We’re on board Carnival Liberty all this week reporting on the implementation of Carnival Cruise Line’s new Funship 2.0 initiative, a $500 million project that promised to transform the line’s onboard experience when it was announced in October. Follow along via our Sealog and subscribe for updates as they happen.
As the first ship in the fleet to be transformed, Carnival has a lot riding on how the new Funship 2.0 plays out in real life. On our first full day at sea, new features were put to test and passed with flying colors. Well integrated into the success formula that has made a Carnival cruise a popular vacation option for decades, the line has been able to roll out the new changes while respecting time-honored traditions.
Take the men’s Hairy Chest Competition for example. To many, this is one of the most disgusting events that happen aboard a cruise ship. It ranks right up there with the Belly Flop Contest. But a jam-packed lido deck full of passengers that represented an ever-widening demographic enjoyed the event. Held mid-ship, right between new Funship 2.0 venues the Red Frog Rum Bar and Blue Iguana Cantina, the event was seamlessly integrated into a full schedule of activities happening in the area all day long.
This is an event where men basically make fools of themselves to the delight (or disgust) of whoever might be watching. Anyone who missed/avoided it can/will have to see the event replayed on stateroom televisions later too.
Here, though, is were the Funship 2.0 elements take on a synergistic quality all of their own. We have touched on the supposed rivalry between the Red Frog Rum Bar fans (called “Reds”) and the Blue Iguana Cantina fans (called “Blues”) before. When it came time to vote for the winner of the Men’s Hairy Chest contest, voting took up sides with “Reds” commonly agreeing on their favorite participants and “Blues” applauding for theirs.
This was spontaneous.
No one from the ship’s entertainment staff asked “So what do the Reds think?” or “Which guy do the Blues like?”
It just happened.
If this was a crafted part of the choreography, a line item on a process list of what makes for a good cruise, it’s brilliant. I suspect it’s more the fruit of having all the elements in place, capable of standing alone with a positive impact on the line’s guest experience.
What I witnessed today may very well happen (or not) depending on the mix of guests aboard any given sailing. Its not so much about the Hairy Chest Contest though as it is the interaction of the guests. It’s a small thing and you had to be looking for it, much like the mood at sail away, when the gigantic cruise ship actually starts moving and those on board know its time to begin their vacation.
That’s when the magic starts. That’s the moment that brings a tear to the eye of vacationers who may have been planning their cruise for years. This was right along those lines. It was another little thing that had a huge impact on a whole lot of people.
While Chris is being hosted by Carnival Cruise Lines on this 7-day sailing, he is free to report and write what he sees with no expectation from the cruise line.
Related articles
- Dueling songsters rock the deck on Carnival Liberty (chriscruises.net)
- Carnival Funship 2.0 makes Carnival Liberty a whole new ship (chriscruises.net)
- Carnival Funship2: The Ultimate Poolside Experience (chriscruises.net)
- Tonight’s Cruise Video: Funship2 Episode 4 – RedFrog Rum Bar (chriscruises.net)
