Why do you care about cruise directors

[mevelandry]

Hi!

I noticed that here and on other forums (all cruise lines) many people are asking about who the cruise directors are.

I've been on two DCL cruises, I've never cared to check who the cruise director was...

Why is it important?

What do CD do?

What changes do you notice from one cruise director to another?

I would like to know why it seems so important. I really have no clue and would like to know!

Thanks in advance!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Different CDs inspire you different ways and some are managerial and others more entertainers.

I have seen CDs

Like Rachel in the past, be everywhere high profile, meet and talk in Cababas in the morning, do surprises on children little gifts.
Christiaan an entertainer, always there when there is crowds, likeable, funny man, trained by Rachel.
Brent was very managerial, a bit stand off, more " in control " had quite strong views, not as approachable as others IMHO. Also didn't show at many meets.
Natalie understated, seems lower profile, but very good, she for example when you come in from port, will be in a jumper the same as the crew, just a name badge, in glasses so you may not recognise her, getting tea coffe, getting elevators etc.
Peter an old style entertainer, comdian.

So some have entertainment backgrounds, or manager styles, some alloof, some in the crowds mucking in. They give different styles different expierances.

The CD is in charge of the entertainment side, IE strip out the hotel side, and everything else including Kids clubs come under them.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi!

I noticed that here and on other forums (all cruise lines) many people are asking about who the cruise directors are.

I've been on two DCL cruises, I've never cared to check who the cruise director was...

Why is it important?

What do CD do?

What changes do you notice from one cruise director to another?

I would like to know why it seems so important. I really have no clue and would like to know!

Thanks in advance!

Some of us just like one or two over others. I've not really noticed any difference in the cruise itself with various Cruse Directors, but just their personalities when onstage, or when we've encountered them around the ship.

It's kind of like asking "would you go out with Friend A or Friend B". Both are friends, but, maybe, friend A is a bit of a better fit for you than friend B is.

I found this info:
A cruise director must have full knowledge of security measures and the safety procedures issued by ISM (International Safety Management). They also keep staff informed of rules relating to appropriate behavior with their fellow crew and passengers. The position entails departmental management, keeping an eye on the conduct and performance of staffers on their teams.

Cruise directors rotate between various itineraries and ships with distinct differences in operating procedures, personnel and management styles. They direct passenger services, from activity programs and public announcements to "welcome onboard" and disembarkation information. As the passengers' most visible liaisons, cruise directors serve as conduits to those with problems, either finding a way to fix them or sending them on to the appropriate departments.

He or she must also organize schedules for a staff of lecturers, speakers, special guest performers and on-staff entertainers for regular onboard programs. The position requires a professional with excellent public speaking and writing skills, confidence in working with large numbers of people, and an ability to keep cool in even the most trying circumstances.

And they are the face of the cruise line onboard their ship, attending VIP functions, private parties -- such as the Cruise Critic onboard gatherings -- and ship-organized events like past passenger and welcome aboard receptions.

Additionally, cruise directors must organize reports and information for ship or corporate headquarter needs. Each cruise line has its own particular list of criteria that must be met by its cruise directors; the nature of the responsibilities can easily grow longer or shorter depending on the size of the ship, number of passengers and number of crew onboard.

It's also important that cruise directors have distinct personalities -- whether irritatingly sweet or painfully patient. There is a magnetic aura surrounding the best cruise directors that seems to draw everyone toward them in a variety of ways.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=306

 

[tinkerone]

Like Rachel in the past, be everywhere high profile, meet and talk in Cababas in the morning, do surprises on children little gifts.
Christian an entertainer, always there when there is crowds, likeable, funny man, trained by Rachel.
Brent was very managerial, a bit stand off, more " in control " had quite strong views, not as approachable as others IMHO. Also didn't show at many meets.
Natalie understated, seems lower profile, but very good, she for example when you come in from port, will be in a jumper the same as the crew, just a name badge, in glasses so you may not recognise her, getting tea coffe, getting elevators etc.
Peter an old style entertainer, comedian.
.

Did you mean Christiaan? I thought he was there before Rachel. Interesting. He was definitely my favorite of all. Brent came second followed by Ray.

Opp, the cruise director never makes or breaks a cruise however if they were 'on' it always made for a better cruise.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Did you mean Christiaan? I thought he was there before Rachel. Interesting. He was definitely my favorite of all. Brent came second followed by Ray.

Opp, the cruise director never made a make or break cruise however if they were 'on' it always made for a better cruise.

He has a story he tells before one of the WDT shows.

It goes about he was training under Rachel, and she told him a bit if advice to agree with everything a cruiser says.
So a lady asked how the crew got home each night, and he said by helicopter from the aft of the ship.
He adds the lady in her cruise questionnaire when asked if the cruise was OK, said, great bar the noise of the helicopter each night, takung crew home, and he said Rachel told him off.

He was a dancer and entertainer before becoming a CD.

 

[lbus42]

Hi!

I noticed that here and on other forums (all cruise lines) many people are asking about who the cruise directors are.

I would like to know why it seems so important. I really have no clue and would like to know!

Thanks in advance!

It does not matter to me either. Some cruisers like to have more control or would be more comfortable with people they already know, asking for particular servers, etc... Cruisers who prefer to go with the flow probably don't care about who the members of the crew are.

 

[OKW Lover]

Often wondered the same thing. After a whole bunch of DCL cruises I can't say I recall who the CD was on any of them.

 

[dcassetta]

Often wondered the same thing. After a whole bunch of DCL cruises I can't say I recall who the CD was on any of them.

I agree, although on a number of my voyages I could tell you who the adult activities cruise host was.

 

[Sytrace]

I just recently started keeping track of who the CD is We have had Trent a couple of times and this past cruise on the Dream Jimmy. I have enjoyed talking to both of them but have never gone out of my way to chat with them at any given time. And it would not make or break a cruise if neither of them were not there.

I did see a thread on here that keeps track of things like that though and that got me thinking about it and so I remember to make a mental note now of who the CD is.

 

[mevelandry]

Some of us just like one or two over others. I've not really noticed any difference in the cruise itself with various Cruse Directors, but just their personalities when onstage, or when we've encountered them around the ship.

It's kind of like asking "would you go out with Friend A or Friend B". Both are friends, but, maybe, friend A is a bit of a better fit for you than friend B is.

I found this info:
A cruise director must have full knowledge of security measures and the safety procedures issued by ISM (International Safety Management). They also keep staff informed of rules relating to appropriate behavior with their fellow crew and passengers. The position entails departmental management, keeping an eye on the conduct and performance of staffers on their teams.

Cruise directors rotate between various itineraries and ships with distinct differences in operating procedures, personnel and management styles. They direct passenger services, from activity programs and public announcements to "welcome onboard" and disembarkation information. As the passengers' most visible liaisons, cruise directors serve as conduits to those with problems, either finding a way to fix them or sending them on to the appropriate departments.

He or she must also organize schedules for a staff of lecturers, speakers, special guest performers and on-staff entertainers for regular onboard programs. The position requires a professional with excellent public speaking and writing skills, confidence in working with large numbers of people, and an ability to keep cool in even the most trying circumstances.

And they are the face of the cruise line onboard their ship, attending VIP functions, private parties -- such as the Cruise Critic onboard gatherings -- and ship-organized events like past passenger and welcome aboard receptions.

Additionally, cruise directors must organize reports and information for ship or corporate headquarter needs. Each cruise line has its own particular list of criteria that must be met by its cruise directors; the nature of the responsibilities can easily grow longer or shorter depending on the size of the ship, number of passengers and number of crew onboard.

It's also important that cruise directors have distinct personalities -- whether irritatingly sweet or painfully patient. There is a magnetic aura surrounding the best cruise directors that seems to draw everyone toward them in a variety of ways.
http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=306

So he's the guy I have seen on my tv (in the cabin)?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So he's the guy I have seen on my tv (in the cabin)?

Probably.

 

[CamColt]

I certainly have noticed some cruise directors add a little here or there to the cruise. Clayton was fun to see around the ship, while Jimmy, had me in hysterics watching Good Morning Disney Dream, etc... With that said however, I definitely find the Club Host has more of an impact on my cruise than the Cruise Director. I've sailed with Tisa 4 times and Jamezy twice, and both have really made the cruise for us. Ive sailed with others who were very good too, but those 2 were just so much fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

If we've had another CD than Christiaan I couldn't tell you. I *know* 100% that we've had him as CD for two of our 4 cruises. The other 2 I just don't know. Must not have watched the disembarkation video on those two.

I don't go to the shows really, so I don't see the spiel.

But I've run into him on the ship, once to sort of complain sort of give an idea, and he's always been lovely to talk to. He was the one who saved the day on the first marathon weekend Castaway Challenge, when the rundisney folks said "we will have photo backdrops on the island" and also "don't take your other medals off the ship". Those two do NOT compute to runners who will have done at least 2 runs and will have at minimum 3 medals at the end of the challenge (up to a max of 7 medals for 5 runs) (unless they also did the normal island 5K after, then it would have been 8 medals). As a revolution was starting, Christiaan spoke up and said that they would make sure the backdrops were moved to public areas on the ship so runners could take their multi-medal pictures without having to take them off the ship.

And his disembarkation video is *hilarious*. It's the ONLY DCL thing I miss when I'm on a RCCL ship.

 

[Vijoge]

Often wondered the same thing. After a whole bunch of DCL cruises I can't say I recall who the CD was on any of them.

I've been on about 10 cruises in the past 15 years and still keep in touch with the amazing CD from our first cruise!

 

[tinkerone]

I know what you mean bumbershoot. I have a friend who worked on the DCL ships and he said Christiaan was the staff favorite. He said he was one of the few officers who would come to staff functions. I have never really talked much about Christiaan's personal life but I must hit my friend up for some information that I'm reading here.
He was the only cruise director that I listened to with all ears. The rest just sort of went in and out with a yawn.

 

[bumbershoot]

He was a dancer and entertainer before becoming a CD.

I can absolutely see that.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I think some people want to know in advance who their CD will be because they had a great time on the cruise where "X" was the cruise director, and if s/he is on my upcoming cruise, it will be a blast too...

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Means nothing to me. Being a Platinum I've never figured the craze out either. Just like with the Captain.

 

[WendyDarling]

I certainly have noticed some cruise directors add a little here or there to the cruise. Clayton was fun to see around the ship, while Jimmy, had me in hysterics watching Good Morning Disney Dream, etc... With that said however, I definitely find the Club Host has more of an impact on my cruise than the Cruise Director. I've sailed with Tisa 4 times and Jamezy twice, and both have really made the cruise for us. Ive sailed with others who were very good too, but those 2 were just so much fun!

LOVED Jamezy!!

We just got off our first 7 night cruise - I thought that might have been why I remembered (and liked) this cruise director. Trent was very friendly and we talked to him a few times. The Dream cruise before seemed too crowded and too short to be able to do that!

 

[bumbershoot]

Just like with the Captain.

And I have never seen the interest in the captain. I figure they are all good. They put in their time, learned what they needed to learn and did what they needed to do, so they are all good. Only time I've *noticed* a captain was on Vision of the Seas when they put him on display one evening.

But if you've never seen Christiaan's debarkation video, talking about his son's Thomas the Tank Engine...er...Mickey Mouse doll, well, you need to. And the look on his face and tone in his voice when he reminds us to keep clothes for the morning OUT of our checked bags are priceless.