit-packed, 30-minute shows created by leading producers, directors, and choreographers who have worked on critically acclaimed productions for Broadway, London's West End and some of the world's most popular musical acts.
Guests will groove to "Motor City" which celebrates the R and B Motown sound of the 1960s and '70s, and "Divas" (Wow! Could it have been named after Yours Truly?) which combines music, dance and fashion to feature tunes from iconic female entertainers. "Latin Nights" offers a fusion of Latin culture, rhythmic music, and hot choreography while "The Brits!" features tunes from the UK's most famous artists. The new shows will premiere on Carnival Breeze when it enters service next summer, followed by their introduction on other vessels.
Known for keeping Miami Heat crowds pumped and on their feet, award-winning DJ IRIE was also named the Official DJ of Carnival Cruise Lines. In this role, he will create and lead "DJ IRIE's Spin'iversity" to train and develop the musical skills and personalities of on-board DJ talent to boost the overall music experience for guests of all ages and enhance the night club atmosphere.
More: FUN SHIP 2.0 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
More from CruiseDiva.com:
Articles & Advice
Cruise Reviews
Cruise Line Profiles
