Cruise Director really make the cruise?

[rh1677]

So now I have been on 2 cruises and truly can't wait for the 3rd. After my first cruise, I remember people saying that the CD makes the difference. I defended a relatively new CD at that time, Ryan Fitzgerald. I felt he was great and after my 2nd cruise, I KNOW he is. I didn't understand about CDs really making that much of an impact until my most recent cruise. The CD seemed distracted and more interested in making himself laugh than actually putting together a good set of activities. The entertainment staff seemed under utilized for their gifts of fun. It just seemed to me that things seemed flat. Just wondering what qualities people look for in a great CD.

[Payd]

So now I have been on 2 cruises and truly can't wait for the 3rd. After my first cruise, I remember people saying that the CD makes the difference. I defended a relatively new CD at that time, Ryan Fitzgerald. I felt he was great and after my 2nd cruise, I KNOW he is. I didn't understand about CDs really making that much of an impact until my most recent cruise. The CD seemed distracted and more interested in making himself laugh than actually putting together a good set of activities. The entertainment staff seemed under utilized for their gifts of fun. It just seemed to me that things seemed flat. Just wondering what qualities people look for in a great CD.

 

A great CD will either be or seem to be sincere when interacting with passengers.

 

A unique spin on the same old jokes would be great too!

 

Although the CD doesn't make the experience the have a bit of an impact on it!

[Nunu]

It wouldn't matter to me if there was one on board. We keep ourselves busy.

[rh1677]

 

Although the CD doesn't make the experience the have a bit of an impact on it!

 

True. The experience of being on a cruise ship, looking out in the ocean, breathing the air, and "turning off" my mind is the greatest part. Well, the food and the great service that the Carnival crew provide truly make the experience a wonderful time. The CD is more like the whip cream on an already incredible sundae.

[zqvol]

I honestly do not care one bit about the cruise director. Our goal on the ship is to have a place where we can lay in the sun or find a bit of guiet if we want to sit and read. At night we go to the casino and bars, rarely ever to a show. It is a rare occasion after alomst 10 cruises that I can even remember who any cruise director was or what they did.

 

Just get me on the ship and to the ports.

[travelntreats]

It wouldn't matter to me if there was one on board. We keep ourselves busy.

I so totally agree with you on this.....The CD has no bearing on my cruise at all.

[ejchron]

I so totally agree with you on this.....The CD has no bearing on my cruise at all.

 

Me too. I don't remember any of the CDs on our cruises. I'm sure some connect with them but it's not our thing.

[nolaAlive]

Personally, I think think the CD, on Carnival anyway, is mostly irrelevant at best, and from there, it just becomes varying stages of annoying.

[cuyahoga11]

Me too. I don't remember any of the CDs on our cruises. I'm sure some connect with them but it's not our thing.

 

I am totally with you. I thought I was weird because all the posts about what CD is on what ship and I dont remember a single one on any of my cruises.

[cwmcaa]

I don't think they 'make' the cruise but they certainly enhance it. Having just come off the Destiny a few days ago, I can say that Noonan was wonderful. That guy was everywhere and very upbeat. I've had others before that seemed to be on auto-pilot and fake but I enjoyed Noonan's announcements and enjoyed seeing him all over the ship.

[G'ma]

So now I have been on 2 cruises and truly can't wait for the 3rd. After my first cruise, I remember people saying that the CD makes the difference. I defended a relatively new CD at that time, Ryan Fitzgerald. I felt he was great and after my 2nd cruise, I KNOW he is. I didn't understand about CDs really making that much of an impact until my most recent cruise. The CD seemed distracted and more interested in making himself laugh than actually putting together a good set of activities. The entertainment staff seemed under utilized for their gifts of fun. It just seemed to me that things seemed flat. Just wondering what qualities people look for in a great CD.

 

I gotta tell ya, with over 250 cruises under my belt over some35 years, I can only recall the name of one CD.....and that was last December. He was in love with the sound of his voice and made shipwide announcements all day long - long rambling announcements about shopping, ports, specials onboard. He was loud and annoying.

 

They have a very important job coordinating the events, entertainment, tenders, shore excursions, running the pool games and generally trying to keep everyone involved.

 

However, I'm an independent cruiser who does her own thing onboard and ashore and I could give a hoot about those things.

 

So, the CD onboard doesn't effect me one way or the other....unless he chatters all day on the public communication system.

[TheVegasMan]

Malcolm Burns was our CD on the Victory. He made the shows quite entertaining and his staff did a good job at the activities we participated in.

[jason534]

I can remember the name of 2 CD on my 10 Carnival cruises (Lanny Haliday was good).

Our last cruise, while filling out the comment card I asked a member of our party what she thought about the cd and she said, "what was his name?" Too bad the CD was female (Risa; none of our group of 25 saw her). We had a great cruise, so it didn't matter to us who the CD was.

[lappy22]

I can only remember 2 CD's out of the 11 cruises I've been on. It is an important job though and do work their butts off!

[floodcasso2]

Having John Heald as my CD on the Freedom proved to me that the CD really does make a difference. He was out of this WORLD fantastic! I'll never forget his version of "the bedtime story". It was the only time I've actually fallen OUT of my seat laughing.

 

I hope to get to cruise with him again soon :)

[nolaAlive]

 

So' date=' the CD onboard doesn't effect me one way or the other....unless he chatters all day on the public communication system.[/quote']

 

For once, I will almost agree.

 

Except let's not limit it to "he" chatters...

[StrangeBrew]

Doesn't make a darn to me either .

[Cruiser@Heart]

Only CD that we gave a hoot about or even remember was Corey Schmidt.

 

We had the opportunity to sail with him on the Conquest years ago. He totally made that cruise special. He was a very visible Cruise Director and extremely approachable. He made guests feel like he had all the time in the world for them (even when I am sure he really didn't. It never showed.) Loved, loved, loved his bird act.

 

We were very sad when he left Carnival.

[Skywench]

Malcolm Burns was our CD on the Victory. He made the shows quite entertaining and his staff did a good job at the activities we participated in.

 

 

Malcolm has been on two of my cruises. He's great! He always had time for anyone that wanted to talk to him and you're right, he makes all the activities and shows very entertaining.

[bigboatrider]

I agree with the notion that a CD doesn't "make" a cruise, but a good one can sure enhance the experience.

But here's another vote for Malcolm Burn, he is truly exceptional.

[Wennfred]

Memorable CD's

 

Michael Mullane and wife Jenni

 

Chris Jefferson

 

Todd Wittmer

 

Brett Alan

 

 

Not so Memorable

 

Wee Jimmy

[KingofSomewhereHot]

Personally I do whatever I can to avoid any part of the ship where the CD is out doing their "thing". It has been my experience that they are more annoying than anything else. I would much rather just chill out and relax somewhere that's as quiet as possible.

[vacruizer]

I always thought the same thing until I sailed with a really great CD - in that case it can really enhance the cruise and make it that much better. But it all depends on what you do when you cruise. We tend to go to things like trivia and shows where you will run into the entertainment staff and CD. A good one will keep you laughing, have lots of great events and entertainment planned for the cruise, and like another poster said - be out meeting guests and at least seem sincere about it.

 

I do think it's funny when reading the CD comments how much people's opinions vary - one person loves a CD and another doesn't.

[cv322]

On all our cruises, the only memorable CD was the guy from the recent Dawn cruise....and I can't even remember his name :eek:...but when he made his announcemets he would say "This is XXXX, your voice from the ceiling!" I thought that was pretty funny.

 

Our onboard activites rarely involve the shows. Pool by day (or beaches & diving if at a port) and the casino & bars at night. Keeps us pretty happy.

[poobears]

I can't tell you anything about the CD on our cruise, really I didn't pay any attention to him. For us it's not really a big part of the cruise.