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A dance host, also known as a gentleman host[1][2] or ambassador host[1], is an individual, typically an older man, employed by a cruise line to dance and socialize with female passengers. In exchange, hosts are not paid but travel for free or at a heavily discounted rate. Hosts must be competent dancers and possess good social skills.
They are also responsible for attending all ship-sponsored parties and are often asked to host tables at dinner time. They serve as general companions, making conversation and joining in for shipboard activities and games. All the while, romance is not involved, so these gentlemen must have their wits and tact about them. Crossing another passenger's cabin threshold can result in disembarkation.[1]
Ideal applicants come from well traveled and well educated backgrounds who find it easy to converse on a variety of subjects. It is important that hosts have polished appearances and refined, approachable manners. They must also be in good shape, as dancing, most nights, lasts for hours. Cruise lines usually allocate one passenger cabin for two hosts and allow a placement agency to charge a small daily fee. This covers the cost of recruiting, qualifying, and booking hosts for the cruise lines' itineraries.
There are often perks associated with this position including paid airfare for some long sailings, discounts for laundry, bar tabs, and internet, and opportunities to serve as an escort for shore excursions - which means they may join in on $150+ land-based itineraries for free.[3]
Practice edit
Royal Cruise Line began the practice of employing dance hosts in 1986.[citation needed]
The practice of employing dance hosts began in the 1980s.[1]
Hosts tend to be found on longer cruises[4] and on premium cruise lines[1]. Cruise lines that employ hosts include:
- Crystal Cruises,[1] since its inception, with four hosts on every cruise and hostesses on select cruises since 2014, according to a press release[5]
- Cunard Line, for all ocean cruises[6]
- Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines[7]
- Holland America Line, for cruises 30 days or more[6]
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises[4]
- Silversea Cruises, for cruises 15 nights or more and repositioning cruises[6]
Hosts may be recruited by agencies.[2]
In addition to cruise ships, dance hosts are also employed at retirement communities.[8]
Responsibilities edit
Hosts move around looking for single women whom they offer to dance with. They may also dance with women in a relationship with permission from the partner.[1] According to one host, their primary partners are older women.[9]
A single shift may last up to eight hours.[10]
Each host may be responsible for a large number of passengers.[2] As a condition of employment, hosts are expected to show equal attention to all potential partners.[6][4][3]
In addition to dancing, hosts lead a wide variety of activities like card games.[1] Hosts are prohibited from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with passengers as well as entering their cabins.[citation needed]
However, hosts have reportedly pursued relationships and even marriage with passengers after their cruise.[9][4]
Compensation edit
Hosts pay approximately $30 per day for the voyage. This fee includes rooms as well as food and drink.[1][3] In addition to regular amenities, some cruise lines provide benefits such as free transportation.[4] Some hosts enjoy the companionship of others and the satisfaction of bringing them joy.[2]
Qualifications edit
Hosts must be proficient at a variety of ballroom dances. They must be in good physical condition in order to dance for long periods.[1] In the hiring process, hosts take tests or make recordings to prove their ability.[4]
The position is commonly limited to the ages of 40 to 70.[6][3] Hosts are required to be single, owing to the nature of their role.[1]
In popular culture edit
The film Out to Sea depicts unwitting passengers forced to work as dance hosts to pay for their cruise.[citation needed]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McClure, Rosemary (23 April 2017). "On some cruise lines, there are no wallflowers, thanks to gentlemen hosts. How do you get to be one of those guys?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Cruise Line Hire Gentlemen 'Hosts'". ABC News. 24 August 2001. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d Fenton, Sandy (12 November 2015). "Cruise ship job: Ambassador Hosts' main purpose is to dance with unattached women, be friendly". Penn Live. Advance Local Media. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Sarna, Heidi (22 October 2007). "Men who dance ladies around the world". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021.
- ^ Crystal Cruises (10 March 2014). "Crystal Debuts Female Ambassador Hostesses For 2014 & 2015 Ballroom Dance Themed Ocean Crossings". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). PR Newswire. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Henderson, Janice Wald; McDaniel, Colleen (13 June 2022). "What is a Cruise Dance Host?". Cruise Critic. The Independent Traveler. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Do you have dance hosts/hostesses on board?". Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ Lade, Diane C. (16 March 2015). "Senior dance hosts boogie for retirement centers, cruises". Sun Sentinel. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b Brenoff, Ann (17 February 2012). "Cruise Ships' Answer to Lonely Ladies: Gentlemen Hosts". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Kochhar, Piya; Simon, Katie (14 July 2006). "A Dance Host for Cruise Ships — and Fun". NPR. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
Category:Ballroom dance Category:People in tourism Category:People in hospitality occupations
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