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Cruise Musician information

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How much do cruise musician jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for cruise musician in the United States is $21.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cruise musician?

Cruise musicians are professional performers who provide live music entertainment on cruise ships. They may play in bands, orchestras, or as solo acts in various venues onboard, such as lounges, theaters, or pool decks. Their duties include rehearsing, performing scheduled shows, and sometimes interacting with guests. Cruise musicians often sign contracts for several months at a time and travel to various destinations while living and working on the ship.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cruise musician?

To thrive as a Cruise Musician, you need strong musical proficiency, sight-reading ability, and experience performing in various genres, often supported by a relevant music degree or extensive performing background. Familiarity with digital audio equipment, backing tracks, and sound systems is commonly required. Excellent teamwork, adaptability, and interpersonal communication skills help musicians engage diverse audiences and collaborate with other crew members. These abilities ensure high-quality entertainment, guest satisfaction, and smooth integration into the dynamic cruise environment.

What are some common challenges cruise musicians face while performing at sea?

Cruise Musicians often encounter challenges such as adapting to varying performance schedules, maintaining consistent energy for multiple shows per week, and adjusting to life on board for extended periods. They may also need to quickly learn and perform a diverse repertoire to cater to different passenger demographics. Additionally, collaborating with musicians from diverse backgrounds and working closely with entertainment directors requires strong communication and flexibility.

What is the difference between Cruise Musician vs Cruise Ship Entertainer?

AspectCruise MusicianCruise Ship Entertainer
CredentialsMusical skills, performance experience, possibly music certificationsVaries; may include performers, comedians, dancers, with relevant entertainment skills
Work EnvironmentOnboard cruise ships, performing live music in lounges, theatersOnboard cruise ships, performing various entertainment acts in designated venues
Employer & Industry UsageCruise lines hiring musicians for live performancesCruise lines hiring entertainers for diverse shows and acts

While both roles work onboard cruise ships providing entertainment, a Cruise Musician specializes in live musical performances, often as part of a band or solo act. A Cruise Ship Entertainer may perform a broader range of acts, including comedy, dance, or variety shows. The key difference lies in the specific skill set and type of entertainment provided, though both require performance experience and onboard work credentials.

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What states have the most Cruise Musician jobs?

States with the most job openings for Cruise Musician jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Cruise Musician jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Cruise Musician jobs are:

Cruise Musician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cruise Musician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,855 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Cruise & Excursions Director

American Cruise Lines

Kalama, WA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Cruise & Excursions Director
American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Cruise & Excursions Directors to our shipboard team for our 2026 season. American Cruise Lines only operates within the United States and has no more than 200 passenger vessels that create a one-of-a-kind small ship experience. With newly constructed vessels being added to our fleet, it is a great opportunity to join our shipboard management team.
The Cruise & Excursions Director is a hybrid role responsible for engaging guests both on board and ashore. On board, the Cruise & Excursions Director is the most visible advocate for guests and is responsible for creating a fun atmosphere while always engaging guests through a series of activities, shows, events, presentations, communications and socializing throughout the cruise. Ashore, the Cruise & Excursions Director engages guests in each destination through a series of shoreside excursions, explorations and adventures while managing all shore excursions and transfer operations, external vendor/operator communications, premium excursion upselling and inventory management.
This role has the highest level of guest interaction and can be very demanding, with long hours. The role requires an energetic and creative person with extraordinarily polished presentation skills, a collaborative team spirit and a passion for guest satisfaction. The Cruise & Excursions Director reports to the Hotel General Manager.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values-Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America's Story on the Finest American Ships.
Responsibilities
  • Schedule and execute engaging entertainment, enrichment and activity programs that enhance and elevate the guest experience.
  • Create the Ship to Shore.
  • Effectively communicate to guests via the shipboard daily program, stage, public address system and one-on-one interaction and socialization.
  • Be extraordinarily well-versed in the cruising region, ports of call and excursions offered.
  • Confirm and adjust, as necessary, all shore excursions, explorations, adventures and transfers.
  • Greet guests as they depart for and return from shore excursions.
  • Accompany guests on daily excursions as a company representative and brand ambassador.
  • Coordinate, communicate and confirm all logistics with vendors, coach companies, guides, ground operators and entertainers to ensure timely and smooth service.
  • Accommodate guest requests, including highly personalized ones such as kayaking, golf tee times, and private transportation arrangements.
  • Socialize with guests at every opportunity including, but not limited to, mealtimes and cocktail hour.
  • Make daily midday announcement/update; make every effort to make all PA announcements as the "voice" of the cruise.
  • Present a detailed Officer's Introduction and Excursions Briefing to guests at the beginning of every cruise.
  • Assist in the delivery of the Safety Briefing with the Captain.
  • Ensure lounges are prepared for activities, events, presentations and shows (lounge configuration, stage set-up, background music, A/V requirements, etc.).
  • Meet and greet step-on entertainers when they join the ship; conduct sound check and inspect stage set-up.
  • Oversee excursion inventory and invoicing system; be fully responsible and accountable for system hardware.
  • Manage launch boat operations with the Mate.
  • Purchase morning newspapers in port each day.
  • Oversee, manage inventory and display port information collateral for guests; coordinate with local CVBs to obtain and refresh maps, brochures and other port-/region-specific materials of interest to guests.
  • Ensure that approved background music is playing in lounges before and after each activity, presentation and show.
  • Create and update bulletin board daily.
  • Coordinate weekly office inventory.
  • Prepare folders and materials for turnaround day.
  • Inform crew members of daily excursion offerings.
  • Monitor and evaluate performance of vendors, coach companies, guides, ground operators, motor coaches, entertainers and guest speakers, providing immediate course corrections when necessary.
  • Oversee company representation at pre-cruise hotels on turnaround day (when applicable).
  • Meet with Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling.
  • Promote on board sales and brand loyalty program.
  • Communicate and report regularly to the Home Office as to the status of the cruise, excursion counts, guest issues and recovery, entertainment, enrichment and activities.
  • Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the Hotel General Manager.
  • Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management is preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
  • Enthusiasm, confidence, and a can-do attitude.
  • Strong public speaking skills.
  • Strong social skills.
  • Strong critical thinking skills.
  • Strong sense of production and presentation.
  • Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment required.
  • Excellent time management and attention to detail.
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. Geography preferred.
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Attributes for Success:
  • Ability to engage guests throughout each cruise.
  • Superior time management.
  • Ability to manage and solve problems.
  • Sense of urgency in all guest, crew, and home office requests.
  • Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.

Work Schedule:
  • 7 days per week while onboard the ship.
  • 6 to 8 weeks working and living onboard the ship / 1 to 2 weeks off.
  • This is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Functions:
  • Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
  • Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
  • Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20" diameter hatch.
  • Ability to stand for your entire shift.
  • Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
  • Ability to work outside during inclement weather, staying agile, and maintaining balance over wet terrain.
  • Ability to work outside with frequent and direct sun and heat exposure.
  • Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to use stairs frequently.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive daily rate.
  • Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
  • Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.

Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ‎American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual ‎qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. ‎This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, ‎hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access ‎to benefits.‎
*Job sites across the nation.
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

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