Hot Dance Trend Takes to the Sea!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) and thought it may be of interest. If you have
missed any of my news' postings, they are archived on my web site.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


HIGH-STEPPING HOT DANCE TREND TAKES TO SEA:

New York
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. For more
information on CLIA member lines, contact a CLIA-member travel agency.