salary for cruise ship performer

Royal Caribbean Productions

Broadway shows. world-class performers., positions available, can you see the world from your window we can..

We are always looking for talented performers to entertain our guests. See below for more information about the positions that are currently available and how to apply. Please note that you must be 18 years of age or older to be hired.

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Looking for Cruise Ship Entertainment Jobs, Auditions & Advice?

Let’s face it, for many entertainers getting a Cruise gig is the ultimate dream job. You get to see the world, while doing what you love...and get paid! It's a pretty amazing life goal. Whether you're a Singer, Musician, DJ, Magician, Dancer, Band or any other entertainer...if you have the talent, drive & ambition there should be nothing to stop you!

Here are just a few of the live Cruise Ship Performer Jobs we have available right now...

Some of the Latest Cruise Jobs & Gigs You Could Apply to...

Seeking 4-piece Bands for a major Cruise Line from November 2024 to April 2025. Requirements: - Must be able to cover Jazz/RnB & Pop genres For further information, please...

Seeking Male/Female Hand to Hand Duo Acts for an exciting Cruise Ship contract starting 24 December 2024. For further information, please apply using your profile....

Princess Cruises seeks Production Show Singers who can do Broadway with exceptional vocal styles in Contemporary Pop, Musical Theatre, R&B & Rock for various opportunities onboard...

Princess Cruises seeks experienced & technically trained athletic Dancers with a strong background in Jazz, Ballet, Partnering & Musical Theatre for opportunities onboard their Cruise...

Celebrity Cruises seeks powerhouse Singers who move well, Singers who Act & move well & Dancers who Act & Dancer-Aerialists who Act for opportunities onboard their Cruise...

Disney Cruise Line seeks Dancers for Musical Theatre shows onboard their Cruise Ships. Must be trained in Ballet & Jazz. Rehearsals will be held in Toronto, Canada...

Royal Caribbean Cruises seeks strong versatile Dancers & strong Hip-Hop Dancers, as well as Singers for various production shows onboard their Cruise Ships. Auditions...

Norwegian Cruise Line seeks Singers who Dance/move well & Dancers for 6-7 month contracts onboard their Norwegian AQUA Cruise Ship. Rehearsals: December 2, 2024 For...

Seeking Male & Female Singers & Dancers with Aerial Skills for 6-month contracts onboard Cruise Ships starting mid-autumn. Flights, meals & accommodation are provided. Requirements: -...

AIDA Cruises seeks Lead Singers with movement ability & Dancers with strong technique for upcoming stage productions onboard their world-class Cruise Ships. Dancer...

View all Latest Jobs, Gigs & Auditions

So grow that dream in your mind, and get started on your journey...just follow these steps: 1)  Sign-up for our free jobs, auditions & gigs email alerts , so we can let you know every time a new Cruise Ship Performer job or audition comes up. Once you've registered you will also get access to our guide on 'How to Get Cruise Contracts' (in our 'Get More Gigs: Essential Guide to Marketing for Entertainers' section), which covers everything from what experience and publicity you need, to how to get your application noticed. 2) Search for the ideal contract by using the links below to explore our current, live cruise entertainer jobs & auditions. 3)  Find out more about what types of Cruise Contracts there are , from Headline acts to Show Team & Band contract 4) Find out how  Entertainers Worldwide can help you land your dream Cruise Entertainer Contract 5) Find out  more about ship life and see our useful links. Cruise Ship "Guest Entertainer" Headlining Act Contracts If you're looking to perform your act in the cruise ship's main theatre, the contracts you want to look out for are 'Guest Entertainer' or 'Cruise Ship Fly-Back / Fly-on' contracts. As a Guest Entertainer, pay is generally between $1500 - $2500+ (£1000 - £2000+) per week, for you to perform 1-2 shows in the cruise ship's main theatre. Cruise Ship Lounge Performer Contracts If you're a Singer, Musician, Duo, DJ or other artist and have your own 'sets' but generally perform as background music in e.g. a lounge setting rather than as a 'Show' in the main theatre, you will generally be on-board for 4-9 months depending on the contract. There are contracts you can apply for right now throughout our  entertainment jobs, gigs & auditions pages or by clicking any of the porthole images links on this page. Cruise Ship Show Team, Party Bands and Band Member Contracts All cruise ships have an on-board band and an on-board 'Show Team' (also called the 'Production Team'). The on-board band plays live to all of the Show Team's production shows and also provides the music for the musical 'Guest Entertainer' acts that come onboard and perform their shows 1-2 times per week in the theatre. Cruise Liners also offer contracts for Party Bands... Party Bands, Band members and Show Team Singers and Dancers are generally onboard for anything from 4-9 month contracts. Simply click on any of the porthole images for your act type on this page. Note: If you are a Duo looking to perform on a Cruise Ship , click here or view our Cruise Bands Jobs. How Can You Get Cruise Jobs with Entertainers Worldwide? There are  various routes to getting a cruise entertainer job but registering with Entertainers Worldwide is probably the simplest and quickest way to get your materials in front of a cruise booker. So how does it work and how can we help you get that dream job? 1. Apply for cruise entertainer jobs & auditions through our site We have new cruise jobs for singers, dancers, bands and entertainers every week with every cruise company from Carnival to Viking, Royal Caribbean to Norwegian. With us the application process is simple - sign up with us here  and apply! Three months ago AB Casting and Talent Agency saw my materials on your site and loved what they saw, agreeing to keep me on file in case a good fit came along. And last week it did! I'm going to be the new lead vocalist on board MSC Armonia for the next 9 months!" Kaylah Fischl, Singer/Dancer

2. Be found by Cruise bookers in our directory When you activate your profile, as well as being able to apply for any of our jobs, gigs and auditions, you also appear in our directory . That means that bookers can search for your type of talent, find you in our search results pages and book you direct. General bookers use our site to book entertainment for their weddings, parties and events, but most importantly, so do professional bookers and agents searching for cruise ship entertainment talent. "I think becoming a member of Entertainers Worldwide is the best investment I ever made. In less than one day after my profile activation, 4 different agencies have already got in touch with me and everything feels very promising. Looks like I will be working as pianist on a cruise starting from November! " Maurizio Mariscoli, Pianist.

3. Use our resources to give yourself the best chance of creating a winning profile By applying for jobs and appearing in our directory you can get your promotional materials in front of those all-important bookers, but before that happens you need to make sure that your profile really sells your talent. You’ll find a great introduction to Cruise Entertainer contracts here . Our members also have access to our Complete Guide to Getting Cruise Contracts. Not a member yet? Just register here , it takes 2 minutes and we’ll be able to send you the latest jobs and auditions. Once you’re done, just sign-in, click the ‘Get More Gigs’ button and scroll to the bottom of the page to find all our Cruise Entertainment resources. "After 6 months looking for a job as a solo guitarist... I found Entertainers Worldwide and it was the best site I've ever seen for musicians. I got an email from an agency in Hungary called Empire Entertainment and they offered me a contract on-board TUI cruise line and I took it!" Jaime Tamayo, Guitar Singer

Still got questions about applying for cruise entertainer jobs through entertainers worldwide? Ask us here .

Find out more about Cruise Life

Before you get started with applying for those Cruise Ship Entertainment jobs it can be really useful to find out more about what life's really like onboard. Not only does it mean you’ll know what you're talking about on your applications but it can also help to motivate and inspire you.

Here are three great places to start on your Cruise exploration:

Read our Blog   'Do you want to be a Cruise Entertainer?' Find out the benefits and challenges with our low-down on the top 5 huge bonuses and 5 questions you need to consider…

Check out our Cruise Fortnight page  – a fantastic round up of our social media activity on Cruise life as an Entertainer, with plenty of inspiration, useful links and videos.

Join our Cruise Entertainers facebook group to see all our latest jobs and chat to other Cruise entertainers

We also have a wealth of advice for entertainers in terms of preparing for auditions , getting the perfect promo photos  and  promo videos and writing your bio or CV , just check out our blogs. Read on to find out more about Cruise Life...

Good luck and don't forget to sign-up for free Cruise Ship Entertainer job email alerts - you can also contact us anytime either through our facebook page or contact page to get help and support with your great search!

Would you like to register now for free job email alerts?

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What Do Cruise Ship Musicians Make?

Finding a steady job as a musician can be challenging. If you're lucky, you will find yourself playing for an established orchestra in your area. But anyone willing to travel has additional opportunities aboard cruise ships. In fact, many musicians earn regular paychecks when pursuing this avenue of performance.

Salary Ranges

In 2019, musicians in general earned a median of ​$30.39​ an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median pay means that half in the profession earned more, while half earned less. The music industry is highly competitive; for every performer who earns six figures and more, there are scores of others who do not earn a living wage and who do not work regularly.

Musicians who work for cruise lines have a regular income and schedule. Talent agency Landau Music reports that starting salaries for musicians range from ​$2,000​ to ​$3,300​ per month. Here's the average monthly cruise ship performer salary, depending on role:

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• $2,400$2,800

Musician Perks

Berklee College of Music cites a number of benefits to musicians that come with cruise ship work. In addition to a regular paycheck and few expenses, musicians usually get free round-trip airline travel from home, health insurance for the duration of the cruise, meals and lodging. Though there are rehearsals and performances, cruise ship musician life includes plenty of time to enjoy the ship's amenities, such as gyms, pools and sunny decks. There are also opportunities to explore ports when the ship docks for day trips.

Job Requirements

Job requirements vary by cruise line, but all musicians typically go through an audition process. It isn't uncommon for an employer to ask musicians to perform a certain piece, usually a selection from the orchestra or band's set list. They may also seek candidates who have studied music, can sight-read and even improvise. As far as musical groups go, cruise ships prefer to contract those specializing in a certain type of music, such as top-40, jazz, classics or international. Groups must submit an audition tape or a link to a performance recording.

Cruise ship musician life is not for everyone. It requires flexibility, a spirit of adventure and the ability to get along with others while living in close quarters. Musicians typically work six months on and six weeks off, meaning they're away from family and loved ones for extended periods of time.

Career Outlook

The BLS believes employment opportunities for musicians as a whole will grow by 1 percent from through 2029, a rate slower than average compared to all U.S. occupations. Competition for available jobs will be strong, as there are often more musicians than open positions. This is especially true for full-time opportunities, such as on cruise ships.

All cruise lines operate differently when it comes to hiring performers. Some hire directly, while others work with a major talent agency such as Landau Music, Proship, Lime Entertainment or Warshaw Entertainment.

• US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Musicians and Singers
• Landau Music: An In-Depth Look at Cruise Ship Musician Salaries and Perks
• Berklee College of Music: Cruise Ship Musician

Cruise Musician Jobs

Different Types of Cruise Ship Musicians

There are several different live music positions on board a luxury cruise ship. Select the one that best fits your skills and abilities.

Cruise Ship Musician Jobs Available for:

All the perks of a cruise ship musician gig

Do What You Love

The view from the stage has never looked this good

See the World

Now booking cruise ship bands in Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and more

Live for Free

Free food, free room, free travel… Save your money

Get Paid to Play

Earn top dollar alongside other professional musicians

Orchestra or Showband Musicians play Production shows (Broadway, Pop Review), Headliner shows, Top 40 sets and Big Band sets on board. You’ll perform nightly, have most days free and have the opportunity to get off the ship while in port.

Musicians must be excellent sight-readers (jazz charts and notation) and have the ability to play a variety of different styles…Ballroom, Broadway, Jazz, Rock, Swing. Pit and Big Band experience is strongly preferred.

Orchestra Bass Guitarists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Some ship positions also require bassists to cover Upright Bass. While sight-reading is essential, candidates must also have excellent feel, time, and the ability to play a variety of styles including Swing, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Tango & Funk.

Orchestra Drummers are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, candidates must also have excellent feel, time, and the ability to play a variety of styles including Swing, Mambo, Boss Nova, Rock & Funk.

Orchestra Guitarists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates must be comfortable reading notation and interpreting chords as well as soloing in Rock, Blues & Jazz formats.

Orchestra Keys Players are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates must be comfortable reading notation and interpreting chord charts as well as soloing in Rock, Blues & Jazz formats.

Orchestra Saxophonists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. Candidates should cover Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute & Clarinet. While sight-reading is essential, Saxophonists should also have a strong improvisational soloing vocabulary.

Orchestra Trombonists are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, Trombonists should also have a mature tone and a good concept of phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.

Orchestra Trumpeters are strong sight-readers who perform in many settings on board including Jazz, Top 40, Guest Entertainer & Musical Theater productions. While sight-reading is essential, candidates should also have range with consistency and confidence.

Band Vocalists are versatile and engaging entertainers with the ability to work a crowd. Candidates should be able to cover a wide range of genres and styles with strong stage presence and impeccable pitch.

Solo Entertainers perform nightly, either in a dedicated room or a variety of venues on board. You should have a repertoire of at least 200 songs, covering genres from the 50’s to today. Successful soloists are engaging with themed or tribute sets.

Classical Guitar

Instrumental Guitarist who can play it all with a classy feel. Classical, latin, jazz, pop…ideal candidates have an expansive repertoire and the ability to play songs upon request. From Jobin to Santana, this cruise ship musician will have themed sets and the ability to take requests. Performances poolside, in the atrium for afternoon tea or in the martini lounge for pre-dinner cocktails, versatility and the ability to adapt are key.

Cocktail Piano

Aspiring Cocktail Pianists that want to become cruise ship musicians should have a large repertoire of songs ranging from Classical tunes to current Pop and Top 40 hits. Performance times and locations on board may include afternoon tea, early evening sail-away, or after dinner background music in a bar or cocktail lounge. The ability to sight read is benifical for special events such as weddings or anniversaries, as is the ability to add vocals, however, this is not required.

Solo Guitar/Vocals

John Mayer, Jason Mraz, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett…these are just a few of the artists that a Solo Guitar/Vocalist should have in their song list for guest-requests and to create a fun and engaging atmosphere at their performances. This type of cruise ship musician can be found all around the ship in bars, lounges, poolside, on the back deck, or even performing in the theater or main atrium. Sing-a-long styles and guest requests make each performance unique, and an outgoing personality will help to ensure guests follow their favorite performer all cruise long. Looping pedals, harmonizers, and other pedal-effects are encouraged as they can add an additional dimension to performances, however, backing tracks, in general, are not preferred.

Solo Piano/Vocals

The personality to entertain a lounge and 88 keys to help them do it. Our Solo Piano Vocalists are some of the most engaging and entertaining cruise ship musicians in the world. Styles range from the 1950’s to current Pop hits and interactive performances include Theme Nights, Name-That-Tune, and Sing-a-Long favorites. Backing tracks should be avoided and the ability to field requests is required.

Solo Steel Pan

High-quality backing tracks and a talent for fun-in-the-sun Vocals & Steel Pan playing define the ideal candidate for the cruise ship musician position of Solo Steel Pan. Performing in several of the outdoor venues and moslty on Caribbean itineraries this entertainer should have a large variety of songs including Reggae, Pop, Oldies, Motown, and some dance and latin styles.

Ensembles/Bands perform nightly around the ship. Successful ensembles should have at least 200 songs, covering a variety of different genres (Motown, Jazz. Pop. Country, Caribbean). Your group should be engaging and should have themed or tribute sets prepared. These positions offer shared cabins, so bring musicians you want to live with!

Caribbean Ensemble

Including at least one vocalist, Caribbean Ensembles will be comprised of cruise ship musicians performing on the Steel Pan, as well a guitar, bass, keys, or drums. They should be versatile and comfortable performing poolside, at outdoor venues and bars, as well in lounges and cocktail areas. Guest requests will be common and the songs of Buffet, Marley, and Zac Brown will be the foundation of their repertoire.

Classical Ensemble

Classical Ensembles include Duos, Trios & Quartets performing in atriums, lounges and on the main stage. Ensembles must be well versed in Classical, Standards, Show Tunes & Contemporary styles as they set the scene for an elegant unforgettable guest experience.

Dance Ensemble

Four cruise ship musicians that can perform everything from Miles Davis to Miley Cyrus. Dance Ensembles should have at least one vocalist and the ability of other members to cover lead or backing vocals is preferred. A lineup including Keys, Bass, Drums, and Guitar is optimal, however, there are opportunities for band with 3 of the 4, and a lead vocalist.

Two people, one big sound. Backing tracks, instruments, harmonies, and lead vocals all coming from two musicians on a cruise ship. Duos should have a song list of at least 250+ and be able to take requests and create an engaging atmosphere for every performance.

Jazz Ensemble

Real Books, Fake Books, and all of the Ballroom styles should be the wheelhouse for these Trios and Quartets. Keys, Bass, Drums, Guitar, and or Horn are the most common arrangement, and the bands should also be able to perform crossover styles of Pop, Top 40, Funk, and Blues.

Similar to a Wedding Band or Corporate Band on land, a Party Band consists of cruise ship musicians that can bring the party every night. Normally comprised of 4 or 5 members, these bands must have large song lists and it is preferred that multiple, if not all, of the members can add vocals. The most common arrangement is Keys, Bass, Drums, Guitar, and Lead Vocals. Theme Nights, Poolside Sets, and Dance Parties are where the guests fall in love the the Party Band and find themselves having the time of their lives.

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a cruise ship entertainer? Apply now

Luxury cruise lines are looking for musicians and bands right now! Several lines will only work with Landau Music: to get to them, go through us. Get paid to play while you see the world… For free!

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Cruise Talent

Cruise Talent is the leading directory for all entertainment professionals wanting to work within the cruise industry.

Some of the largest cruise ship recruiters and agencies use our services to look for professional performers, lecturers and entertainment technicians to fill their vacancies.

We pride ourselves on managing a safe and secure database that benefits both candidates and recruiters within the industry.

Register your details today to get discovered by cruise lines and entertainment agents!

Cruise Ship Job Positions – Music Jobs

Band master.

Job Description:  Oversees the scheduling and performances of all musicians onboard.

Experience and Skills Required:  Must be proficient in more than one musical instrument; Post secondary education is preferred; Prior shipboard experience as a solo performer or band musician is required; Outgoing and charismatic personality is an asset.

Average Salary:  $2,500 to $4,000 per month

Show Band Musician

Other Job Titles:  The show band musicians on a cruise ship are generally interchangeable and are not hired as a group, but rather as individual solo musicians. Typical available positions are keyboards, drums, electric bass, electric guitar, sax, trumpet, trombone, male and female vocalists

Job Description:  Musician in show band.

Experience and Skills Required:  Experienced and proficient in chosen instrument; Strong sight reading skills; Professional entertainers will be required to submit promotional material and demo CD/DVD through a talent submission or audition process.

Average Salary:  $1,500 to $2,500 per person per month

Musicians (Lounge, Pool, etc.)

Other Job Titles:  Piano Bar Entertainer, One-Man Band, String Groups, Duos, Trios, Quartets, Solo Guitar

Job Description:  Perform in lounges, atriums, and/or pool-side

Experience and Skills Required:  Professional entertainers will be required to submit promotional material and demo CD/DVD through a talent submission or audition process.

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Mississippi ship.

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Italian jazz pianist, singer/ pianist/ guitarist, live casting call for singers in warsaw.

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Cruise Line Entertainer Jobs

Entertainer jobs at sea are a lot like land-based entertainer jobs. The big difference is that instead of packing your things and going home after the gig, you’re staying on the ship (unless you’re working on a local harbor cruise). A large number of cruise ship entertainers perform on stage with shows varying from dancing and singing to comedy acts and magic. Entertainment jobs on a cruise ship are almost entirely contract positions, meaning that you work for a specified amount of time onboard.

Depending on your contract, you might only work for one show, or you might book a contract for six months or more. It is practically impossible to determine how long your contract on a cruise ship will last since the type of entertainers that are hired and booked on cruise liners vary from ship to ship.

Cruise lines look for general public appeal when hiring acts. This means finding entertainment onboard that will satisfy the clientele attending the show. If a cruise line is featuring travelers from an older demographic for example, they might hire a more mature comedian. However, entertainers working for Disney Cruise Line would have to cater performances towards children. This is one reason why an entertainer might only be booked for a few shows – to appeal to a specific demographic.

Comedians who are applying need good material for three, thirty-minute sets and vocalists need a proven routine with music.

Cruise lines are willing to work with talent and fit entertainers into their programming schedule so again, your contract is likely to vary from ship to ship. Some cruise lines and concessionaire companies travel around the country auditioning talent, so it’s a good idea to periodically check to see if talent scouts are going to be in you area. Entertainers are also advised to document their acts on DVD and send it to entertainment directors or concessionaires as part of their media packs. And, hey, if you’re going to put all of this stuff together, you may as well look into American Idol auditions too!

Pay varies tremendously. The standard salary for a performer on a cruise ship depends on the type of performance, your experience, the length of your contract, and cruise liner you will be working for. Generally speaking stage performers make anywhere from $1,600 to as much as $4,000 a month for feature performances. In a few cases, entertainers do not receive a salary at all but are instead given free passage in a deluxe stateroom in return for performing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for cruise ship entertainers.

Starting salaries in the cruise industry range from approximately $2,000 to $3,000 USD/month for sidemen. However, we can sometimes negotiate higher salaries for musicians with ship experience or outstanding professional experience. You’ll also be able to save most of your income because airfare to and from the vessel or destination, meals and accommodations are supplied free of charge in most cases.

Does Proship take a commission fee from entertainers?

Our entertainers don’t pay us anything. Proship operates on a no commission basis with no up front charges. Our clients pay us directly therefore no commission is taken out of your pay.

Do entertainers pay taxes for income earned on a ship?

Some cruise lines may withhold applicable Federal taxes from U.S. residents; State or other jurisdictional tax requirements are your responsibility. British cruise lines may withhold national insurance from UK residents. Since cruise ship employees are not eligible for State unemployment or disability insurance, no such withholding or contributions will be made. Whatever nationality you are, it is your duty to declare any income made abroad.

Solo performance artists, usually pianists, provide background music in lounges, lobbies, and dining rooms. Musical bands perform on stage at cruise ship theatres.

Musicians are required to have extensive previous experience in performing on stage.

Search Results: Musician

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PIANO VOCALISTS

We require a talented EU/UK Piano Vocalist for a resident cruise contract.Modern contemporary image with a large repertoire. Starting beginning...

3 September 2024 - PEEL Talent - English

Premier Musician

Composed of solo and group performers, our Musical staff enhances the guest experience by delivering world-class performances on board in...

29 August 2024 - Royal Caribbean Group - English

The Entertainment Team helps ensure that our guests enjoy their stay on board as much as their time in port....

Spanish Band

Pianist singer, cruise ship jobs.

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23-year-old has lived on and off cruise ships for years: 'It's been the best time of my life'

G rowing up, Payton Martin 's family went on a lot of cruises and she became fascinated with them. The now 23-year-old Oklahoma native says back then she'd dreamed about working and living on one.

"I always wondered about what the guests don't see and what was going on behind closed doors," Martin tells CNBC Make It.

Fast forward to the summer of 2021, Martin was getting ready to go on yet another cruise with her family. This one had been rescheduled several times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Martin's experience on that trip made her realize that if she was ever going to make her dream a reality, now was the time.

"I always had the idea of working aboard a cruise ship but never thought of it as something possible for myself," Martin says. "And after covid, I think we all learned that life is short and anything can happen at any time, so I applied for a job as an entertainment host aboard a Carnival cruise."

Martin says one of the things she learned during her transition from guest to crew member is just how many different kinds of jobs and opportunities there are for people who want to work aboard a ship. A quick browse on Carnival's careers site shows listings for a photographer, a baker, a wiper, a bar server, and more.

Martin was offered a job as an entertainer aboard the Carnival Horizon ship in October 2021, and after extensive training, she started in January 2022. Martin left college for the job.

"I wanted just to travel the world and meet people. I left school because it wasn't going anywhere, and I'm only young for a certain amount of time, and this was the time to try something new," Martin says.

Carnival flew Martin to Palermo, Italy to board the ship, where she shared a cabin with a coworker. Room and board were covered under Martin's contract. But while she didn't have to pay for rent or food, she says it was an unspoken rule to give a weekly tip to the person who cleaned their cabin.

Martin was part of Carnival's fun squad from January to July. The ship's six- and eight-day cruises departed from Miami.

While working on the Horizon, Martin applied for a position aboard the Carnival Pride. By September 2022, she was on her way back to Europe.

After a week aboard the Carnival Pride, Martin met Salvatore Giglio, a 31-year-old second electro-technical officer.

"I saw him and remember thinking he was so cute. Then we saw each other again and briefly spoke, and my first thought about him was how friendly he was," Martin says.

The two kept running into each other, and after about two weeks of chance encounters, Martin stopped to pay him a compliment, and Giglio asked for her Instagram.

"He slid into the DMs. I still give him a hard time for that, so it's funny. It's a modern romance with the twist of a cruise ship, of course," Martin laughs.

In October 2022, a month after meeting, the two "linked their IDs," as Martin calls it. It meant they went to HR to get permission to live together.

"Something we say on the ship is one week on board is equivalent to one month on land. You spend so much time with people, you live together, you work together, you have dinner together. It speeds things up, for sure," Martin says.

Martin moved into Giglio's cabin, a one-bedroom he lived in alone. It was big enough to have a full-size bed, a couch, a desk, and four small closets.

Eventually, Giglio transferred to another ship. Martin stayed aboard the Carnival Pride and was able to continue living alone in the one-bedroom cabin.

Martin's contract ended that December and she flew home to Oklahoma before setting off to meet Giglio aboard the ship he was working on — but this time as crew family instead of a crew member.

One of the perks of Giglio's position is that he can have a family member stay with him for several weeks at a time.

She stayed aboard for four weeks until Giglio's contract ended. After that, the two spent time traveling between visiting Martin's family in Oklahoma, sightseeing in Los Angeles, and seeing Giglio's family in Italy.

"At the time, we weren't engaged, and we had kind of just met, but we knew it was something serious. We were still trying to figure it out," Martin says.

In March 2023, Martin resigned from her position as an entertainment host with Carnival and after seven months of dating and traveling the world together, Giglio proposed to Martin in June.

That November, Giglio signed another contract to work aboard the Carnival Pride, where they first met.

Martin's time aboard cruise ships has taken her to over 20 destinations, including Honduras, Dominican Republic, Spain, England, France, Croatia, Turkey, Malta, Greece and Portugal.

While Martin did love her time as a member of Carnival's crew, she does also enjoy the flexibility of just being a guest again: "I don't think I'm done sailing but I was tired of being away from family," Martin says.

"If an opportunity came up and I wasn't gone for months at a time, I would probably take it, but right now, I'm seeing what happens."

The couple are now back in Italy and building their own apartment above Giglio's parent's house. They aim to complete the work by May next year. The hope is to be able to split as much time between the U.S. and Italy as possible.

"I really prioritize family time, whether it's my family here or my Italian family in Sicily. If I'm with either one of them, then I'm happy," Martin adds.

Martin says she would recommend working on a cruise ship to anyone because even though you work hard, you get to travel and see the world.

"It wasn't easy to leave everything I knew behind and go live on board a cruise ship for months at a time," Martin says.

"I got to learn how much bravery and courage I had. You just never know your full potential if you don't put yourself outside of your comfort zone."

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A residential cruise ship that's supposed to sail the world for 3 years has been stuck in Northern Ireland for 3 months

• Villa Vie Odyssey was supposed to set sail on a global cruise from Belfast in May.
• Problems with the ship mean it's been docked there for the past three months.
• Some passengers are staying positive and using the delay to take trips elsewhere.

A residential cruise ship that was supposed to travel around the world has been stuck in Northern Ireland for the past three months.

Business Insider previously reported that the  Villa Vie Odyssey  was initially set to sail from Belfast in May. The ship has been docked there because it needed updating, as it's more than 30 years old. It was previously called the Braemar and operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

Villa Vie has said issues such as the aging ship's rudder stocks and recertification have delayed its departure by three months.

The 509 cabins cost at least $100,000 each. The Odyssey is due to sail around the world every 3 ½ years , visiting 147 countries and 425 destinations en route.

While the ship is stuck in Belfast, passengers can go on board during the day but not stay on it overnight.

The cruise line's CEO, Mikael Petterson, told BI in an email on Thursday that Villa Vie had provided residents with hotels, other cruises, shore excursions, and trips to the likes of Spain, Liverpool, and Amsterdam.

It's also welcoming residents on board, "where they can get their rooms ready and connect with crew and fellow residents," he added. "It is great to see the relationships building and the community bonding as we are looking forward to the next 15 years of discovery."

One couple on the ship, Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen, previously told BI they'd traveled elsewhere during the delay, to the likes of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and Sweden.

The couple said Villa Vie had also sent them on various excursions, including a trip to the Canary Islands and a cruise to the Norwegian fjords.

"We understand there are hiccups," Bodin told BI. "They're schmoozing us a bit to keep us happy. They're almost being too serviced-minded — I don't need to be pampered all the time."

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Holly Hennessey, from Florida, told BBC News: "We can have all of our meals, and they even have movies and trivia entertainment, almost like cruising except we're at the dock."

Angela and Stephen Theriac told the outlet they'd spent the delay traveling around Spain by train, visiting Greenland, and taking weekend trips to England.

"We keep teasing we will apply for residency here in Belfast," Angela Theriac told the BBC.

"We have eaten in every restaurant and had a Guinness in every pub," her husband added. "It is just all part of our adventure."

Angela Theriac previously told BI she and her husband had started decorating their floating condo with "personal touches," adding: "Our room is our bedroom, and the ship is our home."

Petterson, Villa Vie's CEO and founder, told BI, "We are going through the last few surveys and expect to launch within the next week."

He added that sea trials were scheduled for Monday.

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

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