Just out of curiosity what does a job like that pay? anyone know.

Hehe, if anyone else take the 2 first part og the job-description, I'll take care of the 3rd.
GJ

Job Description:
-Performs music for cocktail functions, dancing, sing-a-longs and requests.
-Provides music for private parties and other festivities.
-Socializes with guests.

What they do NOT tell you.....the beds and rooms are tiny...if you are a 6 footer, you are in trouble, and you may have to share your room with someone you do not know...other thing omited was, if another keyboard/pianist get's ill, you have to fill in besides your own job with no extra pay, NO days off, contract minimum 3 months-6 months depending of liner...all this and more details, about the pay....at least I make more money in Phoenix per week, for what they pay at the liners...a coleage told me.

Actually , it is a great experience...If you are unattached,,it is a fun trip..You have to look at it as a get a way vacation/gig situation...I would do it in a heartbeat if I was in the above category..
It is true you are almost treated as a deck hand[not a bad thing, you meet a lot of interesting people]..

I had the opportunity in '89, to spend time with some great folks[entertainers , especially a young lady from the UK..she gave me contacts at the time, if I wanted to continue doing shows..]

I sat in with a 5 piece band, and covered rehearsals with about 6 or 7 talent contest entries..

Back then, it was a 6 week run..

If I can recall correctly, I think Uncle Dave did a stint with a country band 6 years ago...aboard a Cruise ship..

I was on the Norway, out of Miami, for 3 1/2 months in 1995. The first 3 weeks I worked solo in a small lounge. The starting pay was $550.00 a week. Keep in mind that you have no expenses for room and board I then had 2 weeks off then joined a trio in one of the larger rooms. The pay was the same. The leader of the trio was making around $900.00. He had been with the cruise line for at least ten years. The rules and regulations on the ship were more strict than being in the military. ie: no jeans, no teeshirts, no tip jar on the piano. The hotel director and his assistant were like little dictators when it came to the musicians. We were like second class citizens. The only enjoyable times on the ship were when I was playing and the two weeks of the Floating Jazz Festival. Some of the other muscians liked being on the ship. It just wasn't for me. I heard that rules on the Carnival and Princess lines weren't as strict as on the Norway. Email me if anyone would like more info. Later, Ray
p.s. just edited the salary I was making after looking at my records. The sidemen in the showband were making $350.00 a week. The singles, duos and trios were making more money.

[This message has been edited by raymb1 (edited 02-03-2006).]

Yup - the Westerdam. Same ship that Jack Lemmon & Walter Matthaw sailed in "Out To Sea". ( funny movie )
We had great accomodations, but we wee a show band, not the house band. We ate like guests, went to the shows and were treated just like the "real" folks aboard. If I had no ties .... I'l enjoy a job like that. I could never leave my girls for 6 months at a time. Never, never, never.

You may want to look carefully at THIS or do a Google search for cruise ship entertainer employment.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

I did some ships in the 70's as well as Caribbean resort hotels. It was a lot of fun. My wife wants me to do one of these hotel jobs in Europe for a month. http://www.mf-music.com/jobs.html
My calender is so full now that it would be a year and a half before I could fit it in. This is a good thing!

Salud,

Joe

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Songman55
Joe Ayala

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[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 02-08-2006).]

Aloha,

I just did two weeks with Carnival as a sub over the holidaze... $1200 wk cash, 8 or 9-1:30am, solo cabin... HOWEVER they like the rest of the cruise lines now want the 'Entertainers' to mingle with the passengers and go on shore tours with them. (However they are NOT allowed in your cabin!!)
Your time is never your own! Great sights, food and fun tho...

Awesome for a few weeks or a month... but after 2 6 months contracts (1 as a 'headliner' type and one as a one man band) over the past few years, I won't be returning... BUT if you are young, single, patient and have the chops... tis a great gig!

TP

[This message has been edited by TP123 (edited 02-04-2006).]

Good information Tom. As with many aspects of the entertainment biz, it's always good to have up-to-date information from a variety of sources.

Thanks again,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

For cruise ship gigs and gigs in Europe...
Scope out
http://www.proship.com

and
http://www.musiciansabroad.com

Anyone know of any others?

TP123

Does anyone have any experience with these European gigs? ... I will be retiring next Feb and would seriously think about something like this for a month ... especially if I could build some sightseeing time in ....
t.

Yep... they want you to speak at least one other language and because of the war Americans need to keep a low profile.

One other thought...
About 2-3 years ago I did 2 weeks at a Club Med in the Caribean. You get to stay and eat for free but you must get there and pay for your own booze. Do 2-3 sets a night.
Nice win-win!