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Cruise Lines

Question:

I was wondering if anyone in this group had any information on working for a Cruise Line, good or bad.  I have seen many audition notices, and was wondering about the working conditions, pay, perks, etc.  Any information would be helpful.

Two of my actors have done cruise line shows in recent years.  Both were triple-threats (singers, dancers, actors) with tons of dinner theatre credits…. this works well for cruise line shows which stress a cabaret or "revu" format.  3-5 shows a day, with other work resonsibilites, including waiting tables and/or assisting in "social directing." These were, by the way, six month contracts in the Caribbean area…. 1 to 2 days off between 3-9 day cruises.  And they both loved it, but decided NOT to renew for another contract. Break a leg, Bill — THE ACTING STUDIO http://gvtg.com/theactingstudio

Response:

I was wondering if anyone in this group had any information on working for a Cruise Line, good or bad.  I have seen many audition notices, and was wondering about the working conditions, pay, perks, etc.  Any information would be helpful. P.S.  Hello, Ed Hooks.

I did ‘A Chorus Line’ last summer with a young woman who did the Carribean Cruise thing about three years before we worked together.  She loved it.  I actually had a chance to audition for the same company that she had worked for, but I never got the call.  :(   We got to be friends and she talked a lot about how much fun she had while she was working for them. Hope it helps! Break a Leg, Tim Wrobel Footlights, Etc.   A Resource for Actors http://www.mindspring.com/~footlights

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These were, by the way, six month contracts in the Caribbean area…. 1 to 2 days off between 3-9 day cruises.  And they both loved it, but decided NOT to renew for another contract.

Wow, they had a light and easy contract.  Standard is to live on the ship for the duration, a day off in six, but you’re still on the ship.  Though many lines don’t even give the full day off. }:-)      Christopher Jahn, AEA

{:-(           Production Staff, Actor’s Playhouse, Miami, FL "I guess I picked a bad day to to quit sniffin’ glue!"         Lloyd Bridges, in the movie "Airplane!"

Response:

I was wondering if anyone in this group had any information on working for a Cruise Line, good or bad.  I have seen many audition notices, and was wondering about the working conditions, pay, perks, etc.  Any information would be helpful.

I’ve done three tours with Jean Ann Ryan Productions on Norwegian Cruise Lines.  JAR productions is the top rated producer for cruise lines.   If you’ve been working in Equity houses, or have any sense of artistic integrity, the experience at sea will horrify you. JAR basically takes a book musical, rips it apart till there’s something that runs close to an hour.  The costumes are poorly made, and little of the technical elements are appropriate to the show.  I doubt her designers ever read the scripts or viewed a production.  Certainly, no one but the sound designer ever appeared on any of my ships.    Getting repairs or replacement for worn costumes is next to impossible. The only company more poorly run than JAR productions is NCL itself.   You’ll also do two other revue style shows.  A Broadway Cabaret and a LAs Vegas extravaganza.  You will be horrified at what the arranger has done with some of the songs   As for cruise staff duties, four junior members of the company are required to do various duties through out the week.  Principals are contractually exempt from those duties.   The food sucks.  On every cruise line.  Period.  Most lines no longer allow the entertainers to eat with the passengers.  The staff mess prepares cafeteria style food.  Hope you’re not a vegetarian.  Hope you like starch and fat.   OTOH, you can save a LOT of money, and depending on which ship you’re on, you can see some interesting places.  The last ship I was on did cruises up to Montreal from NYC in the fall.  Since I’ve been based in Florida since ‘85, it was a treat. The pay isn’t bad.  The perks are minimal to non-existent.  If you’re not a principal, you’ll have to share a cabin.  Average cabin size is 6 feet wide by 10 feet deep.  No porthole. Contracts are 3 months for principals, 6 months for company and crew. Rehearsal pay is a minimal stipend.  On to two weeks rehearsal on land, then you’re on the ship till your contract ends.   If you’re a singer/dancer just starting out, it’s a not too awful way to work your skills for money.  But theatre it ain’t. All the other cruise lines are worse, overall.  And everyone has to do cruise staff duties.  Picture a Musicana Dinner Theatre at Sea. }:-)      Christopher Jahn, AEA

{:-(           Production Staff, Actor’s Playhouse, Miami, FL "I guess I picked a bad day to to quit sniffin’ glue!"         Lloyd Bridges, in the movie "Airplane!"

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