If you’re interested in working as a musician on a cruise ship, the first thing to know is the different types of entertainment offered. Each cruise line has their own entertainment on board; however, generally, these positions are very similar industry-wide.
Show Band Musicians
Most lines have an orchestra (aka Show Band) on board. This 5-10 piece band plays the production shows, headliner shows and big band or top 40 sets on board. Bass, drums, guitar, keys, sax, trombone & trumpet are the most common instrumentation.
The most important requirement in landing one of these jobs is strong sight reading ability (both jazz charts & notation). Working on board a ship as an orchestra musician, you’ll find yourself playing new shows daily in front of thousands, and having little to no time at all to prepare.
In order to assure that you’ll be comfortable in that setting, we want to see/hear you sight read similar charts prior to hiring. We do live auditions around the country as well as auditions over the phone and via video.
In each case, you’ll be handed several charts and be asked to read them without any preparation. These charts will range from big band to top 40 to Broadway selections. Depending on the audition, you might also be asked to play a jazz head and solo over it in order to get a feel for your improvisational skills.
Needless to say, at the end of an orchestra musician contract, you’re sight reading and chops in general will definitely be strong as ever.
Entertainers
If sight reading isn’t your thing, you can also be hired as an entertainer on board.
Lines hire the following entertainers to perform on their ships: solo pianist/vocalist (aka Piano Bar Entertainer) , cocktail pianist (aka Intermissionist), solo guitarist/vocalist (aka Pub Guitarist), classical guitarist, duo, standards trio/quartet & party band. These entertainers perform four to five 45 minute sets a night in lounges on board.
Entertainers must entertain! You would think this would be a given; however, I’m always surprised at how many people don’t get this concept. Connecting with guests is key. Taking requests, sing-a-longs, theme nights, talking to guests before and after sets are all essential in a) being hired and b) being a successful entertainer on board.
In order to be hired as an entertainer on board a ship, you must have the following: promo video, song list, performance history & availability to do a contract. My next blog entry will talk about the top 10 things we look for in a promo video.
Specialty Acts
Some cruise lines hire specialty or variety acts such as comedians, steel pan musicians or a cappella quartets. The actual job description for these musicians varies, however a promo video is required for all in order to secure employment.
Singers and Dancers
Finally, each cruise ship has their own production cast on board. This cast is composed of singers and dancers often hired by a separate production company. The production cast performs Broadway revues, top 40 and classical shows on board and sometimes even have aerialists or flyers included.
These positions are usually secured at live auditions held by the different production companies around the world.
Length of Contracts
No matter what the position, cruise ship musician contracts are generally 3-8 months long in length. These are continuous contracts where you live on board the ship for the entirety of the contract. Often food, room, travel and health coverage are included, so there’s definitely an opportunity to save money. It’s a great way to travel the world, play music and get paid for it!
Thanks for reading and I hope it helped you better understand the different options for working as a musician on board a cruise ship. Expect another blog entry next month!
I am a keyboardist in a regional road band based in Fargo, ND. I worked cruise ships for a few years in the mid 90′s. This article covered the majority of what gigs are available on ships. The only thing I would add to it is a caveat for party bands with keyboard players, and a little note to all interested in a cruise ship gig.
First off, as a pianist in a party band, I was recruited to cover the piano bar entertainer gig as well as cover my duties with the band. The band was asked to provide intro’s for the comedians as well. So going on board as strictly a party band does NOT mean thats all you will be required to do. No extra compensation was offered for either. There are so many people waiting in line that if you refuse, a contract can and will be terminated given the first opportunity of the entertainment directer.
For all interested in such a gig. The longer the contract the more money one can save; however, there is a chance you will be required to complete a hotel training course (which involves first aid and fire training) while on board. The chance depends entirely on whether or not the ship is scheduled for inspection by the powers that be.
In both cased, the extra duties paled in comparison to not working. But it would have been nice if I was warned ahead of time. I had to have my fake book mailed to me. I did complete the course, and was certified by the line.
Anyway, nice article, and I DO recommend a cruise ship job for those interested. It is a GREAT way to travel and make some money. I have seen both the Mexican west coast and the Caribbean Islands from Bahamas all the way to South America. I did enjoy it.
Thats all for this subject. Thanks for listening.
Ramon
Ramon,
I’m curious how your dual party band keyboardist/piano par gig worked out… were there no scheduling conflicts? Assuming the piano bar happened daily from about 8 PM until 1 AM, I’d inmagine the band might also have to play during that time. Also, was there no specific mention of types of services to be provided in the contract? I’d think that a contract would state just what is required of a performer, be it playing in a band or solo or both… of course I believe your situation, but am just surprised that a contract wouldn’t be clear about required duties upfront, and that if additional services were to be desired by the cruise line, a new negotiation of fees would be in order (much like a band contract for a casual gig — if I have a contract that specifies playing for 4 hours, and the client wants an extra hour, there will be a fee involved, negotiated on the spot).
Thanks
Kim
The piano bar was in the late afternoon. No schedule conflicts. As far as a contract, it was decided that I was to perform the afternoon times when the officers realized a pianist was on board. Other ships have had pianists in the Show Band, and they covered the duties. I don’t know if the agency knew ahead of time and didn’t cover the slot (knowing I would be drafted) or if it was a matter of coincidence. I was not happy about the extra time with no pay, but when you are raising a family and looking at losing 2-3 months of work at the drop of a hat, you don’t argue but so much. I really enjoyed working on the ships, but it is VERY much like being in the military (at least what I think the military is like).
The bands first contract also included us buying tuxedo’s (we were on the road and didn’t have any with us) for Formal Nights, and all of us cutting our long hair to satisfy the officers on board. I believe the agent said, “if those Norwegian officers see that long hair, they will put you off in Grenada.” This too was a last minute requirement NOT outlined in the contract. I guess my lesson here is make sure you get ALL of it in writing, and still expect to cater to the wishes of the officers.
Like I said, all that aside, I worked the ships for the better part of 3 years, and would definitely do it again. It is not my idea of a fun gig, but is a great way to make and save money doing what you love. I also enjoyed the travel and loved getting to see places I would otherwise never see. The lines I worked for are Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.
Again, thanks for listening
Ramon
I’m a jazz and standard vocalist who would like to sing with a piano accompanist on a cruise ship. I think the genre of music that I sing would be appreciated by an older audience. What cruise line would you suggest, and what would be the best way to go about applying? Also, I’m 56 years old with a blind piano accompanist who would have to have his seeing eye dog with him. Would that be a problem?
Thank you!
Bonnie
Hi,
What aboout the musicians’ genres. is it true that is that a string quartet for example conformed by 4 women is prefered instead of a 4 men quartet? An the second preference is 2 man and 2 women for a quartet?
Hello can you please tell me where I would go to apply or audition for a cruise ship as a singer. Ive been singing for years and im quite ready to try something new. Thank you for your help! ~Dawn Shannon
Thank you for all of the responses! I’ll check this site much more often to make sure I get back to people sooner. Answers below…
Bonnie, some cruise lines hire duos. In order to be hired, you’ll need to put together a video of the two of you performing 10 30 sec clips of songs. I recommend a large variety when recording the video. You’ll need this video, a song list, bio and availability. Landau Music books this position, so feel free to apply on our website under the Entertainer section. Regarding your blind accompanist, some cruise lines require musicians/staff to assist in an emergency drill. We’d need to look closer into this, depending on what line you’re interested in.
Mario, great question. Each line allocates two cabins for String Quartets. The gender of each musician isn’t as important as whether the four can share two cabins. Often, we hire couples that can share. You could also do 4 Males, 4 Females or 2 Males and 2 Females.
Dawn, You have a couple options as a solo singer. You could apply to sing in the Production Shows (Broadway Review, Top 40, Classical Shows). If interested in this, you would apply to Production Companies that put these shows on.
Another option, is to front a party band on board. Sometimes you need to have your own 4 or 5 piece band, but often you can apply individually. Landau Music is currently looking for female vocalists to front party bands on ships. If hired, you would perform several nights a week poolside or in the night club on board. If you’re interested in this particular position, you can apply on our website.
Hope this helps! Thank you for the response and keep them coming!
Hello Michael,
I see from your last post you are looking for Female singers…. any Male singers in need? Actually I was thinking more along the lines of a Headliner.
Thank you,
Jim
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the message. Right now, we’re only hiring female singers to front a Top 40 Party Band on board. With that being said, we hire 4-Guy A Cappella Quartets. Do you have any a cappella experience? If so, please feel free to apply on our website.
-Michael
Michael,
I am looking to perform on a cruise ship full time! I have been entertaining playing keyboards,sax and singing for over 30 years! I have formal music training in college in music performance and education! I perform 3-4 shows a week on a average with a large variety of music from big band to 60′s 70′s and 80′s. How Do I connect to get this dream job of performing on a cruise ship?
Thank you,
Norm Shaw
I see this at the end of the entertainers section: “My next blog entry will talk about the top 10 things we look for in a promo video.”
Is this entry up? If it is, I’m having a difficult time finding it…
Hi CJ,
We just posted “The Audition Process” yesterday, as several musicians were asking about that. Feel free to email me directly and I can assist you with the promo video.
Hello.
We are a small Japanese taiko drum group who have just finished a four-month, 15 country tour (mostly Europe). We heard about performing about cruise ships and that greatly appeals to us. We are quite different from most performing groups, so I wonder if cruise ships would welcome our type of performance? If so, could we apply through your company?
To get an idea of the type of performance, if you type “tokara taiko” in YouTube, there are a few videos that will pop up.
Hi Kinoshita,
Thank you for the message. Specialty acts are tough to book, but not impossible. Most of the contracts offered on board are 3-6 month continuous contracts, where an entertainer/group performs in a designated lounge nightly.
My recommendation, is to put together a promotional package. Include a highlight video, bio, performance experience, contact info and availability.
Hope this helps!
Hi Michael
So don’t cruise ships have lounges onboard where a jazz singer and her pianist can perform for the folks in a bar situation? Is it only big vegas type shows now? I have sent you information and didn’t hear from you so I was just curious.
Hi Lynn,
Some cruise ships do hire a singer/pianist duo for their lounges. If the singer & pianist are interested in working with us, please ask them to contact us directly. Thank you!
Hey there,
My name is Joe. I live in Fort Lauderdale Fl.
I play drums and can sing also.
Any help on getting with a “showcase band” would be appreciated?
In my 40′s. Came from Canada 17 years ago with a band.
Joe@realtimehealthquotes.com
Hi Michael,
I wonder if a 4/5 pieces Latino band from Colombia could have a chance to act on a cruise? … What we need to do? thanks for your response.
It’s a pleasure introduce to you. We are Latin Connection from Barranquilla, Colombia. Our musical group is integrated by a Female singer (who also executes minor percussion),a male singer who also plays the guitar, a percusionist (conguero-timbalero and folklorist), and a keyboardist / musical director. We has a wide repertoire of Latin music to include Salsa, Merengue, Bolero, reggae, regueton, American and Spanish ballads 70′s, 80′s y 90′s, country, caribbean music, and also Colombian music folkloric.. In addition, we are always updating our show to ensure the maximum entertainment of our audience. The band can be configured as a 2 piece to a large band.We are avalibles from now an we are based at the moment in Colombia but with total disposition to travel if we obtaine some previous hirings.
Our web page is: http://www.latinconnection.tk or Latin Connection in Netlog there is information, bio, photos, videos, songlist about us.
Others links for band demos: JACK BOLIVAR (youtube)
Latin Connection(WAYN.COM)
Latin Connection (4SHARED.COM)
my contact number:
Lorens Barrios
573015284770
Hi there,
Just doing some research and I am very interested in finding out more about working on cruise ships as a musician. I am currently a 21 year old, keyboard/piano concentrating, music student who focuses on Popular music from Liverpool, in England and wondered if you could point me in the right direction of any particular, relevant contacts or maybe just a pointer on my first port of call? ;)
Am I expected to apply directly to a cruise company as an individual who wants to play in a 4-5 piece band and hope they can slot me into an existing band, or do I have to put the band together first and apply as a whole?
Also, many people on here are much older than me, does this matter? How far does experience go? Is it something I should look at doing later on in life?
Thank you
Thank you for the comments!
Joe – If you are interested in a show band drummer position, the most important requirement is your sight-reading. If you are comfortable sight reading, can play a variety of different styles and can do a 6 month contract, feel free to apply!
Lorens – A Couple lines hire latin quartets. In order to apply, you’ll need video, song list, bio and availability.
Stefan – How is your sight reading? If its good, there are several pianist openings in the show bands and orchestras. There are also some cocktail/intermissionist positions as well. In order to play in a 4-5 piece band, you’d need to have the band assembled and apply all together.
The three of you can easily apply on our website if you’d like. Hope this helps!
-Michael
Michael, do you book DCL, and, either way, does DCL hire show band musicians, or do they use pre-recorded tracks for the shows?
Eric
Hi Eric,
Yes, we do work with DCL. They do have show bands but under a different format than other lines. Their band is hired as a complete unit rather than individually.
-Michael
Well then that leaves the big question: How does one go about getting in to the “complete unit” band? What if someone cannot complete the entire contract for one reason or another, or conversely what if some members would like to stay on longer than the contract? With 6 to 10 people in the “unit band”, everyone would have to be on the same page it would seem, and that does not allow for any flexibility in schedules. Stuff happens, and peoples lives change at different of time; just wondering how that is handled. It seems the individual contractor method would be more practical and allow for more flexibility in scheduling, especially around the Holiday Season. Just curious…
And thank you for your prompt and informative answer :)
-Eric
i love to sing and get paid to do it!!! my prob is memory! lyrics !!!! i did karaoke before it was karaoke! i taped 1 song per 4 minute cassette! of couse , now i’ve got 130,000+ songs on a hard drive and a music stand and away we go! meaning , i put my labtop in front of me and sing away! i also have up to 3 girls singing with (big party or conventions), but a duet is whats working right now. i want to do a 1 man show, but would that work on a ship? i love people, so i know i could do it!
plz check out my site and listen. all male vox are myself.
any suggestions??????? plz give me an answer, very, very curious.
Thanx!!
MVB
rob
Hi Michael,
I’ve worked with a 5 piece party band for Princess the past 5 years-(keyboards, sax, & vocals)- the past 2 & a half have been the band leader. Problem we keep running into is keeping the female singer. We just left the Island Princess & the latest girl disembarked because of personal family issues back home, & now we have decided to broaden our cruise line spectrum as a 4 piece. We all take turns lead singing & interacting with the audience, and we all play & swap numerous instruments with many medleys & shows… extremely versatile on stage with our song selection that will please any audience. Every type of theme night-(“50′s & 60′s Sock Hop”,”70′s Disco”,”Island Night”, “Rockstar Karoake”…etc)- we are ready for with costumes. My question is , are there any upcoming spots open for a 4 piece high energy party band open for 3 month contracts?
Thanks & regards,
Tony
Anything open for a guitar duo and singer?
Hi Donna – you should try looking on our job board, where open cruise ship musician positions are posted.
can some reply on my request? plz,,,,
thanx.
rob
In my experience, I think it would be very unlikely to land a job as a professional karaoke singer on a cruise ship. It’s my understanding that a position like that simply doesn’t exist.
Tony, We do have openings for 4-Piece Party Bands as a couple lines hire that position. Feel free to check out our website for more info.
Donna, A couple lines do hire guitar based duos. Feel free to fill out our online application.
Robert, Right now we do not hire professional karaoke singers.
Thank you for the comments…keep them coming!
-Michael
does anyone out there want to hook up to play/sing on a ship?
maybe a keyboard player. i also play an octapad and a bit of trumpet. lounge to present music. whatever sells! let me know. thanks,
rob
Robert – You’ll have much more luck putting your request in our forum or on our job board. Thanks for using the site.
Any shows that you can use a track show on a cruise line
Hi Dave – Is that a question? You’ll need to be more specific if you have something you’d like to ask Michael.
David My question was about the the backup tracks for a singer’I don’t like to use them but I have before. Do cruise lines ever use shows like that
Do you mean the production shows in the theater, or for the bands in the lounges?
David. I’m a singer I’ve done many shows with a band. I’ve been told you can’t get a job as a headliner on a cruise ship and do a show with the ships band. So doing a track show is a last resort and I’m talking any kind of show. Thank You
Michael. Whe are you going to hire ma as a guest entertainer? I have a very nice family show
Dave, I would resist using this website as a way to communicate directly with agents. If you’d like to contact Michael directly, you can find him through http://www.landaumusic.com, as listed above.
When I worked as a keyboard player on a cruise ship in 2004 we frequently backed guest performers – in fact, I would say that I very rarely saw guest performers using backing tracks at all.
In the lounges, the Top-40 party band used backing tracks, but the other bands were 100% live.
Really, it was only the production shows in the theater that used backing tracks.
Does that answer your question?