Cruise Director - Horizon....Donkey was a disappointment

[hapytobehr]

On 8/14/2021 at 8:44 PM, Sagittarius traveler said:

I never remembered their names

Neither do I.🤔

[cruise to live]

I rather have a good chef, than a good cd.  I encounter food alot more than I do a cd.

[SNJCruisers]

Just now, cruise to live said:

I rather have a good chef, than a good cd.  I encounter food alot more than I do a cd.

But doesn't music touch your soul, food only touches your lips.

[momof3cruisers]

On 8/16/2021 at 8:55 PM, Markmom18 said:

   Hi,

 

    I guess because I’m a Mom of a Crew Member, I see the HEADLINE to this post everyday I come here and it’s hurtful, at  least in my eyes.
 

   Replace “Donkey” with our sons crew name “Marky Mark” ….  😔😔. Replace Donkey with your son, daughter, husband, wife, Grandpa, Grandma …. Yeah??

 

  Mark told me Donkey filled in for a brief period on one of his Ships. Nice guy too….

  That’s it,  just my Mom’s opinion.

 

  🛳🛳

   Bobbi 

I think when you or your kid are n the entertainment industry, you need a much thicker skin than to be hurt by a forum thread title. My daughter is an actor and performer. She has been both loved and DRAGGED by critics.  Literally one critic said she was “unladylike and clearly didn’t understand or relate to her character at all” whereas the other one said she was charming and genuine and made you love her from the first line she spoke. For the same performance! It’s just the way it is. Some people will love you, others will hate you. You really can’t take it personally. 

[Beebearlvr]

On 8/11/2021 at 9:36 PM, TS4IA said:

I actually found Donkey to be quite rude and disrespectful to his fun squad and the DJ’s. He was particularly bad during the white party and it was a bit cringe worthy. I just found him a bit condescending, even to the guest. But like others said the CD doesn’t make or break my cruise.

 

You mean you actually had a white party? Seems like we are not hearing of many parties. 

[Markmom18]

On 8/23/2021 at 7:52 PM, Beebearlvr said:

 

You mean you actually had a white party? Seems like we are not hearing of many parties. 

   Mark got an email this weekend asking him to bring white pants & shirts for The White Party. So, Panorama is OR will be.  Employee purchase, not reimbursed … in case anybody was wondering…

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

Edited August 25, 2021 by Markmom18

[Markmom18]

On 8/23/2021 at 7:43 PM, momof3cruisers said:

I think when you or your kid are n the entertainment industry, you need a much thicker skin than to be hurt by a forum thread title. My daughter is an actor and performer. She has been both loved and DRAGGED by critics.  Literally one critic said she was “unladylike and clearly didn’t understand or relate to her character at all” whereas the other one said she was charming and genuine and made you love her from the first line she spoke. For the same performance! It’s just the way it is. Some people will love you, others will hate you. You really can’t take it personally. 

   I’m a Mom expressing her opinion.  Speaking in my voice, not my sons.  You are a Mom expressing yours.  
 

I took the criticism of the CD to be of HIS person, not his portrayal of say Colonel Mustard in CLUE.  See the difference?  
 

The comments of your daughter are a Review on a CHARACTER in a Production, which would be called a Review.  
   
 I still stand by what I wrote.

 

  🛳🛳

   Bobbi 

Edited August 25, 2021 by Markmom18

[Elaine5715]

27 minutes ago, wkucrprez said:

I'm still well under 40 but have been taking  a couple cruises a year since my mid 20's... almost all on Carnival.  I didn't know until now that the Cruise director was a big deal. Obviously I missed the memo. Remembering a name of one... are you serious? The only memory of a cruise director I have in all those sailings is that one wore a kilt. That's it. I listen to their announcements in the morning... maybe see them at sail away (which at this point in cruising I spend mostly on my balcony) and that's about it. 

 

I sail on the Horizon September 4. Just for the sake of curiosity after reading this thread I'm going to check this Donkey character out. Not sure where I'll find him hosting an event,  but I'll track him down somewhere. I like sarcastic,  witty people. Sounds like from posters that's his M.O. It can turn people off if they take that type of dialogue literally.  

 

If this thread is still around when I get back from the trip I'll let you know my thoughts on him. I can promise you they won't be cruel in any way even if I don't like his delivery.  The poor guy has taken enough abuse already. I'm just intrigued about this whole Cruise Director thing. I didn't know it was a thing.  Just as a comparison...I can tell you the name of many of my casino hosts over the years. Where they are now etc. etc. Obviously I remember and keep up with the staff that have most directly effected me on my sailings. Maybe after this Cruise I'll start remembering Cruise directors too (well at least Donkey).

 

You know it's a thing when people brag about how they don't know something as if it is beneath them.  You will find the CDs hosting the big parties in the Atrium and on Lido. I find many of CDs okay but those that are outstanding, you will notice.  CDs also direct debarkation.  That you can see a difference between an involved, charismatic CD and a okay one.   

[asalligo]

On 8/12/2021 at 7:49 AM, EngIceDave said:

In all the cruises we have been on, we couldn't tell you the name of our CD's.

 

Couldn't even pick them out of a line up

I felt this way until we cruised with Chris Williams. A really good CD does make a big difference. 

[ScottsSweetie]

10 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

   Mark got an email this weekend asking him to bring white pants & shirts for The White Party. So, Panorama is OR will be.  Employee purchase, not reimbursed … in case anybody was wondering…

 

🛳🛳

Bobbi

Lee Mason did a youtube video a few weeks ago and announced that they would be doing the White Hot party and the 80's party on Panorama, so I know of those two for sure.

[TNcruising02]

37 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

You know it's a thing when people brag about how they don't know something as if it is beneath them.  You will find the CDs hosting the big parties in the Atrium and on Lido. I find many of CDs okay but those that are outstanding, you will notice.  CDs also direct debarkation.  That you can see a difference between an involved, charismatic CD and a okay one.   

Definitely!  An average CD really won't leave a lasting memory, but a very good one will be noticeable for anyone who attends some of the events like Quest, Love & Marriage, deck parties, or even the debarkation for priority.  We noticed this with Matt on the Vista because he was hilarious and we really appreciate a good comedian.  Also, during debarkation we had an early flight.  He had everyone who entered the priority area line up their suitcases as they entered.  He said he thought the first people who arrived should be the first in line to leave for each priority category.  Although this seems like an obvious move, it was the first of only two times that we experienced something so orderly.  He was also at the adult comedy shows interacting with people.  

Anyway, when someone is extremely funny and goes above and beyond average expectations, that person tends to be noticeable.  I can see how people who don't attend any shows and events wouldn't know the difference.  We also remember the worst CD we ever had, which was one on one of our Royal cruises.  He was THAT bad.  LOL.

Edited August 25, 2021 by TNcruising02

[Elaine5715]

12 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

Definitely!  An average CD really won't leave a lasting memory, but a very good one will be noticeable for anyone who attends some of the events like Quest, Love & Marriage, deck parties, or even the debarkation for priority.  We noticed this with Matt on the Vista because he was hilarious and we really appreciate a good comedian.  Also, during debarkation we had an early flight.  He had everyone who entered the priority area line up their suitcases as they entered.  He said he thought the first people who arrived should be the first in line to leave for each priority category.  Although this seems like an obvious move, it was the first of only two times that we experienced something so orderly.  He was also at the adult comedy shows interacting with people.  

Anyway, when someone is extremely funny and goes above and beyond average expectations, that person tends to be noticeable.  I can see how people who don't attend any shows and events wouldn't know the difference.  We also remember the worst CD we ever had, which was one on one of our Royal cruises.  He was THAT bad.  LOL.

There was no doubt Matt was in charge of debark, running it smoothly, keeping the Priority groups in order and his energy never flagged.  

[Markmom18]

13 hours ago, ScottsSweetie said:

Lee Mason did a youtube video a few weeks ago and announced that they would be doing the White Hot party and the 80's party on Panorama, so I know of those two for sure.

    Though our son doesn’t  start working till late October (got moved up a few weeks), me & his Dad are going on the Panorama in a bit over 2 weeks. Yippie‼️  
This will be our 1st Cruise since Covid …. Excited 😁😁!

 

  🛳🛳
  Bobbi

[KmomChicago]

22 hours ago, wkucrprez said:

I'm still well under 40 but have been taking  a couple cruises a year since my mid 20's... almost all on Carnival.  I didn't know until now that the Cruise director was a big deal. Obviously I missed the memo. Remembering a name of one... are you serious? The only memory of a cruise director I have in all those sailings is that one wore a kilt. That's it. I listen to their announcements in the morning... maybe see them at sail away (which at this point in cruising I spend mostly on my balcony) and that's about it. 

 

I sail on the Horizon September 4. Just for the sake of curiosity after reading this thread I'm going to check this Donkey character out. Not sure where I'll find him hosting an event,  but I'll track him down somewhere. I like sarcastic,  witty people. Sounds like from posters that's his M.O. It can turn people off if they take that type of dialogue literally.  

 

If this thread is still around when I get back from the trip I'll let you know my thoughts on him. I can promise you they won't be cruel in any way even if I don't like his delivery.  The poor guy has taken enough abuse already. I'm just intrigued about this whole Cruise Director thing. I didn't know it was a thing.  Just as a comparison...I can tell you the name of many of my casino hosts over the years. Where they are now etc. etc. Obviously I remember and keep up with the staff that have most directly effected me on my sailings. Maybe after this Cruise I'll start remembering Cruise directors too (well at least Donkey).

 

 

While we have found on Carnival (and ONLY on Carnival) that we engage with and get to know the CD's and find they influence the vibe of the cruise - probably because we attend a LOT of the onboard entertainment, I am with you about the bashing here.  I won't say I never post negative comments about anything, because I surely do. 

 

However in general I follow a "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" credo.  Of my 3 Carnival Cruise Directors, I could rank them, imho, 1-3, and I could do so in a lot of detail here and by name.  Instead I choose to particularly mention what I appreciate about the stronger ones and simply don't say a lot about the third, who was, still, by the way, just fine, and significantly better than the two CDs on our recent RCI cruises.

 

This thread is disturbing to me. After reading all these posts I am still having trouble understanding if the target here is really a toxic person miscast in the wrong role, in which case I would have to assume Carnival would eventually realize that and rectify the situation by refraining from offering any further contracts.  Or are some people just not getting the joke?  

 

My real question is whether this is the right place to attack this individual. Like him or not, he is a real live, working, breathing human being. Presumably he is doing the best he can with what he knows. Perhaps he doesn't realize what he considers edginess is crossing over a little further than intended. As a people manager I have learned that private and gentle feedback is an effective strategy in most cases, and when it is not, there are processes in place to handle that as well.

[kwokpot]

25 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

  Or are some people just not getting the joke? 

A CD's personal demeanor shouldn't be such that one has to 'be in on the joke'. They are there to serve all the passengers, and there's myriad of ways people can incorporate their own personalities into the job that allow one to be distinctive yet not come off as abrasive or sarcastic. 

[ProgRockCruiser]

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

This thread is disturbing to me. After reading all these posts I am still having trouble understanding if the target here is really a toxic person miscast in the wrong role, in which case I would have to assume Carnival would eventually realize that and rectify the situation by refraining from offering any further contracts.  Or are some people just not getting the joke?  

 

My real question is whether this is the right place to attack this individual. Like him or not, he is a real live, working, breathing human being. Presumably he is doing the best he can with what he knows. Perhaps he doesn't realize what he considers edginess is crossing over a little further than intended. As a people manager I have learned that private and gentle feedback is an effective strategy in most cases, and when it is not, there are processes in place to handle that as well.

Donkey has been a CD with Carnival for years - he was CD on my Dec 2017 and March 2018 cruises (both on Liberty).  The "negative" descriptions of him in this thread matches his generally acerbic character, but maybe he has had a stressful time with something, or some other outside factors that is pushing him "over the line".

 

If he is no different from before, then I'll just chalk it up to some folks don't get his style, but he's been like that for quite a while, so obviously Carnival is OK with that.

Edited August 26, 2021 by ProgRockCruiser

[lele100]

On 8/25/2021 at 11:01 AM, TNcruising02 said:

Definitely!  An average CD really won't leave a lasting memory, but a very good one will be noticeable for anyone who attends some of the events like Quest, Love & Marriage, deck parties, or even the debarkation for priority.  We noticed this with Matt on the Vista because he was hilarious and we really appreciate a good comedian.  Also, during debarkation we had an early flight.  He had everyone who entered the priority area line up their suitcases as they entered.  He said he thought the first people who arrived should be the first in line to leave for each priority category.  Although this seems like an obvious move, it was the first of only two times that we experienced something so orderly.  He was also at the adult comedy shows interacting with people.  

Anyway, when someone is extremely funny and goes above and beyond average expectations, that person tends to be noticeable.  I can see how people who don't attend any shows and events wouldn't know the difference.  We also remember the worst CD we ever had, which was one on one of our Royal cruises.  He was THAT bad.  LOL.

100% if anyone has had Matt, and attended any of the parties, etc. You will remember him.  Only CD that I know that is so personable he was everywhere even just walking the ship and he would stop randomly at bars where people were having a drink to say hello. So full of energy I swear that guy did not sleep.  So sad to see him go.  He also won CD of the year like 4 years in a row from all Cruise lines.  I also like Dr E.  he is hilarious

[joe/jack]

We were on Horizon last month

Donkey was just ok 

He lacks the overall experience and CD skills 

on a sea day he did a good job selling and promoting T shirts for a good cause 

He did a terrible job with directing the walk off disembarkation 

So I think younger people relate to him better than the older folks 

just 1 person’s opinion 

 

[kwokpot]

36 minutes ago, joe/jack said:

So I think younger people relate to him better than the older folks 

In what way was that so? Matt Michum is a younger, hipper guy yet he seemed to be great with all age demographics. He is the only CD that truly made a favorable impression for me.

[kitten816]

I've had Shwartz a couple times, I liked him! Great energy

[Is1andDreamer]

I'm so weird, I loved donkey and he actually got me to want to keep cruising.  I'm 56 so not old or young I guess and Retired Military and while like a lot I could not name many cruise directors except ones that annoy me  with one being the one that always finishes with I love you.  I'm sure it was partially the Carnival Horizon also as I never had to listen about silly Art shows and auctions. See my wife and I really didn't care much for Sea days since we don't Drink or play trivia or even care much for Bingo or Gambling...doesn't leave a lot.  We were on the cruise with Donkey in October 2021 and he got us to want to go to the morning shows and a few other events although didn't really see him around the ship a lot.   The only other CD I like or remember was Big Sexy who isn't a CD anymore.

 

I guess like some here they wouldn't ruin my trip but FOR ME Donkey was great.  apparently he has a following as a huge group had Donkey T shirts made up.

[xDisconnections]

As I cruise now, I much prefer the Cruise Directors on other lines where they are more in the background and not as noticeable. With that said, Carnival has some pretty good Cruise Directors who know their product and audience very well. Despite that, some are better than others.

[Is1andDreamer]

I guess I'm a bit crude at times in my sense of humor and the idea you'll find someone everyone likes well...good luck.  I remember Big Sexy mainly because he was a huge History buff like me and like 4-5 times he did big history lectures which I'm sure a lot would find boring.  I guess I expect Carnival to us a bit more edgy CDs as they are know to be the PARTY SHIP.

[staceyglow]

I have been cruising a long time, and I have to say that the worst CD I have ever had was one from Princess in the late 1970's.

 

-She got closely involved with the goings-on of a handful of passengers for the entire cruise and ignored everyone else

-She seemed to spend more time hanging out with her crew member friends than she did actually doing her job

-She hooked up with passengers on a regular basis

-She kept booking Charo as the lounge entertainment

 

To this day I still remember her name...Julie McCoy

 

[Is1andDreamer]

44 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

I have been cruising a long time, and I have to say that the worst CD I have ever had was one from Princess in the late 1970's.

 

-She got closely involved with the goings-on of a handful of passengers for the entire cruise and ignored everyone else

-She seemed to spend more time hanging out with her crew member friends than she did actually doing her job

-She hooked up with passengers on a regular basis

-She kept booking Charo as the lounge entertainment

 

To this day I still remember her name...Julie McCoy

 

I was on this cruise also, I told Captain Stubing about this personally and he ensured me she would be talked to about it all so they didn't end up being known as "The LoveBoat" or something.