In the last blog post I introduced you to Eril and Courtney who work in the theatre and venues aboard the NCL Jade. 
This week we’ll find out all about what work schedules you can expect as a shipboard theatre technician, extra duties, how much time off you get, and more!

Let’s get started…

​It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Eril and Courtney, whom I met on the Norwegian Jade in February. 
 
This is the first in a series of blog posts about what it’s like to work in a theatre and in other venues on the Jade; what the work schedule is like, what the life style is like, what positions there are, women in the industry, the differences and similarities of working in a theatre on land and at sea, and advice to those who are interested in working in a theatre on a cruise ship.
 
In this first post we’ll explore what experience you need to work in a theatre on a cruise ship. Let’s meet Eril and Courtney…

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​Last month you read all about Josiah’s impression of his Discovery Cruise that he took in December. 

Now read what Josiah found out about Ed
who lives, and works as a theatre technician,
on the Norwegian Star.

​Theatre Technician, Josiah went on a Discovery Cruise

​on the Norwegian Star, in December. 

To find out what a Discovery Cruise is like,

here's his Trip Report…

​It’s not just a job, it’s a… lifestyle!
 
What’s it like to live on a cruise ship?
 
While not a theatre technician – he’s a casino dealer – Eddie lives and works on a cruise ship.
 
Check out his video to get a taste of what it would be like for you to live on a cruise ship!

​Ever wondered what it’s like to land (punny!) a cruise ship job.  Watch this inspiring video from Eddie of the Seas!
 
He’s a casino dealer, not a theatre tech, however this video shows you…
 

While on Navigator of the Seas, I was able to chat with several theatre techs just briefly.  (As you may recall, Royal Caribbean won’t allow anyone to “officially” interview their staff.  NCL is the only cruise line I’ve found so far that is willing to support this.)
 
I met 4 technicians.  Two of whom were working the shows in Studio B, which is the ice rink(!) on board ship, and two of whom were working in the main theatre.

 
Danilo – Royal Theatre lighting tech - from Montenegro.
Willington – Royal Theatre sound tech - from South Africa. That’s the back of his head there in the photo!
Syd – Studio B sound tech – from The Philippines.
And the Studio B light tech – unfortunately I didn’t catch his name nor where he was from.

​Ahoy there!
 
I just returned from a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas!
 
The Navigator of the Seas has two main venues, the main theatre, called the Royal Theatre, and Studio B, which is an ice skating rink!  On this trip the Royal Theatre had two revue-type shows; “Showgirl!” and “Ballroom Fever”.  Both of which were very enjoyable, well performed, and technically state-of-the-art, but certainly the lack of a full-length musical production was felt!  Studio B’s ice show was called “iSkate” – again professionally done, but essentially also a revue type show - performed on ice skates! 

If you’re wondering what your cabin will be like, where you’ll eat your meals, where you’ll relax and keep active, check out this (bi-lingual!) vlog post from Eddie of the Seas.
 
Eddie is a casino host – on board Star of the Seas, at the time of this vlog – from the Philippines.   He gives you a comprehensive tour of his cabin, the crew mess, the crew bar, the crew games room and the crew gym.  He ends his vlog with a visual tour of one of his favorite hang out spots on the ship, the Overlook.
 
You can check it all out here...

​I just came across this great website, that has a boat load of information about living and working on cruise ships, from Rob Lilley, a former cruise ship employee.
 
There’s great information about the internet (a popular topic for crew members who are away from their family and friends for months at a time), crew cabins and living quarters, work hours and days off, food, and lots more, including a list of recruiters.
 
You can check it out at