I work as a performer on a cruise ship – here’s what my life is like below deck
A CRUISE ship performer has revealed what it's really like to live and work on an international voyage.
Acrobat Abigail Hill performs on Oasis of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean vessel.
Abigail first started performing on Celebrity Cruises before moving to Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.
She's also performed on other Royal Caribbean vessels including Harmony of the Seas.
She told Sun Online Travel: "I started gymnastics when I was younger, but it was through drama and dance that I found my way into the industry."
While studying dance at college, Abigail began auditioning to become an entertainer on a cruise ship.
Read More on Cruises
In her nine years working on board cruise ships, Abigail has gotten to grips with the lifestyle and knows what it takes to live and work on deck.
She said: "I get up in the morning and if we're at port my friends and I go to the beach or into the city.
"After a few hours, we get back on the ship and prepare for the show in the evening - it's a good life."
If the ship isn't docked at a port, Abigail and her friends will go for a walk and have a coffee on the ship.
Most read in Cruise
As well as enjoying her day-to-day routine, she's also been able to meet a range of people from all walks of life.
She added: "I like that most people are from different places and I get to meet people from different nations and see different places meeting different people."
Abigail says she now has friends all over the world thanks to her job as an acrobat.
In addition to meeting people from across the globe, Abigail's job has taken her to some far-flung destinations.
She added: "Every place I've been to is amazing. While I enjoy going to all of the beaches, my favourite place I've visited was Alaska.
"I was surprised by how warm it was and the views were breathtaking - I never imagined seeing something like that before.
"It's just another reminder that there's so much more to see in the world."
She said: "Aside from that, I just love being able to perform."
In recent years, Abigail has been able to create her own performances and routines and loved to perform in the aqua theatre on Royal Caribbean cruises.
For any other performers thinking about life on the high seas, Abigail had some words of wisdom: "Just make sure you go for everything, and keep pushing yourself because you have to really want it."
Meanwhile, for those holidaymakers who are happy to simply relax onboard, the acrobat shared some advice.
She added: "Make sure to check the weather forecasts before you go and don't just guess a temperature.
"On a cruise around Alaska, I thought it would be really cold but it was actually really hot.
"Some of my family members came out to join me but they'd packed for the wrong weather."
As well as making sure you're equipped with the right garments, she recommended bringing a good sun cream too.
Despite living her dream life there is one thing she does miss about her life in the UK, her dogs George and Ollie.
Abigail isn't the only person who lives on a cruise ship, Rachael Hudson plays Pixel in The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn on board Royal Caribbean’s Wonder Of the Seas.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
This singer loves her home comforts when she's living onboard a ship and has busy show days.
Meanwhile, another cruise ship performer has revealed she feels "blessed" that she gets paid to spend her days chilling by the pool and playing drinking games.
