Other avenues...

Much of what I've been writing about specifically focuses on the production singer and dancer positions offered on board cruise ships.  However, the opportunities for soloists, bands, jugglers, magicians, comedians, etc. to work at sea are just as plentiful.  Most of these performers are known as 'fly-on acts' or 'guest entertainers' in the cruise industry.  Typically a fly-on act or performer will be contracted for a much shorter stint on board.  Production singers and/or dancers are usually contracted anywhere from 3-12 months depending on the ship/company.  Fly-on acts can be on board anywhere from 2 days to a week to a month or more, depending on their specific contractual agreements.  Hence the term 'fly-on' - the performer flies on, performs, and flies off.
It's a lot of work being a fly-on act though.  First, the amount of travel that a fly-on act/performer has to endure is a lot more compared to the travel of a production singer/dancer.  A fly-on act/performer really does live out of their suitcase because usually they are not in one place or on one ship long enough to unpack and get settled.  Second, the fly-on act/performer is responsible for their own costumes, music, charts, equipment, props, etc.  The reward for the extra work/extra travel/extra headaches is they are typically paid more than the production singer/dancer.  
The other big difference between production singer/dancer and fly-on is most fly-on acts/performers need to have an agent to get hired by the various cruise ships.  Some production singers/dancers do have agents but it is not necessary to get hired.  It would be very difficult, although not impossible, for the fly-on act/performer to get hired for cruise ship work without representation.  Cruise ships have a lot of spots to fill when it comes to fly-on work so rather than dealing with hundreds of individuals they deal with a few agents. Not to say you can't nor do I want to dissuade you from trying to get fly-on work yourself because it has been done before.  It's a more difficult process going it alone but not an impossible task.
I'll write more about fly-ons/guest entertainers in future posts, but that's a good start for anyone who is thinking of going that route.

See you soon!