Joe01

Well, I'm sure we would all love to not have to fly to get to a cruise. I'm from Scotland and have to fly to all ships so absolutely 0 sympathy for them not having a Quantum in their backyard.

He seems like one of the older classic CD's that would be better on a smaller ship. Heard that he is a good host but not one that does the parties.

CRUISE DIRECTOR UPDATE: Adventure - Ken Jones from early January then Drew Devine (unsure of handover date). Allure - Mitch Merucci from February 24 until April 21, then Jimmy Rhodes returns April 21 for 4 months and again in October for 4 months (fill from mid Aug to mid Oct currently unknown). Anthem - Dennis Charles until May 4, then Mitch Merucci May 4 until July 13 and again from September 7 until January 5, 2020 (fill in from July 13 - September 7 unknown). Brilliance - Enzo Matijaca from mid February until late April. Empress - Elvis Pinto began March 3 for 4 months. Enchantment - Susan Adams returned March 4 for 2 months, then Bobby Broughton returns April 29 for 4 months. Explorer - Graham Seymour returned March 29 until mid July, then Clo O'Connor mid-July for 4 months. Freedom - Patricio Honores started February 24 (for 4 months?) Grandeur - John Blair started February 23 until June 13, and will return from August 8 until November 30. (Fill in from June 13 - August 8 unknown). Harmony - Marc Walker returned March 29 until mid-July and will return mid-September. (Dennis Charles rumoured to be covering Marc's break - needs confirmation as info comes from unreliable source). Independence - Dan Whitney took over mid-March. Jamie Fentiman returns in May for the Southampton season. Jewel - Andrea Olivieri returned March 13 (for 2 months?) - Simona will likely return in May for the Italian season, but this needs confirmation. Liberty - Jeff Arpin returned mid February until April 28, then Brian Leavitt (new CD) takes over April 28 until August 11. Mariner - Assata Young-Mayers until April 1. (Replacement unknown). Majesty - Tanya Yates Tongue took over January 14 until April 29. Navigator - Hugo Arenas took over March 1 (for 4 months?). Oasis - Mike Hunnerup took over January 20 thru the TA in May. (Will Michele Scarpato take over for the Europe season?) Ovation - Joff Eaton returned November 30 until April 17, then Chris Brown will cover Joff's break from April 17 until mid-June. Joff returns mid-June. Quantum - Current CD unknown. Radiance - Cuddy Cudworth returned January 14 (for 4 months?). Rhapsody - Bill Brunkhorst started January 12 (for 4 months?). Serenade - Carly Boileau returned late January until sometime in April/May. Spectrum - Bobby Brown & Gordon Whatman will be the inaugural CD's. Symphony - Current CD unknown - Abe Hughes left March 30. Mike Szwajkowski is expected to join May 4. Vision - Cecy del Razo took over March 2 (for 2 or 4 months?). Voyager - Current CD unknown - Michelle Oliveira signed off late March.

It sure is time. Maybe they'll switch it up for Odyssey?

They all seem to be leaving. Can't complain in this situation though - I'm sure Abe will be happy not to have to spend 4 months away from his child.

I do think that the godmother ought to be someone recognisable or someone who has done great things. Some ships have got good ones but a few of the choices are confusing.

They should have realistically picked someone real in the first place, but they can't really pick someone else now as that would require a new naming ceremony and it doesn't really matter anyway.

They never give the ship a new godmother. That honour stays for as long as the ship is with the company.

Oasis Class aren't really suited to China whereas Quantum Class are. No need to complain too much - Anthem is in NJ this summer and Ovation in Seattle - both US ports. Odyssey which debuts next fall will be based in Fort Lauderdale for her inaugural season, so that means that only 2 of the 5 ships are Asian based, which is less than half.

Probably going to be Hugo Arenas.

Abe Hughes has left the Cruise Director role! ? Best of luck to him and his wife with their new child. He's taken on a new role with Royal on land.

I'm afraid so. Not a good decision since Joff has quite a large fanbase in the UK market and it's not the same Indy without him. Hopefully Jamie will be just as good for the UK market. Having read Indy reviews, Brits are often critical of CD's not named Joff.

Jamie is regular CD on Indy now. I believe SR will be Carly Boileau.

They don't publish it, there are lists maintained on CC with info coming from cruisers or CD's themselves. You can try Royal on Twitter or Facebook Messenger, but they won't have an answer for August.

Not yet, there's usually less info available about AM's. Flavio is currently on AL but leaves in July.

Allure in August will be Jimmy Rhodes.

I believe on all except Harmony and Symphony. HM has 90's instead of 70's (although that might change now that Marc is her permanent CD) and SY has 80's. I don't know if Anthem has it either. I know that they have introduced it on Ovation.

Thanks for that. Someone come to the Mariner to give the poor woman a vacation, she seems to have been on for ages.

Per the CC AM list (although I do doubt it's accuracy), Assata seems to have been onboard since August so she is well overdue her vacation. I thought she was only temporarily filling in as CD.

Anyone who was on the GC know who the CD on Mariner is?

1999 - Voyager of the Seas was launched and revolutionised the industry. First ship with an Ice Rink at sea and first cruise ship with a Royal Promenade. 2009 - Oasis of the Seas was launched and also revolutionised the industry. She introduced the neighbourhood concept (Boardwalk and Central Park at sea) Aqua shows, Rising bars, Zip Line, Loft Suites and much more. Now we are in 2019. We're seeing Voyager, Freedom and older Oasis Class ships getting major revitalisations, alongside the Oasis and Quantum Class product evolving with Harmony, Symphony and Spectrum being improved versions of their younger sisters. Where can Royal go next with their ships? They just keep impressing, so I'm fascinated to see what they will do with Icon.

Not many are dressed up. A few people like to dance but many are quite timid and just prefer to watch. Freedom Class ships have the best 70's night with the rising bridge.

I'm not 21 yet. I feel that my age group is an age group forgotten by the cruise line. Too old for the teen facilities, but not old enough for the adult activities either. It also doesn't help that I look about 15. We are sailing the Harmony so there isn't necessarily a shortage of onboard amenities, but I feel as if my age group just aren't accommodated the same way. And as nice as it is to spend time with my group, I would rather meet other people and do my own thing. That doesn't feel possible as I'm still viewed as a minor. What can I do onboard?

Since it's now Sunday (cruise day) where I live, bon voyage!

Bobby is headed to Spectrum. Simeon is filling in on SY this week only and Abe returns next week.