EPISODE · Jan 2, 2026 · 22 MIN
#9 How to Become a Cruise Ship Musician
from Curious Vocalists · host Grace Hancock Music
In this episode of the Curious Vocalists podcast, Grace Hancock shares her journey to becoming a cruise ship musician, offering valuable insights and tips for aspiring performers. She discusses the challenges of preparing for the role, including learning a vast repertoire of songs, building a showreel, and networking with agents. Grace also addresses the health challenges musicians face on board, emphasising the importance of vocal care and managing seasickness. Throughout the conversation, she encourages listeners to embrace their passion for music and take the leap into the world of cruise ship performance. Takeaways You don't need to be a master instrumentalist to succeed. You need at least 150-200 songs in your repertoire to start as a solo musician on ships You don’t have to read music to be a solo cruise ship musician Store all your arrangements of songs as videos on a Google Drive With the right incentive, anything is possible Vitamin C and other health boosting products are crucial for performers on ships. It’s not the motion that creates seasickness but your resistance to the movement Invest in good equipment for practicing in your cabin. Managing your voice and avoiding over-talking is key to longevity. Confidence grows with experience; don't wait to feel ready. Chapters 00:00 The Allure of Cruise Ship Musicianship 01:29 The Journey to Getting Hired 03:22 Building Your Repertoire by Ear, from Scratch 07:07 Navigating Challenges on Board 10:36 Tech and Packing Essentials 16:27 Dealing with Seasickness 18:00 Vocal Longevity Tips 20:09 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Taking Action 21:40 Outro Resources/Mentions: The relatively lightweight keyboard with weighted keys I first took onboard with me in my cabin: Casio CDP-S110 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og2OyW6G454 My fold up Keyboard: OYAYO 88 key, semi-weighted, foldable keyboard - https://shorturl.at/Q8FbN Gator TSA 88 Hard Flight case that fitted the Casio keyboard: https://shorturl.at/Hojgl Agents: Hatch Box Talent Gary Parkes Music Suoni Music Management Sonic Artistes East West Entertainment Warshaw Entertainment About the Host Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection. Contact Method [email protected] www.gracehancockmusic.com Instagram: @gracehancockmusic Facebook: @gracehancockmusician Keywords #cruiseshipmusician #musiccareer #performancetips #vocalhealth #showreel #networking #musicpreparation #travel #musicianlifestyle
What this episode covers
In this episode of the Curious Vocalists podcast, Grace Hancock shares her journey to becoming a cruise ship musician, offering valuable insights and tips for aspiring performers. She discusses the challenges of preparing for the role, including learning a vast repertoire of songs, building a showreel, and networking with agents. Grace also addresses the health challenges musicians face on board, emphasising the importance of vocal care and managing seasickness. Throughout the conversation, she encourages listeners to embrace their passion for music and take the leap into the world of cruise ship performance. Takeaways You don't need to be a master instrumentalist to succeed. You need at least 150-200 songs in your repertoire to start as a solo musician on ships You don’t have to read music to be a solo cruise ship musician Store all your arrangements of songs as videos on a Google Drive With the right incentive, anything is possible Vitamin C and other health boosting products are crucial for performers on ships. It’s not the motion that creates seasickness but your resistance to the movement Invest in good equipment for practicing in your cabin. Managing your voice and avoiding over-talking is key to longevity. Confidence grows with experience; don't wait to feel ready. Chapters 00:00 The Allure of Cruise Ship Musicianship 01:29 The Journey to Getting Hired 03:22 Building Your Repertoire by Ear, from Scratch 07:07 Navigating Challenges on Board 10:36 Tech and Packing Essentials 16:27 Dealing with Seasickness 18:00 Vocal Longevity Tips 20:09 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Taking Action 21:40 Outro Resources/Mentions: The relatively lightweight keyboard with weighted keys I first took onboard with me in my cabin: Casio CDP-S110 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og2OyW6G454 My fold up Keyboard: OYAYO 88 key, semi-weighted, foldable keyboard - https://shorturl.at/Q8FbN Gator TSA 88 Hard Flight case that fitted the Casio keyboard: https://shorturl.at/Hojgl Agents: Hatch Box Talent Gary Parkes Music Suoni Music Management Sonic Artistes East West Entertainment Warshaw Entertainment About the Host Grace is a seasoned singer-pianist, vocal coach and composer. Over the past decade she has dedicated her life to music and creativity, performing aboard luxury cruise ships across the world and composing for theatre and short films. Her original compositions have been recognised by festivals such as the Paris Film Awards and Only the Best International Film Awards. She strives now to determine how to cultivate authentic expression in music and the importance of it for mental health and human connection. Contact Method [email protected] www.gracehancockmusic.com Instagram: @gracehancockmusic Facebook: @gracehancockmusician Keywords #cruiseshipmusician #musiccareer #performancetips #vocalhealth #showreel #networking #musicpreparation #travel #musicianlifestyle
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#9 How to Become a Cruise Ship Musician
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