Our amazing member @Svetlana Lane asked: "Do headliner shows always get booked through agents or can we also get booked directly, and if yes what does it take? When booked by an agency or even directly by cruise line, are we expected to sign their contract or can we have our own? Do we need to have our own? What are the administrative, legal, medical and any other requirements are in place for headliners? (I know crew has a whole list of those, wondering what applies to headliners." Unless you’ve been with a cruise company for a long time and have been grandfathered in to deal directly with their bookers, you’ll almost always need an agent to work on cruise ships as a headliner. This isn’t always the case for production cast vocalists, though. If you’re booked through an agency and they have an exclusive contract with you, you’ll generally sign the agency’s contract. The cruise line will also have its own terms and agreements that apply to your engagement, so you typically don’t need to create your own contract unless your specific situation calls for it. As far as administrative, legal, and medical requirements go, headliners are treated as independent contractors/guests rather than crew, so the requirements can be quite different. You maaaay be required to have certain safety certifications, but this really varies by cruise line and the type of contract you have. Travel insurance also may be required by your agency, but if it's not, it's still something you should look into on a personal level :) For the most part, you’re considered a guest while onboard, which means you’ll still need to follow the ship’s protocols and attend the appropriate safety drills at your assigned muster station before departure, etc. There are some cruise lines where headliners are technically placed on the crew list, which can make things a little more complicated because additional requirements may apply. This is one of the reasons having a good agent is so helpful-they’ll guide you through exactly what’s required for the specific cruise line and contract you’re working under. 😊

I’m in my early sixties and still performing at the top of my game, is this factor in being A guest entertainer on cruises ?

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all doing well! First, I’m sorry I’ve been a little MIA lately. I’m in the middle of moving, so life has been a bit hectic! 📦🏡 But I wanted to give you a little reminder: No question is too big or too small in this community! If you have a question about the cruise ship entertainment industry, auditions, contracts, building your shows, or anything in between, make sure to post it in the Community Forum section above. Your question might be exactly what someone else needs help with, too! We’re all here to learn, grow, and support each other. 💬 Now, I want to hear from YOU! How is everyone doing? What are you currently working on? Are you preparing a new show, applying for contracts, auditioning, or just getting started on your cruise ship entertainment journey?👇

@Steve Davison had a great question about pay!💰 "I would love to know how payments work when engaging with an agency? Say Don Casino or Blackburn. Are they paying per contract or is the cruise lane paying the artist and the agency is owed their fee? Or a third possibility, is the artist contracted through the line and the agency paid directly by the line?" The cruise line pays the agency directly per gig (no matter if you do 1 show or 2). The agency then takes its commission (often around 20%, depending on the agreement), and then the agency pays the artist directly. Unless you're grandfathered in under an existing arrangement, you'll generally need to work through an agent, who acts as the liaison between you and the cruise line! Payment timelines are typically referred to as Net 30 or Net 45, meaning you can generally expect to receive your payment within 30 or 45 days, depending on the terms of your contract. The countdown usually starts from the agreed-upon payment date or the completion of your gig depending on the agency and cruise line’s policies. Payment is typically processed through the agency first, which deducts its commission before paying you. Again, things could be different for every agency, but this the general structure!

Hi all! Our friend @Bismarck Gutiérrez asked: "Is it mandatory as a guest artist or guest entertainer have 2 full shows of 45 minutes?" Amazing question! Most cruise lines require guest artists and entertainers to have two different 45-minute shows. While there are a few exceptions where a single 45-minute show may be accepted, having two complete shows ready to go makes you much more marketable as a performer. That’s why agencies typically ask for two shows right from the start - it opens the door to more opportunities with a wider range of cruise lines!