FAQs

Probably not. English is the official language of most cruise lines and you are expected to understand both the official safety instructions and the directions of your Musical Director on and off stage.

A live audition is only for the showband musicians (piano, bass, drums, guitar, sax doubling on clarinet and flute, trombone, trumpet). These auditions last for about 45 to 60 minutes. Being part of the showband or orchestra can be challenging and therefore it is a job for only the finest musicians. During the audition, you will have to sight-read, improvise and play standards.

The audition tells us whether the candidate has the necessary level of ability that the cruise lines require to cover the positions in the showband.

You will audition from your home through Skype or by phone. The audition is completely free. For more details about the technical requirements (camera, mic, computer, etc ...) or to make an appointment, contact us.

Once the audition is over, we will make an evaluation and in the following days, we will contact you. If the outcome of the audition was positive we will ask you for your availability and tell you when we have a job offer for you. If the outcome was not good, we will tell you which points need work before you are able to audition with us again.

CDM Entertainment will help you with all the documents you need for traveling. All candidates need a valid passport at least until the last day of their contract and a valid medical certificate. Depending on the destination, you may need an entry visa. If you are not an American or Canadian citizen you will need a C1 / D seaman's visa that is obtained after paying a fee at any U.S. consulate. We will inform you of all the details and costs after the audition.

Most contracts are 3 to 6 months long. For these contracts, you will have between 4 to 6 weeks to prepare. Some contracts can have a shorter duration. They can arise from one day to another, usually when our clients need to fill a position quickly. In this case, the duration of the contract can be adjusted.

Yes, most of the musicians are required to bring their own gear. Guitarists need to carry at least one guitar, pedalboard, and an XLR cable. Bass players need their bass and at least one XLR cable. Drummers do not need to carry their kit, but they do need their cymbals, sticks, mallets, brushes, etc ... Sax players must bring both alto and tenor sax, a flute, and a clarinet. Trumpet and trombone players need their horns and a selection of mutes. Pianists and singers do not need to carry anything except their microphones if they want to.

Ship-related paperwork, clothes, and your musical equipment if needed. Bring a small number of toiletries since you can find all these products in every port or the crew shop on board. Traveling with large quantities of this can give you problems with the weight of your suitcase. As for the clothes, it depends on the itinerary you have. You will not pack the same if you go for 3 months to the Caribbean islands (shirts, shorts, flip flops, swimsuit) as if the 3 months are going to be spent in Alaska (jeans, sweaters, coats). Computers, iPads and books are recommended for your leisure time. Take some money because it can take almost a month until you get your first salary.

All companies have a dress code for both day and night time. During the day, in passenger areas, you can wear collared shirts, pants/slacks, dresses, etc ... At night, if you are a musician in the showband, you will work in a black shirt, pants, and black shoes. The musicians of the lounges have more freedom with how they dress at night. Do not forget to bring at least one suit (button-down white shirt and another black one and a tie) or at least one formal dress. Often a tuxedo is required.

It depends on the cruise line, but you will usually be covered during your contract if you have satisfactorily completed a medical exam before boarding. We recommend you not to participate in dangerous activities during your contract such as skydiving, rental motorbikes, bungee jumping, etc ... as it could affect the coverage of the insurance.

Yes. All crew members have a secondary function onboard a ship as they have to participate in safety drills. On the first day of the cruise, there is a safety drill for all passengers that lasts approximately 30 minutes. Your role will be to accommodate passengers in the designated areas for emergencies or to direct them through the stairs to these areas. There are also drills every two weeks where the crew practice for possible emergencies.

Generally yes, if it is following a cruise line policy. If a passenger enjoyed your performance and decided to show appreciation, you can accept it. 

Yes. But first, it must be approved by the cruise line officials. The CD can be sold in the gift shop, you cannot sell it before or after the set.

You will be assigned a crew cabin when they get on board. Sideman musicians and lounge musicians usually share a cabin with one other person. Band leaders, music directors, or guest entertainers have a single cabin. The cabins onboard are small but sufficient, so respect and cleanliness are essential.

As a general rule, when the ship is in port you can go ashore and enjoy your free time. Since your job is to entertain the passengers, they are also to be found ashore. Showband musicians may have a rehearsal that will require them to return on board in the middle of the day and lounge musicians could have an afternoon set. The most important exception that requires you to stay on board is when you are scheduled for ¨in port manning¨ - IPM. This is a duty that rotates between the entire crew and requires that part of the crew stay on the ship at any given time for safety purposes.

Yes. Artists have access to the lounges and passenger areas as long as they maintain a dress code. Some restrictions may take place when certain facilities are used, like a swimming pool or buffet especially at a busy hour.

You will have many options to keep yourself occupied. Think of the ship as a small city with a few hundred crew members. You can stay in shape by going to the gym or you can practice your instrument. You can sunbathe in the sun area while reading your favorite book or stay in your cabin watching movies all day. There are also many activities organized by the other crew members. One of the greatest advantages in the life of a musician on board the ship is the amount of free time that you may spend however you want.

Yes. Drunkenness on duty, any kind of drug abuse, fighting with a guest or a crew member, stealing from a guest or a crew member, harassment of any kind, intimate relationship with a guest, all these are reasons for the immediate termination of contract or even imprisonment. We also recommend you be very aware of your daily schedules. When the ship is in port you must return to the ship before the stated time, which is usually one hour before departure. As well, for rehearsals, sets, or safety drills, always be prepared about 10 or 15 minutes before the starting time.

You can eat in a buffet-style cafeteria that is available for some departments (entertainment, casino, shops, etc). Breakfast is served from 7-9 a.m, lunch from 11: 30-13: 30, dinner from 18:00-21: 00, and late snack from 23: 00-1: 00. 

You will also have access to the guests' buffets, pizzerias, and grills at certain times of the day that will vary depending on the ship and the cruise line.

Yes. You have access to the Internet and telephone to call landlines and cell phone numbers using the ship's satellite system. Keep in mind that neither of the two services is free. You can purchase an Internet card for 20 or 40 dollars and have access to the internet. Most of the crew take advantage of the days in the port to visit the local cafes with free WiFi or simply buy SIM cards for their phones.

Expenses will be minimal compared to life on land. The accommodation and the food onboard are completely free, as well as services such as gym and laundry. You will get special prices on drinks at the crew bar. You can use the services designated for the passengers with a great discount, such as shops, salons, massages, haircuts, bars, and restaurants.

Most cruise lines pay in dollars. You will be paid every two weeks or at the beginning of the month. The company will assign you a bank account and deposit at the beginning of the month. There are ATMs on board where you can get cash and you can also easily make online transfers.

Some cruise companies may withhold applicable Federal taxes from US residents. British cruise lines may withhold national insurance from UK residents. Whatever your nationality is, it is your obligation to declare any income made outside of your country.

Yes. We want the best for the well-being of our clients both personally and professionally. In most cases, the issues are resolved on board, but if you feel that you must contact us, do it, we will always be available for you and we will help you find the best solution.

Yes. CDM Entertainment charges its clients with a small salary commission. The commission will not be charged until the musician receives the first salary. The auditions and all the previous information before boarding are completely free.