How Much Do Bands Make on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Playing music on a cruise ship is a great way for bands to make money. With the right gigs, bands can make enough money to live comfortably and even save for future projects.

But just how much do bands make on a cruise ship? It depends on the type of cruise, the band’s popularity and the number of shows they are booked for.

The first factor that affects how much a band makes on a cruise is the type of cruise. Cruises range from luxury liners to budget boats and each comes with different entertainment budgets.

Luxury cruises typically have higher entertainment budgets than budget cruises, so bands can get paid more for playing on them. Additionally, larger ships tend to have bigger entertainment budgets than smaller ones.

The second factor that affects how much money a band makes on a cruise is their popularity. Popular acts will usually be booked more often and will receive higher rates than lesser-known acts. Additionally, popular acts may be asked to perform longer sets or be given preferential treatment when it comes to sound checks and stage set up.

The third factor that affects earnings is the number of shows the band plays on the cruise. The more shows they play, the more money they make. Bands typically get paid per show so if they’re booked for multiple nights, then their earnings will increase significantly.

Conclusion:

Overall, how much money bands make on a cruise ship depends on several factors such as type of cruise, popularity of act and amount of shows played. Generally speaking, popular acts can expect higher payouts while lesser-known acts may not receive as much in earnings. With multiple nights booked and high-paying cruises, however, bands can make enough money to live comfortably and save for future projects.