Question about Cruise Directors

[KM82]

Hi, we've never cruised before, but I see a lot of discussion about who current cruise directors are. People seem to have very strong opinions about a few of them. Are these people that you come into contact with throughout the cruise? I guess what I'm asking is whether/how a "bad" cruise director can negatively impact your experience?

 

[jlemieu1]

I never had a bad cruise director. I had cruise director that I would consider just ok. But there is one I REALLY, REALLY like, Clayton. For the 4 times I've had OK CD's it didn't impact my cruise at all.

 

[hanscarlet]

I think an online forum is the only arena that seems to focus on cruise directors and staff in concierge and such but I feel like in real life conversation this topic rarely comes up. I think Clayton is the best as well but for CDs that were just OK were fine too... the just OK directors didn't really impact my cruise but Clayton certainly enhanced it with his showmanship and way he is about just relating to the audience and I feel like he does the Carlton dance if I remember correctly and that was fun too

 

[CamColt]

I agree with the above post, while I don't think a bad cruise director would make a cruise bad, there are some that just stand out as more fun, personable, etc... For example I've been on some cruises where I wouldn't remember who the cruise director was however I do remember the cruise we had Clayton on.

For me personally, I care more about who the Club Host is as we tend to spend a lot more time interacting with him/her. Tisa and Jamezy are my favorites!

 

[KM82]

Thank you all for explaining that!

 

[Snurk71]

I agree with the above post, while I don't think a bad cruise director would make a cruise bad, there are some that just stand out as more fun, personable, etc... For example I've been on some cruises where I wouldn't remember who the cruise director was however I do remember the cruise we had Clayton on.

For me personally, I care more about who the Club Host is as we tend to spend a lot more time interacting with him/her. Tisa and Jamezy are my favorites!

We've had Tisa twice as club host - she's great. We've actually been happy with all of the ones we've had (Jo and Trent too).

As adults that skip the shows, the club host is way more critical to our enjoyment than the CD (Clayton does have some great energy tho).

 

[KashasMom]

I have never paid any attention to the CD before...until we had Clayton. Loved his energy!

 

[diznymom]

We've never had a bad cruise director. I don't think Disney would ever hire a "bad" cruise director.
Yes, you run into the the cruise directors often.
DH has his favorites, I have my favorites.

 

[bbel]

While you might not notice a CD (the same goes for the Captain), at DCL they can have a massive impact on the rest of the crew that are working with you. They're the highest role in the entertainment department and part of the steering committee, which means they are a big part of the team that have ultimate say of what happens onboard for guests and crew. With some CDs there are different/more/better recognitions and different 'rules' than with others, which can massively impact the happiness/morale/energy etc of everyone onboard.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Love Tisa! She's been our CH on all our cruises! Bummed bc I think I heard she's still on the Fantasy (was crossing our fingers she'd move to the Dream this summer!). Anyone know who the CD currently is on the Dream? We liked Peter when we were on the Magic. I know it seems unlikely, but he always seemed to recognize us!

 

[Snurk71]

We've had Tisa twice as club host - she's great. We've actually been happy with all of the ones we've had (Jo and Trent too).

As adults that skip the shows, the club host is way more critical to our enjoyment than the CD (Clayton does have some great energy tho).

 

[Sytrace]

We have had Jimmy, Clayton, Natalie and Trent as cruise directors and they were each very different in style but all very cool and wonderful.
Having a specific CD does not make or break a cruise for us and we don't actually know until we get onboard because they are all great and do their jobs well.

 

[SteveMP]

I have never paid any attention to the CD before...until we had Clayton. Loved his energy!

Yeah Clayton is the only one I've seen do the "Carlton" dance, and try to get us to do it too. The CDs just make the entertainment more entertaining. And help add to the "magic". If you don't go to the shows and do your own thing, you probably won't notice, other than a voice on teh PA that tou can't put a face to.

 

[KashasMom]

Yeah Clayton is the only one I've seen do the "Carlton" dance, and try to get us to do it too. The CDs just make the entertainment more entertaining. And help add to the "magic". If you don't go to the shows and do your own thing, you probably won't notice, other than a voice on teh PA that tou can't put a face to.

We went to the shows and had other interactions with CDs, just weren't wowed by anyone else.

 

[CamColt]

I just thought too, to get a good feel of the CD's personality, be sure to watch the Good Morning show that is shown on the room tvs. We have found those shows quite entertaining.

 

[DLM1980]

Out of 4 cruises I've had 3 cruise directors and only remember the name of two of them

A lady with either a British or Australian accent (Wonder Feb 2016)

Darren (Dream July 2016)
Clayton (Magic Feb 2017)
Darren (Wonder June 2017)

My first cruise will always be memorable because it's my first however I can't tell ya the name of the woman, just that it was a woman)

I remember Darren because I've had a conversation with him

And Clayton, well he said we had to do our vacation dance when we saw him so I danced as I walked by him!

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess what I'm asking is whether/how a "bad" cruise director can negatively impact your experience

To me, no. I have only noticed a great one. (On royal and Disney)

I agree with the above post, while I don't think a bad cruise director would make a cruise bad, there are some that just stand out as more fun, personable, etc...

Yep.

To my utter sadness my fave CD has left that job. Don't know what I'll do without his disembarkation video if we go on dcl again. I'll miss ya Christiaan.

 

[Dug720]

To my utter sadness my fave CD has left that job. Don't know what I'll do without his disembarkation video if we go on dcl again. I'll miss ya Christiaan.

They should just have him record one for the whole fleet!!!!!

 

[IrishEye]

Out of 4 cruises I've had 3 cruise directors and only remember the name of two of them

A lady with either a British or Australian accent (Wonder Feb 2016)

That would be Natalie