Got SOPS? Carnival Cruise Lines runs a seamless program: Splendor – Legends Concert

What does a stage show have to do with maximizing events? I will tell ya. They have their standard operating procedures down -rock solid. Managing audience participation can be tricky. You never know what will happen. Will they show up or get stuck in the casino? Will your participants be boring? Controllable? Ask any performer or speaker it can be nerve-racking.

Bravo to Carnival Splendor! Having a background in the entertainment and the event industry, I give them a standing ovation. You just can’t do too much planning for a seamless event.

On the previous nights, as part of the entertainment in one of the lounges, they had auditions for the Legends Concert  (like in Vegas). Karaoke would start the evening for a couple hours with a finale of the audition and a vote.

For each legend, i.e. Madonna, each contestant performed 45 seconds of the song. The crowd, through applause, narrowed it down to three finalists, then selecting the legend.

To give you sense of the crowd environment, here is a few seconds.

After the legend was awarded, the host pulls them aside and gives them the scoop on the big deal Saturday Night Legends Show. This included:

• Lyric sheet print out
• MP3 player with the song with lyrics and without lyrics
• Dress rehearsal

The auditions started on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday for a Saturday Show, so the legends have at least one day to practice.

The day of show, Saturday at 1:00 we met for an orientation. Each legend was paired with a talented dancer performer (all young and attractive) telling us about the show.

As the opening of the show, they escorted us to the stage and showed us how, where and when to enter the stage.

Next, it was time to tune up the vocal cords and dazzle the stage with the backup dancers. Unbelievable, they will make us look good. I dig dancing. They told me to make sure to stay in front part of the stage or I might get run over by their routine. By the way, when I was singing, I didn’t even know they were there.

Back to the dressing room’s the Fun Specialist (with an extensive hat and decade wardrobe collection), you can imagine my joy of seeing all the outrageous, colorful feathers, sequins, hats and gloves. On the end of each of the five clothing racks were costumes. Three sets of hangers hung in front of me with Madonna’s garb in small, medium, large. Gloves, boostiere, fishnet leggings, bangles waited patiently to be shown off. Behind me was my mirror, chair and a Styrofoam head with Madonna’s platinum blond wig. Are we feeling it? Yes, we are stars of the ship for a brief stint.

This is a rock solid plan.

So what happens if Elvis freezes on the stage or forgets his words? Not a problem. Back up dancers with their fluorescent green, skimpy outfits will distract the audience. What about the words? Get this. The recorded music is cued and playing quietly in the background, while the band plays live. Lyrics are on a separate channel, so if the performer needs help, the speakers facing the stage are turned up. If the performer decides lip-syncing is a better plan, then the vocals will play loud through the main speakers so everyone can hear.

The evening arrived and so did we. Like clockwork the show was smooth is river rocks. Plus, the participants already had fans from hanging out in the karaoke lounge. They made us feel like real stars, including our picture taking after the show in the lobby.

For the icing on the cake, we got a Video DVD with the performance and a group photo.

Well done, Carnival Cruise Lines. My wedding was cancelled due to Swine Flu, so we weren’t able to go to Puerto Vallarta. In lieu of the wedding, my dad and I were Madonna and Sinatra in the show “ not a bad trade-off.  Hat’s off to Carnival Splendor (new big ship).

Jolene