Jenny Bond

2 hours ago, ballroom-cruisers said:

It sounds like the recruitment of dance hosts is different in the US and UK, and the organisations that manage the interviewing and detailed arrangement of the 'contract' for those who get through the recruitment process may give a quite different feel in the two countries.  Either way, once through the process the dance hosts do have to work pretty hard every evening of their time on board, as well as be required to attend daytime dance lessons, and some of the solos events.  It is also possible that the entertainment managers may require different levels of duty on any one voyage from the dance hosts. 

 

It would nice really useful to know what the plans are for the rest of this year, as well as how things are envisaged for the four ships next year and beyond, so that we get a feel for how things might change in the future regarding support for ballroom dancing on Cunard?

Good point that the process may be different UK vs US. And I suspect it is possible if the agency he talked to maybe had a different process than the one quoted. I know there are all types of scam employment places for different industries so it stands to reason they have them for dance as well.

I was fortunate to be with a group to dance and had a partner any time I wanted. But my next sailing will be solo with my daughter so it would be nice to have a host to dance with. But I am not above just getting on the floor if a song I love comes on and doing the ballroom steps on my own since we practice like that in class anyway. 

7 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

I'm surprised there's so much indignation at the photograph of the dance party posted earlier. They are clearly not engaged in ballroom dancing, as anyone with a shred of training in dancing can see. People are allowed to have fun and dance in many styles, including just moving to the music on a Cunard ship. I'm a very serious ballroom dancer and I have in the past found these dance party nights quite fun, especially since it gives everyone a chance to get onto the floor and enjoy dancing for pleasure.

 

It's also difficult (and perhaps unwise?) to judge the attire of those snapped mid-dance in a semi-blurry photo.

 

 

Agree. Dancers come in all shapes and sizes and one of the best dancers in our group wore hiking pants a few nights (yes, on the proper Queens Room dance floor). But she is a lovely lady, good conversationalist, and excellent dancer. She was on vacation, she was having fun, and was good company so I didn't really care what she was wearing. She was definitely having a better time than those sitting on their bums grumbling about her pants.

7 hours ago, Sdancer said:

 

This is very strange information, hard to believe. 

 

There are two agencies which provide dance hosts to the cruising industry, one in US and one in UK.

Compass Speakers and Entertainment Inc is in US.

Cunard requested US agency to provide dance hosts for QM2 and QE for 2024.

Here is the link with the info what qualities are expected from a dance host from the US agency:

http://www.compassspeakers.com/gentleman_host.html#about

 

http://www.compassspeakers.com/gentleman_host.html#letter

 

Dance hosts told me about their interview process by the Compass Speakers company in Florida. It is a lengthy process but the dancing ability is looked at very last and only after they successfully finish the interview process.

I danced with first time dance hosts and long-time dance hosts. Two of my very good friends were dance hosts; one is going back to being a dance host after the pandemic.

 

Dance hosts do not pay for cruises ; they only pay the Compass agency $30 per night while being a dance host on a ship.

I saw the emails which the agency sent to dance hosts for Cunard - dance hosts require to be fully vaccinated and boosted.

Maybe that is one of the reason that there is a shortage of dance hosts.

Another reason might be that some of the long-time dance hosts are older now and do not what to be dance hosts since it requires long dance floor hours.

Also, flying became more difficult and more expensive.

In the past a dance host had to stay on a ship for 30 days to get a cruise company to pay for their flights (maybe my flights info is outdated).

Absolutely no idea. I am only relaying what a member of my dance group told me about his own experience when attempting to get a position. And I don't know him very well so can't speak to how accurate his experience was. 

On 8/28/2023 at 10:01 PM, Sdancer said:

 

The lack of dance hosts on TA crossing with no ports is inexcusable.

 

I was on a recent TA and we learned something interesting about dance hosts. Apparently, in order to get a paying gig as a dance host, the dancer is expected to book at least four different cruises/voyages paid for with their own money and no discount. They then have to volunteer to be dance hosts every night of that cruise and after four of them, if they get good reviews, they might get offered a paid position.

They essentially have to foot the bill for their own audition. This was relayed to us as we were traveling with a large group of ballroom dancers and one of the gentlemen had looked into getting a job as a dance host on cruise ships and that is what was explained to them when they inquired about the process.

I have not personally looked into the process but this is what we were told by the man who did look into it as a retirement job. Not sure how many dancers can afford to do that just to get offered a position. Might explain the lack of large numbers of them.

On the recent TA I was on the dance floor was absolutely packed every night. There were two hosts (husband and wife) but they were disembarking the same time I was.

I shall be on the August 18th sailing from NYC to Southampton. I am an "intermediate" ballroom dancer. (Bronze). I am fairly good at my level when it comes to class and executing a syllabus routine we are learning that I "know". However, "social" dancing (ballroom) where I have to follow a lead and do not know what is coming next is a struggle for me as I find it difficult to understand what the gentleman is trying to communicate if they are not at a level much higher than I am. And even then sometimes if they are a higher level, I can't "get" the nuance of their lead because I am not as practiced with more advanced leads. I just booked two "classes" with my instructor/coach last night for social dancing practice to prepare for the crossing. This means instead of regular class, we are going to attend one of the schools dance parties together and practice "just dancing" so I have to learn better how to follow a lead when there is no set routine or syllabus.

I must tell you that in class last night (bronze level) there were so many mistakes and oops moments and our instructors favourite thing to say as we switch partners is "apologize to each other before we start". If you are on my sailing and watch me with my coach you will see me mess up a bazillion times, often to the point where we have to stop and reset and I will be laughing and rolling my eyes at myself. Bless his heart, he has the patience of a saint to dance with me some days I think.

All that to say this: I am traveling solo and while I am sure I will have a few evening dances with my coach or other students (we are in a group) I am also more than happy to dance with any gentleman of any level who would like. We can box step around. We can sway. We can do whatever. I just like listening to the music and moving my body. Also, in my school, we train both sides (lead and follow) so I am not a strong leader but can lead some things like a simple fox trot or waltz. I just have to reset my brain to be on the opposite side. Often we have ladies who practice together so I am quite comfortable dancing with ladies as well. Sometimes I attend classes to just practice the lead. 

If you like to dance, you will always be welcome with me whatever your level or preference (lead or follow). If you took the rumba lesson earlier in the day and just want to basic step around the floor, I am happy to do that. Just bring your smile and have some fun. Real dancers love to dance and are not snobby about it 🙂 

On 6/21/2023 at 5:35 PM, NightSky46 said:

Ruth/Alex: I am a solo also on the 8/18th QM2. Go to the roll call page and "sign in" -as suggested above; it appears we are the only 2 solos so far. Endangered species apparently.

I'll be "solo-ish". I am traveling with a group from my dance school and have a room mate that I have met once and don't know well. I'll be spending some time with the school for practice and I believe we have dinner together in the evening seating wise but outside that, I am on my own.

28 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

Note the direction is always eastbound from Japan to Alaska. There isn't a westbound cruise from Alaska to Japan. After QE finishes her Alaska season, she repositions to the Mediterranean, then Australia/New Zealand, and then back to Japan.

This is wonderful! I am going to research it. I was originally planning a Japan cruise only but this would be even better to "make up" for ruining their Alaska cruise all those years ago!

16 hours ago, addo said:

We returned from QE Japan/Alaska last week and chose open dining.  This allowed us to make the best use of the evening entertainment which would not have been possible if we had chosen late sitting. 

 

Dining at 7.45pm was ideal so we could attend the late quiz and then the show. We noted many late arrivals in the theatre after 10pm showtime from those who chose the later dining.

 

This is our third cruise where we chose open dining, including the World cruise and as it suits our needs better intend to continue choosing this option.

Wait. Is there a Japan to Alaska voyage?!?!? I owe my parents an Alaskan Cruise as they canceled theirs to be here when my daughter was born. My daughter is now 19 and wants to go to Japan for her 21 bday. It would be too neat to be able to take us all to Alaska then to Japan on the same trip!