A musical life on the waves - Carey is only Brit singer cruising in the Med

Carey Hackett has been sailing with the MSC Grandiosa, the only ship that has been sailing in the Mediterranean Sea since its family-owned Italian company restarted operations after lifting of restrictions in August.

The ship’s owners are the fastest growing cruise company in the world, with MSC Grandiosa being the biggest and newest ship of the fleet, with others coming on stream soon and Carey has been onboard in a surreal world of luxury, performing for guests in a Covid-safe way.

Carey, 37, who until flying out had been back at home living near the Showground, explained: “We have in place many health protocols that have made it possible to still sail with passengers. Even for crew the process has been rigorous.

“To embark, all passengers must have a swab test in the terminal and wait the results prior to boarding and again during the cruise they will take another covid test before disembarking with daily temperature checks.

“For myself I had to have a Covid test to travel to Italy and then another test on arrival at the ship. Once you receive your negative result you are sent straight to quarantine in a passenger cabin for 14 days. At the end of this you will redo your test and wait the result before you are released for duty.”

During her confinement she still had to undergo daily temperature checks by the ship’s medical team.

She admits there were some nerves about returning to the ship, after horror stories in the early days of the pandemic with some infected cruise ships locked down, unable to allow passengers off and prevented from entering ports around the world.

The singer was unsure how she would feel back on board. “The first days out of quarantine were an adjustment,” she said, “but now everything has become second nature and I feel not only lucky to be back singing on stage, which is my absolute passion, but the fact that I am the only British singer in the world right now on board performing is something quite special and unforgettable.”

She looks back to her time off work during lockdown: “It has been devastating to be at home and for so long without work. The pandemic has completely killed the entertainment industry as a whole, not just cruising.

“Even though I have been working onboard cruise ships for nearly 15 years I still get excited every time to come back - right now it’s a privilege and I’m very proud, but of course I still worry about the situation and my family who for now I have to stay far from. These are sacrifices we usually make, but this time of course is completely different.”

For crew, Carey said that daily life is a “new normal”. “We still take daily temperature checks and the FFP2 mask is worn at all times unless I am eating, but as soon as I step onto the stage it can be removed for my performances.

“I perform everyday - as I normally would for guests, just that of course now we have no mixing between guests and crew and social distancing is in place - with passengers also wearing a mask unless eating or drinking.

“As soon as I finish my show the mask is replaced to leave the stage and we continue like this.”

Due to social distancing measures, the ship is not sailing at its full 6,000 person capacity. Carey said: “We have a small number to what we are used to, but it’s nice that we can still perform - even if the applause, for now, is less.

“Part of my job normally is interaction and a big part of this is missing. I love to spend time talking with guests and get to know them across their seven day vacation.

“We have to absolutely keep distance between us, but from afar we can still share the moment in the best way possible.”

Over the past 15 years the Peterborough performer has sung for guests and explored dozens of countries around the world, including the Rio World Cup in Brazil.

Famous artists to have joined Carey on board in the past have included singer Pharrell Williams, DJs David Guetta, Fatboy Slim and Tiësto, and rock band Def Leppard.

Carey went to school at Orton Wistow Primary and Stamford High and performed in Key Theatre pantos and productions at The Cresset.

She later returned to the city for tours in the Blues Brothers and Rat Pack.

Her varied career has also seen her work in TV and film, as well as work as a presenter and model on Ideal World shopping channel which is based in Peterborough.