UPDATED List of Current Cruise Directors (CD)

truffles2 · January 25, 2015

I am also confused.

Could it be possible that the Blairs are not going directly to Jewel. They have been on Serenade for 4 months and are due for a 2 month break. Dennis usually does 2 month contracts, so he would be signing off at the same time the Blairs would be due to return from their break.

I think I'll go with this theory for now...

John Blair did say that they had been on Serenade for a year and were moving to Jewel. I did not see either of them after that announcement was made so don't know if they are going direct or will have a vacation first. We did have lunch with the Food & Bev manager later that day and I asked him and he replied, "Bill ????" and I said Bill Brunchorst? and he said that "sounded right". Things were a little messed up that last evening as there was a water leak which caused a power outage in parts of the ship.

truffles2 · January 25, 2015

I am also confused.

Could it be possible that the Blairs are not going directly to Jewel. They have been on Serenade for 4 months and are due for a 2 month break. Dennis usually does 2 month contracts, so he would be signing off at the same time the Blairs would be due to return from their break.

I think I'll go with this theory for now...

John Blair did say that they had been on Serenade for a year and were moving to Jewel. I did not see either of them after that announcement was made so don't know if they are going direct or will have a vacation first. We did have lunch with the Food & Bev manager later that day and I asked him about the CDreplacement and he replied, "Bill ????" and I said Bill Brunchorst? and he said that "sounded right". Things were a little messed up that last evening as there was a water leak which caused a power outage in parts of the ship.

OfTheSeasCruiser · January 25, 2015

Donna,

Hi!

Just off Quantum's 12 Nighter yesterday! Jimmy was AWFUL, which is no surprise to you. His terrible speech patterns and diction. The only good thing about him was that he was pretty invisible for most of the cruise. It still baffles me how he ever got this ship!!!! His AM Katie is pretty horrid as well. Her wardrobe was just atrocious - it's like she has no mirror in her cabin. She just rambles when she talks, she never keeps to the theme of the activity but goes on and go about nothing!

The activities for this cruise were not very good. There were tons of trivia, but only sporadic activities for anyone else (I love trivia but not everyone does).

No pool activities, no late night buffets, TERRIBLE shows, a few dance classes (4900 cruisers ?!?), Bingo in a room that proboably holds 300 at most, LOTS of spa clinics - fees neccesary after the free consulation seminar), Casino tournaments sporadically-all for a fee ), the WORST Meet and Mingle I have ever been to -It started 15 minutes late, and Katie ran around that awful room and made everyone say their screen name and she picked out the one she liked best and gave that one a prize.

There was music in a variety of clubs and venues at night, but it was ALWAYS the same. Salsa, piano bar, Rock-a-rocke, DJ, and EITHER Calypso or dance - EVERY night.

There were 1 or 2 decent staff members but they don't stand a chance with those two as leaders!!!

I kept thinking how different things could have been with Leigh! - Sorry to ramble! - Miriam

Don't you think its kind of rude to point out her clothing, etc? Alright, she's not a good activities director, but that's not necessary IMO.

Terrible Shows? That's a first! I've read many, many, many times that the entertainment on Quantum is amazing!

Clancy14 · January 25, 2015

Don't you think its kind of rude to point out her clothing, etc? Alright, she's not a good activities director, but that's not necessary IMO.

Terrible Shows? That's a first! I've read many, many, many times that the entertainment on Quantum is amazing!

Her clothing is very inappropriate for someone who is supposed to be representing the ship in a highly visible position. Not at all what someone should be wearing - perhaps they are hesitant to speak to her because of her position, but that is no excuse.

The shows on my sailing, January 11, 2015 were terrible, except for Momma Mia (which I said I disliked but that was only MY opinion because I don't like ABBA). I also stated that it was NOT the singers and dancers fault, they did as much as they could with the material they were given.

I think if you like New Age, Flashing Lights, Drum Banging, dancers doing the "Vogue" for 15 to 20 minutes while chanting, costumes flapping in the wind while a singer repeats the same phrase for ALMOST 8 MINUTES !, Electronic Harp plucking, Smoke billowing, foreign language unfamilar tune singing, bizarre costumes with no relation to the minimalistic scenery to be entertaining - then , YES, the shows are amazing.

- Miriam

Paulette3028 · January 25, 2015

Nice to see Dennis Charles is back in a CD position and out of the home office... he was terrific when we had him on Jewel with his Activities Manager Elvis. I hear that Elvis is still on Jewel as AMgr. The cruisers on board will have a good time....we surely did with this pair on Jewel in July 2013.

99florida · January 25, 2015

Adventure OTS - Mercedes LaFuente began November 23 until when? then who?

Allure OTS - Joff Eaton from January 18 until March 1. (Who is filling in March 1 until April 19? Jerome Sueur?) Jerome Sueur will do all of the European cruises (April 19 thru Oct 25) since he is fluent in 5 languages. He is the new regular CD on Allure until further notice.

Anthem OTS - Joff Eaton will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

Brilliance OTS - Rob McNally began on December 16 for 2 months. Clo O'Connor returns in mid-February.

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 19 until March 13. Who will be covering Marc's paternity leave March 13 through April 17? Marc returns from paternity leave on April 17 until May 18. Who is covering Marc's vacation May 18 through July 13? Marc returns from his vacation on July 13.

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb returned Nov 1st until the ship enters drydock in March 2015 (Erky from Turkey will fill-in as CD for the Feb 12-21 sailing while Leigh attends a conference). After the ship returns to service, Keith Williams will be the CD. (Leigh has been reassigned to Indy).

Freedom OTS - Dru Pavlov from December 7 for approx. 2 months. Casey Pelter expects to return to Freedom after his break sometime in early-February.

Grandeur OTS - Mitch Merucci from October 16 until February 13. Andre the Activities Manager takes over for the February 13th sailing only. Then, Dan Whitney from February 23 until April 28. Mitch will return from his break on April 28 for 4 months..

Independence OTS - Jamie Fentiman started November 10 through February 22, then Ricky Matthews February 22 through April 11, then Leigh Xuereb begins on April 11 for 4 months. Leigh is the new permanent CD on Indy!

Jewel OTS - Dennis Charles started January 24 for two months, then John Blair

Legend OTS - Paul Rutter started January 16

Liberty OTS -Luke Aerowsmith began on September 28 until mid-February, then Dru Pavlov. Luke will return in April after a 2 month break.need exact handover dates

Majesty OTS - Carlos Torres (need dates)

Mariner OTS - Ken Jones started November 27 until April(then who?)

Navigator OTS - John Perry started November 16 until March. He will be returning for another 4 month contract in May. *exact dates?* Who will be covering John's break from March through May?

Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 29 until January 24, then Drew Devine returns January 24 through May 23, then Ricky Matthews returns May 23 through July 25

Quantum OTS - Ken Rush beginning Jan 23 to fill-in until Jimmy Rhodes returns from his break need date)

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert started November 5 for approx. 4 months, then who? (Paul Rutter?)

Rhapsody OTS - Graham Seymour from October 3rd through Jan 28, 2015. Tim Connor will be filling in from January 28 through March 29. Graham will return from his break on March 29 through early August.

Serenade OTS - John and Katrina Blair September 29 until January 31 (then Bill Brunkhorst until February 28?)

Splendour OTS - Michelle Pimentinha for the Brazilian season. Bobby Brown's next contract is on Splendour (need dates)

Vision OTS - Steve Davis from December 12 until April 11, then who?

Voyager OTS - Chris Brown (former activities manager) started December 7th until ship returns to Singapore in mid-March.

Carly Boileau has semi-retired, but will return as a fill-in CD from time-to-time

Rich Edwards is currently recovering from surgery and resting at home. He will be returning in April 2015.

Allan Brooks left Royal Caribbean to take a position in Celebrity corporate office.

Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity

Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami.

Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

James Andrews is a real estate agent in Sydney

Mike Szwajkowski is a Canadian Mountie

Leo Papa at Cornell University working on a Master's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management

Anna Bass is now Client Services Manager at ISS London

Abe Hughes is Director of Port Revenue Operations at Royal Media Partners and sometimes works onboard as the port and shopping guide

João Pereira is studying Portuguese/English education and translation at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in Brazil

Kirk Detweiler is now CD with Silversea cruises.

Simeon Baker - married a dancer, had a baby girl and is a sales exec at a Porsche dealer in Saskatchewan

Matt Baker - Sim's brother - recently married and living in Wales. They bought a pub called the Tiddley

Kieron Buffrey - CD with Holland America

Tom Canosa - teaching 6th grade science in North Carolina

Peter Benfield and Johnny Osborne have emigrated to Thailand

Anthony Richards is living in Miami with his wife, and is working for Royal Media Partners as Manager Port Revenue Operations

Rico du Breil is now a CD with NCL

Paul Lancaster is no longer with RCI, and resides in England

Abel Jeney is International Manager at Kingswood Education and Adventure in London

Parker Cristan is living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - staging/choreographing for local theater

Ashley Kerr - married and living in Vancouver BC, working as a marketing rep for a PR firm

Karen Maybury - has a consultant/pr/entertainment agency

Jannie Cloete - leading expeditions on small ships

Where is Warren Allen? (aka Warren Melhuish)

I was informed via Facebook that Jamie Fentiman was going to be the CD on the Enchantment in March. He was promoted back in November. Things may have changed since that announcement months ago. I sure hope not because is is definitely deserving the opportunity. He's very outgoing with lots of personality and is visible quite often around the ship. ;)

DonnaK · January 25, 2015

I was informed via Facebook that Jamie Fentiman was going to be the CD on the Enchantment in March. He was promoted back in November. Things may have changed since that announcement months ago. I sure hope not because is is definitely deserving the opportunity. He's very outgoing with lots of personality and is visible quite often around the ship. ;)

Marc is the regular CD on Enchantment, which means his contracts generally run 4 months on the ship followed by 2 months break. Marc is taking an extra month's paternity leave, as indicated on the list (This will be in March). This was all confirmed by Marc within the last month or so.

Jamie is likely the alternating CD who will cover Marc's breaks. I will put him on the list in those timeslots for now, until we hear otherwise.

Edited January 25, 2015 by DonnaK

DonnaK · January 25, 2015

Adventure OTS - Mercedes LaFuente began November 23 until when? then who?

Allure OTS - Joff Eaton from January 18 until March 1. (Who is filling in March 1 until April 19? Jerome Sueur?) Jerome Sueur will do all of the European cruises (April 19 thru Oct 25) since he is fluent in 5 languages. He is the new regular CD on Allure until further notice.

Anthem OTS - Joff Eaton will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

Brilliance OTS - Rob McNally began on December 16 for 2 months. Clo O'Connor returns in mid-February.

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 19 until March 13. Jamie Fentimore is covering Marc's paternity leave March 13 through April 17? Marc returns from paternity leave on April 17 until May 18. Jamie is covering Marc's vacation May 18 through July 13. Marc returns from his vacation on July 13.

Explorer OTS - Leigh Xuereb returned Nov 1st until the ship enters drydock in March 2015 (Erky from Turkey will fill-in as CD for the Feb 12-21 sailing while Leigh attends a conference). After the ship returns to service, Keith Williams will be the CD. (Leigh has been reassigned to Indy).

Freedom OTS - Dru Pavlov from December 7 for approx. 2 months. Casey Pelter expects to return to Freedom after his break sometime in early-February.

Grandeur OTS - Mitch Merucci from October 16 until February 13. Andre the Activities Manager takes over for the February 13th sailing only. Then, Dan Whitney from February 23 until April 28. Mitch will return from his break on April 28 for 4 months..

Independence OTS - Jamie Fentiman started November 10 through February 22, then Ricky Matthews February 22 through April 11, then Leigh Xuereb begins on April 11 for 4 months. Leigh is the new permanent CD on Indy!

Jewel OTS - Dennis Charles started January 24 for two months, then John Blair

Legend OTS - Paul Rutter started January 16

Liberty OTS -Luke Aerowsmith began on September 28 until mid-February, then Dru Pavlov. Luke will return in April after a 2 month break.need exact handover dates

Majesty OTS - Carlos Torres (need dates)

Mariner OTS - Ken Jones started November 27 until April(then who?)

Navigator OTS - John Perry started November 16 until March. He will be returning for another 4 month contract in May. *exact dates?* Who will be covering John's break from March through May?

Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 29 until January 24, then Drew Devine returns January 24 through May 23, then Ricky Matthews returns May 23 through July 25

Quantum OTS - Ken Rush beginning Jan 23 to fill-in until Jimmy Rhodes returns from his break need date)

Radiance OTS - Amy Fickert started November 5 for approx. 4 months, then who? (Paul Rutter?)

Rhapsody OTS - Graham Seymour from October 3rd through Jan 28, 2015. Tim Connor will be filling in from January 28 through March 29. Graham will return from his break on March 29 through early August.

Serenade OTS - John and Katrina Blair September 29 until January 31 (then Bill Brunkhorst until February 28?)

Splendour OTS - Michelle Pimentinha for the Brazilian season. Bobby Brown's next contract is on Splendour (need dates)

Vision OTS - Steve Davis from December 12 until April 11, then who?

Voyager OTS - Chris Brown (former activities manager) started December 7th until ship returns to Singapore in mid-March.

Carly Boileau has semi-retired, but will return as a fill-in CD from time-to-time

Rich Edwards is currently recovering from surgery and resting at home. He will be returning in April 2015.

Allan Brooks left Royal Caribbean to take a position in Celebrity corporate office.

Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity

Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami.

Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

James Andrews is a real estate agent in Sydney

Mike Szwajkowski is a Canadian Mountie

Leo Papa at Cornell University working on a Master's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management

Anna Bass is now Client Services Manager at ISS London

Abe Hughes is Director of Port Revenue Operations at Royal Media Partners and sometimes works onboard as the port and shopping guide

João Pereira is studying Portuguese/English education and translation at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in Brazil

Kirk Detweiler is now CD with Silversea cruises.

Simeon Baker - married a dancer, had a baby girl and is a sales exec at a Porsche dealer in Saskatchewan

Matt Baker - Sim's brother - recently married and living in Wales. They bought a pub called the Tiddley

Kieron Buffrey - CD with Holland America

Tom Canosa - teaching 6th grade science in North Carolina

Peter Benfield and Johnny Osborne have emigrated to Thailand

Anthony Richards is living in Miami with his wife, and is working for Royal Media Partners as Manager Port Revenue Operations

Rico du Breil is now a CD with NCL

Paul Lancaster is no longer with RCI, and resides in England

Abel Jeney is International Manager at Kingswood Education and Adventure in London

Parker Cristan is living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - staging/choreographing for local theater

Ashley Kerr - married and living in Vancouver BC, working as a marketing rep for a PR firm

Karen Maybury - has a consultant/pr/entertainment agency

Jannie Cloete - leading expeditions on small ships

Where is Warren Allen? (aka Warren Melhuish)

Edited January 25, 2015 by DonnaK

ckrobyn · January 25, 2015

Is there confirmation that Casey Pelter will be the CD on Freedom post dry-dock?

DonnaK · January 26, 2015

Is there confirmation that Casey Pelter will be the CD on Freedom post dry-dock?

I think so, ckrobyn.

Cruisingthesuitelife · January 26, 2015

With regards to Jamie Fentiman - he was due to leave Independence on 15th November 2014 to become CD on Enchantment, however, due to Tim Connor leaving the ship on the 10th, he stayed on Indy and took over as CD.

I would imagine that he will not be covering anywhere in March as he is getting married on 20th March... :)

Folk Singer · January 26, 2015

Thanks for this.

Paulette3028 · January 26, 2015

With regards to Jamie Fentiman - he was due to leave Independence on 15th November 2014 to become CD on Enchantment, however, due to Tim Connor leaving the ship on the 10th, he stayed on Indy and took over as CD.

I would imagine that he will not be covering anywhere in March as he is getting married on 20th March... :)

If he is getting married on March 20; then his departure from Indy on 2/22/15 would make sense for a two month break and then return as CD either to Enchantment as originally planned or somewhere else.

Has there ever been a time, when a list like this was put together for Activity Managers?

DonnaK · January 26, 2015

With regards to Jamie Fentiman - he was due to leave Independence on 15th November 2014 to become CD on Enchantment, however, due to Tim Connor leaving the ship on the 10th, he stayed on Indy and took over as CD.

I would imagine that he will not be covering anywhere in March as he is getting married on 20th March... :)

Thanks for the update - I will fix the list.

So, it remains to be seen if he will be going to EN in the future, or reassigned elsewhere?

If he is getting married on March 20; then his departure from Indy on 2/22/15 would make sense for a two month break and then return as CD either to Enchantment as originally planned or somewhere else.

Has there ever been a time, when a list like this was put together for Activity Managers?

Sometimes I'll add AD info to this list, especially if the AM is very popular or if there is an interesting tidbit about a particular AM. Otherwise, it is too much of a challenge to keep track of them, as their contracts are on different cycles than the CDs, and there is far less info available about AMs.

Would you, or anyone else, like to keep an AM list?

Edited January 26, 2015 by DonnaK

Cruisingthesuitelife · January 26, 2015

Thanks for the update - I will fix the list.

So, it remains to be seen if he will be going to EN in the future, or reassigned elsewhere?

No problem. Yes, absolutely nothing definite on assignment now because of what happened on Indy. I'd imagine they would like him to head to where he was meant to go but as cover has been found for the last few months, who knows!? This is RCI after all... ;)

Thanks for doing such a great job on keeping everything updated, it can't be easy!!

DonnaK · January 26, 2015

Adventure OTS - Mercedes LaFuente began November 23 until when? then who?

Allure OTS - Joff Eaton from January 18 until March 1. (Who is filling in March 1 until April 19? Jerome Sueur?) Jerome Sueur will do all of the European cruises (April 19 thru Oct 25) since he is fluent in 5 languages. He is the new regular CD on Allure until further notice.

Anthem OTS - Joff Eaton will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

Brilliance OTS - Rob McNally began on December 16 for 2 months. Clo O'Connor returns in mid-February.

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 19 until March 13. Who will be covering Marc's paternity leave March 13 through April 17? Marc returns from paternity leave on April 17 until May 18. Who is covering Marc's vacation May 18 through July 13? Jamie Fentimore? Marc returns from his vacation on July 13.