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Cruise Director Review

tx121

By tx121,
in Royal Caribbean International

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cruzeluver

cruzeluver

Posted
Posted

Richard Spacey is by far the most over-rated. Had him as our cd on our Freedom back-to-back a few years ago and then again on Celebrity Silhouette. Not sure how he fits on a ship what with his swollen head. And his "shtick" does not vary even one iota. Same jokes over and over again. Even his"comments' at Quest are scripted (sail with him two weeks in a row and you can see it).And his "movie" that plays on a loop in the staterooms is a vanity project if ever I saw one.

 

Otherwise all others we have met have been fine. In general don't care who the cd is.

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Vegcurry

Vegcurry

Posted
Posted

Had Richard Spacey on Celebrity last summer he loved himself and the video at the end of the cruise was all about him.

 

Graham Seymour was great on our Rhapsody transatlantic in November. I think he said he was off to fill in on one of the Royal ships in Australia round about now.

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  • 3 weeks later...
bob@karen

bob@karen

Posted
Posted
Ricky Matthews was one of my least favorites. His Love & Marriage was embarrassing, in that he didn't conduct it the same way as other CDs, where the panelists are brought off-stage. He had them face back to back and made the entire show about himself, rather than the guests. I've never seen such a steady stream of people leaving a RCL show (except for the second half of CATS).

 

 

 

Yet Graham Seymour conducted the L&M exactly the same way on the Explorer Transpacific this past Spring and he is seemingly very popular.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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camper51

camper51

Posted
Posted
Ricky Matthews was one of my least favorites. His Love & Marriage was embarrassing, in that he didn't conduct it the same way as other CDs, where the panelists are brought off-stage. He had them face back to back and made the entire show about himself, rather than the guests. I've never seen such a steady stream of people leaving a RCL show (except for the second half of CATS).

 

 

I agree 100% with this post!

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OACAggie

OACAggie

Posted
Posted

Mark me down for a fan of Ken Rush. We had him on our first cruise in 1999 on Enchantment. It was his last voyage on Enchantment as he was taking Voyager out the week after. Some may say he is full of himself, but we thought he was fabulous and found him very personable whenever we spoke with him. He seemed to be everywhere all the time. RCI obviously thinks he does a great job as he was usually involved with taking new ships out.

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FloridaPalms

FloridaPalms

Posted
Posted

Mike Szwajkowski is back!

I just got the off the Brilliance OTS January 29th sailing where Mike Szwajkowski, after spending two weeks onboard getting up to speed, took over as CD.

 

I thought Mike did a great job and can see why he got a lot of favorable reviews in the past. He was genuinely friendly as well as funny and entertaining without being obnoxiously silly. Mike also knows some cool magic tricks.

 

I especially appreciated the recognition he gave to our military veterans. When he saw how many vets were onboard, Mike even scheduled a special gathering for veterans and their spouses which included a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by the sailing's headliner singer Jimmy Hopper.

 

To be honest, while they definitely can improve the cruise experience, I rarely remember who the CD was after my cruise has ended. I will never forget the antics of Richard Spacey and, while he had been my favorite, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it if I had repeatedly sailed with him.

 

Mike is my new favorite and I would thoroughly enjoy sailing with him again.

 

~ Judy

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CTCruiser76

CTCruiser76

Posted
Posted

We had Ken for our very first cruise back in 2001 on the Explorer - We thought he was really good.

 

Our least favorite hands down was John Perry on the Freedom in April 2016 - he absolutely mailed it in - could have been on his way out - good thing Crusin Susan was the Acitivities Director - if not for her the shows would have been very dull.

 

I see that Drew will be the cruise director on our next cruise and I see many people love him - what makes him your top of the list? Is he personable, willing to talk to you and get to know the passengers - because that's what I think makes a good CD along with showing that you care about the shows you are doing.

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  • 5 months later...
gaylemh

gaylemh

Posted
Posted

Leigh and Erky from Turkey, but unfortunately they are no longer with Royal. Love Clo O'Conner. She could have her own stand up comedy show. I hope she comes back to Anthem. Least favorite - Dennis Charles. Reminded me of a used car salesman.

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  • 1 month later...
lonig

lonig

Posted
Posted

Jamie Fentiman was on a 21 day B2B on Serenade in June in the Baltic and Arctic Circle. He was amazing, boy can he sing and dance, was always at the entertainment announcing or participating. It was the first time I saw a CD dancing on a bar in the Centrum, so much fun!

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mac_tlc "Live from...." Rare

mac_tlc

Posted
Posted
That is brilliant news Mike Szwajkowski is back as a cruise director have had him before on two cruises and was brilliant.

Who can forget his Fountains show?

A class act and a gentleman.

 

 

Just got off the Brilliance TA with Mike S. He was awesome, fabulous, stupendous, etc. Have been on over 30 cruises and can't remember more than 2 of the CD's, but we wont forget Mike. He was great.

 

Hope to catch up with him next year when he goes to an Oasis class ship.......

 

mac_tlc

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pattak619

pattak619

Posted
Posted
Merion_Mom;52263261]Clo arrived and WHAM had to learn a whole new ship, and boy, is Anthem different from Brilliance! She adjusted pretty quickly, but always asked us to be kind and understanding while she learned.

 

When she did the Meet & Mingle I never saw any CD get in and out so fast and at the belly flop she didn't want to wait for a new mic so everyone can here her. And yes seen many morning shows and hers was not good at all her partner was much better. JUST SAYING :eek: :cool:.

Totally agree. We were on this cruise and found her very rushed. I also like the "morning show" to be in the "morning" not the night before!

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The Fun Researcher

The Fun Researcher

Posted
Posted (edited)
I'm putting in a vote for Joff Eaton. I think he is brilliant...perhaps its just that we are both Brits and have the same sort of sense of humour, but we did a TransAtlantic with him and he handled the progressive trivia quiz brilliantly. There were over 140 teams and if you weren't there an hour before, you didn't get a seat!, so others must have found him entertaining too. He also has the best 'morning' TV show on board that I've seen...IMHO:D

 

Simon

 

Joff is absolutely our favorite so far as well. Funny, engaging, and on point all the time. One of the few CD's that I would actually look for the morning show later in the day on the RCI channel (no way I'm getting up early enough to see the first run) :D.

 

Dan

Edited by The Fun Researcher
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