New UPDATED Cruise Director (CD) List - starting from April 2018 onwards

[Joe12]

Happy Sunday! Thanks all for the updates!

 

 

Adventure OTS - Chris Brown started mid-April until July. (then who?)

Allure OTS - Jimmy Rhodes returns March 11 for 4 months, then Mitch Merucci returns mid-July for 2 months. (Mitch's schedule is tentative due to his contract extension.)

Anthem OTS - Dennis Charles returns May 12 until July, then Chris Brown starts in July.

Brilliance OTS - Abe Hughes started March 31 until early-July, then Clo O'Connor will be CD from early-July until September 1. (need July handover date)

 

Empress OTS - Hugo Arenas began November 10 for 4 months. (then who?) - Is Hugo still onboard?

Enchantment OTS - Bobby Broughton returned April 6 for 4 months. Mike Szwajkowski is rumored to be on EN for his next contract, but no confirmation yet.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returned February 9 (until when?). Topi Ylönen returns June 8 until July 27. Graham is wanted to be kept on Explorer by the HD, so may be regular CD again for the rest of 2018. Dennis Charles is scheduled to be joining Explorer in Summer 2018.

Freedom OTS - Drew Devine starts March 17 until July 28, then Topi Ylönen returns July 28 until September 29, followed by Drew September 29 for 4 months.

Grandeur OTS - Mike Szwajkowski started April 14 for 2 months, then Bob Leininger returns June 2 until October 6, then Mitch Merucci from October 6 until December 1, followed by Bob starting December 1 for another 4 month contract. Mike is reported to be leaving June 2 for a 3 week vacation then returning. Any updates to this info?

Harmony OTS - Dru Pavlov returned April 21 until August 4, then Marc Walker returns August 4 until October 6.

Independence OTS - Tim Connor started March 15 until May 28, then Joff Eaton returns May 28 for the Summer season for 4 months.

Jewel OTS - Andrea Olivieri started February 25 until June 30, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns June 30 for the Italian summer season.

Liberty OTS - Mitch Merucci joined April 15 until May 27, then Jeff Arpin starts May 27 (for 2 months?).

Majesty OTS - Susan Adams took over February 26. (until when? then who?)

Mariner OTS - Ricky Matthews until July, then Carlos Torres joins in July for 2 months, then Ricky returns in September for 4 months. (need handover date)

Navigator OTS - Rob McNally started May 6 until August, then Cuddy Cudworth returns in August.

Oasis OTS - Dan Whitney returned early May for 4 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup returned March 23 (for 4 months?).

Quantum OTS - Paul Rutter starts April 9 for 2 months and again in the Fall for 3 months. Who will fill in for Paul's vacation? Fang Lixin?

Radiance OTS - Ken Jones joined April 17 for 2 months, then Cuddy Cudworth starts late-May/early-June for 2 months. (need handover date)

 

Rhapsody OTS - Elvis Pinto returned early February for 4 months. (then who?)

 

Serenade OTS - Jamie Fentiman started May 13 for 4 months.

Symphony OTS - Michele Scarpato joined March 11 and will still be onboard in mid-July. Bobby Brown will eventually return and be CD for the TA. Marc Walker takes over November 9 in Miami until February 16. (He joins Oct 23 for a 17 day handover)

 

Vision OTS - Steve Davis returned April 6 until August 11.

 

Voyager OTS - Carlos Torres began late-January until late-May. (then who?)

Where is Patricio Honores?

Jerome Sueur has left RCI and is reportedly joining Carnival and getting married soon.

Keith Williams has been cleared to return from medical leave, but does not currently have a ship assignment.

Casey Pelter is now working shoreside for Celebrity as Manager of Entertainment.

Graham Seymour is stepping back from cruise life after July 28, 2017 except for occasional fill-ins. (Graham is filling in on Explorer from Feb 9.)

Rich Edwards has unfortunately passed away in June 2017. RIP Rich.

John Perry has left Royal and is now Operations Manager at Hyatt Hotels (per LinkedIn)

Ken Rush works at corporate in Miami as RCI's Director of Entertainment. He may occasionally fill-in as CD

Amy Fickert-Southgate has taken a job shoreside as of June 8

Luke Aerowsmith is working at the corporate office in London

Gordon Whatman is retired, but will be filling-in from time-to-time if needed.

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

Leo Papa is a Product Manager at Tauck Corp in Connecticut

Anna Bass is a make-up artist

João Pereira has returned to Royal Caribbean and is now the Cruise Sales Manager on the Liberty of the Seas.

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 - Has sold the Tiddly and is now a radio presenter.

Kieron Buffrey - CD with Viking River Cruises and recently became a father to a lovely baby boy

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 SilverSeas out of Italy

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

Abel Jeney is now with The World - Luxury Residence at Sea

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

Leigh Xuereb and his AM Frankie Portera are CD's for Carnival

[Oakman]

Just off the Empress May 4, and Hugo was our CD. Out of our many cruises, he is our favorite. Energetic, fun, engaged with passengers, never shy to talk to guests. A great host!!! His energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the entire cruise. Loved Cuba and the Empress of the Seas and want to book another sailing. We are trying to find Hugo's schedule. We want to only book a sailing with him aboard.

[Joe12]

Just off the Empress May 4, and Hugo was our CD. Out of our many cruises, he is our favorite. Energetic, fun, engaged with passengers, never shy to talk to guests. A great host!!! His energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the entire cruise. Loved Cuba and the Empress of the Seas and want to book another sailing. We are trying to find Hugo's schedule. We want to only book a sailing with him aboard.

 

Great to hear. I'm unsure of Hugo's schedule myself. He must be due for a well earned vacation soon.

[Blizzard54]

So far, Ken Jones is still on the Radiance.

 

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[Joe12]

So far, Ken Jones is still on the Radiance.

 

Sent from my SM-P550 using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks. Is he any good? Also - who is the AM? Alex was due to move to Liberty soon.

[internetwhiz]

Another update on Jeff - he is replacing Mitch on Liberty on May 27th.

 

Where’d that come from? He’s been a regular on Oasis.

[Cruzin-K]

A lot of people in Britain can drive or get budget flights to Southampton. Those cruises are very much geared to the British market, and I can't see why an American would really want to sail them.

 

:confused: Why?

[Joe12]

Where’d that come from? He’s been a regular on Oasis.

 

Jeff isn't the regular CD on Oasis, he's just done the last 2 vacation coverage's there. Since he is only doing 2 months on LB, it is highly possible that he could come back to OA again in September to cover Dan's vacation.

 

Mitch told me himself:

Cruise Director Mitch I’m not sure where they are going but Jeff Arpin comes here for two months when I leave.

 

 

[Joe12]

:confused: Why?

 

Not just Americans, I think most non-Brits wouldn't see the appeal in sailing out of Southampton. It's the exact same reason as to why I would avoid cruising from Baltimore or Galveston. They are geared towards a mostly American market, whereas Southampton is geared towards the British market, from the food to the entertainment. It is also full of Brits on sun loungers all day. Even I prefer sailing from Barcelona to Southampton, and I am a Brit myself.

[Anchor Jamming]

Does anyone know what ship CD Jimmy Rhodes will be on?

Jeff isn't the regular CD on Oasis, he's just done the last 2 vacation coverage's there. Since he is only doing 2 months on LB, it is highly possible that he could come back to OA again in September to cover Dan's vacation.

 

Mitch told me himself:

Cruise Director Mitch I’m not sure where they are going but Jeff Arpin comes here for two months when I leave.

 

 

[Joe12]

Does anyone know what ship CD Jimmy Rhodes will be on?

 

Please read the most recent update to the list. He is currently on Allure for a few more months.

[internetwhiz]

Not just Americans, I think most non-Brits wouldn't see the appeal in sailing out of Southampton. It's the exact same reason as to why I would avoid cruising from Baltimore or Galveston. They are geared towards a mostly American market, whereas Southampton is geared towards the British market, from the food to the entertainment. It is also full of Brits on sun loungers all day. Even I prefer sailing from Barcelona to Southampton, and I am a Brit myself.

 

 

I tell you that you won’t find a friendlier, more fun loving crowd that sails from Galveston. We met folks from UK last year who came to sail from Galveston because everyone was so friendly. They can’t wait to come again. Have you sailed from G personally?

[Joe12]

I tell you that you won’t find a friendlier, more fun loving crowd that sails from Galveston. We met folks from UK last year who came to sail from Galveston because everyone was so friendly. They can’t wait to come again. Have you sailed from G personally?

 

I've not, but it is too hard to get to from Scotland, and from what I have heard, it is mostly geared to a US audience. Texas is about as polar opposite to Scotland as you can get, FWIW.

 

Plus, the Blairs seem to frequent the Galveston market these days, so more the reason to avoid it.

 

I didn't care for either the New Jersey or Baltimore markets either (nice places though). Florida is different.

[Anchor Jamming]

Thanks.

Please read the most recent update to the list. He is currently on Allure for a few more months.

[Joe12]

What's so good about Galveston anyway? It's certainly not a place that I would think of sailing from, at least until they assign a good CD there (Mitch was only doing a fill in).

[Clarea]

What's so good about Galveston anyway? It's certainly not a place that I would think of sailing from, at least until they assign a good CD there (Mitch was only doing a fill in).

Galveston is reasonable driving distance to a huge population.

[Joe12]

Galveston is reasonable driving distance to a huge population.

 

Obviously a lot drive there, and that is another reason why I feel that it would be best for me to avoid it as it will be mostly Americans on the ship and very much geared to an American audience.

 

Plus, the likelihood of ending up sailing with Jeff Arpin or the Blairs isn't very enticing either.

[internetwhiz]

What's so good about Galveston anyway? It's certainly not a place that I would think of sailing from, at least until they assign a good CD there (Mitch was only doing a fill in).

 

 

It’s an amazing place, it’s an island not a town. Full of beautiful places, fresh seafood, and friendly people. It’s more laid back and not as commercial as many ports are. You know how I feel about CDs. A good one enhances a cruise some, but less than stellar ones doesn’t make or break a cruise for us.

 

Really, a port isn’t the topic of this board, but since you asked...if you want to talk ports, Southampton isn’t stellar, and had the worst, most dangerous embark process I’ve seen in 12 years of cruising. Anyone else remember Oasis TA westbound, October 2014?

 

http://www.galveston.com

 

Now back to discussing and listing CDs, Maybe?

 

Honestly, preference for ports and likes and dislikes of CD’s are both VERY subjective with individuals.

[gooners1968]

Is it normal for a CD to change mid cruise?

 

Just wondering about Vision-an August 11th change would be mid cruise-I'm on a 12 night cruise from Barcelona from 6th to the 18th August

[Joe12]

Honestly, preference for ports and likes and dislikes of CD’s are both VERY subjective with individuals.

 

That is very true. It's what makes reading the board so interesting. There is certainly a correlation between ports and CD's as certain CD's tend to specialise in particular itineraries.

[internetwhiz]

That is very true. It's what makes reading the board so interesting.

 

 

I guess my issue is that I was raised not to bash folks. CDs don’t make nor break my cruise experience. My cruise selections are based on the ship itself, the itinerary, and the cruise friends or family I’m sailing with.

Edited May 23, 2018 by internetwhiz

[Clarea]

Is it normal for a CD to change mid cruise? ...

No, not a usual thing, but it does happen from time to time.

[Joe12]

Is it normal for a CD to change mid cruise?

 

Just wondering about Vision-an August 11th change would be mid cruise-I'm on a 12 night cruise from Barcelona from 6th to the 18th August

 

Probably the turnover will be on August 6th. I'm not sure who replaces Steve though. Shame though as he is excellent.

[Blizzard54]

I spoke to Ken Jones this evening. He has 3 more weeks on the Radiance.

 

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[Joe12]

I spoke to Ken Jones this evening. He has 3 more weeks on the Radiance.

 

Sent from my SM-P550 using Forums mobile app

 

Thanks! That puts Cuddy there from mid-June and then off to Nav in mid-August to replace Rob. Seems to make sense.

Is Ken a good CD?