Rich Pruitt, Associate Vice President of Environmental Programs, Royal Caribbean Cruises gave us a tour of Oasis and sits down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with us.

Marine Scientist/Author Dr. Ellen Prager talks about the impact of cruise ships on the environment and her new book Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Ocean’s Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter.

Special thanks to: Rich Pruitt, Associate Vice President of Environmental Programs, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Cynthia Martinez, Manager of Global Corporate Communications, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Eric Ruff, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Communications, CLIA; Lanie Fagan, Director of Communications, CLIA; and Oasis of the Seas’ Environmental Officer, Ernst G. Andersen.

Sherry Laskin and Chris Owen, both Travel Writers and Agents join us on board the ship to cover all the misconceptions of cruising and all about the World’s Largest Cruise Night.

Powered by Podbean.com

Make sure you follow us on Twitter @CruiseRadio.

Show Questions or Comments? 1-866-874-7957

Ping list

Also, international Editor from Travel + Leisure magazine chats with us about travel scams.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter at CruiseRadio.

Powered by Podbean.com

Show Questions or Comments? 1-866-874-7957

We spoke with Jack, a first time passenger who gave us his first impression of the ship and Terminal 18, Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal for the Oasis of the Seas. 

We also included a clip of Anne Campbell’s Oasis review which originally aired November 2009. 

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and Follow us on Twitter.com/CruiseRadio.

From the Cruise One Studios in Jacksonville, Florida…….

Stewart the Cruise Guy joins us to talk about Haiti and post earthquake. (since the show, RCCL, along with many other cruise lines have jumped aboard to support the Haiti relief fund)

In Cruise News, we talk about Carnival Cruise Lines no longer allowing the ‘Cougar Cruise’ to prowl on their ships.

Scott Lara talks to us about his trip to Haiti.

We revisit passenger Laura talks with us about her recent sailing on the Carnival Dream.

Don’t forget to stay in the loop with Cruise Radio by signing up for our newsletter!

Associated Press | MIAMI —  The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a cruise ship passenger who reportedly jumped overboard in the Bahamas.

The Coast Guard says crew members aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas reported Neha Chhikara missing Thursday afternoon as the ship was headed from Nassau to CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez says the guest was reported missing by her husband. Security camera footage showed the 23-year-old woman going overboard from the 11th deck early that morning.

Martinez said Friday that Bahamian government officials reviewed the footage and determined that the woman jumped overboard.

The ship left Port Canaveral, Fla., on Monday for a five-day cruise through the Bahamas. It’s due to return Saturday.

This brings up a good questions…. we have seen a lot of folks jumping over the past year. Do you think that people have started jumping more or that these stories are getting picked up by more news wires?  I am curious of your thoughts…….

 The US Coast Guard just rescued a 31 yr., Robert Mado, a crew member from Royal Caribbeans ‘Majesty of the Seas,’ after a two hour rescue search.

The ship was en-route back to Miami from Key West when the man was reported overboard. 

The Coast Guard answered the distress call about 4:30 am.

Mado appears to be in stable condition.

Heather talks to us about her 13 nt Mediterranean voyage aboard Royal Caribbeans ‘Vision of the Seas.’ Find out about first time tips traveling overseas, about the ports of call, and the food!

We review our first port hotel segment this week. We feature the Country Inn and Suites in Cape Canaveral, Fla.  Listen as we talk about the hotel and sit down with Bud, the General Manager.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for show updates!

Drew Devine

 

 

 

 

Drew Devine
Royal Caribbean
Monarch of the Seas

Tell us a little background on yourself:

Long Story really…I have a Jazz performance Degree playing drums and percussion. I toured around for 6 years after college, playing in different bands and productions all across Canada and the US. I also worked in college radio in Toronto, so that is where I got the gift for gab I guess. I joined Royal Caribbean in May of 2001 as a musician in a show band. From there, I was just pushed by some great Cruise Director’s to do more than I was doing and that is how I got to be where I am today. I did take a year and a half off to work in radio again in Chicago, at WGN. It was an amazing opportunity and a profession I hope to get back into once I am done here.

How stressful is your position as cruise director?

It is stressful, but it all depends on how you handle it. Time management is key to everything out here. You have to realize that it is a 24 / 7 position, so you have to manage your time and energy accordingly. Laughter gets me through the day.

What kind of work schedule did you have?

My work schedule depends on the itinerary, etc. But I work anywhere from 10 to 14 hours a day. I always have time for myself and we all learn that a quick afternoon nap can be your best friend.

How long are your contracts per ship?

I work 4 months on and 2 months off.

Do you get to see the ports at all off the ship?

 Yes….I have basically seen the world over the past 7 years. I love it and wouldn’t be here without all of the fun stuff that goes along with the job.
 

Perks of working for a cruise line?

Meeting people from all around the world in every walk of life. Travelling is another huge part of this job…there is nothing wrong with jumping in the ocean in Barbados, Bermuda, the Med and Australia, all in the same year.
Down side of working for a cruise line? Missing family and friends and missing seeing their lives change as much as yours. We do however get a great deal to get them out for a cruise. I just had 10 of my family here for Thanksgiving.

What type of food do crew members eat?

Almost the same as the guests, just with a much greater variety. You are trying to please people from over 50 different nationalities, so the food is very diverse. It’s a great way to find a new favorite from another country.

Is there ever any drama on board with the crew members or do you ever feel like you are playing the kindergarten teacher?

There can be drama, but that can be controlled through proper management and supervision. For some of these people, it is their first time away from home and the first time living with a lot of people in a confined space for 24 hours a day. You make the best friends out here, but it is like living in a college dorm everyday.

Any advice to people that want to work on a cruise ship?

 Try it out. Finish school and then take 6 months just to try something different. You will grow up a lot, have fun, see a bit of the world and get paid for it, all at the same time. It isn’t for everyone, but it is a great place for those who love it.