‘I’ve been entertaining at sea for 52 years’
The Oceania Nautica cruise director has seen it all on his ships
“The thing I love most about my job is seeing people have a great time. The key is liking people. We try to really be inclusive.”
Ihave always been drawn to cruising, I love my job as cruise director on Oceania Nautica. I started as an entertainer on cruise ships 52 years ago and when I first began, I would do two or three cruises a year. But as time went on, when I was performing in Las Vegas or New York, I just kept thinking that I wanted to be back on board, I wanted to be on the sea. So, I realised early what I really wanted in life, and I stayed with it.
My first cruise was with Princess Cruises out of Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, which became the Love Boat route. I actually sailed with Jeraldine Saunders, who wrote the book on which The Love Boat TV show was based. Every cruise I would do, there would be a different guest star – it could be singer Rosemary Clooney or Snoopy cartoonist Charles M Schulz doing a talk. It was everything I wanted it to be. I was able to perform for guests that wanted to be entertained.
I moved to Holland America and then Silversea as a cruise director and gained invaluable experience, and have now been with Oceania Cruises for 20 years. My day starts at 6.45am with a double espresso at Baristas, then I go to my office and work on the forward planner, and get together trivia questions. I have some time off in the afternoon where I might go into port and then, after hosting the night’s entertainment, I will go to bed after the evening gala show.
The thing I love most about my job is seeing people have a great time. The key is liking people. We try to really be inclusive. I remember a guest who was on board with her daughter. She watched everyone dance every night, so I asked her if she would like to dance. Her daughter urged her to do it. We danced and she started to cry. I said, “Are you okay?” and she said she was crying because she was happy – it was the first time she had danced since her husband died. I tell my team, “This is our house. We are welcoming guests into our house.
You can go up to anybody and talk to them.”
I think our hospitality is pretty wonderful on Oceania Cruises. That along with the food – the cuisine is very much an important part. I always step in and say, “It’s all entertaining.” When you dine, you’re entertaining – in the dining room, the waiters, the servers, the services.
And I always say, “The party starts with dinner, and continues with the show.”
I know what makes great entertainment on a cruise ship; I know what the audience will love. The performers also need great feedback. I will tell you this: when we have Australians on board, they make for great audiences, because they want to have a great time.
I’m cruising through Japan at the moment, which I love. Soon I will head to Italy for the inaugural cruise for Oceania Cruises’ new vessel, Vista. I’m going to be master of ceremonies. I have had the great pleasure of opening every new Oceania Cruises ship. It will be our first new vessel in 10 years, and a reunion of sorts. I’m very excited.
For information on Oceania Cruises’ luxury small ships, visit OceaniaCruises.com, or call 1300 355 200.