Hi. I agreed to a fairly long cruise last winter that starts shortly. I've developed carpal tunnel in the meantime. I can still play, but when I've been gigging every day it can reach a pretty painful point. I haven't seen my contract with the cruise line yet. If my wrist dies 2 months into the gig, will I be forced to continue playing, or have to pay some huge contract buyout or something?
I think I'll be ok, but I want to know if I can bail to save my wrist if it comes down to that.
I'm not a lawyer but that sounds like a "work related injury", meaning its the cruiseline is liable for your problem, I think. I don't think they'll make you make you pay anything no matter if the problem is work related or not. I found myself having a similar problem during my last contract at sea; the doctor gave me a splint to wear at night and that fixed most problems.
In the mean time you should really be seeing a doctor for that; idk if you are. I'm not a doctor either, but if its painful you should not be playing, AT ALL! If playing is your livelihood, you need to get it taken care of.
Its a sticky situation. I've undergone surgery, PT, etc already. I gigged daily (much longer hours than I imagine on the boat) and was ok for 2 months, then it all came rushing back. I've taken a month off again and am feeling good...but am nervous.
I feel like I'd have to talk to the cruise line about this, but I don't want to bring it up; They'll just hire somebody without carpal tunnel.
My guess is that they'd drop you if you mention it to them. The cruise lines tend to be pretty sensitive about medical issues.
But maybe that might not be so bad? Sounds like your hands might need a rest?
You might try delaying the contract. You could tell them something came up and ask if you could start on a different cruise several months later.
I've thought about those options too, it may come down to that. But, I feel there's a good chance my hands won't have serious problems and I can do the contract no problem. I was mostly curious as to what my options would be if the worst happened and I was unable to play mid-cruise.
The best advice I could give is to start the contract, and if you feel you yourself cannot perform the duties that the cruise line hired you to do, well then...you can't. At least you tried. Unless there is an urgent emergency, it's not good protocol to back out of a contract. It will affect you chances of getting future work, especially if a. you find out that it's not as bad on your hands as you initially thought, or b. you got it "fixed" (Surgery or extensive therapy).
People think that musicians are replaced like [snap] that. It takes time to replace a musician on a ship. I'm talking show band musician here. From the time the Bandmaster decides the current musician can't cut it, it could be anything from a week or two to even a month after he coordinates with the specialist shoreside for the cruise line. And this is strictly performance-based, there are other more abrupt ways to get fired on a ship, but I won't get into those.
Again, if your CTS proves to much for you on the ship, coordinate with your band leader to get a replacement for you. Above all , BE PROFESSIONAL. Know when you can, and if you can't, make sure you don't burn the bridge on your way out.
I heard instances where it can take up to 8 weeks to find a replacement...
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