Cruise Ship gigs?

pygmygrizzly · #1 07-12-2010, 03:38 AM

I've been thinking about trying out for a cruise ship gig. If any one has ever played on one, what's it like? how long are you on the ship? do you bring your amp? how good does my sight reading have to be? what are the bedrooms like? is the food good? is it worth it? how much did you make over how long? where did the ship cruise around? did you learn any sea shanties form the sailors? what was awesome, (pros)? and what sucked, (cons)?

phatbass · #2 07-12-2010, 03:52 AM

Haven't done 'em but known a couple of guys who have. From what I've been told, you've gotta be able to read fly-poop, and cover all styles REALLY well. Also have an awesome knowledge of standard repertoire and a great ear. And be able to follow clueless/talentless singers who have no idea of how a song actually goes.

A BIG part of it is also realising that you're NOT a guest/passenger, or on holiday - you're an employee/contractor and generally won't be mingling with the customers. Many ships have strict rules regarding fraternising with passengers.

ridgeback · #3 07-12-2010, 04:08 AM

good fun, hard work ,boring, exciting..if your young and have no strings go for it..have to say its what you make of it and your band mates and yourself really have to get on because your living in each others pocket all the time and it can be annoying..
had some of the best fun ever doing it, seen some somethings that i would have never have seen had i not done it..yeah you play covers from all styles but its all good..humour plays a big part of it if your a serious person/musician you will hate it..keep an open mind and be prepared to do anything and you will have a ball--not saying the music does not have to sound good .and you have to be on the ball when its time to play,not pissed drunk..really if i had to do it all again i would in a second but its a young mans game..give it a try you will love it or hate it but its something you will never forget..yeah there are rules but that only matters if your caught..

MNAirHead · #4 07-12-2010, 04:09 AM

I was put on one for a brief stint.

It was NOT glammorous and/or like the Love Boat.

One of the challenges is that you're competing with the best of the best guys from other countries with lower pay scales.... I've heard guys from the Phillipines that could blow 90% of the cover bands out of the water.

=====

If you're interested in talent type entertainment acts..

Consider acts/venues that cater to non-drinking entertainment.. casinos.. amusement parks etc.. they commonly pay comparable.. don't require you to be away for months at a crack.. and still alllow you to have a non-playing home life.

MNAirHead · #5 07-12-2010, 04:11 AM

Ridgeback makes some VERY good points

If you're young and/or really want a crashcourse in commercial music.. it's a good place to shutup, listen, take notes and learn.

If I were young and in the cycle of playing to empty bars, testing originals and wondering how wedding bands make so much money, it is a good option.

Tim

Billy K · #6 07-12-2010, 08:13 AM

I did the Explorer line on the inland passage from Vancouver to Ancarage stopping at all little towns on the way , Yes you are a employee so you eat different food than the guest although 1 seatting as a guest of a guest was allowed.Everytime we stopped in a bay and the little boats took people ashore to site see we had to wait til all was ashore then we could go in. That could be 1 to 1 1/2 hour wait with a 5 hour stop sometimes not worth it.You sleep in sub par rooms (mine next to engine) and all below waterline.Now think of a V and rock it back and forth and see that the botoom of the V moves left and right quite fast as apposed to the top of the V.That rolling back and forth kept me sick for days. Calm seas are nice but sometimes it gets bad and seasick is no fun.The pay was "OK" but the cruiseline took a 45 % cut before I got paid.I paint a bleak picture cuz it is not the "Love Boat" but like a few above said if your young then it is something you need to expirence.O a side note I had a BIG momma trying to get at me the whole cruise knocking at my door everynight and on the make everywhere I went I could not hide well from her.If she was 90 pounds less maybe it could have been something.But what a pain trying to "be nice" and avoid her.

bassgeek · #7 07-12-2010, 08:30 AM

I've done several ship stints and pretty much what everyone has said is true.

In my experience, I would avoid these lines: Royal Caribbean, NCL- Norwegian Cruise Lines (definitely avoid this one), any of the 3 day piss ant lines.

Best ones I've worked for: Princess, Crystal Cruises (best by far).

Best part of the ship experience is meeting people in the crew that are from around the world. Nightly parties in the crew bar. But, be warned that as a musician and and American you will have two strikes against you with many of the crew. Musicians have the easiest schedules by far of any ship employee and some of them don't like Americans because that is who they serve all day and clean their rooms, etc.

The pay is not what it used to be on ships. I think it hovers around $2000 a month for the showbands, depending on the line. Musically, the last ships I've done have been primarily reading gigs. Sometimes you luck out and get to just play tunes. Good ear is a must.

If you can keep from being an alcoholic and use your free time productively, you can get a lot out of a ship gig. If you have no commitments at home and you're young, the ships are a lot of fun. If you can't get laid on a cruise ship, it's not happening anywhere. But be safe, everyone is screwing everyone else. Also, if you don't think they actually random drug test, you're wrong. Used to be real easy to get stuff on the ship or bring it on...not so much anymore.

bassbrad · #8 07-12-2010, 12:51 PM

Like everyone else said it's good and bad. I had a busy but great time because I was the only bass player on the ship doing 4 shows a day-afternoon casual, evening cabaret, evening casual and an after hours jazz combo. Everything was charted so my reading chops got a major work out, especially the cabaret shows-5 different shows as tough as anything I had seen on Broadway. Money was good but I was doing 2 bass players jobs.
Downside- sharing a tiny room, common bathrooms, grueling schedule with little down time.

No amp always direct thru sound system.

rmkesler · #9 07-12-2010, 01:02 PM

Don't forget to take the casters off your rig.

Sane · #10 07-12-2010, 01:06 PM

The last cruise I went on, the bands were playing to backing tracks. Don't know if that's general or just for the big production things.

ridgeback · #11 07-12-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy K

I did the Explorer line on the inland passage from Vancouver to Ancarage stopping at all little towns on the way , Yes you are a employee so you eat different food than the guest although 1 seatting as a guest of a guest was allowed.Everytime we stopped in a bay and the little boats took people ashore to site see we had to wait til all was ashore then we could go in. That could be 1 to 1 1/2 hour wait with a 5 hour stop sometimes not worth it.You sleep in sub par rooms (mine next to engine) and all below waterline.Now think of a V and rock it back and forth and see that the botoom of the V moves left and right quite fast as apposed to the top of the V.That rolling back and forth kept me sick for days. Calm seas are nice but sometimes it gets bad and seasick is no fun.The pay was "OK" but the cruiseline took a 45 % cut before I got paid.I paint a bleak picture cuz it is not the "Love Boat" but like a few above said if your young then it is something you need to expirence.O a side note I had a BIG momma trying to get at me the whole cruise knocking at my door everynight and on the make everywhere I went I could not hide well from her.If she was 90 pounds less maybe it could have been something.But what a pain trying to "be nice" and avoid her.

billy!! ..that story with the big momma...lmfao..talk about a flashback..thats something i thought i had burried wayyyyy down,like i said you need to be light hearted about working the ships because things that happen sometimes are just best forgotten..you will never get rich but the life Experience is worth it alone..ohhh to be young again!!!

pygmygrizzly · #12 07-12-2010, 10:54 PM

I'm 24, I'm married but I could leave for a month or two to make $1800 a month or more. (thats more than I make now at a non musical **** filled heat tank job I have now) I was in military for a while, so close quarters don't bother me as much as some people. I don't really get sea sick, I've been out fishing on the seas and I get used to it... so thats a plus. my main concern is sight reading. when I graduated MI in 07 I could sight read the **** out your mom's mom, but I don't read for 2 hours a day anymore... more like 20 min twice a week. now that I think I wanna do this, I'm up'in it up to at least 30 min a day. just got a new jaco book, some bach, reading up on those top 40 lead sheets I got in school (stealy dan, sting, beatles... the dry cleaner from des moines) and my hal leonard real book in treble clef. I think I've got a ways to go, I should read everything I've got 12 times flawless before I audition.

so you do bring your amp? how big we talking, 1-12, 2-10's, 4-10's? 2, 8-10's with an 18?
I'm not really looking for the love boat or anything, I'd really like to meet some musicians, get some pay, play set after set, and spend my alone time practicing or what ever.

Bijoux · #13 07-12-2010, 11:12 PM

I id a cruise ship about 15 years ago. I was there for 6 months! we were working on an Italian ship with an African flag. That was sort a scam. We were making $2000 a month tax free in most cases.
Anyway, the ship I was on had about 18 musicians in 5 different bands. I was in the Jazz/Latin/Brazilian band, and we had to play a lot. But the guys in the show band only had 3 gigs a week! so I could call their bass player to sub for me. He would be always up for it.
it was fun. we practiced a lot. everyone was very focused and after a while there wasn't much else to do either.
The food was tasty but very unhealthy. The rooms are hit or miss. My first room was awful, and very small. had to share it with the drummer, and the bathroom was shared with 2 other guys from the adjacent cabin.
Then I moved in with my girlfriend. Her cabin was about twice as big, it had a window, and we were sharing the bathroom with 2 other girls! good times!!!
I am glad I did it while I was very young.

JimmyM · #14 07-12-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I was put on one for a brief stint.

It was NOT glammorous and/or like the Love Boat.

One of the challenges is that you're competing with the best of the best guys from other countries with lower pay scales.... I've heard guys from the Phillipines that could blow 90% of the cover bands out of the water.

until they sing

pygmygrizzly · #15 07-13-2010, 02:48 AM

I really appreciate the advice. I'd like to hear more stories good and bad. so what is on the menu? I already eat bad (burgers, and ramen) but how unhealthy is unhealthy? can you do any fishing? some of you got windows of under water? some didn't? what's the room temp like next to the engines? If you sleep in tight space with a band mate, how unhealthy is the food?? the only thing worse than drummer gas is horn player gas, it makes more noise. is $2000 a month standard? could my wife get a gig on the same boat? you think the oil spill in the golf will close a few cruises making it harder to get the gig? is there a smoking section? by being on a boat in the ocean playing bass, will that make me a sea bAss player?

ridgeback · #16 07-13-2010, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pygmygrizzly

I'm 24, I'm married but I could leave for a month or two to make $1800 a month or more. (thats more than I make now at a non musical **** filled heat tank job I have now) I was in military for a while, so close quarters don't bother me as much as some people. I don't really get sea sick, I've been out fishing on the seas and I get used to it... so thats a plus. my main concern is sight reading. when I graduated MI in 07 I could sight read the **** out your mom's mom, but I don't read for 2 hours a day anymore... more like 20 min twice a week. now that I think I wanna do this, I'm up'in it up to at least 30 min a day. just got a new jaco book, some bach, reading up on those top 40 lead sheets I got in school (stealy dan, sting, beatles... the dry cleaner from des moines) and my hal leonard real book in treble clef. I think I've got a ways to go, I should read everything I've got 12 times flawless before I audition.

so you do bring your amp? how big we talking, 1-12, 2-10's, 4-10's? 2, 8-10's with an 18?
I'm not really looking for the love boat or anything, I'd really like to meet some musicians, get some pay, play set after set, and spend my alone time practicing or what ever.

honestly mate i would leave wife/girl/boy friend at home..dont bring your best gear buy something cheap that does the job second hand that you dont mind getting a bit banged up.same with the bass..to many people coming and going to watch it all the time.sell it when your done..the reason i think you should go alone is because things happen and living with the partner so close will be a strain and its hard to detach personal with working..not meaning to sound bad but women can flip out over the most silly things(i am sure you know)and fact is you will have women hit on ya at times sometimes joking sometimes not..i never had a rooms that were to bad but sharing with someone thats scared to use a shower gets to ya after a while..never had much issue with reading we mostly did standards 40s 50s 60s up the the music of the day with a Waltz or 2, jazz.. basicly anything..sometimes even made up on the spot..helps you understand music in a different way.
bad bits it can be boring as hell food can hit or miss..your working all the time,even when your not playing you have to learn new stuff..good bits.party! booze! women! contacts!learning music form new people..some mad things happen now and then but like i said before keep your mind open and be willing to try and do ANYTHING,and dont take things personal no matter what..its great fun and its nasty but try it once in your life,if you like it you will do it again...(stories i cant go into here.lol.)

JimmyM · #17 07-13-2010, 09:10 AM

bring nothing but a cheap bass. salt air will trash it. and they always have amps. they're usually a cheap gk or hartke head and a 410.

the food is pretty good, though, and you can always find something healthy to eat. most people don't, but it's not because there's nothing healthy on the menu.

Bijoux · #18 07-13-2010, 12:07 PM

The other thing I forgot to mention, is that They had a bunch of bass amps. i remember GK, SWR, and a couple of Trace Elliot bass amps. I didn't have to worry about that.
But I did bring a $200 Washburn 6 string used. And that was a good decision, because I did notice that after playing outside in the pool area, the hardware developed some rust. I did sell the bass after the gig was over for $250!!!

Kevin.Kevin · #19 07-14-2010, 06:25 AM

I did a brief stint last summer.

Just brought my bass, in a hard case. Shared a room at the front of the ship that was smaller then my living room. Two people could not stand in the bathroom at one time. Though we were above the water line. Pay was decent, about 2g's a month.

Playing wise, we did the shows every night. And those were tracked, meaning you have a set of earphones on and are playing along to a track. We also had fly on singers every week, who brougt a new show with them. most with only a couple hours to learn it. You're reading has to be tip top.

Lifestyle on the ship, we were ranked above crew, so we could go to passenger areas except the casino. We had to be wearing a nametag. Food was generally unhealthy, the people are on vacation afterall, but you could eat well if you tried.

all in all, i didn't like it. I like the hustle of everyday life. But I know alot of dudes who love it, and it will make you a better musician.

ZiggyDude · #20 07-14-2010, 06:43 AM

I did a few one week cruises years ago. In this case the entire band was on and we did our own show. Sometimes we went as staff, one gig we went as passengers. I think the singer was not able to deal with “Boat Drill” and in the future they took a deal for no cash but a free ride and of course our services.

Life on the boat is – the boat. You wake up on the boat, spend all day on the boat, go to sleep on the boat, get bored on the boat, have fun on the boat, talk to people on the boat. Did I say you spend a life on the boat? Of course you put in for shore and get some time to hit the beach and all – then back to the boat.

You have officers, staff, and crew. Crew are the guys in the steam rooms, staff the bartenders and such, and never piss off an officer! Discipline on a boat is tight and it needs to be – no matter how big it is you are still just a dot on that ocean. Sometimes you can make extra money for signing on to various odd jobs about the boat.

I liked going as staff best. The eating schedule was more flexible and you get to go places that passengers can’t. Also, the other staff treat you better and they are the ones that know the ropes about what and where to do stuff. As staff my room was below the water line though and you could hear the engine all the time. Man - talk about DARK - no light at all unless you turn something on. True pitch black.

Bring an electric fan, a flashlight, and I saved serious cash by bringing my own vodka :->

The smoothest pickup artist you will ever see are staff on the boat. The see a fresh cargo of meat every week and they do score. So, take lessons. By the way – up by the smoke stack is usually a nice quiet place………