Interested to see who’ll be your cruise director on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise?
Or maybe you have a favourite cruise director, and are planning your cruise to make sure you’re onboard at the same time as them.
Here’s a look at every Royal Caribbean ship, and their cruise director.
Adventure of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN BLAIR | Unknown | TBA |
John Blair is currently listed as the cruise director on Adventure of the Seas. He was reported on board as of 18 July 2026, but his exact sign-on and sign-off dates have not been reported.
Adventure of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship, with a gross tonnage of 137,276 and accommodating up to 3,807 guests at full capacity.
Allure of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN GRANTHAM | Unknown | TBA |
| ERIC RODAS | 05/23/2027 | 07/18/2027 |
| ERIC RODAS | 11/14/2027 | 01/16/2028 |
John Grantham is currently listed as the cruise director on Allure of the Seas. He was reported on board on 27 September 2026, but his exact contract dates have not been reported. Eric Rodas is scheduled from 23 May to 18 July 2027 and again from 14 November 2027 to 16 January 2028.
Allure of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 225,282 and a maximum guest capacity of 6,780.
Anthem of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| BRIAN LEAVITT | 09/29/2026 | 01/15/2027 |
| DANIEL GILHAM | 05/07/2027 | 07/07/2027 |
| DANIEL GILHAM | 11/08/2027 | 01/10/2028 |
Brian Leavitt is the current cruise director on Anthem of the Seas, having joined the ship in September. He will be entertaining guests and leading the onboard activities for now. Later in 2027, Daniel Gilham joins for the first of two stints onboard.
Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| DOMINIC RICHARD | Unknown | TBA |
| MICKEY MARTIN | 11/16/2026 (planned) | TBA |
Dominic Richard, also known as "Dom Cruise", is currently reported as the cruise director on Brilliance of the Seas. A newer forum report says the plan is for Mickey Martin to return when the ship reaches Port Everglades on 16 November 2026. That return remains a reported plan, and no sign-off date has been given.
Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,543.
Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| KIM SCOTT | Unknown | TBA |
Kim Scott is currently listed as the cruise director on Enchantment of the Seas. Kim was reported on board on 15 August 2026, but the exact sign-on and sign-off dates have not been reported.
Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 82,910 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,730.
Explorer of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIS GRUBY | 10/25/2026 | 01/13/2027 |
Chris Gruby is currently listed as the cruise director on Explorer of the Seas, with a reported assignment from 25 October 2026 to 13 January 2027.
Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 137,308 and a maximum passenger capacity of 3,840.
Freedom of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| TBA | Unknown | TBA |
| SUSAN ADAMS | 11/14/2026 | TBA |
Susan Adams is reported to be taking over as cruise director on Freedom of the Seas on 14 November 2026. Dennis Charles was previously listed until 9 November 2026, so the forum reports do not establish who is leading the entertainment between that date and Susan’s arrival. The current director is TBA, and Susan’s sign-off date has not been reported.
Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 156,271 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,515.
Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| ARTURO ENCALADA | Unknown | TBA |
Arturo Encalada is currently serving as the cruise director on Grandeur of the Seas. He will oversee the entertainment and activities onboard for the time being, with no end date currently public.
Grandeur of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 73,817 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,440.
Harmony of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| KATIE KNOWLES | Unknown | TBA |
| ELVIS PINTO | 01/28/2027 | 05/29/2027 |
| ELVIS PINTO | 07/24/2027 | 11/20/2027 |
Katie Knowles is currently listed as the cruise director on Harmony of the Seas, although her exact contract dates aren’t known. Elvis Pinto is scheduled for two stints on the ship in 2027, beginning in January and July.
Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 226,963 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,687.
Icon of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| CHRIS BROWN | Unknown | TBA |
| JAMIE FENTIMAN | 11/14/2026 | 01/17/2027 |
Chris Brown is the current cruise director on Icon of the Seas, with Jamie Fentiman set to follow him.
Icon of the Seas is an Icon-class ship with a gross tonnage of 250,800 and a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600.
Independence of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| ALLISON THOMPSON | 10/01/2026 | TBA |
| TORNADO TANYA | 11/29/2026 | 03/28/2027 |
| CHRIS GRUBY | 07/20/2027 | 09/16/2027 |
Allison Thompson is the current cruise director on Independence of the Seas. We know that Tornado Tanya will return later in the year too, with Chris Gruby joining in summer 2027.
Independence of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 155,889 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,560.
Jewel of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| ERIC LOPEZ | Unknown | TBA |
Eric Lopez is the cruise director onboard from September. It’s not clear when his time on Jewel of the Seas will end.
Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,501.
Legend of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| GEMMA HUGO | Unknown | TBA |
Gemma Hugo is now listed as the cruise director on Legend of the Seas. Her exact sign-on and sign-off dates haven’t yet been reported.
Legend of the Seas is an Icon-class ship with a gross tonnage of 250,800 and a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600.
Liberty of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| CLO O’CONNOR | 10/03/2026 | TBA |
Clo O’Connor is currently the cruise director on Liberty of the Seas.
Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 154,407 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,960.
Mariner of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| DANIEL GILHAM | 08/03/2026 | 11/27/2026 |
| MARC WALKER | 02/13/2027 | TBA |
Daniel Gilham is the current cruise director on Mariner of the Seas, with his listed contract ending in late November. His immediate replacement hasn’t been confirmed. Marc Walker is scheduled to join on 13 February 2027 for around three weeks, including the themed Star Trek and 1980s cruises.
Mariner of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 139,863 and a maximum passenger capacity of 3,114.
Navigator of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| MEY LAU | Unknown | TBA |
Mey Lau is currently the cruise director on Navigator of the Seas, having taken over the role in August. It hasn’t yet been announced when they’ll depart.
Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 139,999 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,000.
Oasis of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| TALITA LEONI | Unknown | TBA |
| ERIC RODAS | 03/26/2027 | 05/21/2027 |
| ERIC RODAS | 09/12/2027 | 11/12/2027 |
Talita Leoni is currently the cruise director on Oasis of the Seas, with recent passengers confirming that she’s onboard. Her sign-off date hasn’t yet been announced.
Eric Rodas is also scheduled for two stints aboard the ship in 2027, from 26th March to 21st May, and again from 12th September to 12th November.
Oasis of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 226,838 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,780.
Odyssey of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| ERIC RODAS | September 2026 | February 2027 |
| DANIEL GILHAM | 01/03/2027 | 03/28/2027 |
| DANIEL GILHAM | 07/18/2027 | 10/03/2027 |
| MARC WALKER | 09/18/2027 | 09/26/2027 |
Eric Rodas is currently listed for Odyssey of the Seas, with a broadly reported contract running from September 2026 into February 2027. Daniel Gilham has two scheduled stints in 2027, while Marc Walker is also reported for the September 2027 President’s Cruise (with dates given in abbreviated form on the forum). Some reported assignments overlap, so these dates should be treated as provisional.
Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra-class ship with a gross tonnage of 167,704 and a maximum passenger capacity of 5,510.
Ovation of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| RICKY MATTHEWS | 08/07/2026 | 12/11/2026 |
| CHRIS GRUBY | 12/03/2027 | 02/04/2028 |
Ricky Matthews is the current cruise director on Ovation of the Seas, with his reported contract running from 7 August to 11 December 2026. The next assignment hasn’t been confirmed in the latest forum listing. Chris Gruby is scheduled to join in December 2027 for a stint lasting into February 2028.
Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.
Quantum of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| KELLY LEUCH | Unknown | TBA |
| CHRIS GRUBY | 01/16/2027 | 03/19/2027 |
| CHRIS GRUBY | 05/03/2027 | 07/19/2027 |
Kelly Leuch is currently the cruise director on Quantum of the Seas. They joined in September, and we don’t yet know when they’re due to wrap up. Chris Gruby joins in January for the first of two stints in 2027.
Quantum of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.
Radiance of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| JERRY SALGADO | Unknown | TBA |
Jerry Salgado is the current cruise director on Radiance of the Seas, having joined the ship in late spring.
Radiance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,466.
Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| SHEENAGH WALKER | 08/22/2026 | TBA |
Sheenagh Walker is the current cruise director for Rhapsody of the Seas. She’s been onboard since August, having already been on the ship earlier this year.
Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 78,878 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,416.
Serenade of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| RAFAEL ALCAZAR | Unknown | TBA |
| TORNADO TANYA | 05/09/2027 | 07/11/2027 |
| TORNADO TANYA | 09/05/2027 | 01/15/2028 |
Rafael Alcazar is now reported as the cruise director on Serenade of the Seas. His exact sign-on and sign-off dates have not been reported. Tornado Tanya is scheduled from 9 May to 11 July 2027 and again from 5 September 2027 to 15 January 2028.
Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,476.
Spectrum of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| BONNIE BAI | Unknown | TBA |
Bonnie Bai is currently listed as the cruise director for Spectrum of the Seas although with no announced sign-on or sign-off date.
Spectrum of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra-class ship with a gross tonnage of 169,379 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.
Star of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| DAN WHITNEY | Unknown | 11/29/2026 |
Dan Whitney is currently listed as cruise director on Star of the Seas. The forum reports that his assignment runs until 29 November 2026, but does not establish his exact start date.
Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, launched in August 2025. She measures at approximately 250,800 gross tonnes and accommodates around 7,600 passengers, promising revolutionary experiences at sea.
Symphony of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| ELVIS PINTO | 09/10/2026 | TBA |
| JAMIE FENTIMAN | 01/17/2027 | 03/27/2027 |
| JAMIE FENTIMAN | 05/22/2027 | 09/19/2027 |
| JAMIE FENTIMAN | 11/20/2027 | 01/15/2028 |
Elvis Pinto is currently listed as the cruise director on Symphony of the Seas, having joined in September 2026. Jamie Fentiman is then scheduled for three stints, beginning in January, May and November 2027, with his final listed contract running into January 2028.
Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 228,081 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,680, known for its vibrant onboard atmosphere and innovative amenities.
Utopia of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| MARC WALKER | 11/06/2026 | 02/08/2027 |
| MARC WALKER | 04/24/2027 | 08/20/2027 |
| MARC WALKER | 10/22/2027 | 02/11/2028 |
Marc Walker is currently listed as the cruise director on Utopia of the Seas, with his reported assignment running from 6 November 2026 to 8 February 2027. He is also scheduled from 24 April to 20 August 2027 and from 22 October 2027 to 11 February 2028.
Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 236,473 and a maximum passenger capacity of around 7,000.
Vision of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| BILL BRUNKHORST | Unknown | TBA |
Bill Brunkhorst is currently listed as the cruise director on Vision of the Seas. He was reported on board as of 9 July 2026, but his exact sign-on and sign-off dates have not been reported.
Vision of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 78,717 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,514.
Voyager of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| KATY MCCULLAGH | Unknown | TBA |
Katy McCullagh is currently listed as the cruise director on Voyager of the Seas. Her contract dates have not been confirmed.
Voyager of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 138,194 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,269.
Wonder of the Seas Cruise Directors
| Cruise Director | Sign On | Sign Off |
|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE OLIVEIRA | 09/18/2026 | TBA |
Michelle Oliveira is the current cruise director on Wonder of the Seas, having joined in mid-September 2026.
Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 236,857 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,988.
What a Cruise Director Does
On a Royal Caribbean cruise, the cruise director plays a key role in shaping the onboard experience. Working closely with the hotel director, entertainment teams, and performers, they ensure that every guest enjoys a vibrant, memorable holiday at sea.
Royal Caribbean cruise directors are responsible for hosting a wide range of activities, from trivia and game shows to poolside parties and nightly events. They also keep guests updated with daily announcements and entertainment schedules, helping everyone make the most of their time onboard.
The cruise line employs a large number of cruise directors as they need to rotate between ships, cover leave periods, and ensure fresh energy across the fleet.
Contracts can vary significantly; some cruise directors might only step in for a few weeks to cover a gap, while others may remain with a ship for several months at a time.
Sometimes, cruise directors’ contracts will overlap. This allows a new director to join the ship while their predecessor is still onboard, providing time for a smooth handover and helping them settle in with the team.
Cruise Director Schedule Changes
Cruise director schedules can often change at short notice.
Whether due to personal circumstances, fleet movements, or other operational needs, Royal Caribbean works hard to ensure every ship always has a capable and energetic entertainment lead in place. And sometimes things are vague – you’ll notice a few TBAs in this guide.
This schedule is updated weekly, so you can stay informed about the latest cruise director assignments and any changes as they happen.
Suggested read: Everything Royal Caribbean Does Better Than Other Cruise Lines
Royal Caribbean Cruise Directors on Social
Here are social media links for some of Royal Caribbean’s cruise directors:
- John Blair Facebook Page | Instagram
- Mike Szwajkowski Instagram | TikTok
- Ricky Matthews Facebook Page
- Katheryn Falcon Facebook Page
- Caroline Peters Instagram
- Daniel Gilham Instagram
- Gemma Hugo Instagram
- Natalie Rosie Instagram
- Thiago Motta Instagram
- Jamie Fentiman Instagram
- Tornado Tanya Instagram
- James Robinson Instagram
- Elvis Pinto Facebook Page | Instagram
- Brian Leavitt Facebook Page | Instagram
- Michele Scarpato Instagram
- Katy McCullagh Instagram
- Marc Walker Facebook Page
- Clo O’Connor Instagram
- Mario Isla (“Mario”) Instagram
Want the best Royal Caribbean deal?
Get the best price and expert help to plan your cruise
I’m not seeing Sam Edwards on the schedule anymore. Any idea where he is now? We are hoping to be on his so next year.
FYI – I spoke to Katie Knowles and her sign off from Harmony of the Seas is April 9, 2026
Isn’t Joff Eaton a cruise director for royal Caribbean anymore as I don’t see his name on your list. I thought he was the best cruise director ever
Agreed, Joff is brilliant. I was wondering what has happened to him as well.