Jane shared her ocean view stateroom with an exercise physiologist and they both enjoyed the cruise. "She worked harder than I did," says Jane," because she taught two classes a day. But most fitness people like to exercise anyway. My impression is that the cruise line simply wants to make a lot of activity available to passengers."
Jane sailed the South Pacific for a song: the 14 day cruise could have cost a minimum of $3,400 - Jane only paid a small placement fee and her air fare of $275 to the port of departure, Los Angeles. What fun! And what a bargain! How did she do it?
Pioneers of a new frontier, cruise lines are expanding their ship board activities to entertain and educate guests. Upscale, deluxe, premium and adventure cruise lines often hire guest lecturers.
Topics of interest include fine arts, sports and fitness, health, beauty, music, business, finance, world affairs, gaming or gourmet cooking, If you're an instructor, expert, published author, teacher, economist, wildlife specialist or historian; you may be able to exchange your services for a discounted or free cruise.
LAURETTA BLAKE THE WORKING VACATION ™
Ms. Blake has been actively involved in the cruise industry for the past twelve years. Her company, The Working Vacation specializes in bringing forth professionals from all fields who wish to trade speaking or specialty skills for travel. The company receives a small fee from the speaker, instructor or specialist for arranging the cruise booking.
Presenting your area of expertise is a fun and affordable way to visit favorite places worldwide, relax, and make new friends. 'Speakers,' give five different presentations in 45 minute segments. The topic areas currently most applicable include health, self-development, humor, genealogy, image and beauty. 'Instructors' (i.e. crafts, bridge, fitness, golf, line dancing) must lead a variety of 45 minute classes in their area of expertise. Presentations should be fun, interactive and informative.
In exchange for their presentation services, presenters receive their cruise, cabin and meals for free. Presenters cover their own air fare to and from the port cities. Presenters who are willing to share a cabin with another presenter are usually offered a wider variety of cruises. This is often applicable to the upscale cruise ships.
The cruise companies do not pay presenters nor does Loretta Blake the Working Vacation receive any compensation from the cruise lines. A placement fee is paid to Loretta Blake the Working Vacation by the presenter. The fee is determined by the length of the cruise and the cruise line.
Incidental costs, such as shore excursions and gratuities are the responsibility of the presenter. No fees are charges to applicants, nor are there any requirements to commit to a specific number of cruises. If selected, you will be called as cruises become available. Short notice cancellations open up excellent travel opportunities too!
THE GENTLEMEN HOST PROGRAM
WANTED:
Charming, distinguished gentleman to provide gallant partnership for unescorted lady guests and must enjoy dancing, dining, shore excursions, parties, card games, and musical shows aboard a luxury cruise. (Officers and Gentlemen are encouraged to apply.)
If you're ready to travel, and possess talents for conversation, dancing and socializing this may be your ticket to adventure.
The cruise ship 'host program' was pioneered by the late Richard Revnes, president of Royal Cruise Line. "My wife, Christa, used to point out the disproportion of single, mature women to single men aboard ships," said Revnes. "When we traveled on many cruises, my wife would have me dance with all the single, older women and it just plain wore me out. But we also saw how many of them never had a chance to dance. Dancing is a very enjoyable and important part of the cruise for women."
This successful program has been adopted by many companies to enhance the cruise experience for solo women travelers, (excerpted from The Insider's Guide to Cruise Discounts, Capt. Bill Miller, CTC)
Interested in sailing the world as a gentleman host? Contact the cruise lines directly or apply to Loretta Blake the Working Vacation. Gentlemen Hosts are carefully selected. There is a thorough referral, interview and dance review process that brings forward distinguished volunteers from the fields of business, law, finance, medicine and the military. Do you or does someone you know fit these general guidelines?
- A single gentleman.
- 40 years and older and very young at heart!
- Physically fit.
- Social, a good conversationalist who enjoys dinner parties, card and deck games, other ship-board activities and touring ashore with both single and married passengers.
- Moderate or non-drinker
- A good listener
- A good dancer!
- Round-trip economy air transportation to the designated embarkation and disembarkation ports from major airline gateway cities.
- Shared and/or single passenger accommodations.
- Entitlement of services, meals, entertainment and receptions provided to paying passengers. (The exception: Hosts are strongly encouraged to avoid Bingo, Lottery, Horse-racing or Casino gambling.)
- Gratuities to cabin and dining room stewards.
- A bar and wine allowance to entertain passengers in lounges.
- Laundry service.
- Enjoyment of shore excursions, when space is available, at no charge.
When you write or telephone, please request an information packet and application. Be prepared to submit a complete application listing: the amount of time you are willing to travel, special achievements and awards, club or organization affiliations, marital status, card and indoor gaming experience, cruise experience, and specific dancing abilities. You will also complete a brief biographical summary and a 'dance review form'.
HOT TIP I: If you are selected as a Gentlemen Host volunteers by Loretta Blake the Working Vacation, you will be well prepared: Ms. Blake provides hosts with 'ship-shape' recommendations, from what to wear to shipboard protocol.
HOT TIP: Can you dance, dance and dance some more? Are you proficient in leading a dance partner in these styles: Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Swing, Polka, Tango, Rhumba, Samba, Mambo, Salsa, Meringue, Free Style, Country Western, Line Dancing, and Folk Dancing? Be prepared to show your stuff at the dance review, polish up your moves along with your dancing shoes.
"When you practice, here's the thing to do, simply say as you go:
I'll build a stairway to Paradise, with a new step every day stand aside, I'm on my way!"
I'll build a Stairway to Paradise (Gershwin/ DE Sylva/Francis)
For more sway ways to sail for free, get your copy of Cruise Vacation Values: Buyers Guide to Bargains and Deals. Miller, Mary Fallon, 1997 ISBN 0-9624019-2-7 $14.95
This inside-story, money-saving guide is available at all bookstores or from the publisher, Ticket to Adventure, Inc., PO Box 41005, St. Petersburg, FL,
