Can someone explain why it's such a big deal?

[Aidenspoppy]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

[bury me at sea]

The CD is relevant to us only in terms where he/she rates on the annoying scale.

 

The maitre'd a little more. They can be helpful in assigning us to the size table we request.

[coevan]

The last cruise on the Dream, I could not even tell you who he or she was. The only memorable CD was John Heald on the Imagination many years ago.

[tallnthensome]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

I agree with everything you just said. It amazes me that people actually care. The are not the make all break of us having a great cruise. I could care less if there was a CD.

[ray98]

Yeah....I feel the same way. The only reason I want to know their name on board is so I have a mental picture of how to be annoyed with on a daily basis.

[goldenrod]

CD who cares, most come off as phonies who really do nothing of any importance!

 

 

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[carnivaladdix120]

I always wondered the same thing! LOL I don't think I've ever known any of the names of any CD's on my past cruises. The only one I do know of is Matt and that's because he's cute and I love his accent but I have no idea what ship he's on and even if I sailed with him in the future, I'd probably ignore him like I did all the others :D

 

As for the maitre'd, I only ask to speak to them if I need a large table and that's only happened once.

Edited December 17, 2016 by carnivaladdix120

[rkacruiser]

The Cruise Director's personality and effort often are reflected by others on the Cruise Staff as they carry out their duties. An out-going, happy and guest-oriented CD can make a difference in the on-board atmosphere aboard a cruise ship in a positive way. Likewise, a CD who is rarely seen, lacks good guest-oriented skills may promote an entirely different cruise experience for the guests.

 

That said. I have sailed with a CD employed by Holland America on a cruise who was stiff, cold, unfriendly. Embarking another HAL ship, I was very disappointed to see that this gentleman was going to be my CD for 30 days. It turned out that on this cruise, the job that he did as CD was beyond reproach. It was a 180 degree difference between the two cruises as to how this gentleman did his job.

 

What made the difference? In my opinion, it had to do with the Senior Management on the ships. On the first disappointing cruise, something was "amiss" the entire 21 days. Hotel Director, Captain, other Officers were nearly invisible during the entire cruise. On the second cruise, Senior Management was "out and about" and I believe it created a completely different "tone" for the entire crew, including the Cruise Director.

 

Will a CD "make or break" one's enjoyment of a cruise? Certainly not. One can make one's own enjoyment of a cruise if need be (i.e. making lemonade out of lemons). But, I submit that a great CD, as well as a terrible CD, can influence one's memory of a particular cruise experience.

[Honolulu Blue]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

 

For a few people (not many) the cruise director does make a difference. It's something I look at because it's (usually) available for me to consider. They don't tell us the comedians or the captain before sailing, for example. It doesn't matter to me why people choose their cruises.

 

As for the maitre d', I don't think I've ever met any of them. Do they hang out on Lido? Probably not. I've conversed with a couple of Hotel Directors, but those of course aren't the same thing.

[winddawn]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

I agree. I've been cruising for 20 years. I've never met a cruise director on any ship, and quite honestly find them to be annoying with all their marketing announcements, which quite frankly is the core of their job. I cruise to get away from that type of thing. We are the most marketed-to society in the world in North America. I'd much rather see Carnival spend that money on other things that would actually enhance the quality of my cruise. It's nothing personal. I'm sure Cruise Directors are nice people. I just don't see that they bring any value to my cruise experience, and actually feel they detract from my cruise experience.

 

I liken the voice of a Cruise Director on the PA to an air raid siren--very annoying.

Edited December 17, 2016 by winddawn

[Bookbug53]

I have encountered CDs that made my cruise very enjoyable. Matt M twice on the Glory and again on the Breeze.

 

Another that showed me how ridiculously ineffective they are in any sense. Not wanting to start an argument among his admirers I won't mention the name. Suffice it to say it was the only cruise to get a lot of negative (and detailed) comments in the online survey.

 

I have also sailed some where I could not tell you who the CD was.

 

So I guess unless they are exceptionally good or cause unpleasant issues, you would not notice.

 

Only one maitre' d has had a direct impact on my cruise. In a very pleasant way and Carnival was made aware.

 

The rest only showed up on the last night with hands out stretched. :rolleyes:

[Elaine5715]

Having sailed with Matt ( and worked out in the gym with him), he is present and approachable. JASE is the only and only CD who stopped by my dinner table. Did they make a difference? I remember them and had pleasant exchanges personally but the CD does create a atmosphere that can make or break the entertainment crew which then can definitely impact a cruise.

[coevan]

CD who cares, most come off as phonies who really do nothing of any importance!

 

 

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come on, really, they work their asses off. we don't go to the CD events, but some people really enjoy about hearing info on their next island. Phonies is not fair, they are putting on a show, it's their job

Edited December 17, 2016 by coevan

[tef43]

A "good" CD will not make a lick of difference to your cruise.

 

A "bad" CD however, can certainly ruin it (Ex: Jeff Bronson, Sparkle, etc).

[cruizinisthebest]

A CD is only important or a "big deal" as the OP puts it, if someone makes it one. If you don't, then who cares on that either. It's a personal choice. Me personally, I would seek out cruises with Dr. E after having sailed with him earlier this year IF the cruise met all my needs and wants otherwise. But that's ME. If it's not important to you, then sobeit.

 

I disagree with the previous poster. I have had CDs that I didn't care for. They certainly did NOT ruin my vacation. I have a few good ones that made it better. I can't see a CD ruining any vacation of mine.

[OCruisers]

While we don't really care who the CD is, have to admit having a good one does make a difference. Like when a port stop is missed for some reason or other ....

 

A good CD: Because we weren't able to have the port day as planned, we will have a new list of daytime activities for your entertainment out before Noon.

 

A bad CD: Sorry you'll be missing the port stop. The casino will be open.

[sprint180]

I have wondered the same thing. I have never even seen one of our out side of a show where they are announcing. I figured I really must be missing something.

 

 

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[Jamericannn]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

 

You just mentioned that most of the times you find them extremely obnoxious and annoying so I am pretty sure you would not want those CDs again. You would prefer the ones you did not find obnoxious and annoying. Having said that, the CD doesn't make or break my cruise one bit.

Edited December 18, 2016 by Jamericannn
Added last sentence for clarification

[riclop]

Why is it so important to know who the CD is? My cruise has never been made better or worse because of who this person was. Most the time I find then to be extremely obnoxious and annoying. Also while were at it, same question about the Matre D. Does it really make that big a difference?

 

I don't understand it either, we could care less who the cd is.

[riffatsea]

I have had only one experience with a cd who made the cruise more enjoyable with his interactive presence and activity planning. Sadly I don't remember his name!

 

We have had several good interactions on board with maitred and asst maitre d getting to know us and making our dinner time more enjoyable.

 

I do think that the atmosphere is different on cruises where senior management(captain, hotel director etc) are seen around the ship and stop to chat with guests.

We have had this on many cruises and have missed it on others. We can certainly enjoy ourselves without this interaction but it adds to our pleasure when it is available!:p:cool:

 

[Jamericannn]

I have had only one experience with a cd who made the cruise more enjoyable with his interactive presence and activity planning. Sadly I don't remember his name!

 

We have had several good interactions on board with maitred and asst maitre d getting to know us and making our dinner time more enjoyable.

 

I do think that the atmosphere is different on cruises where senior management(captain, hotel director etc) are seen around the ship and stop to chat with guests.

We have had this on many cruises and have missed it on others. We can certainly enjoy ourselves without this interaction but it adds to our pleasure when it is available!:p:cool:

 

 

That must me Matt

[Bunkie103]

The only one I remember and enjoyed was John Heald on the Triumph on our first cruise. Since then they are all a blur.:o

[riffatsea]

No , I don't think it was Matt.

It was a heavyset guy , maybe English but definitely not John Heald.

He danced with us and generally interacted and didn't just stand on a stage with a microphone.

[The4Cruisers]

I agree with those that don't care who the CD is. Out of all of our cruises, there's only been one that I really didn't care for, but I don't even know his name. So if I sail with him again...whatever..

 

Now that Dr E guy was pretty entertaining, but I grew tired of his shtick after the first couple of days. I can see how others really like him though.

 

I think the best CD we ever had was Corey (Peter Griffin) on Liberty a couple of years ago. Heard he left Carnival earlier this year for an opportunity on shore. Good on him!

[cruisinpips]

I can only remember 4 cruise directors out of 21 cruises.

Our first cruise, the guy was named Lenny, very funny, never met him in person. Destiny 2001.

Noonan on Destiny, saw him everywhere very likable and talked to you like he had known you forever. Promoted to a corporate position.

Dr E on Magic, while a pretty good entertainer, very annoying annoucements, and didn't care for him.

Our last cruise, we had Mike Pack, quite possibly the most energetic and best cruise director ever. He is the only CD I have kept up with and we are quite sad he won't be on the Breeze in 2 weeks, because he is on vacation.

I cannot name one cruise director from our RCI cruises, but none were make or break to us. :D:D