Fred Olsen ships feature dancing in a big way and ensure that solo cruisers are never alone by having Dance Hosts. Each of their ships, and maybe other cruise lines, has a small team of friendly, capable dance hosts, (male and female), available during dance classes and evening dance sessions. These are people who are on board ship to move around the room and ask guests to dance.
This is to ensure that anyone requiring a dance partner does not have to wait too long to show off their dance skills, whether it’s the Quickstep, Ballroom, Foxtrot or the Tango – the team are there to encourage others to join the dance floor.
It’s a commitment dance entertainment, and certainly on a Fred. Olsen cruise holiday it is as important and memorable as the destinations en route.
How do you become a dance host?
These normally room share. They are there to dance each night during the dancing and may have other duties on board ship.
A simple check can find the agents. They normally have more people seeking work than there are places on ship as regular dance hosts are trusted. There are strict rules on contact, and whereas the industry used to just employ male dance hosts, it is now open to consider both. Potential hosts should be in good health, have competent dance ability, have excellent social skills, a positive attitude and being a great conversationalist is certainly a prerequisite. Good manners are required and hosts must adhere to very strict moral standards as well as bowing to strict rules on ship and under the Captain’s say. You will be under the entertainment department and probably report to one of the entertainment hosts, it is unlikely you will report to the entertainment manager.
This may seem a daft thing to say, but you need to be able to dance. Sadly, like many people think they can sing, the requirement may be a higher standard than you can offer. Before you approach an agent, ensure you can do the full range of dances including the jive, ALL the Ballroom and ALL the Latin Dances – this includes but is certainly not limited to Foxtrot, Swing, Waltz, Rumba, Tango, Argentinian Tango, Samba, Quick Step, Merengue, Salsa, Two-Step, Polka, Viennese Waltz and Cha-Cha. Be expected to be asked for a video and or certificates. A video is always helpful nowadays and can be loaded to YouTube.
A phrase we hear is ‘We already have dancers, to jump in you need to be better or outstanding. But dance with others who may not dance well and help them.’
Dance afloat is an Ipswich based agency
http://www.cruiseshipjob.com/dancehost.htm
