Husson Audio Engineering Students Interned on ShipRocked Cruise

Published on: January 31, 2025

Eight students in the Husson University Audio Engineering/Live Sound program recently interned on the annual ShipRocked cruise, a rock music-filled week-long cruise that travels through the Caribbean region. The students got hands-on experience in working on live music performances during the experience.

“It’s a fantastic thing for the live sound program. It’s like the senior trip, something we look forward to for four years,” said Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering and Live Sound Eric Ferguson, who supervised the students during their internships. “And we all did great. We worked hard [and] kept a positive attitude. I cannot think of a single negative thing that happened that entire cruise. Which is amazing, because it’s a lot of stress to go through.”

The cruise started in Miami and visited Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. Students assisted with stagebuilding, audio testing and behind-the-scenes work during live performances by artists such as Hollywood Undead and The Struts.

This trip marks the eighth concert cruise internship that Ferguson has brought students on since 2014.

Junior live sound production student Max Mason worked as a stagehand during the cruise. While he had some stagehand knowledge from theater work, the cruise provided a new level of live experience.

“I was a little apprehensive at first, because I knew that this experience was so intense. And, honestly, stepping on the ship, it was addicting,” said Mason. “It was so fun to just meet and interact with all the local crew, the band crew, with everyone being so supportive and welcoming in this new environment.”

Senior live sound student Will Manchester-Wells, who also worked as a stagehand, agreed.

“It definitely solidified that I wanted to do this with my future for the rest of my life. I’m not gonna lie,” said Manchester-Wells.

One of the most intense experiences of the internship was the first day when students helped to unload about 1500 road cases and build stages overnight. On other days, students helped production crews around the ship to make sure upwards of four performances at once continued smoothly.

“Don’t get me wrong — the days were hard. It took a lot of physical strength and mental fortitude. But at the end of the day, it was the most fun I’ve ever had at a gig,” said Mason. “I constantly was learning so much.”

Ferguson plans to return with another group of student interns for ShipRocked 2026.

— Rin Gately