Darren McBurney Named Cruise Director for the Disney Treasure

Darren McBurney, a 25-year Disney Cruise Line veteran who joined the inaugural fleet as a merchandise host in 1997 after winning a game show trip to Walt Disney World, has been selected as Cruise Director for the Disney Treasure. McBurney previously served as Cruise Director aboard the Disney Wish and will travel to the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany to oversee operations and crew onboarding as the new ship takes shape.

Darren McBurney, a 25-year Disney Cruise Line veteran, has been named Cruise Director for the upcoming Disney Treasure. McBurney — whose Disney journey began as a merchandise host on the original Disney Magic in 1997 — most recently served as Cruise Director aboard the Disney Wish and will now help shape the entertainment vision and crew onboarding process for the sixth ship in the fleet.

An Unlikely Path to the Stage

McBurney's road to becoming Cruise Director is anything but conventional. His Disney story began in 1995 when he competed on a British television game show and — through general knowledge and some luck — won a two-week holiday to Walt Disney World. That trip sparked an ambition. "I told my friends 'I don't know how or when, but I am going to work for that company. It just felt right to me,'" he recalled.

He researched his options, and in late 1997, he learned that Disney Cruise Line was assembling an opening team for its brand-new venture. Although his passion was entertainment, his professional background was in retail, and he was selected as part of the opening team as a merchandise host aboard the Disney Magic.

Twenty-Five Years, Fourteen Roles

Keeping his sights on entertainment, McBurney volunteered for positions that did not yet formally exist and began planning crew events. Through role shadows and relentless dedication, he transitioned into entertainment, holding positions in port adventures, youth activities, and more. Over the course of his 25-year tenure, he held more than 14 different positions before ultimately earning his dream role as Cruise Director.

"It's really about the flow of the ship and everything we can do to help the team along the way," McBurney said. "It's a strange job, but for me, it's the perfect job."

While Disney Cruise Line celebrated its 25th anniversary, that milestone was personal for McBurney, who started on the Disney Magic during the line's very first season. "I remember selling the car I had at the time and saying to friends, I hope I last about two years, to pay off the car loan," he said. "I take it day by day, but I would have never suspected 25 years."

What Comes Next: The Disney Treasure

In his new role, McBurney will continue sailing aboard the Disney Wish as Cruise Director while simultaneously researching programming logistics for the Disney Treasure. He will then travel to Germany to become closely acquainted with the Meyer Werft shipyard, assisting with on-site management of operations, entertainment development, and the onboarding of new crew members.

"I'm really looking forward to working with the leaders and making sure that our crew members, both seasoned and newbies, have a smooth and meaningful onboarding process," McBurney said. "That's one of the things in the back of my mind, always."

He is particularly eager to see the ship's stage shows come to life — from the exclusive debut of "Disney The Tale of Moana" to a production of his personal favorite, "Beauty and the Beast."

Why This Matters for Disney Cruise Line Fans

The Cruise Director is one of the most visible and operationally central roles aboard any Disney Cruise Line ship — managing entertainment teams, lifeguards, youth activities, port adventures, and technicians while being the voice guests hear throughout the day. With a 25-year veteran handpicked for the Disney Treasure, the sixth ship in the fleet enters development with deep institutional experience at its helm. Guests can explore upcoming sailings and track Disney Treasure news at DisneyCruise.com.