I think a few bad eggs ruined it for most of the musicians by getting drunk and generally raising hell. That caused a lot of restrictions to be placed on the players. In 1995, the starting pay for a solo act was $550.00 a week. The trio was $500.00 a week. The show band sidemen , (6 or 7 players), made about $350.00 week. No food bill, free dry cleaning and free washers and dryers were available. Booze was cheap in the crew bar. I just didn't like living on the ship. Some of the crew had been on the ship up to 20 years! The wait staff lived below the galley deck and it was the pits down there. Most of the musicians liked that life and the fact that it was a steady gig. It just wasn't for me. If you get a chance, try it, just for the experience. Later, Ray

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