The Cruise Director's Role

[OceanDreaming2]

A question has been raised on our rollcall about the CD's role on the ship. I realize he/she is considered an officer and is responsible for the entertainment (not just BINGO but the nightly entertainment in the theater, the music acts throughout the ship, etc.) on the ship.

 

What other responsibilities do they have? Could a bad CD ruin your vacation? Or, could a great CD make it more memorable?

 

Thanks for your responses. :)

[ColinIllinois]

To be honest they have very little, if any, effect on my cruise one way or the other.

[Beaver1975]

Mary, the CD's duties include all on board entertainment and passenger activities. IMHO opinion a "bad" (impersonable) CD will probably have little or no effect on your cruise. But, on the other hand, a "good" (personable) CD could have a positive effect on your cruise experience.

 

John

[luddite]

Their job is to make bingo announcements, often at ear-splitting decibel levels. Pretty much anything else that they accomplish is gravy and could be done by anyone.

[Pokeraddict]

If you need a cd to make your cruise a memorable then there is real problem.

[endymion6942]

The CD assigns one of his/her staff to run the trivia contest. I wish they could send people that speak good English. :rolleyes:

[dwjoe]

Matt Baker was a CD who had a really positive effect on my cruise experience.

 

Other CD's I've had weren't memorable but weren't bad.

 

I don't think a bad CD would have much effect... worst case, ignore him/her and focus on the show.

[vols_159]

Their job is to make bingo announcements, often at ear-splitting decibel levels. Pretty much anything else that they accomplish is gravy and could be done by anyone.

 

 

 

Normally the ast. cd makes the bingo announcements.. anyways Ive enjoyed the cds ive cruised with.. But i like going to the shows/ entertainment.. not the bar/ casino

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

I've had average CD's to Brilliant CD's and in my opinion a really good Cruise Director adds a lot to our enjoyment of a cruise experience. We go to a lot of the shows and participate in many activities and I love to laugh.

 

p.s. We would have a good time anyway - it's just adds more entertainment to the overall experience.

[Zeno]

To be honest they have very little, if any, effect on my cruise one way or the other.

 

That's exactly the way I feel.

[Arzeena]

Matt Baker was a CD who had a really positive effect on my cruise experience.

 

Other CD's I've had weren't memorable but weren't bad.

 

I don't think a bad CD would have much effect... worst case, ignore him/her and focus on the show.

 

I second that! Matt Baker was great!

I didn't pick the cruises because HE was the CD.....but I really enjoyed those cruises because he worked hard at his job to keep me (and the rest of the cruisers) happy and entertained.

[OceanDreaming2]

I second that! Matt Baker was great!

I didn't pick the cruises because HE was the CD.....but I really enjoyed those cruises because he worked hard at his job to keep me (and the rest of the cruisers) happy and entertained.

 

Yes, Matt was #1 in my book too. But he's gone onto bigger and better things.

 

We've had good and bad. Another good CD is Jaime deSouza. We were on her inaugural cruise - a TA - and we ran into a Norwester. She remained cool and calm throughout the entire event. Her announcements did not show any fear (even though we had waves up to the 12th deck :eek:) and she was positive throughout the sailing. I would love to have her as a CD again. No storms though!

[www3traveler]

I would not want the Cruise Director's job for anything. In addition to scheduling all the activities on a daily basis, they also must schedule all of the entertainers. What entertainer is going to be in which venue-from what time to what time. Who has the night off. Which member of his/her staff will host which events in what venue. Know which venues work for each activity, which activity can be moved quickly (in case needed). All of this has to be done in advance and gotten to the print shop in a timely manner so that activities can be printed in the Freestyle Daily. In addition, they need more energy than the "Energizer Bunny" on a daily basis and can not let anyone know if they are having a "bad day". Some mornings they are up very early and do not get to bed until very late and have very very little "down time" for themselves. I admire anyone who can do the job-seven days a week for whatever the length of their contract.

[OceanDreaming2]

Yes, Matt was #1 in my book too. But he's gone onto bigger and better things.

 

We've had good and bad. Another good CD is Jaime deSouza. We were on her inaugural cruise - a TA - and we ran into a Norwester. She remained cool and calm throughout the entire event. Her announcements did not show any fear (even though we had waves up to the 12th deck :eek:) and she was positive throughout the sailing. I would love to have her as a CD again. No storms though!

 

Ick - should've said "Noreaster" got my directions screwed up again.:o

[DMH15]

I think the CD is like the ship's host or hostess - or closest to it. We enjoy trivia and appreciate their efforts and those of their staff.

 

Of all the CD's we've met on NCL, we like Pedro. He came to our M&G and would always stop for a chat asking if there was anything he could do to insure we had a great cruise!

[Basketweaverz]

We have only cruised 4 times, 3 on NCL. I couldn't tell you who was CD on any of the NCL cruises. We do our own thing on a cruise, have a marvelous time but don't do any of the games, contests, bingo, etc. I guess the CD does something for somebody, but not us.

[jame_g]

Personally I think the CD's job is to be annoying. They should be banned from getting on stage and making PA announcements. I wouldn't miss them if I never had a clue who they were or what they sounded like.

[em-sk]

If I remember correctly I though the EPIC had a Cruise Director and an Entertainment Director. I am assuming there is a difference in what they do? Is that the same on other ships or is thet a byproduct of the EPIC being well the EPIC.

[OceanDreaming2]

If I remember correctly I though the EPIC had a Cruise Director and an Entertainment Director. I am assuming there is a difference in what they do? Is that the same on other ships or is thet a byproduct of the EPIC being well the EPIC.

 

Was Simon Murray the Entertainment Director? He was an outstanding CD!

[OceanDreaming2]

I would not want the Cruise Director's job for anything. In addition to scheduling all the activities on a daily basis, they also must schedule all of the entertainers. What entertainer is going to be in which venue-from what time to what time. Who has the night off. Which member of his/her staff will host which events in what venue. Know which venues work for each activity, which activity can be moved quickly (in case needed). All of this has to be done in advance and gotten to the print shop in a timely manner so that activities can be printed in the Freestyle Daily. In addition, they need more energy than the "Energizer Bunny" on a daily basis and can not let anyone know if they are having a "bad day". Some mornings they are up very early and do not get to bed until very late and have very very little "down time" for themselves. I admire anyone who can do the job-seven days a week for whatever the length of their contract.

 

I don't think people even consider the scope of the CD's responsibilities. It's far more than saying, "It's BINGO time".

[sdmike]

I would not want the Cruise Director's job for anything. In addition to scheduling all the activities on a daily basis, they also must schedule all of the entertainers. What entertainer is going to be in which venue-from what time to what time. Who has the night off. Which member of his/her staff will host which events in what venue. Know which venues work for each activity, which activity can be moved quickly (in case needed). All of this has to be done in advance and gotten to the print shop in a timely manner so that activities can be printed in the Freestyle Daily. In addition, they need more energy than the "Energizer Bunny" on a daily basis and can not let anyone know if they are having a "bad day". Some mornings they are up very early and do not get to bed until very late and have very very little "down time" for themselves. I admire anyone who can do the job-seven days a week for whatever the length of their contract.

 

I agree

 

I don't really notice the CD, but I DO know what they do and it's pretty extensive. A lot of the plans can be carried over week to week, but when acts swap out, bad weather hits, a performer gets hurt, etc. they have a lot of planning to do

[Uniall]

If I remember correctly I though the EPIC had a Cruise Director and an Entertainment Director. I am assuming there is a difference in what they do? Is that the same on other ships or is thet a byproduct of the EPIC being well the EPIC.

 

When the Epic came on line one of its top missisons was to provided the best entertainment at sea.

 

NCL decided to take the mission fleet wide and stopped contracting entertainment out to entities like the Jean Ryan dance troupe. They hired a Director of Entertainment in Miami to create and cast In House NCL productions and started a fleet wide roll out. The program includes Second City Comedy troupes and NCL dance troupes, It also led to on board entertainment directors as well.

[PlayTheAces]

They do much more than just bingo announcements. They spend a fair amount of time hawking scratch off tickets before the shows.

[lax19]

The CD assigns one of his/her staff to run the trivia contest. I wish they could send people that speak good English. :rolleyes:

 

Oh come on, that's half the fun. On one cruise, the staff member had a thick Russian accent. My goal was to get her to say "We will get moose and squirrel."

[endymion6942]

Oh come on, that's half the fun. On one cruise, the staff member had a thick Russian accent. My goal was to get her to say "We will get moose and squirrel."

 

Love it! Been there! :D