Dreaming of trading wedding gigs for warm breezes, new countries, and a packed performance schedule? Becoming a cruise ship musician is a thrilling way to explore the world while getting paid to do what you love. But getting there — and thriving once you’re onboard — takes more than talent. From the application to your final port of call, here’s what you need to know.
How to Get a Music Gig on a Cruise Ship
Landing a job on a cruise is a lot different from securing other gig work. Cruise ships look for musicians who are not only talented performers but also adaptable, professional, and ready to live and work at sea for weeks or months at a time. To succeed, you’ll need to know where to find open positions, how to present yourself, and what cruise lines are really looking for in their onboard entertainment.
Research Cruise Lines and Agencies
If you want to find violin jobs on cruise ships, or other musical entertainment openings, it’s important to know where to start your search. You have two main paths: applying directly to cruise lines or going through a recruitment agency.
Some major cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean have dedicated entertainment recruiting websites where you can browse open positions and submit applications. These companies often seek solo musicians or ensembles across a wide range of instruments and genres.
However, many cruise lines don’t hire performers directly. Instead, they work with entertainment agencies that manage auditions and placements. Well-known agencies in this space include Premier Entertainment International and Warhsaw Entertainment. These agents have strong relationships with cruise lines, which can help elevate your application, but they may also take a percentage of your earnings. If you choose to work with an agency, search listings using terms like “Solo Violinist,” “Electric String Trio,” or “Folk Duo” to find relevant opportunities.
Build Your Network
Knowing the right people can be a huge help when trying to snag a cruise musician gig. Agencies are great for applying, but other musicians who’ve done cruise work themselves can offer referrals, share audition tips, or even notify you of openings. You can connect with these musicians on social platforms like dedicated Facebook groups or by attending in-person audition events.
Prepare Your Application Materials
Whether you apply directly with a cruise line or through an agency, you need to prepare a set of materials to showcase your abilities:
- Performance Videos: Include links to YouTube or a Google Drive of your studio reel and live performance reel. Your videos should highlight the best qualities of your performance and style. They don’t need to be the highest quality, but higher production value can make you stand out.
- Photos: Provide headshots or photos of yourself. If you’re applying as part of a group, include group photos and individual pictures of each member.
- CV/Resume: Submit an up-to-date CV highlighting your performance experience and ability to handle high-stress scenarios.
- Repertoire/Song List: Provide your list of songs, including ones you know and some you are willing to learn. Cruise music directors want to see that you can play a wide breadth of songs, so try to include classical pieces, pop covers, and familiar movie themes or show tunes.
- Personal Details: Have your passport details, pictures, and any other required documentation (like medical information) ready to provide.
- Availability: Be clear about your availability (e.g., 3, 4, 6, 9 months) and preferred contract lengths, as contract durations can differ by role.
Nailing Your Cruise Ship Musician Audition
If you pass initial screenings, you’ll be invited to audition. The audition is where you can really shine and make an impression on the hiring managers.
Know Your Audition Type
Auditions are typically one of three types:
- In-person auditions are rare, although some cruise lines like Carnival will host audition events in certain cities.
- Live video call auditions take place over a platform like Zoom. You’ll perform for the hiring committee live, just not in person.
- Pre-recorded video submissions are the most common type of audition. Try to have high-quality gear to make the best first impression.
Each format has its quirks, but all expect you to present yourself like you’re already performing on the ship.
Curate a Cruise-Friendly Audition Setlist
You’ll want a well-balanced audition that shows your range, adaptability, and personality. Make sure your setlist includes something classic and something contemporary. Remember, guests will want to hear familiar tunes on their cruise, which means entertainment directors want to see songs in line with that expectation. Your audition is not where you want to go obscure and niche.
Perfect Your Video Performance
Even if it’s “just a demo,” your video is a performance. Treat it like you’re already on the ship and in front of an audience:
- Dress the part (smart stagewear like a cocktail dress or dress shirt/jacket)
- Smile and engage the camera (You’re not a background track!)
- Use quality audio/video
- Include an intro (A quick “Hello, I’m X, and here’s my cruise audition medley” makes it feel more personal)
Prepare to Sight-Read or Follow Charts
In some audition settings, you may be asked to sight-read a chart on the spot, given click tracks or backing tracks to play along with, or evaluated on intonation and blending (if part of a string group). Be prepared for all these scenarios and practice with backing tracks and metronomes. Cruise gigs are very time-dependent — no space for off-tempo players.
What Cruise Entertainment Directors Are Looking For
Cruise ship musicians perform for guests aboard liners, often on tours ranging from four to six months. This line of work requires specific professional and interpersonal skills to succeed:
- Deep Instrumental Skills: You need to be extremely proficient at your instrument. This isn’t the time to still be learning.
- Wide Repertoire & Genre Knowledge: You need knowledge of and the ability to play a wide variety of genres and styles. This includes performing covers, lounge jazz, showtunes, themed rock sets, and party sets.
- Sight Reading & Improvisation: Strong sight-reading and improvisation skills are often required, especially for showband musicians who might join a house band or show orchestra.
- Stamina: Musicians are expected to perform multiple shows per day, every day. You need to be physically and mentally up to the task.
- Charisma & Enthusiasm: Stage presence is crucial, as is engaging with and warming up audiences. Soloists, in particular, should love interacting with an audience and be confident in creating high-energy, memorable experiences.
- Flexibility & Communication Skills: You’ll be living in close quarters with strangers and bandmates, so you need to be able to adapt and keep the peace.
Preparing for Life on the High Seas
Being a cruise ship musician is a big commitment. You’re not just stopping in for a gig for a few hours — you’re working and living on a ship and likely performing multiple sets a day. Here’s what you can expect during your contract.
Living Conditions
Your living quarters will be compact and functional, and most musicians share a small cabin with another person. The rooms typically include bunk beds, a desk, a small bathroom, and minimal storage space. Meals are typically provided in the crew mess, and the food is usually buffet-style. While you won’t live in luxury like the guests, many musicians adjust quickly to the simplicity, especially given the trade-off of travel and steady work.
Workload
Your actual work schedule will depend on the type of act you’re booked for. Solo instrumentalists, string trios, and lounge performers might play anywhere from one to three sets daily. These sets could take place in a refined cocktail lounge, a sunlit atrium, or even out on the pool deck. Musicians in theater productions or backing bands for mainstage shows may have a more structured rehearsal and performance schedule tied to specific events.
Performing daily under changing conditions (indoors, outdoors, day and night) demands consistency from both the player and their gear. That’s why many cruise musicians opt for durable tools like CodaBow’s carbon fiber bows, which perform reliably regardless of the setting.
Perks
Cruise life can be demanding, but it does come with tons of benefits.
- Financial Stability & Low Expenses: A significant draw for freelance musicians is receiving a regular paycheck with few or no expenses, as meals and lodging are typically provided. Most cruise liners also pay for your flights to and from the ship.
- Travel Opportunities: Musicians can travel and see the world while getting paid. You can explore different ports during the day, as musicians generally don’t play when the ship is in port.
- Consistent Performance: You achieve a high volume of performance hours and consistency that is difficult to get on land. Plus, people are already coming to the ship, so there’s less pressure to draw an audience, allowing you to focus on giving your best performance.
- Friendships and Community: Life on a ship fosters rapid and deep friendships with other crew members from all over the world. You spend every waking moment together for months, so these bonds form fast.
Challenges
While working on a cruise has much to offer, it also has some drawbacks to consider.
- Separation from Loved Ones: A significant sacrifice is spending long stretches away from friends and family, with contracts often lasting months.
- Close Quarters: Living in close quarters with strangers and bandmates for extended periods requires significant flexibility and strong communication skills.
- Port Manning: Even as an entertainment crew member, you may sometimes have to stay on the ship while in port to fulfill safety duties, meaning you cannot go ashore on those days. This limits the ability to explore ports or get different food.
- Internet Access: Wi-Fi on board can be expensive and unreliable. While some ships offer free basic messaging apps, access to social media or full internet browsing often comes at a high cost, and the connection can be slow or inconsistent.
- Rules and Conduct: There are strict rules about where crew members can go in guest areas, and musicians often need to adhere to a smart casual dress code outside their quarters. Even if you’re off-stage and off the clock, you’re still “on” in a sense and have standards to follow.
CodaBow: Your Partner from Audition to Performance
Life at sea demands gear that’s durable, dependable, and stage-ready. CodaBow’s custom violin bows are built for travel and engineered for professional performance, making them the ideal companion for cruise ship musicians. Whether you’re auditioning or already onboard, take your sound anywhere with a CodaBow in your case. Explore our collection online and request your at-home trial.
