Tag Archives: The Punchliner Comedy Club

Carnival Luminosa Conversion Underway in Italy

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The Carnival Luminosa conversion is making progress in Italy. After wrapping up its Costa Cruises career earlier this month, the vessel is being prepared for its Carnival Cruise Line debut.

Currently, in drydock, the 2009-built vessel is already sporting the new hull livery of the U.S.-based brand, while its funnel has been repainted with Carnival’s traditional colours.

The former Costa Luminosa also saw a flag change, moving from an Italian to a Portuguese ship register.

Work is also underway on the ship’s interior, with public areas being adapted to offer most of Carnival’s signature experiences and spaces such as Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Serenity Retreat and more.

Several dining venues are also being added, including Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table and Bonsai Sushi Express.

After leaving the shipyard, the Carnival Luminosa is set to welcome its first guests in early November.

Sailing from Brisbane, the ship’s inaugural program includes three- to 11-night itineraries to Australia, New Zealand, the Great Barrier Reef and the South Pacific.

After completing its winter season, the vessel is set to debut in the United States in May for its first summer program in Alaska.

Departing from Seattle, it will offer seven-day sailings as well as six- and eight-day cruises to popular ports such as Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and the scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord.

In September, the ship will sail Carnival’s longest-ever cruise, a 30-day transpacific itinerary that features visits to Alaska, Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.

According to Carnival, the Luminosa is a sister to its four Spirit-Class vessels. Originally built for Costa Cruises, the ship 92,000-ton ship has a capacity for 2,260 guests, in addition to 1,050 crew members.

Carnival Cruise Line Reveals First Look at New Celebration

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Carnival Cruise Line is giving guests a first look at its new Carnival Celebration that will debut in Miami this November, revealing details on four of its six zones including Celebration Central.

The atrium will be at the heart of the ship and is known as Celebration Central.

Spanning Decks 6, 7 and 8, Celebration Central is an update to the fabulous starboard side atrium that debuted on Mardi Gras, designed as the heart of the ship’s celebratory spirit with a whole new look and the feeling of a festive party woven throughout, according to a press release. 

The three-deck atrium will feature a ceiling that appears as a burst of a confetti canon made of approximately 1,400 colour-changing lighting fixtures that will transform from day tonight. Functional as it is eye-catching, the space will include 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows on the side of the ship that will change into 16 individually controlled, six- by 14-foot LED screens to work hand in hand with the ever-changing entertainment options, including live music, special effects, aerial acrobatic performances, and high-energy shows, according to a press release. 

Introducing nods to Carnival’s Fun Ship history, guests will spot pieces from former Carnival ships that will be repurposed to blend with the ship’s modern decor throughout Celebration Central and beyond.

For example, in the Aquaria Bar, ocean-themed glass murals from the Carnival Victory by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi will be incorporated into a two-deck-high decorative wall behind the bar to create an aquarium-like effect, inspiring the name.

And the Tropicale Bar is named after Carnival’s first ship to sport the line’s iconic funnel.

“From a design perspective, we are incorporating elements from our former ships, paying homage to the history of Carnival, and also showcasing Carnival Celebration as a modern, innovative and forward-looking vessel,” said Ben Clement, senior vice president of new builds, refurbishment and product innovation. “While similar to Mardi Gras with a plethora of options for dining, entertainment and relaxation, Celebration will have her own personality, one that celebrates all things Carnival, intertwining where we have been with where we are going.”

The Celebration Central will also include food and beverage options, such as JavaBlue Café, Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki, and feel-good entertainment such as Piano Bar 88 and The Punchliner Comedy Club.

In addition, the centrepiece of Carnival Celebration’s Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20 Aft) will be BOLT, The Ultimate Sea Coaster.

The Carnival Celebration’s Summer Landing zone (Deck 8 Aft) will continue to serve as one of the best chill spots at sea with Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, offering smoked-onboard favourites created by Guy Fieri and an assortment of Carnival’s ParchedPig craft beers brewed on-site, in addition to pools and whirlpools, The Watering Hole poolside bar, and the Heroes Tribute Lounge honouring military personnel, according to a press release. 

And the poolside zone, Lido (Decks 16-17 Aft), will feature all of the experiences from the Carnival Mardi Gras including the two-level RedFrog Tiki Bar designed to transport guests to a South Pacific paradise, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant, guest-favourite Guy’s Burger Joint, Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina, with offerings perfect for any tastebud, any time.

9 Tips to Make the Most of a Carnival Vista Cruise Vacation

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9 Tips to Make the Most of a Carnival Vista Cruise Vacation

PHOTO: SkyRide on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista. (Photo by Jason Leppert)

Are you planning to embark on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista soon? Check out these suggestions before setting sail to maximize your time at sea.

Book a Havana Cabin for a Ship-Within-a-Ship Experience

Carnival Vista doesn’t have an outright ship-within-a-ship complex, but its Havana staterooms come very close. Not only do many of the cabins themselves feature outdoor cabanas along a private stretch of the promenade deck, but they also come with exclusive access to the Havana Pool over the stern during the day.

One onboard oddity is that cabins include bar soap, shampoo and body wash, but not conditioner. Unless you want to buy a bottle in the gift shop, I’d suggest packing enough in your checked bag to supply your own. Or better yet: Carnival, please start including this.Bring Your Own Conditioner for the Cabin

Take Advantage of $15 Bag of Laundry Specials

If you’re not interested in doing your own laundry on board, sending it out for a la carte full service can be expensive. However, if you wait until about mid-cruise, the ship runs a $15 bag of laundry special wherein every piece that will fit in said bag will be cleaned for the flat rate.

Get Seated Early for the Liquid Lounge and The Punchliner Comedy Club

For different reasons, it’s advisable to enter the main show lounge and laugh fest as soon as possible. The poor design of the Liquid Lounge means sight-lines behind front row seats on the main floor or balcony level are obstructed, while the comedy club is so awesome that it fills up swiftly every time.

Arrive to the IMAX Theater 45 Minutes Prior (But After Cherry On Top)

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The unique IMAX Theater onboard has a small candy stand, but for the ultimate in choice, go to Cherry On Top before arriving about 45 minutes early to the theater. There’s a very small waiting lounge that you can sit in if you’re first to arrive prior to the doors opening a half hour before showtime. Otherwise, you’ll be lined up in the elevator lobby.

Get In a Shorter Line for SkyRide on a Port Day

Queues at the SkyRide can get long. As with any popular activity, you can access them with less congestion on a port day when the bulk of passengers are ashore. Even better: Arrive right when the ship is first cleared because most guests will be departing then with next-to-no-one up on deck.

Reserve a Dinner at Ji Ji Asian Kitchen Sooner Than Later

As specialty restaurants on cruise ships go, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen is so good that you’ll likely experience it once and want to make another reservation later on in the cruise. In order to maximize that option—or for any other premium dining venue—make your first booking on one of the sailing’s first days.

Make Do with Lots of Free Food

Image result for Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse

Alternative to booking any specialty restaurant with a surcharge, there are plenty of complimentary food options if you’d prefer. Besides the main dining room and buffet, Pizzeria del Capitano, Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse and BlueIguana Cantina are all some of the best choices to enjoy freely.

Don’t Forget Seafood Shack at the Back of the Ship

One specialty diner that would be easy to bypass—if only because it’s more out of the way than the rest—is the Seafood Shack. Seek it out! Its a la carte-priced market fish offerings and favorites like lobster rolls and crab cakes are well worth the extra cost.