DonnaK Posted January 17, 2016 Author #576 Share Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) As of today, Paul Rutter is still CD on Grandeur. They are departing for an 8 day cruise today. Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started Nov 7 until early March (exact date? then who?) Allure OTS - Luke Aerowsmith November 15 until mid-March (exact date? then who?) Anthem OTS - Abe Hughes December 12 until March 7 or March 19 then Dru Pavlov? (Leigh Xuereb may also be assigned to Anthem in the future (June through Sept?)) Brilliance OTS - Tim Connor November 30 (for 4 months? then who?) (Clo O'Connor will return in September 2016) Empress OTS - Carlos Torres will be the CD beginning March 30 Enchantment OTS - Topi Ylonen November 20 through January 22 Marc Walker will return from his break on Jan 2 until the ship moves to Miami on May 3 Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour September 2 until January 28 then Chris Brown (Handover date was originally reported by Graham as Jan 28, but needs confirmation because Chris was originally scheduled to be on Legend until Feb 18) Freedom OTS - Casey Peltier Aug 23 until January 24 (Then who?) Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter November 11 through January 24, then Rich Edwards January 24 for 4 months. Rich is the new regular CD of Grandeur. Harmony OTS - Ken Rush until the ship reaches Barcelona on June 5, then a yet-to-be-named fulltime CD will take over (perhaps Jerome Sueur?) Independence OTS - Leigh Xuereb November 21 for 4 months (exact date? then who?) (Joff Eaton will be the CD for some or all of the UK season - exact dates of his contract need confirming) Jewel OTS - John Blair September 26 until January 24, then Dennis Charles for 2 months. Legend OTS - Chris Brown December 8 until Jan 25 (?), then Keith Williams (handover date needs confirmation, as it was originally reported to be Feb 18, but Chris posted on FB that he is moving to Explorer, and Graham's break on EX begins on Jan 28) Liberty OTS - Amy Fickert-Southgate December 6 until early April (then who?) Amy is the new regular CD of Liberty Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo until mid-March, until ship goes into drydock on May 3, then Marc Walker reports to drydock May 3 and will take out the ship from Port Canaveral beginning May 16. He has no end date yet, but he plans to retire shortly thereafter, after 20 years of service, to spend more time with his family Mariner OTS - Fang Lixin started October 29 (until when? then who?) Jamie Fentiman is having surgery, and his return date is delayed Navigator OTS - Jerome Sueur November 10 until March 13 (then who?)) John Perry has been reassigned to another ship Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 28 for 2 months; Drew Devine should return from his break at the end of January/beginning of February. (exact date?) Ovation OTS - Joff Eaton March until the end of May 2016, then Gordon Whatman (exact dates?) Quantum OTS - Ken Jones from November 29 for 2 months. Jimmy Rhodes expects to return after his break at the end of January.(exact date?) Radiance OTS - Joff Eaton for December 3 until January 31, then Steve Davis returns from his break on January 31 for 4 months. Rhapsody OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira November 19 for the remainder of the Brazilian season Serenade OTS - Bobby Brown November 23 until January 25, then Topi Ylonen from Jan 25 for 2 months (March 28?), then Bobby Brown returns at the end of March (March 28) through the TA to Copenhagen (May 15), then Topi Ylonen returns for the European Season through the TA to Boston (May 15 through September 13) then Carly Boileau for the Canadian Season (September 13 through October 30 or November 11) Splendour OTS - Bill Brunkhorst November 14 until mid-March, then then Simona Ferraiuolo (exact handover date?) Vision OTS - Rob McNally November 14 until mid-March (then who?) Voyager OTS -Mitch Merucci beginning October 22 for the Australian Season Fang Lixin should be returning in the Spring for the Asian season. Ken Rush works behind the scenes on the new ships, helping to provide smooth take-outs. In between, he works with the new builds at the shipyard, and he fills in on the larger/newer ships as CD during the regular CD's break Gordon Whatman is retired, but will be filling-in from time-to-time if needed (see Ovation - May 2016) Allan Brooks works for Celebrity in their corporate office. Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami. Dave Chapman is a CD with HAL 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 Customer Service & People Manager at Momentum Services Ltd 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 Warren Allen (aka Warren Melhuish) lives in Ontario, Canada. He has retired from ship-life but still works on the stage Thomas DeCell is no longer with RCI Edited January 17, 2016 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WrittenOnYourHeart Posted January 17, 2016 #577 Share Posted January 17, 2016 No. Steve seems to be the regular CD of that ship, and he does not have a specific person who covers his break. So, that info probably won't be available until much closer to that date (there are some coverages that begin in January which still haven't been announced!). Steve should be back from his break at the end of July, unless he is unexpectedly reassigned. We had some girl named Amy last year when I went to Alaska. She was horrid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 17, 2016 Author #578 Share Posted January 17, 2016 We had some girl named Amy last year when I went to Alaska. She was horrid.Amy has been reassigned to Liberty. Some people really like her a lot, and others feel the same way about her as you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEFAN0001 Posted January 17, 2016 #579 Share Posted January 17, 2016 We had some girl named Amy last year when I went to Alaska. She was horrid. Curious what specifically made her "horrid". We had her last year in Alaska and she was one of the best Cruise Directors ever on our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rathofkain Posted January 17, 2016 #580 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Any word on Navigator for the end of March/April yet? Taking a bunch of newbies with us and just want to know what to expect. Not that the cruise director makes the vacation. I wonder how difficult it is to take over on another ship during Spring Break time. I would think there would be an adjustment period like starting a new job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaniDanielle Posted January 17, 2016 #581 Share Posted January 17, 2016 Curious what specifically made her "horrid". We had her last year in Alaska and she was one of the best Cruise Directors ever on our cruise. We had her on Oasis a few years back, we thought she was pretty good. She is one of the few cruise directors we remember. Nobody beats Leigh and Erky, they were some team!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncb106 Posted January 17, 2016 #582 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I also had Amy on oasis she was fantastic and very friendly and always seen all around chatting with passengers and she always with a smile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springaussie Posted January 17, 2016 #583 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I also had Amy on oasis she was fantastic and very friendly and always seen all around chatting with passengers and she always with a smile I agree. I would no issues if Amy was CD on my Radiance cruise later in the month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SULROSS Posted January 17, 2016 #584 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I was on the Liberty two weeks in December with Amy and she did a great job. Always around and friendly. Did a Sumba class two times each cruise in the promenade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Cruizers Posted January 18, 2016 #585 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Amy took over on our Hawaii cruise from Ken Jones April 2014 and we didn't find her as outgoing and enjoyable compared to Ken Jones. We hope we find him again on one of our cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 18, 2016 Author #586 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started Nov 7 until early March (exact date? then who?) Allure OTS - Luke Aerowsmith November 15 until mid-March (exact date? then who?) Anthem OTS - Abe Hughes December 12 until March 7 or March 19 then Dru Pavlov? (Leigh Xuereb may also be assigned to Anthem in the future (June through Sept?)) Brilliance OTS - Tim Connor November 30 (for 4 months? then who?) (Clo O'Connor will return in September 2016) Empress OTS - Carlos Torres will be the CD beginning March 30 Enchantment OTS - Topi Ylonen November 20 through January 22 Marc Walker will return from his break on Jan 22 until the ship moves to Miami on May 3 Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour September 2 until January 28 then Chris Brown (Handover date was originally reported by Graham as Jan 28, but needs confirmation because Chris was originally scheduled to be on Legend until Feb 18) Freedom OTS - Casey Peltier Aug 23 until January 24 (Then who?) Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter November 11 through January 24, then Rich Edwards January 24 for 4 months. Rich is the new regular CD of Grandeur. Harmony OTS - Ken Rush until the ship reaches Barcelona on June 5, then a yet-to-be-named fulltime CD will take over (perhaps Jerome Sueur?) Independence OTS - Leigh Xuereb November 21 for 4 months (exact date? then who?) (Joff Eaton will be the CD for some or all of the UK season - exact dates of his contract need confirming) Jewel OTS - John Blair September 26 until January 24, then Dennis Charles for 2 months. Legend OTS - Chris Brown December 8 until Jan 25 (?), then Keith Williams (handover date needs confirmation, as it was originally reported to be Feb 18, but Chris posted on FB that he is moving to Explorer, and Graham's break on EX begins on Jan 28) Liberty OTS - Amy Fickert-Southgate December 6 until early April (then who?) Amy is the new regular CD of Liberty Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo until mid-March, until ship goes into drydock on May 3, then Marc Walker reports to drydock May 3 and will take out the ship from Port Canaveral beginning May 16. He has no end date yet, but he plans to retire shortly thereafter, after 20 years of service, to spend more time with his family Mariner OTS - Fang Lixin started October 29 (until when? then who?) Jamie Fentiman is having surgery, and his return date is delayed Navigator OTS - Jerome Sueur November 10 until March 13 (then who?)) John Perry has been reassigned to another ship Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 28 for 2 months; Drew Devine should return from his break at the end of January/beginning of February. (exact date?) Ovation OTS - Joff Eaton March until the end of May 2016, then Gordon Whatman (exact dates?) Quantum OTS - Ken Jones from November 29 for 2 months. Jimmy Rhodes expects to return after his break at the end of January.(exact date?) Radiance OTS - Joff Eaton for December 3 until January 31, then Steve Davis returns from his break on January 31 for 4 months. Rhapsody OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira November 19 for the remainder of the Brazilian season Serenade OTS - Bobby Brown November 23 until January 25, then Topi Ylonen from Jan 25 for 2 months (March 28?), then Bobby Brown returns at the end of March (March 28) through the TA to Copenhagen (May 15), then Topi Ylonen returns for the European Season through the TA to Boston (May 15 through September 13) then Carly Boileau for the Canadian Season (September 13 through October 30 or November 11) Splendour OTS - Bill Brunkhorst November 14 until mid-March, then then Simona Ferraiuolo (exact handover date?) Vision OTS - Rob McNally November 14 until mid-March (then who?) Voyager OTS -Mitch Merucci beginning October 22 for the Australian Season Fang Lixin should be returning in the Spring for the Asian season. Ken Rush works behind the scenes on the new ships, helping to provide smooth take-outs. In between, he works with the new builds at the shipyard, and he fills in on the larger/newer ships as CD during the regular CD's break Gordon Whatman is retired, but will be filling-in from time-to-time if needed (see Ovation - May 2016) Allan Brooks works for Celebrity in their corporate office. Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami. Dave Chapman is a CD with HAL 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 Customer Service & People Manager at Momentum Services Ltd 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 Warren Allen (aka Warren Melhuish) lives in Ontario, Canada. He has retired from ship-life but still works on the stage Thomas DeCell is no longer with RCI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mareka Posted January 18, 2016 #587 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I am sailing on Freedom Feb 21 - Does anyone know who the CD will be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 18, 2016 Author #588 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I am sailing on Freedom Feb 21 - Does anyone know who the CD will be? If you read a few pages back, a few people tried to find out from Casey, but he wasn't being very cooperative with them. So, we are just waiting until next week after the handover, and hopefully someone will report back from the ship and let us know who the CD is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Cruising_Queen Posted January 18, 2016 #589 Share Posted January 18, 2016 John Perry posted yesterday on his Facebook that he was on his way to Freedom of the Seas. Also, Mitch Merucci said on Twitter that Chris Brown will be the CD on Voyager when he leaves on February 28th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 19, 2016 Author #590 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) John Perry posted yesterday on his Facebook that he was on his way to Freedom of the Seas. Also, Mitch Merucci said on Twitter that Chris Brown will be the CD on Voyager when he leaves on February 28th. Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started Nov 7 until early March (exact date? then who?) Allure OTS - Luke Aerowsmith November 15 until mid-March (exact date? then who?) Anthem OTS - Abe Hughes December 12 until March 7 or March 19 then Dru Pavlov? (Leigh Xuereb may also be assigned to Anthem in the future (June through Sept?)) Brilliance OTS - Tim Connor November 30 (for 4 months? then who?) (Clo O'Connor will return in September 2016) Empress OTS - Carlos Torres will be the CD beginning March 30 Enchantment OTS - Topi Ylonen November 20 through January 22 Marc Walker will return from his break on Jan 22 until the ship moves to Miami on May 3 Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour September 2 until January 28 then Chris Brown (Handover date was originally reported by Graham as Jan 28, but needs confirmation because Chris was originally scheduled to be on Legend until Feb 18) Freedom OTS - Casey Peltier Aug 23 until January 24, then John Perry begins January 24 (is this John's new regular assignment?) Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter November 11 through January 24, then Rich Edwards January 24 for 4 months. Rich is the new regular CD of Grandeur. Harmony OTS - Ken Rush until the ship reaches Barcelona on June 5, then a yet-to-be-named fulltime CD will take over (perhaps Jerome Sueur?) Independence OTS - Leigh Xuereb November 21 for 4 months (exact date? then who?) (Joff Eaton will be the CD for some or all of the UK season - exact dates of his contract need confirming) Jewel OTS - John Blair September 26 until January 24, then Dennis Charles for 2 months. Legend OTS - Chris Brown December 8 until Jan 25 (?), then Keith Williams (handover date needs confirmation, as it was originally reported to be Feb 18, but Chris posted on FB that he is moving to Explorer, and Graham's break on EX begins on Jan 28) Liberty OTS - Amy Fickert-Southgate December 6 until early April (then who?) Amy is the new regular CD of Liberty Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo until mid-March, until ship goes into drydock on May 3, then Marc Walker reports to drydock May 3 and will take out the ship from Port Canaveral beginning May 16. He has no end date yet, but he plans to retire shortly thereafter, after 20 years of service, to spend more time with his family Mariner OTS - Fang Lixin started October 29 (until when? then who?) Jamie Fentiman is having surgery, and his return date is delayed Navigator OTS - Jerome Sueur November 10 until March 13 (then who?) Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 28 for 2 months; Drew Devine should return from his break at the end of January/beginning of February. (exact date?) Ovation OTS - Joff Eaton March until the end of May 2016, then Gordon Whatman (exact dates?) Quantum OTS - Ken Jones from November 29 for 2 months. Jimmy Rhodes expects to return after his break at the end of January.(exact date?) Radiance OTS - Joff Eaton for December 3 until January 31, then Steve Davis returns from his break on January 31 for 4 months. Rhapsody OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira November 19 for the remainder of the Brazilian season Serenade OTS - Bobby Brown November 23 until January 25, then Topi Ylonen from Jan 25 for 2 months (March 28?), then Bobby Brown returns at the end of March (March 28) through the TA to Copenhagen (May 15), then Topi Ylonen returns for the European Season through the TA to Boston (May 15 through September 13) then Carly Boileau for the Canadian Season (September 13 through October 30 or November 11) Splendour OTS - Bill Brunkhorst November 14 until mid-March, then then Simona Ferraiuolo (exact handover date?) Vision OTS - Rob McNally November 14 until mid-March (then who?) Voyager OTS -Mitch Merucci beginning October 22 until February 28, then Chris Brown Ken Rush works behind the scenes on the new ships, helping to provide smooth take-outs. In between, he works with the new builds at the shipyard, and he fills in on the larger/newer ships as CD during the regular CD's break Gordon Whatman is retired, but will be filling-in from time-to-time if needed (see Ovation - May 2016) Allan Brooks works for Celebrity in their corporate office. Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami. Dave Chapman is a CD with HAL 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 Customer Service & People Manager at Momentum Services Ltd 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 Warren Allen (aka Warren Melhuish) lives in Ontario, Canada. He has retired from ship-life but still works on the stage Thomas DeCell is no longer with RCI Edited January 19, 2016 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WrittenOnYourHeart Posted January 19, 2016 #591 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Curious what specifically made her "horrid". We had her last year in Alaska and she was one of the best Cruise Directors ever on our cruise. I found her snotty, unapproachable, and obnoxious the one or two times I saw her around. And her schtick before the one show I suffered through was awful. Though she was honest in saying that the show made NO sense. And I suspect this is a Royal thing and not a her thing (though maybe it is a her thing), but I actually LIKE seeing the Cruise Director in whites/uniform rather than plain clothes. It adds something in my opinion. Granted, I'm spoiled to Christiaan on Disney Cruise Line, who is far and away the BEST cruise director I've ever encountered - ALWAYS out and about, ALWAYS personable to everyone, ALWAYS willing to have a conversation with you, and even with his scripted stuff pre- and post-show able to make it seem like the first time he'd said it. Ray is the other DCL CD I've experienced and while not quite as personable as Christiaan, he was leagues above what I experienced with Amy on RCCL. Edited January 19, 2016 by WrittenOnYourHeart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncb106 Posted January 19, 2016 #592 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I hope I get to sail with Amy again she is AWSOME and very friendly,and this thread is for Royal Caribbean cruise director's not Disney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WrittenOnYourHeart Posted January 19, 2016 #593 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) I hope I get to sail with Amy again she is AWSOME and very friendly,and this thread is for Royal Caribbean cruise director's not Disney I am aware of that. I was asked why I thought she was horrid. I personally found Amy snotty, unapproachable, and unprofessional. I actually saw her so a sigh and eyeroll when someone approached her - I don't care how annoying someone is, you DO NOT do that in front of a guest if you're in a customer service type position. I was admitting though that I am spoiled by the style of CD Disney has, and that has shaped my expectations of the CD position. So perhaps the "Royal style" of CD is just not to my taste. Thankfully the CD doesn't make or break my cruise - it's just a nice bonus to have one who's actually personable. Edited January 19, 2016 by WrittenOnYourHeart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 19, 2016 Author #594 Share Posted January 19, 2016 John Perry posted yesterday on his Facebook that he was on his way to Freedom of the Seas. Also, Mitch Merucci said on Twitter that Chris Brown will be the CD on Voyager when he leaves on February 28th. Chris Brown is very heavily booked. I have him on Legend now until Feb 18, but also covering Graham's break on Explorer on Jan 28 for 2 months, and now going to Voyager on Feb 28. He can't be in all those places at the same time! I wonder which is correct? All were reported from very reliable sources (other CDs) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammy's Manager Posted January 19, 2016 #595 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Just to clear up the confusion Ken Jones fills for me here on EX, I return March 30th until July 29th Be Well Graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUISEFAN0001 Posted January 19, 2016 #596 Share Posted January 19, 2016 I found her snotty, unapproachable, and obnoxious the one or two times I saw her around. And her schtick before the one show I suffered through was awful. Though she was honest in saying that the show made NO sense. And I suspect this is a Royal thing and not a her thing (though maybe it is a her thing), but I actually LIKE seeing the Cruise Director in whites/uniform rather than plain clothes. It adds something in my opinion. Granted, I'm spoiled to Christiaan on Disney Cruise Line, who is far and away the BEST cruise director I've ever encountered - ALWAYS out and about, ALWAYS personable to everyone, ALWAYS willing to have a conversation with you, and even with his scripted stuff pre- and post-show able to make it seem like the first time he'd said it. Ray is the other DCL CD I've experienced and while not quite as personable as Christiaan, he was leagues above what I experienced with Amy on RCCL. Thank you for taking the time to explain. As you know... we totally disagree (as do many others who have posted) from our own experiences...in fact, had the opposite interactions and views. Amy was one of the best CD's we've ever seen and witnessed. Ironically I just spent a week with a good friend who is a Disney cruise regular, and he indicated he had one of the worst times on a Disney ship because of their "Cruise Director's lack of enthusiasm and interactions with the passengers". So it must depend on a specific cruise and time, as mixed reviews can be seen on nearly all cruise lines and cruise directors. As others have pointed out as well...a CD is only there to enhance a cruise experience, but doesn't make or break it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 19, 2016 Author #597 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Just to clear up the confusion Ken Jones fills for me here on EX' date=' I return March 30th until July 29th Be Well Graham[/quote'] Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started Nov 7 until early March (exact date? then who?) Allure OTS - Luke Aerowsmith November 15 until mid-March (exact date? then who?) Anthem OTS - Abe Hughes December 12 until March 7 or March 19 then Dru Pavlov? (Leigh Xuereb may also be assigned to Anthem in the future (June through Sept?)) Brilliance OTS - Tim Connor November 30 (for 4 months? then who?) (Clo O'Connor will return in September 2016) Empress OTS - Carlos Torres will be the CD beginning March 30 Enchantment OTS - Topi Ylonen November 20 through January 22 Marc Walker will return from his break on Jan 22 until the ship moves to Miami on May 3 Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour September 2 until January 28 then Ken Jones January 28 until March 30. Graham returns from his break March 30 until July 29. Freedom OTS - Casey Peltier Aug 23 until January 24, then John Perry begins January 24 (is this John's new regular assignment?) Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter November 11 through January 24, then Rich Edwards January 24 for 4 months. Rich is the new regular CD of Grandeur. Harmony OTS - Ken Rush until the ship reaches Barcelona on June 5, then a yet-to-be-named fulltime CD will take over (perhaps Jerome Sueur?) Independence OTS - Leigh Xuereb November 21 for 4 months (exact date? then who?) (Joff Eaton will be the CD for some or all of the UK season - exact dates of his contract need confirming) Jewel OTS - John Blair September 26 until January 24, then Dennis Charles for 2 months. Legend OTS - Chris Brown December 8 until Feb 18, then Keith Williams Liberty OTS - Amy Fickert-Southgate December 6 until early April (then who?) Amy is the new regular CD of Liberty Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo until mid-March, until ship goes into drydock on May 3, then Marc Walker reports to drydock May 3 and will take out the ship from Port Canaveral beginning May 16. He has no end date yet, but he plans to retire shortly thereafter, after 20 years of service, to spend more time with his family Mariner OTS - Fang Lixin started October 29 (until when? then who?) Jamie Fentiman is having surgery, and his return date is delayed Navigator OTS - Jerome Sueur November 10 until March 13 (then who?) Oasis OTS - Ricky Matthews November 28 for 2 months; Drew Devine should return from his break at the end of January/beginning of February. (exact date?) Ovation OTS - Joff Eaton March until the end of May 2016, then Gordon Whatman (exact dates?) Quantum OTS - Ken Jones from November 29 for 2 months. Jimmy Rhodes expects to return after his break at the end of January.(exact date?) Radiance OTS - Joff Eaton for December 3 until January 31, then Steve Davis returns from his break on January 31 for 4 months. Rhapsody OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira November 19 for the remainder of the Brazilian season Serenade OTS - Bobby Brown November 23 until January 25, then Topi Ylonen from Jan 25 for 2 months (March 28?), then Bobby Brown returns at the end of March (March 28) through the TA to Copenhagen (May 15), then Topi Ylonen returns for the European Season through the TA to Boston (May 15 through September 13) then Carly Boileau for the Canadian Season (September 13 through October 30 or November 11) Splendour OTS - Bill Brunkhorst November 14 until mid-March, then then Simona Ferraiuolo (exact handover date?) Vision OTS - Rob McNally November 14 until mid-March (then who?) Voyager OTS -Mitch Merucci beginning October 22 until February 28, then Chris Brown Ken Rush works behind the scenes on the new ships, helping to provide smooth take-outs. In between, he works with the new builds at the shipyard, and he fills in on the larger/newer ships as CD during the regular CD's break Gordon Whatman is retired, but will be filling-in from time-to-time if needed (see Ovation - May 2016) Allan Brooks works for Celebrity in their corporate office. Richard Spacey is a CD with Celebrity Becky Thompson works for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami. Dave Chapman is a CD with HAL 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 Customer Service & People Manager at Momentum Services Ltd 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 Warren Allen (aka Warren Melhuish) lives in Ontario, Canada. He has retired from ship-life but still works on the stage Thomas DeCell is no longer with RCI Edited January 19, 2016 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 19, 2016 Author #598 Share Posted January 19, 2016 (edited) Can anyone find out the handover dates on Quantum and Oasis, due at the end of January? Thanks! Edited January 19, 2016 by DonnaK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnaK Posted January 19, 2016 Author #599 Share Posted January 19, 2016 Can anyone find out the handover dates on Quantum and Oasis, due at the end of January? Thanks! Quantum must be the January 23 sailing if Ken is to move over to Explorer to cover on Jan 28. How about Oasis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncb106 Posted January 20, 2016 #600 Share Posted January 20, 2016 I just chatted with Ricky he get off this Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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