Why does Cruise Director matter?

[Plaid Princess]

The easy answer to why people care who is the CD, Captain, etc is because Disney People are NOT HAPPY unless they are overplanning everything about their trip.

Why would I want to book my dinner at a WDW restaurant 6 months in advance Because they allow ressies that early and if I do not make a ressie, I probably won't get into any sit down restaurant. Same goes here with cruises. Plan, Plan, Plan, and then what????!!!

Personally, I love planning travel. Not because I'm trying to control every minute of my vacation, but because it extends out the fun! I love reading travel books, I love reading travel review sites, I love reading people's trip reports. It's like taking a 30 minute vacation on every lunch break.

 

[Debbie]

So......who are the current cruise directors on the various ships?

 

[iambrink]

Every now and then i read posts and think to myself "i have always wondered the same thing"! So I agree. I have read posts where people are asking about a current cruise director and have also wondered why. I know it is an important job, but otherwise i have never given it another thought. i will have to take note on my next cruise!

 

[oam]

OK let's try to rephrase this is thread.What do cruise directors do besides making announcements?

 

[C6PT7]

No need to apologize. LOL

My opinion was influenced very much by what took place with the fireworks (or lack thereof, really) on pirate night. Had it not been for that fiasco, my opinion of him could be very different.

What happened that there were no fireworks on your cruise?

 

[Belle1997]

To me some are better all round than others. There is one cruise director a lot of families love because he is wonderful with kids however tends not to associate well with those adults who are travelling without kids. Some seem funnier than others, so seem a little too stiff ( lacking humour) etc. No cruise director is going to be liked by everyone. Why? Because we all have different tastes, sense of humour and opinions I look forward to seeing some cruise directors over others, however it does not really effect my cruise in the long run.

 

[texas disney mom]

We had Natalie. Just a great voice and so happy.

 

[ludari]

I do not book my cruises based on who the cruise director is but Natalie is my favorite only because I have done two TA with her and she was also on the maiden voyage on the Disney Fantasy. For me and I am sure others I do enjoy when cast members recognize who you are and greet you like an old friend. That is the feeling I get with Natalie.

 

[mcd2745]

What happened that there were no fireworks on your cruise?

Eventually, there was. Full story: It was a 5 night double-dip on the Dream back in Aug 2012. The original Pirate Night was a bad weather day (a tropical storm was close enough to give us a lot of rain/wind). So they rescheduled for the next night. That's not the issue, of course. Totally understandable. The next night however, everyone packed the decks for the Jack sparrow show and, presumably, fireworks, as usual. The show goes on and at the end when Jack points to the sky and the fireworks are supposed to start.....nothing (in the sky). However, immediately, the DJ started up, the dancers came out on the stage and on funnel vision was the skull & crossbones guy saying "how did you like the boomity boom boom fireworks" or whatever he says and goes into the "Club Pirate" intro. It was immediately. So they knew in advance there wasn't going to be fireworks - otherwise the DJ & dancers would not have been at the ready and the skull guy wouldn't have been on the screen yet. They went on with the music & stuff as everyone stood around wondering what was going on. It was at least a half hour before Clayton showed and explained that the there were "technical difficulties" and that there would obviously be no fireworks. Technical difficulties happen. Everyone understands that. However, as I said, they must have known about the problem beforehand, that's why the DJ & dancers were at the ready. If they were expecting 15 minutes or so of fireworks, they would not have been. So they should have announced earlier there would be no fireworks, but they were still having the show and dance party and let people decide if they wanted to stay out there. However, my opinion is they wanted to keep everyone out there - spending money on the specialty pirate drinks, pirate merchandise, etc. It was bad form. And, I put the blame for that on the CD. Ultimately, it was likely his decision. Plus, he should have been out much sooner to announce that they were having the technical difficulties. Now to be fair, the one good thing they did, was that he said they would try to have the fireworks the next night, if the technical issue could be solved. However, the next night was the last night of the cruise. So, in order to let everyone enjoy the fireworks - at a time when you normally are supposed to be putting your luggage out in the hallways - they said you didn't have to worry about getting the luggage out by the usual 10pm. They said you can pretty much put it out as late as you want, and you didn't have to worry, so you can see the fireworks and/or enjoy whatever else you wanted to. Luckily, they were able to do the fireworks that last night.


So that whole ordeal left a bad impression of Clayton on me. I did however, really like Ray Smale (sp?).

 

[Donna3271]

Because Clayton. And the I'm-On-Vacation dance.

WHO'S ON VACATIOOOOOOOOOOON?!?!?!?!


(To the OP, sometimes the CD sets a tone. Never noticed as much as on the WBPC.)

WE LOVE CLAYTON!!! We stayed at the Radisson on one particular cruise, and he was staying there as well. He was SOOO NICE! He spoke with us in the lobby for a LONG TIME. Gave us great info. He wasn't even on the Disney Clock. He did not have to do that. He loves his job and it shows!

ps. we've never had a bad cruise director. They are all great!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Thanks for all the answers. I guess I just fall into the "I've never really noticed the CD, for better or worse" crowd. I think I may have had Leslie on one cruise, but I really don't remember. (Is there a Leslie?)

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I've thought about this for a long time, too. I've never quite understood why people feel the need to ask. I am platinum and have sailed quite a few times. I could care less who the CD and also the Captain is on a particular cruise.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks for all the answers. I guess I just fall into the "I've never really noticed the CD, for better or worse" crowd. I think I may have had Leslie on one cruise, but I really don't remember. (Is there a Leslie?)

There is a Leslie. She was, I think, the assistant CD for the WBPC. We've had her as CD before, too. She did the crew skit the last night which was WOW! Leslie in a bikini & Clayton in a tutu!

 

[cats mom]

So......who are the current cruise directors on the various ships?

Clayton is currently CD on the Wonder - info as of this morning.

Technically the CD is responsible for all onboard entertainment and activities, so they could make or break a cruise, except I'm sure Disney entertainment and activities are set by corporate, so it's not like the individual CD's make changes or decisions there. I imagine it's more the personality people are drawn to, or not.

Who the cruise director is has never made much difference to me.

If you hang out in the night clubs much I think the staff there can have more impact on day to day (or night to night would be more appropriate) enjoyment of the cruise. The programs and scripts don't change much there either, but personalities can make a big difference. Some of the entertainment staff are amazing when it comes to drawing people in and getting them involved, others not so much.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

^^^^^
Like Andy. He's really good.

 

[bumbershoot]

The easy answer to why people care who is the CD, Captain, etc is because Disney People are NOT HAPPY unless they are overplanning everything about their trip.

FWIW Royal people talk about CDs too.



As far as I know, Christiaan has always been the CD on our DCL sailings. I only remember him on two, but I've decided he was all all 4. I don't really go to the shows, etc, so I don't generally see the announcements that the CD does.

But the packing up on the last night spiel that Christiaan does on the TV (over and over and over all day and night) just makes my cruise. When he talks about his son's favorite Thomas, er, Mickey toy? I crack up. He just makes me laugh. And on our first DCL cruise he actually listened to me (or made me feel listened to) when I gave a suggestion for something that might make things a little better.

He also made good things happen for the Castaway Challenge during the meeting the day before, when the rundisney folks were busy proving they knew nothing about cruising or running races/challenges or, especially, the combination of the two.

 

[Orukal]

Guys, please understand that I'm not calling you out or picking on your or anything. If my quoting you offends you somehow, I apologize because that's not my intention at all.

To me some are better all round than others.

I do not book my cruises based on who the cruise director is but Natalie is my favorite only because I have done two TA with her and she was also on the maiden voyage on the Disney Fantasy.

Most responses are like this. Praise for a Cruise Director, but no explanation why. What do Cruise Directors do other than make announcements from the stage that makes people so excited about them?" Again, just curious.

 

[MarkF0wle]

I'm kinda on agreement with the, "It really doesn't matter to me" crowd. Not trying to pick apart what you're saying here, Mark, but can you give any insight as to what those "right calls" and "good shows" might be? Just trying to figure out if I'm missing something additional on the cruise, is all.

No personal experiences but I recall a discussion, may have even been on the podcast (not sure), when I believe at Castaway there was a special or unique event taking place on the island & the weather was poor & the experience couldn't go ahead. Lots of guest were disappointed that it got rained off which got mentioned to the CD who then arranged to change the location of the event & bring it aboard the ship so people could partake, which wasn't going to happen until he personally stepped in.

I am sure on every cruise any number of things don't go by the book & I am sure there is some aspect of confirmation bias also.

For clarity I am 100% in the "it doesn't matter" camp, but I can understand the thought process behind it being important.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Maybe I was unclear, and this is not pot stirring or trolling. I'm honestly curious. What have I missed as far as what the Cruise Directors do that make so many seem to prefer one over any other?

Most responses are like this. Praise for a Cruise Director, but no explanation why. What do Cruise Directors do other than make announcements from the stage that makes people so excited about them?" Again, just curious.

I didn't think you were trolling, it seems like a valid question to me. I do enjoy when Brent is our CD. Specifically, because he seems much more hands on and chill than the others CD's we've experienced. He also seems to make an honest attempt to get to know and remember guests on each cruise. Some of the CD's that other people have raved about (Clayton in particular) we have found to be waaayyyyy too over the top and fake.

But again, I wouldn't book or not book a cruise just for the CD.

 

[bcwife76]

Clayton was the CD on our cruise on the Wonder last week down to San Diego. I only knew about him because of the DisBoards. They only time we saw him was during the shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, otherwise we never noticed him around the ship. He was cool and the Carlton dance he does is fun, but honestly I could have cared less who the CD was.