--- title: "Cruise Comedian Contracts: What to Read First | D.O.C." description: "Weigh a cruise or resort offer: who employs you, the shows, travel, cabin and pay terms, what lines publish in their own words, and the questions to ask." url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-comedian-contract.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Cruises & travel · stop 3 of 5 # The cruise contract: weigh the whole deal Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer An offer from a ship is more than a fee: it names who employs you, how many shows you play, how you join and leave the ship, where you sleep and what you need to board. A line can hire you directly or through an agent, and an agent may take a commission. Read the whole agreement, work out what you keep, and get professional advice before you sign anything you don’t understand. - **13** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **5** pieces of proof to keep - **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 complete a travel engagement 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… ### Up for a ship or resort booking - A line or an agent has offered you dates, or says an offer is coming. - Your clean show and your adult show have passed an audition. - You’re reading terms a club date never had: an employment agreement, a commission, documents to board. - The next step is signing, and you want to know what you’re agreeing to first. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [complete a travel engagement](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-ship-comedian-life.html) These are what the lines and agencies say, on their own pages, comes with the job on board. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You know who employs you and who sets the terms: Princess Cruises Entertainment says it alone selects and hires entertainers, sets the terms and conditions of employment and issues the Seafarer Employment Agreements. [Princess Cruises Entertainment ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) Your documents are in order before you travel: Princess lists a valid passport, a criminal background check and its own pre-employment medical certificate, and Lime’s FAQ adds that visas and English proficiency tests may be asked for. [Princess Cruises Entertainment ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) · [Lime Entertainment FAQ ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) You know the shape of the run: G.L. Berg’s guest headliner contracts are fly-on, fly-off engagements that generally run 2–6 days at a time, and a Carnival gig is 5 performances, repeats included. [G.L. Berg Entertainment ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) · [Carnival Entertainment ↗](https://www.carnivalentertainment.com/opportunities/comedy-variety) You’ve signed, you have a copy, and you know when and how you’re paid. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 13 steps in 4 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. #### Know who’s hiring you From the Career Field Manual: Choose help when it solves a problem and Explore specialty markets. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 290–313, 132–142 and 143–173. 1. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-05 #### Read commission, exclusivity, territory and termination terms With an agency in the deal, read its own agreement too: the commission, whether it’s exclusive, the lines it covers and how it ends. **Done when** The agreement reviewed before signing. [Before you sign, in Your Team →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#sign) [What a radius clause is →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-radius-clause.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Explore specialty markets · specialty-08 #### Track the contract and travel terms unique to the market A ship adds terms a club date doesn’t have: joining and leaving the ship, the documents to board, the cabin and the duties off stage. **Done when** A market-specific cost and risk checklist. [Travel and hotel terms →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-travel-and-hotel-for-comedians.html) [Handling cruise ships, from the D.O.C. book →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-casino-and-cruise-comedy.html#topic-93) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 3. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-06 #### Get suitable professional advice for consequential contracts An employment agreement, a commission and travel across borders are reasons enough to ask a lawyer or an accountant before you sign. **Done when** Lawyer or accountant engaged when needed. [When to bring in an attorney →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-publicist-attorney-business-manager.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Get the terms in writing From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms and Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196 and 234–289. 4. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-07 #### Ask about the slot, audience, pay and recording rules **Done when** A specific description of the opportunity. The questions to ask → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Get paid. Keep records. · money-01 #### Confirm the buyer, slot, set length and fee in writing **Done when** A saved agreement or confirmation. [Get the deal in writing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) Confirming the terms → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Get paid. Keep records. · money-02 #### Verify whether lodging and travel are included Write down who books and pays for each leg, joining and leaving, and any hotel night on the way. **Done when** Exact terms rather than assumptions. [Who pays for travel and hotels →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-travel-and-hotel-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 7. Get paid. Keep records. · money-03 #### Know the payment date, payment method and paperwork **Done when** Who owes you what and by when. [How comedians get paid →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-how-comedians-get-paid.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Work out what you keep From the Career Field Manual: Get paid. Keep records.. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 234–289. 8. Get paid. Keep records. · money-04 #### Calculate every gig’s expected net before accepting Take out any commission and the costs nobody repays, such as documents and getting to the airport, and count the days away from other work. **Done when** Fee minus realistic expenses, before taxes. What you’d keep, worked out → [The Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Get paid. Keep records. · money-09 #### Set a minimum acceptable net for travel gigs **Done when** A written threshold with explicit exceptions. [Run the Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Get paid. Keep records. · money-05 #### Create a simple invoice and expense-recording system **Done when** Sample invoice and current expense ledger. [Income, expenses and records →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-taxes-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 11. Get paid. Keep records. · money-06 #### Separate business money and planned tax reserves Ask whether the line or the agency pays you and whether tax is withheld, and get professional advice on what to set aside. **Done when** A documented money-handling routine. [Business accounts and set-asides →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-taxes-for-comedians.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Decide, and keep the record From the Career Field Manual: Find and pitch the right rooms. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 143–196. 12. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-09 #### Log every accepted or declined offer and why **Done when** A decision trail you can learn from. Turning an offer down → [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 13. 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 - **Know the parts of a contract** Engagement, talent and venue terms each cover different things. [Why comedians need contracts →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html) - **Know who books the travel** Flights, hotels and transfers each need a name beside them. [Who pays for travel and hotels →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-travel-and-hotel-for-comedians.html) - **Work out the commission before you sign** A percentage of the fee is a cost like any other. [The commission, worked out →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#commission) - **Know what you’re signing away** Recording and likeness rights can reach past the run. [Red flags before signing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html#topic-288) - **Plan for a cancelled run** Know what happens to your fee and travel if the run is called off. [When a gig is cancelled →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-cancelled-comedy-gigs.html) - **Keep the money records from day one** A separate account, and a log of what came in and went out. [Taxes for comedians →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-taxes-for-comedians.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. - **Read one clause slowly** Take one part of the offer at a time: the shows, the travel, the cabin, the pay, the way out. - **Write down what you’d keep** The fee, less any commission and the costs nobody repays. - **Ask one question in writing** Send each question by email, so the answer is on the record. - **Check your documents** Passport dates, visas, the medical: what each one needs and how long it takes. - **Set it beside your land dates** Put the run next to the club and private dates you’d give up or move. - **Get advice when it matters** A lawyer or an accountant for terms you don’t understand, before you sign. 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 ### Princess Cruises Entertainment The line hires entertainers directly or through its Global Talent Partners, sets the terms itself and issues Seafarer Employment Agreements; most entertainer positions, guest entertainers among them, have a single cabin. - Princess Cruises Entertainment is solely responsible for selecting and hiring crew members and entertainers, setting the terms and conditions of employment, and issuing Seafarer Employment Agreements (SEAs). - positions are entitled to a single cabin - Hold a valid passport [Princess Cruises Entertainment’s page ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) · checked 10 November 2026 A cruise agency’s published terms ### Lime Entertainment FAQ Where it charges, a commission from the salary on board; and the documents it says cruise lines require: a valid passport and a medical exam, with visas, background checks and English tests among the other possibilities. - sometimes, we do charge commission (a small percentage of one’s salary on board) - All cruise lines require a valid passport and a medical exam; other potential requirements include visas, background checks, English proficiency tests, and more. [Lime Entertainment FAQ’s page ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) · checked 10 November 2026 A cruise agency’s published criteria ### G.L. Berg Entertainment Fly-on, fly-off guest headliner engagements of generally 2–6 days, and a valid passport for each person in the show. - Guest Headliner contracts are for fly-on, fly-off performance engagements that generally vary between 2-6 days at a time. - Each person involved in your show must have a valid passport [G.L. Berg Entertainment’s page ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it At this stop the offer has already come to you: the contract arrives from the line or the agent who placed you, not through a submission form. Read it beside the line’s own onboard pages, and get professional advice before you sign. [62 places to send a submission, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) The money here ### Ask, and get it in writing None of the buyers on this page publishes what it pays a comic, so this page gives no figure. Ask, get the answer in the contract, and get professional advice on terms you don’t understand. **In the contract, before you sign** - Who employs you, and who can change the terms - The dates, the ship, the number of shows and each show’s length - The fee, any commission, and when and how you’re paid - Who books and pays for flights, hotels and transfers, joining and leaving - The cabin, the meals and any duties beyond the stage - The documents you need, and who pays for the medical and any visa - What happens if the run is cancelled or cut short Questions to ask before you sign · [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 The line’s or agent’s contact The ship or resort The run’s dates The number of shows, and their lengths The fee, and whether it’s per show or for the run When and how you’re paid Who books and pays for travel The cabin or room Any commission The costs nobody repays Days away, travel included What you keep The dates you’re open ### Questions to ask before you sign ``` 1. Who employs me: the line, the agency or a production company? 2. Which ship, which dates, how many shows, and how long is each? 3. Is the fee per show or for the run? Is a commission taken, and how much? 4. When and how am I paid, and in what currency? 5. Who books and pays for my flights, hotel and transfers, joining and leaving? 6. What cabin do I have, and where do I eat? 7. What documents do I need: passport, visa, medical? Who pays for them? 8. What are my duties off stage: drills, meet-and-greets, anything else? 9. What's the content rule for each show? 10. What happens if the run is cancelled, cut short, or I'm ill? ``` ### Confirming the terms in writing ``` Subject: Confirming the terms: [The ship or resort], [The run's dates] Hi [The line's or agent's contact], Thank you for the offer. So we're both clear, here's what I understand: Shows: [The number of shows, and their lengths] on [The ship or resort], [The run's dates] Fee: [The fee, and whether it's per show or for the run], paid [When and how you're paid] Travel: [Who books and pays for travel] Cabin: [The cabin or room] If any of this is wrong, please tell me before I sign. Best, [Your name] ``` ### What you’d keep, worked out ``` [The ship or resort], [The run's dates] Fee: [The fee, and whether it's per show or for the run] Commission: [Any commission] Costs nobody repays (documents, medical, getting to the airport): [The costs nobody repays] Days away from other work, travel included: [Days away, travel included] What I keep: [What you keep] ``` ### Turning an offer down, politely ``` Hi [The line's or agent's contact], Thank you for the offer of [The ship or resort], [The run's dates]. I can't take this one, and I'd be glad to hear from you about future dates. I'm open [The dates you're open]. Best, [Your name] ``` 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 The signed agreement, saved where you can find it A written answer to each question you asked before signing A worked net for the run: the fee, any commission and the costs nobody repays Your documents current: passport, any visa and the medical The offer logged, accepted or declined, with your reason Your status ### Weigh the contract 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 run **Complete a travel engagement** Versatility and easy logistics count as much as set length.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-cruise-ship-comedian-life.html) [Private & corporate · Protect the gig **Close a written agreement** Settle the deal before you travel or perform.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-gig-contract.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 - [Do comedians need contracts?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-contracts.html) Engagement, talent and venue agreements, and the red flags before signing - [Chapter 12, Contracts and the Business](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) In D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring ## 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. - [Princess Cruises Entertainment, life onboard ↗](https://www.princesscruisesentertainment.com/life-onboard) A cruise line’s own page. - [Lime Entertainment, performer FAQs ↗](https://lime.inc/performers/faq/) A cruise agency’s published terms. - [G.L. Berg Entertainment, cruise guest headliners ↗](https://www.glberg.com/cruise-headliner) A cruise agency’s published criteria. - [Carnival Entertainment, comedy and variety openings ↗](https://www.carnivalentertainment.com/opportunities/comedy-variety) A cruise line’s own page. - [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 3 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 what a cruise booking involves, 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)