Cruise Directors on HAL

[mikjr]

Since most of our cruises have been on Princess or Celebrity, most of my CC time has been spent on the Princess boards.

 

There always seem to be threads on the Princess boards about which cruise director is better... which one is not, or on what ship their favorite CD is now.

 

But... I've noticed I don't find much discussion on the HAL boards about cruise directors...

 

Personally, I think the CD sets the "tone" for the cruise. If the CD is up beat and energetic, then the cruise staff seems to also be up beat.

 

So... what are some of your experiences with cruise directors on HAL. Are their favorites?? Some better than others?

[Krazy Kruizers]

For some of us -- CD's keep changing faster than ever. We have had so many new ones I don't even know their names.

 

And you are right -- I can remember some really good ones -- Susan Wood for example.

 

We have had some CD's whom we rarely saw during the cruise -- just heard his voice over the PA system.

[kakalina]

I think the best CD HAL ever had was John Challenger. Sadly, he no longer works for HAL but many remember him with fondness.

I wouldn't feel right putting up the name of a CD I didn't care for however, I'll share that info in person.

Other really outstanding CD's IMO are Doug Donnell, Shane Michaels and so many others just don't leave an impression.

I agree with you though that the right CD can make a cruise and the really wrong CD can make it ordinary

[spcl4cs_gal]

Three names come to mind...

 

Drew Murdock

Jason Venner

Shane Einsphar...ummm, Shane Michaels

[sail7seas]

John Challenger was TERRIFIC and we miss him a lot. We also think very highly of David Martin and Jason Venner.....not to say others aren't also great but at the moment, I'm having a brain freeze.

 

Our interaction with them is more social/chit-chatting than participating in activities. We aren't big 'joiners'. We are self-entertainers and do our own thing for the most part.

 

But a pleasant, social, interesting CD is a huge asset on a cruise IMO

 

[Typhoon1]

John Challenger was TERRIFIC and we miss him a lot. We also think very highly of David Martin and Jason Venner.....not to say others aren't also great but at the moment, I'm having a brain freeze.

 

Our interaction with them is more social/chit-chatting than participating in activities. We aren't big 'joiners'. We are self-entertainers and do our own thing for the most part.

 

But a pleasant, social, interesting CD is a huge asset on a cruise IMO

 

 

Sorry Sail. John Challenger, a bumbling buffoon. I was delighted to learn of his departure.

[Vic The Parrot]

Sorry Sail. John Challenger, a bumbling buffoon. I was delighted to learn of his departure.

 

 

 

Ouch !! :eek:

[Copper10-8]

Some good ones:

Susan Wood

Bruce Allen Scudder

David Martin

Pieter Daems

[boccismom]

David Martin, without a doubt.

[Vic The Parrot]

Rick Spath ;)

 

 

(Wonder what ever happened to him? ... Last seen him on Nieuw Amsterdam back in 1995)

 

 

A very pleasant and cordial gent.

[cruz chic]

Three names come to mind...

 

Drew Murdock

Jason Venner

Shane Einsphar...ummm, Shane Michaels

I'm a fan of Drew as well

[pipedreams62]

There was a CD on the Volendam 7 years ago named Gary. I have never seen anybody even remotely as good since then.

 

Besides the cruise directors not leaving ANY impression good or bad,some of them don't even know how to dress,suits that don't fit etc. They're supposed to be the master of ceremonies, get some good jokes and a suit that fits for starters.

[Copper10-8]

Looks like CD's come and go quicker than you can say Michael Phelps or Pieter van den Hoogenband. There are some that last but most are here one moment and outahere the next

[Copper10-8]

There was a CD on the Volendam 7 years ago named Gary. I have never seen anybody even remotely as good since then.

 

Besides the cruise directors not leaving ANY impression good or bad,some of them don't even know how to dress,suits that don't fit etc. They're supposed to be the master of ceremonies, get some good jokes and a suit that fits for starters.

 

Gary Walker? We had him on a couple of cruises and he was very good! He became a CD "coach"/trainer out of Seattle later - don't think he still works for the company

[pipedreams62]

Gary Walker? We had him on a couple of cruises and he was very good! He became a CD "coach"/trainer out of Seattle later - don't think he still works for the company

 

 

That's him. I though he was terrific,and his suit fit!

[pipedreams62]

I've got a good 45 minute set so far on

 

1. Cigarette smoking/or not smoking

 

2. Smuggling booze

 

3.Dress codes

 

4. Leaving Balcony doors open and Browning out the whole Eastern Seaboard

 

5.Children

 

I think I'm going to apply.

[whogo]

Since most of our cruises have been on Princess or Celebrity, most of my CC time has been spent on the Princess boards.

 

There always seem to be threads on the Princess boards about which cruise director is better... which one is not, or on what ship their favorite CD is now.

 

But... I've noticed I don't find much discussion on the HAL boards about cruise directors...

 

Personally, I think the CD sets the "tone" for the cruise. If the CD is up beat and energetic, then the cruise staff seems to also be up beat.

 

So... what are some of your experiences with cruise directors on HAL. Are their favorites?? Some better than others?

 

I would rather not see or hear a cruise director. They do set a tone, a tone I do not wish to hear. I do not need anyone to interrupt my cruise with announcements for activities that are listed in the cruise program. I do not need an introduction to the headline entertainment - just dim the lights and start the show. I do not need anyone to tell me after the show how great it was and what talented people the Hal singers and dancers are. "Let's give them another big round of applause and I'll tell you another stupid joke." I do not need to be reminded that the casino, shops, bars and dance venues are open. I especially do not need to hear about art auctions and bingo jackpots. My computer has a pop-up blocker. I wish my cruise ship came with cruise director blocker.

[SakeDad]

I would rather not see or hear a cruise director. They do set a tone, a tone I do not wish to hear. I do not need anyone to interrupt my cruise with announcements for activities that are listed in the cruise program. I do not need an introduction to the headline entertainment - just dim the lights and start the show. I do not need anyone to tell me after the show how great it was and what talented people the Hal singers and dancers are. "Let's give them another big round of applause and I'll tell you another stupid joke." I do not need to be reminded that the casino, shops, bars and dance venues are open. I especially do not need to hear about art auctions and bingo jackpots. My computer has a pop-up blocker. I wish my cruise ship came with cruise director blocker.

 

You must have sailed with Shane Michaels!!!:D Not only are his jokes lame, he tells the same one 8 times on a 10 day sail! And having worked with him, he's not a great person either. Just sayin....buddy.:rolleyes: (He calls EVERYONE "buddy"...a real pet-peeve of mine:mad:)

 

But when we were on the Noordam DJ Jazzy was a sub CD and he was GREAT!:)

[sail7seas]

But when we were on the Noordam DJ Jazzy was a sub CD and he was GREAT!

Ah yes...... At Noordam's Inaugural, he saved us. :o We were supposed to go to Oak Room and didn't remember it was at Crows Nest. We spotted Jazzy and told him we were late and asked "please, please tell us where Oak Room is. :D He tucked my arm in his and delivered us. :)

 

Jazzy Jeff is the BEST. IMO :) Can't count how many times we have sailed with him and will dearly miss him on Maasdam next week.

[innlady1]

Three names come to mind...

 

Drew Murdock

Jason Venner

Shane Einsphar...ummm, Shane Michaels

 

Had Jason Venner on our 1st Noordam cruise; Drew Murdoch for the first half of our 2nd Noordam cruise (he left midway to go to a CD conference). Each were very good.

[MightyQuinn]

Thumbs-up to:

 

Thom Faulkner

Michelle Worthley

 

Thumbs-down to:

Several Unnamed

[mikjr]

I would rather not see or hear a cruise director. I wish my cruise ship came with cruise director blocker.

 

your comments are very interesting... that's why I was interested in opinions on the HAL board... I never hear much about CDs on this board, but in the past, the Princess board has been very active on "what is he doing or where is HE now?".

 

I have had great CDs... there are a couple that come to mind... an English guy (can't remember his name) on Carnival that was hilarious, and then a CD on the Island Princess was great... was visible and participated in ALL the activities.

 

IMO... a good CD can add to the overall "FUN" of the cruise. and when I say "tone"... I mean... if the CD is friendly and outgoing, I find the cruise staff to emulate those attitudes towards the passengers, and they are also more friendly and outgoing.

 

Forgot to ask... who is currently on the Statendam??

[FoxyTerrier]

 

Jazzy Jeff is the BEST. IMO :) Can't count how many times we have sailed with him and will dearly miss him on Maasdam next week.

 

I agree Jazzy is the best - where is he now?

 

We met him on our first HAL crusie in 2001. DH and I got up on stage for some contest and when he asked my name I told him it was Jazzy Joni. He didn't know what to think of that, but remembered us when we were on the new Noordam in '06.

[Toad]

I certainly do not mean to be disrespectful to the OP, but REALLY, I may be with "whogo". What do this people do to enhance your cruise experience? How would life onboard be different if they did not exist? We seldom have any interaction with them.

[IheartHAL]

Pieter Daems was the CD when I was on Prinsendam at the end of 2005. I told him I really liked him as our CD because he wasn't as "perky" as many others are (he feigned shock:eek: that I should say such thing!) I believe he was going to move on to the Rotterdam shortly after that. Is he still around? His low-key approach was perfect for the Prinsendam, and I always enjoyed his corny "little stories":)