Yet another great job!!!!!!!!!!
You know, it’s kinda funny how one minute I’m sitting there wondering what the hell I’m going to do next, how I’m going to make more money, where I’ll find my next gig, and genuinely worried about things, and then all of a sudden everybody wants to hire me. I’ve already written with great detail about the first two gigs… the Panama Canal cruise, which I’m currently on (more about that in a minute), and the job in upstate New York for the summer. Now time to write about the job that will be following the NY gig.
On Saturday, as I was packing for this cruise, and getting paperwork in order to send off to Chatham (contract, tax forms, etc.), I got a phone call from Disney cruise lines. I had sent off an audition video for piano bars to various lines, and Disney decided they wanted to hire me. He worked diligently to get things approved by his boss, sending him files through email (since his boss was in Asia at the time) so he could get approved to give me an official offer, and he managed to do it all by Sunday, because I was boarding this ship on Monday. They actually wanted to hire me starting around May 20 to do their test-run Mediterranean cruise, but since I had already agreed to the NY gig, I couldn’t do it. I’m kinda disappointed, because I’ve never been to Europe, and the money is better than NY, but I’m glad I’m doing the gig in NY because it’s a really good career move. Instead, they’ve offered me a contract boarding the ship on Sept. 22. I’ll fly out to Orlando on Sept. 18, have three days of training (during which time I’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy Disney World, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, or whatever. My first contract with Disney will be five months, coming home on February 16.
The ship I’ll be on is called the Disney Magic. If you’re thinking about booking a cruise between late September and mid-February, look into it, and let me know if you may be on there. If any of my friends come onboard, I’ll play a song just for you. ;-)
My position starting out is called ‘floater pianist.’ Basically, I play in the ship’s atrium 2-3 nights a week (on a 9-foot Yamaha grand that is tuned every time the ship is docked at Port Canaveral), playing Disney tunes while the kids meet the Disney characters. I’ll play in the piano bar on the regular guy’s night off, and a couple other lounges on their nights off. I’ll also play for weddings that take place on the private island (usually 1-2 each week) for additional compensation. I really like this because it gives me a chance to play for the kids (and I’m really good with kids), but not have to deal with them every day. I’ll get to do my fair share of singing as well.
Perks of the job:
1. First of all, my starting salary is guaranteed at about 175% of what I’m making with Holland America, and that’s without factoring in the weddings. After my background check and medical exams are completed, they’ll offer me the official contract, and the salary offer could actually be higher than that. All told, I’ll be making about twice what I’m making now, and maybe even more. On top of that, if I commit to the five months (so til mid-February), I’ll receive a sign-off bonus equal to 5% of my total earnings for the life of the contract. I could actually spend enough money to really enjoy myself, and still save $30,000 in one year (my goal is to save a minimum $20,000/year that I work with the company). I’ll get a raise with each successive contract I do as well.
2. Private Cabin - Since I’m a solo act, and not a band member, I’ll have a private cabin, and most likely an outside cabin at that. This carries with it the privilege of being able to have a guest come on board to stay in my cabin, and cruise with me for free. Any guest I have on will be able to enjoy all of the activities and aspects of the ship that I’ll be able to enjoy. There is a probationary period before this or family/friends discounts can begin.. the guy I talked to couldn’t remember if it’s 30 or 90 days, and he said that since these privileges are all to be approved by the cruise director, if I establish a great relationship there, they may allow some fudging room on that. Right now, I’m figuring on 90 days, which would mean my eligibility to have a guest onboard would begin on Dec. 22, just in time for Christmas. I’m already planning on having my little sister be my first guest.
3. Unlike with Holland America, there is no In Port Manning on Disney. That means that every time the ship is docked anywhere, without fail, I’ll be able to get off. All ship entertainment is suspended when the ship is in port, so I’ll never have to worry about working during port hours either.
4. Crew facilities are much nicer with Disney. The crew actually has their own pool on the ship, a very nice gym, and their own beach on the private island (Castaway Cay). The only downfall is that I’ll have to eat in the crew mess, whereas on HAL I’ve been eating in the Lido buffet with the passengers. But since the food there hasn’t been anything to write home about anyway, I think I can handle that “downfall.”
5. Park Privileges: As a Disney employee, I’ll have unrestricted access to all Disney theme parks and attractions throughout the world. After my probationary period, I’ll also be able to bring in up to 3 guests at any time to those parks, and will receive discounts of up to 50% on resort hotels. Obviously, it will be difficult for my to take advantage of that while on the ship, but if I finish the first contract, and take 2-3 months off, as long as I have another contract signed, I’ll have all those privileges available to me. So naturally, I plan on taking my oldest brother and his two kids to Disney World for their spring break next year, since it will almost definitely coincide with my vacation.
In other news, today we cruised through the Panama Canal. I was planning on getting up early so I could see as we first entered it and hear some of the narration, but a hangover prevented that from happening. I did, however, see the last couple gates (and I’ve heard that all the gates look about the same), saw the Bridge of the Americas, and saw downtown Panama City in the background. I also saw a couple crocodiles sunbathing, which was cool. Most of the canal is actually only about 3 feet wider than our ship, and the structural design of it is just amazing. Tomorrow we sail through the Golfo Dulce, which I guess is some sort of beautiful bay attached to Costa Rica. My new camera is definitely getting some love.
All in all, life is pretty damned good right now, and I feel like I have tons to look forward to. If you’ve actually read all of this, leave me a comment.
On Saturday, as I was packing for this cruise, and getting paperwork in order to send off to Chatham (contract, tax forms, etc.), I got a phone call from Disney cruise lines. I had sent off an audition video for piano bars to various lines, and Disney decided they wanted to hire me. He worked diligently to get things approved by his boss, sending him files through email (since his boss was in Asia at the time) so he could get approved to give me an official offer, and he managed to do it all by Sunday, because I was boarding this ship on Monday. They actually wanted to hire me starting around May 20 to do their test-run Mediterranean cruise, but since I had already agreed to the NY gig, I couldn’t do it. I’m kinda disappointed, because I’ve never been to Europe, and the money is better than NY, but I’m glad I’m doing the gig in NY because it’s a really good career move. Instead, they’ve offered me a contract boarding the ship on Sept. 22. I’ll fly out to Orlando on Sept. 18, have three days of training (during which time I’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy Disney World, Epcot Center, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, or whatever. My first contract with Disney will be five months, coming home on February 16.
The ship I’ll be on is called the Disney Magic. If you’re thinking about booking a cruise between late September and mid-February, look into it, and let me know if you may be on there. If any of my friends come onboard, I’ll play a song just for you. ;-)
My position starting out is called ‘floater pianist.’ Basically, I play in the ship’s atrium 2-3 nights a week (on a 9-foot Yamaha grand that is tuned every time the ship is docked at Port Canaveral), playing Disney tunes while the kids meet the Disney characters. I’ll play in the piano bar on the regular guy’s night off, and a couple other lounges on their nights off. I’ll also play for weddings that take place on the private island (usually 1-2 each week) for additional compensation. I really like this because it gives me a chance to play for the kids (and I’m really good with kids), but not have to deal with them every day. I’ll get to do my fair share of singing as well.
Perks of the job:
1. First of all, my starting salary is guaranteed at about 175% of what I’m making with Holland America, and that’s without factoring in the weddings. After my background check and medical exams are completed, they’ll offer me the official contract, and the salary offer could actually be higher than that. All told, I’ll be making about twice what I’m making now, and maybe even more. On top of that, if I commit to the five months (so til mid-February), I’ll receive a sign-off bonus equal to 5% of my total earnings for the life of the contract. I could actually spend enough money to really enjoy myself, and still save $30,000 in one year (my goal is to save a minimum $20,000/year that I work with the company). I’ll get a raise with each successive contract I do as well.
2. Private Cabin - Since I’m a solo act, and not a band member, I’ll have a private cabin, and most likely an outside cabin at that. This carries with it the privilege of being able to have a guest come on board to stay in my cabin, and cruise with me for free. Any guest I have on will be able to enjoy all of the activities and aspects of the ship that I’ll be able to enjoy. There is a probationary period before this or family/friends discounts can begin.. the guy I talked to couldn’t remember if it’s 30 or 90 days, and he said that since these privileges are all to be approved by the cruise director, if I establish a great relationship there, they may allow some fudging room on that. Right now, I’m figuring on 90 days, which would mean my eligibility to have a guest onboard would begin on Dec. 22, just in time for Christmas. I’m already planning on having my little sister be my first guest.
3. Unlike with Holland America, there is no In Port Manning on Disney. That means that every time the ship is docked anywhere, without fail, I’ll be able to get off. All ship entertainment is suspended when the ship is in port, so I’ll never have to worry about working during port hours either.
4. Crew facilities are much nicer with Disney. The crew actually has their own pool on the ship, a very nice gym, and their own beach on the private island (Castaway Cay). The only downfall is that I’ll have to eat in the crew mess, whereas on HAL I’ve been eating in the Lido buffet with the passengers. But since the food there hasn’t been anything to write home about anyway, I think I can handle that “downfall.”
5. Park Privileges: As a Disney employee, I’ll have unrestricted access to all Disney theme parks and attractions throughout the world. After my probationary period, I’ll also be able to bring in up to 3 guests at any time to those parks, and will receive discounts of up to 50% on resort hotels. Obviously, it will be difficult for my to take advantage of that while on the ship, but if I finish the first contract, and take 2-3 months off, as long as I have another contract signed, I’ll have all those privileges available to me. So naturally, I plan on taking my oldest brother and his two kids to Disney World for their spring break next year, since it will almost definitely coincide with my vacation.
In other news, today we cruised through the Panama Canal. I was planning on getting up early so I could see as we first entered it and hear some of the narration, but a hangover prevented that from happening. I did, however, see the last couple gates (and I’ve heard that all the gates look about the same), saw the Bridge of the Americas, and saw downtown Panama City in the background. I also saw a couple crocodiles sunbathing, which was cool. Most of the canal is actually only about 3 feet wider than our ship, and the structural design of it is just amazing. Tomorrow we sail through the Golfo Dulce, which I guess is some sort of beautiful bay attached to Costa Rica. My new camera is definitely getting some love.
All in all, life is pretty damned good right now, and I feel like I have tons to look forward to. If you’ve actually read all of this, leave me a comment.