​Before the audience sees a show on a cruise ship, and before the running crew learn the show, and before the show is teched (usually on land, often in a warehouse), the show has to be designed – just as in a land-based theatre.  But there are some differences between designing, installing, and programming land-based shows versus shows on cruise ships. 
 
Maybe this might be your calling?  Don’t want to work on a cruise ship full time?  Consider working for a cruise line as a designer, installer, or programmer!
 
This article from Cruise Industry News features Visual Connection, one of the companies that provide entertainment lighting services for cruise lines.  And while this article is primarily lighting-oriented (my favorite subject!), it applies to any aspect of technical theatre.  The article addresses how it’s essential to understand all of the ship’s structures and systems, not just the theatre’s systems, the challenges of delivering and running a show on a cruise ship, and more.
 
Check it out at….

When you’re working on a cruise ship a lot of things are provided for you; your accommodation (aka:  cabin – which includes your utility bills!), your food, entertainment, laundry, gym membership, health insurance, medical coverage.  A lot of life’s expenses!  Maybe you have some bills back home, but most people don’t keep an apartment back home – maybe a storage unit.  There are some people who work on cruise ships who have family back home, but since they don’t need to spend much while they’re living on the ship, they can afford to send even more money home.
 
Here's a great video from CruiseTuber, Krista Jocelyn, who is a performer on a cruise ship, who averages about $200 a week.

​Ahoy there!  Let’s talk SAFETY!
 
This is the third in this three-part series of real-life court cases involving safety incidents in theatres on cruise ships.
 
Be sure to read about CASE # 1 at:  https://www.cruisetechies.com/cruisetechies-blog/safety-lawsuit-series-case-1
 
Be sure to read about CASE # 2 at:  https://www.cruisetechies.com/cruisetechies-blog/safety-lawsuit-series-case-2
 
This third lawsuit is a reminder that the performers’ safety comes first.  As a lighting designer I would like nothing more than to accentuate something with a light cue or blackout, but not when it puts the performer’s safety at risk.  This is a great example of this situation.  It’s also a great example of when the house staff needs to make announcements about flash photography…. Read on MacDuff…

Curious about the types of venues you might be working in on cruise ships?  All of these venues need SMs/PMs, lighting, sound, a/v, and/or stage technicians.
 
On most cruise ships, of course, there’s shows in the main theatre.  These can range from full (but usually shortened) Broadway shows, to a variety of entertainers, to the ship’s crew last night gala.
 
Then there’s the ever-popular game shows.  These are typically either held in the main theatre or in the atrium.
 
The smaller venues – bars and night clubs - are usually used for karaoke, comedians, live music, lectures and so on, but they still need the lights brought up and the microphones turned on.  Sometimes these smaller acts are set up in hallways and other public areas.
 
Royal Caribbean ships also have ice skating shows and aqua shows, which are highly technical spectaculars in and of themselves.
 
Check out this blog from Emma Cruises, where she extensively lists the venues typically found on cruise ships…

​Ahoy there!  Let’s talk SAFETY!
 
This is the second in a series of real life court cases involving safety incidents in theatres on cruise ships.  (One more coming after this one – in two weeks.)
 
Be sure to read about CASE # 1 at:  https://www.cruisetechies.com/cruisetechies-blog/safety-lawsuit-series-case-1
 
This lawsuit is again about a pit fall, but involves an audience member.  When we think about theatre accidents we often think about the performers or crew while the audience sits and looks on.  However, cruise ship shows and events often involve a lot of audience participation.
 
I’ll let Monona tell you all about it, then we’ll talk…

​Be sure to watch this video from ‘cruisetubers’ Jared and Jordan with
​JJ Cruise, which viewed in May of 2024 (21:17 minutes).  In it they interview and film Cruise Director Lewis, who has been working on cruise ships for 17 years – and still loving it! – and is now on the Celebrity Apex.  Join them as they talk about…

Ahoy there!  Let’s talk SAFETY!
 
As promised, following is a series of real life court cases involving safety incidents in theatres on cruise ships.  (Two more coming after this one – one every other week.)
 
It’s always been my mantra – NOTHING happens without safety! Just like in theatres on land, safety in cruise ship theatres is paramount – only even more so, because a theatre on a ship is moving!  I’ve sat in a cruise ship theatre before – with my seat rocking up and down - watching an acrobatics show, wondering how they were able to balance on two feet, let alone on top of balls and platforms.
 
And just like theatres on land, accidents do happen, as do lawsuits. Enter stage right – Expert Witnesses.  Expert Witnesses are called to provide information in court cases.  Expert Witnesses didn’t ‘witness’ the event happen, but they are experts in their field - in this case, theatre safety. I was once contacted about being an Expert Witness for a woman who fell into a pit.  I didn’t see it happen, but it was caught on video.  After reviewing the video I felt I had to decline, because it was not clear that she wasn’t at fault(!).  But I’ve never had to be an Expert Witness for a cruise ship theatre, but I know someone who has – three times.  And she’s kindly offered to share the three cases with you in this blog.
 
Please let me introduce Monona Rossol of Arts, Crafts & Theatre Safety (ACTS), a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing health and safety services to the arts.  She is also the Health and Safety Director for Local 829 of the United Scenic Artists, IATSE. Monona is a chemist, artist and industrial hygienist, with a background in theatre, art, music, chemistry and math, who has lectured and consulted in the US, Canada, Australia, England, Mexico and Portugal - and the seas in between.

Our first case study involves a performer who fell 9 feet into a pit of a theatre in a cruise ship.  But let me have her tell you about it in her own words…

Ahoy there!  As of my last post I said I was going to be bringing you information from Utopia of the Seas.  Well… I didn’t go.  And here’s why…
 
First, after having been told by one events manager on board that I would be able to interview theatre crew I was then told by another (more senior?) events manager on board that Royal Caribbean does not allow ‘unaccredited media’ to interview employees.  I explained that, number one, I blog about my interviews and therefore be providing cruise lines with prospective employees.  And, number two, I also book Discovery Cruises for prospective employees – people like yourselves who are interested in researching more about what it’s like to live and work in theatres on cruise ships – and therefore provide the cruise line with customers.  But they would not budge.
 
So, unfortunately, I must announce that I will not be working with Royal Caribbean for the purposes of Discovery Cruises.  Norwegian on the other hand welcomes us with open arms!
 
But wait, there’s more…

Ahoy there!   I hope your new school year has been going swimmingly!
 
I know in my post at the end of the last school year I said I would start blogging again once summer has ended, but I just wanted to let you all know that I won’t be posting until mid-October.  This summer ended up being a bit more stressful than I’d anticipated, starting, sadly, with my mother’s passing, but ending on a better note with buying a new home in a Rocky Mountains foothills town, just south of Boulder.  Both, along with a few other life-events, have been taking up a lot of my time and energy as you can imagine. (Photo is a view of my backyard – definitely a way from the ocean!)
 
In any case, better times are on the horizon!  I’ll be taking a cruise on the Utopia of the Seas in early October, and I have arranged to interview some theatre crew - and also hopefully a “cruise-tuber” who is currently on board! - and then I’ll be bringing you lots more posts about what it’s like to work on a shipboard theatre!
 
So please hang in there, I’ll be back sometime around mid-October!
 
 
Please Like and Comment – I’d love to hear from you! Thanks!
 
Curious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Master Class
 
Serious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Discovery Cruise

Hello Everyone!
 
I'll be taking a hiatus from blogging over the summer, and will be back in early September.
 
All the same, summer is the perfect time for YOU to take your Discovery Cruise, so please don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to find out more about that.
https://www.cruisetechies.com/discovery-cruise.html
 
Summer is also the time to catch up on any blog posts you may have missed!  Check the side bar down on the right for quick links to blogs about discovery cruises, job info, ship info, and my latest cruise on the Norwegian Bliss!
 
A happy and safe summer to everyone!
 
Curious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Master Class
 
Serious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Discovery Cruise