Thread: Cruise Ships?

Anyone have info about dance gigs on cruise ships? Just a thought ....

I haven't done it, but I've looked into it & we've discussed it before. It got a little confusing, so let me start by clarifying that there are three ways to be staff on a cruise ship.

1) Headline entertainer. This would be the best paid & most perks, but no one knows of a situation where a cruise line has hired a bellydancer as headline entertainer before. (though Tanya SF has had this experience with her magic act and reported is as all around positive)

2) Staff. These are the waiters, chambermaids, activity folks, etc. Last time as the thread progressed there were a lot of people writing about the staff experiences of themselves or people they knew... having to stay below, in staff quarters, etc. This isn't really relevant to the entertainment folks, we don't cruise as staff.

3) Enrichment Personnel: This is typically where we fit in. It's really a barter arrangement more than a job. You agree to teach for, say, two hours per day on the cruise and dance in some kind of show(s) along the way. In exchange, you get a discounted cruise for yourself and a guest. When you're not working, you are free to enjoy the ship as a passenger, except that your behavior has to follow the staff code of conduct. (so you can hang out in the nightclub, but don't get sloppy drunk or cuss out a passenger while you're there).

www.sixthstar.com books a lot of these. I almost did it, but then realized that, as a frugal shopper, I could probably get a better deal on a cruise without working on it! LOL. Nice resume credit and fun experience, though, I suppose.

That was the gist of our last conversation, and my discussions with Sixth Star, at least. If anyone has had a different experience I'd love to hear about it.

I posted this thread awhile back, since my boyfriend lives just minutes away from a major port for cruise ships:

http://www.bhuz.com/showthread.php?4...n-Cruise-Ships

It almost sounds like a "pay to play" kind of arrangement, as Lauren said, where you basically get to work while taking a discounted vacay. I'd love to hear some more experiences, though. Brea Morgiane has taught on cruise ships and I know she loved it!

brea does this...i only know from a sound guy...he hated it..you DONT eat what paying clients eat and you live well below the water line. on your off show times, you do the kid group day care...yeah!

Hi,

Yes, I've done this before (working in enrichment). While it's true *sometimes* that you can get a better deal by shopping around, Sixth Star frequently has half priced or free cruises. But it's true that it's a barter deal.

Since I love to travel and cruises can be very expensive, I feel pretty well compensated for a few hours of work in exchange for cruises anywhere in the world. I wouldn't have ever visited many of the places I've now seen because of teaching a few short classes. Plus, I love cruising.

The value of your work changes depending on the cruise line, where the ship is going, etc. Still, on a 7-day cruise, you generally work for about 2 1/2 hours total (for the entire trip, not daily). But it's really nice to be treated as a guest - Cory is right, working aboard ship can be nightmarish for some.

brea, that is worlds apart from the horror story my other friend had on CARNIVAL

Yesterday my husband and I were joking about quitting our jobs and going to work on a cruise ship instead. Maybe I should teach arts and crafts this summer through 6th Star. ..g.:

Cory - now that you mention it I don't think that this company deals with Carnival at all.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Cory - now that you mention it I don't think that this company deals with Carnival at all.

The interview prep manual says that they do placements on Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International

Thanks for all the input, folks! Very helpful.