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Arts and Entertainment > How to Get Work on a Cruise Ship as a Guest Entertainer Part IV
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Article rating : 0.00, 0 votes. Author : Paul Romhany
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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