
Carnival Cruise Line's Punchliner Comedy Club is a popular venue and usually draws crowds of guests. This post will give some general information about the Punchliner Comedy Club and some tips that could help you get the best comedy experience on your Carnival Cruise ship.
1. Expect Crowds & Arrive Early
For years (even before Covid) the comedy club on Carnival Cruises has been a popular venue, especially if the comedian is really good. Make sure you come early because seats frequently run out and on some ships once the seats are full nobody else is allowed to enter (or a limited number of people are allowed to stand in the back) depending on the ship. Showing up at the time the comedy show is supposed to start is probably too late! I don't know how early you should arrive for a show because the perfect time varies by cruise, but if you want to make sure you get a seat you need to go early!
2. Who will the comedians be on my Carnival Cruise?
The comedian on your Carnival Cruise will vary by ship & sailing. Comedians frequently rotate ships and could even change out in the middle of a cruise. Carnival does not publish a comedian schedule for the Punchliner Comedy Club.
3. Comedy Show Ratings - Can kids attend an R rated show onboard? Does Carnival have family friendly shows?
Carnival will publish the rating of the show. Strict rules are in place for shows that are rated "R". Carnival does not allow kids under 18 to attend an R rated comedy show. Even when a parent is with the child, they are still not allowed to attend. Carnival has family friendly shows that are open to guests of all ages to attend. The subject matter presented, even in a family friendly show, may not be appropriate for your children so parents keep this in mind.
4. How do I know what time the shows on my cruise are? How many shows are offered a day?
Carnival publishes the comedy show schedule in the Carnival Hub App and on the printed What's Happening (replacement to the Fun-Times daily newsletter). You can find the time & location for the comedy show(s) for the day in both of these places. Using the Carnival Hub App or What's Happening to plan your day and when you want to see a comedy show is a great way to maximize your time on a cruise!
5. Are the shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club free on my Carnival Cruise?
Yes, unless otherwise noted, the comedy shows are free on a Carnival Cruise. I have never seen a show that requires payment, but you never know that could come someday.
6. Back to Back Comedy Shows
If your Carnival ship has back to back shows scheduled for the Punchliner Comedy Club there are a few things you should know. Most likely Carnival will ask the guests in the first show to exit before allowing any guests for the second showing to enter. This is to give the guests in the second show a fair chance to get a seat. If you were planning on attending both shows you will have to exit (if required) and re-enter. Generally when Carnival schedules back to back comedy shows, there will be one comedian that does the first comedy show and another that does the second comedy show. Or if the same comedian is doing both shows there will typically be a small gap in between the shows.
7. Can you smoke while watching a comedy show at the Punchliner Comedy Club?
Carnival prohibits smoking except in designated areas onboard. The venues that the Punchliner Comedy Club is held in do not allow smoking. Guests that smoke in a non-designated area could face a fine or worse getting early debarkation (or banishment).
8. Are shows repeated during a cruise?
Yes, sometimes the comedians on a Carnival Cruise will repeat a show. You can see the titles of the shows in the Carnival Hub App and view all of the days' events on the app at once. If you know a show is repeating you can plan when you want to attend.
1. Expect Crowds & Arrive Early
For years (even before Covid) the comedy club on Carnival Cruises has been a popular venue, especially if the comedian is really good. Make sure you come early because seats frequently run out and on some ships once the seats are full nobody else is allowed to enter (or a limited number of people are allowed to stand in the back) depending on the ship. Showing up at the time the comedy show is supposed to start is probably too late! I don't know how early you should arrive for a show because the perfect time varies by cruise, but if you want to make sure you get a seat you need to go early!
2. Who will the comedians be on my Carnival Cruise?
The comedian on your Carnival Cruise will vary by ship & sailing. Comedians frequently rotate ships and could even change out in the middle of a cruise. Carnival does not publish a comedian schedule for the Punchliner Comedy Club.
3. Comedy Show Ratings - Can kids attend an R rated show onboard? Does Carnival have family friendly shows?
Carnival will publish the rating of the show. Strict rules are in place for shows that are rated "R". Carnival does not allow kids under 18 to attend an R rated comedy show. Even when a parent is with the child, they are still not allowed to attend. Carnival has family friendly shows that are open to guests of all ages to attend. The subject matter presented, even in a family friendly show, may not be appropriate for your children so parents keep this in mind.
4. How do I know what time the shows on my cruise are? How many shows are offered a day?
Carnival publishes the comedy show schedule in the Carnival Hub App and on the printed What's Happening (replacement to the Fun-Times daily newsletter). You can find the time & location for the comedy show(s) for the day in both of these places. Using the Carnival Hub App or What's Happening to plan your day and when you want to see a comedy show is a great way to maximize your time on a cruise!
5. Are the shows in the Punchliner Comedy Club free on my Carnival Cruise?
Yes, unless otherwise noted, the comedy shows are free on a Carnival Cruise. I have never seen a show that requires payment, but you never know that could come someday.
6. Back to Back Comedy Shows
If your Carnival ship has back to back shows scheduled for the Punchliner Comedy Club there are a few things you should know. Most likely Carnival will ask the guests in the first show to exit before allowing any guests for the second showing to enter. This is to give the guests in the second show a fair chance to get a seat. If you were planning on attending both shows you will have to exit (if required) and re-enter. Generally when Carnival schedules back to back comedy shows, there will be one comedian that does the first comedy show and another that does the second comedy show. Or if the same comedian is doing both shows there will typically be a small gap in between the shows.
7. Can you smoke while watching a comedy show at the Punchliner Comedy Club?
Carnival prohibits smoking except in designated areas onboard. The venues that the Punchliner Comedy Club is held in do not allow smoking. Guests that smoke in a non-designated area could face a fine or worse getting early debarkation (or banishment).
8. Are shows repeated during a cruise?
Yes, sometimes the comedians on a Carnival Cruise will repeat a show. You can see the titles of the shows in the Carnival Hub App and view all of the days' events on the app at once. If you know a show is repeating you can plan when you want to attend.
Sample Comedy Schedule - 4 Night Cruise
The below is a sample of times that comedy shows were offered on my Carnival Cruise in September 2022. Since the comedians change by cruise, I have only included the day number and time the shows were offered. Please note, the schedule on your cruise likely will vary, but I wanted to show this as a sample of what a schedule could look like on a 4 night cruise.
The below is a sample of times that comedy shows were offered on my Carnival Cruise in September 2022. Since the comedians change by cruise, I have only included the day number and time the shows were offered. Please note, the schedule on your cruise likely will vary, but I wanted to show this as a sample of what a schedule could look like on a 4 night cruise.
Cruise Day # |
Show Times |
Day 1 (Embarkation Day) |
Comedian A: 9pm and 10:45pm (both shows R 18+) |
Day 2 (Sea Day) |
Comedian B: 6:30pm (PG-13) 9:00pm & 10:45pm (R 18+) Comedian A: 7:30pm (PG) |
Day 3 (Port of Call Day) |
No Show Scheduled |
Day 4 (Sea Day) |
Comedian A: 6:30pm (PG) 9:00pm (R 18+) Comedian B: 7:30pm (PG) 10:45pm (R 18+) |