Dance is making a strong resurgence in popularity, as witnessed by the ABC-TV reality show hit Dancing With The Stars, recently renewed for a second season…
Dance is making a strong resurgence in popularity, as witnessed by the ABC-TV reality show hit Dancing With The Stars, recently renewed for a second season. Ballroom dancing`s popularity was also showcased in the acclaimed documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, which details the journey of a group of New York City fifth-graders into competitive ballroom dancing. Yet another dance-focused new show is the FOX program So You Think You Can Dance, which searches for the nation`s best dancer.
Vacationers who want to continue their high-stepping dance moves at sea are in luck. Cruise ships offer endless opportunities for guests to strut their stuff, said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the cruise industry`s chief marketing organization, which counts as its members the 19 leading North American cruise lines and more than 16,500 travel agencies.
From pre- and post-dinner dancing in main show lounges to late-night fun in shipboard nightclubs and discos, guests aboard CLIA-member line ships can enjoy many forms of expressive dance. For example, some ships feature special evenings set aside for romantic deck-top dancing under a blanket of stars, while others offer Big Band and Jazz theme cruises featuring dance parties and lessons, plus top-name performers.
Popular music and dance have long been entertainment staples aboard cruise ships, and today`s feature-filled vessels continue that tradition, said Dale. Cruise ships feature talented musicians skilled in virtually every musical genre, plus a multitude of venues – from nightclubs to full-scale ballrooms – where guests can dance the night away while sailing the world`s waters.
Dance aficionados from age seven to 70 will also find an array of dance lessons and classes aboard today`s ships, including ballroom, country-western, salsa, foxtrot, rhumba, tango, cha cha, swing and tap styles. In addition, several CLIA-member cruise lines feature gentlemen social hosts: single men, typically in their late 40s through early 70s, who serve as dance partners and friendly companions for unescorted female travelers, or for those ladies whose partners have two left feet.
Following is a listing of some CLIA lines that offer a host of dancing options for guests.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
The line offers ballroom dancing classes primarily on longer voyages and at no charge. Guests also have the chance to take lessons in country-western, salsa and Latin. The ships` main show lounges are prime pre-dinner dancing venues. For guests looking to hold back the dawn, the ships` discos are the place to be for late-night dancing.
CELEBRITY CRUISES
Celebrity Cruises presents Latin dance classes and has a variety of lounge venues perfect for dance enthusiasts, while also offering dance hosts. The line`s Rendez-Vous Lounges present live music and spacious dance floors, while the disco/observation lounges feature a variety of music and themed nights that get even the most reluctant dancers out on the floor.
CRYSTAL CRUISES
Big Band music can be heard on every cruise, and the line offers a host of theme cruises as well. A Tommy Dorsey Orchestra theme cruise is available on Crystal Serenity`s November transatlantic itinerary, and a Big Band sailing on April 29 takes place aboard Crystal Symphony. The line features dance classes and gentleman hosts sail on all itineraries.
CUNARD LINE
In the Queen Mary 2`s ballroom, the Queens Rooms, dance enthusiasts can dance the night – and day – away with many dance class choices. Big Band music is often played in the ballroom. Classes include tap, cha cha, waltz, foxtrot and rhumba. Guests can book private classes for an additional charge. Gentlemen hosts are available on all voyages.
MSC CRUISES
MSC Cruises has scheduled Big Band theme cruises for the Jan. 13 and March 20, 2006 11-night Caribbean sailings aboard MSC Lirica. In addition to Big Band-style entertainment, there are special dance sessions available to guests. Dancing takes place in the various lounges and showrooms aboard ships in the MSC Cruises` fleet – as well, of course, in the ships` discos.
NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE (NCL)
NCL ships offer show bands, quartets, trios and deejays. Themed dance sets spotlight Big Band or tributes to Frank Sinatra and the Beatles. Select Norwegian Crown and Norwegian Dream cruises feature tango, ballroom and cha cha lessons, to name a few. Dance hosts are available on Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Jewel during the winter, as well as repositioning cruises.
ORIENT LINES
Orient Lines` flagship Marco Polo offers dancing nightly with a show band, trio, duo or deejay in the Ambassador Lounge and The Charleston Club. For guests who want a more formal approach, the line offers instruction in the tango, rhumba, salsa and cha cha, among other styles. Gentleman hosts are available as dancing partners year-round.
RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Radisson boasts gentlemen hosts on most sailings and also operates a series of Spotlight on Big Band theme cruises as well as myriad dance lessons and big band parties aboard select voyages. Seven Seas Voyager`s November transatlantic will feature a Spotlight on Sinatra theme cruise while a Seven Seas Navigator Montreal-New York sailing in September will focus on jazz.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
Royal Caribbean`s Explorer Academy gives guests a chance to learn to dance with the line`s top performers. Fleetwide classes include swing, salsa and hip hop. Additional classes from ballroom to bellydancing are offered on select ships. All Royal Caribbean ships offer adult nightclubs for dancing, and most also feature dedicated teen nightclubs.
SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
Guests can enjoy dancing and cocktails before and after dinner in The Club. Occasionally, a piano player will perform dance music in The Restaurant during dinner. Later in the evening the quartet strikes up for pre-show dancing in the Show Lounge. Frequently, weather permitting, guests can dance under the stars on deck accompanied by the ships` quartets and singers.
SILVERSEA CRUISES
Big Band dancing and ballroom classes – as well as occasional flamenco classes – are available onboard. Cruises of 10 days or more include gentlemen hosts – who also sail on shorter cruises when large numbers of single guests are onboard. Dancing venues include The Panorama Lounge and The Bar. Silversea offers evening dancing on pool decks for Fiesta Latina nights.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
