Working on Cruise Ships

When I did it, it was a million years ago (oh, allright, Seventeen years!)...it was a small ship and the production values weren't very good - but it was fun and I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I wasn't in a relationship and 45 years old. I really had a great time on that ship and loved being in the sun, getting to travel and see new places and meet new people.
If you can get in with a good production company, you can have a lot of fun, I believe.

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SweetQ is right.

Plus on most ships you have multiple duties.

Nobody I know has ever just worked as a performer. (Unless they're a headliner.)

If you're a member of the singing/dancing groups, you'll also likely do anything from holding exercise classes to shuffle board to bingo. Even become a dance hall hostess... like Sweet Charity only more legit.

(barely)

You'll also help with shore excursions, plus embarkation and debarkation.

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I worked for Royal Caribbean for a few years as part of the entertainment department, but not as a performer (unless you count hosting karaoke, calling out bingo, emceeing pool parties, teaching line dance classes, being "on" all the time, and smiling at crabby passengers).

If you don't have a lot of expenses (like maintaining a big-city apartment) back on "dry land," it can be a great way to save a lot of money... simply because you don't have a lot of expenses at sea... and you don't have a lot of time or ways to spend your hard-earned paychecks.

I have quite a few friends who did this for 4 or 5 years, and then had a nice "egg" saved for a new car, down-payment on something, college money, etc.

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Two questions for anyone that can answer:

1) Does anyone know of an employment website like the Royal Caribbean entertainment one linked above, for Disney cruises? Anyone have any Disney cruise experience/stories?

2) Does Royal Caribbean hire outside of the US (ie. Canadians) for their technical positions? I know their website has an audition date in Toronto for performers, but I'd like to know about technicians/stage managers.

Thanks!

tag....they all hire people from out of the US....but they must obtain a working visa.

wish I would help you with the disney question.

I worked for Carnival for a while and it was EASY and fun. All I had to do was perform 2 nights a week, and the rest of the time I was free to do what I wanted. Style-wise, the shows were very 'Las Vegas.' The money was pretty decent, too. If you're ready and willing to leave behind your life on land for a while, I highly reccommend it.

I worked on the disney magic for 2 contracts and a replacement contract! it had it's good and bad points! It may have changed since I worked on there, but the duties other than performing were very minimal and you get your own room when you are a mainstage perfomer. I think it would have been a completely different experience if I had to share a room. The Shows are fun and technically, pretty good...the stage is pretty advanced...their are 3 lifts and a ton of fly space.
I think it's a great way to save money and pay off student loans...if you play your cards right, you can leave their with a nice chunk of change! Most importantly, if you are going to work for DCL, I would go into the job with a positive attutude! It will make your contract so much better. My first contract was awesome, but my second was not as fun and that was partly becaue of the attitudes of the cast members....you have to remember that your on a ship and things are not going to be perfect all the time...If you go with the flow and just enjoy your time there, you can come back with some really great memories and bank acct. that is not too shabby! Hope that helps!

i really want to be a dancer/musical theatre performer on Disney Cruise Lines. does anyone know anything about that experience, and is it a hard job to get? i mean obviously i know you have to audition - but is there much competition? considering that the pay isn't spectacular and living in those tiny cabins.

nealb- Can I ask how many years ago it was when you worked on Princess?

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How much money are we talking about?

neddy please don't be mean, I am asking a serious question here. anyone have answers to my questions? thanks = )

BUMP!

please people I really need answers to my questions!! = )