UPDATED List of Current Cruise Directors (CD)

Rocket3D · February 6, 2014

>>> Liberty OTS - Rich Edwards Oct 6 until Feb 10, then Jerome Sueur for 2 months, then Rich for 4 months. (exact turnover dates?) <<<

Hi Donna,

Talked with Rich Edwards last night on Liberty.

He is now leaving Feb 15, 2014 and returning April 14, 2014 to Liberty of the Seas.

Jerome is filling in. They have worked together before. Jerome speaks many

languages...I think he said like 5 or 6.

I will be sailing on Liberty in 2 weeks (Feb 20th) and will let you know.

Regards,

Bob

Edited February 6, 2014 by rocketsurgery

ckfred · February 6, 2014

Was Jimmy Rhodes the cruise director on the Majesty in late 2008. I remember that our C/D's name was Jimmy, but I can't remember his last name. He was originally from Alabama, because, while announcing that the public area TVs would should the SEC championship game, he threw in a quick "Roll Tide".

I believe we had Bobby Brown on the Rhapsody in July, 2011, sailing out of Seattle. He was a riot during the cake decorating demonstration.

DonnaK · February 6, 2014

Was Jimmy Rhodes the cruise director on the Majesty in late 2008. I remember that our C/D's name was Jimmy, but I can't remember his last name. He was originally from Alabama, because, while announcing that the public area TVs would should the SEC championship game, he threw in a quick "Roll Tide".

I believe we had Bobby Brown on the Rhapsody in July, 2011, sailing out of Seattle. He was a riot during the cake decorating demonstration.

Yeah..that's the same Jimmy

sns101098 · February 6, 2014

Was Jimmy Rhodes the cruise director on the Majesty in late 2008. I remember that our C/D's name was Jimmy, but I can't remember his last name. He was originally from Alabama, because, while announcing that the public area TVs would should the SEC championship game, he threw in a quick "Roll Tide".

I believe we had Bobby Brown on the Rhapsody in July, 2011, sailing out of Seattle. He was a riot during the cake decorating demonstration.

Jimmy Rhodes is from Ozark, AL. His saying seems to be "How you cruisin?" Ring a bell? Maybe it was him.

DonnaK · February 6, 2014

Hi Donna,

Talked with Rich Edwards last night on Liberty.

He is now leaving Feb 15, 2014 and returning April 14, 2014 to Liberty of the Seas.

Jerome is filling in. They have worked together before. Jerome speaks many

languages...I think he said like 5 or 6.

I will be sailing on Liberty in 2 weeks (Feb 20th) and will let you know.

Regards,

Bob

Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started January 19 (until when? Then who?)

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

Anthem OTS - There will be a 2 person take-out team (Ken Rush and ?) for the first 6-8 weeks, then Joff Eaton is expected to be the regular CD of this ship.

Brilliance OTS - Steve Davis from January 24 until the end of May

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 10 until mid-May. Mitch Merucci will be filling-in from mid-May until mid-July followed by Marc for another 4 months.

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb October 5 until February 9. Then, Keith Williams until April 19 to cover Leigh's break, followed by Leigh for another 4 months

Freedom OTS - Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February, then Casey Pelter (exact turnover date?)

Grandeur OTS - Ricky Matthews started on January 31 for 4 months.

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 - Dennis Charles from January 11 until March 15. Then Carly Boileau returns on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis for 2 months.

Legend OTS - 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 15, then Jerome Sueur from Feb 15 until April 14, then Rich Edwards returns April 14 for 4 months.

Majesty OTS - Jerome Sueur started December 6 until February 10, then Simona Ferraiuolo.

Mariner OTS - Gordon Whatman started on January 20 for 7 weeks (until March 15? Then who? Dan Whitney?)

Navigator OTS - Ship returns from drydock on Feb 5. John Perry will be CD until Feb 16. Then, Mitch Merucci will be filling in from Feb 16 until John Perry returns from his break in mid-April.

Oasis OTS - Allan Brooks until Feb 8, then Jimmy Rhodes from Feb 8 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 - Jimmy Rhodes will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert began on November 16 until March 3, and will return after her break. (who will be filling-in during Amy's break? for 2 months?)

Rhapsody OTS - Graham Seymour Feb 1 through August 1

Serenade OTS - John Blair started February 1 until March 16, then Anthony Richards.

Splendour OTS - Michelle Pimentinha started Dec 8 for the South American season

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

Voyager OTS - Bobby Brown starts Feb 13 for the remainder of the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

Richard Spacey is now Manager of Entertainment, Activities and Family Strategy Development for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami, working alongside Becky Thompson.

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

James Andrews is a real estate agent in Sydney

Mike Szwajkowski is a Canadian Mountie

Leo Papa at Cornell University working on a Master's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management

Anna Bass is now Client Services Manager at ISS London

Abe Hughes is Director of Port Revenue Operations at Royal Media Partners

João Pereira left RCI in May 2013 and is now studying Portuguese/English education and translation at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in Brazil

Kirk Detweiler is now CD with Silversea cruises.

Simeon Baker - married a dancer, had a baby girl and is a sales exec at a Porsche dealer in Saskatchewan

Matt Baker - Sim's brother - recently married and living in Wales. They bought a pub called the Tiddley

Kieron Buffrey - CD with Holland America

Tom Canosa - teaching 6th grade science in North Carolina

Peter Benfield and Johnny Osborne have emigrated to Thailand

Bill Brunkhorst and Luke Aerowsmith are currently on break.

(If anyone knows the whereabouts of other former RCI cruise directors, I'd be happy to add them to the end of this list, as there seems to be a lot of questions about them)

Edited February 6, 2014 by DonnaK

wolfcathorse · February 6, 2014

Donna, your list of "forner CD's, where are they now" is just as facinating as who's currently on the ships!

DonnaK · February 6, 2014

Donna, your list of "forner CD's, where are they now" is just as facinating as who's currently on the ships!

Thanks Karen! I found that people would ask about them, so the interest was there, and I needed to distinguish who had moved on from those who were merely on their break.

(Maybe you can do the same at the end of your Captain's list! lol)

Edited February 6, 2014 by DonnaK

Folk Singer · February 7, 2014

Donna, your list of "forner CD's, where are they now" is just as facinating as who's currently on the ships!

It is very interesting and thank you.

DonnaK · February 8, 2014

Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started January 19 (until when? Then who?)

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

Anthem OTS - There will be a 2 person take-out team (Ken Rush and ?) for the first 6-8 weeks, then Joff Eaton is expected to be the regular CD of this ship.

Brilliance OTS - Steve Davis from January 24 until the end of May

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 10 until mid-May. Mitch Merucci will be filling-in from mid-May until mid-July followed by Marc for another 4 months.

Explorer OTS - Keith Williams February 9 until April 19, followed by Leigh Xuereb April 19 for 4 months

Freedom OTS - Mike Hunnerup from December 22 through mid-late February, then Casey Pelter (exact turnover date?)

Grandeur OTS - Ricky Matthews started on January 31 for 4 months.

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).