1 Why do most cruise directors seem to come from the UK ?

2 Is there any formal training plan and schooling attended to qualify? How does one get into the profession?

3 It seems a high pressure type career. Is there a high burnout rate?

4 It seems a young persons career. What would a cruise director do after going ashore?

5 In the pecking order onboard, where do they stack up relative to other onboard managers?

6 What sort of income do they make?

7 Do they stick with one cruise line, or move around?

That seems enough to get started. I will be interested to get informed input.
Thanks.

A second cousin of mine with an Hons. Arts Degree from Manchester University worked for a time with DisneyWorld in Paris - he has great language skills - then for a short time he joined one of the smaller cruise lines in the Cruise Show area - he danced, was extremely athletic and, above all, truly enjoyed working with people. He's good looking, has personality plus, great sense of humor, a ready answer for most comments and/or questions. Life at sea was not for him - he's now with Intel - travels the world - hiring and firing.

#2. As far as I know there is no school for Cruise Directors. Cruise Directors usually start out as an entertainer, or work their way up the ranks from Cruise Staff. Usually it works this way: Cruise Staff > Assistant Cruise Director > Cruise Director. To get into this profession you must be a high-energy person who loves to entertain people. Also must have excellent Public relations skills, and be able to effectively manage a staff of 20-30 people. Have good organizational skills. Be very comfortable hosting and MCing for large groups of people.

#3. Yes there is a high burn-out rate. It is a high-pressure position. You are ON 24/7. Vacations are every 3 months or so.

#4. It's not necessarily a young person's job, but it does take someone who has a high level of energy to keep up with the fast-paced lifestyle on a cruise ship. Sometimes it's a thankless job too. When a Cruise Director goes ashore for vacation, he takes care of personal business, visits family, relaxes, reads, does absolutely nothing, goes to movies, hangs out with friends. If you're asking what a Cruise Director does when no longer working on the ships....that's a good question. Some start cruise-only travel businesses, or they may move into a more corporate position shore-side training other staff etc.

#5. Usually it is in this order: Captain > Hotel Manager > Cruise Director > Purser > Food & Beverage Manager.....

#6. $3,500 - $8,500 month cash

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Originally posted by topgun:
1 Why do most cruise directors seem to come from the UK ?

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Because us Brits have a great sense of humour!

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Originally posted by locarno:
...unless you have been a star ashore, such as Freddie Davies, yes THE Parrot man, who was C.D. with Regency Cruises.

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As a Yank, I'll admit I don't understand much regarding British humor, but 2 of my favorite shows from there were "Monty Python's Flying Circus" and "Benny Hill". Loved them both Great comedy and timing!

Although I agree that America and Britain do have different cultures and comedy, there can be a cross over.

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Originally posted by geno-r:
I think the British have a good sense of homour. The assistant cruise director on the Tropicale in 1998 was a riot!!! Here in the US we have many old British comedies on PBS. We especially enjoy, Faulty Towers, Are You Being Served and I forget the name but it's about Mrs. Bucket, ie. Bouquet LOL

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To keep on topic, I think that some of these Britcoms should be added to onboard TV viewing;

Only dogs and horses
Britass Empire
two Ronnies
Ello Ello
Some mothers do ave em
Thin blue line

Any more?

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Originally posted by topgun:
Thanks for the comment Malcom. The subject has been massacred but I am enjoying the input.
Anyone know who Tarquin is ,or was? I was thinking of adopting it as a second name.

To keep on topic, I think that some of these Britcoms should be added to onboard TV viewing;

Only dogs and horses
Britass Empire
two Ronnies
Ello Ello
Some mothers do ave em
Thin blue line

Any more?

[ 08-05-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]

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Originally posted by Paddy:
Very true. Modern British sitcoms never get on American tv quite simply becasue they are sh***...not very good!

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I'm just not sure how we could fit all of this TV watching in when we're hardly ever in our cabin.

TVisnotbadbutcruisin'ismuchbetter.

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Originally posted by topgun:
Thanks for the comment Malcom. The subject has been massacred but I am enjoying the input.
Anyone know who Tarquin is ,or was? I was thinking of adopting it as a second name.

To keep on topic, I think that some of these Britcoms should be added to onboard TV viewing;

Only dogs and horses
Britass Empire
two Ronnies
Ello Ello
Some mothers do ave em
Thin blue line

Any more?

[ 08-05-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]

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British comedies are the best! But then again, i'm a Yank, so what do i know?

P.S. I thought the title of the show was "Only FOOLS and Horses."

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Originally posted by topgun:
Colt.You are right. By the way, I believe that Tarquin is Mrs Buckets sons friend . I think that he majored in needlepoint or something like that at the polytechnic. Anyway, I always thought that it was a good name
Happy cruising

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I believe you are correct, that "Tarquin" is the name of Sheridan's friend. Never thought about it until you brought it up, but i like that name as well.

Does anyone know if we ever get to see Sheridan in the series Keeping Up Appearances? Also, not sure which of the two "Rose"s i preferred. They were both great.

Other great British comedies:

What about "Good Neighbours" with Penelope Keith and the other actors/actresses whose names i cannot recall?

Mr. Bean
Red Dwarf
To the Manor Born
Rising Damp
A Fine Romance
Last of the Summer Wine
Yes, Prime Minister!
Are You Being Served?
As Time Goes By

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Originally posted by Green:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by topgun:
[qb]Thanks for the comment Malcom. The subject has been massacred but I am enjoying the input.
Anyone know who Tarquin is ,or was? I was thinking of adopting it as a second name.

To keep on topic, I think that some of these Britcoms should be added to onboard TV viewing;

Only dogs and horses
Britass Empire
two Ronnies
Ello Ello
Some mothers do ave em
Thin blue line

Any more?

[ 08-05-2001: Message edited by: topgun ]

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I'd opt for - favourites mentioned by sympatico and Paddy - plus -
Some mothers do ave em -
Two Ronnies -
Only dogs and horses -
and what about Dame Edna?

On a cruise, who needs all the'blood and thunder'?[/QB][/QUOTE]

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Originally posted by colt:
I believe you are correct, that "Tarquin" is the name of Sheridan's friend. Never thought about it until you brought it up, but i like that name as well.

Does anyone know if we ever get to see Sheridan in the series Keeping Up Appearances? Also, not sure which of the two "Rose"s i preferred. They were both great.

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There is a 2 part episode of Hyacinth, Richard, Onslow and Daisy that is filmed on the QE2 with the typical antics.

The son Sheridan never expressed any interest in women.

Patricia Routledge is in the British series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. She is a completely different character; a great actress.

Clive Swift is in many London plays.

Was it reeally QE2, I thought it looked like a P&O ship.