Sunset Onboard Carnival Cruise Line has debuted a new welcome aboard show on the Carnival Encounter following the ship's 2026 dry-dock. The new welcome aboard show is called "Cruise Mode" and the Carnival Encounter is the first ship in the fleet to receive this new show.
The welcome aboard show on Carnival Cruise ships is typically held the first evening of the cruise and has one showing. Guests get the opportunity to hear from their cruise director, be introduced to the ship's Fun Squad crew members, and see a sneak peak from the Playlist Productions performers onboard. The new "Cruise Mode" version of the welcome aboard show keeps these elements of the welcome aboard show, but refreshes the music and entertainment being offered in the show.
Is there a rollout schedule for the new "Cruise Mode" welcome aboard show?
As of the time of publication, Carnival Cruise Line has not released a rollout schedule for "Cruise Mode". Releasing shows always takes time since Carnival needs to train casts, cruise directors, and the entertainment teams onboard.
Is the older welcome aboard show still being offered?
Carnival ships are still expected to have a welcome aboard show even on ships that do not have "Cruise Mode" yet. Most likely Carnival will continue showing the older welcome aboard show until a particular ship has "Cruise Mode" installed and ready to be performed.
How can I find out when shows are offered on my cruise?
You can check your Carnival Hub App or FunTimes daily activity newsletters once onboard your cruise ship. The exact shows vary by ship.
The welcome aboard show on Carnival Cruise ships is typically held the first evening of the cruise and has one showing. Guests get the opportunity to hear from their cruise director, be introduced to the ship's Fun Squad crew members, and see a sneak peak from the Playlist Productions performers onboard. The new "Cruise Mode" version of the welcome aboard show keeps these elements of the welcome aboard show, but refreshes the music and entertainment being offered in the show.
Is there a rollout schedule for the new "Cruise Mode" welcome aboard show?
As of the time of publication, Carnival Cruise Line has not released a rollout schedule for "Cruise Mode". Releasing shows always takes time since Carnival needs to train casts, cruise directors, and the entertainment teams onboard.
Is the older welcome aboard show still being offered?
Carnival ships are still expected to have a welcome aboard show even on ships that do not have "Cruise Mode" yet. Most likely Carnival will continue showing the older welcome aboard show until a particular ship has "Cruise Mode" installed and ready to be performed.
How can I find out when shows are offered on my cruise?
You can check your Carnival Hub App or FunTimes daily activity newsletters once onboard your cruise ship. The exact shows vary by ship.
Carnival's welcome aboard show that is on most ships has been around since the 2016-2017 timeframe so it is great to see Carnival do a refresh of the welcome aboard show!