Cruise Ships
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Performing on cruise ships has always been a great job, now more so than ever. Gone forever is the outdated view that if you can't make it in the West End, you can always work on cruises. We hope this section will make that clear.
With so many cruise ships sailing the world, the entertainment on board is world class. Cruise ship companies have moved with the times and are creating top quality shows. There are opportunities for every kind of performer from dance, singing, aerial, traditional showgirl and now even musicals. Who doesn't want to see the world, earning tax free money doing what they love?
Here we aim to share lots of useful content about auditioning and performing on Cruise ships.
Future Performers have been extremely fortunate to spend some time with one of the UK’s leading choreographers and cruise ship consultants Graeme Pickering.
Here is what he shared with us about Cruise Ships…
Everything you need, all in one place
Auditions for cruise ship jobs are held throughout the year in the UK. Where do you find out about them? Well, you can ask your agent if you have one to keep you informed about upcoming auditions. You can look on Spotlight if you are a member and also keep a close eye on social media.
We suggest you follow
@openauditions - www.openauditions.uk
@industryauditions - www.industryauditions.com
Open auditions are also regularly posted on
Make sure you follow the cruise lines you are interested in working for. You can also apply directly to many of them. To help you, here we have listed many of the links to the cruise ship production companies.
Carnival
Princess
www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/careers
P&O
www.pocruisescareers.co.uk/careers/entertainment
Celebrity
www.celebritycruisesentertainment.com/careers
Cunard
www.cunardcareers.co.uk/careers/entertainment
Royal Caribbean
www.royalcaribbeanentertainment.com/productions/careers
MSC
www.careers.msccruises.com/#/onboard-jobs/20
Norwegian/Oceana/Regent
Disney
www.jobs.disneycareers.com/auditions
Marella
www.careers.tuigroup.com/uk/marella-cruises-entertainment
Virgin
Virgin
Below are a few of the amazing Cruise Ship companies to give you a taste of things to come
Check out some of these
cruise ship production videos.
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean
Carnival Entertainment
Each cruise line will run their process slightly differently but we are delighted to have been in touch with the casting and booking team for Playlist Productions at Carnival Cruise Line Entertainment in Miami and they agreed to do a Q&A with us all about auditioning, joining and working for Carnival as a performer. We hope you will find this useful and that it answers some questions you may have had.
EXCLUSIVE Q&A WITH
CARNIVAL ENTERTAINMENT
Casting & Bookings
Thank you so much for taking the time to help answer questions that will be extremely beneficial to our readers.
1. Do you have to have an agent to audition for Carnival?
Not at all! We accept individual video submissions through our website at carnivalentertainment.com and we have open calls for most of our live auditions. Audition information can also be found on our website.
2. Where are Carnival auditions advertised in the UK?
We advertise with The Stage UK – both online and in print – and at Backstage.com. On Instagram, our listings can be found on a few pages: Carnival Entertainment and Industry Auditions.
3. Do you hold auditions all over the UK?
Our largest auditions are held in London, but we are looking into potentially visiting Manchester and Scotland in the future!
4. Are there separate auditions for singers and dancers?
Yes, we hold separate calls for Dancers who Sing and Singers who Dance. More detail to come in the answer below!
5. What does a Carnival audition entail?
Dancers who Sing: Will begin with a technical across the floor combination followed by two short combinations of contrasting styles. After the dance portion, we ask to hear sixteen bars of your own pop/rock song. Finally, we conduct a harmony exercise lead by our accompanist.
Singers who Dance: Everyone will be asked to prepare their own 16-32 bar cut of their best pop/rock song, along with a song selection from one of our shows. We will provide these tracks ahead of time so everyone can come in prepared. After that we will conduct a harmony workshop, led by our accompanist. Lastly, we will teach two dance combinations in contrasting styles.
6. Can you apply directly to Carnival? If so, what will you need and how do you apply?
Applying through our website is easy and only takes a few minutes to complete. You need digital versions of your headshot and CV along with links to dance and/or vocal reels. A show reel is extremely helpful too! Beyond that, the application consists of basic personal information.
7. If you are offered a contract, what will you need to prepare?
Once you have accepted an offer from us, you will begin the onboarding process. This is where you will work to gather all the proper documentation to rehearse in our studios in Miami as well as work on board a seafaring vessel. First and foremost, you will need a valid passport. All crew members are required to have a Seafarer Medical. There are certain visas that are also required, depending on where you are from, but we will assist in making sure everyone has what they need. There are detailed instructions regarding the whole process in the Welcome Letter found in your Job Offer, and we will also guide you every step of the way!
8. Could you tell us more about the Seafarer Medical?
All crew members are required to pass a Carnival Cruise Line medical to work onboard our ships. We have facilities all over the world where this examination can be done – a list of these facilities can be found in the Welcome Letter in your Job Offer. The medical exam is an out-of-pocket cost for all of our Team Members.
9. Typically, what visas are required and do you have to apply and pay for these yourself?
All non-US and Canadian Team Members are required to have a C1/D visa prior to joining a ship. All non-US and Canadians coming to rehearse in our Miami studios will also require either a B1 visa or an ESTA waiver. The C1/D and B1 will require an appointment at a US embassy, and both can be obtained at the same time. The ESTA is a simple online application. UK passport holders are eligible to apply for an ESTA. Again, we will help guide you to make sure you have all required visas. Receipts for all visas can be kept for reimbursement once on board the ship.
10. Are return flights paid for by Carnival?
Yes – we will provide flight from your home to rehearsal, from rehearsal to the ship, and from the ship back home at the end of your contract.
11. How long do rehearsals last for and where?
Rehearsals can last anywhere between 1 – 2.5 months, depending on the ship. Our state-of-the-art rehearsal facility is located in Davie, Florida, which is just 30 minutes north of Miami. Davie is right next to Ft. Lauderdale which has plenty of restaurants, shopping, and beaches!
12. How long are contracts with Carnival?
On board contracts are generally around 6 months. Sometimes it can be a little longer or a little shorter, but that is the average.
13. How do UK performers get paid when on a contract?
Once you arrive at the studios you will receive a Brightwell card. Your salary will be deposited onto that card and it can be used just as you would a debit card. Funds can also be transferred to your own bank account, if desired. Team Members are paid on a bi-weekly basis.
14. What other duties may a performer be expected to do while on board?
Since this is marine vessel all Team Members will have to participate in safety drills. This is to practice gathering the guests into their muster stations in the very unlikely event of an emergency. There are other guest engagement activities that may be required of our casts such as Q&A sessions, Sail Away activities, etc. Most are done on a rotational basis and it’s a great way to get to know our guests and invite them to your shows!
15. Do you have to share a cabin?
All of our casts’ members share accommodations while in rehearsals in Miami. Onboard – dancers who sing will share with another of their castmates. Singers who dance will have solo accommodations. All cabins have private bathrooms.
16. What would you say to a graduate who is considering work on a cruise?
Working on a ship is such a unique and wonderful experience! It’s a fantastic way to do what you love, while getting to travel and save money. Each ship has such a wide variety of shows, so our performers really get a chance to show off the full spectrum of their talent! You also have the chance to meet other crew members from all over the world – the people you meet on board can become your friends for life.
17. What are the advantages of working for Carnival?
Carnival really is a family – you can feel it even from the audition. We really honor and value everyone that works for us and we show that with kindness, care, and honesty. There is also opportunity to grow with the company – you may see other positions onboard such as Entertainment Director or Cruise Director that are appealing to you. You may decide you want to teach the shows one day and can work towards becoming a show supervisor shoreside. We really want to foster everyone’s individual talent and allow everyone to reach their fullest potential. And while we are a family, we are made up of unique individuals. We respect each person for who they are and what they bring to the table. We can’t wait for you to join the family!
Associate, Casting and Booking
Carnival Cruise Line
• (919) 601-3224
• 3655 NW 87th Avenue Miami, FL 33178
CHOOSE FUN®
We hope you found this section helpful and good luck!
Future Performers visiting Carnival Vista 2023.