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I just wanted to put this out there in case ask any of you who have done this. I maybe mad but I’ve always fancied the idea of working the cruise ships. Even to go away for a 3 month stint. However, I have no idea how to go about it. I certainly don’t want to build a band just for this as it’s hard enough building bands on an amateur basis let alone a band that is only for making some money
So my questions are, as I still have to pay a mortgage:-
1. What would one expect to earn a week on such a cruise ship?
2. How does one get involved?
3. Does one HAVE to build a band first before applying or can you just apply as an available guitarist to be put in a band etc?
4. Finally how advanced must you be? If it’s just learning a given set in a band’s chosen genre then no problem but I fear I might get asked to do material on the spot and have to improvise at a very high professional degree. Knowing all the theory etc
Any advice? Am I mad?
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Comments
Are you mad for considering it? Yes, probably. Unless being asked to play Living on a Prayer for the third time that night by a bunch of pissed tourists is your idea of fun. Also bear in mind that a lot of cruise ships don’t dock for very long, so you won’t get a lot of shore time. The boat staff we spoke to (mostly Phillipinos and Indians) sign up for about six months at a time, no idea if that applies to performers though.
Oh almost forgot. The guitarist in the band who was doing the music for the theatre shows, rather than in a band playing in the bar/casino, was extremely competent and was sight reading from sheet music.
HTH.
Having never been on a cruise I don't know what standard is required but I did read this article about live sound on cruise ships which may give you some pointers;
https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mixing-live-sound-high-seas
Or Titanic?
https://youtu.be/24Crv3-D8eg
You need some sight reading because you will back cabaret and other artists. You need spares and tools on board to last the cruise. You will work most evenings but apart from rehearsing the visiting turns in the afternoon you are likely to just work evenings. You need to be versatile and constantly learn new material because you audience don't want Mr brightside night after night.
It will improve your musicianship and you get to see some exotic places. Oh and access to wifi can be dodgy or suspect at sea.
Starting to apply for jobs in a tribute band is the first step. Only join th house band if you’re comfortable sightreading and want to work hard.
My son's friend works as a photographer on cruise ships. He'll be about 25 or so now and has done it for about three years, started on a temporary contract and kept going. Earns very little as I understand it but not much to spend it on apart from in the crew bar but he has a lovely time, sees nice places and dates a drop dead gorgeous dancer.
I watched a couple of YouTube clips a while ago. There were different strata of musicians with different levels of expectation although that was the big Florida cruise ships.
“Theory is something that is written down after the music has been made so we can explain it to others”– Levi Clay
You need to be able to read really well.
Most people who haven't gone through formal music training are going to get creamed.
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