Carnival Cruise Lines Funship 2.0 initiatives promised to transform the line’s onboard experience for guests. Taking top billing in the $500 million fleet-wide upgrade are a number of big names rolled in to a sure-fire branding partnership with the line. Not touted nearly as much are the ancillary effects of this new influence, resulting in a totally new sensory experience.
Already we’ve seen that in action with centrally located Guy’s Burger Joint and the Red Frog Rum Bar, both smashing successes with guests on newly-transformed Carnival Liberty. The custom-crafted burgers are far from the frozen hockey puck variety served on most ships. Keen attention to guests in the Red Frog Rum bar creates a bar experience reminiscent of a neighborhood pub.
Also on tap is live music played by not the typical steel-drum band slogging through a rendition of “Hot. Hot, Hot” but dueling acoustic guitarists singing and playing a songbook of tunes that reflect one clear notion:
Someone is paying attention to the audience
If this is the influence of songmaster DJ Irie or simply an extension of the whole Funship 2.0 initiative is unclear but the effect is totally in focus. Taking a page from the one-man show guitar player featured in new Carnival Magic’s Red Frog Pub, talented musicians work the crowd gathered on Carnival Liberty’s lido deck to create a fun atmosphere that pre-recorded music can’t match.
“One thing that really resonated with me was the way Scott pointed to us and said “Ok, you guys take it” then came back with “Wow, you’re even on key, do it again!” said long-time Carnival fan Lisa from Orlando.
Hour long sets are scheduled throughout the day, alternating between the Red Frog Rum Bar on one side of the lido deck and the Blue Iguana Cantina on the other side. It’s all part of a competition between the two venues that invites guests to pick a favorite. Where they will go with this is also unclear so early in this sailing but on just the first day alone, guests were starting to “choose sides”.
The friendly and approachable musicians are not perched high above the crowd but right on deck level with them. The careful placement makes for great fun and an interactive experience much like a good piano bar.
Its a fun, new addition to the onboard experience that looks to be typical of what we are finding on Carnival Liberty as we explore the new Funship 2.0 transformation. In this case, its not the effect of a big name brand, but a little detail that goes a long way with the guest’s experience. I suspect we will find more “little things” like this throughout the ship.
And by the way, if you’re wondering? I think Lisa is a red.
Related articles
- Carnival Funship 2.0 makes Carnival Liberty a whole new ship (chriscruises.net)
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- Tonight’s Cruise Video: Funship2 Episode 4 – RedFrog Rum Bar (chriscruises.net)
- Cruise line video series details ship remodeling (chriscruises.net)
- Cruise lines becoming more unique all the time (chriscruises.net)
