A Life of Music and Travel: The Inspiring Story of Bettina Lobo

Bettina Lobo, a talented vocalist and performer, has been sailing the world’s oceans for over five years, entertaining thousands of passengers on board Celebrity Cruises’ luxurious vessels. Born and raised in Venezuela, Lobo’s passion for musical theater was ignited at the tender age of six, when her parents took her to see The Phantom of the Opera film. She later pursued her dreams in New York City, earning a B.F.A. from The New School, but the visa restrictions made it difficult for her to break into the competitive world of Broadway.

Lobo’s journey took a dramatic turn when she decided to work on a cruise ship. ‘I thought, let me do one contract, travel the world, and then I’ll be back in New York in no time,’ she recalls. More than five years later, she is still performing with Celebrity Cruises, and has even met her fiancé, a Serbian bar manager, along the way. The two now try to coordinate their contracts so they can work aboard the same ship, something Celebrity makes an effort to accommodate for couples.

A Typical Day on the Job

So, what does a typical day on the job look like for Lobo? ‘If it’s a sea day and we have a show, I’ll usually wake up around 10 or 10:30 a.m. Our rooms are like little caves—they’re completely blacked out—so unless I put on an alarm, I’m not waking up,’ she explains. After a morning routine, FaceTiming home, and eating in the crew mess, Lobo attends a notes session, where the show’s vocal and dance captains review the previous week’s performance, providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Following the notes session, the cast does a vocal and physical warm-up, and then rehearses the technical run-through without costumes or makeup. This process can take several hours, until around 4 p.m. After a quick 45-minute nap, Lobo and the rest of the cast get ready for hair and makeup, and then perform two shows, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., three times a week, plus two smaller shows in the club.

The Challenges and Rewards of Working at Sea

So, what is the most challenging part about working at sea? ‘Because the productions are so massive, you have to be a strong mover; that’s what we call singers who dance,’ Lobo explains. She also notes that being away from family can get hard, especially when you have a huge, very close family like hers. ‘I have a huge, very close family. Most of my mom’s side, including my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, live in Venezuela. I’m lucky because my dad’s family is in the United States, and my grandmother lives in Florida, so on embarkation days I can sometimes get off the ship and see her.’

Living and Working on a Ship

Living and working on a ship can be a unique experience, with its own set of challenges and rewards. ‘Living and working with your coworkers 24/7. You have to find a way to coexist with people from many different cultures,’ Lobo notes. ‘It broadens the way you communicate, how you understand people, and your capacity for empathy.’ She also appreciates the convenience of living on a ship, where she can be at work in 30 seconds, and the gym is just one elevator ride away.

A Favorite Place She’s Traveled

So, what is her favorite place she’s traveled so far? ‘Europe has my heart,’ she says. ‘One of my favorites is Villefranche-sur-Mer in France. It’s this tiny town by the sea that looks a little like Beauty and the Beast to me. Then you can take a train and, in 10 minutes, you’re in Nice. You can also take the train to Monte Carlo. It’s insane that from this one tiny place, you can travel to all of these bucket-list destinations.’

Favorite Place to Hang Out on Board

When she’s not performing, Lobo’s favorite place to hang out on board the ship is trying the restaurants. ‘There’s a new restaurant aboard Celebrity Xcel, for example, called Bora, which serves Mediterranean food and feels like you’re in Santorini.’

A Memorable Guest Interaction

Lobo has had many memorable interactions with guests over the years, but one that stands out was when a young girl handed her confetti from a Taylor Swift concert. ‘After our shows, we sometimes stand at the back of the theater to thank guests for coming,’ she explains. ‘One night, I was talking to an American family who had seen me perform on more than one Celebrity ship. They mentioned that they had just gone to a Taylor Swift concert in Amsterdam.’

‘One of my castmates at the time, an Irish dancer named Dan, was obsessed with Taylor Swift,’ Lobo recalls. ‘If you say her name, he starts crying. Their daughter, who was around 12, said she had saved some confetti from the concert and asked if she should give it to him. I said, ‘Yes. Absolutely.’ I went to find Dan while she went to get the confetti. I asked her, ‘Are you sure you want to give this away?’ She said, ‘We love you guys so much. Of course we want him to have it.’

Dan was already crying when I told him they had been to the concert,’ Lobo continues. ‘Then she handed him the confetti, and he started weeping. He said he needed security to escort him down I-95—the main crew corridor that runs through the ship—because he couldn’t let anyone take it from him.’

‘That little girl didn’t need to give him something that mattered so much to her, but she did,’ Lobo says. ‘We had touched her through the shows, and she extended that kindness back to us.’

Top Tip for First-Time Cruisers

So, what’s her top tip for first-time cruisers? ‘Watch the entertainment!’ she exclaims. ‘I know that sounds obvious coming from me, but trust me, you won’t want to miss the shows. They’re truly unforgettable.’

Conclusion

Bettina Lobo’s story is an inspiring one, a testament to the power of following your dreams and pursuing your passions, no matter where they may take you. As she continues to sail the world’s oceans, entertaining thousands of passengers on board Celebrity Cruises’ luxurious vessels, she remains grateful for the opportunity to live her dream, and to share her love of music and travel with the world.