What will Cruising be like after Covid-19? With Special Guest Abe Hughes, Virtual of the Seas Creator

04/27/20 • 61 min

The emerging health guidelines being released by cruise lines and how they will affect and change the global cruise industry. Special Guest Abe Hughes (former Cruise Director) and Virtual of the Seas creator discusses his new project and shares memories of Cruise Life.
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions and topics you would like to hear about. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
[email protected]
www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Show Notes:
0:13
Introductions & Show Description
Health protocols and future of global cruising, our favourite ports and Special Guest Abe Hughes - Former Cruise Director and Virtual of the Seas creator + surprise guests?

1:05
Changing Health Protocols
How cruise some lines will change health procedures for cruising when we get back into operations. Citing information from Princess and Genting cruise lines.

1:32
Genting preventive measures press release
https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en/media/press-release/2020/press-release-20200407-gcl-announces-enhance-preventive-measures/

6:40
Princess Health Advisory updated press release
https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/plan/Health-Advisory-and-Travel-Safety-Procedures.pdf

7:15
Updated: Cruise lines extend pause in global operations
https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/posts/2826475277389053

8:49
Special Guest Abe Hughes - Creator of Virtual of the Seas - virtual cruise experience

Abe shares stories on how he grew up in the cruise industry, his first day onboard, favourite places cruising has taken him and his new project Virtual of the Seas.
https://www.midfloridanewspapers.com/highlands_sun/why-not-take-a-virtual-cruise/article_679e8852-738d-11ea-966c-934de561cae1.html

39:15
Special Surprise Guest #1

47:40
Special Surprise Guest #2

57:25
Virtual of the Seas - follow online and join Abe onboard!
https://www.facebook.com/cruisedirectorabehughes/
https://twitter.com/royalcaribbean/status/1244425447225450497

58:38
Closing

Thanks for listening!
Subscribe for future episodes and follow Cruise Life Experience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t01GkjSeEtI

Send us a text

1:05
Changing Health Protocols
How cruise some lines will change health procedures for cruising when we get back into operations. Citing information from Princess and Genting cruise lines.

1:32
Genting preventive measures press release
https://www.dreamcruiseline.com/en/media/press-release/2020/press-release-20200407-gcl-announces-enhance-preventive-measures/

6:40
Princess Health Advisory updated press release
https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/plan/Health-Advisory-and-Travel-Safety-Procedures.pdf

7:15
Updated: Cruise lines extend pause in global operations
https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/posts/2826475277389053

8:49
Special Guest Abe Hughes - Creator of Virtual of the Seas - virtual cruise experience

58:38
Closing

Thanks for listening!
Subscribe for future episodes and follow Cruise Life Experience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t01GkjSeEtI

Previous Episode

The role of Cruise Director with “Hello Clo” and “You Just Have To Laugh” with Comedian David Naster

Send us a text

The role of Cruise Director and how the new big ships are changing the duties and responsibilities. We also dive into why cruise ships are not flagged in the US.

Special Guests: Cruise Directors “Hello Clo” and one of our favourite Comedians, author and creator of “You Just Have to Laugh”, David Naster.
Get In Touch!
Find us online and send us your questions and topics you would like to hear about.
Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.
[email protected]
www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch
www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Show Notes

0:01
Welcome, introduction & show summary
1:25
The role of a Cruise Director and how the new ships are changing those duties and responsibilities.

4:53
Those with aspirations of becoming a Cruise Director, how do they get there?

6:00
Special Guest - one of RC’s friendliest and most recognized; Cruise Director Clo O’Connor

7:17
Clo shares her story and discusses how the CD role has changed over the years for her.
9:37
Clo tells us what it was like coming up as a female Cruise Director.

12:43
Many believe that working on a cruise ship means you can’t have a family life. Clo essentially raised her son onboard and explains some of the benefits and retractors.

16:08
Trivia Time: Which countries are cruise lines registered/flagged?

19:40
Misconceptions segment - Why ships are not flagged/registered in the US?
19:50
Jones Act / Merchant MarineAct information / official definition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920

More information on the Jones Act and if it hurts the industry
https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/is-this-old-law-hurting-america-s-cruise-industry.html

22:06
Mitch talks about the Jones act and river cruises including smaller American cruise lines
https://www.workboat.com/news/government/jones-act-hurdles-not-stopping-us-river-cruise-growth/

22:43
Special Guest - Comedian, award winning Author and creator of the brand series, You Just Have to Laugh, which speaks about how to get through life’s difficult times through humour. Please welcome David Naster.

23:38
How David got started within the cruise industry

24:10
What is the Naster Blaster!?
https://naster.com/product/the-naster-blaster/

26:06
David discusses “You Just Have To Laugh” and the value of humor in tough times.

31:20
How can we use humor with the current situation happening around the world?

32:55
David discusses how to “own the emotion” with humor.

34:55
What about sports?

37:17
This is affecting many

Thanks for listening!
Subscribe for future episodes and follow Cruise Life Experience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t01GkjSeEtI

Next Episode

Cruising Myths and Misconceptions debunked plus ship stories with Paul Baya

Send us a text

Episode 4 discusses myths & misconceptions of cruising which means we get to debunk some things that just aren’t true...or are they? Plus stories from Special Guest Paul Baya (Oceania Cruises), who was on one of the last ships with guests in March 2020.
Get In Touch!
Any more myths, misconceptions or questions? Send us to discuss in future episodes. Find us online and send us your questions and topics you would like to hear about. Subscribe to the podcast also watch the video version on Youtube.

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cruisedirectormitch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormike
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cruisedirectormitch
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/CruiseDirectorMitch

Show notes:
0:01 Intro and show description
Myths & Misconceptions about the Cruise industry

00:35 If I go on a cruise, I will get seasick...Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabilizer_(ship)
Link: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/cruise-secrets-how-ships-mostly-keep-you-from-124815777812.html

1:06 Isn’t cruising for senior or older people?
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/douggollan/2020/03/08/cruisings-silver-lining-only-13-of-customers-are-over-70-years-old/#1d03268c2bc0
Link: https://www.cruise1st.co.uk/blog/cruise-holidays/how-old-is-the-average-cruise-passenger/
5:08 Link: https://www.carnival.com/onboard/bolt-ultimate-sea-coaster

5:53 Are we going to eat in buffets all week long?
Link: https://travelnoire.com/virgin-voyages-says-goodbye-buffet-a-cruise-ship-tradition

8:06 The rooms (cabins) are all small right?
Link: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-rooms/royal-suite-class

9:50 Mailbag questions:
Jen: What happens with the food waste? Do they just throw everything into the ocean?
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-symphony-seas-worlds-largest-cruise-ship-deals-with-waste-2020-3
Sean: Can you divulge the actual work schedule and responsibilities of crew so guests understands what happens behind the scenes?

12:58 Special Guest Paul Baya of Oceania Cruise Lines
- Was on one of the last ships at sea with guests in March 2020. - Any interesting stories from your life at sea?
- What was it like being one of the last ships at sea in March during the outbreak?
Link:

Thanks for listening!
Subscribe for future episodes and follow Cruise Life Experience
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CruiseDirectorMitch/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t01GkjSeEtI