What difference does it make who the cruise director is?

[Hendlaw]

I'm just asking out of curiosity. We sailed a year ago and I remember vaguely who ours was, but I am not sure what impact the different director makes? Just wanted to know.

 

[AndreAggie]

To me it falls in the same category as dining rotation...as long as I get to eat, who cares?!

However, I'm pretty particular about my room...We always book a specific room. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[wcw57]

for the life of me, I can't figure it out, either...
of course, I didn't try to make friends with him or her (can't even remember THAT) and they had no personal impact on my cruise...
The only cruise director I remember is Julie from Love Boat...not so much Judy

 

[Dug720]

I used to not get it until my first RCCL cruise. We had a cruise director who over on Cruise Critic most people LOVED but I found her super annoying in anything public and very stand-offish any other time I saw her (she was harder to identify as on RCCL they either are not considered officers or are not required to wear Whites). She didn't RUIN the cruise and wouldn't make it a make-or-break thing if she was on a cruise I was - but it would help me adjust my expectations and some plans if it would enable me to avoid her.

So for me it wouldn't make me NOT do a cruise, but it just helps me adjust plans and expectations IF I have personal experience with them. I try not to listen to what others think as everyone is different. (Example - lots of people ADORED Amy on RCCL and I could not stand her.)

(Incidentally, I found the CD on my Brilliance cruise this past summer a bit annoying as well - could be something with my personality and the persona they want their CDs to have not mixing well.)

 

[CamperMomma]

I've often wondered the same! We had Jimmy on our Dream 4 night. Other than seeing him on the cruise channel on TV, I don't know what his purpose was? To be fair, we didn't go to any of the shows in the evening (our son much preferred the quiet decks while everyone was either at a show or dinner) so maybe that's where they shine??

 

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

Most cruise directors I find to be extremely annoying and my favorites are the ones that never do anything.

I once had a captain that sounded EXACTLY like Hugh Grant, and he spoke all the time over the intercom and I loved it so much.

 

[DLgal]

Most cruise directors I find to be extremely annoying and my favorites are the ones that never do anything.

I once had a captain that sounded EXACTLY like Hugh Grant, and he spoke all the time over the intercom and I loved it so much.

I totally agree. I find all the cruise directors over the top cheesy and super annoying. At least on DCL they are not constantly making shipwide announcements every hour (they did on my last couple RCCL cruises).

I imagine the persona is a character they are playing and in real life, most of them are just normal, down to Earth people. But ugh...I get a headache at the number of times I roll my eyes whenever I have to listen to the CD go on and on about stuff before the shows.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I think this really depends on how involved in the activities you are & if you don't mind the cheerleader persona. I've had low key CD's on Disney & then I've had the "I'm jumping out of my skin" CD's. Most are good at small talk and trying to get people involved and excited about whatever they are doing. I like the ones that have mastered a balance in these things & don't come off as forced or overly fake.

 

[over50visits]

Cruise directors do a lot of work in the background. They all seem to do just fine, we've always enjoyed our cruises as far as entertainment and ships activities on all ships and lines we've cruised on.

I know they like to talk, but my measure of which CD I like are the ones who talk the least in the theater before any performance. Last cruise we went 15 minutes after start time the first night, and the CD and other staff were still talking on the stage! Been there, already heard what a great time we're going to have, just get on to the show...

 

[sbro302]

We were on the Dream in August and liked the little show they did on the TV in the mornings.

 

[Vijoge]

I have been on 8 cruises and I only remember the name of one of our CD's and that's probably because A. It was our first cruise and B. He was the MC when we won the Not So Newlywed Game so we interacted with him more than we did with any of the others. I still keep in touch with him via facebook, and that cruise was nearly 20 years ago.

 

[mlayton14]

Can't imagine how a cruise director could even have a small impact to our overall enjoyment of cruise

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'm not sure what difference it makes. Are people going to cancel their cruise if they don't have their favorite CD?

 

[bbel]

Can't imagine how a cruise director could even have a small impact to our overall enjoyment of cruise

Well they're responsible for the whole entertainment department. So if they treat them well and keep them happy then entertainment CM are probably gonna be better... so even if you don't see it directly from the CD, yes it probably does effect someone's cruise... just saying.

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Last spring on the Wonder, we had Peter, whom we had also had the previous year on the Magic. My family said hi the first morning at sea, just a quick "hi - we had you as CD on the Magic last spring...." The next morning, he was at the Princess M&G and he asked me what my daughters names were - just casually. And then the next night was pirate night, and in our room there were two back packs with pirate gear, tattoos, stickers, autographed character pictures and a disney plush for each girl, with a note saying thanks for coming back on DCL, signed by Peter. I thought that was pretty great, and the girls and I thanked him when we saw him that night at the show. The following night I wandered into the Pub for a drink around 10:00, and in comes Peter and his ACD Scott. They invited me over for a drink (which he bought) and we talked for about an hour about their jobs, where they lived, etc. When i saw them on disembarking the next morning, they both thanked me for hanging out with them. I thought it was pretty cool.

 

[mmouse37]

Scott from South Africa? If so...love him. Found him to be very warm and personable. He has been with DCL for a very long time and we had a good time reminiscing about cruise staff over the years. We spoke often onboard on a few different cruises.

MJ

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Scott from South Africa? If so...love him. Found him to be very warm and personable. He has been with DCL for a very long time and we had a good time reminiscing about cruise staff over the years. We spoke often onboard on a few different cruises.

MJ

Yep - that is him. Super nice guy.

 

[squirk]

I wonder if the CD job is one of those deals where if you are doing everything right, no one remembers you. In other words, if you stand out and become memorable, it's probably because you drew attention to yourself by screwing something up.

 

[Naterfan]

I would think the Disney sets the schedule and most likely the "script" as well. I don't think Disney leaves anything to chance, and that includes cruise directors.

 

[RedSox68]

I wonder if the CD job is one of those deals where if you are doing everything right, no one remembers you. In other words, if you stand out and become memorable, it's probably because you drew attention to yourself by screwing something up.

Or being annoying. I only remember Brett on one of our first cruises. He was very nice and greeted us each evening at the shows outside the doors. Otherwise, I never take notice. Having done 10 Disney cruises, we skip most of the shows now unless they are new or memorable. If I could ask the CD to do anything, it would be to bring back Hercules!