Life as a Cruise Ship Drummer

Drum Talk | Cruise Ship Drumming - A Career at Sea, with Mike Davis
www.JonathanCurtis.co.uk
In this video I discuss the realities of life as a cruise ship drummer with my friend Mike Davis. Mike has worked on cruise ships for over seven years, and kindly shares his insight with regards to playing requirements, the physical and mental toll, and tips and advice for those wanting to enter this world.
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[@210caulfield]

Enjoying the chat about playing drums on a cruise ship as I played for 5 years from 1973-78 with Royal Caribbean and Commodore. We did 9 month contracts with RCCL and 6 mths on Commodore. This was when ships were 18,000 tons (not 200,000+!!). On my first gig I played in the duo with an organist that I shared a cabin with so it was very hard.

[@Rockin_Ross]

As a fellow drummer, I played with a bassist that did a cruise ship gig. Loved the first 3 months of it, but bailed after that. Pressure was rough & they kept switching up cabins with no notice. He's grateful for the experience though.

[@JCurtisDrums]

Yes, not something I could do, I think. I have a young family now, but even before, sharing a cabin would be really tough.

[@A.Man..]

Great stuff, prefer not to have it edited, be nice to hear the full unedited chat

[@squamishfish]

I really believe every drummer wants to develop his or her own style , Neil Peart Rush , Joe Morelo,, Taylor Hawkins Kieth Moon , but to do that you have to starve a bit,

[@andrums93]

Hello , I been trying to be a cruise ship drummer but the sight reading is just something i been struggling with so much... I dont think would be able to do this one day .... maybe one day . Who Knows !!!

[@paraflamdragonruff9487]

Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate it. I think I would hate night 1 maybe 2 but night 3 or 4 Im loving it! As long as I could just play simple until I got my feet on the ground, then I think Itd be ok.

[@JCurtisDrums]

You’re very welcome. I don’t think I’d like it, especially now with a young family. Mike always said it’s a single man’s game, because you’re away for months at a time. Nice name, too. I love dragon ruffs!

[@paraflamdragonruff9487]

@@JCurtisDrums thanks, ya i made up some goofy sounding mish mashed rudiments. Dragonruff came from "drag and ruff" paraflam i thought was just funny. When i came up with it it was obviously a goof, but now there probably really is something named that! Lol.

[@JCurtisDrums]

@@paraflamdragonruff9487 drag and ruff, that’s really clever. I’m going to try and create a hybrid rudiment called a dragonruff that combines the two, and dedicate it to you.

[@paraflamdragonruff9487]

@@JCurtisDrums ok make sure you teach it to me!