Ever wondered what a day in the life of a cruise ship’s stage manager looks like? It’s a mixed bag of excitement, flurry, and unexpected hiccups. Here, I’ll walk you through a typical day in this exciting yet challenging role.
Let’s start with the lighter side:
On a typical port day, my routine starts around 8:00 AM. I get to choose between exploring the port city or catching up on sleep. I check emails before noon and sometimes start rehearsals for the evening’s show by 3:00 PM. Planning for the next day and attending to paperwork keeps me busy during the late afternoon until it’s showtime at 8:00 PM
When we are at sea, it’s a little more hectic. My day starts at 9:00 AM and includes hosting talks, playing BINGO, rehearsals for evening shows and, of course, handling the entertainment schedule for the next day.
But not all the days are this smooth. Some start with frantic calls in the wee hours about technical issues or back-to-back emergencies. Then there are days when you’re dealing with an angry chief housekeeper over early morning cleaning schedules, uncooperative gadgets, and displeased travel guides venting their disagreements.
Being on a cruise ship isn’t all glamorous – there are struggles, pressures, and sometimes, even irate colleagues to deal with. Yet, despite all the hard work and occasional dramas, working as a stage manager onboard a ship brings its own rewards and unique experiences worthwhile for an adventurous spirit.
So, that is my unusual, though quite entertaining, routine at the sea. However, now that you know how my everyday looks like, I hope you won’t reconsider hanging out with me in the officer’s bar post-show!