Who's done any Cruise Ship work as a musician?

[mopaul]

what was it like? is it worth persuing? i've heard good and bad stories. what about european tours? anyone done any of those?
buddies of mine have been all over the world playing music, but i've always played in kansas city, mo. and dream of the salty brine and adventure.

[mitchum]

1. I haven't, but a friend did...

you have to play the predictable cover songs, but apparently the pay can be quite good. He made $600 a week in 1979 and 1980. Things may have changed, though.

[ProfessorGAC]

4. Same Here

He was making a good living, but was killed in a hit & run accident back in January. (In Greece). I told you guys about the benefit we did to get his family some extra cash to get his body home to England.

He was doing OK. I don't think it was that much more than what you said, and that was in 2004. My recollection was about 500 euros a week, which would be about $750 a week.

Not bad. Not gonna get rich that way, but not bad at all.
The Professor

[Al Dente]

2. I've heard the same...

I know a guy who did it and said that you have to compromise your musicianship and play crappy stage band tunes every night, you hardly ever play anything you like, but the living is great and its a good paying steady job. Where in KC do you play. I play around there alot, maybe we have crossed paths before. I'm actually about to head down to the foundation for the jam session whenever my buddy calls me. Lemme know, maybe I can catch one of your shows sometime. Peace

[mopaul]

3. yeah,

sat. sept. 3rd, at jazz louisiana kitchen, 39th and state line, by K.U. Med. (also known as jimmy's jigger) 7-11

[Al Dente]

5. Cool man,

I'm playin at 12 Baltimore this friday night from 9:30-1 with my latin jazz band, and at Jardines (43rd and Main) the next night from 11:30pm-2:30am with the same band. Come check it out if youre free. Peace

[Susang]

6. I did an Asian tour

Extremely hard work, we played six nights a week and played a ton of one-offs. Good experience, but we didn't get to see much or do much sightseeing.

One of the guys we played with had just finished a run on a cruiseship. He liked it quite a bit, said the money was good and the benefits were nice. Downsides were the repetitive setlists, poor accomodations and way the musicians were treated by the rest of the regular staff. He also said there are also quite a few rules and regulations regarding behavior and the contact you have with the passengers.

[BlueJazz]

7. Yes..I have..This is a weird answer but some of you will understand

AAARRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! :puke:

:)

[Swamp Rat]

8. BLEEEEEGHHH!!!

I do... :puke:

It's much more fun to make chump change on a cobble stone street next to the cathedral late at night. ;)