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Thursday, October 14, 2010

How to Get Work on a Cruise Ship as a Guest Entertainer Part IV


Dress Code

One of the advantages of being a guest entertainer is that we have passenger status

while on the ship, allowing us in to public areas where other crew members are not

allowed. We get to mix and mingle with passengers and over the years you will keep

meeting the repeat passengers and you can develop some very nice relationships.

On ships they usually have dress codes such as semi-formal and formal nights. You

are still employed by the cruise line, and like being employed in any job you are an

ambassador for the company, therefore you are expected to adhere to the dress

code for the evening and also dress in a smart and appropriate manner during

daytime hours.

Formal nights most men will wear tuxedos and the ladies are dressed in evening

gowns, on other nights I always wear a dress shirt and smart pants.

Gratuities

You are expected to pay gratuities to your cabin steward at passenger rates at the

end of the cruise. On some ships where we are in staff areas then the gratuities are

sleightly less because they only come in once a day and you won't get the full

service as if you would if you were in a passenger area.

If you eat in the dining room then you must tip your waiter and busboy. As a rule if I

chose to eat in the dining room I always tip after my meal, but that isn't very often

as I usually eat in the Buffet or Bistro.

On the ships now they often have an automatic charge of $10 per person per day

gratuity added to your bill, however you do not have to pay this unless you chose to.

This is what the passengers pay and it covers all gratuities including the dining

room. As I said, I never eat in the dining room and so only my cabin steward gets a

gratuity. If we chose to eat in another restaurant on the ship, rather than the buffet,

then of course we leave a tip. They usually recommend $3.50 per day for the cabin

steward in passenger areas.

Dining

You are allowed to dine in the passenger dining room and a buffets. Priority to

passengers must always be observed.

Usually the maitre d' will have a special table put aside for guest entertainers,

although on many ships they have placed us with passengers. There are usually two

main sittings, one at 6pm and the other at 8.15pm. On the modern ships now they

promote open dining so you no longer have to have a seating assignment. Also with

the larger ships there is much more choice of dining from 24 hour Lido, Pizzeria,

Italian Restaurants, Chinese Restaurants and a Steak House. Of course each ship

differs with various restaurants. On the larger ships there will be a cover charge in

some restaurants such as the steak house charges $15.00 for the meal, the Italian

restaurant charges $25.00 per meal. All crew and passengers pay the same amount

to go to these specialality restaurants.

On vessels with alternate dining facilities, a cover charge will be made to all staff,

guest entertainers, and officers which are usually no more than $2.00. When you

join ask if there is such a list with the various charges, or ask another guest

entertainer who can tell you.

Dining in the officers' mess is by invitation only.

Gambling

Ships are now like traveling resorts with all types of activities, one of the most

popular is the casino. You will need to check out what the rules are pertaining to

gambling on the ship you are to be working, but I know that the rules for the

company I work for state that guest entertainers and their guests and NOT

permitted to gamble onboard. This includes the casino, bingo, horse racing, and any

other gambling activities.

Note: Update, as of re-reading this article Guest Entertainers are NOW allowed to

gamble in the casino for the cruise line I work for.

Laundry and Dry Cleaning

Again, this varies from company to company, something you will need to check.

Ships are equipped with passenger laundrys where you can do your own washing.

However be warned ... they can be dangerous. Many comedians joke about going to

the laundry room and seeing fights and arguments as passengers try to get hold of

a washing machine or dryer. Depending on the ship you might be allowed to use the

officers or crew laundry room which will not be so bad, but always check to make

sure it is okay. If you wish you send your laundry out for cleaning, then Guest

Entertainers are charge at the crew rate for their laundry and dry cleaning, again

check the regulations for the cruise line you are to be working for.

Medical

In most cases the company does not provide medical coverage and I strongly

recommend for you to arrange your own medical and health insurance plan. In my

contract it states that in the event of illness or injury during the term of the

contract, guest entertainers agree to look exclusively to their medical and health

insurers for payment of medical benefits and not to, in any way, hold the company

liable for such payments.

Visits to the ships doctor can be very expensive which is why medical insurance is

important, especially when traveling overseas.

If on the crew list then more often that not a visit to the doctor will not cost

anything, and if they want you to get an injection such as Yellow Fever of the Flu

Injection then they will not charge. It all depends on the doctor and ships policy.








To see Paul Romhany on stage is to witness a magical transformation. While his skills and artistry as an illusionist are unsurpassed, Paul takes his performance to another dimension when he applies makeup as the audience watches, suddenly leaving behind Paul Romhany and becoming Charlie Chaplin. It is a mesmerizing spectacle as ?The Little Tramp?, Chaplin?s most famous character, emerges to complete the illusion.

Paul Romhany got his start in his native New Zealand, earning his degree in music from Auckland University. A piano certificate from London?s Royal College of Music followed, but Paul?s passion remained in theatre. Soon he was travelling the globe performing to universal acclaim and recognition with such awards as Entertainer of the Year in his home country and International Gold Medal Magic Champion in 2003. He has performed in over 50 countries and 17 national television appearances including two years on New Zealand Television with a double magic act. visit:http://www.chaplinmagic.com


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