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

[Paulette3028]

Mariner OTS - Ricky Matthews is said to have taken over for the repositioning, dry dock and start of the Miami cruises. (Will Carlos Torres also be working on Mariner later this year, as initially reported?)

 

When I saw the comment about Carlos Torres working on Mariner later this year, I reached out to Carlos directly. We have sailed with him several times, and wanted to know if he might be on Mariner in November when we will sail on her. Carlos replied to me saying he is scheduled to be on Mariner beginning in July for just 2 months. Sounds like covering someone's vacation, but in the Royal world things do change.

[Joe12]

When I saw the comment about Carlos Torres working on Mariner later this year, I reached out to Carlos directly. We have sailed with him several times, and wanted to know if he might be on Mariner in November when we will sail on her. Carlos replied to me saying he is scheduled to be on Mariner beginning in July for just 2 months. Sounds like covering someone's vacation, but in the Royal world things do change.

 

Thanks Paulette.

That fits in perfectly with Ricky's schedule, so I assume that he will be doing the vacation coverage. I had heard that Carlos would be assigned to Mariner this year before, but Ricky took over what I had presumed would be Carlos' schedule.

[Joe12]

John and Katrina Blair announced April 14th onboard Liberty (at Captain's Corner) they were taking a month off for some educational class in Europe and that April 8 to 15 was their last cruise on Liberty. They are hoping to return to do Alaska itineraries after that, but they didn't know for sure.

 

I thought that their classes were in June? A bit unfair to Mitch and Alex as they got called to LB at short notice, therefore extending their contracts.

 

Let's just say that this hasn't done anything to improve my opinion of the Blairs.

[Joe12]

Just watched an entire 1h25 Morning Show with Leigh and Frankie (it was put on FB Live just before they joined CCL). Royal should have never let them go! I guess that I should step up to their standards when it is my time.

[JBSteelerfan]

I thought that their classes were in June? A bit unfair to Mitch and Alex as they got called to LB at short notice, therefore extending their contracts.

 

Let's just say that this hasn't done anything to improve my opinion of the Blairs.

 

Not sure exactly what happened, but just what we were told. First time on ship with them and we weren't overly impressed by them.

[Joe12]

Not sure exactly what happened, but just what we were told. First time on ship with them and we weren't overly impressed by them.

 

I had them on Enchantment and Anthem and could not stand them. No comedic value, both seem entirely fake and cheesy. I also find John to be quite full of himself, whilst Katrina kept making really loud and frequent announcements. Hoping that I don't have them again. Their best days are past them, it's like an 80's & 90's flashback now!

[JBSteelerfan]

I had them on Enchantment and Anthem and could not stand them. No comedic value, both seem entirely fake and cheesy. I also find John to be quite full of himself, whilst Katrina kept making really loud and frequent announcements. Hoping that I don't have them again. Their best days are past them, it's like an 80's & 90's flashback now!

 

You are spot on!!!! I said the same thing about John.....always about him. Seemed like they were always talking over other people, and sometimes over each other. Definitely had better on past sailings from Galveston.

[internetwhiz]

According to friends onboard, Ken Jones is the current Cruise Director. I don’t know dates. They are on the TP right now.

[Joe12]

According to friends onboard, Ken Jones is the current Cruise Director. I don’t know dates. They are on the TP right now.

 

Is he on Radiance?

[internetwhiz]

Yes, Radiance.

[Joe12]

Going to open up another favorite topic of mine: Who is the next AM that you want to see promoted to CD?

 

I have seen so many "old school" CD's doing their thing on YouTube videos, and no offense, but I think it is time for Royal to move on from them and promote the next generation of CD's.

 

For me personally, Royal need to get Darryl Dyball back and make him a CD. He really should have got it, even if it was at the expense of another one. Same for Chris Hopkins and Frankie Portera, having seen all 3 in action. They also need more LGBT CD's, but maybe that's just me.

Edited April 21, 2018 by Joe12

[Joe12]

Happy Saturday! Thanks all for the updates!

Adventure OTS - Activities Manager Daniel Dornas is filling in for a few weeks, then Mercedes LaFuentes is reported to be returning. (need handover date)

Allure OTS - Jimmy Rhodes returns March 11 for 4 months, then Mitch Merucci returns mid-July for 2 months.

 

Anthem OTS - Clo O'Connor until May 13, then Dennis Charles returns May 13 for 4 months.

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

 

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

Enchantment OTS - Bobby Broughton returned April 6. (for 2 months or 4 months?)

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.

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 mid-June until October 6, then Mitch Merucci from October 6 until December 1, followed by Bob starting December 1 for another 4 month contract.

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. (for 4 months?)

Liberty OTS - Mitch Merucci joined April 15 for an emergency fill-in. (until when? then who?)

Majesty OTS - Susan Adams took over February 26. (for 4 months?)

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

Navigator OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo took over March 25 for 2 months. (then who?). Cuddy Cudworth returns in August after a contract on Radiance.

Oasis OTS - Jeff Arpin returned early March for 2 months, followed by Dan Whitney early May for 4 months. (need dates)

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? Chris Brown?

Radiance OTS - Ken Jones joined April 17for 2 months, then Cuddy Cudworth is joining Radiance for his next contract. (handover date unknown)

 

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

 

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau returns February 5 (until when? then who?)

 

Symphony OTS - Michele Scarpato and Bobby Brown are the launch CD's, sharing duties. Current dates are unknown, but Michele will be CD in early-July, and Bobby 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.

Where is Patricio Honores?

Jerome Sueur has reportedly left RCI. He is getting married soon.

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

Jamie Fentiman has been cleared to return, although does not have an assignment yet.

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

[Joe12]

Quoting this post again. What are your thoughts?

 

Going to open up another favorite topic of mine: Who is the next AM that you want to see promoted to CD?

 

I have seen so many "old school" CD's doing their thing on YouTube videos, and no offense, but I think it is time for Royal to move on from them and promote the next generation of CD's.

 

For me personally, Royal need to get Darryl Dyball back and make him a CD. He really should have got it, even if it was at the expense of another one. Same for Chris Hopkins and Frankie Portera, having seen all 3 in action. They also need more LGBT CD's, but maybe that's just me.

[DonnaK]

Quoting this post again. What are your thoughts?

 

Royal Caribbean should have promoted Kevin Tugwell before he left for a CD position with another cruiseline. He was the best AM I've cruised with.

[Joe12]

Royal Caribbean should have promoted Kevin Tugwell before he left for a CD position with another cruiseline. He was the best AM I've cruised with.

 

Great to hear from you, Donna!

I heard that he was awesome. They lost out there.

[Joe12]

Chris Hopkins and Darryl Dyball both ought to have been promoted to CD, and both left because they didn't get it. I have my own "conspiracy theory" as to why that may be, but even if it meant removing a few CD's from the schedule, both of them should be on the current list.

[Joe12]

I don't have a specific AM that I want to see as CD (the ones I wanted are no longer with Royal), but here are my 5 criteria:

1) Young - not being ageist, but it is refreshing to see a CD in their 20's or 30's. I would love if the next CD was born in 1988 or later.

2) Energetic - CD's need to energize a crowd and be the leader, so someone energetic is crucial.

3) Funny - a CD is useless if they have 0 comedic value.

4) Visible - Interacting with guests is important. If not, they are in the wrong industry.

5) Innovative - What unique things can one offer a job? If I made CD, I have some new ideas to bring to the table, so should they. New theme night, new jokes, new style of show, new activities etc.

 

Anything else that you would add to the list?

[ValerieJo]

We are headed to Radiance in early June. Not sure if we'll get Ken or Cuddy. We recently had Cuddy on Navigator and though he was a terrific CD. Is there any information regarding Ken Jones? How is he as a CD? I'm not familiar with him. Thanks

[Mustang2015]

So sad Casey is not a CD anymore he was amazing.

[skid10]

So sad Casey is not a CD anymore he was amazing.

Wow. I guess CDs are like food---subjective. We had Casey and did not care for him at all. Maybe he had a bad week or already knew he was leaving. Except for hosting a few events, he was invisible. Did not see him around the ship even once and found his morning show very bland.

I am happy you liked him-that's always a plus. Happy sailing!

[Joe12]

So sad Casey is not a CD anymore he was amazing.

 

I'm with Skid - wasn't overly impressed with Casey. He was funny on occasion, but rarely saw him out and about, and it felt as if his staff (who seemed really nice) ran the show. Morning Show was dull. I also saw a tweet saying that he made homophobic jokes at a show, which if true, makes me very glad that he is no longer a CD. That reinforces my earlier point that I think Royal needs more LGBT CD's.

[BEENSAILING]

Joe - from friends currently on the Radiance - Ken Jones is Cruise Director.

[Paulette3028]

Friends of mine who have cruised PLENTY, were just on Freedom with Drew Devine, and NEVER saw him. If you did not go to the show when he would MC, you would not know he was there.

[Joe12]

Friends of mine who have cruised PLENTY, were just on Freedom with Drew Devine, and NEVER saw him. If you did not go to the show when he would MC, you would not know he was there.

 

Ouch. Shame to hear that.

[Joe12]

Joe - from friends currently on the Radiance - Ken Jones is Cruise Director.

 

Thanks, although this is already on the list.