What I learned as a cruise ship performer ✨🎤
What I learned as a cruise ship performer
I have been blessed to work for three different cruise ship companies so far in my life, and I could not be more thankful. It has given me the opportunity to not only grow as a performer, find my fiancé (that’s a story for another time😉) but to learn more about myself/find myself. Here are the top four things that I have learned so far that I will use for the rest of my life. And if you want to pursue the same career, then I hope this helps!
1. Performing on the main stage theater on cruise ships usually means that you are learning more than just one show. On the ships that I’ve been in I’ve had to learn 4 to 5 different types of shows so that I could perform them every cruise week. The shows are about 35 to 50 minutes, usually when you were learning a show of course you are writing everything down. You are writing down the number that you stand on during a specific part of the show, you are writing down what costume you are wearing, what shoes you are wearing, and even the emotion that you were having during a specific number. When I tell you I had to use 4 different notebooks for each show!! 😂😂😂 it works though! Having very specific notes will help you in the long run because it will help make the show even better! Also, things will change. People might be sick and unable to do that show and so someone has to step up and replace that person which means you will have completely different notes! So writing everything down is extremely important not only for your sanity so you can remember what is happening in the show, but also, it’s really important to stay organized and to have something to look back on for the future.
2. In the initial contract that you get with whatever cruise company you’re working for, it will say somewhere that going to the gym is either required or something that is encouraged. That’s basically a nice way of saying that you need to be able to keep up your stamina for however long your contract is. These shows are like a HIIT routine, you are constantly moving and changing into different costumes extremely fast! So without that stamina, you are truly left in the dust. On ships before I usually was a “park and bark” kind of singer, which means that I would walk to one spot of the stage, sing a little bit and then walk to another part of the stage and sing a little bit. No choreography whatsoever. Coming into a different company, for example, Carnival Cruise Lines, you have to be equally talented in both singing and dancing. I have never had the best training in that area, but I made sure to push myself so I would excel! That being said, I was in the gym every single day, working on my stamina, and basically doing HIIT routines! I wanted to make sure that I never got tired on stage and never got tired changing into a different costume so I can keep that energy and the audience in the palm of my hand. Essentially, I became very toned and lost so much weight, so I am very thankful for this job!
3. When do you think about it, you are living on a cruise ship for 4 to 9 months. Without your family, without your friends, and without the luxury of going to the grocery store and making your own food. Yes, you are traveling the world and yes, you are making new friends and new memories. But sometimes I felt like I just wanted to scream because I felt extremely alone. to put things in perspective, I have depression and anxiety. To me, it was controlled very well, but once I received my sea legs and got used to my surroundings on the ship, I could feel that I had to try a little bit harder, keeping my depression and anxiety at bay. I mean seriously, you don’t even have a window in your crew cabin! I had to make sure to go outside every single day in guest area to get fresh air, and to feel the sun on my skin. I had to start journaling, so I could see my feelings and understand where they are coming from, and understand how I am feeling. I used FaceTime for my friends and family every moment that I could. I love my job so much that of course I went back to do it again, but I had to try extra hard to make sure that I was OK, and actually OK which means I had to do more things, and thankfully, it all worked out.
4. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to have bad days. You’re going to complain about going to work and performing that evening. You’re going to forget choreography. You’re going to forget lyrics… it happens! We are all human, and we all make mistakes. And the best thing about it is usually there are two performances at night. So if you mess up in one show, you can redeem yourself in the next one! Give yourself grace!!! And remember where you came from! Remember that you have the luxury of traveling the world and getting paid for that! Remember that you are worth it, and just as capable as any other performer out there! These bad days will come and go, but your talent will always remain. As performers we always strive for perfection. But once we get there, what will we do, just stop there? The best thing about each and everyone of us is our imperfections. That’s what makes us human! If we were all perfect, and never made mistakes, the world would definitely look different. so continue to strive for perfection, but also remember that just living is more than enough.
I hope you enjoyed this post, and remember that this is my own opinion, and just a glimpse of my performance life at the moment. Please take everything with a grain of salt and comment what you think below! #traveling #cruiselife #performerlife #singing #dancing
#hellolemon8 #unaesthetic #livephoto #lemon8diary #stylesetter
Stepping onto a cruise ship stage for the first time felt like a dream come true, but boy, did I quickly learn that the life of a performer at sea is so much more than just glittering costumes and applause! My journey taught me invaluable lessons, far beyond what I ever expected. While the article touches on the need to *write everything down*, I quickly discovered that my note-taking evolved from simple blocking to a complex system. For those demanding *cruise ship shows*, it wasn't just about where to stand, but also what emotion to project in each moment, subtle costume adjustments, and even remembering specific audience interactions. I started color-coding my notes, using different highlighters for choreography, lyrics, and character intentions. This level of detail was crucial, especially when you're performing 4-5 different shows a week and sometimes need to step into a different role with little notice. Another huge revelation was the sheer physical demands of the job. The article mentions stamina being key, and it's absolutely true. Beyond the HIIT routines, I found myself constantly seeking out healthy food options in the crew mess and staying incredibly hydrated. The energy required to belt out songs while executing complex dance moves, then quickly change into another costume – sometimes multiple times per number – is immense. I often focused on core strength and flexibility, not just cardio, to prevent injuries from the constant movement. Post-show recovery became as important as pre-show warm-ups; stretching and even ice baths (when available!) were crucial for keeping my body ready for the next performance. And let's talk about mental health while *living and working on a cruise ship*. The article touches on the isolation, which is so real. My little windowless cabin became my sanctuary, but also a reminder of being disconnected. I found solace in creating small routines: a morning ritual of stepping out on deck for fresh air and sunlight, even if just for five minutes, became non-negotiable. Building a strong support system with fellow crew members was vital. We'd share meals, vent about challenges, and celebrate small victories. FaceTime with family was a lifeline, but so was finding moments of genuine connection with people who understood the unique bubble of ship life. Journaling, as mentioned, was huge, but I also started listening to guided meditations to find calm in the constant motion. Finally, the concept of give yourself grace became my mantra. On a stage, under bright lights, every tiny mistake feels magnified. I can't count the times I forgot a lyric or missed a step. My biggest learning curve was not dwelling on those moments. I learned to recover quickly, to laugh off a minor mishap, and to remember that the audience often doesn't even notice. It's about accepting that we're human, and pushing for perfection can actually hinder your performance if it leads to self-criticism. Embracing imperfections and focusing on the joy of performance, rather than flawless execution, meant I could truly be present and connect with the audience. This journey taught me to be kinder to myself, both on and off stage.
