Question 1

What is the single biggest suggestion you would give to someone wanting to get into this career?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“Practice like crazy and then go for it. If you can read, play in front of an audience, and cover any genre they throw at you, you’ll make it.”

Question 2

What’s the #1 mistake people make when trying to get into this career?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“It’s very easy to spend your entire paycheck before you even get it. That ID card is too easy to swipe at the crew bar, or at the restaurants onboard, or in the gift shop.
“I’m not saying to be a total penny-pincher onboard – you’re traveling the world, you should definitely eat out at some awesome restaurants and pick up some cool souvenirs – but cruise ship work is such a fantastic savings opportunity. You have the chance to live rent-free, with an all-you-can-eat buffet for every meal, every day. There’s no better time to build up a huge savings than when you have literally no expenses.
“The #2 mistake was not using the free gym onboard the ship. I made this mistake a lot.”

Question 3

What is the question people should ask about this career but rarely do?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“‘What did the crew do in the places you visited?’
“The answer might surprise you. We could land in the most beautiful tropical paradise, and chances are you’d find us all huddled around a Starbucks on our phones checking Facebook. Wi-fi is the cruise ship employee’s number one priority, anywhere they go.
“If you’re ever in a town that acts as a cruise ship port – San Juan, Puerto Rico, Port Canaveral, Florida, Portland, Maine, to name a few – and your favorite coffee shop is too crowded with folks on their phones and laptops to get in the door, I apologize on behalf of the cruise ship employees.”

Question 4

What is one thing I should have asked which I didn’t?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“‘Why did you leave the cruise ship business?’
“Since the cruise ship, I’ve gotten married and bought a house. The cruise ship lifestyle very strongly favors the untethered, single person. I’m close with my family, and while my (then) girlfriend tolerated my lengthy disappearances to the Caribbean a few years ago, neither of us could stand the thought of going so long without seeing each other.
“It’s an amazing career, especially for someone right out of college (the ship is like a big, floating, international dorm), but the lifestyle has to fit you.”

Question 5

If you could describe in one word what makes you successful, what would it be?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“Ready. Ready to play the songs the bandleader told you to learn and ready to play the new song the main act just decided they were going to add five minutes ago. Ready to step in when the bass player is sick. Ready to entertain and delight passengers when they recognize you in the dining hall, even though it’s 8 am and you just wanted some coffee. Ready for anything.”

Question 6

Extra Credit: The Beatles or Rolling Stones?

Dean DiMarzo · Accepted Answer

“Beatles, hands down.”

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Cruise Ship Musician