The Cruise Ship Diaries

Welcome to What A Load Of Ship, a brand new podcast all about working and living onboard Cruise Ships with host and performer, Gary Walsh. In this episode, Gary gives you an outline into what the podcast is all about, introducing himself; briefly delving into his history of how he started performing and working onboard Cruise Ships as well as some tails from his years at sea so far.

In this episode, Gary discusses the process from auditioning to accepting a job on a cruise ship for Production Cast. From audition techniques and tips, the paperwork involved in the acceptance process to the costs involved for VISA's, Medicals and Safety Courses. This is a great episode for any performers looking at auditioning for the cruise industry and what you need to do to prepare for this.

With an upgrade on audio equipment and streaming platforms, Gary takes the podcast to a new level and continues the series by discussing the rehearsal process of being apart of the Production Cast onboard Cruise Ships. Using his knowledge of working for multiple cruise lines, Gary gives an outline of what generally happens throughout the process as well as giving tips and advice for anyone about to go into their first production cast rehearsal period.

In this episode, Gary discusses every aspect of Embarkation Day, Sign On Day, Day One of your contract onboard a cruise ship. From the overwhelming emotions, lugging your luggage around, welcome meetings, finding your cabin to potentially going straight into work on the first day. In this series Gary takes us through the facts and figures of ship life from applying/auditioning to work onboard a cruise ship to every day life onboard.

Gary talks you through the process for the Install period for production cast members onboard a cruise ship with such things as blocking, lights and sound, costume fittings, trainings and more. Giving hints, tips and advice on how to maintain a healthy mind and professional manner, as well as recalling various experiences of his numerous contracts over the years.

Gary takes you through 10 of his must have takes for any cruise contract. These are items that you can either take with you in your suitcase or what you should be ordering when you get onboard to make your cabin more comfortable and homely. You get a very giddy Gary today so enjoy all the laughs, songs and entertainment.

In this episode, Gary talks with Kelsey June Swann, an American performer currently working on ships as an Activity Manager. Kelsey talks about her unique audition process and time in the production cast and as part of a musical duo. She talks in depth about her time onboard when the world was hit by the Corona Virus and returning back to ships and what it all entailed. With her ambition of becoming a Cruise Director, Kelsey discusses how and why she made the decision to work for another cr...

Gary sits down with actor and TikTok influencer Amber Olivia and discusses her childhood, life at sea, going viral on TikTok and her future ambitions as an actress.

Corey Sharpe, a performer from Leicester, England, who is currently onboard Carnival Venezia with Gary. In this episode Corey discusses what it was like to grow up with two very different parents, his late arrival to dancing and his journey on finding the best dance training for himself. From finding work as a male stripper to partying on cruise ships. Corey has seen and done it all. Gary and Corey exchange some of their best cabin party stories as well as how they motivate themselve...

Gary interviews ex-dancer and former fellow cast mate, Jessica Hill, about her life at sea; the parties, the shock loss of her partner and mental health struggles. Jess and Gary reminisce about their time together and Jess gives great advice for how to manage your mental health whilst working at sea as well as guidance for those performers considering their future careers away from ships. Jess is now a new Mum alongside running one of the most successful circus school franchises in th...

Lynne Worthington-Bianchi is a former youth councillor and manager, working onboard P&O and Cunard Cruise lines for 15 years. From giving up her salaried, land based job in her early 20's, Lynne recounts her years at sea from her favourite port, holiday seasons away from home and loved ones as well as being thrown into management to finding love.

Gary sits down with drummer, Tomas Remblance. Tomas is on his very first cruise contract as the drummer in the onboard orchestra. We discuss Tomas's influences growing up, the process of a musician's application to work onboard, as well as living onboard a ship as a crew member unable to purchase and consume alcohol due to American Law ... And so much more!!!

Gary sits down with Megan-Lea Haworth, a dancer from Northern England to discuss her time at sea. From a young child training to training as a professional dancer, Megan-Lea has always been determined to make it in the industry, regardless of the setbacks put in her way such as injury and the covid pandemic. In this interview Megan-Lea and Gary reminisce about how they met, the growth of their friendship, Megan-Lea’s journey in training as a dancer, to gaining her first cruise contract, what ...

Host, Gary Walsh, re-introduces himself having rebranded the podcast. Briefly discussing his childhood, his early career, how he got into cruise ships and where his career has taken him so far. Gary also discusses where he sees his future on ships as well as explaining the new layout and scheduling of the podcast!