Music directors and band leaders onboard a cruise ship have a bigger role to play than just being onstage. In fact, their impact on the guest experience could be the defining factor between a one-time traveler and a returning guest, according to Leo Torres, an experienced cruise band leader, in an interview with Cruise Industry News.

“Guests should leave a performance feeling something, not just entertained,” Torres said. “I don’t think they (cruise lines) are aware of the connection we musicians make – not as performers or workers or crew, just as people.

“We have conversations in the queue on the line for food, talking about music, and suddenly, we’re making a real connection.”

After teaching high school music for a few years, he realized his love was playing music, not teaching it, and he applied for performance-focused roles in the cruise industry.

He worked onboard the Celebrity Apex in its inaugural season, then served as musical director for Holland America Line’s 2023 Grand World Voyage. Most recently, he worked onboard the Star of the Seas for Royal Caribbean. Torres also runs a home studio, working with production companies.

“On a cruise ship, musicians must be able to deliver. On the ship, you play every night, six nights a week, and everybody that gets on the ship deserves the same level of performance. A cruise band can have around five or seven members, each bringing their own background, musical tastes and nationalities. The music can differ from person to person, ship to ship, sometimes from company to company or from project to project.

“The band leader and musical director are there to sort of bring everyone together with one goal and see how we all can steer the ship in the same direction. That direction must match the direction the cruise needs. The musical director must choose the repertoire, the sets, even events, and interact with guests when not onstage,” Torres added.

While having different nationalities in the band can be a challenge, it also means a chance to learn, connect with and experience different things. Performing, according to Torres, helps musicians become very familiar with their instruments, which is why he recommended the experience to every artist.

“At least do one or two or three cruise ship contracts, because you’re going to connect with your instruments in a way you never thought you could. It makes you a better player in every way. Just do it!” he said.

It also teaches musicians to work with what’s available onboard; you don’t always get to bring your own equipment. But in his experience, cruise companies really do take care of their musical performers.

While a cruise contract provides every opportunity to perform, Torres said he aims to help musicians with chart music, quick memorization techniques and song structure.

Looking forward, Torres said he wants to see more real productions onboard cruise ships, where the musicians can respond to the live audience in the room. He noted that this would mean hiring high-tier musicians who can react in the moment.