Cruise Ship 101 for Drummers

Let me start off with a simple Q&A of the most frequently asked questions.

Q: What jobs exst for drummers on a cruise ship?
A: There are 3 categories. There is an Orchestra drummer, a Top-40 Rock drummer and a back lounge/jazz drummer. All 3 positions are effectively the same, save for some differences in pay. Lounge bands come on self-contained; this is mostly house band info.

Q: Do I have to know how to read music to work on a ship?
A: If you want to do the Orchestra (also known as Show band or House Band) Chair, then you MUST be able to sight-read at a very high level. The other positions do not require a high standard of reading, but as I always do, I strongly suggest that you need to read.

Q: How much money will I earn?
A: While there are some differences, first contract drummers can expect to start at $600.00 to $650.00 per week. Sideman (Non-M.D) Pay tops out at around $3000.00 a month. M.D’s start at $3,300 a month and there is no top out.

Q: What is included as part of the package?
A: You will be given a free room (cabin) as well as all the free food you can eat. Soft drinks are often free and beer and alcohol are greatly reduced in the crew areas.

Q: How much will I play?
A: You can count on 3 hours of actual playing time daily, plus rehearsal times. Most good M.D.s will try and schedule 1 day off, or at very least 1 light day every 7 days.

Q: What is there to do on board when I’m not working?
A: There is an active social life amongst the crew, as well as complete freedom when it comes to going ashore. Some vessels, depending on their size, will allow you access to passenger recreation areas such as pools and the gym.

Q: Can I hang out with the passengers?
A: While social interaction is strongly encouraged, any romance, if you get caught, is going to get you into trouble.

Q: Is health care offered?
A: 24-hour health care is available and is free for crew.

Q: What documentation will I need?
A: An up to date passport, a C.1-D visa if you are not American or Canadian and a complete physical. The physical must be obtained through a sanctioned company doctor and is extensive and expensive. Most companies will reimburse part or all of the medical costs

Q: What’s the gear like?
A: Good to Outstanding, depending on the age of the ship. I have top of the line DW drumkit with a Gibraltar rack on the ship I’m currently on. The company assumes all expenses for equipment and replacement parts.

Q: Do I have to move gear or set up or tear down?
A: No. Most large ships have a production staff of up to 20 people.

Q: How do I get to the ship?
A: Usually you’ll fly in to the joining city the night before you join. You’ll fly in at the company’s expense and will be put up in a hotel at the company’s expense. The hotels are normally excellent 5-star hotels, although the standard drops off for exotic locations. You will receive extensive joining documentation that will help you get through, customs, immigration and on the ship. A company representative (port agent) will meet you at the airport, unless the hotel is a shuttle ride away, in which case you’ll have to make your own way to the hotel.

Q: What gear do I need to bring?
A: With the airlines cracking down, the major lines are not being very helpful with excess baggage. Be prepared to cover excess baggage fees if you choose to bring cymbals/pedals as most lines will not cover these expenses anymore. There are pro quality cymbals on all the ships, but they’re generic Zildjians/Sabians.

Q: Is there a dress code?
A On some lines, very much so. Don’t count on wearing blue jeans, ever and be prepared to dress nicely. Also, some lines are funny about tattoos and earrings.

Q: Is there a Casino?
A: Yes, and it’s universally off limits. There are slot machines in the crew bar.

Q: Do I need an agent?
A: While there are many, many agents who book ship musicians, all the major lines also hire directly and it’s always wise to by-pass an agent when you can. If you can’t get a hold of the guys in the office, check the end of the article for the agents’ contacts. You should try to go direct first.

Q: How do I audition?
A: All lines have auditions several times a year. You can also submit a DVD or C.D. with headshot. Keep all media short and include a good bio; don’t lie or embellish.

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With that our of the way, let’s talk specifics.

A cruise ship is a self-contained small city. When you stop and consideration that, given the combination of passengers and crew, there are upwards of 6,000 people on some of these ships, the analogy makes a lot of sense.

Because of the nature of what a ship does, the ship must provide it’s own police department, fire department, and medical department. As such, everybody has a responsibility to remain safe and assist, when necessary, to keep things safe.

To accomplish this, you will be required to perform minimal safety duties. These duties only take up about 90 minutes a week, and vary from ship to ship, but they are necessary and part of the job. These are the only extra duties that you have and you will not be asked to do anything other than play the drums and perform these minimal safety responsibilities.

There is a certain amount of discipline that must be adhered to on a ship. While not quite Militaristic in scope, you do need to have it together with regards time keeping and behavior. There are plenty of times and places to cut loose, you have to be smart as to where and when.

You will be asked to wear some sort of identification (i.e. a nametag) and on some lines some form of very modest uniform may be necessary. You’ll need a tux and a jacket and tie. Some lines supply you with a company tie and blazer, although most ships treat the Orchestra job like a pit gig and you wear a lot of black.

You need to have a very open mind. On any given day there are upwards of 50 different nations represented on board of all shapes, sizes and orientations. If you are homophobic in any way, than this is not a good career choice for you.

The housing (or in ship speak-berthing) can be challenging. You will most certainly have a cabin mate and most likely have very little say in whom you live with. Most good M.D.’s will do their best to accommodate individuals with someone not on the same schedule as their cabin mate to maximize “alone” time. The cabins are small with bunk beds, but they have self-contained fridges. T.V.’s and V.C.R.’s. Some ships offer in cabin Internet and the bathroom is self-contained and on-suite.

There is a slight class system still in operation, and as such you are afforded, as musicians a slightly elevated set of privileges that other crew are not privy to. You have complete ship access including bars and on some vessels, certain passenger restaurants.

Let’s talk about the management structure as it applies to the musician. Here’s a basic idea of where the buck stops.

• Captain
• Hotel Director
• Cruise Director
• Musical Director (me)

On a large ship I have around 30 musicians to manage. Therefore, protocol dictates that I try and deal with problems at the initial stage before they get out of hand. You are expected to act like a professional and be an adult.

You will autonomous for the most part and will not be supervised unnecessarily. You will be expected to deal with things on your own, quite like how you would deal with issues in real life. If a problem comes up that you cannot deal with, then you go to the M.D. The M.D. will do his best to resolve things, but this does not automatically mean that it’ll go your way. There are two sides to every story. If you break one of the rules below it’ll by-pass me completely and you’ll go straight to the Cruise Director and ultimately the captain.

Speaking of which ... here’s the no-no list ... four things you CANNOT do ... or how to get fired immediately:

1. DRUGS: Any drug use will get you fired immediately. There are random drug tests.

2. FIGHTING: If you hit somebody, you’ll get fired immediately.

3. SEXUAL HARRASSMENT: If you try to pick someone up and they say no thanks, drop it. Anything else is harassment and they always take the victims side.

4. THEFT: Want to add those nice Beta 98’s to your personal gear. Don’t. Your baggage is screened as you exit the ship.

If you are fired or dismissed you are responsible for all costs incurred in getting you home. This includes airfare and any overnight hotel stays. It can be very expensive. The last guy I had to fire had to get from Alaska to Florida and cost him over $1000.00.

To avoid being dismissed, make sure your chops are up, you can play with a click, you can sight read anything and that you are prepared to abide by some pretty basic rules. You’ll be on a brief probationary period when you first join on your first contract.

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Finally, let me give you a list of the pro’s and con’s about the gig. As you can appreciate, this gig is not for everybody.

Cons

• You’re away from home so you may miss out on some land gigs.
• You can’t drive anywhere or get away when you need/want to.
• You have to behave.
• You have to be responsible.
• The sea days (meaning the days you are not in port) are tough to fill.
• Private practice time can be tough to find.
• Private time period can be tough to find.
• Passenger must come first, so you may not get to do what you want exactly when you want.
• Some of the musicians may have less than a positive outlook on life, or playing.
• Some of the music can be challenging to take seriously.
• The charts are inconsistent. Some are world class … some are…..you get the idea.
• You’ll have a roommate in a small cabin.
• You’ll be asked to do at least 4 months you’re first time out.
• It’s hard to keep a relationship/marriage together.

Pros

• You’ll get paid to see the world.
• You’ll get paid to play the drums.
• You’ll see and go places you could never afford to otherwise.
• You’ll never have to fight for a paycheck.
• You’ll get to work on your styles and your reading.
• Over the course of time you’ll network with 100’s of musicians and entertainers.
• You don’t have to set-up or tear down or move gear or drive to the gig.
• The food is free.
• The rent is free.
• The beer is cheap.
• You may fall in love ... I met my wife on a Hawaiian cruise.
• It is possible to get heard. I’ve scored 3 major tours because of who I’ve played with or for on a ship.

Now … if you’re ready.

You’ll need a 5-minute demo DVD or CD with headshot. They really prefer a DVD so they can actually see you play. Include several styles and some reading. No metal: it’s not that kind of gig. Be well presented, nicely dressed and articulate, but most importantly, brief. Include a bio and don’t lie or embellish. All they really care about is your playing, so sending a fictitious resume isn’t going to help and it’s a horrible habit to get into. Make sure you’re reading is top notch and you can play effortlessly with a click.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me through the Drummer Café - Community Forum.

I’ve got several YouTube clips up of actual shows that you can expect to play. Go to: www.youtube.com/dougtann60