Four brand new production shows featuring cutting-edge technology that blend amazing live performances with towering LED screens showcasing staging and special effects recently debuted on Carnival Freedom following a refurbishment at Grand Bahama Shipyard.
The latest in the line’s high-tech Playlist Productions revues, the four new shows – 80s Pop to the Max, Heart of Soul, Getaway Island, and 88 Keys: The Rock n’ Roll Piano Show – complement an array of innovative new dining, bar and entertainment experiences that are part of the groundbreaking Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiative.
Including the new shows introduced on Carnival Freedom, the company’s entertainment team has created 10 captivating Playlist Production shows which are presented throughout the “Fun Ship” fleet.
Carnival Freedom’s new Playlist Productions shows include:
80s Pop to the Max – This high-energy show channels the era of Day-Glo, Spandex, and big hair with spirited performances of the hottest music video hits from the 1980s. From the pop-rock of Duran Duran and Cindy Lauper to the smooth soul of Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson and beyond, 80s Pop to the Max takes audiences back to days when “video killed the radio star.”
Heart of Soul – This mesmerizing show tugs on the heart strings, capturing special romantic moments with recognizable R&B and soul hits from a host of legendary singers, from Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Al Green. In a unique twist, six lucky couples are chosen for a special night of romance with VIP seats, champagne and flowers.
Getaway Island – A high-tech re-creation of popular beach movies of the 1960s featuring stunning 3D special effects, Getaway Island invites guests to set their watches to “island time” as they experience the ultimate tropical island bash with music from Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, the Beach Boys and others. Getaway Island also features its own version of Carnival Freedom’s new RedFrog Pub with a cocktail glass-spinning bartender and talented guitar soloist keeping audiences entertained. It’s always 5 o’ clock on Getaway Island!
88 Keys: The Rock n’ Roll Piano Show – Goodness, gracious great balls of fire! Highlighted by sing-along hits from Billy Joel, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis and others – as well as an appearance from Carnival Freedom’s own piano bar pianist — 88 Keys: The Rock n’ Roll Piano Show spotlights these talented artists who have taken the term “tickling the ivories” to a whole new level.
Presented in Carnival Freedom’s 1,400-seat Victoriana Show Lounge — which has been renovated to accommodate Playlist Productions’ sophisticated technology — the new revues were created by Carnival’s in-house entertainment team which has been expanded with three new members hired specifically to concept, develop and roll out these four new shows.
The company has also partnered with some of the most recognized talents in the entertainment industry, including Emmett Murphy, who has developed popular stage performances in Las Vegas, including Sin City at Planet Hollywood and The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage Hotel and Casino; Jennifer Savelli, whose experiences span the gamut from Broadway and Hollywood to Vegas and MTV; and Marcos Santana whose extensive Broadway credits include serving as choreographer for Rock of Ages and dance captain for Guys and Dolls.
In addition to four spectacular Playlist Productions revues, Carnival Freedom’s makeover includes Hasbro, The Game Show, the cruise industry’s only live game show that features larger-than-life adaptations of the brand’s iconic games.
Carnival Freedom’s transformation also included Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, the EA SPORTS Bar where patrons can catch the latest action and play popular video games; BlueIguana Cantina serving authentic Mexican specialties, and the RedFrog Pub, an island-inspired watering hole offering a distinctive Key West meets British West Indies vibe.
Several new family-friendly features were also added, including a Dr. Seuss Bookville family reading venue, part of Seuss at Sea, an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises featuring exciting youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss. Also new is Camp Ocean, an expansive new youth program that immerses children ages 2-11 in the wonders of the sea through more than 200 new engaging and educational experiences and activities.
The new features are available on the Carnival Freedom’s five to eight-day Caribbean departures from Fort Lauderdale. Carnival Freedom will operate from Fort Lauderdale through February 2015 then reposition to Galveston, Texas, to sail year-round seven-day Caribbean departures.
