Toastmaster....

CHOOSE TO CRUISE:

A Toast to Good Cruise Ship Speakers

One of the joys of being a good public speaker is that you can share information with groups of people who want to hear what you have to say. Speakers find these groups in a variety of venues, but some of the most exotic settings are aboard cruise ships. Cruise lines love good speakers and so do their passengers.

Cruise companies like to enhance the enjoyment of their passengers by providing interesting programs and events. Officials actively seek top presenters, speakers, and instructors for these programs. Varied topics include: health, self-development, humor, genealogy, image, beauty, crafts, recreation, fitness, and much more.

In exchange for their presentation services, speakers typically receive a complimentary cruise, cabin, and all meals. For talented speakers, it could be a dream boat.

"For the discerning vacationer, there simply is no better way to get away from it all than a cruise," says Douglas Ward, executive director of the International Cruise Passengers Association and author of The Berlitz Complete Handbook of Cruising. "Those who have cruised before will be unstinting in their praise of its joys. They may talk about a specific trip, lin, or cruise, but always with enthusiasm. So will you--that is if you choose the right ship for the right reasons."

CRUISING SPEAKERS

The cruise industry is booming. Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) statistics show that cruising continues to post double-digit growth gains, making it the fastest-growing vacation type in North America.

"Customer satisfaction is one of the key priorities of the cruise industry and one big reason why no other type of vacation comes close to a cruise in terms of repeat business," says CLIA president James G. Godsman. CLIA is a marketing organization that represents 97% of North American cruise passenger, 32 member cruise companies, and 21,000 travel agency affiliates.

With the growth in the number of cruises and cruisers, speaker programs are playing an even bigger role in customer satisfaction. For instance, the new Radisson Diamond has a guest lecture program on an on-going and changing basis. Top-notch speakers are needed in a variety of areas for upscale cruisers. "The SSC Radisson Diamond redefines the standards of excellence in the 'ultimate-deluxe' segment of the cruise industry," says Mike Smith, senior vice-president for sales and marketing.

Passengers traveling to Asia this winter aboard Seven Seas Cruise Line's ultra-deluxe "Song of Flower" will enjoy a series of on-board lectures designed to enhance the cruise experience to some of the world's most exotic locations.

To enlighten and entertain passengers, Seven Seas has enlisted a varied roster of distinguished lecturers with diverse expertise, which includes: Bill Clark, veteran political journalist; William Donnett, former foreign service officer; H.R. (Bob) Haldeman, former White House Chief of Staff; Frank Tatu, former American Consul to Brunei; David Kennett, director of International Studies and Asian Studies at Vassar College; and Helen Jessup, distinguished scholar of Indonesian art and cultural history.

"The series is designed not only to entertain passengers, but to enhance their experience of the destinations we call on," says Stein Kruse, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Seven Seas. "Through our on-going lecture series, we provide passengers access to experts that offer an insight into the Asian cultures."

Closer to home, Royal Cruise Line offers its successful "New Beginnings" programs on the "Golden Odyssey," "Crown Odyssey," and "Royal Odyssey." This exciting program offers free onboard lectures, activities, and class supporting travelers eager to revitalize themselves physically, emotionally, or psychologically.

Almost every other cruise line company and cruise ship needs good-quality speakers. It's just a matter of matching good speakers with the correct cruises.

GETTING ABOARD

Setting sail as a cruise ship speaker is not easy. It is a very competitive industry and only the best need apply. Unlike the land-based lecture business, speakers (including celebrities) are very rarely paid. Instead, speakers receive a free or discounted cruise.

The key factor for speakers is offering something the cruise lines need. These areas may include: health and fitness, science, anthropology, archeology, astronomy, botany, the environment, geography, marine biology, mineralogy, stress management, entertainment, beauty, psychology, gerontology, culture, arts and crafts, sports, social dancing, computers, regional expertise, languages, and much more. Speakers must be experts in their field(s).

The best way to set sail is to contact individual cruise lines. Your local travel agent can probably provide brochures of appropriate cruise companies. George Riley's book, The Guide to Cruise Ship Jobs, can also be helpful in making contacts.

Interested speakers should provide the cruise line with a resume, areas of expertise, glossy photos, references and support information, and maybe even a video. This needs to be quite professional, in that many other talented speakers contact cruise lines.

Another option is to contact a company that specializes in matching speakers with cruise lines. Two possibilities include The Working Vacation and Lectures International. For a nominal fee, these and other reputable companies can help experts find appropriate cruises.

ALL ABOARD

If you're an expert speaker, your ship may come in. However, your success once aboard will determine the possibility of future trips.

Before boarding, it's important to know what is expected of a cruise ship lecturer. For example, it is necessary to establish rapport with the passengers and the cruise staff.

Mr. Ward, a cruise expert, says the cruise director is the most visible and person on board and has the ultimate responsibility of planning and operating passenger entertainment and activities programs. A good speaker will make the cruise director's job easier, which will lead to future cruise invitations.

If good speakers choose to cruise, then many dream boats await them.

RESOURCES

--The Berlitz Complete Handbook to Cruising, Douglas Ward, P.O. Box 886, F.D.R. Station, New York, NY                      10150-0886.

--The Guide to Cruise Ship Jobs, George Riley, Pilot Books, 103 Cooper Street, Babylon, NY 11702.

--Lectures International, Helen Kelly, P.O. Box 35446, Tucson, AZ 85740, 602/297-1145.

--The Working Vacation, Lauretta Blake, 4877 Lake Santa Clara Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95054-1330, 408/727-9665.