Cruise Directors on HAL

[sail7seas]

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.

 

 

I'm not sure. Haven't heard lately but will definitely find out.

For some reason, I think he went west to Oosterdam but I'm not sure. Captain van der Loo went to ODAM and it seems to me I heard a few other Maasdam folks went as well.

 

I'll post when I hear where he is.

[Copper10-8]

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

 

He was on Oosterdam for the DEC 07-JAN 08 New Year's cruise

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

 

Mike Connachan

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":)

 

He got married in late 2006 and, last I heard, he quit the company at the same time

 

 

[mikjr]

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.

 

Toad... I take no offense at all... you ask how they enhance the cruise... this is how I see the CDs job...

 

If you enjoy the daily activities... belly flop in the pool, hairy chest contest, the destination lecture in the lounge, then you have the CD to thank for those activities. The CD schedules those throughout the day and has his staff make sure they run properly

 

If you enjoy the evening activities... 50s night, Country night, talent contest, the shows in the main lounge... there again... the CD will work with his staff to make sure those activites run smoothly.

 

Some CDs take a "hands on" approach... they stand at the door when you leave the lounge show and shake your hand... others run the other way and hide. so, it depends on the CD.

 

I have experienced both on cruises, and can tell you... IMHO... that the CD that enjoys his job and enjoys people, will make for a much more enjoyable cruise for all. That is... IF you like the activities and like to join in yourself. But if you like to just relax and not participate in all the extra fravolity, then the CD would probably have no impact on you or your cruise experience. And there is sure nothing wrong with that ;)

[Copper10-8]

Btw, on Eurodam it appeared that the concept of the "Cruise Staff" or "Cruise Activities Staff" as they were more recently called, had been changed quite a bit. In the past, the Cruise Staff has consisted of up to six, sometimes seven individuals.

On Eurodam. there was the cruise director, Shane Michaels and his "Event Staff" consisted of Glenn, the DJ who doubled as bingo caller, and Melissa, the "party planner" who took care of the "onboard culinary experience". The 3rd person who stayed prety much behind the scenes was Julie, the Event Manager. There was also Tricia, the onboard Techspert who took care of digital workshops. Don't know if this is a sign of things to come

[mikjr]

. In the past, the Cruise Staff has consisted of up to six, sometimes seven individuals.

 

On Eurodam. there was the cruise director, Shane Michaels and his "Event Staff" consisted of Glenn, the DJ who doubled as bingo caller, and Melissa, the "party planner" who took care of the "onboard culinary experience". The 3rd person who stayed prety much behind the scenes was Julie, the Event Manager. Don't know if this is a sign of things to come

 

That sure is one way to cut down on costs... the "events staff" of three... now has to work a little harder to make up for the previous staff of seven!!

[SakeDad]

That sure is one way to cut down on costs... the "events staff" of three... now has to work a little harder to make up for the previous staff of seven!!

Which, as it turns out, is one of the contributing factors on why I quit that ship. There was no support from anyone in the Cruise Director department. I was told by Shane himself when I needed batteries to run the show that I needed to "figure it out yourself". If this is the way HAL is moving they not only lost a good employee but a past and future PAYING passenger.:mad: Shane was also quit shocked to learn I was a CC member and had several CC friends on the Eurodam at the time:p :rolleyes:

Glenn, the DJ, has hopes of becoming a CD and I really hope he does as he'd be much better at it than Shane ever will.

[huskypup]

I actually quite like Eric Holland on the Oosterdam, he was always really friendly to us, he remembered our names, he has a great voice, he sang at the pool party with the HAL Cats.

 

I think CD's are like food - subjective to your own preferences.

[whogo]

Toad... I take no offense at all... you ask how they enhance the cruise... this is how I see the CDs job...

 

If you enjoy the daily activities... belly flop in the pool, hairy chest contest, the destination lecture in the lounge, then you have the CD to thank for those activities. The CD schedules those throughout the day and has his staff make sure they run properly

Oh, geez! Maybe I don't need a cruise director at all. I have always avoided belly flop contests, horse racing, and hairy chest contests. Will tattoo and piercing contests be next?

 

I have not seen a real destination lecture in years. There is the port shopping sales pitch. If the cruise director is to blame for those...

[pipedreams62]

Oh, geez! Maybe I don't need a cruise director at all. I have always avoided belly flop contests, horse racing, and hairy chest contests. Will tattoo and piercing contests be next?

 

I have not seen a real destination lecture in years. There is the port shopping sales pitch. If the cruise director is to blame for those...

 

 

This guy won 1st prize

 

 

[Vic The Parrot]

This guy won 1st prize

 

 

 

 

 

 

If that sight doesn't make anyone barf, I don't know what will ... :rolleyes: :D

[sail7seas]

:D If that won, I'd hate to see the one that lost.

[RedmondCruiser]

Two thumbs up for:

Jason Venner

Michelle Worthley

Two thumbs down for - Bingo Boy Bob.

[takemewithyou]

He was on Oosterdam for the DEC 07-JAN 08 New Year's cruise

 

 

 

Mike Connachan

 

 

 

He got married in late 2006 and, last I heard, he quit the company at the same time

 

 

 

 

He was the CD on our Volendam PC cruise 10/07. His new wife was the FCC, Leah. I really enjoyed both of them.

 

I was wondering what happened to him because I haven't seen his name mentioned as a CD.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Shane was also quit shocked to learn I was a CC member and had several CC friends on the Eurodam at the time:p :rolleyes:

 

Ok, enlighten me here...why would Shane be "shocked" to learn that you were a CC member. If he was a terrible as you say, do you think he would even care? :rolleyes: Devil's advocate here, nothing more.

[pipedreams62]

[jrzebird]

I was very lucky on my first HAL cruise. Our CD was Drew Murdoch and the DJ was Jazzy Jeff. I can't imagine a better combo. The entertainment was fun, without being intrusive. As for this year's HAL cruise, I can't remember the name of the CD (he got engaged on the previous cruise) and the DJ's name was Glenn something. Neither was bad, but neither left a lasting impression either. And, I DO think that it makes a difference who the CD and DJ are. Particularly when you have a lot of sea days, as we did. We aren't joiners either, nor did we participate in most events, but they were fun to watch, and Drew and Jazzy knew how to make them even more fun.

[Toad]

Oh, geez! Maybe I don't need a cruise director at all. I have always avoided belly flop contests, horse racing, and hairy chest contests. Will tattoo and piercing contests be next?

 

I have not seen a real destination lecture in years. There is the port shopping sales pitch. If the cruise director is to blame for those...

 

DITTO!

[sungoddess]

Jazzy is currently on the Westerdam.

[mrszuhwiggins]

I was very lucky on my first HAL cruise. Our CD was Drew Murdoch and the DJ was Jazzy Jeff. I can't imagine a better combo. The entertainment was fun, without being intrusive. As for this year's HAL cruise, I can't remember the name of the CD (he got engaged on the previous cruise) and the DJ's name was Glenn something. Neither was bad, but neither left a lasting impression either. And, I DO think that it makes a difference who the CD and DJ are. Particularly when you have a lot of sea days, as we did. We aren't joiners either, nor did we participate in most events, but they were fun to watch, and Drew and Jazzy knew how to make them even more fun.

 

I agree. Drew and Jazzy were a great combination - we sailed with them the last time we sailed on the Noordam. Both were extremely witty and made some of those tired cruise "game" traditions completely hysterical. Does anyone know who will be the CD and DJ on the Noordam in late October?

[gelo7]

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.

 

Whogo, you are speaking for me!

[DrTee]

How can you find out who will be the CD on your upcoming cruise?

[Williebill]

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

 

Your right John; Gary Walker was very good. Gary was our CD on the Prinsendam in 2005 during the Grand World Voyage. Gary was very friendly and was all over the ship. He did go to Seattle for an assigment, but I never knew if he later was assigned another ship or what.

Bill

[spcl4cs_gal]

How can you find out who will be the CD on your upcoming cruise?

 

If you ask nicely, someone reading this thread might just have the information you seek. ;)

[doorcountydi]

I always liked Doug Dunnell... he remembered us from cruise to cruise even if we hadn't seen him in 2 years, even the ship and the cruise we were on... not over-the-top but very professional. He stopped and talked to people, didn't disappear quickly into the crowd with nose in the air like some I've seen.

He's left HAL now and is with NCL and cruising around Hawaii, where he lives.

P.S. That photo of the tattoo'd person on page 2 is enough to gag a maggot.

Diane

[NYGirl1002]

On the Oosterdam we had JT Watters who mentioned on the last day that it was HIS last day. I don't know where he went..he didn't mention it. I enjoyed his judging the Idol contest.

 

The DJ was DJ Matt who also called Bingo. He was very personable and funny. His crew consisted of someone named Brian and another girl. Sometimes they borrowed one of the casino personnel for Bingo when they need more hands.

 

The Event director and culinary expert was Monica. She was lots of fun..when we saw her, which wasn't much.