favorite hotel director?

Who is your favorite hotel director? What ship and when did you sail?

My favorite was Heike.

Who is your favorite hotel director? What ship and when did you sail?

My favorite was Heike.

Daniel Elias on the first New Year Summit cruise was the only Hotel Director who really had an impact on a cruise. He was a friend of a friend and was able to upgrade our cabin at no charge. We met in in Michael's Club most evenings and never saw a charge for anything. Lost track of him over the years, but heard that he and his wife are now at a land based hotel in Canada. There are a few current senior staff who remember Dianiel and they speak highly of him.

Sue Richardson . She is on the Solstice; lovely person, very well respected and a pleasure to talk to. She is very approachable and I hope to sail with her again!

Sue Richardson . She is on the Solstice; lovely person, very well respected and a pleasure to talk to. She is very approachable and I hope to sail with her again!

You are correct about Sue. She is a lovely person.

Without a doubt, Sheldon Thompson. He is now back on Summit. He worked his way up from asst. waiter and is enormously respected by the crew and staff. Sheldon does a wonderful job and has seen to it that I have a good experience on each cruise we have been on together. A lovely young man.

Anne

Andrew Harris, who was on the Millie last winter (he may still be) was by far the best Hotel Director that we have had the pleasure of sailing with.

Heike (first met on Summit now on Azamara) and Philip Herbert (first met on Galaxy now on Azamara) are the two who always come to mind for us

Just so I'm clear....exactly what are the HD's responsibilities? Just the hotel (cabins) or hotel and food/bars, etc?

A second vote for Sheldon Thompson! We had the pleasure of dining with him at the Captain's Table on Summit in April. During the course of our conversation, I was so impressed by his appreciation of his staff, especially the "invisible" crew members who make our lives onboard so pleasant. I hope that our paths will cross again when we sail on Summit in 2012.

Anything passenger (non engineering related) so the Cruise Director reports to them. Shore Excursions, Restaurants, Bars, Staterooms, Retail outlets, Casino- its a massive role

Anything passenger (non engineering related) so the Cruise Director reports to them. Shore Excursions, Restaurants, Bars, Staterooms, Retail outlets, Casino- its a massive role

Thanks! It's amazing they have time to eat or sleep, let alone meet and greet passengers.

Our vote would go to Andrew Harris on Millennium too - we have never sailed with such a visible, personable HD.

Heike was wonderful on Journey - but this is a Celebrity thread, so Andrew wins by a mile..... don't know how he finds time to go cycling ashore but he does.

Les

There are a couple of names that I do not have assigned to the ships mentioned.

Did Sheldon Thompson just replace Jamie on Summit where he was HD two weeks ago? Someone posted that Nina has replaced Sue Richardson on Solstice.

We have found that there are so many wonderful ones that I do not want to single any one of them out. I do miss Philip Herbert however. Azamara does know how to "steal" many a wonderful staff member.

I interviewed Sue Richardson for an article I wrote on cruising. http://www.windsorsquare.ca/2011/08/19/shocking-celebrity-cruises-guest-strategies-exposed/

She is a real delight. Celebrity is lucky to have her! She has some interesting ideas that could change the nature of cruising. Let's see what happens.

There are a couple of names that I do not have assigned to the ships mentioned.

 

Did Sheldon Thompson just replace Jamie on Summit where he was HD two weeks ago? Someone posted that Nina has replaced Sue Richardson on Solstice.

 

We have found that there are so many wonderful ones that I do not want to single any one of them out. I do miss Philip Herbert however. Azamara does know how to "steal" many a wonderful staff member.

Jamie was still the HD on the Summit last week although he will soon be heading back to England. Not sure of the actual date he departs the ship but he told us he will be home for the holidays and the arrival of his new baby.

Hank

I interviewed Sue Richardson for an article I wrote on cruising. http://www.windsorsquare.ca/2011/08/19/shocking-celebrity-cruises-guest-strategies-exposed/

 

She is a real delight. Celebrity is lucky to have her! She has some interesting ideas that could change the nature of cruising. Let's see what happens.

Great article . Brings back fond memories of Solstice sailing. You must have been aboard just before or after us. Agree the Captain was a fun character ! Loved seeing him perform his music up on stage! Glad you had the opportunity to sit down with Sue and listen to her perspective. She is definitely an asset to Celebrity !

There are a couple of names that I do not have assigned to the ships mentioned.

 

Did Sheldon Thompson just replace Jamie on Summit where he was HD two weeks ago? Someone posted that Nina has replaced Sue Richardson on Solstice.

 

We have found that there are so many wonderful ones that I do not want to single any one of them out. I do miss Philip Herbert however. Azamara does know how to "steal" many a wonderful staff member.

Hi Arno,

Sheldon boarded Summit the day we all disembarked our cruise to work in conjunction with Jamie to do some transitioning and prep. for the refurb.and will be on the ship until then. This info came from Jamie. He did not mention when he was leaving Summit.

Anne

Andrew Harris, who was on the Millie last winter (he may still be) was by far the best Hotel Director that we have had the pleasure of sailing with.

Andrew was the hotel director when we were on the Millie this past Spring. He was wonderful and made our cruise extra special. The entire staff was outstanding and I think it's because of the captain and top management. By far our favorite ship because of this.

Perhaps it's just me, but if you remember the Hotel Director, maybe you are looking a little too closely at your cruise to the point of obsession? I fail to see what difference a Hotel Director makes during your cruise. I've never returned from a cruise feeling that "I would not sail on that ship with that Hotel Director again". Has anyone had their cruise experience actually diminished by a Hotel Director?

Perhaps it's just me, but if you remember the Hotel Director, maybe you are looking a little too closely at your cruise to the point of obsession? I fail to see what difference a Hotel Director makes during your cruise. I've never returned from a cruise feeling that "I would not sail on that ship with that Hotel Director again". Has anyone had their cruise experience actually diminished by a Hotel Director?

Hi Rich:) or you could look at it from the other side~I remember meeting

a couple of different Hotel Directors who were, (in my opinion)

fabulous and made my cruise extra special and would love to sail with

them again. Now, I still have a great time anyway, but as for being

obsessed? I think that is a bit harsh:eek:

I've never returned from a cruise feeling that "I would not sail on that ship with that Hotel Director again". Has anyone had their cruise experience actually diminished by a Hotel Director?

Yes. It's when you cruise with a hotel director(s) that has a positive impact on your cruise that you first realize how bad some of them were. I won't mention their names but note how many names have changed over the years.

The HD as opposed to the Captain (who needs to make public appearances) should be a transparent behind the scenes position.

When everything works as it should no one really needs to know the HD.

It is when there are problems that the HD becomes non transparent.

I rarely have dealings with that position on the ship and my cruises have been A+.

To me it is like having a too close relationship professionally with an Encologist.

If your cabin is cleaned, looks good, the food is good, and everything on the ship that guests consume or use is good, thank your cruise hotel director. For great activities, thank your cruise director,.Thank the captain for moving the ship. Most things that affect guests directly are influenced by the director. I appreciate a good hotel director.

Anyone just off the Millie? Is Andrew Harris still the HD??? I agree with everyone here, Andrew is the best, most visable and friendliest HD ever! We sail Millie again in late Novemer and I hope he is still onboard! He is the main reason we booked her again!

Hi Rich:) or you could look at it from the other side~I remember meeting

a couple of different Hotel Directors who were, (in my opinion)

fabulous and made my cruise extra special and would love to sail with

them again. Now, I still have a great time anyway, but as for being

obsessed? I think that is a bit harsh:eek:

Lois

I have to agree with you. A good hotel director can really add to an already excellent cruise. My vote would have to go to Leone Henry on Infinity in November 2009. She was every present and very aware of the little things that made a cruise even better for different groups of people.

Sue