Scott Sanders has served as a cruise director for Marella Cruises for the past four years, bringing 14 years of experience in the cruise industry to the role. His responsibilities aboard the Marella Voyager, currently sailing its summer season in the Mediterranean, encompass a broad range of duties that extend far beyond what many passengers might expect.

Traditionally, a cruise director's role was more centralized, often directly engaging with nearly every guest and overseeing all onboard activities. However, with modern cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers and crew members, the position has evolved into a complex management and coordination role.

For passengers, Sanders is the face of on-board entertainment—he plans and introduces live shows in the ship’s 600-seat theatre, makes announcements over the public address system, and appears on Cruise Director TV. Yet, much of his work happens behind the scenes. He coordinates with a wide array of staff, from theatre production teams and musicians to quiz hosts, and balances these interactions with administrative duties, including scheduling entertainment programs for upcoming sailings, such as Marella Voyager’s planned Caribbean cruises this November.

Daily activities involve managing multiple performances, with 12 different shows run regularly. Performers often hold two shows per evening. Sanders collaborates closely with the stage manager to ensure seamless productions, overseeing daily dress rehearsals and addressing any technical issues or absences. The shows themselves are developed by RWS Global, a production company that also partners with several other major cruise lines. Cast members typically undergo a rigorous preparation period of three months before boarding, with a six-week changeover for the full entertainment lineup.

Backstage, performers maintain their own dressing rooms equipped with laundrettes, responsibly handling their costumes. Sanders highlights the performers as “the celebrities on board,” noting the enthusiasm they generate among guests, especially children. Equally important, yet less visible, is the technical team—dubbed his "Men in Black"—who manage lighting, sound, and production elements critical to the entertainment experience.

Sanders also uses the Captain’s Bridge as an office to make announcements to crew and passengers—a role that fosters engagement but has seen adjustments due to the volume of guest requests generated by live shoutouts. To maintain personal touches, he supplements announcements with mentions in the daily “Cruise News” newsletter and occasional goodwill gestures to passengers’ cabins.

Passenger feedback is an integral part of Sanders’ work. Contrary to assumptions that survey responses are glanced at briefly, he personally reviews feedback multiple times daily through forms and on-board apps, making adjustments to improve the entertainment programme. Both negative critiques and positive acknowledgments are addressed, with crew members often sending personalized thank-you notes to guests who offer praise.

In response to the influx of first-time cruisers, Sanders developed a “New to Cruise” presentation offering practical guidance, a practice adopted across Marella’s wider fleet. He observes a shift toward a more relaxed cruising atmosphere in recent years, with fewer formal dress codes and a holiday-focused ambiance appealing to families and younger generations.

Overall, Sanders’ role combines behind-the-scenes coordination, live engagement with passengers and crew, and a commitment to continuous improvement, all aimed at ensuring guests have an enjoyable and memorable cruise experience.