Meet some of our superstars. Learn about their adventures, and their perspectives on “The Royal Advantage”.
For more testimonials, please explore the website, as there are other videos within each of the operational areas.
Cobai, John M |
| Acquatics Dive Instructor |
| Shore Excursions |
| Australian |
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Galang, Anita |
| Training & Development Manager |
| Human Resources |
| Filipino |
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De Kock, Jacques |
| Waiter |
| F&B |
| South African |
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Pattison, Shirelle |
| Youth Staff Manager |
| Cruise Staff |
| Australian |
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Selvag, Trym M |
| Captain |
| Deck |
| Norwegian |
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Donko, Erika |
| Ice Captain |
| Entertainment |
| Swedish |
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Jing, Helian |
| IT Assistant Systems Manager 3 |
| IT |
| Chinese |
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Cole, Kevin |
| Pastry Sous Chef |
| Culinary |
| Jamaican |
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Entertainment and activities are his forte. If you don't have anything
to do, Ken Rush will certainly find something. From parties to
parades, his day isn't done until he sees you smile.
When did you first know you wanted to be a cruise director?
I went on a cruise at 20 with my mom, dad, two sisters and two
grandmothers. My parents thought working on a ship would be great for
me since I was so outgoing and comfortable in front of a crowd.
How did you get started?
I spoke to the cruise director and he said I was too young. But I
still applied and persisted. Two years later a new cruise director saw
my application with "persistent young man" on it. He called me and
asked if I'd be interested.
And that was convincing enough?
Not really. We met, and as he was closing the door I said, "I don't
mean to sound bold, but you're not going to get anyone better than me.
I'm going to work nonstop, 150% at everything I do. And one day, I'll
have your job." He then said, "Okay, okay, we love your enthusiasm.
We'll give you a call later." Sure enough, they called me that night
and asked if I could start in a week.
Then what?
I worked my way up. I was a disc jockey, cruise staff, did shore
excursions, and stage and production. Four years later I became a
cruise director. At 26! Back then, that was a very young age to be a
cruise director.
Are you satisfied with your career choice?
I tell people you either love or hate living at sea. As corny as it
sounds, after 14 years, I still love what I do. I love waking up every
day loving what I do.
Is each cruise director responsible for creating his or her own
programs for each ship?
I set up the foundation, then each cruise director builds on it and
customizes it for what's appropriate for each cruise. Every cruise
director should always be fine-tuning the activities and
entertainment. I'm forever looking for ways to make the guest
experience better.
Who's on your staff?
My key people are the Adventure Ocean manager, the two stage and
production managers and the assistant cruise director. They're my four
right-hand people. Then I have the ice captain, the head bar
technician, the dance captain, the sports supervisor, and the head
stage staff. I have all these people who are specialists in their
area. Anything entertainment and activities is my responsibility.
What do you do in your off time while still onboard?
In the past year, I've really gotten into fitness. It's been a great
way to relieve stress and it keeps me energetic.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Sometimes after I introduce a show, I'll step aside and watch the
crowd's reaction. What I love the most is knowing people are happy,
and that somehow something I did gave them that happiness.
How do you know when you've succeeded?
When guests walk off the ship with smiles on their faces.
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