Officers & Leadership
At Disney Cruise Line, we recognize we have a wealth of onboard talent. Our key to maintaining our preeminent position in the industry is providing the best possible leadership for our crew. Doing so enables us to continue providing exceptional guest service, time and time again. Great leaders know and interact with our guests, stay focused on our goals, lead by example, proactively promote and practice our values, coach and work alongside their crew, take challenges head on, and never lose sight of why it is crucial we sustain our level of excellence.
When possible, we welcome the opportunity to promote our crew from within. Once our crew experience the Disney Way, it becomes a part of their everyday routine and life onboard. Whether it is providing exceptional guest service or showing great team work during a day that involves schedule changes, crew members are recognized for their efforts and Disney Cruise Line is committed to showing its appreciation. We have a formalized onboard transfer and promotion process to assist all crew in transferring to another department as well as be considered for future promotion opportunities. However, due to the high level of talent ship wide, there is healthy competition onboard!
Hotel Operations
While the Hotel department includes approximately 35 different Officer and Senior Officer Positions, below are the common Officer roles Disney Cruise Line externally recruits for within the Hotel department:
Dining Room
Assistant Restaurant Manager (Head Server):
Provides leadership to a portion of dining room team (Server, Assistant Server and Dining Room Attendant). Ensures service standards. Manages all guest special requests and dietary needs within section of dining room. Oversees new hire training and ongoing service excellence training of crew. Conducts regular inspections within dining room. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. Also assists in overseeing fast food outlets and onboard/island buffets for breakfast and/or lunch. This position reports to the Restaurant Manager and has high guest interaction. This is a tipped position.
Quick Service
Assistant Quick Service Manager:
Provides leadership to Quick Service team (Quick Service Attendant). Oversees assigned quick service areas which can include Crew/Officers dining room, room service, buffet restaurants, fast food outlets, casual dining, and open deck operation. Ensures service standards. Manages guest and crew special needs. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees new hire training and ongoing service excellence training of crew. Conducts regular inspections. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Quick Service Manager and has high guest interaction.
Beverage
Assistant Beverage Manager:
Provides leadership to Beverage team (Bartender, Assistant Bartender, Beverage Server, and Beverage Steward). Oversees the opening and closing of all beverage service areas. Ensures service standards. Monitors bar supplies and consumption. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees new hire training and ongoing service excellence training of crew. Conducts regular inspections. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Beverage Manager and has high guest interaction.
Galley
Chef de Cuisine (CDC):
Provides leadership to galley team (Assistant CDC, Chef Assistant, Cook 1, and Cook 2). Ensures seamless operation of all galleys and stores. Coordinates all food offerings including group offerings and special requests. Monitors all culinary standards. Oversees training for crew. Conducts regular inspections. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Food Manager and has some guest interaction.
Chef de Cuisine, Palo:
provides leadership to Palo galley team (Assistant CDC, Chef Assistant, Cook 1, and Cook 2). Ensures seamless operation of Palo galleys and stores. Coordinates all Palo food offerings including group offerings and special requests. Monitors Palo culinary standards. Oversees training for crew. Conducts regular inspections. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Food Manager and has some guest interaction.
Hotel Stores
Assistant Hotel Stores Manager:
Provides leadership to Hotel Stores team (Hotel Stores Steward). Responsible for ordering, issuance, and discharging requests from onboard inventory system. Conducts inventories. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees training for crew. Maintains and ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Hotel Stores Manager and has low guest interaction.
Housekeeping
Second Housekeeper:
Provides leadership to a portion of the Housekeeping team (Stateroom Host/Hostess/Custodial Host/Hostess, Houseperson, and Custodial/Floor Care). Responsible for housekeeping related activities in all guest public areas, staterooms and crew accommodations. Oversees cleanliness and upkeep of 175 suites, staterooms, pantries, crew cabin areas, back of house and public spaces within allocated section. Handles all guest special requests within section. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees training for crew. Ensures reporting of all maintenance issues and inspections. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the First Housekeeper and has high guest interaction.
Second Housekeeper Wardrobe:
Provides leadership to Wardrobe team (Wardrobe Host/Hostess and Seamstress/Tailor). Oversees cleanliness and upkeep of crew Wardrobe (issues crew costumes and Officer Uniforms) and linen room. Partners with shore side Creative Costuming regarding upkeep and replacement of all crew costumes and pieces. Maintains inventory of bed linens, towels and costumes. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees training for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the First Housekeeper and has low guest interaction, however high crew interaction.
First Housekeeper:
Provides leadership to Housekeeping management team (Second Housekeeper and Second Housekeeper Wardrobe). Oversees cleaning of all guest 875+ staterooms, public areas and crew areas. Conducts daily inspections. Oversees training for crew. Fills in for Manager, Housekeeping in their absence, when needed. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Manager, Housekeeping and has high guest interaction.
Merchandise
Assistant Merchandise Manager:
Provides leadership to Merchandise team (Merchandise Host/Hostess). Ensures smooth and efficient operation of assigned guest and crew retail areas. Ensures cleanliness of all shops, stock rooms and stock shelves. Oversees the receiving of new merchandise while helping with stores, stocking and inventory. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees training for crew. Fills in for Manager, Merchandise in their absence, when needed. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Manager, Merchandise and has high guest interaction.
Guest Services
Assistant Guest Services Manager:
Provides leadership to Guest Services team (Guest Services Host/Hostess). Supervises daily guest services operation. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Handles all guest issues within a 24-hour operation. Oversees training for crew. This position reports to the Guest Services Operations Manager and has high guest interaction.
Entertainment Operations
While the Entertainment department includes approximately 25 different Officer and Senior Officer Positions, below are the common Officer roles Disney Cruise Line externally recruits for within the Entertainment department:
Adult & Family Programming
Assistant Cruise Director:
Partners with the Cruise Director to oversee the daily operation of all entertainment and adult/family programming. Provides master entertainment schedule and oversees shipwide guest communication and collateral. Partners with onboard leader to execute the daily schedule of shipwide entertainment. Responsible for the delivery of onboard Bingo program while ensuring the team is focused on achieving revenue targets. Partners with the Port Adventures to ensure smooth dispatch operation on port days. Oversees all music offerings and manages musician schedules including special event activities. Partners with Entertainment Technical team to ensure balance of background music, moving/set-up of musician equipment, costuming needs, etc. Communicates with Cruise Director and shoreside Director, Entertainment Operations regarding consistency of operation between ships, show quality, crew scheduling, team performance, etc. Manages performance and show-related issues, including procedures and show quality. Manages onboard adult/family operational budget. Partners with appropriate team members to produce all onboard guest print collateral, including the Personal Navigator. Partners with Marketing/Promotions and onboard departments to plan and execute special events. Partners with shoreside Director, Entertainment Operations, Recruiting and Labor Scheduling regarding returning crew and future openings. Provides daily leadership and development for all direct reports. Is prepared to cover for Cruise Director in all aspects, when necessary. This positions reports to the Cruise Director and has high guest interaction.
Crew Activities Manager:
Serves as the ‘cruise director for the crew’ and is the primary point of contact for all crew activities. Responsible for set-up/clean-up, organization and facilitation of all crew activities, events and crew recreational facilities. Leads and chairs the onboard Crew Entertainment Team in the planning, organization and facilitation of all crew activities. Communicates activities and events to crew via the production of newsletter, announcements, Crew Navigator, flyers, posters, crew TV, and crew entertainment board. Monitors crew entertainment/activities budget including tracking, administration and distribution of funds. Conducts needs assessments to determine key opportunities for crew entertainment, activities and events. Coordinates activities and crew-specific offerings at all ports of call. Monitors maintenance, upkeep and improvements (partnering with appropriate shipboard departments) to all crew recreational areas. Partners with shipboard Environmental Officer and shore side Community Relations team to encourage crew involvement in all ports of call. Recruits crew volunteers, communicates with shipboard leaders and crew at large, organizes local transportation needs, and provides feedback to shore side partners. Also actively participates in other onboard crew committees focusing on crew welfare, diversity, crew food, etc. This position reports to the Assistant Cruise Director and has high crew interaction and low guest interaction.
Club Host:
Acts as lead emcee for all adult/family activities. Promotes activities specifically catering to an adult audience. Learns and performs scripted material and choreography. Participates in day/evening deck parties, games shows, trivia contests, sports challenges, ship/island tours, bingo, etc. Introduces specialty acts and/or occasionally a Specialty Guest DJ. Hosts activities on Castaway Cay. Seeks out guest contact and displays enthusiasm and boundless amounts of energy. This position reports to the Assistant Cruise Director and has high guest interaction. Responsibilities involve ongoing microphone use and regular onstage activity. Those in this position are typically promoted from the Entertainment Host role. Consideration for this role does require an audition.
Entertainment Activities Manager:
Provides leadership to the Cruise Staff team (Cruise Staff, Cruise Staff/DJ, and Entertainment Host/Hostess). Responsible for overseeing all activities for an adult and family audience. Supports team as emcee. Oversees onboard Bingo program, handles administrative side of operation and corresponds with shore side Bingo vendor. Manages overall ordering and stock. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Oversees training for crew. This position reports to the Assistant Cruise Director and has high guest interaction.
Youth Activities
Youth Activities Manager:
Provides leadership to a portion of the Youth Activities team (Youth Counselor, Nursery Counselor, Youth Entertainment Host, Assistant Youth Activities Manager, and Assistant Nursery Manager). Responsible for the implementation and handling of the daily operation as well as the guest experience for all youth spaces. Responsible for children’s navigator. Oversees training for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Manager, Youth Activities and has high guest interaction.
Assistant Youth Activities Manager:
Provides leadership support to the Youth Activities Manager and Youth Activities team. Assists in overseeing the daily operation. Oversees training for crew. Reports maintenance needs. Oversees supply inventory and ensures the receiving of new supplies. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Youth Activities Manager and has high guest interaction.
Assistant Nursery Manager:
Provides leadership support to the Youth Activities Manager and Nursery team. Manages overall nursery bookings. Assists guests with all paperwork before commencing service and collecting payment. Serves as guest’s main point of contact. Facilitates unstructured play time while taking care of all infant/toddler needs. Oversees training for crew. Reports maintenance needs. Oversees supply inventory and ensures the receiving of new supplies. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Ensures cleanliness of nursery according to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Youth Activities Manager and has high guest interaction.
Port Adventures and Recreation
Assistant Port Adventures Manager:
Provides leadership support to the Port Adventures Manager and Port Adventures team (Port Adventures Host/Hostess and Recreation Staff). Oversees and executes sales of Port Adventures (shore excursions) and desk operation. Escorts tours when needed. Monitors operation of all recreation spaces including pools, slides, sports deck, outdoor games, mini golf and sport simulators (Disney Dream/Disney Fantasy). Oversees training for crew. Oversees supply inventory and ensures the receiving of new supplies. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Port Adventures Manager and has high guest interaction.
Entertainment
Senior Technician Walt Disney Theatre:
Provides leadership to the Walt Disney Theatre technician team (Audio 1 and 2, Props/Puppet, Show Control 1 and 2, Automated Systems Rigger 1 and 2, Lighting & Special Effects). Responsible for the operation, daily set/strike, supervision, and maintenance of the Walt Disney Theatre and its production shows. A partner with Stage Manager regarding production shows. Runs senior show tracks for all shows. Conducts routine maintenance checks. Oversees training for crew. Oversees supply inventory and ensures the receiving of new supplies. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Technical Production Manager.
Senior Technician Ship wide:
Provides leadership to the ship wide technician team (General Technician). Oversees daily operation and maintenance of all ship wide entertainment spaces (excluding Walt Disney Theatre). Ensures daily set/strike of equipment and operation of entertainment offerings. Conducts routine maintenance checks. Oversees training for crew. Oversees supply inventory and ensures the receiving of new supplies. Creates daily work schedules for crew. Ensures cleanliness of areas to USPH and Disney standards. This position reports to the Technical Production Manager and has some guest interaction.
Broadcast Editor and Motion Graphics:
Operates cameras (single and multi remote) for all live and as-live show and ship wide performances. Provides direction and vision mixing for live shows and performances. Oversees video production, editing and post production of all required original programming and content creation. Encodes all material for archive and transmission. This position reports to the Senior Broadcast Technician.
Audio 1:
Operates complex audio console for front of house and onstage audio monitoring for all shows. Oversees training for Audio 2. Performs sound and microphone checks for performers, guest speakers and event hosts. Responsible for installation, set-up, operation, preventative maintenance and testing of theatrical technical audio control equipment ship wide. This position reports to the Senior Technician Walt Disney Theatre.
Show Control 1:
Operates complex show control console for all shows. Oversees lighting routine maintenance checks. Oversees training for Stage Lighting and Special Effects Technician. Responsible for the maintenance, testing and firing of the pyrotechnic and laser systems within the Walt Disney Theatre and outdoor deck parties for all scheduled programs and special events. Responsible for installation, set-up, operation, preventative maintenance and testing of theatrical technical show control equipment ship wide. This position reports to the Senior Technician Walt Disney Theatre.
Stage Manager:
Oversees all aspects of live show performances in the Walt Disney Theatre while providing leadership, coaching and development for the team of Main Stage Performers; direct reports range between 20-26 depending upon ship. Acts as Company Manager for Cast. Calls all technical show cues (extensive show cues with automation, audio, moving lights, spotlights, electronics, pyrotechnics, and performance flying systems). Works closely with Cruise Director, Technical Production Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Senior Technician Walt Disney Theatre, and Senior Costume Technician in relation to show and technical operations within the Walt Disney Theatre. Oversees rehearsals, warm-ups, show modifications and other factors related to the running of each Walt Disney Theatre shows while working closely with Character Manager, Assistant Stage Manager(Disney Dream/Disney Fantasy only), Dance Captains, Vocal Captain, Fight Captain, Animation Captain, and/or Character Line Captain. Completes show and daily reports. This position reports to the Cruise Director and has some guest interaction.
Character Manager:
Oversees daily Character Performer operation. Responsible for the scheduling, logistics and presentation of Character Performer appearances, events and onboard programs. Provides leadership, coaching and development for Character Performer team; direct reports range between 13-20 depending upon ship. Serves as main point of contact for any performer-related needs. Ensures Character integrity and brand are maintained. Creates and communicates daily rehearsals, call times and performance schedules; partner with other shipboard leaders regarding use of Character Performers in shipboard events and activities as needed. Manages Character Performer appearances off the ship in partnership with shore side Community Relations. This position reports to the Cruise Director and has high guest interaction.
Marine & Technical Operations
While the MTO department includes approximately 25 different Officer and Senior Officer Positions, below are the common Officer roles Disney Cruise Line externally recruits for within the Deck and Engineering department: