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Top Dance
Cruise Promoters talk about the excitement of dance cruises!
Cathy Paxton and Debbie Dodd have been
promoting dance cruises for years. One thing they know is this:
Dance Cruises are a blast.
Just like dance conventions and boot camps,
dance cruises offer workshops and social dancing - but there's so much
more. Instead of being cooped-up in a hotel, dancers get to enjoy the
amenities of being on a lavish cruise ship with stunning ocean views where
lodging, food and entertainment are already part of the package.
With a typical cost of $700 - 900 for a
7-day cruise to places like the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera or Alaska that
combines travel, lodging, food, entertainment, and workshops, dance cruises are a
really great value.
We interviewed our expert cruise directors
and asked them to comment about various aspects of dance cruises.
Here's what they had to say...
USASN:
What are the prime motivators for dancers to book passage on a dance
cruise - the vacation aspect, the sailing aspect, the food &
entertainment, the exciting destinations, dancing on a ship, the pro
instructors, the comradery?
Cathy Paxton:
Sundancer clients
tell us they love our dance events and activities and they especially make
note of the camaraderie and the friendships made when traveling with us.
If you love to have fun, love to dance, love to travel, love to meet new
friends – come join one of our cruises and have the time of your life!
Debbie Dodd:
Dance cruises offer "value added" packages by combining a
cruise vacation with dance lessons by Professional Dance
Instructors - plus, Open Dance Sessions with a Professional DJ who knows
how to play the right blend of music. There's also an opportunity to enjoy
Private Group Excursions and dine with other members of the group that
share the common bond and interest of dance and develop lasting
friendships with dance cruise "buddies".
USASN:
Describe the overall atmosphere on one of your dance cruises.
Cathy Paxton:
Fun, fun, and more fun.
Debbie Dodd:
There are private dance functions with high energy and a boatload of FUN!
Dancers of all levels and styles come together to enjoy dance workshops
and open dance sessions and have an opportunity to cross over to learn a
new dance or dance style. There is a nice mix of singles and couples, and
for the
partner dance classes the Dance Leaders rotate so everybody gets a
chance to dance. We also provide social mixer dances so everybody
mingles and gets a chance to dance with each other. On one cruise we even
did the "Chicken
Dance"!
USASN:
What special things do you like to offer to make your dance cruises more
appealing?
Cathy Paxton:
From the special Sundancer greeting as you first enter your cabin, to a
complimentary cocktail hour at our “Welcome Aboard” party, to our limited
group size, to our outstanding dance music, to our dance hosts (at no
extra cost), to our exclusive shore excursions. These are all
"Special Touches" for our Special Cruisers.
Debbie Dodd:
Our “team” of professionals work together
to offer the best possible dance cruise experience that includes a variety
of dance lessons of different levels from Beginner to Intermediate, a nice
mix of music, and many nights of open dance sessions! Our team is highly
visible at all times, attends all dance activities, and spends quality
time with our dance cruise buddies. We offer added activities such as
privately arranged excursions for our group only, complimentary cocktail
party, Jack and Jill dance competitions for cash prizes, the opportunity
to take a private lesson with top notch professionals, and even a
Scavenger Hunt We offer something for everybody!
USASN:
Why should dancers go on a dance cruise?
Cathy Paxton:
If you compare the costs of lodging, meals and entertainment it becomes
clear what an outstanding value cruise vacations are. When you add
Sundancer’s full schedule of dance workshops and dance parties, our
professional instructors and hosts, the beauty and serenity of being at
sea, and the fabulous destinations we offer - cruising becomes immensely
attractive as a recreational, entertainment and travel adventure.
Debbie Dodd:
This is an opportunity for dancers to mix
and mingle with other dancers from all over the world and see different
dance styles as well as form new bonds with other dancers. They also have
the opportunity to take dance lessons and dance with Professional Dancers
in smaller groups and get more personalized attention. They can even
arrange for private dance lessons while on the ship. There is plenty of
time for open dance sessions, that the group provides, as well as live
music in many other dance venues on the ship! We even offer dancing under
the stars!
USASN:
Give us a quick "commercial" for your cruise business.
Cathy Paxton:
We are extremely proud that nearly 50% of our cruisers have sailed with us
before. Literally hundreds of fun-loving dancers of all stripes and
ability levels. We love to dance and we would love to welcome you into our
wonderful dance family.
Debbie Dodd:
It truly is a nice combination of dancing, a cruise vacation, a chance to
visit some beautiful islands, and an opportunity to go on excursions in the cruise ports!
We create picture perfect memories on our
“Dance Across The Seas”!
For a list of upcoming
dance cruises offered by these cruise promoters, click
here. |
