What do you think of the gentleman “dance host” program?

[Andipanda1]

If the information provided by the original poster is correct, the elimination of the dance hosts was not a financial decision but rather a marketing decision. A dumb one, perhaps, but the point is, this isn't about saving money by selling the extra few cabins presently occupied by the dance hosts that sail for free.

 

If it's true that X wants to "appeal to a younger market" it would confirm something I've suspected for a while now - that RCI is slowly trying to eliminate the distinctions between the two lines. That sounds like another dumb idea to me, and probably to most of you, but the RCI execs may look at it a different way.

 

 

Personally, I think I'd like to get more information about this--in light of X's current advertising, this new trend doesn't make and sense and it IS a dumb idea. I'd like to think that, X is doing this to offset fuel costs, and other rising costs, while trying to maintain its upscale ambience--getting rid of the gentlemen hosts fleetwide would make a bit of a difference, although I don't think it's wise, and its a sad move. But I don't think they would want to raise prices much higher, given the current media hoopla over cruise ship safety, threats of a "head" tax in Alaska, increased security measures, etc.

 

Do they want to appeal to a younger market? Yes, I do see this, but I don't think it's targeted toward 20 somethings, more towards younger Boomers like myself (mid 40s) and tweeners in their late 30s. I don't think we're going to see rock-climbing walls on an X ship anytime soon (at least I hope not!).

[spearmint]

I am shocked. My wife and I look forward to the daily gathering in the Rendezvous for pre dinner drinks and dancing. I wonder how many women pay the solo supplement to cruise and still have an opportunity to enjoy what so many of us take for granted. The dance lessons offered on board requires the dance hosts to help out. This is another sign that X is abandoning its traditional customers. It's a dumb move.

 

My thoughts exactly. We love to dance spend a lot of time in the Rendez-vous Lounge. We thought it was a great idea that ladies, who, for whatever reason, were partner-less, could still avail themselves of the dance experience. The dance hosts on the last cruise actually were of help to us when we took the dance lessons offered. What a shame that they will no longer be aboard.:(

[Roz]

I've never sailed on Celebrity, but hope to some day. That said, I'd like to comment on the trend these days among many cruise lines to try to appeal to a younger demographic. Here's what I see as the fallacy in that thinking.

 

The baby boomers (I'm one of them) are the biggest age cohort in the United States. The oldest boomers, those born in 1946, will be eligible to start drawing Social Security in 2008. Right now the boomers are in their 40s, 50s, and some just turned 60. They have disposable income that young people and young families don't. They've peaked in their careers, and are at their earnings maximum. They have more vacation time built up on their jobs than younger workers. The ones already retired or getting ready to retire will have the time to take longer cruises or more frequent cruises.

 

Why are the cruise lines not aware of this. Are there any marketing gurus out there that can explain this to me? Am I missing something?

 

In addition, there are other considerations. Us "oldsters" :D don't put the wear and tear on ships that partiers and families with children do. I think we tend to tip better, and are more likely to order wine, use spa services, etc. - all revenue generators for the cruise lines.

 

Apparently putting 3-4 passengers in each cabin is more of a consideration than a quality cruise experience for repeat customers.

 

Roz

[Jimsgirl]

Personally although I am a single Elite member of the Captains Circle, I have never spoken with nor been asked to dance with a dance host on Celebrity.

 

My experience, (HAL,Crystal,Cunard) has been that these hosts go "fishing" on the first night, and every night thereafter they dance with the same small group of passengers from that first nights "haul"

On HAL in January, the group was composed of about 6 passengers who all sat togther (maybe they were travelling together I do not know), one dance host in fact did not dance(!) he said he had a "bad back", ( I met him several times at breakfast ) he had a "Walter Mitty" complex, he had been a "racing driver", "a test pilot ", a "Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot", you name any glamorous occupation and he had been it. his age so he said was 75 which meant he was 9 years of age during the Battle of Britain, wow what a genius!!

 

My concern is the constant whittling down of the quality of the cruise experience on Celebrity. as a whole, no one seems to be treated as a VIP now. It seems that every week brings a new "elimination". This week I was told by the Captains Club, that they are eliminating the membership cards

and the booklet in the cabin is now like Carnival's, " buy one ,get second one 10% off" . I think that is a tacky move

[Sky Sweet]

I've never sailed on Celebrity, but hope to some day. That said, I'd like to comment on the trend these days among many cruise lines to try to appeal to a younger demographic. Here's what I see as the fallacy in that thinking.

 

The baby boomers (I'm one of them) are the biggest age cohort in the United States. The oldest boomers, those born in 1946, will be eligible to start drawing Social Security in 2008. Right now the boomers are in their 40s, 50s, and some just turned 60. They have disposable income that young people and young families don't. They've peaked in their careers, and are at their earnings maximum. They have more vacation time built up on their jobs than younger workers. The ones already retired or getting ready to retire will have the time to take longer cruises or more frequent cruises.

 

Why are the cruise lines not aware of this. Are there any marketing gurus out there that can explain this to me? Am I missing something?

 

In addition, there are other considerations. Us "oldsters" :D don't put the wear and tear on ships that partiers and families with children do. I think we tend to tip better, and are more likely to order wine, use spa services, etc. - all revenue generators for the cruise lines.

 

Apparently putting 3-4 passengers in each cabin is more of a consideration than a quality cruise experience for repeat customers.

 

Roz

 

I agree with you about people in their fifites and sixties having more disposable income. There are also many people in this age group who are are receiving a monthly pension check from their first career, in addition to earning a full time salary for their current job.. At the same time, many baby boomers own their homes free and clear, and no longer have the major expense that younger people have of paying a mortgage.

[lucky white heather]

Having read all posts to date either for or against continuing the dance host programme, I am more hopeful that X might, if they read any comments , take cognisance of these responses and change their mind and consider retaining the programme .

I have always said this would be the ideal position for a retired / no ties / savvy gentleman who enjoys dancing to apply for when his wife / partner dances off to the big cruise ship in the sky . Dancing is healthy, broadens your horizon meeting new faces even on a few turns round the floor, and is enjoyable musically as well. Some cruisers even keep the ship's bar busy between dances!

 

In my husband's case , he'll need to buy lifts for his shoes in order to suit taller partners, and sadly any potential dance host vacancy may not be on a X ship if this change goes through..... however in our experience Cunard always need about 6 per ship!

If all cruisers are not encouraged to dance will the bands be next for the chop??????

[Merry_Sea_Witch]

You are correct, solo pax do not pay double. They only pay port charges one time; a major difference, no doubt. We are sailing in October with several solo ladies, in cabins unshared; they enjoy dancing with the hosts and I certainly hope they are still onboard when we arrive. It's ridiculous to say that if all passengers don't use a program, it should be eliminated. I never, ever, used a children's program and would not say it's unfair to keep it on board. It must certainly cost Celebrity to staff this program and do arts & crafts, etc. The point of the cruise is that there is something for everyone, not everything for everyone.

 

For our next cruise my single aunt is paying $1,580 USD for cruise fare but only $100 USD for port charges so that is not "a major diffrence." Haveing to double $ 790 USD is. So she can argue she is paying almst double!!!:(

But I agree we do not use kids program or consult with golf pro or smoke cigars but other people do and we dont complain we are still paying for it cause there are other things on the ship that we use like my aunt who likes tha dance hosts. The last two dance host we talked to said he had to pay for his cabin.:(

[kitty9]

I would love to talk to any of these women who don't pay the full 200% single supplement on Celebrity. I've now been on 5 X (with 6 through 8 already booked) cruises as a single, and each and every one of them I've paid the full fare for two passengers. Yes, I only pay port taxes for one, but the cruise fare is always double. In November on the Conne, I'm in a Sky Suite and I'm paying the full two passenger fare. Same for my 7 day cruise in January---full two person fare for the CC class cabin.

 

As for the hosts, the first time I've ever seen them was on my last Summit cruise in February. There were two of them, and for the most part, one of the men sat at the bar in the Rendevous Lounge and drank. At least the other guy danced. But as Jimsgirl said, I saw them scoping out the crowd on the first two nights, and after that, they danced with the same women every evening.

 

On Crystal the Hosts are very busy and they do earn their keep. They are not allowed to dance with the same woman for two dances in a row, they escort shore excursions and partner for women who take dance lessons every day with the professional dance instructors. But if it's true that X is eliminating them in order to focus more on families and younger cruisers, they're "missing the boat" on a huge demographic of single women who have large discretionary incomes and can afford the likes of X.

[BaltiGator]

Do they want to appeal to a younger market? Yes, I do see this, but I don't think it's targeted toward 20 somethings, more towards younger Boomers like myself (mid 40s) and tweeners in their late 30s. I don't think we're going to see rock-climbing walls on an X ship anytime soon (at least I hope not!).

 

Well, Iggy Pop (composer of the song RCI uses as its theme music while they show you the rock wall etc.) has got to be in his late 50s or 60s, so maybe they need a new jingle too. :D

 

I agree with you, a rock wall on X would be a funny site. Especially if you had to adhere to the dress code even when using it. :D

[Lois R]

I agree with Darcie...and would love to talk to the ladies who

don't pay double.

 

Carole, those are friends of yours? I would really like to know

how they end up paying less for the solo cabin.

 

I have sailed with Celebrity 9 times...7 of them I have had my own

cabin. 2 out of those 7 times I was lucky enough to pay Happy Hour

Prices.

The other 5 times were 200%...example I gave earlier....

If an inside cabin is 500.00 per person dbl.....I pay 1,000.00...less

one set of taxes...

But that is still double.....

[Ginnylou]

I am a stock holder, single, over 30 cruises, enjoy the chance to dance with dance host. I don't smoke cigars, use the children's activity center, etc. etc. Will be disappointed with the loss of this program. I do not think it is a waste of money and believe it is shortsighted on the company's part.

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Now the single men or those with non-dancing wives will have someone to "cut a rug" with. ;)

[Andipanda1]

Well, Iggy Pop (composer of the song RCI uses as its theme music while they show you the rock wall etc.) has got to be in his late 50s or 60s, so maybe they need a new jingle too. :D

 

I agree with you, a rock wall on X would be a funny site. Especially if you had to adhere to the dress code even when using it. :D

 

You mean, scale the rock wall in my satin evening pumps? ::clutches pearls and swoons:: :D

 

Seriously, though, while the RCI last night gifties and the coupon book are nice, we were so impressed with the Captain's Club parties and the galley tour that we got as new Select Members on our (first) Celebrity tour, we wondered if that--coupled with the overall upgrade in service--made up for the lousy coupons. But nature of the X coupons was a bit annoying--mostly Buy One Get (Insert low percentage) Off rather than just a straight discount.

 

For example, as Gold Members on RCI, we got a coupon for a free stock photo of the ship IF you bought an 8x10 formal photo. The coupon netted us a nice 8X10 (now we are currently Platinum). On Celebrity, we got a similar coupon, which I scanned for any restrictions--the only was availability. There were plenty on the photo stand, so we got our 8X10 formal and selected a gorgeous stock photo of the Hubbard Glacier--same size photo. We asked if this was a stock photo, and were told yes. However, after we presented our coupon, we were told that we could only get a 4X6 stock photo (which featured a seemingly Photoshopped picture of the ship at the glacier). We didn't argue it and accepted the photo. But it didn't seem right. Didn't ruin our cruise by any means, but it was annoying.

[CaroleSP]

For our next cruise my single aunt is paying $1,580 USD for cruise fare but only $100 USD for port charges so that is not "a major diffrence." Haveing to double $ 790 USD is. So she can argue she is paying almst double!!!:(

But I agree we do not use kids program or consult with golf pro or smoke cigars but other people do and we dont complain we are still paying for it cause there are other things on the ship that we use like my aunt who likes tha dance hosts. The last two dance host we talked to said he had to pay for his cabin.:(

I guess the sarcasm in my post was not clear, sorry. My mother often cruises with us and only pays a tiny bit less than we do. I agree with you and she that she is paying for 2.

[CaroleSP]

Carole, those are friends of yours? I would really like to know

how they end up paying less for the solo cabin.

Hi Lois,

 

I must be getting really mellow since my sarcasm no longer has a bite. I was stating that the only "discount" our solo family and friend received was the reduction of the port fees/taxes on the double charge. My mother and our friend, sailing with us in October, are paying for double occupancy; absolutely. There are others on our thread who are sailing as singles, as well.

[Lois R]

Thanks for the clarification:)....yep, the sarcasm didn't come through;)

 

I really think both Darcie and myself thought your friends had

a way of paying less.

[ocngypz]

Be happy Celebrity only charges singles one set of port charges. On my Cunard transatlantics, the port charges or NCF as they call them on a double occupancy basis is $275. Singles pay $481.25! That's a big chunk of NCF!!

 

Now getting back to the dance hosts...... que sera sera..... the ballroom instructors Celebrity used to have onboard (with one exception) were dreadful.... and were elimitated.. their duties taken up by one of the dancers.

It would not surprise me to see the dancers pushed into the dance host role as well.

 

I remember one Millennium cruise... one dance host was a former employee of mine. Didn't know a rhumba from a fox trot... and could not dance!!!!!!!!!!

 

BTW, Celebrity is not being marketed to a younger demographic, either. But it is still funny.. the largest ballroom dance club in the US is at Brown University!

[C 2 C]

I remember one Millennium cruise... one dance host .. Didn't know a rhumba from a fox trot... and could not dance!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think we watched him on Summit in Nov. (at least a member of the same dance school;) ). He kept on claiming the ladies could not follow his lead. On Mercury and Galaxy they were wonderful and showed us a few new moves as well during dance classes.

[cruisePRN]

I did a little research and found that with the exception of port charges and taxes a single does pay double, my apologies for the misconception. I still feel they could eliminate dance hosts, a crew member could fill that position. On the evenings where there are captains receptions the officers could dance with guests.

when somebody asks for opinions and people yield their opinion it's just that, AN OPINION. Opinions are not right or wrong they are opinions. In most cases the OP does not say Let's debate opinions, they merely ask what others think about something. IMHO dance hosts could be eliminated period!

[Sky Sweet]

On a few of our cruises, passengers were encouraged to dance with the Celebrity Dancers during the sock hop, so it would make sense for them to also be used as dance hosts on the ship when their schedules make it possible.

[C 2 C]

On the evenings where there are captains receptions the officers could dance with guests.

 

I have never seen this happen on Celebrity. Some captains do not think of themselves as tour guides. (Galaxy) Almost all the officers were invisble on Galaxy in May. Only the Hotel Director and a couple of officers showed up for the officer's reception.

[ocngypz]

I still feel they could eliminate dance hosts, a crew member could fill that position. On the evenings where there are captains receptions the officers could dance with guests.

QUOTE]

 

 

LOL.......I can count on three fingers, one captain, one hotel manager and one CD with whom I've danced. And they all COULD dance.. I'm talking ballroom here. This is on Celebrity. The two officers came up through the ranks from the days of Chandris.. and the CD... well...dance was in his background.

 

Now.. if you go back to the heyday of "voyaging"...........it was usual and customary for officers to dance with the female passengers onboard. I have boxes of pictures of Dad and his fellow officers doing just that.

[rebeccalouise]

I took advantage of the dance hosts on my cruise and it made my whole trip. I loved being able to dance with someone that knew how to cut a rug. What's more, even one of the kids in the Fun Factory said "you are the girl that dances"- so I think people got a kick out of watching the dancing. I think it is money well spent and maybe only a few people take advantage of it but selfishly, I hope they continue with this.

I love Celebrity but my friend (who worked for the line) said that when RCL purchased the line, they made many unnecessary changes. Don't fix it if it aint broke.

[Merry_Sea_Witch]

I did a little research and found that with the exception of port charges and taxes a single does pay double, my apologies for the misconception. I still feel they could eliminate dance hosts, a crew member could fill that position. On the evenings where there are captains receptions the officers could dance with guests.

when somebody asks for opinions and people yield their opinion it's just that, AN OPINION. Opinions are not right or wrong they are opinions. In most cases the OP does not say Let's debate opinions, they merely ask what others think about something. IMHO dance hosts could be eliminated period!

 

So now Celebrity will have to hire only officers who can dance and want to mingle with the passengers!!!!:) I never see officers hanging around may be because they dont want to keep answering questions about missing people, rogue waves, and bad customer service!!!:D In my opinion I never use the cigar bars, bridge teachers, or childreens program but I would never elliminate them because I know *other* people use them!! Where does it end???:rolleyes:

[glaswurst]

To Karyn8:

 

I'm a single cruiser and have ALWAYS paid double on Celebrity. If you

know something I don't please let me know.