For two months, I had the unique experience of performing as the band leader for the 710 band on a P&O’s cruise ship – Iona. It was an intense, exhilarating, and sometimes overwhelming journey—one filled with music, long nights, and unforgettable moments.
While the experience was mixed with both highs and lows, I left knowing I had given my all and delivered performances that guests genuinely enjoyed. Here is my experience in detail.
The Gig – My Experience
Contents
As the band leader, I had a demanding schedule. I had to perform six nights a week, and four 45-minute sets each night, from 7 PM to 1 AM with hour-long breaks in between.
Playing piano and singing for an audience that changed with each cruise itinerary meant constantly bringing fresh energy to every performance. Whether it was a quiet Monday or a lively Saturday night, I made sure that each set was engaging, interactive, and fun.
It wasn’t just about playing well; it was about entertaining. I made guests laugh, got them to sing along, and created an atmosphere where people could unwind and enjoy themselves.
Many would return night after night, forming an unexpected sense of community in the venue. Knowing that I could make someone’s cruise experience better through music was incredibly rewarding.
Here are a few videos of my performances on the cruise ship:
Rock Set
Pop Set
The Stress Behind the Spotlight
Of course, life on a cruise ship isn’t all about the music. The job came with its fair share of stress. The long hours, strict schedules, and high expectations meant that fatigue was a constant challenge.
Adapting to ship life, where your workplace, home, and social life are all within the same confined space, was a learning curve. Some nights, I felt completely drained before even hitting the stage, but the moment I sat at the piano and started playing, adrenaline kicked in.
The pressure to perform at my best every single night was immense. A cruise ship audience isn’t like a regular venue where you can have an off night and bounce back the next day; on board, your reputation builds quickly.
I had to deliver consistently, no matter how tired or stressed I felt. Yet, despite the challenges, I never let it affect my performance. I gave everything I had, and that’s something I’m proud of.
The Highs That Made It Worth It
Despite the demanding schedule and the pressure, there were countless moments that made it all worthwhile.
Seeing guests come back night after night, receiving kind words of appreciation, and witnessing people truly enjoying themselves because of the music I played was an incredible feeling.
The shows were constantly packed, with many guests complaining that they couldn’t get into the shows enough, or at all! That makes sense, considering the ship transports 5000-6000 guests when at full capacity, and our small room only seats 80. Even with 4 shows per night, we are only entertaining 320 people each night, at most.
I felt as though I developed a good rapport with the various audiences, and enjoyed being well-known on the ship. It was also nice to be a band that was in demand and that guests were often excited and interested to see and hear as often as they could.
The Late Shows
The late shows were always interesting from 12 15 to 1am, as they were not always full, and guests were often a bit (or completely) drunk at that time. Dealing with hecklers and rowdy guests was something I had to learn quickly! I found this to be funny and entertaining personally, and all part of the job.
Looking Back
Leaving the Iona was bittersweet. While it was exhausting, I proved to myself that I could handle the intensity of cruise ship performances, and I left knowing I had done a great job.
If nothing else, those two months were a testament to my passion, my resilience, and my dedication to music.
Would I do it again? Yes, but I am looking into other companies, agencies, ships, and roles. I am interested in performing as a solo act in the future, but I would also consider a band, especially if they primarily play jazz.
