My contract here on my current ship ends in just a little over a month. The job has gone well, and it looks like I’ll be returning in the fall to continue the job.
I originally took this gig only to save some money to return to NYC and continue hustling work there, but it’s really difficult to turn down a steady paycheck. Especially considering what this gig is like. As always, there’s been some unforeseen problems on this gig, but for the most part it’s been pretty posh. I work two days a week, and only for a few hours on even those days. The rest of the time I enjoy the sunshine, destinations and free food.
On the other hand, I’m looking forward to getting a break in a month. You might find this a little curious coming from the guy that runs a cruise ship musician blog, but I don’t like working on cruise ships very much. In a way, though, that might make me the best person to give an honest overview of the gig.
I don’t like the cruise ship life, but I really can’t complain too much about this gig. I’m nearly completely isolated from the economic woes that I hear about on the news recently – gas prices, food prices, etc… I’m completely isolated from any natural disasters like the wildfires, floods, earthquakes or tornadoes I’ve also heard about recently. The compensation is comparable to broadway touring, but if I decide I want a cheeseburger, I just press a button on my phone and they bring it to my room for free.
My girlfriend, L., came on a cruise with my last week. It was a real treat, and not something that most crew members get to partake in. Frankly, now that I’m in this new guest entertainer gig, I’m so far removed from the average experience of a regular crew member, that I might not be at all qualified to discuss crew matters anymore. I’m not even allowed in crew areas! What do I know about crew?!
When my girlfriend was here we were real passengers. We ate in the restaurants, bought drinks, rented cars for the day – we had the real experience. I realize that when she’s not here I live like a hermit on the ship. I go to the buffet, I go to my room and I get off the ship. Twice a week I go to the theater for our shows. I never go out on deck or go to the bars on the ship. There’s something about living where you work that I find really uncomfortable. Maybe it’s more that I feel uncomfortable flaunting the fact that I work 6 hours a week by lazing at the pool or making the waiters wait on me.
I don’t like working on ships, but this beats most other jobs I’ve had recently. Regional theaters don’t pay as well, and the product has a great variation in quality…touring is a rough life…NYC is expensive…unemployment is boring. If I had to choose between all of those, I’d definitely stay here. And since I am, essentially, choosing between all of those, I think I’ll come back here in the fall.
David J. Hahn
David J. Hahn is a Broadway conductor and keyboard player. He co-founded MusicianWages.com with Cameron Mizell in 2008. Visit his new project, Songwriter.fm and sign up for his songwriting newsletter.
Hi David, I am really enjoying your website. I would like to be a pianist in the ships orchestra. I have good reading skills and loads of experience. My real question is how many months in a year can i count on in emplyment. Like, will i do a 4 month contrace and then only have a few weeks off or can i stay permanently working? This is my real concern. Thanks for listening, Peter
Hi Peter – it depends on circumstances and luck, but it is possible to work year-round on ships. Lots of guys do it. You can also take time off between contracts. It depends on schedules, the cruise line, etc.
Also, the average length of a musician contract is 6 months.
Thanks for the quick reply David. I live in Australia and as I have no assets thought that cruising would be the answer to my problems. Age is 64 reading and playing skills are quite high. Cocktail pianist would seem more lucrative to me and possibly that comes with a single cabin? is this true and can one alternate between the two positions? Last question, is being 64 much of a disadvantage with the cruise lines? Peter
Hi Peter –
Well, they companies can’t be outright age-ist in their hiring practices, so it shouldn’t make a difference. But I can tell you from my personal experience that this gig is primarily a young person’s game. Not because it requires young people, but because young people are the only ones that would put up with the hassles of the job.
Try this one:
How Old Are Most Musicians On Cruise Ships”
I think your instincts are right about the cocktail pianist job. I’d try for that one if I were you, and push for your own room.