Alyssa Musto is a full-time traveling musician, singer and performer with 10 years of experience in travel and hospitality, performing to audiences on cruises and at resorts around the world. She has traveled to 40 states and over 50 countries and spent two years living and working at sea on the Holland America, Princess and Norwegian fleets.
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She shared her expenses and income, as well as what it’s like to travel the world for work.
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Travel the world for a career
“This year I have already spent a month on a Caribbean/Central American cruise, several weeks in Santa Barbara, CA, weekends in Savannah, GA, Little Rock, AZ, Shreveport, LA, Atlantic City, NJ, Tampa, FL, and I am currently in Sint Maarten where I will spend the month of April,” Musto said of his travel schedule.
As for the rest of 2024, Musto said, “This year I’m scheduled to visit and play in Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Nashville, Austin, Spain, Amsterdam, Greece and a national tour in the US during holidays.”
How does the job work?
“Being a piano bar artist is different than being a professional musician because we don’t have a specific genre, style or set list that we perform,” Musto said. “Audience members make song requests and I perform whatever they ask me to play, whether it’s a piano song or not.”
“On a typical night, I’ll play everything from Elton John to Taylor Swift to Metallica to Cardi B,” Musto commented. “Piano bars are also comedic, interactive and improvised, unlike many other musical performances. I will change the words to songs, make jokes, sing skits or sing special songs for people celebrating birthdays/special occasions. These shows are very popular on cruise ships and with tourist crowds.”
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Business travel income and expenses
Musto breaks down his income, expenses and expenses as he travels the world on business.
Salary/total income
“Because I take on performance contracts on a contract-to-contract basis and a lot of my income comes from tips, I don’t have a stable salary,” Musto said. “However, my average performance income is $2,000-$4,000 per week.”
While revenue isn’t constant due to tipping, the range gives Musto a rough idea of what to expect depending on the crowd.
Which travel expenses are covered?
“In general, most of my contracts pay for my airfare, housing and/or hotels, and travel insurance with some clients, such as cruise ships and resorts, which also include meals,” explained Musto.
“Although I am sometimes put up in fancy hotels, the crew accommodations I stay in are certainly not as luxurious or memorable as typical tourist hotels and Airbnbs,” Musto said when reflecting on the accommodations. While the living quarters aren’t always the most pristine, she has everything to focus on saving and spending her funds as she sees fit. “Depending on the location, where I’m traveling, sometimes rental car or Uber costs are also reimbursed,” Musto added.
While housing is usually covered, food is usually paid extra, which can be one of the biggest expenses on the road. “I’m often responsible for my own groceries and food,” Musto said. The good news is that accommodation is paid for and these travel expenses do not reduce income.
“I get to keep all my airline miles and hotel points, even if they are not booked by me, which funds an unpaid or leisure trip,” Musto added.
Additional travel costs
“The most expensive things I spend on are tours and experiences,” Musto said. “If there’s something I really want to do, I’ll pay for it.”
Since most of her expenses are covered and she earns a decent income, Musto stressed that her job allows her to splurge on luxuries she wouldn’t normally indulge in.
“I probably couldn’t afford these trips if I had to pay for them on top of all my other travel expenses, but my career has given me a unique opportunity to experience the travel lifestyle for free. I don’t mind paying out of pocket to make the most of my time there,” Musto said when discussing his unique luxuries while on the road.
Her travel experiences vary depending on the location and what she wants to do with her free time. She can save money or treat herself to certain excursions when she lands in a new place.
Other benefits
Musto also shared insights on the perks of the job.
“As a guest entertainer with Holland America, I was also able to attend excursions with an accompanying ticket and enjoy other onboard amenities such as the gym and library, as well as use the spa at 50% off list prices” , she said.
Keeping life on the road
Musto talked about the experiences and expenses he can afford while traveling the world for work.
“Because my cost of living is very low when I work, I have more disposable income to spend on special meals or experiences while I travel,” noted Musto. “I don’t really stick to a strict budget because every place and trip is different. If I’m traveling to a place I’ve been to before or has fewer attractions, I’ll probably save more—and that way I won’t feel bad if I later want to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip that might worth $500 or more.
Are any costs too expensive?
“There’s not a lot that I would say I can’t afford to do because so many of my life experiences are juxtaposed,” Musto said. “Yet, given that I’m working, I know my travel experience won’t be the same as tourists who can really relax and enjoy a destination.”
One of the main advantages of this work is that the low costs allow the Musto to enjoy life on the road without being burdened by the small expenses. Musto stressed that he doesn’t have to worry about budget, as housing is not something he has to think about.
As a traveling musician, Musto has many of his expenses covered and is able to treat himself to unique experiences in various destinations.
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