Host Requirements

Here Are the Official Dance Host Requirements

You as a Dance Host are onboard the cruise ship to dance, socialize and help the passengers enjoy their cruise. You should focus your time on the guests, especially the women traveling alone. Do not pair up with any one specific lady. Dance with everyone who would like to dance and show no favoritism. Circulate from group to group equally and avoid spending time with staff, crew and entertainers. Be pleasant and sociable with the guests at all times. Be sure to smile and greet all passengers that you encounter.

Obtain a cruise brochure and study the ship’s deck plan as soon as you embark. Once aboard take an orientation tour of the entire ship. Always carry a copy of the ship’s daily newsletter so that you will be familiar with all the activities offered aboard the ship. If you are asked a question that you don’t know the answer, find out the answer from the cruise staff and give the guest a satisfactory reply. Be friendly, smile and try to learn the passengers’ names. Participate in activities, games, dance classes, single parties, cocktail parties and all activities where there is dance music. Ask the passengers to participate and to get involved in the activities and encourage them to be a part of the action.

You may be asked to assist as a tour escort, which is an excellent opportunity for you to enjoy the ports of call. You may offer your services to the Shore Excursion Department by leaving your name and cabin number. Tours should not conflict with your Dance Host duties!

At night, be neatly dressed at all times in the general Dance Host outfit shown below. Avoid flashy jewelry. Wear your name badge, if provided. On formal nights wear your tuxedo. In the daytime, wear casual cruise clothes. Use the following guidelines as a Dress Code:

EVENING DRESS CODE:

FORMAL: A black tuxedo and on longer cruises a white dinner jacket may also be needed. 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 better selection to wear. Bring several tuxedo shirts (no ruffled fronts), plus accessories, studs and cufflinks. Also, bring black formal dress shoes. Black street shoes are not appropriate for formal evenings.

GENERAL ATTIRE: For all other evenings on Norwegian Cruise Lines wear white dress slacks, a navy blazer with white shirt, a stylish tie and white or black shoes. For Holland America wear Khaki-colored (the color of a brown paper bag) dress slacks, a navy blazer with a white shirt, a stylish tie and brown shoes.

THEME EVENINGS: Speak with your Cruise Director about the theme evenings. He will either request that you wear the appropriate Dance Host attire, or he may want you to dress in the clothes specified for that theme night. Be sure to pack a country-western outfit, a 50’s outfit, and a brightly printed shirt for Island Night for these theme nights.

DAYTIME DRESS CODE:

The weather and the itinerary of the cruise ship will determine the appropriate attire: golf shirts, short or long-sleeved cotton shirts and nice casual slacks. In general, wear “country club” attire. Please do not wear outrageous prints or garish colors. T-shirts, tank tops, cargo pants and short shorts are inappropriate at all times. For dance classes wear long pants – no shorts or sandals allowed.

Personal hygiene is very important. You must have a neat, clean, well-groomed appearance, with trimmed hair and fingernails. Taking daily showers and using deodorant are mandatory. If you do wear cologne, make sure that it is not overwhelming. Use mouthwash to keep your breath fresh, especially after meals where garlic and onions have been used. Keep with you and use breath mints and/or breath spray when away from your cabin. Since you are there to entertain and welcome passengers, a neat, clean appearance is essential!!

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

You should be at the respective dance locations 5 minutes before the music is scheduled to start and remain until the music stops. If you need to take a break, do so when the band is on their break. A work schedule may be provided by the Cruise Director. Your priority is to dance with every lady, even the elderly. You should know the basic step and at least 4 or more variations in the fox trot, waltz, swing, merengue, rumba, cha-cha and mambo. It is helpful to know some line dances, like the electric slide, etc. Please do not sit down with guests or other Dance Hosts while the music is playing. Circulate throughout the room (even the back of the room). Be especially attentive to the tables where women are sitting by themselves. Ask the lady “May I have this dance” and offer your arm to escort her to the dance floor. When the music is over “Thank her for the dance” and escort her back to her seat.

If the ladies are engrossed in conversation, please do not interrupt. Be pleasant, smile and a simple greeting will be sufficient. If a woman with a gentleman wants to dance, it is considerate to ask his consent first. If he does not approve – excuse yourself and ask another woman to dance.

Ask every unescorted lady to dance. You must dance with everyone once before returning to the same person. Do not dance cheek to cheek or hold your partner too tight. Dance to her level of capability and don’t force her to do complicated steps. You should try to make the lady look good on the dance floor. Minimize your time, day or night with any one lady as gossip starts very quickly and is detrimental to all.

Under no circumstances are you allowed to pursue a personal relationship. “To Sea With Z” and the cruise lines prohibit any sexual intimacy between the Dance Host and any passenger, entertainer, staff or cruise member. You are not allowed in a lady’s cabin or she in your cabin.

Any unwanted sexual innuendo, comment or attention that is directed to any person can be considered as sexual harassment. Inappropriate physical touching or handling on or off the dance floor can be considered sexual harassment as well. Violators will be put off the ship at the next port at your own expense. You will not be invited back to sail with “To Sea With Z” Dance Host program.

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 a Dance Host, 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 Hosts. Do not walk around the ship carrying glasses, cans or bottles. Even a glass of water with ice can look like an alcoholic drink. The moral of the story is to drink responsibly!!

Smoking is only allowed in the smoking areas both inside the ship and outside on the deck. Smoking is not allowed in your cabin or during dance sets.

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”.

You are not allowed to play bingo, horse racing, casino games or any other activity in which prizes may be won. Other shipboard activities such as bridge or sporting activities are permitted. You are not allowed to accept gratuities at any time.

On days in port it is advisable to leave all valuables, passports, air tickets and jewelry in the safety deposit box on the ship. Hold on to your camera tightly!

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 food, the dance instructors, the band, other hosts or members of the cruise staff or crew. If you have a problem, see the 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 are not properly performing your responsibilities, you will be required to attend a special meeting with members of the staff. If your behavior continues to be unacceptable, you will be terminated from your duties and arrangements for your debarkation at the next available port will be arranged at your own expense. If you have any questions or concerns, the Cruise Director or cruise staff is always available to assist you.

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 emergency.

Once aboard the ship you can look forward to a wonderful experience. Not only will you enrich the voyage for other passengers, you will meet new people and visit exotic destinations. If you sign up for shore excursions you will experience the unique culture of each port. You can enjoy the other shipboard activities such as the gym facilities, the pool, the shows, and the delicious gourmet cuisine!!

You will be receiving a Dance Host Agreement (contract) from us. Please return it signed and notarized with your agency placement fee within 10 days. You will receive a confirmation letter (NCL) or a boarding pass (Holland America) prior to sailing. You must bring your VALID PASSPORT, a picture ID, confirmation letter or boarding pass with you to board the ship. Check in time is between 12 noon and 2 PM. Introduce yourself to the Cruise Director or Assistant Cruise Director as soon as you board.

Wishing you a truly wonderful cruise experience and a very happy “Bon Voyage!!”

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