Cruise ship holidays see passengers well-looked after by crew on the floating hotels. Thanks to their uniform, it’s often easy to spot the staff on cruises. However, there’s one person on board whom you might struggle to identify – who is it?
In fact, this suave and gregarious man, often between 40 and 70 years old, is a cruise dance host – and they are there to dance and socialise with unescorted women on the cruise.
A dance host can come in useful if you’ve come aboard with a partner who is unwilling to dance or indeed if you’ve come away alone.
The tradition began when a larger proportion of women started cruising and cruise lines wanted to enhance their enjoyment.
According to website, crusiseshipjob.com: “Dance Hosts should be mature gentlemen and act as goodwill ambassadors for the cruise line.
DON’T MISS
“They should be in good health, have competent dance ability, have excellent social skills, a positive attitude and be charming conversationalists.
“Good manners are required and hosts must adhere to very strict moral standards.”
They are, of course, required to be able to dance and be physically fit. The website states that the Dance Hosts must be capable of doing all the Ballroom and Latin Dances – Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, Rumba, and Cha-Cha.
Ability to perform other types of dances is a plus – Tango, Samba, Quick-Step, Merengue, Salsa, Two-Step, Polka, Viennese Waltz and so forth.
Guests should also not invite them to their cabins, no matter what their intentions, as this isn’t allowed.
It’s also inadvisable to fall for a dance host, it’s not only not permitted but will also likely be unreciprocated.
“Hosts aren’t cruising to find a love connection; if they wanted a relationship, they’d stay home and have one,” explained cruisecritc.co.uk. “Besides, it’s against the rules.”