He will not be a paygrade above waiters, as a matter of fact he might see the money they are making and switch jobs in the middle of his trip.THIS is why we, individually, and collectively as a whole, have to vow not to blow this up. The 'Joe viewpoint' will be hilarious to witness. He will walk on that boat thinking he's a rock star then find out he's one paygrade above the waiters and has the same accommodations as the guy mopping the floor.
And you just know he will - once again - use his vast military training and background to make himself think this won't be an issue. However, what you can tolerate living in the barracks when you're 20 is very different than what you can tolerate at 70. Those bunks don't have extra firm mattresses or a My Pillow. He will leave this boat a broken man, literally and figuratively, understanding Cruise Life and chasing rock and roll stardom are endeavors for the young.
AND he will have sold off all his gear that allows him to make a living on dry land!! DO NOT BLOW THIS UP!!!
The difference is the work load, waiters make a lot more than no name entertainment except they have to work 12-14 hours per day and be nice to everyone in order to get decent tips. Joe would make more booking 4 TGIF gigs every week and not have to live like a migrant worker.
I knew 1 guy who somehow convinced a foreign cruise company that he was a well known guitar player here in NY, they still paid him about the same as the waiters made but they gave him an unsold room to stay in and he was allowed to eat in the dining room. The small room musicians, dj, and other entertainment help all had to share 2 connected rooms next to (or directly above) the sewage processing station. I can see Joe getting fired for trying to have a tip jar.