Cruise Ship Entertainment Jobs

The Entertainment Department aboard a cruise ship consist of several divisions:

- Guest Activities Staff - Cruise Director, Asst. Cruise Director (ACD), Entertainment (Cruise) Staff, Youth Activities Manager, Youth Staff, Social Hostess, Sports Staff positions. The Guest Activities positions are described on a different page.

- Guest / Headline Entertainers (click on the link below).

- Production Show Cast Members - Dance Captain, Lead Vocalist, Singer-Dancer, Show Dancer positions (click on the links below).

- Ballroom Dancing Couple

- Musicians - the musicians aboard a cruise ship are generally subdivided into two categories - Orchestra (Showband) Musicians, and various solo musicians, bands and groups (see the links below).

- Entertainment (Stage) Technicians - Production (Stage) Manager and various Ent Techs or Stage Staff - Sound, Lights, Rigging Technicians (see the links below).

- Disc Jockey / Guest DJ - please see the link below.

- Enrichment Personnel - Special Interest Lecturer, Guest Speaker, Arts & Crafts Instructor, Bridge Director etc. These positions can be reviewed respectively on the Lecturers and Instructors pages.

- Gentleman Dance Host (Dance Partner) position described on a different page.

The Head of the entire Entertainment Department is the Cruise Director (please see job description, duties, requirements and salary range on the Guest Activities Staff page).

• Guest (Headline) Entertainer
  A Headline(Guest) Entertainer aboard a cruise ship is a talented performer - Comedy Variety, Magician / Illusionist, Juggler, Specialty Act, Variety Entertainer, Hypnotist, Mentalist, Impressionist, Ventriloquist, Musical Act, Vocal Headliner, Vocal Impressionist, Instrumentalist or any other act that can instantly grab the audience's attention and ...

• Lounge Performer (entertain in certain locations on board: piano bar, night club etc. providing their own music and materials) - solid experience and ability to play a wide diversity of musical styles required. Fluent English Language skills required. Salary range: $2500-4800 U.S. per month.

Production Show Cast Members

• Production Show Vocal Captain
  One of the Show Singers (Production Vocalists) aboard the cruise ship gets appointed and assumes the responsibilities of a Vocal Captain. Schedules additional vocal rehearsals with all Singers and Singer-Dancers in order to ensure that all vocal materials are kept to...

• Show Singer / Production Lead Vocalist
  Performs the Lead Vocalist roles in Production Shows specifically created by or for the cruise line as stated in the contract. Attends regular rehearsals as scheduled by the Production Manager or the Vocal Captain including any additional rehearsals required for restaging of shows due to...

• Production Dance Captain
  All administrative duties of the Dance Captain are IN ADDITION to the responsibilities for Production (Show) Dancer position. One of the Show Dancers aboard the cruise ship gets appointed and assumes the responsibilities of a Dance Captain acting as a liaison between management and the production cast...

• Production Show Dancer
  Advanced dancers that have technical training along with with strong jazz, ballet, tap and Musical Theatre techniques. Show Dancers enjoy full deck privileges - free access to passenger facilities such as restaurants, bars, gym, disco, swimming pools...

Musicians

• Bandmaster (Musical Director)
  The Bandmaster is an excellent musician who usually performs in one of the house orchestras (showbands) aboard the cruise ship (some of the big-size ships have two showbands). He/she has the most senior status amongst all musicians and enjoys a single cabin accommodation. The duties and...

• Showband / Orchestra Musician - piano, saxophone/reeds, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, drums - extensive professional experience, excellent sight-reading, ability to work as a section player required. Salary range: $1800-2700 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line.

• Lounge Groups (2 to 6 piece bands) - solid performance experience required. Fair English Language skills required. Salary range: $1600-2400 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line.

• Cocktail Pianist - must be able to perform ambient music with a polished, classy type of sound. Wide repertoire range-from Bach to Gershwin plus Broadway favourites, American standards and popular film music. Must have a professional attitude and appropriate etiquette. In addition to playing ambient music must be able to perform recitals once or twice weekly and accompany wedding ceremonies and receptions. Fair EnglishLanguageskillsrequired. Salary range: $1600-2400 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line.

• Classical Trio / String Quartet - the group must be able to perform ambient music with a polished, classy type of sound. Wide repertoire range-from Baroque and Classical pieces to Gershwin plus Broadway favourites, American standards and popular film music. Members must have a professional attitude and appropriate etiquette. In addition to playing ambient music the group must be able to perform recitals once or twice weekly and accompany wedding ceremonies and receptions. Fair English Language skills required. Salary range: $1600-2400 U.S. per month per person, depending on the cruise line.

• Piano Bar Entertainer - must be also a vocalist and be able to perform "sing-alongs". Interaction with guests is a vital part of the performance. Wide range repertoire list required. Must have a professional attitude and appropriate etiquette. Excellent English Language skills required. Salary range: $2300-3500 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line and gratuities.

• High Tech / Sequenced Duos - the group must be proficient in both sequencing and acoustic instruments with strong lead vocals. The repertoire list should cover a wide range of styles-American standards, ballroom dancingmaterial, disco, 50’s to present favourites. Salary range: $1600-2400 U.S. per month, per person, depending on the cruise line.

• Calypso / Island Band (2 to 4 piece bands) - these types of groups are hired year-round on ships cruising the Caribbean. Must feature the steel pan and be well-versed in all styles of Caribbean music. Salary range: $1400-1800 U.S. per month, per person, depending on the cruise line.

• Strolling Strings (2 to 4 piece group) - Mobility is a vital part of the performance-strolling around tables in the main dining room of the ship. Must have a wide range of international favourites in the repertoire list and accept guest's requests. Salary range: $1400-2200 U.S. per month, per person, depending on the cruise line and gratuities.

  
  

Stage Staff / Entertainment Technicians

• Stage / Production Manager (responsible for running the production shows and managing the technical staff) - extensive technical and practical education and /or hands-on experience required. Salary range: $2200-3100 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line.

• Assistant Stage / Production Manager (assisting in running the production shows and any activities that require technical assistance) - extensive technical and practical education and /or hands-on experience required. Salary range: $1700-2600 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line. Possibilities for promotion to Production Manager.

• Sound & Light Technician / Stage Staff (assisting in running the production shows and any activities that require technical assistance) - technical and practical education and /or hands-on experience required. Salary range: $1600-1900 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line. Possibilities for promotion to Assistant Production Manager.

• Disc Jockey / DJ (should have a diverse music foundation to span the generations of the passengers) - hotel, resort or night club experience preferred. Fluent English Language skills required. Salary range: $1700-2700 U.S. per month, depending on the cruise line.