Any former/current cruise ship workers?

[Popular]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:30pm

SO many friends of mine that I've met while working on cruise ships are super talented and have gone on to do amazing things. A good singer friend of mine that I met on ships is now singing backup for Elton John, another dancer friend of mine is a Rockette, another is going to be in the Producers movie dancing...those are just a few examples. Anyone here make their start on cruise ships or know of folks that did? I remember they mentioned Jennifer Hudson (of American Idol fame) started off that way and I was thinking she can't be the only one. I don't work on ships anymore but had fun while I did!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 7:55pm

I have not worked on a cruise ship yet (I'm 17) but it is definetly on my life list of things to do. What isn't? I'm very glad to hear that you had fun though. I was thinking when I get out of college maybe. I would love to hear others' stories.

[Popular]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 9:42pm

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about it

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 9:46pm

I know, at least for Disney, they stay on the ship for 8 month blocks, then have 4 months free. It pays very well and have a blast - not to mention free meals, room & board, and ship amenities.

[marincrazy11]

Posted: 1/17/05 at 11:12pm

yeah, my cousin used to dance on the Disney cruise ship right when it started.

[Popular]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:55pm

My jobs were all with Royal Caribbean, but we've been docked with Disney more than once where I got to go on and see their ship, and even one of their shows! Fun times...

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 7:02pm

Yeah, I know two people that have received their Equity cards from working with Royal Caribbean. They have told me that I am more than capable of doing it, so I am thinking about it. It seems like fun! I've watched the videos of their performances and, though they are a little cheesy (but that's expected!), they were fun performances and they looked like a blast!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 7:05pm

I don't know if it actually pays well, it just pays well considering that your accomodations, food and benefits are covered for you for 8 months out of the year, right?

I've always wanted to work on a boat (I KID! Don't hit me.) for a part of my life. What an amazing opportunity! Where have you travelled, Popular? I've only travelled on RC once, on the Radiance in the Pacific Northwest and I think that was one of my favorite ships to be on!

[Popular]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 7:26pm

Tiff - have been all over the Caribbean and Bahamas mostly, but also got a chance to go through the Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and my favorite, ALASKA

Josh - Oh yeah, cheesy as hell but that's the fun of it. By the way, if you ever decide to do it, singers get paid more than dancers usually...just something to consider if you do both. Not sure if that's the way it is normally, but it is on ships.

As far as it getting lonely...well, the revue cast does tend to get slack for not working "as hard" or as much (often) as the rest of the crew. Typical go to sleep late, drink a lot, smoke, party, get up and complain boat drill is too early, and lots are bored with their time off. BUT, there are others that use time more wisely and actually READ and conduct yoga classes for crew or find other ways to be productive. Yes it's a long commitment (usually 6-8 months) but worth it! I think of it as boot camp and soap opera combined... lot's of rules and you want to go home because of a lot of drama (like summer camp perhaps) but then once you're gone you miss it (like summer camp, perhaps). If you're a people person, passengers wont get on your nerves as much....strike that, yes they will. But it's all part of the experience.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 7:42pm

My gal pals and I took a few cruises. Does dating the waiters, busboys and poolboys count? They sure were good times. We even went to the hot spots on the island with them.

[Raggy Q poo]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 11:24pm

We, (my family)go on a cruise each year. We usually go on Princess or RC...this year we went on RC and had no luggage for 6 days....uhh- don't even ask. But it was totally USairs fault...not RC. I've been going every year since I was about 8 and everynight...I wouldn't be seen missing a show with the "Royal Carribbean singers and Dancers..." anyway- what was the last ship you were on and when? In the beginiing of January we came off the Seranade of the Seas.

Those shows at night were like....MY LIFE! and, what do you all do when the other people are on like comedians and all that? I mean, I know you gotta practice but I heard sometimes you work at the purser's desk..? I would love to work on a cruise ship and looked up a whole bunch of info but it really seems to be less than worth it. While you always have a smile and whatever...it's just like no sleep- right? And the food for the crew sure ain't the food for us- right? I hear you don't even get our leftovers...lol. What is it? Mac and cheese? And I hear about those crew parties...hehehe. Anyway- our cruise directors name was Matt Sole- (I think) He was ok but we've had much better ones in the past. Anyway- just thought I'd stick my lil post in here! - or long post.

Posted: 1/18/05 at 11:55pm

oooo i love cruises, i've only been on two in my life, one with carnival and then one with norweigien and they were both awesome. I totally loved the performances. On Norweigein once i met the lighting designer and got to attend a rehearsal for one of their shows and watch him work and stuff cuz im into lighting myself. Hehe i love theatre but yea it seems like it'd be totally cool to work on a cruise ship as a performer or technician, too bad i dont perform as much anymore, maybe i could do technician stuff?? Is any of that stuff good jobs? I am a stagemanager now and a lighting technician.

[Popular]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 1:46am

Raggy, I know Matt Sole!!! He'd laugh if he saw his name on a boradway message board! Yes, some do side jobs for extra money (shore-ex desk, art auctioneer/ shopping guide assistant, photo gallery, ect). A lot has changed since I've been on board (haven't been on the Serenade but that is one of the newest ones)so I don't know if it's mandatory now for them to help out or not. PM me if you want more details... too much to talk about here...

RoseA - yes they need production managers and stage staff/ techies too... they are sometimes overworked though for events other than just the shows in the main theater. For example some times people have groups on that reserve a lounge and you have to wake up early just to set up a mic for their speaker... it kind of sucks..but then again, if you're young and want an experience I don't know anyone who regrets it (as long as you don't get too comfortable and stay for too many contracts).

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 9:39am

I never worked on a ship, but my ex-roomate in NYC did. God rest his soul. He told me he enjoyed it, but when you got right down to it, the shows they did were really glorified theme park shows. After seeing some video of his shows, I have to agree.

But that's not an aspersion. It's a great way to get experience, to travel a bit, and to test yourself under pressure. Bill also told me that some of the passengers could be....er...well, "fun". Nuff said.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 9:46am

Is there work on these cruises for non singers/dancers. Like an improv troupe or something along those lines? That would be ideal for me.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:44am

I used to pretend i was Julie from The Love Boat when i was a kid. Does that help?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:44am

You did coke when you were a kid, middy? Oh my God, I'm going to hell...oh well.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:49am

No! I didn't do that until college. But it was a gay boys dream guest list--Ethel Merman, Florence Henderson, The Gabor Sisters and my favorite forgotten lady, Barbi Benton!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:51am

Whatever happened to Barbi?

[midtowngym]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:52am

Oh Rath, we're dating ourselves. All the Idina fans are going "who the hell is Barbi Benton?"

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:54am

I know. And I'm proud of it.

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 10:58am

She's probably at the Mansion vacuuming the Grotto.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 2:41pm

I'll be going on a cruise for the first time this June (DISNEY!) and I've already gotten permission to go backstage and meet with some of the actors.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 2:46pm

OMG. He should have been fired, then arrested! Wasn't she like 15 when she first posed? What was she like? Spill!!!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/19/05 at 3:06pm

Well she was pretty damn famous!