When it comes to comedy, one size (and style) definitely does not fit all.
If you’ve ever wondered how stand-up comedy differs when performed in a club versus a cruise line, here’s your answer: The biggest difference between comedy club and cruise ship gigs is that entertainment is secondary on a cruise ship. The club audience comes to see comedy; the cruise ship audience just needs a place to rest between dinner and the midnight buffet. That’s not all you need to know, however, before performing (or watching) cruise ship comedy acts.
Audiences
Comedy club audiences are usually 21 and older; cruise ship audiences have no age restrictions. World cruises have older passengers (usually over 55) because they have the necessary time and money. The shorter, romantic, long-weekend cruises tend to have younger passengers in the 25-55 age range. Although the audiences are a mixed bunch, in general a cruise ship audience is more polite than a club audience – you won’t hear much heckling onboard.
Most cruise ship passengers attend early evening comedy shows out of curiosity. The midnight show, however, is more like a club because people saw the comic earlier in the main show and actually forfeited the midnight buffet to come back for more comedy.
Material
Because of the age restrictions at most comedy clubs, comics usually have the freedom to use even their raunchiest material at every show. Some improv theaters, dinner comedy shows, and outdoor venues open to families have more rules regarding blue material. On cruise ships, the nervous titters from the early after-dinner crowd are joined by raucous laughter from midnight adult show audiences.
Although club material may take on any subject, many cruise ship comedians include relevant issues such as sea sickness, rough weather, food, and the ship’s staff in their acts. There’s more freedom in the late night shows, but some grey areas are frowned upon by cruise officials, including coarse language, explicit sexual references, and the most offensive material of all – anything that reflects negatively on cruise ships.
Logistics
Clubs typically don’t operate at the beginning of the week, so many comics can work on cruises early in the week and clubs on weekends. But with this source of double income, come a few concerns:
1. Cruise lines often require entertainers to serve cruise duty, i.e. pass out bingo cards and serve as emcee at races or other events.
2. In clubs there are bartenders and waitresses. On cruise ships there are stewards, assistant stewards, assistant to the assistant stewards, ad infinitum. These and the rest of the solicitous staff want tips for their services from everyone (including the stand-up comics).
3. Onboard comedians must be punctual, flexible, and conquer motion sickness and the fear of flying. Flights in and out of foreign countries sometimes have only an hour or two between each flight. Relying on foreign buses and taxis also has proven costly; a missed ship usually results in a lost job.
4. There’s not much room in the cabin or on the plane for props and costumes, so comics have to pack light for speed, convenience, and necessity.
After a comedy club show, comics can hide in the comedy condo for 24 hours, if they’re lucky. On a cruise ship, however, where can they hide? Audiences don’t magically disappear after each show. They may hound the entertainers on deck or in the casino eager to share their favorite jokes. Cruise ships – unlike comedy clubs – are definitely for entertainers (and passengers) who enjoy socializing with others.
For more information about a career in comedy, read Stand-up Comedy in Florida.
