motheroftwocats814 Posted August 26, 2022 #1 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I have been on quite a few cruises. I remember maybe three of the cruise directors. Does the CD make a difference in your cruise experience? I know some have quite a following but to us, it makes no impact on our experience. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted August 26, 2022 #2 Share Posted August 26, 2022 No 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clskinsfan Posted August 26, 2022 #3 Share Posted August 26, 2022 When we were younger? Absolutely they made a difference. Our first few cruises we basically followed the CD around for party time. It doesnt matter anymore to us though. I will say it is amazing the energy CD's have. They bounce all over the place all day long. The really good ones you have no idea if they even sleep at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njkruzer Posted August 26, 2022 #4 Share Posted August 26, 2022 We've had some that were great, some didn’t even notice but when one was bad, it was bad. Usually it was when they got things mixed up or ignored requests that were standard with other CDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted August 26, 2022 #5 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Yes and no if they are a relatively bad entertainer and they dominate showtime every night. Then yes they matter to our direct experience. Other than that- no when we used to know a number by name - yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93yearsyoung Posted August 26, 2022 #6 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Not since Julie McCoy retired. 4 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaRob Posted August 26, 2022 #7 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I would say yes on smaller ships or longer itineraries and no on larger ships. Really noticed CD on Radiance class, less so on Freedom, oasis class 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notscb Posted August 26, 2022 #8 Share Posted August 26, 2022 47 minutes ago, George C said: No I have to disagree. Cruise Critic even did a write up (https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2974) I think any cruise would be boring without a person making sure that events were scheduled across the venues of the ships and that the appropriate staffing was assigned and prepared to host the activity. I think most folks only see the cruise director at the shows in the evening and think they don't do anything all day, when in reality these folks are in charge of a vast number of staff and events throughout the day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boscobeans Posted August 26, 2022 #9 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Not really in 22 years and 36+ cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trajan Posted August 26, 2022 #10 Share Posted August 26, 2022 If you choose to engage in many of the activities the CD is running, then yeah, a good CD is worth their weight in gold. And even if you aren’t playing the Quest or going to the parties, the CD has their hand in so many other things. Heck I just liked hearing some of their updates and watching their goofy videos. A fun, committed CD is invaluable. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 26, 2022 #11 Share Posted August 26, 2022 A bad CD doesn't make a cruise experience worse, but a good one can make it better 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho_proudfoot Posted August 26, 2022 #12 Share Posted August 26, 2022 32 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: A bad CD doesn't make a cruise experience worse, but a good one can make it better Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaretealexander Posted August 26, 2022 #13 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Seems like the really good ones retire or go to corporate. I think the good ones create an atmosphere with their activities staff that is engaging. It definitely enhances the experience. The bad ones…. Well are just dull and unimaginative. On a two week Hawaii cruise our cruise director Kirk Did a 1 hour gym class each day and even taught us a hula dance called the Hookilau. That was 15 years ago and I still remember his name. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
time4u2go Posted August 26, 2022 #14 Share Posted August 26, 2022 7 hours ago, notscb said: I have to disagree. Cruise Critic even did a write up (https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2974) I think any cruise would be boring without a person making sure that events were scheduled across the venues of the ships and that the appropriate staffing was assigned and prepared to host the activity. I think most folks only see the cruise director at the shows in the evening and think they don't do anything all day, when in reality these folks are in charge of a vast number of staff and events throughout the day. I agree. I think most people only see the CD in terms of how entertaining they are when introducing other acts or when hosting a show. They do a LOT of other things that impact the cruise experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ret MP Posted August 26, 2022 #15 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I couldn't tell you one CD from another, on Royal. When I was Loyal to Carnival, I'd follow John Heald on his YouTube channel, only for information purposes. But, as far as the regular CDs, they didn't make a difference to me. I understand that a CD has many responsibilities, to include emergency response and public announcements during emergencies . But, I have never gone to an event because of who a CD was/is. I don't think it takes a "public personality" to be a CD. They can do most/all of their duties behind the scenes and I, for one, wouldn't notice. A few of the best/fun filled events I've been to were hosted by the none-CD types. Could have been CDs assistants or CDs in training, I don't know. I've just never been a big follower or fan of the wannabe celebrities or celebrity types. None of this is intended to cast aspersions on those that do follow or appreciate CDs. I just don't. That's me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisegirl1 Posted August 26, 2022 #16 Share Posted August 26, 2022 The actual CD? - not to me. He/she is responsible for planning activities, and I don't see a huge difference in activities from ship to ship. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jalves Posted August 26, 2022 #17 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I've often wondered about this. I often see ;posts wondering who is the CD on this or that ship/sailing. I've never understood why it mattered. I know for me I really don't care. Never met one that wasn't essentially the same as all the others. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted August 26, 2022 #18 Share Posted August 26, 2022 1 minute ago, jalves said: I've often wondered about this. I often see ;posts wondering who is the CD on this or that ship/sailing. I've never understood why it mattered. I know for me I really don't care. Never met one that wasn't essentially the same as all the others. Well said, agree 100%. A few arguments above claim the CD is important for all the entertainment planning and coordination. There is no debate that is true but they all seem to be equally qualified in that area 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pam_1024 Posted August 26, 2022 #19 Share Posted August 26, 2022 13 hours ago, motheroftwocats814 said: I have been on quite a few cruises. I remember maybe three of the cruise directors. Does the CD make a difference in your cruise experience? I know some have quite a following but to us, it makes no impact on our experience. Yes, definitely for me. The ones with the most memorable and fun cruise directors (my favorites were Richard Spacey and Marc "bing bong" Walker) definitely make a difference for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted August 26, 2022 #20 Share Posted August 26, 2022 13 hours ago, motheroftwocats814 said: I have been on quite a few cruises. I remember maybe three of the cruise directors. Does the CD make a difference in your cruise experience? I know some have quite a following but to us, it makes no impact on our experience. We had a great cruise Director that made the cruise more enjoyable .We also had cruises where the only time we saw the CD was on night number 1 and the last night of two week cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robmtx Posted August 26, 2022 #21 Share Posted August 26, 2022 (edited) The only place where a CD really affects my cruise experience is the Love & Marriage gameshow. You really need this show to be in capable hands, and urge the contestants to elaborate on their answers. a CD can make or break this show! Edited August 26, 2022 by robmtx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyDawg Posted August 26, 2022 #22 Share Posted August 26, 2022 CD's are just like Proctologists, even a good one you only want to tolerate once in a blue moon. But a bad one can ruin your day! 😲 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loman Posted August 26, 2022 #23 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I couldnt tell you the name of any cruise director , does not make a difference to me. Same as the captain , as long as he can steer the ship and park it , thats good enough for me. ( as long as he doesnt pull a Schettino 🤣 ) Same for the servers , i dont care which one tends to me, i like them all . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbxking Posted August 26, 2022 #24 Share Posted August 26, 2022 and Nope -) only benefit is if they dont have a voice that turns you into a serial killer or annoyingly silly jokes!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapbxking Posted August 26, 2022 #25 Share Posted August 26, 2022 18 hours ago, notscb said: I have to disagree. Cruise Critic even did a write up (https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2974) I think any cruise would be boring without a person making sure that events were scheduled across the venues of the ships and that the appropriate staffing was assigned and prepared to host the activity. I think most folks only see the cruise director at the shows in the evening and think they don't do anything all day, when in reality these folks are in charge of a vast number of staff and events throughout the day. yes but they all do those things, and normally it doesnt matter who has done it for the most part 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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