Carnival Cruise Lines Announces 'Carnival LIVE Concert Series'

We've always felt that there's good entertainment to be found on cruises and have often marveled that we didn't have to pay extra to enjoy it. That's about to change with Carnival Cruise Lines' announcement that they are set to bring the best in live music to the seas. A first-of-its-kind experience in the cruise industry, the Carnival LIVE Concert Series offers Carnival guests the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive onboard performance by a diverse roster of popular music artists while ships are docked at select ports of call... but it won't be included in the cruise fare.

Beginning in April 2014, Carnival LIVE concerts will take place on board eight Carnival ships that call in the following ports: Cozumel, Mexico; Nassau, the Bahamas; and Catalina Island, California. Artists will join the ship while in port, perform in the main show lounge that evening, and debark following their show.

Tickets cost $20-$40 each and a limited number of VIP tickets are also available for each show for $100-$150 each. The VIP experience includes an artist meet and greet, photo opportunity, seating in the first three rows and a commemorative laminated concert pass. All tickets can be purchased through Carnival's online Shore Excursion System prior to sailing, or on board participating ships at the Shore Excursion Desk based on availability.

Carnival has booked 49 performance dates for the 2014 concert series with the following artists:

-- 38 Special
-- Chicago
-- Daughtry
-- Foreigner
-- Gavin DeGraw
-- Jennifer Hudson
-- Jewel
-- Kansas
-- Lady Antebellum
-- LeAnn Rimes
-- Martina McBride
-- Olivia Newton-John
-- REO Speedwagon
-- STYX
-- Trace Adkins

"Performing live is one of my favorite things," said GRAMMY® Award-winner, Jennifer Hudson at an exclusive launch event for Carnival LIVE in New York City yesterday. "I'm excited to be part of this unique concert series that will allow me to interact with my fans in such an intimate and memorable setting."

In addition to the Carnival LIVE Concert Series, Carnival is also enhancing its popular shipboard house bands. The bands will feature both male and female lead singers, a more choreographed, themed and diverse set list, and increased interaction with guests. Nine Carnival ships currently feature the new bands, with implementation across the full fleet over the course of this year.

"Onboard entertainment is an important part of the overall guest experience when cruising," said Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations for Carnival Cruise Lines. "With the Carnival LIVE Concert Series, our guests will enjoy an exclusive performance with one of their favorite artists for an extraordinary value. Combined with our enhanced house bands fleetwide, this is just another example of the many ways we are constantly looking to create even more fun and memorable moments for our guests."

Below is a preliminary concert list; visit Carnival.com/CarnivalLive to view the full list of 2014 Carnival LIVE concert dates. Note that these dates are subject to change and are the dates when the concert itself takes place, not the date the sailing begins.

Artist	Concert Date	Concert	Ship	Departure Port
Kansas	22-May-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Breeze	Miami
Jennifer Hudson	19-Jun-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Breeze	Miami
STYX	09-Oct-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Breeze	Miami
Lady Antebellum	20-Nov-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Breeze	Miami
REO	23-Apr-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Foreigner	10-May-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Ecstasy	Miami
Martina McBride	14-May-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Kansas	21-May-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Chicago	04-Jun-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Jennifer Hudson	18-Jun-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Olivia Newton-John	28-Jun-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Ecstasy	Miami
Gavin DeGraw	20-Aug-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
STYX	08-Oct-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
Lady Antebellum	19-Nov-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Ecstasy	Miami
STYX	07-Apr-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
38 Special	07-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
Leann Rimes	29-Oct-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
Kansas	13-Nov-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
Trace Adkins	25-Nov-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
Daughtry	04-Dec-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
REO	15-Dec-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fantasy	Charleston
STYX	08-Apr-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
Kansas	16-Apr-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
38 Special	06-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
Kansas	24-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
STYX	29-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
Trace Adkins	13-Oct-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
Trace Adkins	24-Nov-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
Daughtry	03-Dec-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
REO	17-Dec-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Fascination	Jacksonville
STYX	15-Sep-14	Catalina Island, CA	Imagination	Los Angeles
REO	22-Sep-14	Catalina Island, CA	Imagination	Los Angeles
Jewel	10-Nov-14	Catalina Island, CA	Imagination	Los Angeles
STYX	16-Sep-14	Catalina Island, CA	Inspiration	Los Angeles
REO	23-Sep-14	Catalina Island, CA	Inspiration	Los Angeles
Jewel	11-Nov-14	Catalina Island, CA	Inspiration	Los Angeles
REO	22-Apr-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Paradise	Tampa
Martina McBride	15-May-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Paradise	Tampa
Chicago	03-Jun-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Paradise	Tampa
Gavin DeGraw	21-Aug-14	Cozumel, Mexico	Paradise	Tampa
Kansas	15-Apr-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
Foreigner	09-May-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
Olivia Newton-John	27-Jun-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
Kansas	23-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
STYX	30-Sep-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Canaveral
Trace Adkins	14-Oct-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
Leann Rimes	28-Oct-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
Kansas	14-Nov-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando
REO	16-Dec-14	Nassau, Bahamas	Sensation	Orlando

Image Courtesy Carnival Cruise Lines