Your 2026 Royal Caribbean Cruise Director Guide

Curious about who will be hosting your next sailing? Here’s your guide to Royal Caribbean cruise directors and their upcoming schedules!

Sidenote: The schedule below may change on short notice. Cruise director assignments frequently shift due to operational needs, ensuring each ship has the right team in place to deliver an exceptional guest experience. We will update the information as it becomes available.

This image appears to be a digitally manipulated or AI-generated rendering of four massive, luxurious cruise ships sailing side by side in the open ocean. Each ship has multiple decks packed with water parks, pools, slides, and various entertainment areas, giving them a theme-park-like appearance. The ships have names on their sterns, such as "Icon of the Seas," "Legend of the Seas," and "Surf of the Seas," suggesting a fleet of high-end cruise liners. In the top-left corner, there's a silhouette of a person within a circular frame, which might imply an association with the fleet—perhaps a mystery Cruise director, or a marketing element. The image emphasizes excess, luxury, and the grandeur of modern cruise ships, possibly referencing Royal Caribbean's upcoming mega-cruise liners. It could also be a conceptual vision of future cruise tourism.

Adventure of the Seas Cruise Directors

Adventure of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 137,276 and a maximum passenger capacity of 3,807.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
JOHN BLAIR	Unknown	TBA

John Blair Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: John Blair/LinkedIn

Allure of the Seas Cruise Directors

Allure of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 225,282 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,780.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
MARIO ISLA	Uknown	09/19/2026

Anthem of the Seas Cruise Directors

Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
STEVE KNISLEY	05/10/2026	TBA
BRIAN LEAVITT	09/29/2026	01/15/2027

Brian Leavitt Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Steve Knisley/LinkedIn

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Directors

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,543.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
TT ALKAN	Unknown	TBA

Enchantment of the Seas Cruise Directors

Enchantment of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 82,910 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,730.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
KIM SCOTT	08/15/2026	TBA

Explorer of the Seas Cruise Directors

Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 137,308 and a maximum passenger capacity of 3,840.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
MICHELE SCARPATO	Uknown	TBA

Michele Scarpato Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Michele Scarpato/LinkedIn

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Directors

Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 156,271 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,515.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
DENNIS CHARLES	Unknown	TBA

Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Directors

Grandeur of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 73,817 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,440.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
ARTURO ENCALADA	Unknown	TBA

ARTURO ENCALADA — Credit: Arturo Encalada/LinkedIn

Harmony of the Seas Cruise Directors

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 226,963 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,687.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
LISA DEDEKUMA	Unknown	TBA

Icon of the Seas Cruise Directors

Icon of the Seas is an Icon-class ship with a gross tonnage of 250,800 and a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
CORY ROGERS	08/01/2026	09/19/2026
MARC WALKER	09/30/2026	10/10/2026
CORY ROGERS	11/21/2026	03/13/2027

Independence of the Seas Cruise Directors

Independence of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 155,889 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,560.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
TORNADO TANYA	05/26/2026	10/01/2026
ALLISON THOMPSON	10/01/2026	11/29/2026
TORNADO TANYA	11/29/2026	03/28/2027

Tornado Tanya Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Tornado Tanya/LinkedIn

Jewel of the Seas Cruise Director

Jewel of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,501.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
CAROLINE PETERS	Unknown	TBA

Caroline Peters Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Caroline Peters

Legend of the Seas Cruise Directors

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
MERCEDES LAFUENTE	Unknown	TBA

MERCEDES LAFUENTE — Credit: Mercedes Lafuente/LinkedIn

Liberty of the Seas Cruise Directors

Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship with a gross tonnage of 154,407 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,960.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
BRIAN LEAVITT	08/02/2026	09/18/2026
CLO O’CONNOR	10/03/2023	TBA

Mariner of the Seas Cruise Directors

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
DANIEL GILHAM	08/03/2026	11/27/2026

Daniel Gilham Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Daniel Gilham/ Royal Caribbean

Navigator of the Seas Cruise Directors

Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 139,999 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,000.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
MEY LAU	Uknown	TBA

Mey Lau Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Mey Lau/LinkedIn

Oasis of the Seas Cruise Directors

Oasis of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of 226,838 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,780.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
RAFAEL ALCAZAR	Unknown	TBA

Odyssey of the Seas Cruise Directors

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.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
ELVIS PINTO	06/01/2026	09/06/2026
ERIC RODAS	September 2026	February 2027

Elvis Pinto Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Elvis Pinto/LinkedIn

Eric Rodas — Credit: Elvis Pinto/LinkedIn

Ovation of the Seas Cruise Directors

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
RICKY MATTHEWS	08/01/2026	12/11/2026
BRIAN LEAVITT	11/30/2026	02/16/2027

Ricky Matthews Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Ricky Matthews/Facebook

Quantum of the Seas Cruise Directors

Quantum of the Seas is a Quantum-class ship with a gross tonnage of 168,666 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,905.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
BERN FERNANDES	07/24/2026	TBA

KELLY LEUCH — Credit: Kelly Leuch/LinkedIn

Radiance of the Seas Cruise Directors

Radiance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,466.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
JERRY SALGADO	Unknown	TBA

Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Directors

Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 78,878 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,416.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
SHEENAGH WALKER	08/22/2026	TBA

Sheenagh Walker Royal Caribbean Cruise Director — Credit: Sheenagh Walker/LinkedIn

Serenade of the Seas Cruise Directors

Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship with a gross tonnage of 90,090 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,476.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
ADAM DONALDSON	07/12/2026	11/08/2026
CHRIS GRUBY	October 2026	January 2027

ADAM DONALDSON — Credit: Adam Donaldson/Instagram

CHRIS GRUBY — Credit: Adam Donaldson/Instagram

Spectrum of the Seas Cruise Directors

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.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
RAPHAEL WU	Unknown	TBA

Star of the Seas Cruise Directors

Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Icon-class ship, is set to debut in August 2025. With groundbreaking features, this ship will offer approximately 250,800 gross tonnes and welcome around 7,600 passengers, promising revolutionary experiences at sea.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
DAN WHITNEY	05/10/2026	11/29/2026

CHRIS BROWN — Credit: Chris Brown/LinkedIn

Symphony of the Seas Cruise Directors

Symphony of the Seas is an Oasis-class vessel featuring a gross tonnage of 228,081 and a maximum passenger capacity of 6,680, known for its vibrant onboard atmosphere and innovative amenities.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
ELVIS PINTO	09/10/2026	TBA
JAMIE FENTIMAN	November 2026	March 2027

Jamie Fentiman — Credit: Elvis Pinto/LinkedIn

Utopia of the Seas Cruise Directors

Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship with a gross tonnage of approximately 236,860 and a maximum passenger capacity of around 6,700.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
MARVIN WILSON	08/24/2026	11/06/2026

MARVIN WILSON — Credit: Marvin Wilson/LinkedIn

Vision of the Seas Cruise Directors

Vision of the Seas is a Vision-class ship with a gross tonnage of 78,717 and a maximum passenger capacity of 2,514.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
BILL BRUNKHORST	07/09/2026	TBA

Voyager of the Seas Cruise Directors

Voyager of the Seas is a Voyager-class ship with a gross tonnage of 138,194 and a maximum passenger capacity of 4,269.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
KATY MCCULLAGH	03/13/2026	TBA

KATY MCCULLAGH — Credit: Katy McCullagh/LinkedIn

Wonder of the Seas Cruise Directors

Wonder of the Seas is an Oasis-class ship currently the largest cruise ship in the world, boasting a gross tonnage of 236,857 and accommodating up to 6,988 passengers.

Cruise Director	Sign On	Sign Off
TAMI SALTO	Uknown	09/18/2026
MICHELLE OLIVEIRA	09/18/2026	TBA

TAMI SALTO — Credit: Tami Salto/LinkedIn

MICHELLE OLIVEIRA — Credit: Tami Salto/LinkedIn

Cruise Directors on Social Media

Lots of Royal Caribbean Cruise Directors love sharing their adventures on social media. Following your favourites on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok is an easy way to keep up with their latest news, onboard events, and behind-the-scenes fun.

Here are social media links for some of Royal Caribbean’s cruise directors: