cruise ship jobs dancer

Royal Caribbean Productions

Broadway shows. world-class performers., positions available, can you see the world from your window we can..

We are always looking for talented performers to entertain our guests. See below for more information about the positions that are currently available and how to apply. Please note that you must be 18 years of age or older to be hired.

Looking to get more gigs, entertainment jobs or auditions? Click on the relevant act type below to begin your search!

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Looking for Cruise Ship Entertainment Jobs, Auditions & Advice?

Let’s face it, for many entertainers getting a Cruise gig is the ultimate dream job. You get to see the world, while doing what you love...and get paid! It's a pretty amazing life goal. Whether you're a Singer, Musician, DJ, Magician, Dancer, Band or any other entertainer...if you have the talent, drive & ambition there should be nothing to stop you!

Here are just a few of the live Cruise Ship Performer Jobs we have available right now...

Some of the Latest Cruise Jobs & Gigs You Could Apply to...

Seeking outstanding Male identifying Dancers, Male Dancers that can Sing & Male Singers that can Dance for immediate vacancies. Please apply for further details....

UK Based Guitarist needed to join our 4-piece top 40/classics high energy party band. Contract - starting in Cyprus on 19 June for 3 months and then a 6-month cruise,...

Seeking Pianists for work aboard luxury cruise lines! Pianists must be both excellent improvisers and sight-readers. They must also be familiar with commercial styles...

Seeking the following quality musicians to perform aboard luxury cruise lines: Guitarist/Vocalists; Piano Bar Entertainers; Jazz/Swing Trios and Quartets (with...

Seeking Male & Female Vocalists for 3 month cruise contracts. Please apply for further information....

Male & Female Singers, Dancers and Guitarists wanted for renowned cruise ship company's brand-new productions! One year contracts September 2024 to September 2025. If...

Seeking DJs for cruise ship opportunities, if you are good on the mic too, even better! Please apply using your profile for further details....

Seeking the following artists: - Reading Guitar & Non Reading Guitar - Reading Bass & Non Reading Bass - Reading Drums & Non Reading Drums - Reading Keys - Female Vocalist -...

Singers & Musicians wanted for cruise ship & theme park contracts. For further information, please apply with your profile....

Disney Cruise Line is seeking Male & Female main stage Dancers. Main stage shows include Disney's Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Disney Dreams, Aladdin:...

View all Latest Jobs, Gigs & Auditions

So grow that dream in your mind, and get started on your journey...just follow these steps: 1)  Sign-up for our free jobs, auditions & gigs email alerts , so we can let you know every time a new Cruise Ship Performer job or audition comes up. Once you've registered you will also get access to our guide on 'How to Get Cruise Contracts' (in our 'Get More Gigs: Essential Guide to Marketing for Entertainers' section), which covers everything from what experience and publicity you need, to how to get your application noticed. 2) Search for the ideal contract by using the links below to explore our current, live cruise entertainer jobs & auditions. 3)  Find out more about what types of Cruise Contracts there are , from Headline acts to Show Team & Band contract 4) Find out how  Entertainers Worldwide can help you land your dream Cruise Entertainer Contract 5) Find out  more about ship life and see our useful links. Cruise Ship "Guest Entertainer" Headlining Act Contracts If you're looking to perform your act in the cruise ship's main theatre, the contracts you want to look out for are 'Guest Entertainer' or 'Cruise Ship Fly-Back / Fly-on' contracts. As a Guest Entertainer, pay is generally between $1500 - $2500+ (£1000 - £2000+) per week, for you to perform 1-2 shows in the cruise ship's main theatre. Cruise Ship Lounge Performer Contracts If you're a Singer, Musician, Duo, DJ or other artist and have your own 'sets' but generally perform as background music in e.g. a lounge setting rather than as a 'Show' in the main theatre, you will generally be on-board for 4-9 months depending on the contract. There are contracts you can apply for right now throughout our  entertainment jobs, gigs & auditions pages or by clicking any of the porthole images links on this page. Cruise Ship Show Team, Party Bands and Band Member Contracts All cruise ships have an on-board band and an on-board 'Show Team' (also called the 'Production Team'). The on-board band plays live to all of the Show Team's production shows and also provides the music for the musical 'Guest Entertainer' acts that come onboard and perform their shows 1-2 times per week in the theatre. Cruise Liners also offer contracts for Party Bands... Party Bands, Band members and Show Team Singers and Dancers are generally onboard for anything from 4-9 month contracts. Simply click on any of the porthole images for your act type on this page. Note: If you are a Duo looking to perform on a Cruise Ship , click here or view our Cruise Bands Jobs. How Can You Get Cruise Jobs with Entertainers Worldwide? There are  various routes to getting a cruise entertainer job but registering with Entertainers Worldwide is probably the simplest and quickest way to get your materials in front of a cruise booker. So how does it work and how can we help you get that dream job? 1. Apply for cruise entertainer jobs & auditions through our site We have new cruise jobs for singers, dancers, bands and entertainers every week with every cruise company from Carnival to Viking, Royal Caribbean to Norwegian. With us the application process is simple - sign up with us here  and apply! Three months ago AB Casting and Talent Agency saw my materials on your site and loved what they saw, agreeing to keep me on file in case a good fit came along. And last week it did! I'm going to be the new lead vocalist on board MSC Armonia for the next 9 months!" Kaylah Fischl, Singer/Dancer

2. Be found by Cruise bookers in our directory When you activate your profile, as well as being able to apply for any of our jobs, gigs and auditions, you also appear in our directory . That means that bookers can search for your type of talent, find you in our search results pages and book you direct. General bookers use our site to book entertainment for their weddings, parties and events, but most importantly, so do professional bookers and agents searching for cruise ship entertainment talent. "I think becoming a member of Entertainers Worldwide is the best investment I ever made. In less than one day after my profile activation, 4 different agencies have already got in touch with me and everything feels very promising. Looks like I will be working as pianist on a cruise starting from November! " Maurizio Mariscoli, Pianist.

3. Use our resources to give yourself the best chance of creating a winning profile By applying for jobs and appearing in our directory you can get your promotional materials in front of those all-important bookers, but before that happens you need to make sure that your profile really sells your talent. You’ll find a great introduction to Cruise Entertainer contracts here . Our members also have access to our Complete Guide to Getting Cruise Contracts. Not a member yet? Just register here , it takes 2 minutes and we’ll be able to send you the latest jobs and auditions. Once you’re done, just sign-in, click the ‘Get More Gigs’ button and scroll to the bottom of the page to find all our Cruise Entertainment resources. "After 6 months looking for a job as a solo guitarist... I found Entertainers Worldwide and it was the best site I've ever seen for musicians. I got an email from an agency in Hungary called Empire Entertainment and they offered me a contract on-board TUI cruise line and I took it!" Jaime Tamayo, Guitar Singer

Still got questions about applying for cruise entertainer jobs through entertainers worldwide? Ask us here .

Find out more about Cruise Life

Before you get started with applying for those Cruise Ship Entertainment jobs it can be really useful to find out more about what life's really like onboard. Not only does it mean you’ll know what you're talking about on your applications but it can also help to motivate and inspire you.

Here are three great places to start on your Cruise exploration:

Read our Blog   'Do you want to be a Cruise Entertainer?' Find out the benefits and challenges with our low-down on the top 5 huge bonuses and 5 questions you need to consider…

Check out our Cruise Fortnight page  – a fantastic round up of our social media activity on Cruise life as an Entertainer, with plenty of inspiration, useful links and videos.

Join our Cruise Entertainers facebook group to see all our latest jobs and chat to other Cruise entertainers

We also have a wealth of advice for entertainers in terms of preparing for auditions , getting the perfect promo photos  and  promo videos and writing your bio or CV , just check out our blogs. Read on to find out more about Cruise Life...

Good luck and don't forget to sign-up for free Cruise Ship Entertainer job email alerts - you can also contact us anytime either through our facebook page or contact page to get help and support with your great search!

Would you like to register now for free job email alerts?

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A cruise ship dancer and musician reveal what it's like to be entertainers at sea

• From actors to musicians, cruise ships employee dozens of performers to entertain guests on board.
• A Royal Caribbean singer and dancer told Insider what it's like to live and work on a cruise ship.
• Singer and popular TikToker Bryan James says the gig is "one of the best jobs on the planet."

Acrobats, ballroom dancers, rock bands, aerialists, and actors  — nearly every entertainment job you can think of exists onboard a cruise ship somewhere. 

According to singer Bryan James, who started working on cruises in 2017 and is currently onboard Royal Caribbean's largest ship, the Wonder of the Seas , the gig is "one of the best jobs on the planet."

That's how the 35-year-old described it to his nearly 700,000 TikTok followers, who are endlessly fascinated by his behind-the-scenes footage of cruise life , with videos documenting everything from what crew members eat in a day to staff lifeboat training.

"When you're like a gigging musician like me, it's just a hustle on land," James told Insider. "Ships really allow you to have a very anxiety-free existence."

In the hierarchy of ship workers, entertainers are pretty close to the top. Whereas most crew members work 10 hours a day, seven days a week, James performs around three hours a day and usually has one full day off from performing each week. 

"You just can't sing seven days straight, week after week — you'd lose your voice," James said. "Every job on the ship essentially works seven days a week for six months straight. They would love for us to do it, but they just wouldn't be able to keep musicians."

@bryanjamescruises Signing off of the world's biggest cruise ship. #wonderoftheseas #royalcaribbean #cruiseshipcrew #cruiseship ♬ Wii Shop Channel - McTweet

In a $7 billion industry tasked with engaging thousands of passengers stuck onboard a ship together for up to days at a time, entertainment is the name of the game.

On Royal Caribbean ships, passengers can see Broadway classics like "Mamma Mia " and "Grease," ice spectaculars, and "aqua shows" with performances from dancers, divers, and artistic swimmers. When I called James, he had just returned from performing at a "music festival" put on at the ship's outdoor theater. 

With entertainers elevated to somewhat of a celebrity status among guests, they're given significantly more freedom than other employees.

Related stories

For example, James and his band are able to eat at the guest buffet instead of crew mess hall — something fellow performers, like James' colleague, a diver who previously competed in the Olympics for Brazil, aren't even allowed to do. 

"Royal Caribbean is trying to entice people to come onto their ships — for us, we wouldn't have done this unless we had the ability to live more freely," James said. "It is unfair, but it is how the system works right now."

The privileges cruise ship entertainers are afforded can sometimes create tension with other departments whose schedules are more strictly regulated, Sequoia Harris, a 24-year-old dancer from New York City who completed a 10-month contract with Royal Caribbean in November, told Insider.

"They work literally every day all day," she said. "A lot of the stuff I see coming from their management and supervisors, it's borderline exploitation in my opinion. I remember when I first got on the ship, I was like, 'what do you mean you don't have days off?'"

But the abundance of free time was also the most challenging part of her job, Harris said. Crew members are often restricted from hanging out in certain areas of the ship reserved for guests — making it easy to go crazy with boredom, she told Insider.  

There are also sacrifices that come with any job that requires being at sea for multiple months in a row, like missing out on holidays and milestone events with family members and rarely seeing land-based friends, James said. 

"Socially, your life changes massively. I've got little nephews at home and I've missed every single one of their birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings," James said. "But when you are home you don't have a job so you spend that time really intensely with people."

Harris said she was surprised how much she missed some aspects of social life at sea, despite sharing a small bunk room and bathroom with her roommate, which made privacy hard to come by. Living in such close proximity with her castmates helped form life-long bonds with entertainers from all over the world, she said. 

"There was a time when I was saying this is my first and last contract and I'm never going to do this again," Harris said. "But then there other times when I'm like, that was actually really fun. I miss these people and dancing with these people."

James, who's in his sixth year in the cruise industry, said he originally fell in love with the job because it allowed him to travel the world with nearly zero expenses. 

"But now that the travel bug is gone, I'm realizing it's not really to travel. It's more like I can make good money and I can do it in a way that doesn't stress me out one bit," he told Insider. 

"That's kind of what everybody is searching for in life," he continued. "To do something they're good at, something they actually like to do that pays them well and they don't have to stress —  and that's what I'm finding on ships."

Do you work on a cruise ship? Have a tip or story to share? Email this reporter from a non-work address at [email protected]

Watch: This is what it takes to be a cruise ship performer

• Main content

• Cruise Directors
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• Technicians
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• Other performers

Cruise Talent

Cruise Talent is the leading directory for all entertainment professionals wanting to work within the cruise industry.

Some of the largest cruise ship recruiters and agencies use our services to look for professional performers, lecturers and entertainment technicians to fill their vacancies.

We pride ourselves on managing a safe and secure database that benefits both candidates and recruiters within the industry.

Register your details today to get discovered by cruise lines and entertainment agents!

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Mississippi ship.

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Application process: what to expect

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Take centre stage in creating unforgettable holiday happiness for our guests

As part of the entertainment team, every day brings new opportunities to showcase your talent and shine in everything you do. from performing in captivating shows or organising events, to coordinating elaborate stage productions or ensuring seamless sound and lighting setups, the teamwork and camaraderie creates a vibrant and dynamic work environment., entertainment host.

Leading an array of events, activities and entertainment, our entertainment team are compares extraordinaire, bingo callers, karaoke hosts, DJs, sports team leaders and ultimate hosts-with-the-most. From interviewing and introducing celebrity guests, to injecting energy into daytime and evening events, our team love being in the spotlight and are skilled are being super social.

Entertainment Production team

Working in the production team is an exhilarating and collaborative experience with everyone having unique skills and talents, united by a common goal to deliver incredible production shows and events. Working with industry leading systems in sound, light and stage, our Production teams provide technical support through designing, operating, and maintaining the production equipment.

Musicians (singers/orchestra)

Our musicians provide the accompaniment to a variety of entertainment shows as well as bringing venues on board to life. An ever-changing programme means rehearsals daily and opportunitsie for sight reading musicians to play a range of musical styles in the orchestra or show band.

Headliners Theatre Company

Each of our ships is home to its very own theatre, complete with plush seats, high production value and incredible shows. The Headliners Theatre Company cast  performs a different show every day, with spectacular vocals and dance.

To see all current vacancies, in the ‘What’ box, search ”Entertainment’.

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Meet the team; hanna, photo gallery, career path.

Cruise Ship Production Show Dancer Jobs

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Show Dancer Job Description and Duties:

The duties and responsibilities of a Production Show Dancer aboard a cruise ship include, but are not limited to:

- Reports to the Cast Performance Manager and to the Cruise Director

- Perform the required shows approved by the Director of Entertainment of the cruise line or by the Production Company Manager (in case the show is not produced "in-house")

- Due to the nature of the job the Show Dancer must maintain weight restrictions according to his/her contract

- Performs in Production Shows specifically created by or for the cruise line

- Perform any of the production segments during a cruise as scheduled by the Cruise Director

- Responsible for cleaning and maintaining all company’s production shows costumes

- Maintains a cleaned and organized dressing room and backstage area

- Meets and greets guests at the ship's theater entrance during non-production show evenings

- Have photographs taken with the guests when requested by the Photo Manager and approved by the Cruise Director

- Leading and escorting passenger tours of the Bridge and ship's theater backstage area

- Must arrive backstage 15 minutes prior to all rehearsals and 30 minutes prior to all shows in order to allow sufficient time for dressing and warm-up

- Some cruise lines require Show Dancers to perform Guest Activities (Cruise Staff) duties during the day or non-production show evenings as well as meeting and greeting passengers during embarkation, Show Dancers aboard ships of other cruise lines do not perform any additional duties, except professional dancing

- Depending on the cruise line Production Show Dancers may or may not be required to participate in Safety and Emergency Drills and related activities

- Show Dancers enjoy full deck privileges - free access to passenger facilities such as restaurants, bars, gym, disco, swimming pools etc.

Cruise Ship Show Dancer Job Requirements:

Advanced dancers that have technical training along with with strong jazz, ballet, tap and Musical Theatre techniques

Additional skills of gymnastics, flying/web, ballroom, partnering and acting would be a plus

Height requirements slightly vary between the different cruise lines and production show companies, but in general are:

Female Dancers must be 5'3"-5'9" (1.62 m - 1.80 m) in height Male Dancers must be 5'8"-6'3" (1.77 m - 1.92 m) in height

Some show production companies and cruise lines do not have a particular height requirements

There are two types of auditions - live auditions and video auditions. In most cases candidates should submit video materials in order to be selected for a live audition, in some cases candidates may be hired via video audition only

Video submissions:

Record a combination across the floor showing what you can do as a dancer. Be sure to display as much technique and extension as possible. The best idea is to include different routines, as many, as you can - Lyrical Jazz, Broadway Jazz, Contemporary Pop, Tap, kicks, Russians, leaps, turns, pirouettes.

Males can also show switch or scissors, switch seconds, tumbling and tap (triple time step or combo), females - pointe work if comfortable on pointe and tap (triple time step or combo).

Any additional abilities shown on the video footage would be a plus - pointework, tumbling, acrobatics, Ballroom and Latin dance.

Show group footage can be accepted, however it should be known who you are very clearly

Along with the video candidates will need to supply a full body photograph, an updated resume that includes your performances, your height and present contact information including an email address

Some cruise lines and production show companies will accept YouTube or email video submissions, others will insist on hard copy (DVD) video, photograph and resume submissions mailed to their postal addresses.

Production Dancer Salary Range:

$2,400 to $3,200 US per month depending on the cruise line and time served with the company. Possibilities for promotion to Production Dance Captain position.

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Working as a Cruise Ship Performer

This is Part II of our interview with a Canadian dancer who has worked for several major cruise lines. Part I of our interview talks more extensively about employment opportunties for dancers on cruise ships .

CruiseJobFinder members gain immediate access to exclusive Q&A interviews with industry professionals. These experts share their advice on topics including:

• How to make the most of the shipboard experience
• Performing well in job interviews
• What to expect after you're hired
• And lots more...

Interviewing Advice

What was the interview process like for this position?

What kinds of answers do you think the interviewers are looking to hear from a successful candidate?

They are looking for excellent dance technique. You must show that you are ready to perform in a group, doing different kinds of dances and that you can handle stress. You will need to stand out from a large group of dancers, and in my audition they selected only 10 dancers from the group of 300.

What tips can you give to other job seekers for passing this interview?

Just be the best dancer you can be. Get some extra practice in before your audition and rest well the day before, so that you are in top condition for the day.

Why do you think you were hired? What qualities did the hiring manager(s) see in you?

I think that all my years of dancing and learning different disciplines was apparent to them. I was confident and have always been able to pick up new choreography easily.

Getting Hired

How long did it take from first applying for the position to getting your first contact from the cruise line company?

It was not too long. I think about 2 weeks.

What happened after you were hired?

They informed me that I was chosen for the crew and I had to sign a contract and get my visa in order.

How long was it before you got your ship assignment after accepting the position?

It was pretty much straight away. I had to start going to rehearsals within a week of accepting the job.

How helpful were the cruise line in helping you get organized before you joined your ship?

I was helped by the production agency and did everything through them.

What happened when you boarded your ship for the first time?

The first thing I noticed was the rocking motion and suddenly thought, "What did I get myself into - how am I going to dance on a stage that essentially floats...?" I was shown to my cabin, which was tiny and was introduced to my roommate.

Living on Board

Approximately how many crewmembers are on the ship?

There are about 2000 crew on board the Allure.

Describe the living arrangements and how you deal with sharing space, living in a small accommodation.

The cabins are located near the bottom, so you don't always have a view, and they are small, although the dancers get slightly bigger rooms than other crew members. We share with other members of the dance or entertainment crew. Even though it is cramped, everyone is quite respectful of each other.

What are your colleagues like, both in your department and in general?

Everyone is great! We are all like family and enjoy being around each other. Of course, like in any family, there are disagreements and arguments, but these are minor. Generally the dancers and other crew members who interact with the guests, don't really get to interact with the behind the scenes crew, but everyone gets along.

What is your favorite port and why?

There are lots of ports I love - Belize and Cadiz in Spain were brilliant, but I think my favorite would have to be Tenerife. What a fascinating and beautiful place.

How did you spend your leisure time off duty?

I usually spend time on deck, and in the areas where the staff are allowed, although I try to go ashore as much as possible when in the ports. I love exploring.

Do you go on any excursions? If so, what was your favorite one?

I go on as many as possible. I most enjoyed visiting the Altun Ha Mayan Ruins in Belize - I'm a bit of a history nut.

Would you recommend this line of work to others, and if so, then why?

Most definitely! It is amazing to be able to visit all different countries and pursue my passion as a profession.

What's the best advice anyone gave you about working in this industry, whether it relates to finding a job for the first time or making the most of the experience?

Be sure that it is what you want to do. Aside from traveling the world, you must be sure that you have the right temperament because you are on top of each other and do not get a lot of privacy, plus you need to enjoy interacting with other people.

What are the most coveted positions on the ship?

Well, the dance crew and singers have a pretty good job because we work the shortest hours and have more free time. I love what I do.

What are the passengers like? How do you handle working with guests for so many hours?

Well, passengers can be difficult, but as a dancer I generally only interact with guests at functions so it is great. You need to chat to them and you have to be friendly, even if you are exhausted and do not feel like it, but it is fun to find out where they all come from and learn about different cultures.

What personal benefits/rewards do you find from working on a cruise ship?

I enjoy travelling and doing what I love most in the world. The other benefit is that I get to make money and save pretty much all of it, because you have basically no costs when you are on board for months at a time.

What did you dislike about working on a cruise ship?

I don't really dislike anything, but many people don't like the rules and protocols of the cruise line, such as not being allowed at the pool or in the pool - you are only allowed on the deck. I get the rules restrictions though because we are staff and guests have paid for the experience.

What is Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines like to work for?

It is amazing. The dance routines are actual dances and not just the corny stuff that other cruise lines do. We do actual shows like Broadway style productions and musicals. It is very professional and well put together. You also get to do all types of dances from classical to punk to jazz and more. The choreography is also challenging - no single pirouettes ever - just triples!

What do they do to keep the crew happy?

You get your time off and staff areas where you are allowed to hang out. We also get cruise parties and can use the gym among other facilities.

What is your favorite ship and why?

The Allure of the Seas - it is huge and has so many new features, like an ice show. There is so much to actually do and see on board, that you don't really feel that claustrophobic.

If you could do any job onboard, then what would it be and why?

I would not do anything else. I love what I am doing now.

Do you think working on cruise ships has or will help your career on land, and has it developed you as a person?

It will help my career on land and can easily get choreography jobs or dancing jobs at companies with the experience I have had. I can also get professional dance jobs at theaters. It has definitely helped me as a person. I am more open to other people, aware of different cultures and personalities, and feel like I have grown tremendously.

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15 Jobs for Cruise Lovers (Get Paid to Travel!)

Posted: February 19, 2024 | Last updated: February 19, 2024

Traveling the world while getting paid to do it might sound like a dream, but it can be a reality if you take a job on a cruise ship.

This type of work isn’t for everyone — the hours can be long, and it may mean a lot of time away from home. But there are plenty of benefits as well.

If working for a cruise line sounds ideal, there are plenty of career opportunities on board. Here are 15 jobs that can help  boost your bank account  as you travel the world.

Editor's note:  All salary figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Activities coordinator

Even short cruises are packed with activities for travelers to engage in. Among other things, you'll find games, happy hours and live music.

An activities coordinator is similar to an event planner. In this role, you oversee things like recreation on board and coordinating shore excursion activities. The BLS does not offer wage information for this position.

If you want to find  ways to travel more — and get paid to do it — this can be a good role to consider.

Do you owe the IRS over $10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.

It’s no secret that people on cruises like to drink. Many cruise lines offer a food and alcohol package as part of the booking process.

The amount of money you can make working as a bartender on a cruise ship varies greatly, depending on whether guests are expected to tip. But the average salary for bartenders is $29,380 annually.

Casino dealer

Working as a dealer at a cruise casino can be an exciting gig. These workers may oversee poker, blackjack, roulette, and more games.

Gambling service workers make $31,290 a year. However, as with tending bar, the actual wages for casino workers on a cruise can vary.

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Many cruise ships have cafeterias and restaurants for when guests are in the mood for fine dining.

Cruise ship chefs may be involved in cooking and planning menus for guests and staff. Chefs or head cooks make $56,520 on average annually.

Deckhands help maintain the cruise ship. They may be involved in keeping these massive ships running, including cleaning and maintaining equipment, loading cargo, and getting passengers safely on board.

The experience required to work as a deckhand can vary greatly depending on the job description. The BLS does not offer salary information for this position.

Entertainer

Cruise lines hire all sorts of entertainers, from dancers to cover bands and magicians.

Working on a cruise ship can be a great way to hone and improve your craft or even take it in a different direction. The average wage for entertainers and performers is $29.67 an hour, which equates to about $61,713 annually.

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Entertainment director

Cruise ships also need people to manage their entertainers, particularly if the ship has a lot of shows and performances scheduled.

Entertainment directors may be involved in scheduling staff, planning performances, and doing administrative work. The average salary for entertainment/recreation managers is $67,220 annually.

Fitness instructor

Many cruise ships also offer various fitness classes, including yoga, Zumba, spin, and more.

For qualified instructors, this can be a great way to stay healthy, make money, and travel the world all at the same time. The average fitness instructor makes $45,380 annually.

Hair/makeup artist

On cruise ships, hair and makeup artists may work in spas, providing services to guests looking to get pampered while on board, and may be needed to work with the ship’s performers.

The BLS groups barbers, hairstyles, and cosmetologists together and states an average of $33,400 annual salary for these workers.

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Hotel director

Since a cruise ship is essentially a floating hotel, many employees with experience working in hospitality are needed.

Hotel directors ensure that guests are comfortable and enjoy their experience. They may also be involved in planning and coordinating cruise activities.

The average salary for lodging managers is $61,910 annually.

Some cruise ships also hire nurses to provide care to passengers and cruise staff.

The amount of money nurses make on average usually depends on the type of nurse. Registered nurses (RNs) make $81,220 annually. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) make $54,620 a year.

Massage therapist

Many cruise passengers opt to take advantage of spa services. Massage therapists may work in a spa or travel to guests’ rooms with their equipment to provide massages.

Licensed massage therapists make just under $49,860 annually on average.

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Cruise ships also frequently employ security staff to ensure the safety of guests and crew members. These workers may patrol the ship regularly and respond to any issues that come up.

The average salary for security guards is $33,030 annually.

Eating often and well is a big draw for many cruise passengers. Ships often have several restaurants on board and employ experienced servers to staff them.

Pay for these workers can vary, depending on the cruise line’s tipping policy. The average salary for a server in the U.S. is $29,120 annually.

Sales associate

Part of the beauty of the typical cruise ship is that it’s kind of like a floating mall, filled with gift shops and retail stores galore. Ships often need many sales associates to staff these stores.

Again, depending on the cruise line and the job, the pay for these gigs may vary. However, BLS data puts the average salary for a retail sales worker at $30,750 annually.

That’s not huge money, but perhaps it's enough for students to get ahead financially during breaks between school years.

Bottom line

Working as a cruise crew member is certainly not for everyone — lodging for staff can be cramped, days can be long, and you might be away from home for weeks at a time.

But if you're looking to boost your bank account  as you travel, it just may be a win-win situation.

More from FinanceBuzz:

• 7 things to do if you’re barely scraping by financially.
• Can you retire early? Take this quiz and find out.
• 12 legit ways to earn extra cash.
• Do you owe the IRS >$10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.

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