The 10 Best Carnival Cruise Directors of All Time Ranked

Every Carnival cruiser has a cruise director they never forget, the one who turned a good vacation into an unforgettable one. These are the personalities who kept guests laughing, dancing, and coming back for more, often becoming just as memorable as the ship itself.

Picking the best of all time is never black and white, but some names consistently rise to the top of Carnival conversations. So the list isn’t based on a public vote or a points system, because cruise director popularity doesn’t really work that way.

Every Carnival guest looks for something different, whether that’s humour, high energy, warmth, or show-stopping stage presence. Instead, this countdown reflects visibility, longevity, and how often these names come up in Carnival conversations, knowing full well that your own number one might be somewhere else entirely.

1. John Heald

John Heald is Carnival Cruise Line’s senior cruise director and brand ambassador, a role that has made him one of the most recognisable figures in modern cruising. Born in Essex, England in 1965, John began his working life in entertainment as a musician and comedian, skills that would later become central to his success at sea. He joined Carnival back in 1986 as a bartender on the now-retired Carnival Holiday, a move that quietly marked the start of an extraordinary career.

Over the years, John worked his way through the ranks, becoming known for his quick wit, sharp humour, and ability to connect with guests on a very personal level. His daily interactions onboard helped shape what many cruisers now think of as the classic Carnival experience, fun, informal, and never taking itself too seriously. That same personality translated seamlessly to social media, where John built a huge following by engaging directly with guests, answering questions, and sharing behind-the-scenes moments from life at sea.

Today, his Facebook page has well over 400,000 followers, and for many Carnival guests, John is the go-to person for cruise-related questions or concerns. His contribution has been formally recognised too, including Carnival’s Sea Going Employee of the Year award in 2007 and Cruise Director of the Year in 2018, as voted by readers of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine. Decades into his career, John Heald remains a defining face of Carnival Cruise Line and a figure many cruisers feel genuinely connected to

2. Lee Mason

Lee Mason quickly became one of the most popular cruise directors sailing with Carnival, building a reputation that went far beyond a single ship. In 2022, that popularity was formally recognised when he was selected as cruise director of Carnival Celebration, which at the time was the newest ship in the fleet. Being placed on a flagship newbuild is never accidental, and it reflected just how highly regarded Lee had become by both guests and the cruise line.

That same year, Lee was voted Cruise Director of the Year in Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, further underlining his strong connection with Carnival cruisers. Born in Cumbria in England, Lee later trained at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City, a background that clearly shows in his confident hosting style and polished stage presence. He joined Carnival around six years earlier and went on to serve as cruise director on several ships, including Carnival Mardi Gras, the sister ship to Celebration.

Away from the stage, Lee became known for being highly approachable and engaged with guests, particularly through social media. His Facebook page has grown to more than 65,000 followers, and he has also embraced newer platforms like TikTok, helping him connect with a younger cruising audience.

In September 2024, Lee announced that he had been promoted to Fleet Cruise Director, a major milestone that sees him helping to shape and support the next generation of Carnival cruise directors. For many guests, it felt like a well-earned next step for someone who had already left a big mark on the Carnival experience.

3. Chris “Donkey” Salazar

Chris Salazar has spent more than 14 years as a cruise director with Carnival, building a reputation as one of the most entertaining and instantly recognisable hosts at sea. His famous nickname, “Donkey,” dates all the way back to 2009, when he was still relatively new in the role and took part in a light-hearted onboard call-in segment with guests.

During that show, a young guest jokingly compared him to the donkey from Shrek, pointing out his ears and teeth, and the nickname stuck almost immediately. Over time, “Donkey” became so closely linked with his onstage persona that Chris has since admitted it feels strange when guests call him by his real name. For many cruisers, he has always simply been Donkey.

What truly sets him apart is his love of live performance. Despite his long experience, he has openly said that staying front and centre on stage matters more to him than climbing the corporate ladder. His quick humour, improvisation, and high-energy hosting style have made him one of the most consistently popular cruise directors in the fleet.

In 2023, Chris stepped into the role of Fleet Cruise Director, where he now helps mentor and train newer cruise directors while still keeping his passion for entertaining guests very much alive. It’s a position that reflects both his experience and the lasting impact he has had on the Carnival onboard experience.

4. Jonathan “Cookie” Adams

Jonathan Adams is another Carnival cruise director whose nickname was born during an onboard morning show, proving just how powerful those guest call-ins can be. At the time, Jonathan was working alongside British cruise director Jen Baxter, and the pair decided they needed matching nicknames. What started as a bit of fun quickly turned into “cookies and cream,” with Jonathan forever after becoming known simply as “Cookie.”

Cookie joined Carnival in 2014, originally working within the entertainment team before earning his promotion to cruise director. From the start, guests connected with his easy warmth and approachable nature, often describing him as someone who made the ship feel instantly friendly. While many praise his humour, it’s his genuine kindness and relaxed style that seem to leave the biggest impression.

Despite describing himself as shy, that’s not the version guests remember. On stage and around the ship, Cookie was a bundle of energy, effortlessly engaging crowds and making guests feel at home. Just reading through comments from cruisers who sailed with him quickly shows how universally loved he became.

In 2023, Cookie announced that he was leaving Carnival, news that genuinely disappointed many guests. His departure marked the end of an era for cruisers who had come to associate his name with some truly memorable sailings.

5. Kyndall Fire

Kyndall Fire, whose real name is Kyndall Magyar, is a Texas-born cruise director whose connection to Carnival started long before she ever stepped on stage. Her love for cruising began at just seven years old on her first Carnival sailing, an experience that left such an impression that she decided early on she wanted to become a cruise director herself.

Unlike many who find their way into the role by chance, Kyndall planned her career from the beginning. She studied Tourism Management to give herself the best possible path into the cruise industry, joined Carnival in 2016, and achieved her goal just two years later when she was promoted to cruise director in 2018. That rapid rise reflected both her determination and her natural ability to connect with guests.

One of the most common things cruisers say about Kyndall is how obvious it is that she truly loves what she does. Her passion for cruising, guest interaction, and onboard entertainment is infectious, and she’s especially known for leading high-energy parties that get the whole ship involved. Whether it’s on the pool deck or during evening events, she has a knack for pulling people out of their comfort zones and onto the dance floor.

Fans often refer to themselves as part of the “Fyre Family,” and Kyndall stays closely connected with them through social media. On Facebook and Instagram, she regularly shares life onboard, behind-the-scenes moments, and personal updates, allowing guests to keep up with her adventures even when they’re not sailing with her.

6. Chris Williams

Chris Williams was one of Carnival’s longer-serving cruise directors, having first joined the cruise line in 2011 as a singer before moving into the cruise director role. Over the following decade, he became a familiar and much-loved presence onboard, earning the nickname “The Flying Scotsman.” Guests also came to know him through his signature show, The Flying Scot, which consistently drew strong crowds and became a highlight of many sailings.

Chris was best known for his boundless performing energy. When he wasn’t singing in his own shows, he was hosting onboard game shows with sharp timing, quick humour, and a natural ability to keep audiences engaged. His background as a performer showed in everything he did, helping events feel polished while still relaxed and fun.

Away from the stage, Chris built a strong following online and became one of the most visible cruise directors on social media. He regularly connected with guests on Facebook, where he has more than 30,000 followers, and on Instagram. He also stood out as one of the few cruise directors to run his own YouTube channel, sharing vocal performances alongside content related to his personal passion for video games.

After spending nine months as a Fleet Cruise Director, Chris announced in August 2024 that he would be leaving Carnival. He explained that the decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family, bringing an end to a long and memorable chapter in his cruise career.

7. Matt Mitcham

Matt Mitcham spent a total of 14 years with Carnival, with around 11 of those years in the cruise director role, a level of longevity that very few ever achieve. Staying in that position for so long is a clear sign of how well he connected with guests and how trusted he was by the cruise line. Over time, Matt became a familiar face for repeat Carnival cruisers who knew exactly what kind of experience to expect when he was onboard.

In 2020, Matt announced his retirement from the cruise director role during a live Facebook video, and the reaction from guests was immediate and emotional. Many cruisers expressed genuine disappointment, with some even saying they would think twice about future bookings without him hosting their sailing. That response highlighted just how important he had become to the overall Carnival experience for so many people.

After stepping away from Carnival, Matt didn’t disappear from cruising altogether. He went on to take part in a very different kind of role, appearing as “Your Cruise Director” onboard Regal Princess for the CBS reality TV show The Real Love Boat, inspired by the classic television series from the 1970s and 1980s. It was a unique next chapter that introduced him to an even wider audience, while reminding longtime cruisers why he had been so popular in the first place.

8. Reverend Dr. E

Reverend Dr E, whose real name is Eversen Bevelle, spent a decade working as a cruise director with Carnival and became known for his huge personality and unmistakable confidence. From the moment he stepped on stage, he commanded attention, and that bold, high-energy style quickly made him one of the most talked-about cruise directors in the fleet. Guests often describe sailing with him as an experience that felt completely unique.

Rather than blending into the background, Reverend Dr E built a persona that guests either instantly loved or passionately debated, but rarely forgot. That ability to leave a lasting impression is exactly what helped him develop such a loyal following during his years with Carnival. His sailings were often remembered for their atmosphere, energy, and strong sense of personality onboard.

Although he has not officially retired from being a cruise director, Reverend Dr E has made it clear on Facebook that a return to Carnival is still possible. For now, he is working with MSC Cruises, continuing his career at sea while keeping the door open for a future comeback. Guests can still follow him on Facebook and Instagram, and if he does return to Carnival, many cruisers expect those sailings to book up quickly, especially following his increased profile and Netflix exposure.

9. Butch Begovich

Butch Begovich worked as a cruise director with Carnival from 2007 until 2014 and spent a total of 14 years with the cruise line overall. During that time, he became one of the most recognisable and respected faces on the ships he served, earning a reputation for strong leadership and a calm, confident hosting style that guests quickly trusted.

After leaving Carnival, Butch moved into a very different role ashore and now works as Vice President for Guest Experience with the Washington Football Team. Despite that career shift, his time at sea is still remembered fondly by Carnival cruisers who sailed during his years onboard. For many, his name instantly brings back memories of sailings where everything simply felt well run.

Butch was also one of the early cruise directors to develop a strong online following at a time when social media and cruise forums were just beginning to shape cruise culture. Guests regularly name-dropped him as a favorite on Facebook and sites like Cruise Critic, helping cement his legacy long after he left the ships. Like many standout Carnival cruise directors, he was mentored directly by John Heald, working closely with him during a formative period in his career.

10. Jen Baxter

Jen Baxter is another truly legendary Carnival cruise director, having spent around 20 years working with the cruise line. During that time, she became an iconic figure onboard and played a key role in shaping the next generation of cruise directors, mentoring several names that Carnival guests still recognise today. Her influence went well beyond the sailings she personally hosted.

Jen was also known for having a very distinctive style, which sometimes split opinion among guests. Some loved her dry, confident humour and no-nonsense approach, while others felt her jokes could occasionally push the boundaries. That contrast is part of what made her so memorable, and it certainly didn’t stop her from enjoying a long and successful career at sea.

In total, Jen spent nearly 16 years as a full cruise director, following an initial four years as an assistant, longevity that speaks volumes about how valued she was by Carnival. While she has since moved on from ocean cruising, she hasn’t left the industry altogether. Jen now works with Viking River Cruises as a Program Director, a role that offers a very different pace and atmosphere.

Fans can still keep up with her through Facebook, where she remains connected to cruisers who remember sailing with her during a very distinctive era of Carnival’s history.

Final Word

If you’re hoping to sail with one of your favorites again, or you’re curious who’ll be hosting your next cruise, it’s worth checking the latest Carnival cruise director schedule to see who’s working where. It’s one of the easiest ways to spot familiar names and plan a sailing around the onboard experience.

No matter who’s holding the microphone, the right cruise director can turn a good cruise into a great one, and these names have all done that for countless guests over the years.

You Might Also Like…