Cruise Life Experience Mitch Merucci & Mike Szwajkowski

30+ year cruise industry veteran & popular Hotel Director Robert Taggart shares fun stories from the past, his experience at sea during Covid-19, and great advice for crew looking to move their way up the management chain. 
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions, topics and guests you would like to hear from. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 - Welcome & Intro: Episode 9
Mike & Mitch share information on the Executive Committee onboard and introduce our guest, veteran Hotel Director, Robert Taggart.

4:05 - Robert discusses his journey and how he achieved the position of Hotel Director with Royal Caribbean.
6:20 - Robert shares his proudest memory at sea.
8:28 - Any advice or words of wisdom for new Hotel Directors or potential young managers who are looking to work their way up?
Robert is known for being very popular with both guests and crew and we wanted to get his advice for young aspiring managers and upcoming HD's. Our favourite quote from Robert "You can't be friends with everyone, but you can be friendly with everyone".

11:00 - What does a Hotel Director do? Differences between land and ship based?
Some guests and crew don’t always know what the Hotel Director does. Robert explains a little about his role and why some crew be scared or intimidated by a Hotel Director. Also Robert shares how the job of Hotel Director onboard a ship versus a hotel on land differ.
13:35 - Could you see a Cruise Director transitioning to Hotel Director one day?
Most Hotel Directors come from a Food & Beverage background. Robert is asked about a  Cruise Director progressing to the HD role.

17:15 - Robert shares a few stories from his time on ships and some of the best pranks fun may have happened.
21:40 - Robert walks us through a  typical “Day at Sea” morning for a Hotel Director.
23:05 - Robert shares how many more years he has left on ships and what long-term plans after life at sea.

24:15 - Rapid Fire fun
25:58 - Thank you Robert!

26:40 - Mike & Mitch wrap up the show - Special shout-out! 
Happy Birthday Carolyn Scieszka on May 31st
Thank you for listening! Subscribe and we'll see you next episode.

Social media Influencer, world traveller, entertainer and gymnast/acrobat Sydney Brown is our guest. We discuss her start as a gymnast and beginning her professional career with Royal Caribbean and where it has taken her. Sydney shares stories, life onboard a cruise ship, shows she has performed in, her favourite destinations & the brands she's working with. 
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions, topics and guests you would like to hear from. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 - Welcome & Intro: Episode 8
Mike & Mitch chat about what we've been up to and introduce our guest, Social media Influencer, world traveler, entertainer and gymnast Sydney Brown.
3:05 - Sydney shares about starting out in gymnastics and her hiring story with Royal Caribbean - "Mom, Dad, can I work on a cruise ship?"
7:05 - Sydney shares a funny story about which ship she was joining
8:46 - Sydney discusses what it takes to maintain your body and mind onboard performing in such a demanding role? How do you train and stay healthy onboard?
11:29 - Mike asks Sydney what she can do better than Olympian Simone Biles

12:28 - Sydney, how do you perform on a moving ship? Shows on-board have become increasingly demanding and highly technical, Sydney discusses the differences between a land base show and a ship show. Also she shares info about the AquaTheater shows including some safety aspects of the venue.
16:15 - Sydneys discusses shows she performed in Macau, China (House of Dancing Water) and in Orlando with Cirque Du Soleil in (La Nouba)
17:25 - Sydney shares some memorable places she has been around the world
19:00 - Sydney shares how working on ships has opened up areas of opportunity in her life
20:49 -  What is still on your bucket list?
22:00 - Sydney shares info on which major brands she is now working with 
23:11 -  How did you get more than 2 million followers on Social Media (TikTok, Instagram)? Any secrets? *Links below
26:10 - Sydney talks about the uniqueness of an AquaTheater show and what happens behind the scenes that many don’t know about
31:56 - What’s next? Sydney dishes on her potential new career path!
33:58 - Name Association fun
36:30 - Any advice or words of wisdom for new or potential young entertainers who are looking to make it?

38:40 - Mike & Mitch wrap up and discuss the ships continuing pause in operations 
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/sydneybrown_xo
https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneybrown_xo
https://www.espn.com/espnw/life-style/story/_/id/18693790/how-former-gymnast-sydney-brown-used-sport-skills-land-dream-job
Next episode - we will have Hotel Director, Robert Taggart as our Special Guest!

Episode 7 picks up where we left off with Rich Spacey. We discuss his career transition, advice for new crew starting out at sea, and more stories including the legendary myth of "The Cruise Ship Streaker".
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions, topics and guests you would like to hear from. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 - Welcome & Intro: Episode 7
Former Cruise Director and industry legend Richard Spacey continues to share stories that some will question actually happened.
0:25 - Follow up on the Blimp & the infamous rumour of “The Cruise Ship Streaker”
1:35 - How hard was it to walk away from ship life? Any chance of a comeback?
Rich shares how he retired, the anxiety of leaving ship life and what he is currently doing with his new business.
6:10 - You were known for wearing crazy socks and costumes, wearing any now?

7:15 - Rapid Fire Questions!
Favourite staff, go to drink onboard, cheesiest joke, most risqué things done and more.
12:39 - When people think of Richard Spacey, how do you want to be remembered?
14:40 - Advice to crew just starting out at sea for their own Cruise Life Experience?
16:30 - Thanks Richard!
19:30 - Guests who cruise for specific crew & next episode preview
Entertainer & Influencer Sydney Brown is our guest next week.
https://www.tiktok.com/@sydneybrown_xo
https://www.instagram.com/sydneybrown_xo

Rich’s Limey-Away video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApVeH6o_xyU

Episode 6 features industry legend Richard Spacey; one of the greatest Cruise Director's of all time. Epic stories from his time onboard including pool parties (in his cabin), Oasis of the Seas, holding the record for most Captain's Hearings and his transition to life on land.
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions, topics and guests you would like to hear from. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
Email: cruiselifeexperience@outlook.com
Podcast: https://CruiseLifeExperience.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 - Welcome & Intro: Episode 6
Legendary Cruise Director Richard Spacey will share stories that some will question actually happened. Plus mailbag questions about sign on day and great jokes we’ve heard onstage. 
2:07 - Mailbag questions
Question 1: Sherry - Crew sign on day is typically the longest of the contract, please tell your non-crew listeners what a typical sign on day is like.
Question 2: Jerry - What is a favourite joke you’ve used or heard onstage?
8:19 - Special Guest Richard Spacey 
Royal Caribbean’s top rated Cruise Director left for the Celebrity head office and then went back to sea with Celebrity Cruises, Rich discusses this transition and stories of life at sea. 
9:17 - Number 1 Rated Cruise Director
When Cruise Directors were rated by guests, you were always number one, what did you do that separated you from the rest?
14:30 - What was your favourite video?
Many say your classic videos and onstage skits were some of the strongest and most memorable memories for them. *Rich’s evolution of dance video
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOyh9-rZ2R8
17:08 - Major Career change
Why switch companies at the height of your popularity to take a job in the shore side office? How tough was it to go back?
20:22 - The King of Parties
You are the known as the king of parties, tell us about some of your favourites and were you close to getting fired over any of them?

25:13 - World Travel
Finally travelling the world finally after 15 years onboard ships, tell us about it. 
26:45 - Oasis of the Seas and the infamous Blimp Story
Rich recalls his time on Oasis of the Seas and the legend of the blimp.
Link: https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Oasis-of-the-Seas-completes-trials-with-one-downer
33:34 - Stay tuned for Part 2

Episode 5 features Spark Cooperatives Charly McDonald as we discuss the launch of Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, the most anticipated ship in years. FF: Did you know Virgin Voyages was originally going to allow kids onboard? It’s true! 
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions, topics and guests you would like to hear about and from. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
Email: cruiselifeexperience@outlook.com
Podcast: https://CruiseLifeExperience.buzzsprout.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 - Welcome to episode 5
Mailbag questions answered and Spark Cooperative Principal and industry veteran Charly McDonald discusses all things cruising and Virgin Voyages.
1:15 - Shout out to the cruise lines working hard to get crew home
They are really going above and beyond in this unprecedented time.
Link: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22879-celebrity-prepares-to-send-crew-home-using-ships-and-charter-flights.html
4:05 - Mailbag:
1. Patti on Facebook asks: tell us about some of the craziest passengers you’ve ever met.
2. Marina on Facebook asks us to talk about the new patents RCI has applied for called “Seaface”
Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/royal-caribbean-cruises-sea-face-mask-trademark/
9:45 - Mitch shares his hiring story
12:30 - Special Guest Charly McDonald (Principal, Spark Cooperative)
Spark Cooperative consults on exciting new projects within the cruise and hospitality industry. Most recently, this includes working closely the past 5 years creating the Entertainment experiences for Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady.
13:40 - Charly discusses his journey in the Cruise industry
18:44 - Charly discusses Spark Cooperative
Link: http://www.sparkcooperative.com

23:55 - Charly discusses working with Virgin Voyages 
He shares some information on the ship, venues and all things entertainment onboard. Wait, there's no Cruise Director?
32:54 - Name Association & thanks to Charly
Link: http://www.sparkcooperative.com
35:10 - Mike shares his hiring story & wrap up
Next Episode features Legendary Cruise Director Richard Spacey!

Episode 4 discusses myths & misconceptions of cruising which means we get to debunk some things that just aren’t true...or are they? Plus stories from Special Guest Paul Baya (Oceania Cruises), who was on one of the last ships with guests in March 2020.

Get In Touch!
Any more myths, misconceptions or questions? Send us to discuss in future episodes. Find us online and send us your questions and topics you would like to hear about. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube. 
Email: cruiselifeexperience@outlook.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
Show notes:
0:01 Intro and show description
Myths & Misconceptions about the Cruise industry
00:35 If I go on a cruise, I will get seasick...
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabilizer_(ship)
Link: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cruise-secrets-how-ships-mostly-keep-you-from-124815777812.html
1:06 Isn’t cruising for senior or older people?
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2020/03/08/cruisings-silver-lining-only-13-of-customers-are-over-70-years-old/#1d03268c2bc0
Link: https://www.cruise1st.co.uk/blog/cruise-holidays/how-old-is-the-average-cruise-passenger/
5:08 Link: https://www.carnival.com/onboard/bolt-ultimate-sea-coaster
5:53 Are we going to eat in buffets all week long?
Link: https://travelnoire.com/virgin-voyages-says-goodbye-buffet-a-cruise-ship-tradition
8:06 The rooms (cabins) are all small right?
Link: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-rooms/royal-suite-class
9:50 Mailbag questions:
Jen: What happens with the food waste? Do they just throw everything into the ocean?
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-symphony-seas-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-deals-with-waste-2020-3
Sean: Can you divulge the actual work schedule and responsibilities of crew so guests understands what happens behind the scenes?
12:58 Special Guest Paul Baya of Oceania Cruise Lines
- Was on one of the last ships at sea with guests in March 2020.
- Any interesting stories from your life at sea?
- What was it like being one of the last ships at sea in March during the outbreak?
Link: https://www.facebook.com/paul.baya/posts/10163527777765434
31:55 Before we go, one last story - Mikes great sign off prank