Still in its debut year, the Carnival Live! musical program continued its string of fun shipboard concerts in mid-March with a fantastic show by award-winning country music singer and songwriter Martina McBride. Performing in Cozumel in the 855-seat Sapphire Theater on board the Carnival Ecstasy, the artist entertained eager listeners with signature hits like “Independence Day” and “For the Girls,” as well as a number of popular covers.
Martina later commented that the experience of performing in a ship theater was very different than the huge arena performances she’s accustomed to. Despite the new venue, she had no problem keeping the audience dancing at their seats.
Announced in January of this year, the Carnival Live! program is an innovative effort to connect current and classic popular musicians with cruising fans. Because the cruise ships’ theaters generally seat several hundreds of spectators, rather than the tens of thousands that most arenas do, these shows have a much more intimate feel, and provide ticket holders with the unique opportunity to experience the stars of the show up close.
This year, a total of 49 Carnival Live! events are slated for eight ships in three ports: Cozumel, Nassau, and Catalina Island. Fifteen marquee acts will perform this year, including REO Speedwagon, Jewel, Styx, Olivia Newton-John, Lady Antebellum, and LeAnn Rimes. Because the inaugural season has been such a success, Carnival Cruises organizers are already busy lining up acts for a second season in 2015.
Passengers on participating Carnival itineraries can conveniently purchase Carnival Live! tickets in advance when they book their cruise, or after boarding by visiting Guest Services. General admission prices range from $20 to $40, making these concerts an exceptional value for such a unique musical experience. VIP tickets are also available for $100 to $150. These special commemorative passes entitle the holder to stage-side seating, as well as a face-to-face meeting and photo opportunity with the performer.
