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A dance host, also known as a gentleman host or ambassador host, is an individual, typically an older man, employed by a cruise line to dance and socialize with female passengers. In exchange, hosts are not paid but travel for free or at a heavily discounted rate. Hosts must be competent dancers and possess good social skills.

They are also responsible for attending all ship-sponsored parties and are often asked to host tables at dinner time. They serve as general companions, making conversation and joining in for shipboard activities and games. All the while, romance is not involved, so these gentlemen must have their wits and tact about them. Crossing another passenger's cabin threshold can result in disembarkation.

Ideal applicants come from well traveled and well educated backgrounds who find it easy to converse on a variety of subjects. It is important that hosts have polished appearances and refined, approachable manners. They must also be in good shape, as dancing, most nights, lasts for hours. Cruise lines usually allocate one passenger cabin for two hosts and allow a placement agency to charge a small daily fee. This covers the cost of recruiting, qualifying, and booking hosts for the cruise lines' itineraries.

There are often perks associated with this position including paid airfare for some long sailings, discounts for laundry, bar tabs, and internet, and opportunities to serve as an escort for shore excursions - which means they may join in on $150+ land-based itineraries for free.

Practice
Royal Cruise Line began the practice of employing dance hosts in 1986.

The practice of employing dance hosts began in the 1980s.

Hosts tend to be found on longer cruises and on premium cruise lines. Cruise lines that employ hosts include:


 * Crystal Cruises, since its inception, with four hosts on every cruise and hostesses on select cruises since 2014, according to a press release
 * Cunard Line, for all ocean cruises
 * Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
 * Holland America Line, for cruises 30 days or more
 * Regent Seven Seas Cruises
 * Silversea Cruises, for cruises 15 nights or more and repositioning cruises

Hosts may be recruited by agencies.

In addition to cruise ships, dance hosts are also employed at retirement communities.

Responsibilities
Hosts move around looking for single women whom they offer to dance with. They may also dance with women in a relationship with permission from the partner. According to one host, their primary partners are older women.

A single shift may last up to eight hours.

Each host may be responsible for a large number of passengers. As a condition of employment, hosts are expected to show equal attention to all potential partners.

In addition to dancing, hosts lead a wide variety of activities like card games. Hosts are prohibited from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with passengers as well as entering their cabins.

However, hosts have reportedly pursued relationships and even marriage with passengers after their cruise.

Compensation
Hosts pay approximately $30 per day for the voyage. This fee includes rooms as well as food and drink. In addition to regular amenities, some cruise lines provide benefits such as free transportation. Some hosts enjoy the companionship of others and the satisfaction of bringing them joy.

Qualifications
Hosts must be proficient at a variety of ballroom dances. They must be in good physical condition in order to dance for long periods. In the hiring process, hosts take tests or make recordings to prove their ability.

The position is commonly limited to the ages of 40 to 70. Hosts are required to be single, owing to the nature of their role.