For Todd Evans, the journey from growing up as a quiet kid in Bellmore to entertaining thousands aboard cruise ships around the world didn’t follow a straight course — it just happened to set sail that way.
A graduate of Wellington C. Mepham High School in North Bellmore, Evans has spent the past 16 years working at sea, first as a lead singer and now as a cruise director with Carnival Cruise Line. Today, he serves as the face of the ship, overseeing entertainment and helping create memorable vacations for anywhere from 4,000 to 6,000 guests at a time.
“I am the captain of the fun,” Evans said. “I don’t drive the ship — they won’t let me do that — but my job is to make sure you’re having the most unforgettable vacation.”
Evans’ path into entertainment began early, rooted in his hometown. At age 15, he landed a job with a Bellmore-based entertainment company, performing at bar and bat mitzvahs, sweet 16s and corporate events. That was his first taste of the stage — and first time connecting with an audience.
From there, Evans immersed himself in the industry, working with the company into his early 20s. A breakthrough came for Evans when he appeared on NBC’s Fame, a reality television show led by Debbie Allen, an experience he said “changed my life forever.” The opportunity opened doors to off-Broadway productions, commercial work and live performances across New York City.
But his eventual career at sea came unexpectedly.
While auditioning for various roles, Evans submitted materials through an online casting platform without paying much attention to the listings. One submission led to an offer with a cruise line in Europe — an opportunity he initially thought was a scam.
“I sent the contract to my cousin, who’s a lawyer,” he said. “He told me, ‘No, this is real — and it’s a really good contract.’”
Evans took the job as a singer-dancer, intending it to be a one-time experience. One contract led to another, and eventually into a long-term career. After joining Carnival Cruise Line — a move that included a coveted assignment sailing out of Hawaii — he never looked back.
“I said I’d only do one contract,” he said with a laugh. “That turned into 15 years.”
As cruise director, Evans’ schedule is nonstop. Over the course of a typical four- or five-day cruise, he hosts themed parties, leads live shows, performs musical sets, runs morning talk shows and interacts constantly with guests. From children’s storytime to military appreciation ceremonies, his role spans all ages and audiences.
“There’s no sleep,” he said. “But if you love what you do, it never feels like work.”
That passion is essential when performing for such large and diverse crowds. Evans credits his early years in entertainment for teaching him how to “read a room” — a skill he uses daily.
“You have to know your audience,” he said. “You might be performing for kids one minute and adults the next. You have to be able to switch it on quickly and connect with everyone.”
Over the years, Evans has traveled extensively, visiting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean and beyond. From docking in Venice for days at a time to exploring islands in the middle of the Atlantic, he said the experiences have been unforgettable.
“I’ve been to places I didn’t even know existed,” he said. “Those moments — traveling, exploring, being with friends — those are some of the best parts of the job.”
Despite the global scope of his career, Evans remains deeply connected to his roots.
He credits Bellmore with giving him the foundation to succeed, pointing to its proximity to New York City and its vibrant arts culture. As a student, he participated in creative arts programs and attended Broadway shows, experiences that helped shape his ambitions.
“I had the best of both worlds,” he said. “You’re close to the beach, close to the city — and there’s so much opportunity.”
Evans encourages young people from Long Island to take advantage of those opportunities, whether by pursuing local theater, exploring the arts or simply taking the train into Manhattan for auditions.
“You have everything at your fingertips,” he said. “Use it.”
Evans is currently on break but plans to return to sea in May, continuing his role through the summer. At the same time, he is launching his own entertainment company, bringing his experience full circle back to the type of events where he first got his start.
Even after traveling the world, he said there’s no place like home.
“I’ve been everywhere,” Evans said. “But Bellmore is still number one.”
