Thanks Josh! I've been on cruise ships working as the mirror man & vocalist for Morris Day and The Time band...but never as a solo guitarist entertainer. Preparing my promotional kit now, to get work on ships. When hired, I plan to do no more than 4yrs tops because I have other plans also, in pursuing my goals/dreams that revolve around my songwriting abilities, traveling playing my original music and much more. Your information was very helpful and thanks!!!
I did it for years, had a great time, my playing improved hugely because I had the motivation to practise AND (not shouting, but this is important) THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY WHAT I WAS PRACTISING. You might want to stop and think what percentage of what you practice actually kind of expires because it's past its "best before" date by the time it actually comes up in something you're actually playing. I got up to 5 hours a day of productive practice for about two years, made a huge difference to my playing. It does matter that I'm a guitar player. It's a lot easier for me to sit in than for a bassist or drummer. But I sat in with everyone, pretty much, from the solo guitarist/singer (who just about came in his pants when I supplied that lovely little lick on "Into The Mystic", never having played it before) to a funk band who'd had to ditch their guitar player to get the gig, to a jazz trio, to a country band whose guitar player was a lovely guy and a total inspiration to a Brit who'd not grown up in that southern picking tradition like this guy had... I could go on. And I have, already. Of course there's a down side. But Josh, next time you go to lifeboat drill, or at your next opportunity, get into a conversation with one of the bar staff, or one of the cabin staff, and ask them about their pay. When I was working for RCCL in the oughties, a barman got paid, in cash, every two weeks, the princely sum of twenty-five of your increasingly worthless US dollars. That would be $12.50 a week. And he had to PAY FOR HIS OWN FLIGHT, which was booked by the company, taking him from one of the islands to Miami or Houston (for Galveston). And I think they put four guys in a room no bigger than yours. The appalling hierarchy of cruise ships got to me over time, though I was able to treat it as something of an opportunity for study. Just count yourself lucky you've never heard of "In-Port Manning". That shit can REALLY make you feel like you're in prison.
I'm a drummer and applying for Commercial Music studies this fall and this could be a good job opportunity when I graduate, for at least some time. Doesn't look too bad in your CV I guess?
Hi Josh, congrats for your channel, love the lessons. I want to ask you what instruments are the most wanted in a cruise ship?? I mean, does a bass player have more chances to get the gig than a guitar player or other instrument?? I suppose they need all kind of musicians...what can you tell me about that?? (sorry for the bad english)
Hi Josh, I have two questions: 1) Is the food on board good (I mean good enough to eat for several months) and 2)Do they have some fitness territory on board - do you have the possibility to workout (as a member of stuff, and musicians are stuff, right) ? Thanks!
The food is alright, most people like it more than I do. There's usually a crew gym, to my knowledge, plus musicians often have access to passenger gyms at certain hours as well.
Hi ! Great video! Thanks! Do you know how pianists do for practise? Are they allowed to practise on a piano? or do they usually practise on their own keyboard at their cabin? Thank you again for the videos! Are really interesting for people who wants to work on cruises!
Hi Steve. Just came back from a cruise. They provide you with a PA. I'm NOT an entertainer so can't answer much more than that but I did read somewhere that it's provided.
Hi, your videos are very helpful. Can you tell me about the salary? Im really interested in this, but I find a lot of diferent information in the internet about the salary. Thanks for all!
Hey Josh! I just wanted to ask you if you had any kind of problem because of your tattoo working on cruise ships. Do you have to cover them during the day? I just made my first contract for Holland America. I dont have any tattoos yet but I´m planning to get one. Thanks!
Technically the policy is no visible tattoos (at least on Princess, probably true in general), but I didn't have any problems. I think they're more lax with musicians because it's part of the 'look' to be messy and covered in tattoos and piercings. :) Probably a no-go for dining staff and what not.
Hi Josh. I'm an experienced British guitarist and would really like to join a cruise line as a covers/party band guitarist. However as I am now 55 years of age (gasp) I am concerned that my age may be unnaceptable to hirers/agencies etc. even though I play well,look much younger and am still inwardly the same person as when I was in my twenties. So I would like to know if there is an approximate age limit whereby party musos just would'nt be selected (be it un-written-not mentioned as the reason for rejection to be pc or otherwise) irrespective of my abilities,stage prescence etc? In short,I know I can do it but am I just too damn old for the companies to hire?Thanks. ps. I have my music at: [url=neilbussey.wix.com/guitarworks#!video-clips/c4u6]neil bussey guitarist[/url]
Thanks Josh! I've been on cruise ships working as the mirror man & vocalist for Morris Day and The Time band...but never as a solo guitarist entertainer. Preparing my promotional kit now, to get work on ships. When hired, I plan to do no more than 4yrs tops because I have other plans also, in pursuing my goals/dreams that revolve around my songwriting abilities, traveling playing my original music and much more. Your information was very helpful and thanks!!!
Glad I could help!
There "mirror man?" LOL (That'd be the Valet, "Mr. Bates!")
I did it for years, had a great time, my playing improved hugely because I had the motivation to practise AND (not shouting, but this is important) THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY WHAT I WAS PRACTISING. You might want to stop and think what percentage of what you practice actually kind of expires because it's past its "best before" date by the time it actually comes up in something you're actually playing. I got up to 5 hours a day of productive practice for about two years, made a huge difference to my playing.
It does matter that I'm a guitar player. It's a lot easier for me to sit in than for a bassist or drummer. But I sat in with everyone, pretty much, from the solo guitarist/singer (who just about came in his pants when I supplied that lovely little lick on "Into The Mystic", never having played it before) to a funk band who'd had to ditch their guitar player to get the gig, to a jazz trio, to a country band whose guitar player was a lovely guy and a total inspiration to a Brit who'd not grown up in that southern picking tradition like this guy had... I could go on. And I have, already.
Of course there's a down side. But Josh, next time you go to lifeboat drill, or at your next opportunity, get into a conversation with one of the bar staff, or one of the cabin staff, and ask them about their pay. When I was working for RCCL in the oughties, a barman got paid, in cash, every two weeks, the princely sum of twenty-five of your increasingly worthless US dollars. That would be $12.50 a week. And he had to PAY FOR HIS OWN FLIGHT, which was booked by the company, taking him from one of the islands to Miami or Houston (for Galveston). And I think they put four guys in a room no bigger than yours.
The appalling hierarchy of cruise ships got to me over time, though I was able to treat it as something of an opportunity for study. Just count yourself lucky you've never heard of "In-Port Manning". That shit can REALLY make you feel like you're in prison.
Thanks for sharing your perspective.
thanks for the video man. im going to be on the Breeze as of 9-25-14 as a bassist. i have an idea what to expect based on your videos
don't you mean *bassed* on your video
ba dum kshhhhhh
I'm a drummer and applying for Commercial Music studies this fall and this could be a good job opportunity when I graduate, for at least some time.
Doesn't look too bad in your CV I guess?
Hi Josh, congrats for your channel, love the lessons. I want to ask you what instruments are the most wanted in a cruise ship?? I mean, does a bass player have more chances to get the gig than a guitar player or other instrument?? I suppose they need all kind of musicians...what can you tell me about that?? (sorry for the bad english)
Sebastian Asiu Schechtel Not sure! I think they're always looking for good musicians and reliable people no matter what the instrument.
Hi Josh,
I have two questions:
1) Is the food on board good (I mean good enough to eat for several months) and 2)Do they have some fitness territory on board - do you have the possibility to workout (as a member of stuff, and musicians are stuff, right) ?
Thanks!
The food is alright, most people like it more than I do. There's usually a crew gym, to my knowledge, plus musicians often have access to passenger gyms at certain hours as well.
It’s interesting that musicians who cannot read or speak the same language, the sheet music is the same , though not everyone can read sheet music
Hi ! Great video! Thanks! Do you know how pianists do for practise? Are they allowed to practise on a piano? or do they usually practise on their own keyboard at their cabin? Thank you again for the videos! Are really interesting for people who wants to work on cruises!
Leandro Casas I think it's a mix of both, depends on the ship, time of day, etc.
Josh Fossgreen Thanks for your answer Josh! Greetings from Argentina!
thank you
So, Josh, what is the money? like would it be more fiscally wort it just to stay home working long weeks for minimum wage?
Do I need to bring my own portable P.A.?
Hi Steve. Just came back from a cruise. They provide you with a PA. I'm NOT an entertainer so can't answer much more than that but I did read somewhere that it's provided.
Hi, your videos are very helpful. Can you tell me about the salary? Im really interested in this, but I find a lot of diferent information in the internet about the salary. Thanks for all!
Johel Goñi : I was going to ask the same question but I noticed after 7 months you still haven't been answered, so...
@@robsgirl6465 Me too, but now it's 2 years!
Hey Josh! I just wanted to ask you if you had any kind of problem because of your tattoo working on cruise ships. Do you have to cover them during the day? I just made my first contract for Holland America. I dont have any tattoos yet but I´m planning to get one. Thanks!
Technically the policy is no visible tattoos (at least on Princess, probably true in general), but I didn't have any problems. I think they're more lax with musicians because it's part of the 'look' to be messy and covered in tattoos and piercings. :) Probably a no-go for dining staff and what not.
Uh-oh the other video for not to do the gig is twice as long
what ship do work for?
Free rooms, free food, no daily load in.
hi josh i didn't get the name of the equipment u use at 4.45 what is the use for it thanks
It's an M-Audio FastTrackPro, just a type of DAI (digital audio interface) that allows you to plug instruments into your computer.
cheers
Hi Josh. I'm an experienced British
guitarist and would really like to join a cruise line as a
covers/party band guitarist. However as I am now 55 years of age
(gasp) I am concerned that my age may be unnaceptable to
hirers/agencies etc. even though I play well,look much younger and am
still inwardly the same person as when I was in my twenties.
So I would like to know if there
is an approximate age limit whereby party musos just would'nt be
selected (be it un-written-not mentioned as the reason for rejection
to be pc or otherwise) irrespective of my abilities,stage prescence
etc?
In short,I know I can do it but
am I just too damn old for the companies to hire?Thanks. ps. I have my music at:
[url=neilbussey.wix.com/guitarworks#!video-clips/c4u6]neil
bussey guitarist[/url]