Going to a big-name concert on a cruise is all the rage these days, and now American Idol alumna Jennifer Hudson is getting in on the trend, along with a slew of major music stars. Yesterday (Jan. 22), Carnival Cruise Line announced Carnival Live, a concert series wherein passengers on Carnival Cruise ships in 2014 will have the opportunity to see concerts in addition to riding the waves and sipping mojitos on the beach.

Last night to help announce Carnival Live, Hudson performed some of her biggest hits at an intimate show in New York City's The Cutting Room for 200 people, including Carnival's SVP of guest relations Mark Tamis, according to a press release.

Hudson is leading Carnival's music effort with a two-night concert stint in Cozumel, Mexico, on June 18 and 19 for passengers aboard the Carnival Ecstasy and Breeze, respectively.

At the Cutting Room show, Hudson noted that headlining shows for Carnival Cruises was like coming full circle for her. Before auditioning for Idol, she performed on cruise ships.

She joins 14 other bands and singers on the venture. Chicago, Daughtry, Foreigner, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Kansas, Lady Antebellum, Leann Rimes, Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Trace Adkins and 38 Special have all signed to help kick off Carnival Live.

The 47-show series will begin with Styx on April 7, with a performance for Carnival Fantasy passengers in Nassau, Bahamas.

The Carnival Live concerts will be available only for vacationers aboard the cruise ship. Tickets for the shows range from $20 for general admission to $150 for VIP treatment.

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