Cruise ship businesses understand there’s nothing as exciting and intriguing as live entertainment. That’s why they’re continuously searching for a variety of styles and performers to entertain their guests. Musicians, singers, dancers, DJs, comedians, magicians, and many other performers are sought after for cruise lines, which opens up many opportunities for you. While freelancing has a lot of flexibility and freedom, cruise gigs offer numerous perks. A steady job and thousands of audience members are only an audition away. If you have your sea legs and you’re open for an adventure, getting a gig on a cruise ship may be perfect for you!
Perks of Cruise Ship Gigs
A cruise ship gig comes with a unique set of perks that blend work and leisure seamlessly. Entertainers enjoy a steady flow of performances while exploring beautiful destinations and soaking up vibrant cultures. With ample opportunities for personal growth and the chance to connect with fellow artists, this experience offers a refreshing escape from the everyday routine.
📅 A consistent gig: Most entertainers are generally contracted for 1 to 6 months. So you’re looking at a minimum of 4 weeks of work. Not too bad!
🌍 Free travel: You’re there to work, of course, but you won’t perform nonstop. When the ship ports, you’ll have plenty of chances to relax and enjoy the exotic locales.
🎤 Performance experience: With thousands of guests and numerous stages, you’ll return home with professional expertise that would have normally taken years to accrue. Crowds of all sizes and types and varying environments will challenge you and help you grow.
🤝 Connections: Living with numerous other performers is a great way to make connections for referrals, partnerships, and long-lasting friends.
If these perks of cruise ship gigs have piqued your interest, keep reading to find out how to land yourself a gig performing at sea!
Getting Cruise Ship Gigs
Many cruise lines will contact specific entertainers they want, reaching out to them directly or through a service like GigSalad. However, you can also take the initiative and chase down the gig yourself. Apply directly to the cruise ship lines or work with an agency to guarantee a place on a ship.
Research 🧑💻
The first step to landing a job on a cruise ship is to research and consider where you want to work. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and the Norwegian Cruise Line are a few of the most popular, but there are even more cruise lines worth considering. Certain cruise lines specialize in specific types of entertainment, so it’s worth researching which ships align best with your talent. If you’re unsure where to begin, think about the destinations you’d ideally like to visit while working and find the companies that go to these locations.
💻 You might also like: How to Use Technology to Get the Gig
Prepare 📝
After you find the cruise lines you want to apply to, you should read over their application process and prepare the necessary materials. For most applications, you must submit a resume/curriculum vitae and a showreel/video material showcasing your stage presence and talent. Cruise ship gigs for musicians in a band will ask for separate resumes/CVs for each person. Additionally, you may need to display language proficiency in the primary language used on the ship, typically English.
💒 Want more consistent gigs? Read this: How to Get Booked for Wedding Gigs
Apply 📨
Once you’ve prepared your materials, it’s time to apply. For most cruise ships, you will find a career/jobs page with instructions on their website. For example, Carnival and Royal Caribbean include a detailed job list and online application.
If you’d like personalized help finding the perfect cruise gig, there are entertainment agencies like Proship and Lime Entertainment, whose sole purpose is to help talent find jobs on cruise ships. If you’re accepted, the agency contacts the cruise ships on your behalf. For the service, you pay a registration fee upfront or a small commission fee that’s taken out of your salary once hired.
📸 Your ultimate tool for standing out and gigging more: Create a Media Kit That Will Get You Gigs
Audition 🎸
After you apply, there’s typically also an additional audition process or interview. As with any audition process, once your first submission is in, you just have to wait to hear back. Cruise lines generally run on a pretty tight schedule, so you can often expect a quick turnaround. Because many cruises will be in another location than where you’re based, you’ll likely complete your second audition or interview through a video call.
😬 Nervous when auditioning or interviewing? Find helpful tips here: How to Deal with Nerves
Life as a Cruise Ship Entertainer
Accommodations and day-to-day activities will vary depending on the cruise line employing you and the type of performer you are. However, cruise lines are often very similar. No matter which line you set sail with, you’ll encounter many of the same requirements and practices.
Work schedule 📅
Typically, you’ll perform 3-5 hours a day with one day off weekly. Ships usually give performers extra tasks as well, like assisting guests around the ship during embarkment and disembarkment. However, most of your working time will be spent sharing your talent with the many guests!
😆 Looking for more comedian gigs? Read these tips: How to Get Stand-Up Comedy Gigs
Free time 🏝️
Aside from your performance time and occasional duties, you can enjoy your time as you please. While a few areas are off-limits for performers, most of the ship is open to you. You can soak up the sun on the deck, take time to practice, or just relax in your room. Remember, you’re not all alone out at sea, either. Cruises employ over a thousand people, so you have plenty of chances to make new friends and connections.
💡 More pro tips: 7 Avoidable Mistakes That Can Cost You Gigs
Room and board 🛏️
Your living situation will depend on the ship’s policies and the type of entertainment you offer. Cruise ship musicians who perform as soloists often have their own private cabin, but you may also share a cabin with another entertainer, especially if you perform as a duo, band, dance troupe, or other group. Most shared cabins have two bunk beds, a desk, a closet, and a cabinet space.
The cruise line generally covers all of your meals. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and usually a late-night snack will be available. Along with a cabin and food, laundry services will also be free for you to use.
🎓 Find more opportunities on the college circuit: How to Get Gigs at Local Colleges and Universities
Pay range 💵
Salaries vary widely, but the standard pay is between $2,500 and $4,000 monthly. Depending on the cruise line, you may also have the option of accepting cash tips. Remember, since you won’t be paying rent or buying food on the ship, it’s quite possible to go multiple days without spending any of your own money! Because of the low cost of living, it can be a great way to make it through the off-season.
🤷♂️ Do you find taxes complicated as a freelancer? Read this: Useful Tips on Taxes for Freelancers
Working on a cruise ship is definitely a unique and fun gig opportunity. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t get anywhere else, so we say go for it! You’ll gain experience, maybe even see some new places, and make some money, all while doing what you love. What could be better?
Looking for more local gigs? Create a free profile on GigSalad and start getting leads today!
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.
Interesting reading. Thank you for gathering this information. Ron
We’re happy to do it, Ron! Thanks for reading :)
This is great, thank you!
Thanks, Keegan! I am glad you found the post helpful. :)
I work for a cruise line bound for Alaska. I’m contracted for sixteen trips (presentations) this summer season. The theater is eight-hundred seats, as nice as anything in Vegas.
Wow, congratulations! That sounds like quite the gig with a great destination. I hope you have a fantastic trip!
Thanks for the tips! I’d love to work aboard a cruise ship, personally!
I am happy to help, Scott! I hope you get an opportunity to set sail soon. :)
Most DJ’s on cruise ships always seem to be having a good time. I have been a DJ for 37 years and have been on 40 cruises. I will be on the “Freedom of the Seas” from April 14 to April 28, 2018. I’ll be out on the dance floor showing the working DJ’s how to dance. I think that if you’re single you can have a really good time djing on a cruise ship.
I’m personally too old to DJ on a cruise ship, but I love the Caribbean.
DJ Ron Garber
You can’t beat good music in a beautiful location. I hope you have a great cruise, Ron!
I have tried to get a job as a balloon twister on a ship and I understand Royal Caribbean may be a possibility.
Go for it, Ron!
Nice article, but unfortunately, not helpful for my type of music-calypso & reggae. I have been trying since the late 90’s to get a cruise ship gig. Every single time without even progressing past the initial conversation, I am asked if I am from the Caribbean. When I say, “No,” I am told they are looking for someone who is “authentic-looking”, meaning they are looking for a person of color. Sad that there are still stereotypes about what a steel band should “look like.”
That’s unfortunate. I’m sorry, Kim. I don’t want that to stop you from performing elsewhere. I think there are some great opportunities out there for calypso and reggae bands. We see all kinds of events requesting your style of music: Artwalks, festivals, community fairs, cultural events, college events, and private parties. Have you tried connecting with restaurant owners in your area? You could add to the ambience of a local dining spot and potentially acquire an ongoing/regular gig.
Thanks for giving us a heads up!
I have done a few cruise lines in the past, but to be honest, it is uprooting your life and doing lots of traveling for not the greatest amount of money. However, if you are single or they allow you to bring your husband or partner, it can be a fun thing to do from time to time.
That’s really good to know. I imagine you’d have to have a pretty open schedule to leave for a gig that could last up to 3 months. Thanks for your perspective!
Wow, $3000 a month is highly disappointing. I thought cruise ships payed much more than that. And you have to perform 3 times a day and possibly share a bunk? And perform other duties?
The pay varies tremendously but the average salary is between $1800-$3000 a month. Some performers collect cash tips as well and enjoy the perks of a cruise ship gig, but it certainly doesn’t work for everyone. Just an option for those who are interested!
This info was so helpful. I have been trying to understand the procedure of auditioning or at least submitting my work for the possibility of getting booked on a cruise ship, and I’ll tell ya that just searching on the internet does not help at all.
I’m glad to hear we could help! There certainly is a lot of information out there to look through. If you want some more general information, many of the agency and cruise ship sites have great FAQ sections with a ton of practical answers.
I can’t read music but have been performing live since the age of 17. Do the cruise lines ever book entire rock bands? Ian
Great question, Ian! Many of the auditions will ask you to sight read. However, many cruise lines love to simply book a polished band that has a lot of experience (specifically cover bands). You’ll want to develop as much material as possible to show you can keep the show fresh throughout the cruise.
What about SANTA? He wouldn’t be opposed to a cruise now and again.
Many cruise lines have holiday-themed trips with various Christmas themed characters! A position as Santa would be a position for which you would want to apply directly to the specific cruise line. You can look at their job openings throughout the year online.
I’d love to work as Santa during the month of December. I’ll have to look into it.
That would be great, Santa Jim! You can check out the various job openings for cruise lines throughout the year online. If you land a December cruise gig, we’d love to hear how it goes!
The Other Tony Bennett, recent 4 Time America’s Got Talent Contestant – All Genres – All Events! Can Anyone help Me Gig Gig Leads?
Hi Tony! We’d be happy to help! We can give you customized tips with a free profile consultation, if you’re interested? If so, give us a call at 417-889-9909.