UPDATED List of Current Cruise Directors (CD)

[DonnaK]

Interesting. This means that Topi is going straight over to Legend for it's European season without a break? That would be back-to-back contracts spanning 8-10 months onboard.

On Serenade now.

 

Topi will leave March 16th, and mr Richards will take over.

Adventure OTS - Drew Devine started on August 4 until January 19, then Mercedes Lafuente.

 

Allure OTS - Ken Rush Nov 24 until sometime in February, then Allan Brooks. (need handover date)

 

Anthem OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard for 6-8 weeks. Then, Joff Eaton will take over as regular CD of this ship - ( needs confirmation).

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until Steve Davis returns from his break in February (handover date?)

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months, followed by John Blair for approx. 2 months.

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. Then John Blair from February 9 until April 10 with Katrina Blair as his Activities Manager. Then Leigh (CD) and Erky (AM) will be returning from their break on April 10 for approx. 4 months, followed by the Blairs for approx 2 months. (Leigh and the Blairs will continue to alternate in this pattern until the ship goes into drydock in January 2015, however May-Aug is Erky's last contract. He will not be returning, as he plans to marry and work as a commercial airline pilot in Turkey.)

 

Freedom OTS - Ricky Matthews December 15 until December 22, then Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February. Richard Spacey expects to be back on Freedom for one more contract mid-to-late February until mid-to-late June before heading over to Germany to prepare for Quantum, then to prepare for Anthem, then to prepare for Oasis III.

 

Grandeur OTS - Jeffery Arpin from November 26 through mid-to-late January. Ricky Matthews will return in January for 4 months. (handover date?) (Daryl Dyball is Activities Manager)

 

Independence OTS - Joff Eaton November 2 to the end of March (exact date?). Joff will be returning on May 17 through Sept 2014 (Fill-in for April and May 2014 not yet known).

 

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau started Sept 7 Through January 11 then Dennis Charles from January 11 until March 15. Then Carly returns on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis for 2 months.

 

Legend OTS - Keith Williams started Sept 30 until January 24. (who will be CD Jan 24- March 17) Topi Ylönen starts on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Liberty OTS - Rich Edwards Oct 6 until Feb 11 (then who?)

Majesty OTS - Jerome Sueur started December 6 until Mitch Merucci returns from his break in mid-February (need handover date)

Mariner OTS - Dan Whitney started in early September until January 20. Gordon Whatman begins January 20 for 7 weeks (until March 10?) (Rob is the Activities Manager)

 

Navigator OTS - John Perry from October 12 until ships goes into drydock on January 5. Simona Ferraiuolo starts February 16 (The ship returns from drydock on February 5, so who will be CD from Feb 5-16?)

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes November 16 until March 8. Then, Drew Devine March 8 through May 17. Then, Rico duBriel May 17 through July 19. Then Drew Devine July 19 through mid-November.

 

Quantum OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard until early January 2015, then Jimmy Rhodes will take over as regular CD of this ship.

 

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 (for 4 months? Then who?)

 

Rhapsody OTS - Ken Jones Nov 19 through Feb 1. Graham Seymour returns from his break on Feb 1 for 6 months through August 1 (per Graham: Ken is a Canadian gent, funny, great stage presence)

 

Serenade OTS - Topi Ylönen November 25 until March 16, then Anthony Richards.

Splendour OTS - João Pereira started Dec 8 for the South American season

 

Vision OTS - Rico du Breil for the Panama season, Nov 11 through April 26

 

Voyager OTS - Luke Aerowsmith October 24 for the repositioning and for the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

Edited December 14, 2013 by DonnaK

[SamFritz]

On Serenade now.

 

Topi will leave March 16th, and mr Richards will take over.

 

Cruise Critic is so cool. Ask a question, get an answer. Thank you!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk, please excuse all the typos.

[DonnaK]

Adventure OTS - Drew Devine started on August 4 until January 19, then Mercedes Lafuente.

 

Allure OTS - Ken Rush Nov 24 until sometime in February, then Allan Brooks. (need handover date)

 

Anthem OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard for 6-8 weeks. Then, Joff Eaton will take over as regular CD of this ship - ( needs confirmation).

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until Steve Davis returns from his break in February (handover date?)

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months, followed by John Blair for approx. 2 months.

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. Then John Blair from February 9 until April 10 with Katrina Blair as his Activities Manager. Then Leigh (CD) and Erky (AM) will be returning from their break on April 10 for approx. 4 months, followed by the Blairs for approx 2 months. (Leigh and the Blairs will continue to alternate in this pattern until the ship goes into drydock in January 2015, however May-Aug is Erky's last contract. He will not be returning, as he plans to marry and work as a commercial airline pilot in Turkey.)

 

Freedom OTS - Ricky Matthews December 15 until December 22, then Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February. Richard Spacey expects to be back on Freedom for one more contract mid-to-late February until mid-to-late June before heading over to Germany to prepare for Quantum, then to prepare for Anthem, then to prepare for Oasis III.

 

Grandeur OTS - Jeffery Arpin from November 26 through mid-to-late January. Ricky Matthews will return in January for 4 months. (handover date?) (Daryl Dyball is Activities Manager)

 

Independence OTS - Joff Eaton November 2 to the end of March (exact date?). Joff will be returning on May 17 through Sept 2014 (Fill-in for April and May 2014 not yet known).

 

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau started Sept 7 Through January 11 then Dennis Charles from January 11 until March 15. Then Carly returns on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis for 2 months.

 

Legend OTS - Keith Williams started Sept 30 until January 24. (who will be CD Jan 24- March 17) Topi Ylönen starts on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Liberty OTS - Rich Edwards Oct 6 until Feb 11 (then who?)

Majesty OTS - Jerome Sueur started December 6 until Mitch Merucci returns from his break in mid-February (need handover date)

Mariner OTS - Dan Whitney started in early September until January 20. Gordon Whatman begins January 20 for 7 weeks (until March 10?) (Rob is the Activities Manager)

 

Navigator OTS - John Perry from October 12 until ships goes into drydock on January 5. Simona Ferraiuolo starts February 16 (The ship returns from drydock on February 5, so who will be CD from Feb 5-16?)

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes November 16 until March 8. Then, Drew Devine March 8 through May 17. Then, Rico duBriel May 17 through July 19. Then Drew Devine July 19 through mid-November.

 

Quantum OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard until early January 2015, then Jimmy Rhodes will take over as regular CD of this ship.

 

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 (for 4 months? Then who?)

 

Rhapsody OTS - Ken Jones Nov 19 through Feb 1. Graham Seymour returns from his break on Feb 1 for 6 months through August 1 (per Graham: Ken is a Canadian gent, funny, great stage presence)

 

Serenade OTS - Topi Ylönen November 25 until March 16, then Anthony Richards.

Splendour OTS - João Pereira started Dec 8 for the South American season

 

Vision OTS - Rico du Breil for the Panama season, Nov 11 through April 26

 

Voyager OTS - Luke Aerowsmith October 24 for the repositioning and for the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

[wolfcathorse]

Donna, in looking at your chart, I'm thinking the Blairs will be filling in on NV Feb 5-16. John told me last week on EN it was beginning to look like they were headed to NV instead of EX. That would explain why John and Katrina asked me who the captains were on NV and what I thought of those captains. At least that's how it looks to me!

[DonnaK]

Donna, in looking at your chart, I'm thinking the Blairs will be filling in on NV Feb 5-16. John told me last week on EN it was beginning to look like they were headed to NV instead of EX. That would explain why John and Katrina asked me who the captains were on NV and what I thought of those captains. At least that's how it looks to me!

 

This makes great sense.

 

I wonder if Leigh is going to extend his stay on EX until Feb 16 or whatever the last date of that sailing is (instead of Feb 9), and then the Blairs would head over to EX after filling in for those few days on NV?

 

Maybe someone onboard EX or EN can confirm some of this with Leigh/Erky or John/Katrina so I have some concrete info to update the chart with???

Edited December 17, 2013 by DonnaK

[ncb106]

This makes great sense.

 

I wonder if Leigh is going to extend his stay on EX until Feb 16 or whatever the last date of that sailing is (instead of Feb 9), and then the Blairs would head over to EX after filling in for those few days on NV?

 

Maybe someone onboard EX or EN can confirm some of this with Leigh/Erky or John/Katrina so I have some concrete info to update the chart with???

 

Hi donna i Was chating with erky ON Facebook he said this moth and jan there Will be alots of changing going ON,some of cruise directors Will be transfer to Other ships as for leigh there no new info yet.he Will let me now or post ON Facebook if there any changes

[DonnaK]

Hi donna i Was chating with erky ON Facebook he said this moth and jan there Will be alots of changing going ON,some of cruise directors Will be transfer to Other ships as for leigh there no new info yet.he Will let me now or post ON Facebook if there any changes

 

 

Leigh is going to be displaced when EX moves to Asia at the end of the year, so perhaps they are assigning him to his new home after his break.

 

Sounds like a lot of the info that I already have might be changing! I'll need people to keep an eye out for unexpected shuffling around of CDs and to report any CD movement back to this thread.

[Aussie Bruce]

Hi Donna and thank you for all the effort and time you take on this interesting thread. Any idea where Bobby Brown is?

[DonnaK]

Hi Donna and thank you for all the effort and time you take on this interesting thread. Any idea where Bobby Brown is?

 

 

He is on his break now. His last contract was on Radiance from Sept 6 until November 16. No news on where/when his next contract will be, but he'll likely have at least two months off, so it'll be at least mid-January before his next contract.

[Firefighterhoop]

When we were with John Blair a few weeks ago, he mentioned he would be on Navigator at some point, but he did not give the dates. He just stated when someone asked him "Book Navigator out of Galveston"

[DonnaK]

When we were with John Blair a few weeks ago, he mentioned he would be on Navigator at some point, but he did not give the dates. He just stated when someone asked him "Book Navigator out of Galveston"

 

Yes, wolfcathorse and ncb said the same thing. I'm not sure how to incorporate this info into the list.

 

We have info directly from Simona that she will be on NV beginning Feb 16. That leaves Feb 5 through Feb 16 unaccounted for - is this when John will be on? Or, will he be on after Simona? Or, has Simona be reassigned after she reported the original info?

 

I need someone going on EN to get more specific info from John regarding exactly when he will be on NV, and whether he is no longer going to be doing EN and EX.

 

Or, maybe someone going on EX can ask Leigh if his current contract ends on Feb 9, and if John is still assigned to be the next CD. Also, I am wondering if Leigh is coming back to EX after his break, or if he will be reassigned?

 

Or, maybe someone who is in contact with Simona on social media can find out if she is still headed over to NV on Feb 16, or if her assignment has changed? And if she is still going to be on NV, for how long?

 

Any help in sorting out this info between NV, EN and EX, and between John, Leigh and Simona, would be greatly appreciated!

[I Church]

Concierge update:

NV Navigator – (Concierge) Ricardo Mock is on indefinite leave, Nadja Durdevic from Bosnia is his replacement. She came up from Guest Relations desk to fill in for Ricardo. She is very good and friendly. We sailed on a B2B Dec 1st where she was training. She took over on the 8th of Dec.

 

I posted this on the other page and thought I would also post it here.

 

Take care...

Irene & Miles

[Folk Singer]

Donna.

 

thank you for keeping this thread updated. Have a Merry Christmas.

 

Don

[DonnaK]

Adventure OTS - Drew Devine started on August 4 until January 19, then Mercedes Lafuente.

 

Allure OTS - Ken Rush Nov 24 until sometime in February, then Allan Brooks. (need handover date)

 

Anthem OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard for 6-8 weeks. Then, Joff Eaton will take over as regular CD of this ship - ( needs confirmation).

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until Steve Davis returns from his break in February (handover date?)

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months. (Then, will John be returning for another 2 month fill-in?)

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. (Then, will John Blair be returning for another 2 month fill-in?)

Freedom OTS - Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February. Richard Spacey expects to be back on Freedom for one more contract mid-to-late February until mid-to-late June before heading over to Germany to prepare for Quantum, then to prepare for Anthem, then to prepare for Oasis III.

 

Grandeur OTS - Jeffery Arpin from November 26 through mid-to-late January. Ricky Matthews will return in January for 4 months. (handover date?) (Daryl Dyball is Activities Manager)

 

Independence OTS - Joff Eaton November 2 to the end of March (exact date?). Joff will be returning on May 17 through Sept 2014 (Fill-in for April and May 2014 not yet known).

 

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau started Sept 7 Through January 11 then Dennis Charles from January 11 until March 15. Then Carly returns on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis for 2 months.

 

Legend OTS - Keith Williams started Sept 30 until January 24. (who will be CD Jan 24- March 17) Topi Ylönen starts on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Liberty OTS - Rich Edwards Oct 6 until Feb 11 (then who?)

Majesty OTS - Jerome Sueur started December 6 until Mitch Merucci returns from his break in mid-February (need handover date)

Mariner OTS - Dan Whitney started in early September until January 20. Gordon Whatman begins January 20 for 7 weeks (until March 10?) (Rob is the Activities Manager)

 

Navigator OTS - John Perry from October 12 until ships goes into drydock on January 5. (Ship returns from drydock on Feb 5, and we have conflicting info regarding who will be the CD. Simona Ferraiuolo starting February 16? Or, John Blair, who has said that NV will be his next ship?)

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes November 16 until March 8. Then, Drew Devine March 8 through May 17. Then, Rico duBriel May 17 through July 19. Then Drew Devine July 19 through mid-November.

 

Quantum OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard until early January 2015, then Jimmy Rhodes will take over as regular CD of this ship.

 

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 (for 4 months? Then who?)

 

Rhapsody OTS - Ken Jones Nov 19 through Feb 1. Graham Seymour returns from his break on Feb 1 for 6 months through August 1 (per Graham: Ken is a Canadian gent, funny, great stage presence)

 

Serenade OTS - Topi Ylönen November 25 until March 16, then Anthony Richards.

Splendour OTS - João Pereira started Dec 8 for the South American season

 

Vision OTS - Rico du Breil for the Panama season, Nov 11 through April 26

 

Voyager OTS - Luke Aerowsmith October 24 for the repositioning and for the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

[ckrobyn]

Hi Donna - I was chatting with Mercedes Lafuente on FB and she has confirmed that she is definitely joining the Adventure in January :D I've sailed with her before and can't wait to see her again on my upcoming cruise!!! She's hilarious :p

Edited December 21, 2013 by ckrobyn

[LIVineGirl]

Why in the world would they give Jimmy Rhodes the Quantum gig, he is the least personable cruise director I have ever experienced. We have had him many times as we cruised on the Exployer over 10 times. If he is on our Quantum cruise in January 2015, it will definitely be our last on Quantum, we will be diamond plus by then, so may try other lines, or different port of departure. We will see if he has had an attitude adjustment since he has been gone. Loved Leigh and Erky, and Richard Spacey.

 

Just got off Oasis. This was my first cruise with Jimmy and I was very disappointed with him, so I don't think he had an attitude adjustment. He was very condescending with his staff and he just was not energetic at all. I don't even feel like he tried and I RARELY saw him out and about. I kind of knew what to expect thanks to all of your helpful feedback but I was very sad when he told us he was taking the Quantum gig as their "permanent" CD. Looks like I'll need to book my trip on the Quantum before 2014 is up!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[nlcentralchmps03]

Any chance that Jerome heads back the Liberty to cover for Rich Edwards while he is on vacation?

[DonnaK]

Any chance that Jerome heads back the Liberty to cover for Rich Edwards while he is on vacation?

 

It's a possibility.

 

Maybe someone on Majesty can ask Jerome about his future schedule, and if it includes returning to Liberty. Or, maybe someone on Liberty can ask Rich who will be covering his break.

 

Can either of these two CDs be contacted on social media? Here's Jerome on FB if anyone wants to message him there: https://www.facebook.com/drbunny69er?fref=ts

Edited December 21, 2013 by DonnaK

[Folk Singer]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.:):):)

[DonnaK]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.:):):)

 

Same to you FolkSinger, and everyone else who reads and posts on this thread!!!

[BoyntonBeth]

Leigh is going to be displaced when EX moves to Asia at the end of the year, so perhaps they are assigning him to his new home after his break.

 

Sounds like a lot of the info that I already have might be changing! I'll need people to keep an eye out for unexpected shuffling around of CDs and to report any CD movement back to this thread.

 

Donna,

 

Here's one of those changes for you. EX is NOT going to Asia at the end of the year. Deployment is now showing from PCN through March 12, 2015. I already booked the first 3 "new" cruises in Jan '15!

[BoyntonBeth]

[quote=DonnaK;41017056

Legend OTS - Keith Williams started Sept 30 until January 24. (who will be CD Jan 24- March 17) Topi Ylönen starts on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Spent some time with Keith in Antigua last week. Paul Rutter is the next CD after Keith goes on vacation. Keith doesn't know where/when he will be next.

[DonnaK]

Spent some time with Keith in Antigua last week. Paul Rutter is the next CD after Keith goes on vacation. Keith doesn't know where/when he will be next.

 

Adventure OTS - Drew Devine started on August 4 until January 19, then Mercedes Lafuente.

 

Allure OTS - Ken Rush Nov 24 until sometime in February, then Allan Brooks. (need handover date)

 

Anthem OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard for 6-8 weeks. Then, Joff Eaton will take over as regular CD of this ship - ( needs confirmation).

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until Steve Davis returns from his break in February (handover date?)

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months. (Then, will John be returning for another 2 month fill-in?)

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. (Then, will John Blair be returning for another 2 month fill-in?)

Freedom OTS - Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February. Richard Spacey expects to be back on Freedom for one more contract mid-to-late February until mid-to-late June before heading over to Germany to prepare for Quantum, then to prepare for Anthem, then to prepare for Oasis III.

 

Grandeur OTS - Jeffery Arpin from November 26 through mid-to-late January. Ricky Matthews will return in January for 4 months. (handover date?) (Daryl Dyball is Activities Manager)

 

Independence OTS - Joff Eaton November 2 to the end of March (exact date?). Joff will be returning on May 17 through Sept 2014 (Fill-in for April and May 2014 not yet known).

 

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau started Sept 7 Through January 11 then Dennis Charles from January 11 until March 15. Then Carly returns on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis for 2 months.

 

Legend OTS - Keith Williams started Sept 30 until January 24. Paul Rutter January 24 until March 17. Topi Ylönen starts on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Liberty OTS - Rich Edwards Oct 6 until Feb 11 (then who?)

Majesty OTS - Jerome Sueur started December 6 until Mitch Merucci returns from his break in mid-February (need handover date)

Mariner OTS - Dan Whitney started in early September until January 20. Gordon Whatman begins January 20 for 7 weeks (until March 10?) (Rob is the Activities Manager)

 

Navigator OTS - John Perry from October 12 until ships goes into drydock on January 5. (Ship returns from drydock on Feb 5, and we have conflicting info regarding who will be the CD. Simona Ferraiuolo starting February 16? Or, John Blair, who has said that NV will be his next ship?)

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes November 16 until March 8. Then, Drew Devine March 8 through May 17. Then, Rico duBriel May 17 through July 19. Then Drew Devine July 19 through mid-November.

 

Quantum OTS - Richard Spacey will be taking the ship out, with Ken Rush helping him with behind the scenes CD duties to provide a smooth take out. They will likely remain onboard until early January 2015, then Jimmy Rhodes will take over as regular CD of this ship.

 

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 (for 4 months? Then who?)

 

Rhapsody OTS - Ken Jones Nov 19 through Feb 1. Graham Seymour returns from his break on Feb 1 for 6 months through August 1 (per Graham: Ken is a Canadian gent, funny, great stage presence)

 

Serenade OTS - Topi Ylönen November 25 until March 16, then Anthony Richards.

Splendour OTS - João Pereira started Dec 8 for the South American season

 

Vision OTS - Rico du Breil for the Panama season, Nov 11 through April 26

 

Voyager OTS - Luke Aerowsmith October 24 for the repositioning and for the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

[DonnaK]

Does anyone have updates for us?

[Rocket3D]

Does anyone have updates for us?

 

Talked to Rich on Liberty yesterday and he confirmed Amy Flickert

is replacing him on Liberty of the Seas.

 

Rich is a CD with nonstop energy and hope to sail again with him as CD.

 

:cool:

 

...actually we are sailing on Jan 13th, and

Feb 1st, Super Bowl cruise....so won't see Amy

until our 3/20/14 cruise.

Edited December 30, 2013 by rocketsurgery