Job Opportunities Open Up at Carnival Cruise Lines, Auditions Continue on Wednesday
Day-one of a not too common opportunity to work onboard one of the many ships for Carnival Cruise Lines concluded this evening at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City. Representatives from the cruise tourism company are in the Jewel looking for the diamonds in the entertainment industry as it relates to pro DJs, vocalists and musicians. There were a number of heavy hitters who took advantage of the recruitment and News Five has learnt they have impressed and will be signing up contracts. Earlier today, we caught up with Alex Dena, a Belizean who took up employment with the cruise line two decades ago, and is now a member of the team scouting out the local talent.
Alex Dena
Alex Dena, Supervisor, DJs in Music Development, Carnival Cruise Lines
“What we are looking for is personality driven DJs, open format mindset, being able to rock any genre for any crowds. On our ships, we have ages from two to ninety-two, so to speak, playing on the pool deck and then of course the night club. So we are looking for DJs to come with that open mind just to come and have fun and let their personality shine. So definitely microphone presence; the DJs are relied heavily upon on a ship. They host some of the biggest events with the cruise directors—up to three thousand five hundred guests—so they have to be willing to control that mic and control the crowd. That’s one. two is the personality. Their music knowledge is key because guests come from all walks of life and they are ready to have a good time and our job is to make sure that they have a good time through the music.”
Duane Moody
“We’ve seen some people come today. Is the talent pool there?”
Alex Dena
“Yeah, we started off strong; it was a great start this morning. We had two singers who came through; three solid DJs who performed. Again, they all came, gave it their best and I think we are off to a great start today, which is day one.”
Duane Moody
“I was told by Brett that you guys are ready to issue contracts for some people by the end of these two days. You think that’s going to happen?”
Alex Dena
“It’s looking pretty good; you are good at what you do, I’m telling you. Duane you are good. So we will let people know at the end of the next two days. And this si something that is ongoing; this is three hundred and sixty-five days a year. And we are hoping to get a lot and like we mentioned earlier in this week, we are looking for the diamond cut out of the rough cause Carnival, we pride ourselves as the best when it comes to entertainment and of course cruise lines.”
Duane Moody
“This is for an intake for January/February. Talk to us about the process after this, after being chosen?”
Alex Dena
“Right, so once you get chosen, you have to do a full medical, background checks and then the visa process. Carnival provides all the information and documentation you need and then it takes between six to eight weeks depending on how fast you move on the process. Once you finish your medical, you are approved and you get your visa, you are approved; the schedules open up on January and we let the DJs or the musicians know the time slots and what ships are available. And then they can go anywhere from the Caribbean, to Europe to Alaska. It’s endless, depending on the time, of course.”
Day-two commences at nine a.m. and artists, saxophonists, trombone players, steel pan players and others are asked to take advantage of the employment opportunity.
