176 | Murdered Murder Mystery

Ryan Fitzgerald started his career as a saxophonist, faking his way onto a cruise ship gig and eventually becoming a cruise director. He transitioned to corporate roles with Carnival and Princess Cruises, managing brand partnerships and global entertainment. Now, as Executive VP of Sea Production at RWS Global, Ryan combines innovation, immersion, and improvisation to deliver world-class experiences across 40+ ships. Susan and Ryan talk about music, mentorship, and maritime magic. What You'll Learn About: How Ryan talked his way into a cruise gig as a musician—without fully knowing how to play all the instruments—and eventually mastered them! What it was like behind the scenes creating jaw-dropping cruise entertainment, from oversized Yatzhee to improved opera. How to adapt to challenges, like pivoting from a murder mystery to a jewelry heist experience due to some real-life, dark cruise drama. What the Super Bowl and super ships have in common. How to pack for your sea voyage, including why theme-night outfits can make or break your trip. If you loved Ryan's story and want more like it, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. Want your burning hospitality questions answered? Call or text the hotline at 850-404-9630 to be featured on a future episode!

Om Podcasten

Top Floor is a weekly podcast with tangible tips and excellent stories from the experts and characters who elevate hospitality. Host and elevator operator Susan Barry explores the idea that everything is marketing in the hotel business. Our interviews with creators, thought leaders and hospitality groundbreakers are designed to provide practical tactics that hoteliers, restaurateurs and travel mavens can use to promote their businesses. Along the way, we answer burning marketing questions submitted on the Emergency Call Button and share the funniest, craziest, just-plain-weirdest stories down at the Loading Dock. Need to press the Emergency Call Button? Or have a story to share at the Loading Dock? Reach us at 850.404.9630 to be featured in a future episode.