Which Shows Are on Which Carnival Cruise Line Ship?
With 19 standout Playlist Productions shown across the fleet, part of what makes a Carnival Cruise Line vacation such great value is how much is included in the cruise fare -- including all of the main theater entertainment.
These short shows are always full of energy; with lighting, lasers and special effects; and span a number of genres from '80s hits to rock anthems to Latin vibes to R&B.
But which ships offer which shows? To help you plan your evenings, Cruise Critic has tracked down all of the Carnival Cruise Line main-stage production shows (not including acts like magicians, Lip Sync Battle or special guests), including a brief description and which ships you'll find them on.
80s Pop to the Max (Carnival Conquest, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Dream)
This high-energy show features some of the '80s hottest hits, with classic tunes from Duran Duran, Cindy Lauper, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and more.
88 Keys (Carnival Magic, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Breeze)
Honoring the greatest piano men of the past several decades, this Playlist Productions rock-n-roll piano show features favorites from Billy Joel, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and others.
America Rocks (Carnival Magic, Carnival Vista, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Valor, Carnival Dream)
Get ready to rock with this explosive song and dance spectacle featuring hits from folks like Bruce Springsteen, Journey, Aerosmith, The J. Geils Band, The Cars, Pat Benatar and even Blondie. A live six-piece rock band amplifies the show.
Amor Cubano (Carnival Horizon, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Vista)
It's a Havana night with this lively show that features a mix of classic Cuban songs and popular contemporary Latin hits -- such as "Fireball" by Pitbull and "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony -- as well as beautiful costumes and turned-up dance routines.
The Brits (Carnival Legend)
Boy meets girl in this "love" story that also pays tribute to the musical invasion of British artists in the 1960s through '70s, including The Beatles, The Who, Elton John, Herman's Hermits and others.
Broadway Beats (Mardi Gras, Carnival Venezia)
Subway cars, soaring skyscrapers, vibrant street art and other ultra-realistic scenes of New York brings “Broadway Beats” to life with a joyous mix of city rhythms and electronic dance to create modernized interpretations of some of Broadway’s greatest hits.
Celestial Strings (Carnival Horizon, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Mardi Gras)
Nothing is yet known about this show that will appear on Carnival Horizon when it launches in April 2018.
Color My World (Carnival Celebration, Carnival Venezia)
This unique love story takes the audience on a journey through music and art, with a melody of street jazz, hip-hop, musical theater and ballet, combined with indie rock and pop, and live painting on stage.
Country Road (Carnival Magic)
Follow "The Ramsey Boys" as they head out on a country concert tour singing contemporary hits from artists that include Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, Patsy Cline, Florida Georgia Line and others.
Epic Rock (Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Elation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend, Carnival Venezia)
Rock's greatest hits are on display at this show featuring tunes from Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Guns n' Roses, Journey and Bon Jovi, accompanied by lots of laser light effects.
Flick (Carnival Magic, Carnival Vista, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream)
One of Carnival's most theatrical and high-tech shows, Flick is an homage to the music of the movies that is as much about the songs from Dirty Dancing, Titanic, Willy Wonka, James Bond, Star Wars and others as it is about the show's special effects.
Getaway Island (Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Glory)
Travel back in time to the era of the 1960s beach movie with special effects and tunes that invoke the beach vibe. Featuring songs from Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, the Beach Boys and more.
Heart of Soul (Carnival Pride, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Elation, Carnival Miracle)
A compilation of R&B and soul's greatest hits from a host of legendary singers including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Al Green and others. In a fun twist, six couples are chosen for a VIP experience with special seats, Champagne and flowers.
Latin Nights (Carnival Sunshine)
A musical tour through the pop hits that brought Latin music and dance to the masses, including favorites from Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Santana and Shakira.
Motor City (Carnival Dream, Carnival Glory, Carnival Legend)
The cool sounds of Motown R&B are the centerpiece of this show, with soul and pop hits from Lionel Richie, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Supremes all featured.
Rio Carnival (Carnival Celebration)
This high-energy Carnival show takes inspiration from Brazil’s spectacular Rio Carnival, with hip-shaking celebrations featuring samba, bossa nova, Marchinha, Batucada, Forro, Carimbo and Capoeira.
Rock Revolution (Mardi Gras, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Panorama)
Debuting on Carnival Panorama in 2019 along with Broadway Beats, Rock Revolution is a inspired by the heady Woodstock music festival, playing tribute to the Summer of ’69, and legendary performers including Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. The “dancing drones” that fly through the theater is particularly impressive.
Soulbound (Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Panorama)
Very little is yet known about this edgy show featuring soul and R&B hits that will appear on Carnival Horizon when it launches in April 2018.
Studio VIP (Carnival Vista, Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Valor, Carnival Legend)
A musical tribute to the era of Studio 54 and Soul Train, this music-and-dance extravaganza showcases the glittery '70s with hits from KC and the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer, Barry White, Parliament and more. In a fun twist, a few lucky audience members are selected to join the singers and dancers on the big stage.
Vintage Pop (Carnival Horizon, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Venezia)
Nothing is yet known about this show that will appear on Carnival Horizon when it launches in April 2018.