​Ahoy there!
 
I’ve just disembarked from a cruise on the Carnival Firenze.  I have lots to share in the upcoming posts, but I wasn’t able to chat with any of the technicians aboard as – disappointingly - Carnival doesn’t allow that.  (For that reason Carnival is not one of the cruise lines I recommend taking a Discovery Cruise on!). But, I can at least take you of a tour of some of the venues aboard the ship in the upcoming posts. 
 
Let’s start in the Limelight Lounge.  Above is a photo of a theatre tech I was able to chat with briefly. I’m afraid I didn’t get his name – and I would have loved to be able to chat with him more, but I caught him just before the show started - but he very kindly agreed to pose for this photo! 
 
The Limelight Lounge is primarily used for comedy shows and other smaller events.  Nonetheless, it does have a state-of-the art lighting and sound system.  I’m not sure what the sound board was, but being a lighting designer I had to check out the lightboard (of course!) which was a grandMA (didn’t catch which model).  Despite being a small venue the lighting instruments were all LEDs and several movers.
 
If you’re interested in working in a theatre on a cruise ship and are wondering what experience you need…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Is this the year you get your first job working in a theatre on a cruise ship?!
 
You’ve done your Discovery Cruise, you connected with some theatre techs on board the ship, you’ve decided this is the life and career for you.  What’s next?!
 
Now it’s time to decide which cruise line you want to work for, and find out what positions they have available.
 
Here’s a boat load of job boards for some of the more major cruise lines - all in one place, so you don’t have to spend your time searching.

​A-ho-ho-hoy there!
I’m taking a break to spend the holidays with my family.  I’ll be back in the New Year. I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays, and I wish you all the best – and lots of cruises – for 2025!
Cheers, Beth
 
Got questions about working on a cruise ship? Submit your questions to the Salty Sage for inclusion in the Starboard Spotlight monthly newsletter.
 
Curious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Master Class
 
Serious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out going on a Discovery Cruise

​You can travel solo on any cruise line you want, however for most cruise lines you’ll end up paying what’s often called a Single Supplement.  That means you’ll pay for double occupancy for your cabin.  This is because if one person occupies a cabin, the cruise line misses out on the revenue of two people purchasing drinks packages, excursions, etc, and the gratuities are halved. Fair enough, I suppose, but it makes for an expensive Discovery Cruise if you want to, or need to, go alone.
 
However, there is a good solution out there if you want to do a solo Discovery Cruise and not have to pay double.

Hello fellow Cruise Techies!  Or are you? 

It’s been brought to my attention that some people object to the term “techie” in my company name, saying it can seem derogatory and unprofessional. Others have said they find it catchy and fun. I just chose the name for my company because I thought it ‘scanned’ well (to borrow a technique from our actor friends). 
​
I’m always open to other suggestions for a company name – one that portrays cruise ships AND tech theatre.  Please let me know your thoughts!
 
Please Like and Comment – I’d love to hear your ideas! Thanks!

Got questions about working on a cruise ship? Submit your questions to the Salty Sage for inclusion in the Starboard Spotlight monthly newsletter.
 
Curious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out the Master Class
 
Serious about working on a cruise ship?  Check out going on a Discovery Cruise

​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…