From Cover Bands to Jazz and World Adventures
As a musician, I spent years in cover bands from pop and blues to R&B and funk. But I found my dream job as the vocalist for a jazz trio on a cruise ship. No longer having to emulate (or imitate) Madonna and Michael Jackson.
I found my own voice in jazz, playing with some amazing Canadians on piano and drums, and had the time of my life. I got paid every two weeks to do what l love, had a cozy room, lots of food, AND got to travel around the world for free! After five 4-month contracts (Australia, South Pacific Islands, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and back to the Med), the cruise lines decided to minimize jazz and focus on the party bands. I wanted to keep sailing, and I’d spent too many years imitating Madonna and Michael Jackson, so I transitioned into the role of theatrical wardrobe contractor, refitting cast installs and ship-hopping around the world.
Exploring the Secrets of Working at Sea
But the musician life was the best, and this secret world of “who do you know” and “how did you do that” led me to write two books. The first is called “Work at Sea, See the World: An Insider’s Secrets to the Working Life on a Cruise Ship.” It is geared to anyone, generally 20-50 who is game for adventure and travel, and highlights all the aspects of ship life, the various jobs available, outlines the responsibilities, with advice and stories from other crew members. It includes a chapter on how things changed in the industry in 2020 (I was on the first ship back to service in Singapore.) Some of the proceeds of the book are earmarked for OceanConservancy.org to support ocean and wildlife preservation as they are the lifeblood of our planet.
A Musician’s Guide to Life at Sea
But I wanted to support my fellow musicians, and as a speaker, I couldn’t personally vouch for the “joys” of early-morning galley life, so I wrote the most recent book, “Notes That Float: The Ultimate Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid To Play on Cruise Ships.” Written specifically for accomplished musicians, primarily 20-35 who are not overly committed to land life (i.e. mortgage, spouse, kids, etc.) who love to play and are ready to get paid to see the world and do what they love… every day! After all, the sweetest music to a musician’s ears is consistent pay while traveling the world and doing what they love! A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to MusiCares.org (the Grammy folks) to support musician welfare and music education.
From Weekend Warrior to World-Traveling Musician
I was also invited to contribute to the best-selling compilation book, “For the Love of Transformation” with Hollywood celebrity vocal coach, Roger Love. Twenty authors offered valuable insights and free links to several enlightening topics for a variety of professions. Mine focused on how to go from weekend warrior as a musician to a world-traveling professional!
Empowering Musicians Through The Global Musician Academy
To support the musicians’ efforts to secure these specialized and exclusive positions onboard, I realized that musicians are not as likely to read a book as they are to listen to someone explain it, so the book has become the foundation for my online program, “The Global Musician Academy: Notes That Float.” I provide qualified performers access to personalized guidance as we design the most impressive promotional materials, get them connected with the proper hiring agents, and become prepared for the ups and downs of the “below decks” life of a crewmember onboard.
A Life-Changing Journey for Musicians at Sea
Whether it is one contract as a pub guitarist, a singing piano bar entertainer, or a solo instrumentalist in the nine-piece show band, the opportunities are unique, the benefits tremendous, and the experience life-changing. The twelve-month program concludes with their placement in the rotation of performers on over 347 ships worldwide. Performers can choose a single contract or pursue a long-term career, staying employed as long as they have the right skills, experience, and mindset.
Fostering Global Harmony Through Music and Performance
My goal is to enhance my client’s musical performance skills, and they can’t avoid it by performing every day. They have the opportunity to broaden their horizons while sharing the ship with 60 to 90 different nationalities. They experience the opportunity for a life of cooperation, empathy, acceptance, and communication on both a professional and a personal level. The world is in dire need of international understanding, and my ambition is to contribute to that sense of personal harmony. Music is an international language. Sharing our lives and ambitions in an intimate environment as we learn from each other on an individual level is a powerful effort toward encouraging international concord on a more global scale.
About Nancy Soulé: A Life of Music, Travel, and Global Harmony
I, Nancy Soulé, have been a vocalist, a fashion and costume designer, a public speaker, a college instructor, now a best-selling author, and a ship-hopping, globe-trotting theatrical contractor. A native of Seattle, WA, USA, I have traveled the world to more countries than I can count (somewhere around 70) on six continents in my ship life that began in 2011. I continue to perform whenever possible and support my fellow musicians in their search for a consistent paycheck, ultimate musical fulfillment, and world travel. The world is a much better place full of live music and international harmony. Come sail away with me!
Ready to take your music career to new heights? Grab your copy of “Notes That Float: The Ultimate Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid To Play on Cruise Ships” on Amazon now!

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