Working on a cruise ship comes with its own special challenges, even when you have one of the best jobs in the industry.
Solo musicians typically work 3 to 4 hours per day and almost always have a day off. It's a very light schedule compared to many crew members, but it's necessary for the work they're doing.
It is very difficult to sing for 3 or 4 hours a day, especially when some shifts can be divided into deck parties. That forces the performer to warm up their voice more than once, and that can be a challenge.
Related: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity to add ships, new destination in 2025
Royal Caribbean solo musicians, of course, have more responsibilities than simply playing. They still have to drill with the equipment, which may mean having to get up early 1 or 2 days a week after finishing work at 1 or 2 am.
They also have to practice, learn new songs at the request of passengers, and sometimes prepare special performances at the request of management.
Still, solo musicians have free time in ports to see the world, and when on the ship they have similar privileges to passengers. They can also accept tips, have their own cabins, and even order room service.
Band musicians share a room and have to rehearse more (generally), but they still have one of the best jobs on board. Bryan James, who has worked as a solo artist and as part of a group, shared what a day in his life is like during his current contract on Utopia of the Seas, where he performs as part of the country band in Mason Jar. restaurant.
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Working on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Transcription:
Good day. Go to work. How are you? I'm fine, I'm fine.
To lunch. To work. I'll see you soon.
I'll see you in 45 minutes. Yes. Okay, yes.
Bye bye. I'm a little late. I'm a little late.
But this elevator is stuck at 18. I have to go to 15. This one is at 5. Hopefully it will go down to 3 soon.
Most musicians don't work in the mornings, but this is a very specific job where we have to wake up and have lunch once a week. We usually play until midnight every night. So the negative thing is that we go crazy, very crazy until late, around midnight.
But at that point you're never done. Once you're done playing, you talk to everyone, hang out, maybe have a drink or two with some guests. You won't fall asleep until your body shuts down until 2 or 3 in the morning.
You have to get up at 9 to start your vocal warm-ups and prepare for brunch the next day. It's kind of a strange balancing act you have to do. It doesn't seem like it's that difficult, but it's harder than it seems.
Anyway, that's brunch, guys. There is something different about this chicken. I never ever wanted to order chicken and waffles.
Because when I think about fried chicken, it always comes out too dry or too greasy. There are only two options. This is perfect in every way.
And I'm not just saying that because I work here. I think part of it is the meat. It's darker like that… Is it dark meat? I don't know.
It doesn't have the typical flavor… Isn't chicken just one meat? Is there dark meat and light meat in a chicken? I thought it was turkey. Maybe it's turkey. It's definitely not turkey.
It's called chicken and waffles. You're crazy? Alright. What are we doing? Where are we going? I already forget it.
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Cruise bands have to rehearse
He returned to the room and then got ready for the gym. And I have rehearsal, so… What am I going to do? Gym. Get ready for the gym.
Gym. That's all. That's all I have.
And then I work at 9 o'clock. Life is good. How long is your essay? 30 minutes.
Easy. Inside and outside. Well.
Let's go to the gym. It will be fast. Just because I'm not a gym rat.
We are also walking away from the gym because we took the wrong path. That's how often I go to the gym. I don't really do this often.
Well. We got distracted. Back to the mission.
Back to the gym. I'm on a ladder. And if you've never climbed stairs before, this is torture.
It's like your muscles never get a chance to relax. And I'm told you're supposed to move on. So, when you're about to think your legs are going to fall off, don't stop.
And overcome the pain. And supposedly that's good for you. How many days do you go to the gym a week? Realistically, probably 5 out of 7. Not on the day of the double show.
But do you want to go more? Yeah.
When does your day start for a double show day?
I start getting ready at least 2 hours before the show. What time is your show? Usually 7 or 8. But yeah, I just want to save all my energy.
I have time. I sure could make time. But I would rather walk than go to the gym.
Oh, so you're still dating. You're still like you're active. You're just not lifting heavy weights.
Okay, I have to go this way. Okay, I have to go this way. Bye bye.
Bye bye. Oh God, where am I? So now we are at 6.6 overlooking the boardwalk.
He made it all Christmassy. Look at that. Starbucks is all Christmassy.
And there's Central Park, right up there. I guess. In fact, I haven't been there in weeks.
So maybe Central Park looks really Christmassy. I'm going up there after this. We will check it.
Oh, what's up? They just gave me a duck. While we were eating sushi, they gave me a 3D printed printer… Oh, here it is. Chris, the cruising duckman.
How many did you say you give out on a typical cruise?
“This one was 1,200. Our last cruise in September was 2,500.”
Dude.
Oh, no way. Wait, what? What the hell? That's crazy. My God.
Hell yes. Wait, really? That's great. Oh, ducklings.
Like tiny… They're not dolphins. They are just the smallest fish that jump out of the water like dolphins. It's so random.
It's so strange. Well, that was my day. I forgot to film the second half.
Musicians get paid to play music
It clearly ended around 5 o'clock. But that night I worked in a bar on the ship. That's my job.
I work in a bar and play music. I forgot to set up a tripod and actually show you what it looks like. But it's really fun.
If you've been on the boat, it can be a very, very good time up there. So I'll show it soon. I'm going to start making these longer videos a little more regularly.
Clearly I make a lot of short films. If you want to see them, you can see them on my YouTube and instagram. But I think there will be more of that on YouTube very soon.
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That's the plan. That's the plan. It's Christmas time.
We have five days until Christmas. Many events happen on the ship for the crew members. And I want to show a little bit of what that looks like.
So stay tuned for another Day in the Life video coming soon. Soon, soon, soon, soon. And thanks guys.
If you comment on these videos, I'm pretty sure it will be helpful. So don't hesitate to comment whatever you want. And I appreciate you seeing my really strange life below the deck of a cruise ship.
It's unique. And I'm glad to be able to share it with you. So thank you.
Bye bye.
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