--- title: "How to Audition as a Cruise Ship Comedian | D.O.C." description: "Send a cruise audition that works: the videos, credits and documents lines and agencies ask for in their own words, where to send it, and notes to send." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-comedian-audition.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Cruises & travel · stop 2 of 5 # Cruise auditions: send what they ask for Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A cruise audition is a package sent to a line or an agent: video of your shows, your credits and bio, and proof you can travel. Some lines take guest entertainers through an agent, and some agencies sign comics to put forward to the lines. Send each one exactly what its own page asks for, keep a dated list of what you sent, and never pay to be placed. - **17** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **5** places to send it - **4** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to weigh the contract Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Cruise applicant: the package - You have a clean show and an adult show, each tested at length in front of real audiences. - You have, or can film, an unedited long set of each. - You’ve read two or three lines’ and agencies’ own pages, and you know the route each one takes. - The next thing you need is someone at a line or an agency to watch your tape. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [weigh the contract](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-comedian-contract.html) These are the rules the lines and agencies publish for the people they put on board. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You hold a valid passport: Princess Cruises lists one among its requirements for working on board, and G.L. Berg Entertainment asks that each person in a show have one. [Princess Cruises Entertainment ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) · [G.L. Berg Entertainment ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) You meet the age and background rules: Princess asks that crew be 21 or older and able to pass a criminal background check. [Princess Cruises Entertainment ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) You can meet the medical and visa rules: Lime’s FAQ lists a medical exam, with visas, background checks and English proficiency tests among the other possible requirements; Princess asks for its own pre-employment medical certificate, and a U.S. C1/D visa from those who aren’t U.S. or Canadian citizens or residents. [Lime Entertainment FAQ ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) · [Princess Cruises Entertainment ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) An agent or a line has offered you dates, and you have the offer in writing. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 17 steps in 3 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Assemble the audition package From the Career Field Manual: Assemble booking proof. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–173. 1. Assemble booking proof · package-01 #### Choose the stage name used on every booking **Done when** One consistent name across your records. [Your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Assemble booking proof · package-02 #### Write a one-paragraph comedian bio **Done when** Current facts without inflated credits. [How to write a comedian bio →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) The PDF bio → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Assemble booking proof · package-03 #### Prepare a clean headshot or clear performer photo **Done when** A usable portrait with permission to share. [Headshots and credits →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 4. Assemble booking proof · package-04 #### Record an uninterrupted live sample set Film each show whole, with the room’s laughs audible: Carnival asks for two videos of show work, one PG and one adult, and G.L. Berg takes raw footage of a full show beside a promo reel. **Done when** A clip showing what a buyer can expect. [Set up the tape: Stage Time’s Tech tab →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#tech) [Recording your sets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Assemble booking proof · package-05 #### Prepare a separate clean clip if you sell clean work **Done when** An actual clean performance sample. [Clean vs. Dirty →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/clean-dirty.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Assemble booking proof · package-07 #### Record recent rooms, shows and dates with references **Done when** A verifiable performance history. [Your log in Stage Time →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stage-time.html#log) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Assemble booking proof · package-08 #### Build a one-link electronic press kit One link with both videos, the PDF bio, a headshot and your dates, so an agent can put you forward without writing back. **Done when** Accessible bio, clips and contact information. [What goes on a demo reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Assemble booking proof · package-09 #### Claim or create your SUCDb record with sourced credits **Done when** Submitted or updated information that is accurate. [Claim your SUCDb record →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedian-profile.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Choose your route in From the Career Field Manual: Explore specialty markets, Find and pitch the right rooms and Choose help when it solves a problem. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 132–142, 143–173, 143–196 and 290–313. 9. Explore specialty markets · specialty-06 #### Research cruise entertainer audition requirements **Done when** Current operator or agency requirements. Where to send it, on this page → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-03 #### Verify the current submission route for three target rooms Note each one’s own route: Carnival through an agent, Royal Caribbean through a profile on its site, an agency through its own form. **Done when** A dated first-party booking requirement record. Where to send it, on this page → [Cruise lines, from the D.O.C. book →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-casino-and-cruise-comedy.html#topic-172) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-04 #### Evaluate an agent’s relevant buyers and recent work Ask which lines it books comics for, and check that against the lines’ own pages before you sign. **Done when** Facts, not a list of famous clients. [Before you sign, in Your Team →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#sign) Asking an agency the questions → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-07 #### Avoid pay-to-play, bogus showcases and fake representatives A fee to be placed, or to be seen by a line, is a reason to stop: Lime’s FAQ says it auditions, confirms contracts and handles the paperwork before its performers pay anything. **Done when** Documented checks before paying any fee. [Is this real? →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/pay-to-play-comedy.html#check) [Fees up front →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/pay-to-play-comedy.html#fees) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Send it the way each one asks From the Career Field Manual: Explore specialty markets and Find and pitch the right rooms. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 132–142, 143–173 and 143–196. 13. Explore specialty markets · specialty-07 #### Prepare a market-specific pitch instead of a generic one **Done when** A pitch adapted for that buyer’s audience. The audition email → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 14. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-04 #### Tailor your clip and message to each buyer Name the shows you’re offering and their lengths, send a video of each, and give real dates. **Done when** Three concise, different pitches. The audition email → [Draft the booking message →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/how-to-start-stand-up-comedy.html#tool-booking) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-05 #### Create a submission tracker with dates and outcomes **Done when** A list showing sent, replied, follow-up, declined. The application log → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-06 #### Set follow-up reminders that respect buyer instructions **Done when** Follow-up dates, not repeated random nudges. The application log → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 17. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-10 #### Never list an unconfirmed offer as a booked date **Done when** Your calendar includes confirmed dates only. [Your confirmed dates on your own site →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tour-dates-widget.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Film the long sets, not just the strongest five** Lines ask for show footage, and an agency may take raw full-show footage beside a promo reel. [Recording your sets →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-record-your-stand-up.html) - **Keep a PDF bio and credits ready** Carnival asks for credits and bio in PDF format. [Your bio and credits →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-bio.html) - **Know what an agent does** Some lines take guest entertainers through an agent. [What a comedy agent does →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-agent.html) - **Know a real offer** A fee up front for a promised placement is a reason to stop and check. [Is this real? →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/pay-to-play-comedy.html#check) - **Make the first seconds count** Warshaw wants to be laughing 20 seconds into your promo. [What goes on a demo reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) - **Be easy to book** Reply the same day, give dates you can really do, and send links that open. [Working with bookers →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-networking.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Send one, the way it asks** One submission a week, made for that line or agency: its lengths, its videos, its documents. - **Log it the day you send** The date, what you sent, the link, and when the page says you’ll hear back, if it says. - **Check your links** Open each video link as someone who isn’t signed in. - **Read one agency’s terms** Which lines it works with, whether it charges, and when. - **Get one long set on tape** Film a full show whenever a room allows it, so your reel stays current. - **Follow up on its timetable** Where a page invites it, and no more often than it asks. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A cruise line’s own page ### Carnival Entertainment Guest entertainers through an agent, and for comics: credits and bio as a PDF, a headshot, and two videos of show work, one PG and one adult. - Carnival Entertainment requires all Guest Entertainers to work with us via an agent. - Credits and bio in PDF format. - Two video submissions of previous show work (1 video with PG content, 1 video with Adult content) [Carnival Entertainment’s page ↗](https://www.carnivalentertainment.com/opportunities/comedy-variety) · checked 10 November 2026 A cruise agency’s published criteria ### G.L. Berg Entertainment Representation for acts with a full-length, stage-ready show and a record of playing captive audiences: a promo reel, and footage of a full show where you have it, raw footage accepted. - You must have a full-length, stage-ready show - Your show should have a proven track record of performing for captive audiences - Raw/un-edited footage is acceptable. [G.L. Berg Entertainment’s page ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) · checked 10 November 2026 A cruise agency’s published terms ### Lime Entertainment FAQ It auditions, confirms the contract and handles the paperwork before a performer pays anything; where it charges, it takes a commission from the salary on board. - we audition, confirm contracts, assist with all required documentation, and provide all pre-boarding information before our performers are required to pay a cent. - Whenever possible, we don’t charge our performers [Lime Entertainment FAQ’s page ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a cruise comic gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Published route Carnival Cruise Line ships · Cruise line · Through an agent #### Carnival Entertainment, comedians Guest entertainers come to it through an agent. For comics: 90 minutes of different material (a 30-minute family-friendly show and two 30-minute adult shows), credits and bio as a PDF, a headshot, and two videos of show work, one PG and one adult. A gig is five performances, repeats included. **Worth knowing.** It asks agents who aren’t yet set up with it to contact its guest entertainer team: without an agent, start with one. [Its page ↗](https://www.carnivalentertainment.com/opportunities/comedy-variety) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Royal Caribbean ships · Cruise line · Profile #### Royal Caribbean, Headliner Entertainment Its Headliner Entertainment careers list a Comedians position: professional comics who can work a comedy club or a theater setup, with at least an hour of varied material, clean and adult. Apply online by creating a profile on its site. **Worth knowing.** Its list of positions loads with the page’s script. You must be 18 or older to be hired. [Its page ↗](https://royalcaribbeanentertainment.com/headliner/careers/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Nationwide · Cruise market · Form #### Warshaw Entertainment An original family-friendly show and an adult (18+) show, each 30–55 minutes; comics are typically away three to seven days at a time. **Worth knowing.** Read the agency’s and the cruise line’s contracts before signing. [Its page ↗](https://warshawentertainment.squarespace.com/soloists) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route International · Cruise market · Form #### Lime Entertainment, comics Comics with 90+ minutes of clean material and the range for very different audiences: send videos of your stand-up through its application. **Worth knowing.** Its FAQ says that where a line’s arrangement calls for it, it takes a commission from the salary on board: read its terms before you sign. [Its page ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/comics/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Minneapolis, MN · Cruise market · Form #### G.L. Berg Entertainment, cruise guest headliners Representation for guest headliners, comedians among them: a full-length, stage-ready show with a record of playing captive audiences, a valid passport, a high-quality promo reel, and full-show footage if you have it (raw footage accepted). Engagements are fly-on, fly-off, generally 2–6 days. **Worth knowing.** It says it may not answer quickly, and gets in touch when it sees an opportunity. Representation isn’t a booking. [Its page ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### What an audition should cost you None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays a comic, so this page gives no figure. Lime’s FAQ says that where it charges, it takes a commission from the salary on board, after the audition, the contract and the paperwork: know any agency’s terms before you sign with it. **Ask an agency before you sign** - Which lines the agency books comics for - Whether it charges a commission, how much, and when it’s taken - Whether signing with it stops you working with another agency - What it will send a line, and whether you see it first - Who pays to film or edit your reel - That nobody asks you to pay to be placed or to be seen [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name Your home town The booker’s or agent’s name The line or agency Your clean show, in minutes Your adult show, in minutes Your clean show’s link Your adult show’s link Your credits, as they are Your SUCDb record or website The dates you can do Your passport’s expiry date The date you sent it What you sent Any reply, and its date Your next step, and when Your email and phone ### The audition email ``` Subject: Comedian submission: [Your name], clean and adult shows Hi [The booker's or agent's name], I'm [Your name], a stand-up from [Your home town], submitting as a comedian for [The line or agency]. Family-friendly show, [Your clean show, in minutes] minutes: [Your clean show's link] Adult show, [Your adult show, in minutes] minutes: [Your adult show's link] Credits, as they are: [Your credits, as they are]. My bio and headshot: [Your SUCDb record or website] I'm available [The dates you can do], and my passport is valid until [Your passport's expiry date]. Thank you for watching, [Your name] ``` ### Asking an agency the questions ``` Hi [The booker's or agent's name], Thank you for looking at my tape. Before I sign, may I ask: 1. Which lines do you book comics for? 2. Do you charge a commission, how much, and when is it taken? 3. Is the agreement exclusive, and how does it end? 4. What will you send the lines, and may I see it first? 5. Is there any fee before a contract is offered? Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### The application log, one line each ``` [The date you sent it] | [The line or agency] | sent: [What you sent] | link: [Your clean show's link] | heard back: [Any reply, and its date] | next step: [Your next step, and when] ``` ### The PDF bio ``` [Your name] Stand-up comedian, [Your home town] [Your name] performs a family-friendly show of [Your clean show, in minutes] minutes and an adult show of [Your adult show, in minutes] minutes. Credits, as they are: [Your credits, as they are]. Video: [Your clean show's link] (clean) and [Your adult show's link] (adult) Contact: [Your email and phone] ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A video of each show, unedited, with links that open for anyone A bio and credits as a PDF, the credits as they are A dated log of each application, its route and any reply An agency’s terms read before signing, or a line’s own route followed Your record current: bio, photo and credits as they are Your status ### Send an audition that convinces A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [Cruises & travel · The deal **Weigh the contract** A booking is worth the whole contract, not the headline fee.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-comedian-contract.html) [Private & corporate · Show the work **A package a buyer can say yes to** A complete, accurate package makes the decision quicker.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedian-press-kit.html) ## Go deeper - [How do comedians get casino and cruise ship gigs?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-casino-and-cruise-comedy.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 8, Getting Booked](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [What should be on a comedy demo reel?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) What a buyer needs to see in the first minutes ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [Carnival Entertainment, comedy and variety openings ↗](https://www.carnivalentertainment.com/opportunities/comedy-variety) A cruise line’s own page. - [G.L. Berg Entertainment, cruise guest headliners ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) A cruise agency’s published criteria. - [Lime Entertainment, performer FAQs ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) A cruise agency’s published terms. - [Princess Cruises Entertainment, life onboard ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) A cruise line’s own page. - [Royal Caribbean, Headliner Entertainment ↗](https://royalcaribbeanentertainment.com/headliner/careers/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Warshaw Entertainment ↗](https://warshawentertainment.squarespace.com/soloists) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Lime Entertainment, comics ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/comics/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): cruises & travel, stop 2 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For how comics get cruise and casino work, read [How do comedians get casino and cruise ship gigs?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-casino-and-cruise-comedy.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)