The first time you step on stage as a cruise ship entertainer, you don’t think about the journey. You think about not messing up. You hope the crowd claps. You wish you could make it to the end without showing the nerves you are trying to hide.
Sarah Angel remembers that version of herself, the one hoping it would all go right. She also knows now that it didn’t need to be perfect. It’s not the flawless performances that build a career. It’s the growth that happens between them.
Today, Sarah is an internationally booked performer, founder of Posh Piano, and now, a published author. She is about to open Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, and has just released her first book, The Entertainer’s Handbook. But none of those milestones erase the moments where she questioned everything.
From Overthinking to Trusting the Process
In the early days, Sarah held herself to impossible standards. A missed note, a quiet crowd, anything short of a perfect night felt like failure. If she could talk to that younger version of herself now, her advice would be simple: Relax. Learn. Don’t take one night too seriously.
It took time to realize that not every show will feel magical. Some crowds are cold. Some rooms don’t click. But those nights teach you how to adjust, how to lead, and how to keep going when the applause is slow to come.
That shift, from self-pressure to self-trust, is something Sarah now brings into her work with other performers. Whether she is leading a show or mentoring musicians, she reminds them: Don’t let one tough night undo your momentum. You are going to get better. Just keep showing up.
Writing the Book She Once Needed
Sarah’s new book, The Entertainer’s Handbook, is not about showing off success. It’s about making the industry more honest, more accessible, and a little less overwhelming for those just starting.
She shares lessons from real experience, from cruise contracts and recording sessions to handling rejection and staying grounded in the process. There are practical tips, yes, but also personal stories, the kind that don’t usually make it to the stage but shape who a performer becomes.
It’s the kind of guide she wishes someone had given her: not polished, not sugarcoated, just honest.
Looking Ahead, Without Losing Yourself
Opening a brand-new cruise ship is no small thing. Neither is publishing a book. But even now, Sarah does not let big moments change how she approaches the work. She is still focused on doing the next show well, leading her team with care, and remembering what keeps her grounded.
Faith is at the center of that. She credits it for the strength that got her through the early years. It’s what reminds her that she does not have to be the star of every moment, and that success means nothing if it comes at the cost of self-worth.
Gratitude helps keep burnout at bay. So does routine. Gym time, sunshine, quiet mornings with coffee, none of it is flashy, but it’s what helps her stay steady when the schedule is demanding, and the work doesn’t slow down.
Don’t Wait to Be Ready
Sarah Angel does not claim to have it all figured out. What she does have is perspective, and the willingness to share it. Her message to young performers is clear: stop waiting to feel perfect before you start. Start, and let experience do its work.
You will make mistakes. You will doubt yourself. But if you keep showing up, keep listening, and keep growing, you will be surprised by what’s on the other side of uncertainty.
Because breakthroughs do not always come with a spotlight, sometimes, it’s just knowing you made it through one more show, and you are still standing.
