Comments on: Play Music on a Cruise Ship: Is This Your Dream?

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Sun, 19 May 2019 19:46:55 +0000

In reply to Jacqueline. We suggest that you check with entertainment companies that specialize in cruise line entertainment (some lines have this function within the line itself) - a number of these companies are located in Florida. In view of the demands on cruise line entertainers as well as the lodging provided them, this is often more appealing work for younger musicians who are highly proficient musicians and also extremely adept at sight reading or sight singing.

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Sat, 18 May 2019 23:57:51 +0000

Hi Josh; thanks for sharing your info about performing on cruise ships. It was every enlightening. I notice that there was nothing said about how old or young can you be to perform on the ships. I am a well accomplished pianist and vocalist and thinking about venturing out. Just curious. Thanks

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Mon, 16 May 2016 17:13:30 +0000

In reply to Jaime. There are very specific expectations and procedures around hiring cruise ship musicians. Some lines have their own in-house hiring teams while others work through companies that specialize in cruise ship entertainment. We suggest you also read the other article on our website: Playing Music on Cruise Ships: Know Before You Go

By: Jaime

Jaime — Mon, 16 May 2016 15:52:02 +0000

In reply to Karl. I am a older pianist. I'm 63. After working as a piano/choir teacher for 30+ years, I retired. My kids are grown and gone. That leaves my wife and me alone and I'm interested in playing on cruise lines as a classical/jazz/pop piano soloist. My sight reading is so-so, but I have an extensive repertoire. Are there gigs that ask for soloists who play for calmer, older crowds (seniors)? Point being, would it be worth my time?

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 04:17:14 +0000

In reply to Brenda. We do not yet have any articles on vocal music on cruise ships but we suggest you contact cruise line entertainment directors as well as independent entertainment companies that focus on staffing cruise ships to learn more.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 03:46:31 +0000

In this article you spoke a lot about instrumental music and not really anything on vocalists. I am a singer and will be graduating college in May and am looking for back-up ideas for my music ed degree if I don’t get a teaching job. Would the requirements and process be similar for a singer as it is for an instrumentalist?

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:01:41 +0000

In reply to Vianey. Read this article as well: "Playing Music on Cruise Ships: Know Before You Go” and then contact a few of the cruise entertainment companies to see if you’re a good candidate.

By: Vianey

Vianey — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 23:29:16 +0000

I just stumbled upon this article because I have been researching cruise ship gigs. What are the possibilities of playing valve trombone? I just graduated with a music performance degree on euphonium and I am pretty good at valve trombone. I’ve played a lot of jazz and my sight reading is very solid but I have no idea if valve trombone would be acceptable. I can do every thing a trombone can minus really long glisses. What do you think the chances are of getting a cruise ship gig?

By: Valeria Maksymchyk

Valeria Maksymchyk — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:50:33 +0000

Josh – great article! It certainly sums it up well. I am a recruiter for Flagship Entertainment – we prepare each musician for the gig in a way that no other agency does; with tons of information, prep materials, and insight that comes from first-hand experience.

Anyone interested in cruise ship life or those want to know more information can contact us. We are currently seeking sight-reading musicians (Keys, Trumpet, Trombone, Bass, Guitar, and Drums) to join the theatre orchestras or show bands on board.

Thanks for a great article!
Valeria Maksymchyk
Entertainment Specialist
Flagship Entertainment, LLC

By: Lanny

Lanny — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 21:35:43 +0000

Wondering if anyone has heard of Mike Moloney Entertainment? Legit?

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 19:40:43 +0000

In reply to Gaston. Start by reading the other article linked on this page - the "Know Before You Go" article. Then start exploring the websites of cruise lines to get a handle on what their processes are. Note that there are also cruise entertainment companies that help staff cruise ships. You can find them by researching online.

By: Gaston

Gaston — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 15:00:58 +0000

I’m a young solo Pianist/Signer/Guitarist, and would like to get into the cruise ships. I have no idea on where to start. I would really like to talk to someone in person to guide me into getting contracts… I live in Canada but I am ready to relocate almost anywhere in the world.

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 17:05:38 +0000

In reply to Michael. Check out this article: Playing Music on Cruise Ships: Know Before You Go ––– it speaks to all of your questions.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:03:25 +0000

This article is a nice insight, and I was considering doing it myself one day soon… However my sight reading is rather poor as I haven’t been educated in music theory to a significant extent… I have been playing Guitar for 11 years and Bass/Drums for 10 years each. MY fear is that places like these would overshadow certain talents if the sight reading isn’t up to scratch. I have been helping out as a musician at open mic nights in Southampton, UK, for the last 2 years and have a plethora of music that I can play on multiple instruments from multiple genres and I am a fast learner.

My main questions I guess are:

1. Is sight reading an issue? i.e, do you have to sight read?

2. What hours do musicians tend to work? and are there any days off?

3. Where does your musical equipment get stored? i.e, bass guitar(s) and amplifier(s)

4. What happens if you develop sickness on cruises like these?

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 18:28:18 +0000

In reply to Kim. Thanks so much for your insights!

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 04:16:05 +0000

I’ve completed 2 contracts on NCL, will be starting another on a different line in a few months. My gig is as a solo lounge entertainer, which is quite different from the show band — I prepare my own act (which admittedly contains many songs that people expect to hear and/or request) and have no supervisor dictating musical choices (though of course I do have bosses: the Cruise Director, and possibly his/her assistants). I typically play 4 hours per night, 6 nights per week, and when it’s busy I don’t like to take breaks, so it can be hard on the voice. But, as Josh wrote, ships are one of the few remaining venues one can perform so frequently. Solo players typically have the privilege of a single cabin, which is of extremely high value — I actually wouldn’t work on ships if I had to share, as daily time to work alone on musical projects is as important to me as performing, and also just being able to lock one’s door and be alone is priceless. But, if you’re young and cool with not having your own space, it can still be worthwhile — everyone is different.

By: MajoringInMusic

MajoringInMusic — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 19:11:08 +0000

In reply to david. We do not recommend one cruise line over another (other folks please chime in though). We will however be posting an excellent new interview in the next few weeks with a cruising percussionist with lots of useful information. Stay tuned!

By: david

david — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 18:34:08 +0000

Which agencies do you recommend over others? Which ships do you want to stay away from? Thanks a million.

By: Karl

Karl — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 03:26:51 +0000

I quit music school because I was bored. I was frustrated because i was a better player than my professors and all I wanted to do was play. I never wanted to teach so a music ed degree was pointless and a performance degree was a waste of $ in my mind back then. My first cruise ship job was 20+ years ago.The band leader, a trombonist, was horrible. I let him know it and only spoke what others were saying behind his back. I ended up being fired. The agent said the reason was that “there is only room for one band leader on stage.” As a saxophonist, I felt my knowledge, abilities, and stage presence was more valuable than his. He was just a better ass kisser as that is all he knew how to do. This type of business is very political. It’s all about who to stroke, how to stroke their ego, etc. I left, formed my own band and was very successful doing the Nevada casino circuit and ski resort circuit. I’ve worked with Colin Hay, Sheena Easton, David Cassidy, John Harner, Jonny Leytle, Jon Faddis, Norris Turney, Gene Harris, and more. Eventually the loose lifestyle burned me out and I decided i wanted to stay married more than I wanted to travel and play music. Now I work with my 14 year old son who is fluent on piano, guitar, 6 string bass, clarinet and saxophone. At his age he is better on sax and clarinet than I was when I entered college. My goals now are to make sure his goals of a music ministry degree is fulfilled. Proud dad!

By: Rose

Rose — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 01:48:56 +0000

This is a good website for people to get enough information.