Dance around the world with “To Sea With Z”! It’s a perfect opportunity for dance couples to instruct passengers on the various dances, while enjoying a luxury cruise. Dance Instructors are independent contractors onboard the cruise ship to instruct dance, socialize and to help the passengers enjoy their cruise.

Pick up a cruise brochure and study the ship’s deck plans as soon as you embark. Once aboard take an orientation tour of the entire ship.

On a seven day cruise, you will be responsible for teaching an average of four classes, although the exact schedule will be determined by the Cruise Director. Longer cruises may require more classes. Make sure to check the cruise newsletter each night to find out where, when and possibly what dance you will be teaching the following day.

You should bring your own boom box. Some of the rooms on the ship do have sound systems and speakers, but if you are teaching in the front and the sound system is in the back of the room, it may be difficult to play the music. That is why it’s important to be self-contained. Also bring an extra set of batteries and an extension cord. Then you will be prepared for any circumstance. Bring a selection of music for each different dance and enough cassettes or CDs to cover an hour class for each day.

The Dance Instructors should attend all evening Dance activities such as the Captain’s Cocktail Party and the Theme Nights. You will typically start the evening on the dance floor. If you are able to perform a spotlight, a showcase number or a Dance Party (Champagne Hour), please let “To Sea With Z” know ahead of time, so that we can notify the cruise lines.

Be neat and nicely dressed at all times. Please abide by the following dress codes during your cruise – it is important to make a good impression at all times!

EVENING DRESS CODE - FORMAL:

MEN:

Black tuxedo: Depending on the length of the cruise you will have anywhere from two to five formal nights aboard the ship. If you bring matching combinations of bow-ties and cummerbunds, you will have a selection to choose from. Bring several tuxedo shirts (no ruffled fronts), plus accessories, studs, cufflinks. Also, bring black formal dress shoes. Black street shoes are not appropriate for formal evenings.

WOMEN:

A long gown, a formal cocktail – length dress or a fancy pant suit is appropriate for formal evenings. Make sure that the outfit is comfortable for dancing. You should wear stockings and dancing shoes that won’t slip off. Appropriate jewelry to accessorize the outfit is always nice, but be sure that it won’t interfere with your dancing.

THEME EVENINGS: Speak with your Cruise Director or Assistant Cruise Director about the theme evenings. He or she will either request that you wear the appropriate cruise attire, or he or she may want you to dress in the clothes specified for that theme night. Some themes may be a Country -Western night, a ‘50’s night, or an Island night– please check a cruise newsletter for the suggested theme attire for that night. Always ask if they need your help at these activities.

DAYTIME DRESS CODE:

The weather and the itinerary of the cruise ship will determine the exact clothing that is appropriate. Knit tops, short or long-sleeved cotton shirts, nice casual slacks would be acceptable for daytime wear. In general, dress in “country club” or casual cruise wear attire. T-shirts, tank tops and short shorts are inappropriate at all times. For Dance Classes wear long slacks for the man and either a skirt or pants for the woman – no jeans, shorts or sandals please! Always remember to take a sweater, shawl and rain gear.

The party atmosphere of a cruise lends itself to consuming alcohol. Social drinking is allowed (one or two drinks), but excessive consumption of alcohol is prohibited. It will not only impair your ability to be Dance Instructors, but it is inappropriate and unpleasant for the cruise guests. The Captain of the ship has the authority to immediately dismiss intoxicated staff members, including Dance Instructors. The moral of the story is to drink responsibly! Smoking is permitted only in the specified smoking areas!!!!

Objectionable statements are not permitted. This includes offensive jokes, obscenities or disparaging remarks about any person or group on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability or national origin. This behavior would be damaging, not only to you, but to the reputation of the cruise line and “To Sea With Z”.

Dance Instructors are not allowed to play bingo, horse racing, or any other activity in which prizes may be won. Other shipboard activities such as bridge or sporting activities are permitted. Please keep a low profile in the casino. The Dance Instructors are not allowed to accept gratuities at any time, nor are they allowed to teach private lessons, or sell videos or any other material promoting their dance business. The cruise is not a vehicle to obtain future clients and nothing can be distributed to passengers to advertise your business, including business cards or email addresses.

You may not use, possess or bring, any narcotics, other controlled substances, any firearms or other weapons either on or off the ship.

Be positive about the experience aboard the ship. Never complain or find fault with the program, the ship, the dance hosts, the band, or members of the cruise staff or crew. If you have a problem, see the Cruise Director, the Assistant Cruise Director or discuss the problem in private with the person involved. The ship is like a small town and you should keep negative opinions to yourself!!

If you anticipate a problem, or receive a negative comment, please discuss it with the Cruise Director immediately. Do not wait until the end of the cruise and have negative comments appear on your evaluation. If you have any questions or concerns, the Cruise Director, Assistant Cruise Director or cruise staff is always available to assist you. If any problems do occur, please contact “To Sea With Z” immediately upon your arrival back home.

It is advisable to purchase travel insurance for each sailing. This will cover lost or stolen luggage, emergency medical expenses and medical evacuation, etc. If you don’t have an insurance agent, we will be happy to recommend one. Be sure that the policy you select covers all the conditions that are important to you. You should bring copies of your medical doctors’ phone numbers and prescriptions in case of emergencies.

You will be receiving confirmed cabin space, which is a double passenger cabin. As a Dance Instructor onboard you are NOT permitted to ask for any kind of a stateroom change. If you are on for more than one sailing, we will always try to keep you in the same cabin. We will be contacting you with your cabin number approximately 1 week prior to sailing. Please bring your VALID PASSPORT and picture I.D. Please make your air or ground travel arrangements so that you board the ship between 12:00 Noon and 2:00 PM the day of sailing. Please always check your cruise itinerary at the Cruise Line's website and if there is any discrepancy, call our office. Usually, you will find a welcome letter in you cabin stating a time to meet with a cruise staff member to discuss when and where you will be teaching. If no letter is in your cabin leave a note and your room number at the information desk for the Cruise Director or Assistant Cruise Director to let them know you are onboard. 

The cruise should be a wonderful experience for the Dance Instructor. You will be able to meet people from all over the world and share your love of dance with them. Dancing is such an integral part of any cruise vacation, and the Dance Instructors are very popular with the guests. You will visit exotic locations and if you sign up for Shore Excursions you will experience the unique culture of each port. On the cruise you can enjoy the other shipboard activities such as the gym facilities, the pool and the spa, not to mention the gourmet cuisine!! “To Sea With Z” hopes that you have the most pleasurable vacation possible and we are happy to have you aboard with us!

Wishing you Happy Days at Sea……………………..BON VOYAGE!!!