How To Get A Cruise Ship Gig (Musicians)

[@EmilMortensen88]

Soooo... Except for the experience, adventure etc. etc. whats the salary? Can I still keep my appartment back home, or can you barely live off your salary? Thanks! :)

[@LukePiala]

1500-3000 a month plus food and a cabin so you can :)

[@alejandronieto576]

thanks a lot. adam neely brought me here (great guy btw)

[@joshfossgreen]

Nice, his videos are really interesting!

[@Chilajuana]

Hey Josh, Great information... Thanks... Regards, Jeff

[@HannaTykhanska]

Hi Josh! I'm so happy that I found your channel! I'm classical pianist and I worked on Holland America as a part of classical duo with violinist. Now I try to find new gig and I'm very interested in Princess! Could you give me some information about: do they actually have classical duos on board? Hope to hear from you!!!

[@Tfdrum315]

I went to Carnival directly. I leave for the Carnival Pride in a week but have been rehearsing for 2 weeks in Florida. Carnival puts you up in a hotel for 2 weeks (or a month depending on what ship you're on) and gives you money for food on top of your salary for the time you spend rehearsing. I dig it, but I'm only 20. It's a good start as far as having a professional career is concerned but it isn't exactly where I want to end up. I have also went through Lime Entertainment in the passed and they were great. Just stinks having an agent because you pay their agency fee at the end of your contract. The entertainment department at Carnival is so easy to communicate and work with that you don't really even need an agent. Hope this all helps!

[@finnishguy845]

Did you have to bring your own drums or does the cruiseline provide them for you?

[@Tfdrum315]

The ship has kits (yamaha) on board. You have to provide your own Cymbals and Sticks, though.

[@finnishguy845]

Ok, good to hear. I use Vic Firth/Regaltip sticks and Paiste cymbals, how about you?

[@Tfdrum315]

Vic Firth SD4 combos almost exclusively and Zildjian K's. I'm going to try and post a video of what I've been up to today. Cheers, man!

[@ThatViolinGuy]

Hey man. I'm looking to get a few gigs on a ship anywhere. I noticed a lot of places don't have violin listed on their rosters. I'm looking for a phone number for Carnival to get in contact with their entertainment department. Also, what are a few good entertainment agencies to work with? I'd appreciate your reply. Rock on!

[@joshfossgreen]

***** As far as I know, cruise lines don't usually hire string players individually, I've only seen strings coming on board as a quartet already formed. So you might want to find an agent who can help you with that. I don't have any official recommendations, just make sure you read everything before signing!

[@PorscheSmithAngel]

ThatViolinGuy Hello! Not sure if you're still looking for a cruise ship gig, but contact Royal Caribbean Cruise Line directly - They've got an ice show on one of their ships that features a violinist as part of the cast. Best of luck! *PS

[@rudyvaleros7342]

Hi josh, I read in an article to take a collapsible duffel bag with wheels cause there's not a lot of space in the room. Do u recommend the duffel bag or would a regular hard shell luggage be sufficient ?

[@joshfossgreen]

I think regular luggage is fine, there's usually a couple slots that work to keep your large suitcase during the contract. I think you need a full size piece of luggage to fit everything you need.

[@charlielavin5818]

hi Josh, do you recomend to audition in several agencys and take the one that calles first?

[@joshfossgreen]

not a bad idea, auditions are free and can be very educational even if they don't go well.

[@charlielavin5818]

Josh Fossgreen thank you muy friend, i will do that. i already passed audition at qualityoverseasmusic, i will try Landau now

[@ciaobella131]

Great video! Do you have any advice for a singer wanting to work on a cruise ship? I have lots of questions!!... Will Cruise lines hire just singers, or do singers need to be able to proficiently play an instrument as well? Is it all the same advice for singers - just be able to sight sing and prepare music in an hour? What are some examples of music or genres that a singer might be expected to perform? Who would a singer perform with, would they partner up a singer and a pianist, or would they sing with the band? Any advice would be so appreciated! :) Thanks for the great info so far

[@jkrboysg]

Do you have a degree in music performance? Do you think it is highly advantageous?

[@joshfossgreen]

jkrboysg nope

[@kame5271]

+Josh Fossgreen What's your perspective on how the sound technicians are treated and the relationship you as a musician might have with the audio guys?

[@castletransport]

Didn't know you play on board ships. Thought you were just a teacher

[@spencersworldofmusic9686]

Nice to know info josh. How about a cocktail pianist. In cruise its needs to sight read ?

[@MichaelEBeard]

I have been on bunch of cruises and it makes you want to do it at least once. I did the karaoke contest and finale on Carnival as a singer. The musicians seem to be talented and have a blast. Thanks for the information.

[@jaredjjacobs]

Hey, so i was wondering how much improve you really do as a cruise ship bassist?

[@Low38]

I really want to do this. I will consider it all heavily. Thank you so much for this video!

[@howdyyuvraj]

4:22 :D :D That was blunt man!!!!

[@deividkeyboard11]

Hi Josh!! all the information of all your videos is very usefull (even all about the bad things of a little space to live and breathe XD )... but You know how a Mexican musician could get a gig ?

[@joshfossgreen]

same way as anyone else, contact a talent agent or a cruise line and set up an audition!

[@deividkeyboard11]

thank you so much! :)

[@sjcafiero]

Thanks for sharing your personal insights about playing on a cruise ship. I'm retired (age 61) and would love to play drums on a ship. I've played professionally and casuals for many years and can sight read charts pretty well. Regarding my age, do you think I have a chance at getting a gig?

[@ttttuuuucccc]

I'm getting up there in age myself. If they're in the U.S. they technically aren't allowed to discriminate on age, but who knows what that means in practice. (And I wonder how well I would tolerate living in a tiny cabin with a roommate. I might be too old for that.) I'm a solid sight-reader, but I might not be good enough at soloing over the changes. And I pretty much only double on sax and clarinet, not flute, which I guess might be a deal-breaker. I dunno.

[@patrickgi]

Hey Salvatore - Did you ever get to play on a cruise ship? Was age ever an issue?

[@annmurakami7119]

Hi Josh, Do you have qualifacations from college, I am wondering if you can be a musician on board ship without any, but lots of experience?

[@joshfossgreen]

College degrees don't matter, you don't even need a high school diploma, just a good audition.

[@annmurakami7119]

Thanks Josh, really appreciate your reply.

[@JonnyOgg]

hey Josh, I have a singing audition at an open call for princess cruise in wellington. do you have any advice or any things to look out for. I know you're more experienced in the bass playing aspect but like any advice would be great.

[@joshfossgreen]

Hey Jonny, sorry but I don't have much advice! Didn't even know they did open calls for singers, that's rough. :) Make sure there's no ketchup on your shirt and sing with conviction! :)

[@JonnyOgg]

haha omg, ok thanks! I know open calls are the worst.

[@berdman1960]

josh, thanks for the info. i play acoustic bass and wanted to know if the industry hires jazz bassist for trios/duos ect?

[@finnishguy845]

They do. I've heard that at least Holland America Line hires jazz musicians.

[@paulmcguire6635]

Hi Josh, One of the guys in my band suggested we applied for a party band position on a ship, what kind of sets do those guys do, do they sight read or learn, and what size of repertoire do they have? Really enjoy these videos by the way.

[@joshfossgreen]

Hey Paul, as far as I know there's not much reading on a party band gig, you kinda learn all your rep in advance and then play it over and over and over... and over for the contract. Not sure about size of repertoire, I would check with an agent or entertainment booker from a cruise line.

[@jiggspetersonnegapatan3253]

hey josh,have you studied music or self-taught? thanks

[@joshfossgreen]

Jiggs Peterson Negapatan Both! Just did some community college and took upright bass lessons as a teenager.

[@jiggspetersonnegapatan3253]

great!. how many years have you been practicing,'till you said to yourself that you can sight-read?

[@ken.he.be.desouza4117]

Thanks JOSH very informative.

[@joshfossgreen]

Glad I could help!

[@scififan90]

Hi Josh - Thanks for posting this video - does Carnival hire classical string musicians for trios, quartets, etc? Or should I go with Celebrity or NCL?

[@zretta54]

Very informative..I'm a funky guitarist/ vocalist, play various styles of music but my sight reading isn't strong. Are there Top 40 or Party Bands to work with don't require reading? What do I need to do to apply for the cruise ship entertainment gig? Which agencies do I apply? Thanks.

[@jasec6010]

Hey man, thanks for the vid.. I wanted to ask you if u wuld be willing to give me some examples of the kind or types of music that is used for auditions. Difficulty levels etc. I know "for me" I have always done better playing by ear (not saying i can't read music i'm just saying that is natural to me) and certain pieces of music "have" on occasion caused me some difficulty at first glance. Thanx a bunch dude! Love your vids (i play the trumpet)

[@joshfossgreen]

Jase C Auditions generally run you through a few different styles, I'd imagine you'll always have to play a jazz chart, some kind of arranged orchestral stuff, and probably hit a couple high notes on trumpet. Hard to say exactly though.

[@jasec6010]

Thanks for the reply.. I actually am one that cares about the food choices however as long as it isn't for "EVERY SINGLE DAY OF FILTH FOR FOOD" for like 2 years i can get thru it I feel.. High notes or jazz are definitely not a problem but i can't stand most orchestral pieces to be honest. Maybe i shuld just go and get a big mozart book or something from the music store and simply sight read for a month or two before trying out. See what happens then? Thanx again... Wuld u by any chance know anything about getting a singing gig on a ship and what that wuld intel.? I can sing and figure that could possibly up my chances of an "art" job. thnx.. : jase

[@collinmc3556]

Are you sighting reading tabs or sheet music?

[@joshfossgreen]

Always sheet music and lead sheets, tabs don't exist in the real world. :)

[@ken.he.be.desouza4117]

I am a Serenader / Solo Music Entertainer for the last 30 years. I have sent my details to Landau and Lime last week and I am awaiting the outcome.

[@thelolguy007]

I would like to do it but I couldn’t leave my dog (and I doubt very much I’d be able to bring him on a cruise ship)

[@Aleks8837]

Josh, когда уже на бас-гитаре начнёшь, а не рассказывать, как ты толчки на круизном лайнере моешь??.

[@Obscurity202]

Wonderful info, great stuff. Thanks!

[@remipaul1081]

Thank you for the advice! I am currently in college for jazz guitar and have recently stumbled upon the possibility of a cruise ship gigs. Do you have any advice for a guitarist?

[@PatrickBuzoDrums]

hey man If you join one of the carnival ships I'd recommend two things: one is to really know your sounds, pedals, dynamics. You'll be playing covers and using the right sounds makes a difference 2. Know when to take which musical responsibility, like: know when to play simple comping, when to take over a string or hornsection line and know when to solo if you're interested check out my blog where I keep posting about ship life and the gig itself www.patrickbuzo.com/drumming

[@parkerlee.1]

Do they hire bands

[@Iamkellymarie]

hi josh how for singers

[@sodh]

thanks a lot for the information!

[@mademsoisellerhapsody1868]

[@Sayswho-yh1tm]

Hey Josh thanks for all the great info! How do cruise lines feel about bass players using a pick instead of their fingers? Would this hurt my chances of landing a gig? Thanks!

[@joshfossgreen]

Honestly, there's a good chance no one will notice... personally I'd recommend being able to do both at the very least, but's that really just artistic advice. If you know how to turn your treble knob down you can probably sneak by.