I Worked On A Cruise Ship For 2 Weeks | They Asked Me To Stay Longer

The speaker has just completed their first cruise ship contract in over seven years and, despite feeling a little sore and having a recovering voice, feels great and rejuvenated. They apologize for not creating content in the past two weeks as promised, explaining that unexpected opportunities and hindrances arose, which also provided a much-needed break. This video will cover those experiences, after which they will return to their regular content schedule. A few months ago, an entertainment company in London approached the speaker about performing on a cruise ship again. They had six global ships, and the speaker chose the MSC Grandiosa for a last-minute contract. This role was as a "guest entertainer," which differs significantly from regular crew members. Crew members, including most entertainers, work for six to nine months or longer, whereas guest entertainers, like a comedian, typically work for two to three weeks, or a maximum of one month. This type of contract is very relaxed, treating the performer more as a guest who occasionally entertains. During the contract, a high level of professionalism was maintained, representing not only themselves but also the cruise line (MSC) and the third-party company (SPX Entertainment). Upon boarding, the speaker spearheaded the initial setup, providing music, rundowns, and arranging rehearsals for the first few days. Initially, there were three performers, and the shows ran smoothly. The schedule was relaxed, with one to two days off at a time. The actual show was a five-minute "pop-up" performance, involving head spins and flips, followed by a class. The class, taught in the sports complex, lasted around 30 minutes but could extend to 45 minutes depending on the children's enthusiasm. Overall, the work amounted to roughly 45 to 50 minutes per day, which felt like a paid vacation. For accommodation, the speaker and other performers received their own deluxe balcony cabins, which was a pleasant surprise as such contracts often involve shared or inside cabins. However, there were no extra benefits or amenities, such as discounts, which are sometimes included. The speaker had to pay for services like room service and Wi-Fi, opting to buy Wi-Fi daily for client calls or attempted uploads. They found the cost of Wi-Fi for two weeks (around $400-$500) to be too high, especially while trying to earn money. This issue is currently being negotiated for potential future contracts. Similarly, the drink package was not included, but the speaker had friends and subscribers who were bartenders, ensuring they were accommodated when needed. For the first week, there were three performers instead of the usual four. The typical setup for this urban show includes an urban dancer (freestyler or break dancer), a trick basketball player, a trick soccer player, and a BMX bike rider. In this case, there were two break dancers (the speaker and their friend Chris) and a soccer player. Unfortunately, the soccer player left after the first week, reducing the team to two. This required more rehearsals to ensure the performances remained high-quality. Regarding social life, the speaker noted the interest from many people online about being a "star" on the ship, not just from YouTube but also as a dancer allowed in public spaces and events. As a recently single individual, the speaker emphasized the importance of discipline. They acknowledged that being recognized as a performer who also interacts with the general population on board leads to many people wanting to hang out, associate, and take pictures. The speaker gave a shout-out to all the subscribers who came to watch the shows and workshops, some of whom booked their cruise specifically to see the performances. This was described as a heartwarming experience. The overall experience was "unbelievable," with the speaker having the "time of their life." It was enjoyable to dance with a long-time friend and return to performing on a cruise ship, which felt like a dream and a significant "reset." The speaker mentioned going through a "spiritual warfare" in the past year, and this experience felt like coming "full circle," allowing them to rediscover themselves and return to their roots, which is how their YouTube channel began. Starting in 2018 by discussing life and work on cruise ships for Norwegian Cruise Line, the channel grew significantly during the pandemic, allowing the speaker to pursue it full-time, traveling the globe. They recounted someone saying they live "the life of a young retired millionaire," referring to the time and freedom they have as their own boss, able to take time off and spend time with family as desired. Despite being a two-person team instead of four, the speaker and their friend Chris performed so well that they were called at 1 AM on the day of disembarkation and asked to extend their contract. They declined, partly because the speaker had another cruise with Margaritaville the next day, needed a haircut, and the ship was embarking on a transatlantic journey to Europe, making it too big a decision at the last minute. However, the speaker believes they will return to the MSC Grandiosa, though the specific ship is uncertain. They promised to keep their audience updated and ensure uploads continue during the next contract. The speaker concluded by thanking everyone for their support and for joining them on this "ship life" journey.