Griffin attire up for The Orange Party<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIn level of truth, he isn’t solely the youngest cruise director within the Holland America fleet, but additionally the youngest throughout its dad or mum firm, Carnival Corporation.<\/p>\n
A local of Louisville, KY., you could possibly say Griffin was born to work on the excessive seas.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mom loved \u2018The Love Boat,\u2019 \u201d he mentioned. \u201cShe had us watch it (on reruns, of course) and we got very invested. We all wanted to be Julie, the cruise director.\u201d So a lot so, Gage, alongside together with his youthful siblings, Stevie and\u00a0 Hunter, would \u201cplay fake cruise ship in our pool, with a blow-up raft\u201d<\/p>\n
Later, he obtained an opportunity to cruise on the actual factor throughout household holidays. \u201cI thought (working on a cruise ship) looked like so much fun.\u201d But, he added, \u201cWatching \u2018Love Boat\u2019 was the biggest inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gage\u2019s different early love was musical theater, which he obtained concerned with at age 5. For two years, he carried out within the nationwide touring firm of \u201cLes Mis\u00e9rables,\u201d taking part in the function of Gavroche, \u201ca child that was supposed to be 8,\u201d though he was 11 when the tour began.<\/p>\n
?At Indiana University, Gage majored in broadcast journalism and theater. Upon graduating at 20, he grew to become a TV information reporter and anchor in Atlanta, Ga. While he appreciated what he was doing, the siren name from \u201cThe Love Boat\u201d by no means left him, in order the pandemic started to wind down, he determined to use for a cruise job with Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sent in my auditions and didn\u2019t think anything would happen,\u201d he mentioned. To his shock, he obtained gives from all three, however finally selected Holland America. \u201cI one hundred percent made the right decision,\u201d he mentioned. \u201cIt\u2019s been the job of a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n
He credit his background as taking part in a key function.\u201d Performing and journalism mixed to essentially assist me on this job, since I speak to lots of people, be taught lots of various things and need to convey info in a concise and straightforward to grasp manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far, he mentioned the job has \u201cexceeded expectations,\u201d and loves the constructive work setting,\u201d including the \u201chappiness and positivity is so refreshing.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he takes a break and is again dwelling, Gage can\u2019t flip it off. \u201cI\u2019m shopping in Target and go around smiling and waving at the customers. People are probably freaked out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gage has had a possibility to work on all 4 courses of Holland America\u2019s ships. So what’s a typical day for him? Depends on if it\u2019s a sea day or a port day.<\/p>\n
\u201cSea days very busy,\u201d he mentioned. After a morning workers assembly, he\u2019ll host a espresso chat with one of many ship\u2019s personnel, conduct one of many ships EXC (Explorations Central) talks and ship bulletins all through the day. It affords him loads of train since he all the time takes the steps, and has realized the artwork of the facility nap as properly.<\/p>\n
?On port days, he\u2019ll incessantly get off with the visitors to discover, since a serious a part of his job is to know every little thing concerning the ports of name. On these uncommon events when circumstances pressure a port cancellation, Gage mentioned, \u201cIt\u2019s all hands on deck to rapidly plan a whole new sea day.\u201d Rather than being tense, \u201cweirdly, it\u2019s almost my favorite,\u201d he mentioned. \u201cIt\u2019s like a bonus for the guests and we get to do some special events.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, why is Holland America a fantastic alternative for a cruise?<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are amazed by artwork and design,\u201d he mentioned, and since their ships are comparatively smaller, \u201cthey feel more like a village than a city, with a family feel.\u201d He added that the road \u201crepresents classic cruising, with itineraries second to none to all seven continents.\u201d<\/p>\n
He summed it up: \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to create tourists \u2014 we want to create travelers, helping people understand the places we go.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his typical contract is 4 months, Gage requested an extension and stretched it to virtually 10 months, saying, \u201cI love this job so much, if I could, I would work 12 months a year.\u201d Given his performing background, he mentioned he\u2019s prepared to face in for any of the singers and dancers ought to the necessity come up.<\/p>\n
And simply in case you had been questioning how outdated this cruise director that might go for 16 actually is, we are able to reveal it now: He\u2019s 24. That little factoid would possibly come in useful on a future Holland America trivia session.<\/p>\n
PHOTOS<\/p>\n