UPDATED List of Current Cruise Directors (CD)

[DonnaK]

Just wanted to point out that it is John Perry, not Blair, on the Navigator. He will continue after drydock. ;)

 

 

Oh my goodness....I can hardly keep up with all the changes!

 

Are you sure that John Perry will be returning to NV after drydock?

 

Because John Blair said to recent passengers on EN that NV will be his next assignment.

 

And, RCI originally said that Simona would be heading over to NV in Feb, but subsequent info has her filling in the slots on EX and EN that John Blair used to hold.

 

I have no idea which is the correct info! If John Perry stays with NV, then where do John Blair and Simona fit into this puzzle???

 

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

Edited January 7, 2014 by DonnaK

[DonnaK]

That's interesting. Wonder what the reasoning is behind that rule. Anyone know how long Joff Eaton has been on Independence for?

 

Not sure how long Joff has been on Indy, but it is speculated that he will become the regular CD on Anthem next year

[Folk Singer]

Not sure how long Joff has been on Indy, but it is speculated that he will become the regular CD on Anthem next year

 

 

I have never actually met him but he seems like a great guy and I do know he returns one's emails.

[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.

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until January 24, then Steve Davis from January 24 until the end of May

 

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months. Them. who will be doing a 2 month fill-in to cover Marc's break (John Blair? Simona? Someone else?)

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. Then, who will be doing a 2 month fill-in to cover Leigh's break (John Blair? Simona? Someone else?) followed by Leigh for another 4 months

 

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 10, then Amy Fickert until April 27

 

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 - Ship returns from drydock on Feb 5. Who will be CD? (John Perry? John Blair? Simona?)

 

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 until Feb 3 (who will be her replacement?)

 

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

 

 

PS: Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

[cruzfiend]

Rhapsody.

 

I wish he was going to be on the Adventure. He is sooooo funny.

[dsvd79]

Heading to Grandeur Saturday, I will let you know if Ricky has taken over yet.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I'm sailing on serenade in April for her transatlantic and am sad that Topi will no longer be onboard. He and his staff made the crossing over last fall truly memorable.

 

Anyone have any insight to his projected replacement, Anthony Richards?

[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.

 

Brilliance OTS - Clo O'Connor November 23 until January 24, then Steve Davis from January 24 until the end of May

 

Enchantment OTS - John Blair from November 8 through January 10, then Marc Walker January 10 for approx 4 months. Them. who will be doing a 2 month fill-in to cover Marc's break (John Blair? Simona? Someone else?)

 

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9, with Erky as his Activities Manager. Then, who will be doing a 2 month fill-in to cover Leigh's break (John Blair? Simona? Someone else?) followed by Leigh for another 4 months

 

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 10, then Amy Fickert until April 27

 

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 - Ship returns from drydock on Feb 5. Who will be CD? (John Perry? John Blair? Simona?)

 

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 until Feb 3 (who will be her replacement?)

 

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

 

 

PS: Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

[houstoncruisers2001]

I guess i'm one of those who really don't care who the cruise director is. I've had good ones and some that you wonder just where the heck they are hiding because you never see them. Just my opinion, but I don't think a CD makes or breaks a cruise, but i understand the value of having a good one to enhance a cruise experience.

 

Do the better ships have the better cruise directors? it sort of seems that way to me.

[mommabean]

I guess i'm one of those who really don't care who the cruise director is. I've had good ones and some that you wonder just where the heck they are hiding because you never see them. Just my opinion, but I don't think a CD makes or breaks a cruise, but i understand the value of having a good one to enhance a cruise experience.

 

Do the better ships have the better cruise directors? it sort of seems that way to me.

 

Everyone has their own opinion of better. Which is the better ship? Which is the better cruise director? I think the better ships are Radiance class. ;)

 

They don't make or break my cruise either. I really like some. There are none that I don't like but some I find a little bit annoying. And usually it's the announcements.

 

Bing bong? Must I hear that? Most people love it but I find it incredibly irritating so I just don't open my stateroom door to listen when I know he's on. I'm sure he's a nice person though.

 

I miss Dan, Dan the Party Man.

 

Gina

[Iamthesea]

Oh my goodness....I can hardly keep up with all the changes!

 

Are you sure that John Perry will be returning to NV after drydock?

 

Because John Blair said to recent passengers on EN that NV will be his next assignment.

 

And, RCI originally said that Simona would be heading over to NV in Feb, but subsequent info has her filling in the slots on EX and EN that John Blair used to hold.

 

I have no idea which is the correct info! If John Perry stays with NV, then where do John Blair and Simona fit into this puzzle???

 

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

 

John Perry's mother had previously told me that he would be staying with the Navigator during drydock and that the Navigator would be his permanent assignment. When I saw that John Blair was mentioned, I sent her that part of this post and asked if things had changed. She said that no, it must be a misprint on CC. She had just talked to him the night before and they (he and the crew on the Navigator) were nearing Freeport tonight. John told her about drills, drydock, etc. No word about a change.

Edited January 7, 2014 by Iamthesea

[DEIx15x8]

John Perry's mother had previously told me that he would be staying with the Navigator during drydock and that the Navigator would be his permanent assignment. When I saw that John Blair was mentioned, I sent her that part of this post and asked if things had changed. She said that no, it must be a misprint on CC. She had just talked to him the night before and they (he and the crew on the Navigator) were nearing Freeport tonight. John told her about drills, drydock, etc. No word about a change.

Wonder if that brings back any bad memories. We had him his first sailing on the Grandeur which also happened to be the last before the fire. Really likes him, very personable and down to earth. After the Captain's Corner we spent almost an hour discussing how Royal Caribbean handles entertainment on the ships and what options CDs have.

[DEIx15x8]

I guess i'm one of those who really don't care who the cruise director is. I've had good ones and some that you wonder just where the heck they are hiding because you never see them. Just my opinion, but I don't think a CD makes or breaks a cruise, but i understand the value of having a good one to enhance a cruise experience.

 

Do the better ships have the better cruise directors? it sort of seems that way to me.

 

I think ship is irrelevant to CD quality. Some of the best CDs prefer smaller ships so they can socialize more. Some people think a very big seeming CD is better which comes off more on a large ship, while others think more personal attention is better which is more on small ships. Quality of a CD is by personal preference and I really don't think ship size or age can be used as a gauge on any level.

[Iamthesea]

Wonder if that brings back any bad memories. We had him his first sailing on the Grandeur which also happened to be the last before the fire. Really likes him, very personable and down to earth. After the Captain's Corner we spent almost an hour discussing how Royal Caribbean handles entertainment on the ships and what options CDs have.

 

Yes, that Grandeur fiasco was John's first cruise as a full fledged CD. He was an assistant and/or fill-in CD on many ships prior to getting his assignment on the Grandeur, and now the Navigator. I am sure that the fire shook him up, but I understand that he handled it well. ;)

[Mom1029]

I Was ON Enchament and John also told me and my husband that he Will be heading to the NV

[papichulo]

His wife also told me the same when i ask her

[tnfcruise]

So, now that I know Paul Rutter will be the CD on our 3/7 Legend of the Seas sailing, what can I expect?

[DonnaK]

John Perry's mother had previously told me that he would be staying with the Navigator during drydock and that the Navigator would be his permanent assignment. When I saw that John Blair was mentioned, I sent her that part of this post and asked if things had changed. She said that no, it must be a misprint on CC. She had just talked to him the night before and they (he and the crew on the Navigator) were nearing Freeport tonight. John told her about drills, drydock, etc. No word about a change.

I Was ON Enchament and John also told me and my husband that he Will be heading to the NV

His wife also told me the same when i ask her

OK - still trying to piece together NV info. Both come from credible sources, John Perry's mom and John/Katrina Blair.

 

Could it be that John Perry will be the regular CD, and John Blair will be his fill-in during his breaks?

Edited January 7, 2014 by DonnaK

[mommabean]

So, now that I know Paul Rutter will be the CD on our 3/7 Legend of the Seas sailing, what can I expect?

 

You can expect to hear different things from different people. People either love him or they don't. He's low key, very experienced and an especially nice person. I love it when he's on board. He's one of my favorites - always has been. He's not loud, in your face, or gimmicky.

 

Gina

[Sparky74]

 

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 until Feb 3 (who will be her replacement?)

 

I've posted on the Australian & New Zealand Cruisers board asking if anyone knows or can find out who is replacing Amy. I'll report back when I find out anything.

[DonnaK]

I've posted on the Australian & New Zealand Cruisers board asking if anyone knows or can find out who is replacing Amy. I'll report back when I find out anything.

Heading to Grandeur Saturday, I will let you know if Ricky has taken over yet.

 

Thanks!

[cruisinmom1]

John Blair is great! Just came off the Enchantment-he did the best "Love and Marriage" Show yet!

[Iamthesea]

OK - still trying to piece together NV info. Both come from credible sources, John Perry's mom and John/Katrina Blair.

 

Could it be that John Perry will be the regular CD, and John Blair will be his fill-in during his breaks?

 

Don't know about that.

 

The only explanation that I can think of is that RCCL has not told one of these guys that they are being reassigned as CD. :eek: I guess time will tell. When does the Navigator come out of drydock?

[Clarea]

Don't know about that.

 

The only explanation that I can think of is that RCCL has not told one of these guys that they are being reassigned as CD. :eek: I guess time will tell. When does the Navigator come out of drydock?

Feb 5.

[Sparky74]

I've posted on the Australian & New Zealand Cruisers board asking if anyone knows or can find out who is replacing Amy. I'll report back when I find out anything.

 

Yellowsmartcar says it will be Bobby (& Becky) Brown.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1967123