Joe01

I had Casey in 2013 on Serenade and wasn't overly impressed with him then either. I would only rank him above John Blair and Bobby Brown. Definitely not as good as Jimmy Rhodes, Jerome Sueur, Joff Eaton, Abe Hughes or Leigh Xuereb (no longer with RCI). Those are all of the CD's I have had.

I loved the inclusion of Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and the Backstreet Boys though!

I think he is only taking SY out. So relax...
Marc might be there, and he is fantastic!

"ho-hum" is what I would use to describe Bobby Brown from the Harmony. 
Personally, I feel that John and Katrina are both stuck in the late 80's/90's days of cruising. Not really a modern day style, and certainly not to my taste. I'll leave it there.

Here's an updated list for Cruise Directors:
Adventure OTS - Casey Pelter April 8 for 4 months (will likely be on paternity leave early October).

Allure OTS - Mitch Merucci April 23 until September 17, then Dru Pavlov September 17 until November 19, then Mitch returns November 19 for 4 months, followed by Dru for 4 months.

Anthem OTS - Dru Pavlov March 12 through mid-July, then Jimmy Rhodes until November 22, then Bobby Broughton joins Anthem as November 22.

Brilliance OTS - Jerome Sueur returned November 10 until May 25 then Clo O'Connor May 25 for 2 months. 

Empress OTS - Elvis Pinto returns April 24 for 2 months. 

Enchantment OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira began February 17.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returns March 19 through July 28 (then Graham is retiring).

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months thru the TA May 7 then Mercedes LaFuentes. 

Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter returned February 25 for 4 months.

Harmony OTS - Abe Hughes returns March 11 until July 8, then Bobby Brown July 8 until mid September, then Abe returns mid-September until after the New Year, then Dru Pavlov begins January 2018 for 2 months.

Independence OTS - Marc Walker begins April 28 until May 27, then Joff Eaton returns May 27 until September 30, then Marc returns September 30 until January 30. 

Jewel OTS - Susan Adams began April 23 for 2 months, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns late June for 4 months, then Susan returns late October for 4 months.

Liberty OTS - Jeff Arpin January 8 until late May, then John Blair late May until late July. 

Majesty OTS - Bobby Broughton April 17 for 2 months, followed by Susan Adams. 

Mariner OTS - Keith Williams mid March until mid May 10. (Replacement unknown.)

Navigator OTS - Drew Devine began March 26. (Unknown for how long) Clo O'Connor begins late September.

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes began March 12, then Tim Connor begins mid May for 4 months, then Jeff Arpin for 2 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup began March 5.
Joff Eaton expects to return to Ovation for the Australian season (need details).

Quantum OTS - Ricky Matthews end of January until mid-to-late May, then Chris Brown for 4 months, followed by Bill Brunkhorst in September.

Radiance OTS - Steve Davis March 28 until late-July, then John Blair for 2 months, followed by Steve for 4 months.

Rhapsody OTS - Dan Whitney January 21 (leaving ship soon)

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau March 17 for 2 months, then Topi Ylonen should be returning from May 20 until September 17 for the Baltic season.

Vision OTS - Bill Brunkhorst March 13, then Keith Williams begins May 22. 

Voyager OTS - Jamie Fentiman began April 6 
 

Here's an updated list for Cruise Directors:
Adventure OTS - Casey Pelter April 8 for 4 months (will likely be on paternity leave early October).

Allure OTS - Mitch Merucci April 23 until September 17, then Dru Pavlov September 17 until November 19, then Mitch returns November 19 for 4 months, followed by Dru for 4 months.

Anthem OTS - Dru Pavlov March 12 through mid-July, then Jimmy Rhodes until November 22, then Bobby Broughton joins Anthem as November 22.

Brilliance OTS - Jerome Sueur returned November 10 until May 25 then Clo O'Connor May 25 for 2 months. 

Empress OTS - Elvis Pinto returns April 24 for 2 months. 

Enchantment OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira began February 17.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returns March 19 through July 28 (then Graham is retiring).

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months thru the TA May 7 then Mercedes LaFuentes. 

Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter returned February 25 for 4 months.

Harmony OTS - Abe Hughes returns March 11 until July 8, then Bobby Brown July 8 until mid September, then Abe returns mid-September until after the New Year, then Dru Pavlov begins January 2018 for 2 months.

Independence OTS - Marc Walker begins April 28 until May 27, then Joff Eaton returns May 27 until September 30, then Marc returns September 30 until January 30. 

Jewel OTS - Susan Adams began April 23 for 2 months, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns late June for 4 months, then Susan returns late October for 4 months.

Liberty OTS - Jeff Arpin January 8 until late May, then John Blair late May until late July. 

Majesty OTS - Bobby Broughton April 17 for 2 months, followed by Susan Adams. 

Mariner OTS - Keith Williams mid March until mid May 10. (Replacement unknown.)

Navigator OTS - Drew Devine began March 26. (Unknown for how long) Clo O'Connor begins late September.

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes began March 12, then Tim Connor begins mid May for 4 months, then Jeff Arpin for 2 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup began March 5.
Joff Eaton expects to return to Ovation for the Australian season (need details).

Quantum OTS - Ricky Matthews end of January until mid-to-late May, then Chris Brown for 4 months, followed by Bill Brunkhorst in September.

Radiance OTS - Steve Davis March 28 until late-July, then John Blair for 2 months, followed by Steve for 4 months.

Rhapsody OTS - Dan Whitney January 21 (leaving ship soon)

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau March 17 for 2 months, then Topi Ylonen should be returning from May 20 until September 17 for the Baltic season.

Vision OTS - Bill Brunkhorst March 13, then Keith Williams begins May 22. 

Voyager OTS - Jamie Fentiman began April 6 
 

UPDATE:
Ship
Cruise Director
Activities Manager
Adventure
Casey Pelter
Eric (last name?)
Allure
Mitch Merucci
Amy Tripp
Anthem
Dru Pavlov
Hugo Arenas
Brilliance
Clo O’Connor
Unknown
Empress
Carlos Torres
Cecy Del Razo
Enchantment
 Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira
 Unknown
Explorer
Graham Seymour
Joe Chambers
Freedom
 Mercedes La Fuentes
Jerry (last name?)
Grandeur 
 Susan Adams
Tanya Yates Tongue
Harmony
 Abe Hughes
Katy McCullagh
Independence
 Joff Eaton
Caroline Peters
Jewel
Simona Ferraiuolo
Daniel Klophaus
Liberty
John Blair
Katrina Blair
Mariner
Unknown
Unknown
Majesty
Bobby Broughton
Moe Vatuloka
Navigator
Cuddy Cudworth
Mark Rous
Oasis
Tim Connor
Marvin Wilson
Ovation
Gordon Whatman
Unknown
Quantum
Chris Brown
Unknown
Radiance
Steve Davis
Margot Van Erck
Rhapsody
Patricio Honores
Daniel Dornas
Serenade
Topi Ylönen
Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision
Keith Williams
Chris Hopkins
Voyager
Jamie Fentiman
Unknown
EDIT: Please ask if you would like to know who will be onboard on a specific date.

UPDATE:
Ship
Cruise Director
Activities Manager
Adventure
Casey Pelter
Eric (last name?)
Allure
Mitch Merucci
Amy Tripp
Anthem
Dru Pavlov
Hugo Arenas
Brilliance
Clo O’Connor
Unknown
Empress
Carlos Torres
Cecy Del Razo
Enchantment
 Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira
 Unknown
Explorer
Graham Seymour
Joe Chambers
Freedom
 Mercedes La Fuentes
Jerry (last name?)
Grandeur 
 Susan Adams
Tanya Yates Tongue
Harmony
 Abe Hughes
Katy McCullagh
Independence
 Joff Eaton
Caroline Peters
Jewel
Simona Ferraiuolo
Daniel Klophaus
Liberty
John Blair
Katrina Blair
Mariner
Unknown
Unknown
Majesty
Bobby Broughton
Moe Vatuloka
Navigator
Cuddy Cudworth
Mark Rous
Oasis
Tim Connor
Marvin Wilson
Ovation
Gordon Whatman
Unknown
Quantum
Chris Brown
Unknown
Radiance
Steve Davis
Margot Van Erck
Rhapsody
Patricio Honores
Daniel Dornas
Serenade
Topi Ylönen
Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision
Keith Williams
Chris Hopkins
Voyager
Jamie Fentiman
Unknown
EDIT: Please ask if you would like to know who will be onboard on a specific date.

I do think OP is justified in saving $5k by going on Serenade, and I did mention that kids of 10, 5 and 3 should enjoy the kids slide and pool.
What I was saying was that if we were talking teens or kids older than 10, Serenade would be a bad choice as it would have very little activities. The main pool is too small, and there isn't much kid friendly amenities. As OP is not taking kids older than 10, I don't think doing Serenade would be an issue, but I do think people need to do their "homework" before actually booking a certain ship so that they know it would suit them. 

Could Independence get slides in her next refurb?
Would be tempted to book a Summer 2018 cruise on Indy if she had a big revitalisation with the addition of slides.

I think a ship like Navigator is perfect for a first timer.
Radiance Class may be OK as well (my first was Jewel), however, neither Oasis or Quantum Class ships are suited for first timers, IMO.

Here's an updated list for Cruise Directors:
Adventure OTS - Casey Pelter April 8 for 4 months (will likely be on paternity leave early October).

Allure OTS - Mitch Merucci April 23 until September 17, then Dru Pavlov September 17 until November 19, then Mitch returns November 19 for 4 months, followed by Dru for 4 months.

Anthem OTS - Dru Pavlov March 12 through mid-July, then Jimmy Rhodes until November 22, then Bobby Broughton joins Anthem as November 22.

Brilliance OTS - Jerome Sueur returned November 10 until May 25 then Clo O'Connor May 25 for 2 months. 

Empress OTS - Elvis Pinto returns April 24 for 2 months. 

Enchantment OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira began February 17.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returns March 19 through July 28 (then Graham is retiring).

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months thru the TA May 7 then Mercedes LaFuentes. 

Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter returned February 25 for 4 months.

Harmony OTS - Abe Hughes returns March 11 until July 8, then Bobby Brown July 8 until mid September, then Abe returns mid-September until after the New Year, then Dru Pavlov begins January 2018 for 2 months.

Independence OTS - Marc Walker begins April 28 until May 27, then Joff Eaton returns May 27 until September 30, then Marc returns September 30 until January 30. 

Jewel OTS - Susan Adams began April 23 for 2 months, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns late June for 4 months, then Susan returns late October for 4 months.

Liberty OTS - Jeff Arpin January 8 until late May, then John Blair late May until late July. 

Majesty OTS - Bobby Broughton April 17 for 2 months, followed by Susan Adams. 

Mariner OTS - Keith Williams mid March until mid May 10. (Replacement unknown.)

Navigator OTS - Drew Devine began March 26. (Unknown for how long) Clo O'Connor begins late September.

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes began March 12, then Tim Connor begins mid May for 4 months, then Jeff Arpin for 2 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup began March 5.
Joff Eaton expects to return to Ovation for the Australian season (need details).

Quantum OTS - Ricky Matthews end of January until mid-to-late May, then Chris Brown for 4 months, followed by Bill Brunkhorst in September.

Radiance OTS - Steve Davis March 28 until late-July, then John Blair for 2 months, followed by Steve for 4 months.

Rhapsody OTS - Dan Whitney January 21 (leaving ship soon)

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau March 17 for 2 months, then Topi Ylonen should be returning from May 20 until September 17 for the Baltic season.

Vision OTS - Bill Brunkhorst March 13, then Keith Williams begins May 22. 

Voyager OTS - Jamie Fentiman began April 6 
 

Here's an updated list for Cruise Directors:
Adventure OTS - Casey Pelter April 8 for 4 months (will likely be on paternity leave early October).

Allure OTS - Mitch Merucci April 23 until September 17, then Dru Pavlov September 17 until November 19, then Mitch returns November 19 for 4 months, followed by Dru for 4 months.

Anthem OTS - Dru Pavlov March 12 through mid-July, then Jimmy Rhodes until November 22, then Bobby Broughton joins Anthem as November 22.

Brilliance OTS - Jerome Sueur returned November 10 until May 25 then Clo O'Connor May 25 for 2 months. 

Empress OTS - Elvis Pinto returns April 24 for 2 months. 

Enchantment OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira began February 17.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returns March 19 through July 28 (then Graham is retiring).

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months thru the TA May 7 then Mercedes LaFuentes. 

Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter returned February 25 for 4 months.

Harmony OTS - Abe Hughes returns March 11 until July 8, then Bobby Brown July 8 until mid September, then Abe returns mid-September until after the New Year, then Dru Pavlov begins January 2018 for 2 months.

Independence OTS - Marc Walker begins April 28 until May 27, then Joff Eaton returns May 27 until September 30, then Marc returns September 30 until January 30. 

Jewel OTS - Susan Adams began April 23 for 2 months, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns late June for 4 months, then Susan returns late October for 4 months.

Liberty OTS - Jeff Arpin January 8 until late May, then John Blair late May until late July. 

Majesty OTS - Bobby Broughton April 17 for 2 months, followed by Susan Adams. 

Mariner OTS - Keith Williams mid March until mid May 10. (Replacement unknown.)

Navigator OTS - Drew Devine began March 26. (Unknown for how long) Clo O'Connor begins late September.

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes began March 12, then Tim Connor begins mid May for 4 months, then Jeff Arpin for 2 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup began March 5.
Joff Eaton expects to return to Ovation for the Australian season (need details).

Quantum OTS - Ricky Matthews end of January until mid-to-late May, then Chris Brown for 4 months, followed by Bill Brunkhorst in September.

Radiance OTS - Steve Davis March 28 until late-July, then John Blair for 2 months, followed by Steve for 4 months.

Rhapsody OTS - Dan Whitney January 21 (leaving ship soon)

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau March 17 for 2 months, then Topi Ylonen should be returning from May 20 until September 17 for the Baltic season.

Vision OTS - Bill Brunkhorst March 13, then Keith Williams begins May 22. 

Voyager OTS - Jamie Fentiman began April 6 
 

That's John Blair. Was on Independence until March 25, and is due back on Liberty late May for 2 months, then Radiance at the end of July.
He was my least favourite CD, but each to their own.
 
I have an updated list, which I can post here if wanted.

I'm getting on as you are getting off. Need to book the B2B then.