Nov 12, 2025 – News
Celebrity Cruises, the premium brand in Royal Caribbean Group, is making history aboard the newest ship in their fleet, Celebrity Xcel, by having not one, but two Cruise Directors for the first time ever. The idea is simple: having two Cruise Directors means more creativity, more energy, and the ability to bring guests two heads — and two hearts — working in harmony to deliver unforgettable moments. The two directors, Shawna and Luigi, sat down to share what this milestone means, how their days unfold, and what they’ve learned along the way as history-makers.
Historically, the Cruise Director role has been a solo one, a single captain of entertainment onboard. “As Cruise Directors, we’re accustomed to working solo; it’s a one-of-one position onboard,” Shawna explained. Yet with Celebrity Xcel’s expansive entertainment footprint, the pair says two heads are better than one. “It’s been a lot of fun rethinking our events for a duo act — hosting onstage not only with a fellow Cruise Director but a long-time friend will be unforgettable,” Shawna added.
Every day as a Cruise Director is a different kind of busy. When guests are onboard, their job is to entertain; when guests are ashore, it’s about planning and coordinating entertainment for a department that includes around 110 entertainers and technical team members. “Our day might include teaching Zumba, polishing tomorrow’s Daily Program of events, getting soaked at Pool Volleyball, socializing with our Captain’s Club members, a quick entertainment grid meeting, a power nap, getting glammed for Evening Chic night, hosting two theatre shows, filming the daily TV show and capping the night with the ‘Shine the Night’ deck party,” Shawna shared. It’s a full, high-energy schedule, but the duo can deliver it together. “Having a partner in crime makes things a lot easier, not only in the workplace, but having someone next to you who really understands what it takes,” Luigi added, “it’s great for unpacking all those emotions at the end of the day.”
Historically, the Cruise Director role has been a solo one, a single captain of entertainment onboard. “As Cruise Directors, we’re accustomed to working solo; it’s a one-of-one position onboard,” Shawna explained. Yet with Celebrity Xcel’s expansive entertainment footprint, the pair says two heads are better than one. “It’s been a lot of fun rethinking our events for a duo act — hosting onstage not only with a fellow Cruise Director but a long-time friend will be unforgettable,” Shawna added.
The two have logged extensive time with Celebrity, including multiple ships and the Edge Series, which have long felt like home. “I’ve worked on almost every ship in the Celebrity Cruises fleet,” Shawna noted, adding that Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Ascent are especially familiar. “This is my first time working on a new build ship!” Luigi added, “I’ve worked on most of the ships on the fleet like Shawna, and I was the Inaugural Cruise Director for Celebrity Beyond and Ascent.”
Every day as a Cruise Director is a different kind of busy. When guests are onboard, their job is to entertain; when guests are ashore, it’s about planning and coordinating entertainment for a department that includes around 110 entertainers and technical team members. “Our day might include teaching Zumba, polishing tomorrow’s Daily Program of events, getting soaked at Pool Volleyball, socializing with our Captain’s Club members, a quick entertainment grid meeting, a power nap, getting glammed for Evening Chic night, hosting two theatre shows, filming the daily TV show and capping the night with the ‘Shine the Night’ deck party,” Shawna shared. It’s a full, high-energy schedule, but the duo can deliver it together. “Having a partner in crime makes things a lot easier, not only in the workplace, but having someone next to you who really understands what it takes,” Luigi added, “it’s great for unpacking all those emotions at the end of the day.”
Planning is a team sport. The two credit a lively, collaborative atmosphere where “the room is loud, we talk over one another, and the best ideas arise from the friendly chaos.” They emphasize guests as their biggest influencers, shaping what lands on the schedule. “We work at least two or three weeks in advance, using data from previous sailings to decide what events will be more impactful,” Luigi explained. Guest feedback, the upcoming itinerary and demographics will shape the activities that the Cruise Directors plan.
“I get to hold the microphone, but the team makes me look good,” Shawna noted, underscoring that the strongest moments come from collective effort rather than solo spotlight.
When it comes to events, dancing is a universal language. “If there’s dancing, then I’m happy! I’ve always been known for my high energy, so any event that reflects that is my favorite,” Shawna said, naming the ‘Shine the Night’ deck party as her happy place. The ‘Poolest Day Ever’ — a full day of nonstop entertainment and pool games — stands out as a Caribbean vacation in one epic package. The pair believes that when they’re having fun, guests catch that energy and join in. “My favorite event to host is our upbeat Latin dance party, ‘Ritmo,’ which caters to every guest onboard. Everyone gets involved, dancing to a unique collection of upbeat Latin hits,” Luigi shared. “And no one can escape the contagious rhythms!”
A cornerstone of their philosophy is offering options. “We put a lot of thought into scheduling varying events to accommodate each guest’s taste,” Shawna explained. If late-night comedy runs, there might be a Silent Disco at the same time for those who’d rather dance. Knowing guests’ wants is key to creating a balanced slate that works for a broad audience.
Even the best ideas need a well-oiled machine to become reality. The Cruise Directors start most mornings with a head-of-department meeting — Food & Beverage, Guest Relations, Housekeeping, and more — to map out the voyage. When a deck party, like ‘Shine the Night’ is planned, the collaboration goes beyond entertainment: the bar keeps drinks flowing, the deck crew clears space, housekeeping rearranges furniture, and guest relations handle the finer details. It truly takes a village.
The most rewarding moments come from people. Guests who recall a previous voyage or even tell stories years later remind the directors why they do what they do. Some guests reach back to say they sailed with them on another voyage, and the memory lives on. The impact isn’t just on guests’ vacations; families are touched too — one parent even told Shawna their child wants to be a Cruise Director when they grow up. And for Shawna, breaking stereotypes matters: “When I started in the industry, female Cruise Directors were rare, so being part of changing that is really special.” Luigi’s most rewarding moment involved a 5-year-old boy, whose parents sent him a video of their son trying to replicate Luigi’s entrance dance moves to the song ‘Fireball,’ one year after having sailed with Luigi. “It made me realize how important this role is and the impact we have on our guests and crew.”
The role of the Cruise Director has expanded dramatically. In the past, Cruise Directors may have appeared primarily during theater introductions. Today, they’re “everywhere around the ship” and the lineup of entertainment has tripled, including things like street curling, escape rooms, and shows that run inside and outside the theater. “The role is more important than ever; we’re the creators of balance for technology and personalized experiences, and we’re creating long-lasting memories for our guests,” shared Luigi. “Making history as dual Cruise Directors means we’ll have more variety, enhancing the overall experience of our parties, game shows, and other events.” Like a Super Cruise Director, with double the power!
With dual Cruise Directors, the strategy isn’t to replace the old role, but to broaden and deepen the entertainment experience for everyone onboard.
For those looking to join the ranks, the message is simple: dive in. “If you’re thinking about working onboard, just do it! Life onboard is 100 miles an hour, but you’ll never want to slow down,” shared Shawna. The experiences — glaciers in Antarctica, sunsets over Santorini, mornings by the Sydney Opera House — become lifetime memories. “I joined Royal Caribbean Group because I wanted to travel – and it became one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” said Luigi. “For anyone wanting to become a Cruise Director, just be yourself! Being genuine is very important here at Royal Caribbean Group.”
At its core, the Cruise Director is the energy of the ship, the nudge to join in, and the spark that turns a moment into a memory. “We’re the memory makers for the destination that is the ship itself,” Shawna said, inviting guests to let loose, be a little silly, and savor the magic of a Caribbean night under the stars. “Every interaction is important to us,” added Luigi, “and we have meaningful interactions and make sure we become that friend they’re happy to see and talk to every time.”
From planning sessions that feel almost chaotic in their creativity to the quiet moments when a shy guest finds their voice on stage, the dual Cruise Directors on Celebrity Xcel describe a voyage not just across the seas, but into a new era of onboard entertainment. It’s a team-driven approach that promises more moments guests will carry with them long after they disembark.
To discover a passion like Shawna and Luigi’s, or to explore other incredible onboard and shoreside opportunities, visit https://careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com/.