Shall we dance?

Monday 18^th November

As usual on Queen Victoria, there are four Gentleman Dance Hosts. I knew I would miss dancing with Martin after the last cruise, and the fun of chatting to Jeff and Gary, so I had mentally prepared myself. Of course, that still doesn’t stop disappointment when reality hits.

Two of the Hosts are from the UK and two are from the USA. They all seem very nice. They are competent (though not exciting) dancers. Only one of them actually has an upright dancing frame, so I’m back to my social slouch. Of course, they all have their own style. I think I encountered three different rhythms for the foxtrot on the first night. It would help me if their leading was a bit stronger, as I have to work hard to follow. I will adjust in time.

On the first night a Japanese passenger came up to ask me to dance. He was actually the best dancer of my night. It would have helped if he’d been taller than I am. It would also have helped if he’d led me with his hand on my back instead of it resting lightly on my side. I don’t know if that was connected with the height differences (therefore length of arm) or if it is part of Japanese politeness and respect. On the second night many others from his group joined him in the ballroom, so I did not get to dance with him until later, after they had left.

On the second night a second passenger (American) also asked me for a lot of dances, some of them vigorous Swings. Add in a Cha cha with a third passenger and I was extremely busy!

On previous cruises I have always stayed until close to midnight, when the band stops. I’ve needed that time between 11 and midnight when there are very few single women. It’s the time I get lots of dances. At other times I might sit for 45 minutes without a dance. This time I’m dancing so much that I’m exhausted by 11pm and have to go for an early night. I’m not used to three fast dances in a row.

Gradually we are expanding our group of people with whom to sit. We try to gather all the single ladies together so that they are not sitting by themselves.

This is Vi dancing with Rob, an American Dance Host. 

This is me, dancing with Robert, another American Dance Host.

Here are the four Gentleman Dance Hosts.

One of the passengers danced with me a few times each evening. Towards the end of the cruise he gave me a nicely wrapped bar of Lindt chocolate as a thank you for the dancing. What a lovely gesture. (This photo is after a dance lesson during the day.)

Most of the dancing is to a live band, but some of it is to recorded music. The singer, Claudine Carle, performs for a few segments each night. She is a lovely warm person and often sits with us when she is not singing. She is a lovely dancer of the Argentine Tango and is trying to learn all the other dances as well.