Entertainment vs. Cruise Director

[CatsareCool]

On my Ruby Princess cruise to Alaska they had both an Entertainment Director and a Cruise Director. Because it was a 7 days cruise I didn't have the time to ask around about the differences in what they do. I recall reading something on CC about how the responsibilities were divided, but didn't pay to much attention (shame on me!) and now that I was aboard with the two titles it made me wonder. What does the Entertainment Director do? What does the Cruise Director do? Has this new procedure been rolled out onto all the ships?

[skynight]

On my Ruby Princess cruise to Alaska they had both an Entertainment Director and a Cruise Director. Because it was a 7 days cruise I didn't have the time to ask around about the differences in what they do. I recall reading something on CC about how the responsibilities were divided, but didn't pay to much attention (shame on me!) and now that I was aboard with the two titles it made me wonder. What does the Entertainment Director do? What does the Cruise Director do? Has this new procedure been rolled out onto all the ships?

You saw the CD out front as the MC for shows, leading evening game shows and other activities. No more paper work. More interaction with the passengers. That is what they now do. The Entertainment Director is in charge of all the paper work such as, preparing the Princess Patter, arranging for all the guest entertainers plus more. Basically the Entertainment Director is an office job. They ED now wears the officer's uniform with 3 1/2 shoulder stripes, so it is a high level position.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Does the CD report to the ED? Does the Cruise Staff report to the CD or the ED (or the ED through the CD?).

[Colo Cruiser]

The CD and his/her staff report to the ED. They all report to the HGM.

[Murphey]

So are the ED's former Cruise Director's? Or do they come from the Hotel side?

[1025cruise]

Ahh, so Princess is adopting the same thing that Carnival did? I guess it makes sense. Let the Cruise Director be out there running things and being with the people, while the Entertainment Director does the administrative stuff.

[Colo Cruiser]

So are the ED's former Cruise Director's? Or do they come from the Hotel side?

 

 

Yes. For an example Richard Joseph now ED.

[Murphey]

Yes. For an example Richard Joseph now ED.

 

Thanks for the info....it's interesting! I always thought the CD's had sooo much to do, I wondered when they slept!

[skynight]

The CD and his/her staff report to the ED. They all report to the HGM.

Not sure this is the way it is. The 'rank' of the CD and the ED are both 3 1/2 stripes. I believe that they both report directly to the hotel manager. I have a friend that was promoted from Deputy Cruise Director to ED. I don't think they would have jumped her from to reporting to the CD to having the CD report to her.

On our last cruise this past June we saw the ED as a panelist in a few game shows as well as one of the coaches in the Voice contest. Other than that we never saw him.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the info....it's interesting! I always thought the CD's had sooo much to do, I wondered when they slept!

 

 

CD Richard Joseph wrote an incredible description of a CD's daily duties here on CC a few years ago.

I will look to see if I can find it and repost.

[Colo Cruiser]

Posted 10/23/2006 by Cruise Directer now Entertainment Director Richard Joseph

 

 

 

 

October 23rd, 2006, 08:45 AM

RJCD800 RJCD800 is offline

Cool Cruiser

 

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Boca Raton, FL USA

Posts: 46

 

 

A Day In The Life Of Your Cruise Director

There seems to be so many posts in regards to Cruise Directors, which I have enjoyed reading over the years. I guess it is normal to want to discuss people in such a high profile position, and I am just thankful that the vast majority of critiques are usually very nice, and the one or two odd ones that are just plain nasty are always self policed by fellow cruise critic members pointing out different opinions and sometimes reminding the poster that perhaps they are being a bit too harsh.

 

While you may see posters trash a particular CD and then the inevitable question as to why the cruise line employs such a person when there are negative comments on the board, it should be kept in mind that the cruise lines look at the Cruise Director’s rating by ALL the passengers each and every cruise. For a CD to keep their job they must maintain a satisfactory rating from the passengers. My point being - because a CD is not well liked by a few people posting on a web site – there are thousands of other passengers each cruise who have given the CD a positive rating in their comment cards. These ratings are the true indicator of the Cruise Director’s performance and actual popularity among the passengers.

 

Cruise Directors, like any other position vary greatly in style. Some passengers like the over the top “A personality” omnipresent CD, while others despise this type of approach and greatly prefer a softer, classier sort. I, after 31 years at sea and 25 years as a CD have experienced many changes as I have matured as a Cruise Director. The younger newly promoted CD may tend to be the omnipresent sort that after a few years of experience will certainly mellow, and become more of a Manager and less of a game show host type. In the last ten years or so I have taken great pleasure in mentoring my teams and training, helping and watching the less experienced team members flourish, and getting them promoted through the ranks. At this stage of my career that is the most satisfying aspect of leading the team. I don’t feel the need to always be the one on the microphone. While I greatly enjoy hosting the major events & shows, I feel the other activities afford excellent training opportunities for the less seasoned team members, after all how will they ever get the experience if the CD never gives them the opportunity. If you don’t see me on stage, have a look you will usually see me or my Deputy in the lounge monitoring how the events are being hosted, with a post activity debrief for training purposes.

 

Over the years as the ships have grown, so have the teams that the CD manages. In the mid-80’s the ships were in the 30,000 ton range, had one show lounge with 800 or so passengers and a Entertainment team of under 30. On today’s 80,000 plus ton ships there is an entertainment team of usually over 130 and over 2000 passengers, with at least 5 or more entertainment venues. So the Cruise Director’s role has become much more administrative. Having said that I do have five managers assisting me in the task of running the entertainment and activity programs and managing the team. They are the Deputy Cruise Director who is my 2nd in charge, the Line Captain who is in charge of the Production Shows, choreography, costume maintenance, and Dancers, a Senior Production Manager, who is responsible for the lighting and sound in the various entertainment venues, the Band Master who manages all the Musicians, and the Youth Activities Coordinator responsible for the kid’s program. These 5 Managers follow the programming as set forth and are directly supervised by the Cruise Director.

 

I have mapped out a sea day for me this season here aboard Island Princess.

 

7:30-7:55am Public Area Walk-through to be certain that all is prepared for the day and that music levels and lighting are at the proper levels

8:00-8:45am Captain’s Executive Committee Meeting

9:00-9:30am Passenger Services Director’s Hotel Meeting

9:45am Morning Rundown announcement

10:00-10:45am Port Talk or Disembarkation Briefing

10:45am Office Session work my way through 30 emails, while meeting with various team members discussing the issues of the day.

11:15am Try and get to Bingo to call the first couple of games and have some fun with the passengers.

11:45am 45 minutes of socializing with the passengers in the high traffic areas just to say hello to as many people as possible and be seen.

12:30pm Entertainment Department Manager’s meeting

1:00-2:30pm Lunch and Afternoon Break.

2:30pm Afternoon Rundown announcement

2:35pm 40 Minutes of socializing

4:00pm Various Administrative Tasks –(These can include safety committee meetings, health and welfare conferences, crew recreation meetings, disciplinary hearings, etc.)

4:30-5:30pm Office Session again trying to wade through the emails which have now grown to 50, and office hours with an open door policy for any team member.

5:30pm Record the Morning TV Show for the next morning

6:00-6:45pm Dinner and change into Evening attire

6:45pm Public Area Walk-through to be certain that all is prepared for the evening and that music levels and lighting are at the proper levels

7:00pm Captain’s Welcome Party or Captain’s Circle Party or Most Traveled Passengers Party, or Private Group Cocktail Party, or Cruise Critic Party, etc.

8:00pm Host first show in Theatre

9:00pm One more attempt at clearing the day’s accumulated emails

9:30 Socializing & another check all venues are operating as directed, lights are set for proper ambience, any game shows are being presented to prescribed standards, etc.

10:00pm Host second show in Theatre

11:00pm A walk around the Lounges for socializing before heading back to the office to conclude any unfinished administrative work

 

A very busy day and I absolutely love most of it!

 

Keep in mind that the above schedule is only on sea days. The port days are significantly less busy and give us the chance to catch up on administration and get some time ashore.

 

I hope this has provided an insight into what your Cruise Director may be doing during the course of the day. What makes the days so special are meeting many wonderful people as we make our way around the ship. We also get to enjoy the same wonderful sights and scenery that our passengers do. And of course the inevitable interaction with someone who may not be so wonderful, which is a good chance to exercise our public relations skills and do our best to put a smile on their faces, or assist them with a problem or issue they may be having.

 

So a huge thanks to all the great friends I have made over the years that have said so many great things here on Cruise Critic. You are the folks who can see the big picture – that the CD is responsible for the presentation of each and every aspect of the entertainment and activity programs – even if not physically hosting the event. I am so proud of the teams that I lead, and I realize without them I could never do it all on my own.

 

 

All the best!

Richard Joseph

Cruise Director

[Colo Cruiser]

Not sure this is the way it is. The 'rank' of the CD and the ED are both 3 1/2 stripes. I believe that they both report directly to the hotel manager. I have a friend that was promoted from Deputy Cruise Director to ED. I don't think they would have jumped her from to reporting to the CD to having the CD report to her.

On our last cruise this past June we saw the ED as a panelist in a few game shows as well as one of the coaches in the Voice contest. Other than that we never saw him.

 

Just going by what I was told. It makes no difference to me.

[Murphey]

Thanks for reposting this....it's good to be reminded all the effort that goes into making us have a wonderful vacation!

[jasbo49]

Thanks for digging that up, Keith. Those who have cruised with Richard Joseph as CD know he is an understated guy, and that schedule is, if anything, on the conservative side.

 

Jim

[1025cruise]

Based on my reading on the Carnival side of things, the CD does indeed report to the ED (at least on paper).

[Lucky TGO]

Does the CD report to the ED? Does the Cruise Staff report to the CD or the ED (or the ED through the CD?).

 

I'm totally confused now :D :D

Tony

[shredie]

I'm totally confused now :D :D

Tony

 

LOL! Me, too. ;)

[easyboy]

CD Richard Joseph wrote an incredible description of a CD's daily duties here on CC a few years ago.

I will look to see if I can find it and repost.

Thanks for the repost. Hope you can get him to post a similar one as ED now.

[RJCD800]

Yes. For an example Richard Joseph now ED.

 

Hey Keith - hope you're well! I am still CD in the traditional structure.

 

We have only rolled out this new program on 4 ships so far with 4 more to follow by year's end.

 

I believe I will be one of the last to make the switch to the new program, which should be fully rolled out by the end of 2017.

 

Looking forward to sailing with you in November!

 

All the best,

Rich

[cruisehappy001]

Hey Keith - hope you're well! I am still CD in the traditional structure.

 

We have only rolled out this new program on 4 ships so far with 4 more to follow by year's end.

 

I believe I will be one of the last to make the switch to the new program, which should be fully rolled out by the end of 2017.

 

Looking forward to sailing with you in November!

 

All the best,

Rich

 

Rich,

 

We are all so glad that we will be able to enjoy having you as our CD! We were terribly sad when we first heard that you were originally going to be leaving as we were arriving on the unique 11/16/16 cruise. I had made several posts here on CC basically wishing that they changed your schedule slightly so that you would stay on for our cruise, and my wish came true. Whether it was the power of suggestion, all of us wishing, or just pure luck does not matter.

 

We have not been on the Island with you for a few years, but have sailed with several of your great proteges over these past few years. We are looking forward to this cruise, seeing you again, and and checking out the remodeled ship, but we are sad they did not add an IC! (I bet you are tired of hearing people say that! LOL!)

 

Thanks for checking in, and changing your schedule if that was your doing!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

Mark

[Colo Cruiser]

Hey Keith - hope you're well! I am still CD in the traditional structure.

 

We have only rolled out this new program on 4 ships so far with 4 more to follow by year's end.

 

I believe I will be one of the last to make the switch to the new program, which should be fully rolled out by the end of 2017.

 

Looking forward to sailing with you again in November!

 

All the best,

Rich

 

Good morning Rich,

Great to hear from you. I remember you telling me about the new ED position. Thanks for the update! It's always nice to have you pop on CC.

Tamie and I are looking forward to seeing you onboard once again my friend.

Have a glorious day in Alaska! :D

Edited August 16, 2016 by Colo Cruiser

[RJCD800]

Rich,

 

We are all so glad that we will be able to enjoy having you as our CD! We were terribly sad when we first heard that you were originally going to be leaving as we were arriving on the unique 11/16/16 cruise. I had made several posts here on CC basically wishing that they changed your schedule slightly so that you would stay on for our cruise, and my wish came true. Whether it was the power of suggestion, all of us wishing, or just pure luck does not matter.

 

We have not been on the Island with you for a few years, but have sailed with several of your great proteges over these past few years. We are looking forward to this cruise, seeing you again, and and checking out the remodeled ship, but we are sad they did not add an IC! (I bet you are tired of hearing people say that! LOL!)

 

Thanks for checking in, and changing your schedule if that was your doing!

 

Happy Cruising!

 

Mark

 

Hey Mark - So happy to be doing that cruise as well - it will definitely be one to remember. You never know, maybe you did have the power of suggestion! Looking forward to being your CD and welcoming you back to IP.

 

All the best!

Rich

Edited August 16, 2016 by RJCD800

[caribill]

Hey Keith - hope you're well! I am still CD in the traditional structure.

 

We have only rolled out this new program on 4 ships so far with 4 more to follow by year's end.

 

I believe I will be one of the last to make the switch to the new program, which should be fully rolled out by the end of 2017.

 

Looking forward to sailing with you in November!

 

All the best,

Rich

 

Can you tell us who reports to whom?

[RJCD800]

Can you tell us who reports to whom?

 

On a ship with ED & CD - CD reports to ED. CD is a 3 stripe officer - ED 3.5. ED would be the dept. head.

 

On ships with only a CD - CD is a 3.5 stripe officer and is the dept. head.

[Colo Cruiser]

Not sure this is the way it is. The 'rank' of the CD and the ED are both 3 1/2 stripes. I believe that they both report directly to the hotel manager. I have a friend that was promoted from Deputy Cruise Director to ED. I don't think they would have jumped her from to reporting to the CD to having the CD report to her.

On our last cruise this past June we saw the ED as a panelist in a few game shows as well as one of the coaches in the Voice contest. Other than that we never saw him.

 

On a ship with ED & CD - CD reports to ED. CD is a 3 stripe officer - ED 3.5. ED would be the dept. head.

 

On ships with only a CD - CD is a 3.5 stripe officer and is the dept. head.

 

 

Thanks Rich!