Are you a guitarist? Do you work in the cruise ship industry? If you answered yes to both questions, then this site is for and about you, me, and all of us guitar players who make our lives at sea.
Are you a guitarist? Have you ever thought about working on a cruise ship? If the answer is yes to both questions, then this site is for you. Especially for you. This site will show you what to expect when you walk up that gangway to begin your first contract, it will introduce you to other guitar players who are veterans or new to sea, just like you might be. Cruiseshipguitarist.com will shine a light on the skills you need to find the right agent, cruise line, pass the audition and embark on a career as a musician at sea, whether that is for one contract or several.
I’m Phil James. I’m the Featured Guitarist on We Will Rock You aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. We Will Rock You is my favourite show of all time, because I grew up with the music of Queen. It takes me back to the happiest days of my childhood. Anthem of the Seas is my favourite ship, which is saying a lot after working in the industry for 21+ years and sailing on 15 cruise ships. We are about to sail from Southampton for the last time to head out to Asia for the first time, where our home port will be Singapore. In my blog, One String At A Time, I will be writing about that journey and providing regular video content along the way.
But it’s not all about me. I will be interviewing and showcasing guitarists, agents, industry figures and crew members who share our journey one way or another. You will learn about the industry from a lot of different angles to help you decide if the industry is right for you, and if you are right for the industry. Whether you decide to join the ranks of cruise ship musicians or not, if you are a guitarist and serious about music, then this website will have something for you. Welcome!
