Current Cruise Director & Activities Manager List

[Skid]

Joe01-thanks for your reply.

[FManke]

On ‎9‎/‎1‎/‎2016 at 9:48 PM, DocLC said:

Nicely done, sir!

DocLC,

Did you have Carly last July on Serenade? What did you think?

[DocLC]

8 hours ago, fmanke said:

DocLC,

Did you have Carly last July on Serenade? What did you think?

I don't believe so. The name doesn't sound familiar. 

[Guest toodle68]

Is the list in the OP up to date?  What happened to Doug Blair?  Him and his wife were leaving Liberty at the beginning of Jan and moving to another ship. He was a great MC..

[Joe01]

2 hours ago, toodle68 said:

Is the list in the OP up to date?  What happened to Doug Blair?  Him and his wife were leaving Liberty at the beginning of Jan and moving to another ship. He was a great MC..

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.

[MegNason]

Any ideas on CD for Grandeur currently?

[coneyraven]

3 hours ago, MegNason said:

Any ideas on CD for Grandeur currently?

I believe, the CD is Paul Rutter --- To my knowledge, Tonya Yates is the AM up till July --- After that, we're hoping Andre Miller will be back, HE'S AWESOME!!!!  He and the Mrs. just became proud parents so that's where their priority lies these days (And it should be)

[FManke]

Has anybody ever had Carly Boileau? She's listed as CD on our Oct cruise on Serenade.

[RestingBird]

16 hours ago, fmanke said:

Has anybody ever had Carly Boileau? She's listed as CD on our Oct cruise on Serenade.

Carly B was CD on Serenade last Oct, she was good.  Definitely more mellow with the quest game vs the male CD on Freedom last April.

[MegNason]

@coneyraven Thank you!  Yes, we loved Andre when we had him the last time on Grandeur!  Hope to see him back too!!  We had the Ricky + Andre combo and it was the best!

[Matt]

20 hours ago, fmanke said:

Has anybody ever had Carly Boileau? She's listed as CD on our Oct cruise on Serenade.

If it's the same Carly I had on Jewel in 2013, then yes she is quite good.

[Joe01]

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 
 

[FManke]

17 minutes ago, Joe01 said:

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 
 

Any word on the CD for Serenade after Sept 17th? We're cruising Oct 1st.

[Skid]

Joe01-great post, thank you!

[Joe01]

For Serenade in October, it might be Carly Boileau, who has rotated with Topi Ylönen for nearly 2 years on SR.

[castle25]

Drew Devine on Navigator - Went on leave on Fri 26 May

[FManke]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2017 at 10:52 AM, Joe01 said:

For Serenade in October, it might be Carly Boileau, who has rotated with Topi Ylönen for nearly 2 years on SR.

If so, anybody have an opinion on Carly?

[SouthernYankee]

We were on the Serenade for 33 days in April and May and Carly B was fantastic.  Her activities manager was Grant Martin who is also outstanding.  Both were going on vacation when we docked in Copenhagen on May 20th.  Not sure if they will be back on the Serenade but they were great.  Serenade had a great Captain and staff.  You will most likely enjoy the experience.

[Joe01]

On 29 May 2017 at 4:58 PM, castle25 said:

Drew Devine on Navigator - Went on leave on Fri 26 May

Cuddy Cudworth took over until Sept 29th, then Clo O'Connor for the rest of the UK season and TA.

[Joe01]

Unfortunately one of the Cruise Directors passed away yesterday, Rich Edwards.

RIP Rich.

[FManke]

On ‎5‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 11:20 AM, SouthernYankee said:

We were on the Serenade for 33 days in April and May and Carly B was fantastic.  Her activities manager was Grant Martin who is also outstanding.  Both were going on vacation when we docked in Copenhagen on May 20th.  Not sure if they will be back on the Serenade but they were great.  Serenade had a great Captain and staff.  You will most likely enjoy the experience.

Thanks, looking forward to it!

[Cristina_WNOP]

On 9/2/2016 at 0:12 PM, Steve L said:

Pretty cool list you have here.....we had Ricky Mathews on our last cruise. He was great. Looks like I'm going to have Jeff Arpin on my next cruise on Liberty. I'll have to see if he looks familiar as I don't recall him on past cruises.

We loved Jeff on Liberty...he's kind of like that really funny/borderline sarcastic family member. So much fun.

[tdiazfarmer]

Thoughts on Graham, leave Friday on Explorer to Alaska?

[firegal2539]

I just got off of the Explorer 3 days ago. Graham was wonderful. He took part in every show, event, happening on board. His presence was known for sure.

 

He did announce he was retiring in July but that Royal had asked him if he would be interested in filling in occasionally and he said yes. He is hoping to only fill in once or twice a year for three or four weeks at a time.

To me it means Royal really values him.

Candie

[tdiazfarmer]

6 hours ago, firegal2539 said:

I just got off of the Explorer 3 days ago. Graham was wonderful. He took part in every show, event, happening on board. His presence was known for sure.

 

He did announce he was retiring in July but that Royal had asked him if he would be interested in filling in occasionally and he said yes. He is hoping to only fill in once or twice a year for three or four weeks at a time.

To me it means Royal really values him.

Candie

Thanks so much, glad he is wonderful! Looking so forward to our trip, we leave on Friday 6/9/2017.

 

[firegal2539]

Tdiaz,

I hope you have the weather we had. Juneau was 70 degrees, sunny and the locals were just amazed as to how wonderful it was. Skagway was about 65 degrees, sunny and again the locals were amazed. Victoria was about 60 degrees and clear and partly sunny and absolutely beautiful. Captain Gjerstad was all over the ship and was absolutely customer oriented. I really liked him. I loved Graham, his adult only comedy show was hysterical.

The only thing that bother me about the entertainment was all parties, 70s Disco Infusion, British Invasion, Crew Parade, and another one were held in the Royal Promenade, which means you can't walk through the Promenade, you can't go into the stores or cafes and bars because they are completely blocked. It is only about 30 to 1 hours long but still if I wanted coffee I would go to the Cafe Promenade and couldn't when all this was going on. I put a picture of the Promenade just before the show started.

If the ballroom dance team of Sebastian and Amanda are still on board you have to see them. They are fantastic. The production shows were great and the ice skating shows were fantastic.

Candie

[Joe01]

On 1 September 2016 at 8:58 PM, CruiseLifeRick said:

Hello All,

 

I wanted to see if we could commence a running Cruise Director and Activities Manager list here on the Royal Caribbean Blog Boards.   As many of you know, the Cruise Director can be very influential in providing a fun and interactive experience while on a cruise and for this reason the question is often asked "who will be the cruise director on my sailing?" However, as with any position of importance, the Cruise Director also enlists the assistance of his or her Activities Manager to host a number of events throughout a sailing (e.g. trivia, bingo, karaoke, etc...).  Therefore, I would also like to keep the list updated with the current Activities Managers whom many of us develop strong relationships with based on our varying degrees of participation in ship events. 

 

While I know there are similar lists maintained elsewhere on the internet, my desire is to provide an easily accessed (thanks in part to the long-term edit function of these boards) and more user friendly document than what currently exists.  In addition to receiving regular updates from the fantastic blog community that fill these boards with Royal Caribbean knowledge everyday, I also hope to leverage Kat's evergrowing Periscope community to obtain real time and accurate updates as to who holds these very important positions throughout the Royal Caribbean fleet.   Below is my first stab at a draft of the list based on information I was able to retrieve from various social media and online content.  As you can see, there are some blanks, which I am sure many of you will be able to assist with filling in.  Please feel free to respond here with any list updates or any comments as to the format or layout of the document.

 

I would like to thank all of you in advance for any assistance you can provide with making this list a useful resource for Royal Caribbean cruisers.

 

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.

[Joe01]

UPDATE as of June 30th, 2017:

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	TT Algan
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	Mauricio Diaz
Navigator	Cuddy Cudworth	Mark Rous
Oasis	Tim Connor	Moe Vatuloka
Ovation	Gordon Whatman	Agari G
Quantum	Chris Brown	Unknown
Radiance	Steve Davis	Margot Van Erck
Rhapsody	Patricio Honores	Daniel Dornas
Serenade	Topi Ylönen	Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision	Chris Hopkins	Mickey Martin
Voyager	Jamie Fentiman	Troy Zhang

[Joe01]

Has anyone sailed with Abe Hughes as CD or Katy McCullagh as AM?

On the Harmony tomorrow!

[Joe01]

UPDATE as of September 12th, 2017:

Ship	Cruise Director	Activities Manager
Adventure	Elvis Pinto	Renato Arana
Allure	Jimmy Rhodes	Grant Martin
Anthem	Marc Walker	Hugo Arenas
Brilliance	Mercedes La Fuentes	Unknown
Empress	Carlos Torres	Cecy Del Razo
Enchantment	Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira	Unknown
Explorer	Dan Whitney	Amy Tripp?
Freedom	Michele Scarpato	Danny (last name?)
Grandeur	Susan Adams	Tino Jackson
Harmony	Bobby Brown	Jerry de la Concha
Independence	Joff Eaton	Caroline Peters
Jewel	Simona Ferraiuolo	Mickey Martin
Liberty	Drew Devine	Tresha Robb
Mariner	Ken Jones	Unknown
Majesty	Ricky Matthews	Mauricio Diaz
Navigator	Cuddy Cudworth	Elizabeth Hackett
Oasis	Jeff Arpin	Katie Turner
Ovation	Mike Hunnerup	Raphael Wu
Quantum	Chris Brown	Unknown
Radiance	John Blair	Katrina Blair
Rhapsody	Patricio Honores	Eric Lopez
Serenade	Topi Ylönen	Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision	Chris Hopkins	Angelle Rutten Van Hemert
Voyager	Jerome Sueur	Troy Zhang

[Joe01]

For anyone on the Group Cruise, Abe Hughes was supposed to return for your cruise but is moving to Freedom instead, so Bobby Brown will be your Cruise Director.

[MBalkus]

24 minutes ago, Joe01 said:

UPDATE as of September 12th, 2017:

Ship	Cruise Director	Activities Manager
Adventure	Elvis Pinto	Renato Arana
Allure	Jimmy Rhodes	Grant Martin
Anthem	Marc Walker	Hugo Arenas
Brilliance	Mercedes La Fuentes	Unknown
Empress	Carlos Torres	Cecy Del Razo
Enchantment	Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira	Unknown
Explorer	Dan Whitney	Amy Tripp?
Freedom	Michele Scarpato	Danny (last name?)
Grandeur	Susan Adams	Tino Jackson
Harmony	Bobby Brown	Jerry de la Concha
Independence	Joff Eaton	Caroline Peters
Jewel	Simona Ferraiuolo	Mickey Martin
Liberty	Drew Devine	Tresha Robb
Mariner	Ken Jones	Unknown
Majesty	Ricky Matthews	Mauricio Diaz
Navigator	Cuddy Cudworth	Elizabeth Hackett
Oasis	Jeff Arpin	Katie Turner
Ovation	Mike Hunnerup	Raphael Wu
Quantum	Chris Brown	Unknown
Radiance	John Blair	Katrina Blair
Rhapsody	Patricio Honores	Eric Lopez
Serenade	Topi Ylönen	Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision	Chris Hopkins	Angelle Rutten Van Hemert
Voyager	Jerome Sueur	Troy Zhang

 

[Koz]

So what do we know about Jimmy Rhodes, other than the fact that his name could easily translate to the world of Private Investigation or adult films?  Looks like he'll be our guy on 4 NOV!

[MBalkus]

Do you know when Carlos Torres will be leaving the Empress?When will he return?

[Joe01]

34 minutes ago, Koz said:

So what do we know about Jimmy Rhodes, other than the fact that his name could easily translate to the world of Private Investigation or adult films?  Looks like he'll be our guy on 4 NOV!

Had Jimmy Rhodes in 2014 on Oasis. He's a good CD, although with it being a big ship, I didn't see enough of him to get an impression. Seemed entertaining enough.

He did do a good morning show, liked the catchphrase "How u cruisin?". His AM at the moment is Grant Martin, who gets very good reviews, so make sure to tune into their morning show.

Interesting fact about Jimmy - he was the CD that took out Quantum of the Seas 3 years ago.

[Joe01]

18 minutes ago, MBalkus said:

Do you know when Carlos Torres will be leaving the Empress?When will he return?

Either a 4 or 6 month contract. Started June 17 so should be on vacation by Christmas at the latest, probably a bit earlier. Breaks are 2 months long.

Carlos was Activities Manager when we were on Serenade in 2013. He was good.

[MBalkus]

Thanks.

[Joe01]

Happy New Year to the RCL Blog! UPDATE as of January 11th, 2017:

Ship	Cruise Director	Activities Manager
Adventure	Simona Ferraiuolo	Daniel Dornas
Allure	Mitch Merucci	Amy Tripp
Anthem	Dennis Charles	Enzo Matijaca
Brilliance	Jimmy Rhodes	Flavio Maeda
Empress	Hugo Arenas	Mauricio Diaz
Enchantment	Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira	TT Algan
Explorer	Topi Ylönen	Aysy Sadrislamova
Freedom	Abe Hughes	Alexander Schmidt
Grandeur	Bob Leininger	Tanya Yates Tongue
Harmony	Dru Pavlov	Katy McCullagh
Independence	Marc Walker	Mark Rous
Jewel	Susan Adams	Daniel Klophaus
Liberty	Drew Devine	Mickey Martin
Mariner	Fang Lixin	Kitty Xu
Majesty	Bobby Broughton	Mosese Vatuloka
Navigator	Cuddy Cudworth	Claire Booth
Oasis	Tim Connor	Margot van Erck
Ovation	Joff Eaton	Chris Hopkins
Quantum	Chris Brown	Bonnie Bai
Radiance	Rob McNally	Saini Gupta
Rhapsody	Unknown	Eric Lopez
Serenade	Ricky Matthews	Caroline Peters
Vision	Steve Davis	Talita Leoni
Voyager	Unknown	Marvin Wilson

 

[Beyond Vertical]

Marc Walker announced he will be on Symphony from 10/23/18-2/16/19. He's an awesome director and a hoot to follow on Facebook. 

He'll be on Harmony 1/27/18-4/7/18 -  8/4/18-10/6/18

[Lovetocruise2002]

The best CD I have come across so far has been Tim Connor.  He was on Allure but now he's on Oasis.  He is younger, super energetic and so unbelievably funny!  I laughed so hard I cried on more than one occasion.  Heard great things about Abe too but have not had the pleasure yet to sail with him.