Upcoming cruise directors (2019-20)

[undfan]

Any word on cruise director assignments past October 9, 2019?

 

[jenmiller114]

We just got off the Magic and I was told that Darren McBurney would be going to the Wonder in October which is great because he is supposed to be there for our Panama Canal cruise. He has been on the Magic for awhile but I was told they like to move them around periodically. I know Ashley and Natalie have been on the Wonder for quite awhile so not sure if they will be going to other ships. Beyond that I have no idea.

 

[dclpluto]

We just got off the Magic and I was told that Darren McBurney would be going to the Wonder in October which is great because he is supposed to be there for our Panama Canal cruise. He has been on the Magic for awhile but I was told they like to move them around periodically. I know Ashley and Natalie have been on the Wonder for quite awhile so not sure if they will be going to other ships. Beyond that I have no idea.

Scott has them listed. Disneycruiselineblog.com

 

[jenmiller114]

Scott has them listed. Disneycruiselineblog.com

Only through October 2019

 

[TestingH2O]

We just got off the Magic and I was told that Darren McBurney would be going to the Wonder in October which is great because he is supposed to be there for our Panama Canal cruise. He has been on the Magic for awhile but I was told they like to move them around periodically. I know Ashley and Natalie have been on the Wonder for quite awhile so not sure if they will be going to other ships. Beyond that I have no idea.

I hope they will pull him before the PC. He's awful. They pulled him early from the Magic this spring, so maybe I'll luck out again.

 

[mcd2745]

Cruise directors on DCL are generally very low-key when compared to cruise directors on other cruise lines. They host far fewer events as well. I don't think it reallly matters who is CD on a Disney cruise. We just came off a Carnival cruise where the CD was everywhere and hosting everything. His energy level was off the charts. I've never seen anything like him on DCL. We've had Darren, Ray Smale, Peter Hofer, Lesley Dallas, Clayton, and I can't remember the other. I guess DCL wants them more focused on the behind the scenes stuff.

 

[TestingH2O]

Cruise directors on DCL are generally very low-key when compared to cruise directors on other cruise lines. They host far fewer events as well. I don't think it reallly matters who is CD on a Disney cruise. We just came off a Carnival cruise where the CD was everywhere and hosting everything. His energy level was off the charts. I've never seen anything like him on DCL. We've had Darren, Ray Smale, Peter Hofer, Lesley Dallas, Clayton, and I can't remember the other. I guess DCL wants them more focused on the behind the scenes stuff.

It's true that the cruise can be great regardless of the CD, but Darren takes it to a new level. Not recording new morning shoes, not introducing stage shows, never walking around the ship and interacting with guests...
Every other CD I've seen on Disney at least does these minimum parts of their job.

 

[ivanp91]

It's true that the cruise can be great regardless of the CD, but Darren takes it to a new level. Not recording new morning shoes, not introducing stage shows, never walking around the ship and interacting with guests...

Your experience has certainly differed to mine then. I've had Darren as CD on two different cruises, and the impression I got was he went out of his way to make the extra effort. I have distinct memories of him introducing the shows every night and seeing him around the ship. He was also on the PA system multiple times a day keeping people updated on everything that was going on.

 

[mcd2745]

When we had Darren (Wonder in Alaska, 2 years ago), I found him no worse or any different at all than the other DCL cruise directors we've had. Outside of introducing the main show in the theater each night...they generally don't do much.

 

[PurplePencil]

It's true that the cruise can be great regardless of the CD, but Darren takes it to a new level. Not recording new morning shoes, not introducing stage shows, never walking around the ship and interacting with guests...
Every other CD I've seen on Disney at least does these minimum parts of their job.

I found that the ACD (can't remember his name) was stellar compared to Darren.

 

[livingisagift]

We had Christiaan on our first cruise and absolutely loved him. In fact the kids were more excited about getting a picture with him than the characters. Each time he spoke it was like a comedy routine. We had Darren on the second cruise and were so disappointed. He covered the basics, but there was nothing special about it.

 

[dclpluto]

We had Christiaan on our first cruise and absolutely loved him. In fact the kids were more excited about getting a picture with him than the characters. Each time he spoke it was like a comedy routine. We had Darren on the second cruise and were so disappointed. He covered the basics, but there was nothing special about it.

It seems like all the great ones has left DCL
Clayton.
Rachael
Christian still with dcl but no longer a cruise director

 

[jenmiller114]

Your experience has certainly differed to mine then. I've had Darren as CD on two different cruises, and the impression I got was he went out of his way to make the extra effort. I have distinct memories of him introducing the shows every night and seeing him around the ship. He was also on the PA system multiple times a day keeping people updated on everything that was going on.

I was thinking the same thing. He did the WBTA last year and we loved him. The morning show with him and Matt was the highlight of our trip. It was corny but we found it very entertaining and we thought he was very accessible. Personally, I like all of the cruise directors well enough. I don't think they have to be everything to everyone. Their job is to make sure the cruise is fun. Not necessarily be everywhere all the time. I do miss Clayton though. He was one of our favorites.

 

[TestingH2O]

Your experience has certainly differed to mine then. I've had Darren as CD on two different cruises, and the impression I got was he went out of his way to make the extra effort. I have distinct memories of him introducing the shows every night and seeing him around the ship. He was also on the PA system multiple times a day keeping people updated on everything that was going on.

I was thinking the same thing. He did the WBTA last year and we loved him. The morning show with him and Matt was the highlight of our trip. It was corny but we found it very entertaining and we thought he was very accessible. Personally, I like all of the cruise directors well enough. I don't think they have to be everything to everyone. Their job is to make sure the cruise is fun. Not necessarily be everywhere all the time. I do miss Clayton though. He was one of our favorites.

It's certainly possible he had an off week, but I was shocked when I realized he wasn't recording shows daily (you could tell based on date based comments,) and that he didn't introduce the shows. When I tried to talk to him the one and only time I saw him in the atrium, he was standoffish bordering on rude.

I'll be disappointed if he provides the same level of "service" on the WBPC. We love watching the morning show before we get ready for the day. I think friendliness and attention to detail when they are modeled from the top. It is not surprising to me that the cruise he was on was the one lacking that special feeling.

I'll continue to hope they pull him early for another CD.

 

[Dug720]

It seems like all the great ones has left DCL
Clayton.
Rachael
Christian

I thought Christiaan was now head of DCL entertainment. Has he left that as well?

 

[dclpluto]

I thought Christiaan was now head of DCL entertainment. Has he left that as well?

My mistake. Thought he left he, just moved on up. He deserved it.