Life As A Cruise Ship Musician

In July and August of 2008, I played on Royal Caribbean's Sovereign of the Seas. The following is a short documentary demonstrating what our musical life was like on the ship.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• cruise
• ships
• drummer
• drummers
• cruises
• royal
• caribbean
• musician
• musicians
• ocean
• seas
• sovereign
• of
• the

[MrPotatoheadd]

But how many hours are you obligated to work for?? and what is the pay like??

[dfritz411]

@MrPotatoheadd You can work anywhere between 2 to 5 hours a day usually. Pay generally starts at around $65 to $70 a day in my experience.

[dv8lt9a2]

What do you do during the days?

[dfritz411]

@dv8lt9a2 pretty much whatever you want if you don't have deck sets or something....

[ssips720]

sounds like u hate your job

[dfritz411]

@ssips720 insightful

[greendayrocker90]

Very nice playing.

[dr05guitar]

so after you finish your contract...are you able to do it again say later on in the year if you want, or are you excluded from auditioning again for a certain amount of time?

[09sheldog]

how was the audition when you first started?

[MrPotatoheadd]

@dfritz411 Not bad... I assume you went to college then went on to working in a cruise. Is college even worth it?

[samyevz]

god, you def didnt like doing this. i was thinking bout doing it but after watching this vid i def aint gunu. can i ask if you still play pro or have you given up on all that now?? sam

[Fizzi99]

@dfritz411 Yo dude how do you apply to be a cruise ship musician?,I'm a drummer too but my reading isn't amazing?

[LJazzBird]

Hey...I've got one year left at uni then i'm going to attempt to get on the cruise ships..have you got any advise..i play Sax, clarinet, flute, piano and sing :)

[roachjazz3192]

Did you have to set up your drums or did you have help?