I’ve now been on board the MS Rotterdam for 1 week, and I am slowly figuring out this weird and wacky lifestyle.
First 24hrs
So I kind of thought that I might have a chance to ease into this lifestyle… Oh, no! We were picked up from the hotel by shuttle at 8am where I met my band leader, Yonae who is a South-Korean/American pianist and my roommate, Julien who is a French/American guitarist. Very cool guys! I found out the band of the ship is called the “HAL Cats” (Holland America Liner), so my official “position” on the ship is “Hal Cats Saxophone”. Awesome!
We got to the boat and, after a bit of waiting around and paperwork stuff, we embarked the MS Rotterdam! This place is amazing!! I’ve never been on a ship before, but they have so much cool stuff – multiple bars, casino, theatre, pools, gyms, a huge dining room?! It’s quite remarkable! So the day continued as we went through some trainings and orientation – we had our first “Boat Drill” in which I am a “Traffic Director”. Pretty straight forward, really, but I get to wear florescent life jacket and cap!
Then we had a few hours to put our things in our room, followed by my first Hal Cats set on the back deck of the ship. Here I met our Drummer, Josh from Up State New York, Bassist Olex from Ukraine and Singer Joanne who is from England. So a very international crew – confirming the notion that music really is the international language! The set was really fun! Fun music, fun guys to work with, and really cool vibe! Then we had another set in the Theatre that evening. This theatre is pretty amazing! Complete with lighting, stage crew and clip-on bug mic for my sax!
So, needless to say, I was pretty exhausted by the end of my first day, but I think this is going to be a great experience.
We got to the boat and, after a bit of waiting around and paperwork stuff, we embarked the MS Rotterdam! This place is amazing!! I’ve never been on a ship before, but they have so much cool stuff – multiple bars, casino, theatre, pools, gyms, a huge dining room?! It’s quite remarkable! So the day continued as we went through some trainings and orientation – we had our first “Boat Drill” in which I am a “Traffic Director”. Pretty straight forward, really, but I get to wear florescent life jacket and cap!
Then we had a few hours to put our things in our room, followed by my first Hal Cats set on the back deck of the ship. Here I met our Drummer, Josh from Up State New York, Bassist Olex from Ukraine and Singer Joanne who is from England. So a very international crew – confirming the notion that music really is the international language! The set was really fun! Fun music, fun guys to work with, and really cool vibe! Then we had another set in the Theatre that evening. This theatre is pretty amazing! Complete with lighting, stage crew and clip-on bug mic for my sax!
So, needless to say, I was pretty exhausted by the end of my first day, but I think this is going to be a great experience.
First week wrap up – Music
So musically, this first week has been a roller-coaster! On my second night we performed in one of the 5 “Cast Shows” on board the ship (we only play in 2, the others with backing track). All with click track, and the click track requires a ¼ inch jack (larger than normal headphone jack). I wish I had been told this before I got on the ship, because I have an adapter at home… Not much use to me there…. So I’m currently using Olex’s spare, which is pretty “touchy” to say the least, so I have had some trying moments mid-performance…
We’ve had several guest entertainers on the ship this week too, which is more characteristic of the longer cruises. This is one of the many reasons, I am finding out, that I have been lucky in my first contract, in that if you don’t have as many guest entertainers (like on the shorter cruises) then you are pretty much playing the same sets and shows throughout your contract… So this is great! This week we played with the “McDonald Brothers” – multi-instrumental celtic duo from Scotland, “Anthony Stuart Lloyd” – Opera/music theatre singer from Wales, “Cheryl Sinclair” – Singer from England and “Mark Donoghue” – Multi-instrumental act from England. So it’s been pretty insane! Oh, and no nights off! On the nights where we aren’t playing for a Guest Entertainer or a show, we are doing a show of our own up the bar at the top of the ship called the “Crow’s Nest” – This week we did a 50s and 60s night. That joint was a-rockin’! Looking forward to having played together for a few weeks when we are all gel-ing much more, but even now it’s pretty great!
We get a schedule every night for the next day’s happenings in terms of what gig we’re playing and what we need to wear (both for the gig and I public areas). This, I found out, is very important to read! I found myself one night last week sitting at dinner with the “Cruise Director (my boss’s, boss’s boss!) in my regular cruise clothes on Formal night… It was on the schedule; after 6pm, everyone is to be dressed formally in public areas. So luckily all the people on this ship are very calm and relaxed, and they realise that I’m new, but apparently on other ships, people have been severely berated for such things!
The one part of this gig that was kind of expected, but still kind of weird in the flesh is the semi “Karoke band” ordeal. For some of these acts, we are literally playing along to a track… I realise this is where the industry is going, in theatre and such, but this is still somewhat disturbing for a few reasons but most potently - why have a band at all? ie. Putting us out of a job. I’ve discussed this with my band mates, and they assure me not to stress about it – it’s not worth it. So I won’t, I’ll just stand there and do my thing, and do it as well as I can, but still… Very interesting.
Getting lots of time to practice, which is great! Working hard on the flute and clarinet as well as both my classical and jazz saxophone!
We’ve had several guest entertainers on the ship this week too, which is more characteristic of the longer cruises. This is one of the many reasons, I am finding out, that I have been lucky in my first contract, in that if you don’t have as many guest entertainers (like on the shorter cruises) then you are pretty much playing the same sets and shows throughout your contract… So this is great! This week we played with the “McDonald Brothers” – multi-instrumental celtic duo from Scotland, “Anthony Stuart Lloyd” – Opera/music theatre singer from Wales, “Cheryl Sinclair” – Singer from England and “Mark Donoghue” – Multi-instrumental act from England. So it’s been pretty insane! Oh, and no nights off! On the nights where we aren’t playing for a Guest Entertainer or a show, we are doing a show of our own up the bar at the top of the ship called the “Crow’s Nest” – This week we did a 50s and 60s night. That joint was a-rockin’! Looking forward to having played together for a few weeks when we are all gel-ing much more, but even now it’s pretty great!
We get a schedule every night for the next day’s happenings in terms of what gig we’re playing and what we need to wear (both for the gig and I public areas). This, I found out, is very important to read! I found myself one night last week sitting at dinner with the “Cruise Director (my boss’s, boss’s boss!) in my regular cruise clothes on Formal night… It was on the schedule; after 6pm, everyone is to be dressed formally in public areas. So luckily all the people on this ship are very calm and relaxed, and they realise that I’m new, but apparently on other ships, people have been severely berated for such things!
The one part of this gig that was kind of expected, but still kind of weird in the flesh is the semi “Karoke band” ordeal. For some of these acts, we are literally playing along to a track… I realise this is where the industry is going, in theatre and such, but this is still somewhat disturbing for a few reasons but most potently - why have a band at all? ie. Putting us out of a job. I’ve discussed this with my band mates, and they assure me not to stress about it – it’s not worth it. So I won’t, I’ll just stand there and do my thing, and do it as well as I can, but still… Very interesting.
Getting lots of time to practice, which is great! Working hard on the flute and clarinet as well as both my classical and jazz saxophone!
First Week wrap up – Travel
So, this week, we made our way through Asia. I explored Panang, Malaysia, which was really cool! In Phuket I went riding elephants, learned about the local cuisine, and had possibly the most amazing green curry at the most picturesque beach. And in Sri Lanka I went swimming at a gorgeous beach, drank mojitos and got to hold sea turtles! Meeting some really great people from all different areas of the ship, and really enjoying “port days”.
Ship Life
So everyone has told me that it takes about a week to settle in and get everything sorted. I’d say they’re about right. All this week I have been completing online training courses in the “training room” on the ship, sorting out all the facets of my new employment – financial and otherwise. I’ve had to sort out all my medical stuff – I got tested for my exposure for TB and got my own “Medical Book”, which I will be able to use for all future contracts! I also found out that in place of visas for crew at certain ports, we are required to have a “Seaman’s book” in order to disembark the ship. I was unaware of this and in hindsight, I could have had this sorted before I got here. However, as I was not aware, I will not have it in time for our Ports in India, which means I am not allowed to disembark. Little bit annoyed by this as I had been on my agency’s back about this, because I didn’t want to be in this situation. I’m sure they would have also known about the ¼ inch jack for click tracks, so I wish they had told me that!
The food is amazing!! As musicians, we are able to eat on the “Lido deck” with the passengers, and we are absolutely spoilt!! I have a gourmet “all you can eat” Buffet for every meal, and a late night snack! So good! But to counter this, I am getting into a good exercise routine at the gym, so hopefully won’t gain weight on this cruise! (I have heard, though, that there are cruises where the food is pretty horrible, and people actually lose weight!)
The other part of this life is the uniform. I ordered my uniforms from the Holland America online store 5 weeks before my contract begun (assured a 4 week shipping time) and for them to be sent to the ship. Low and behold once I got on the ship, my uniform had not arrived… Luckily, there were some spare shirts and such left in my room from the previous people, and I brought my suit with me, just in case this happened, so I have been able to get by. My uniform is arriving on the ship when we dock in Greece at the end of April…. So I’m not sure exactly what went wrong there…..
Internet?! Wow! I haven’t really thought of internet as a privilege for a long time… We have to buy either a $20 or $40 internet card, which gives us X amount of minutes online (460min for $40 card). Because of this, I have found that a lot of people no. 1 priority when going ashore is to find wi-fi! I personally am not all the fond of this mentality because when I go to places like Jordan, Greece, Italy and all these other wonderful countries, I don’t really want to be sitting on my computer in a café – I want to be exploring and travelling these great destinations!! So while I might use these occasionally, I think I’m just going to pay and use it on sea days, so that I can make the most of my travel. It’s actually going to be good for me, I think, to spend less time online! So much procrastination that I can avoid! Will be good to be a sometimes thing, and to call people back home!
The food is amazing!! As musicians, we are able to eat on the “Lido deck” with the passengers, and we are absolutely spoilt!! I have a gourmet “all you can eat” Buffet for every meal, and a late night snack! So good! But to counter this, I am getting into a good exercise routine at the gym, so hopefully won’t gain weight on this cruise! (I have heard, though, that there are cruises where the food is pretty horrible, and people actually lose weight!)
The other part of this life is the uniform. I ordered my uniforms from the Holland America online store 5 weeks before my contract begun (assured a 4 week shipping time) and for them to be sent to the ship. Low and behold once I got on the ship, my uniform had not arrived… Luckily, there were some spare shirts and such left in my room from the previous people, and I brought my suit with me, just in case this happened, so I have been able to get by. My uniform is arriving on the ship when we dock in Greece at the end of April…. So I’m not sure exactly what went wrong there…..
Internet?! Wow! I haven’t really thought of internet as a privilege for a long time… We have to buy either a $20 or $40 internet card, which gives us X amount of minutes online (460min for $40 card). Because of this, I have found that a lot of people no. 1 priority when going ashore is to find wi-fi! I personally am not all the fond of this mentality because when I go to places like Jordan, Greece, Italy and all these other wonderful countries, I don’t really want to be sitting on my computer in a café – I want to be exploring and travelling these great destinations!! So while I might use these occasionally, I think I’m just going to pay and use it on sea days, so that I can make the most of my travel. It’s actually going to be good for me, I think, to spend less time online! So much procrastination that I can avoid! Will be good to be a sometimes thing, and to call people back home!
What I’d pass on from my first week
- ¼ inch jack – bring one!
- Get you Seaman’s book sorted before you embark!
- Make friends, and make them quickly! Everyone is super friendly, and you don’t want to be stuck without anyone on this ship! I’ve found settling in difficult enough, and I have been making friends with everyone!
- Longer cruises are better, more desirable contracts – less monotonous, more different music from Guest Entertainers
- Just push through the first week (that’s what everyone has told me!) It gets easier after that. Will keep you posted!
- Get you Seaman’s book sorted before you embark!
- Make friends, and make them quickly! Everyone is super friendly, and you don’t want to be stuck without anyone on this ship! I’ve found settling in difficult enough, and I have been making friends with everyone!
- Longer cruises are better, more desirable contracts – less monotonous, more different music from Guest Entertainers
- Just push through the first week (that’s what everyone has told me!) It gets easier after that. Will keep you posted!
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