Dear
GENTLEMEN HOST® Candidate:
Our
Gentlemen Hosts ® are contemporary examples
of chivalry in motion--caring for other people, and displaying the
most polished manners, etiquette and enjoyment of social dancing.
This role is similar to an ambassadorship. Diplomacy and social partner
dancing are absolutely essential.
Although opportunities are few, the cruise line companies have
continued inviting our gentlemen to participate and enjoy the
tradition and
success of past volunteers. The experience of hosting guests aboard
cruising vessels exists for gentlemen who are cheerful, friendly,
conversant, very out going and enjoy socializing with a variety
of travelers. Knowing social dances and spending evenings dancing
with
mature women traveling independently is a primary responsibility.
BENEFITS OF HOSTING
In
exchange for volunteer services, Gentlemen Hosts® have the
opportunity to travel throughout the world. A cruise company may
provide a variety of ever-changing benefits. While each company's
offerings differ, some typical benefits are:
-
Some paid round-trip, economy air transportation to the designated
embarkation and disembarkation ports from major airport cities.
It is at the
discretion of the cruise company to assign the airline
and the departure date and time. Some companies, particularly
on shorter cruises lasting
only 2-3 weeks, require the Gentlemen Host® to provide
his own transportation. Yet, other companies provide
airfare for 2 and 3
weeks of cruising.
-
Shared accommodations. The cabins assigned depend upon the availability
at the time of sailing and each cruise company policy. A single
cabin cannot be guaranteed for individual use. Some cruise
companies do make individual cabins available for each gentlemen
when extra cabin space is unoccupied by guests. Cabins are
shared with another Gentlemen Host®. An absolute no
smoking policy is adhered to in the cabin.
-
Entitlement to services, meals, entertainment and receptions provided
to the paying guests. However, Gentlemen Host® are requested
to refrain from ordering room service, playing bingo, lottery, horse
racing (wooden, moveable figures) or gambling in the casino.
- Gratuities -- with most ships -- are included.
- A bar and wine allowance to entertain guests or to return guests'
hospitality. Hosts often receive a reduction from standard guests
costs for bar beverages. This varies in accordance with the cruise
ship's policy.
-
A partial "wardrobe" cleaning allowance is generally
provided. When a wardrobe allowance is not provided, laundry service
is usually at the crew price (a substantial discount). Each ship
will differ slightly, but generally all offer acceptable assistance.
There is a chance to experience Shore Tour Excursions
at a reduced rate and occasionally at no charge,
when space
is available.
Typically, the tour assistants are scheduled on a
rotational basis among all
interested ship representatives, which are scheduled
by the Shore
Excursion Manager. Gentlemen Hosts® are encouraged to volunteer
to accompany tours whenever possible since it's another occasion
to socialize with guests.
The
Gentlemen Host® must welcome all guests without showing
partiality towards any one individual. He must adhere to the
highest and most
gracious social standards while dancing and
participating in all other social activities.
Basic Qualifications:
The basic qualifications require that a GENTLEMEN
HOST® have
a very outgoing personality. He must be able to easily mix with a
wide range of people, be a good-excellent dancer and have the energy/enthusiasm
to be with people for long periods of time every day and evening
while traveling in this position. We are seeking diplomatic and sincere
volunteers. Our selected volunteers must be individuals who love
being with people. A volunteer is someone who can easily put the
other's needs ahead of their own and can take the lead in helping
guests have a good time.
Are you...
- A
single gentleman?
- 40
years of age or older?
- A good dancer?
- Physically fit?
- Fluent in English?
- A moderate or nondrinker?
- A good listener?
- A good conversationalist?
- Preferably a nonsmoker?
Can you...
- Socialize specifically with all single ladies over 50 years of age?
- Refrain from showing favoritism towards any special lady or group?
- Socialize with all guests? Be comfortable initiating conversations?
- Remain courteous to guests and staff at all times?
- Graciously host a dining table?
- Be comfortable with formal manners at gatherings and events as well
as more casual situations?
- Maintain orderliness and sobriety at all times?
- Participate in games or activities and be visible in the daytime
to chat and mix with guests?
- Perform other duties or assist with special events as requested by
Cruise Director or Staff?
- See yourself as an Auxiliary Staff member and anticipate whatever
needs doing?
- Assist with shore excursion tours when requested?
- Be actively involved during the daytime and evening?
- Be immaculately groomed and have an adequate cruise wardrobe, consisting
of a black tuxedo,
white dinner jacket, navy blazer, suits, sports jackets, and appropriate
casual sports clothes?
- Afford air transportation from a distant port if your disembarkation
by a cruise
director becomes necessary due to your inappropriate conduct?
- Be
current with passport, inoculations, travel & health insurance & visas
when needed?
- Dance,
dance, dance? "Dancing Every Dance is Primary".
- Smile, smile, smile?
If so, then we would love to have you aboard! If you see yourself
fitting into THE GENTLEMEN HOST® PROGRAM,
please send us the following information:
- Completed General Application Form
- Photos (snapshots are adequate
and remain on file--prefer formal dress)
- Past or
Current Resume (if available)
- Letter
of
Recommendation from
your
Travel Agent
and other
letters from
business, church,
or community
people are
particularly helpful
DANCE REVIEW
A GENTLEMEN HOST® needs to be a refined or cultivated dancer
to be accepted into the program. (Often an astute GENTLEMEN HOST® candidate
will find his "natural ability" enhanced by taking additional
training.) You will be asked to dance with a professional dance instructor.
We will give you the names of specific Dance Reviewers in various
cities who will spend approximately one half-hour to review your
current level of dance proficiency and give you helpful tips. There
is a $25-35 fee payable (by the candidate) directly to the Dance
Reviewer who then forwards us our review forms for your file. Since
it is not practical to have a Dance Reviewer in each and every city,
it may require some travel on your part to complete your Dance Review.
Please
note: It is essential that a Gentlemen Host® be a competent
(not expert) dancer, and he must have a proficiency in
the basic steps of the
social ballroom dances, fox-trot, waltz, swing, and the Latin rumba
and
cha-cha.
Neither
championship training nor exhibition style is necessary. It is
desired to have the GENTLEMEN
HOST® dance
at the level of the lady to make her comfortable and help
her look good. Please review the separate sheet that specifies
dance ability
guidelines.
PERSONAL MEETING
All GENTLEMEN HOST® candidates must attend a "Personal Meeting".
We guarantee that every GENTLEMEN HOST® has been met personally.
General meetings in small groups or individually are arranged for
a limited number of times throughout the year in Chicago, Illinois
and San Jose, California. Visiting Chicago or Northern California
to personally meet will rapidly speed the process of being invited
to host and cruise. Qualified candidates will be invited (at the
candidate's expense) to make an appointment to attend a personal
meeting. It is required that a candidate has completed a Dance Review ‘before’ his
general meeting. Successfully complete the Dance Review and then
check with our Illinois office for meeting dates before considering
a trip.
Once
you have successfully completed a dance review and general meeting,
and you have scheduled your first sailing, we will conduct
a background
check. This process will include a credit check, motor vehicle
report and a criminal records search. You pay the fee for the
background check (approximately $75.00). You may request
a copy of your completed report.
There may be times when serious illness or injury may occur during
the cruise, which may prevent a GENTLEMEN HOST® from carrying
out his responsibilities. If this situation occurs, the Cruise Director
may find it necessary to ask the GENTLEMEN HOST® to terminate
the cruise. Should a GENTLEMEN HOST® be disembarked at any port
prior to his original planned disembarkation, it will be up to THE
GENTLEMEN HOST® to arrange for his own return transportation.
Because of these risk factors, the cruise companies are insisting
that all GENTLEMEN HOSTS® have adequate insurance coverage. Accident & Illness
coverage and emergency evacuation coverage are essential. Most will
find that purchasing Travel Insurance will supply this coverage as
well as provide other protections while cruising. We provide information
about the type of Travel Insurance needed.
Our expectation is that it will never be necessary to disembark
a GENTLEMEN HOST®. The disembarkation policy is uniformly followed
by other cruise companies and is one of the principal ways that the
cruise industry can be assured that all GENTLEMEN HOSTS® will
perform their assignments as explained and affirmed. Fortunately,
we find that the very best volunteers are wholeheartedly committed
to a strong code of honor and moral ethics. There is a tradition
to uphold.
LAURETTA BLAKE The Working Vacation ® Inc. is a management company
assisting the cruise line companies in the coordination of THE GENTLEMEN
HOST® PROGRAM. The current placement fee varies from $25 to $28
per day for every cruise that a GENTLEMEN HOST® accepts. There
is no application fee.
The cruise companies consider a GENTLEMEN HOST® to be a volunteer
offering a position of assistance. The GENTLEMEN HOST® is neither
a working independent contractor, an employee, nor would a GENTLEMEN
HOST® be an employee of LAURETTA BLAKE The Working Vacation ® Inc.
The cruise companies and LAURETTA BLAKE The Working
Vacation ® Inc.
hold the right to amend or cancel the assignment of any and/or all
cruise dates at any time without cause or prior notice.
The adventure of GENTLEMEN HOSTING with a cruise
company can be a mutually beneficial experience
for the right
men. Our
aim is
to assist
you in establishing a unique and rewarding way
to be in service to other people, enjoy all the good
hearted
individuals
you
meet along
the way, and enjoy your life more fully.
Check
with us for the cruise company that offers the best opportunities
to be part of the developing
nucleus
of GENTLEMEN
HOSTS®. Most
cruise companies wish to form the best core-group volunteer teams.
Volunteers are constantly being selected and matched by us. "Passengers" are
on vacation the "volunteers" are not on vacation. "Shipboard
volunteering" is helping work to achieve the best end results
for the guests, staff, and cruise company. "There is no such
thing as a free lunch" and, similarly, this applies to the cruise
industry. "There is no such thing as a free vacation." This
is a ‘working vacation’.
If
you are interested, please compile your information and return
it promptly. We ask you to schedule
and complete your
Dance Review
and then write to learn if your dance skills
qualify you for a personal Meeting Date. If you are a person who
naturally gives
110% commitment
to what you do, do not delay--we want to meet
you! The program needs quality volunteers who
like to
truly be
among people
and do whatever
it takes to make situations work well for those
they are serving!
It is best to be prepared with a current, valid
passport at all times. You will need to take
one with you
on any cruise regardless
of destination.
Please make sure you include your passport
number on the application
or indicate that you are applying for one.
Also note the required insurance information.
Looking
forward to meeting!
Very
best regards,
Lauretta T.
Blake, President
LAURETTA BLAKE The Working Vacation ® Inc.
THE GENTLEMEN HOST ® PROGRAM
P.S. Hopefully,
after you’ve cruised, you will feel as one
of our GENTLEMEN HOSTS® summarized, "The impressive thing
is that so many of the couples (the married guests), as well as the
ladies, take time to talk with me, ask me questions and compliment
me on the support and kindness I'm giving, especially with the SMILES
that I try to give to everyone. THE GREATEST THING ABOUT BEING A
GENTLEMEN HOST IS THE JOY AND HAPPINESS WE ARE BRINGING TO SO MANY
AND BEING APPRECIATED FOR IT!"
