Cruise Director - What's the point?

[gliner]

Ok, before anyone jumps on me, can anyone logically explain the purpose of the Cruise Director?

 

Now I have not been on as many cruises as most of you, only 8 to date with another booked and another planned. So with my limited experience, maybe I am missing something.

 

I read posts where heaps of praise are piled on this Cruise Director or that Cruise Director, yet aside from the daily bulletins, I have yet to actually SEE a Cruise Director do anything to make our cruises better, or worse for that matter.

 

So just what is their purpose aside from announcements and calling bingo? It seems that any member of the A/V club could do that.

 

So what am I missing?

[cruzeluver]

They also organize the organized ship-board activities. Although Carnival must not give them much latitude as the variety and types of activities have not changed much in the last 20 or so years.

[gliner]

They also organize the organized ship-board activities. Although Carnival must not give them much latitude as the variety and types of activities have not changed much in the last 20 or so years.

 

You are right about that!!! Aside from lame "games" around the pool and announcing the "gold by the inch" sale, what do they do to deserve the praise that is heaped upon them?

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

Ok, before anyone jumps on me, can anyone logically explain the purpose of the Cruise Director?

 

Now I have not been on as many cruises as most of you, only 8 to date with another booked and another planned. So with my limited experience, maybe I am missing something.

 

I read posts where heaps of praise are piled on this Cruise Director or that Cruise Director, yet aside from the daily bulletins, I have yet to actually SEE a Cruise Director do anything to make our cruises better, or worse for that matter.

 

So just what is their purpose aside from announcements and calling bingo? It seems that any member of the A/V club could do that.

 

So what am I missing?

 

You are not missing a thing. Yeah I am sure some CDs have personally helped out folks on something but the vast, vast majority of people never interact or see the CD other than introducing the shows or at the Captains party. The same old corny jokes are annoying bingo, inch of gold etc. announcements by all CDs.

 

Some cheerleaders here as well as CCL themselves say the entertainment is the result of the work from the CD. That is a bunch of crap. For the most part the entertainment on all CCL ships is practically identical (Comedian shows, production shows, trivia, hairy chest, survivor, newlywed game etc).

 

CDs are way overrated IMO and add nothing extra above what any entertain staff member could do on my 30+ cruises

[golfadj]

Actually they do not run bingo one of the entertainment staff does that.

 

They host a few shows. Some of them are very funny and contribute to our cruising experience.

 

The office in Miami sets up the entertainment so all they do with that is introduce the acts.

[skittl1321]

I'm sure they do a lot behind the scenes that we don't see.

 

But I agree that as a passenger they don't mean much to me. I suppose if you had a really funny one it could make show intros more interesting- I just remember ours (Shawn?) always had a way too perky voice and would kick her heel behind her and say "woo!" after everything.

 

I don't understand those who must know their CD before booking- but they must have a reason...

[gliner]

CDs are way overrated IMO and add nothing extra above what any entertain staff member could do on my 30+ cruises

 

That's what I was thinking. For the life of me, I could not figure out how any of the CD's were "awesome."

[cruzeluver]

I don't understand those who must know their CD before booking- but they must have a reason...

 

Or who say they would book a ship just because a certain CD would be on board, or would avoid a particular sailing because of who the CD is.

[skittl1321]

Or who say they would book a ship just because a certain CD would be on board, or would avoid a particular sailing because of who the CD is.

 

In situation A maybe it's because they are married to the CD, and want to see him/her. In situation B, maybe it's because they used to be- LOL!

[Justsyd]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=306

 

First: Cruise directors are officers of their ships.

 

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

 

As well, the cruise director must have full knowledge of ships' safety procedures issued by ISM (International Safety Management) and security measures, and keep staff informed of appropriate behavior and conduct among their fellow crew and passengers. The position also entails that these staffers manage their own ever-growing departments, keeping an eye over the conduct and performance of these staffers. Exhausted yet?

 

He or she must 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 their cool in even the most trying circumstances.

 

We must add that they are essential in attending VIP functions, private parties, such as the Cruise Critic onboard gatherings, and ship-organized events, such as past passenger and welcome aboard receptions.

 

For extra spice, we can throw in they must be able to use a computer for organizing reports and information for ship or corporate headquarter needs. And after all this, it needs to be noted that each cruise line has its own particular list of criteria that is expected of their cruise directors so 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 a distinct personality -- whether it is strong and irritatingly sweet, or painfully patient and aggressive. I must admit that I had a huge ego and found that being in charge of a fun-filled group of exciting entertainment professionals who gave their all to make sure passengers walked off laughing from an exhilarating experience offers up a satisfaction that's impossible to articulate.

[papilliontraveler]

Ok, before anyone jumps on me, can anyone logically explain the purpose of the Cruise Director?

 

Now I have not been on as many cruises as most of you, only 8 to date with another booked and another planned. So with my limited experience, maybe I am missing something.

 

I read posts where heaps of praise are piled on this Cruise Director or that Cruise Director, yet aside from the daily bulletins, I have yet to actually SEE a Cruise Director do anything to make our cruises better, or worse for that matter.

 

So just what is their purpose aside from announcements and calling bingo? It seems that any member of the A/V club could do that.

 

So what am I missing?

 

I am with you. I don't get why some people are so concerned with who their CD is or book certain cruises to be with this or that CD. I am on that ship to relax and have a good time. The CD has nothing to do with either of those for me.

[cruisinbanddirectors]

I'm in total agreement here. Never had one that wowed me and never had one that offended me. I certainly wouldn't book/not book based on the CD.

[crzndeb]

I have to agree...I have never understood the fascination with CD's and why so many threads about them.

 

I guess for a first time cruiser, the jokes are new and they are enamored by what they perceive as a VIP....to me, they are just a person in a management position, with a lot of responsibility.

 

And trust me, I have been cruising since 1980 and it is still the same jokes...LOL!

[matj2000]

The only one I have ever liked was a woman on the Fantasy 11 years ago. I only liked her because she had a nice voice when making announcements.

I could care/less for any others. I still don't know what they do because all the activities & shows haven't changed in my 11 years. Even the same lame jokes are told. One of the reasons I don't go on Carnival anymore....

[Deckhawk]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=306

 

First: Cruise directors are officers of their ships.

 

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

 

As well, the cruise director must have full knowledge of ships' safety procedures issued by ISM (International Safety Management) and security measures, and keep staff informed of appropriate behavior and conduct among their fellow crew and passengers. The position also entails that these staffers manage their own ever-growing departments, keeping an eye over the conduct and performance of these staffers. Exhausted yet?

 

He or she must 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 their cool in even the most trying circumstances.

 

We must add that they are essential in attending VIP functions, private parties, such as the Cruise Critic onboard gatherings, and ship-organized events, such as past passenger and welcome aboard receptions.

 

For extra spice, we can throw in they must be able to use a computer for organizing reports and information for ship or corporate headquarter needs. And after all this, it needs to be noted that each cruise line has its own particular list of criteria that is expected of their cruise directors so 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 a distinct personality -- whether it is strong and irritatingly sweet, or painfully patient and aggressive. I must admit that I had a huge ego and found that being in charge of a fun-filled group of exciting entertainment professionals who gave their all to make sure passengers walked off laughing from an exhilarating experience offers up a satisfaction that's impossible to articulate.

 

 

This is a good post. Basically - the direct impact on the normal passenger is minimal, but behind the scenes they are in charge of running all passenger activities. Normally you will only talk to the CD if you have an issue, want to praise someone or want some special treatment...

 

They also get a lot of latitude on what events to plan. For example, on one cruise like they used to have a night with a theme party. One year I went and it was 80's...6 months later it was a white party.

 

It's a lot like the captian of the ship - It won't impact your decision to make a booking, but it is an added bonus if you like someone's style.

[ehfl]

It sounds like you've never had a really good cruise director.

 

A good one should be part of the entertainment....

 

 

 

 

 

 

[serene56]

I am with you. I don't get why some people are so concerned with who their CD is or book certain cruises to be with this or that CD. I am on that ship to relax and have a good time. The CD has nothing to do with either of those for me.

 

 

I guess when you get a bad CD-- or one that does not know what they are doing-- you can understand that.

 

Last cruise -- I was bored out of my mind most of the week- Whole hours with nothing to do-- ok bars are opened.. casino is opened as was the stores. but sheesh.

 

I am hoping not to ever have the problem again

[AWCHIEF]

This link leads to a basic PD for a CD:

 

http://www.jobmonkey.com/cruise/html/cruise_directors.html

[Kevin Hort]

The only Cruise Director I have ever liked was Julie McCoy. :D

[5waldos]

As far as attending special events like Meet n Greets- on the Conquest he (whoever he was) never turned up, never sent anyone, and when contacted essentially blew us off. And that after offering to come- not being asked. So maybe whoever that CD was should have been noted as a dud.

[evandbob]

I'v often joked that I hope my next cruise would have a CD with laryngitis. Aside from annoying me with their sales come ons, repeating ad naseum "You won't want to miss" this show or excursion or sales event or just waking me up with a blaring inane bingo announcement just as I am beginning to snooze poolside, they really don't have anything to offer me.

The CD or Maitre D personality is meaningless to me.

[5waldos]

Unless the CD ends each and every sentence with FUNFUNFUN. Which one of ours did. I began to realize why so many people said that duct tape was a requirement.

[lowroller]

When I think of Cruise Directors, I think of two words........................

Diamonds International

Glenn.......178 days and it's my turn

[Carnival Platinum Cruiser]

When I think of Cruise Directors, I think of two words........................

Diamonds International

Glenn.......178 days and it's my turn

 

Ain't that the truth. A few years back CCL was hawking "Touch of Gold" nonstop at all the ports. Now they are not even mentioned as CCL no longer gets a cut from them.

 

A complete scam hawking all those approved vendors all over the place.

[serene56]

When I think of Cruise Directors, I think of two words........................

Diamonds International

Glenn.......178 days and it's my turn

 

 

I thought that was the shopper that did that.