Carnival's Imagination Takes Karaoke

Jason · May 13, 2005

Who doesn't enjoy a karaoke show, at some level? Similarly, who doesn't enjoy an Elvis impersonator, at some level? Recently, Carnival Cruise Line (tel. 888/CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com) has begun merging the two in its "Carnival Legends" shows aboard the 2,040-passenger Imagination. It goes a little something like this: Guests -- any guests, whether they can really sing or not -- sign up for the show, pick their alter-ego (Elvis, James Brown, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Britney Spears, or one of several others), then rehearse their number with Imagination's ten-piece band and show dancers. Next thing they know it's lights, camera, action, and they're performing in full costume in the ship's 1,100-seat Dynasty Show Lounge, with sets, lighting effects, and a full audience to complete the picture.

"This is unlike anything that's ever been done on a cruise ship," said Roger Blum, Carnival's VP of cruise programming, who noted that based on passenger reaction the show will soon be featured on other Carnival ships sailing cruises of seven days or longer. Start rehearsing now.