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Gentlemen hosts: These men cruise to make sure single ladies have a great time

April 05, 2022
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3 min read
Body guard, bouncer, doorman, waiter, welcoming
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Call Beyonce to round up all the single ladies because they'll want to hear this: If you're a woman traveling by herself on a handful of luxury cruise lines, there are equally single men — gentlemen hosts — hired to make sure you have a wonderful time on board.

Before your mind wanders fully into the gutter, these debonair dudes can do a lot of things, but they can't do that. This is a cruise, after all — not an escort service.

Is your curiosity as piqued as mine was the first time I heard about them? If so, read on to find out what a gentleman host does (and doesn't do) during a cruise.

What is a gentleman host on a cruise?

(Photo by kali9/Getty Images)

Gentleman hosts are on board to cut a rug with ladies in need of dance partners or to share a meal or two so nobody has to dine alone. You might even spot them escorting a ship-sponsored shore excursion, participating in trivia or bridge games or hosting a cocktail party for single travelers at one of the ship's bars.

These men are carefully selected by the cruise lines for their debonair personalities, ballroom dance skills and ability to mix and mingle in a way that doesn't make anyone feel left out. I hate to disappoint the cougars out there, but the men are usually "of a certain age." Think silver fox — at least the silver part.

Some gentlemen hosts are paid to be there, while others cruise for free during the time they're "working."

Although they might give you their undivided attention in a way that makes you feel special, don't be crestfallen if you see them engaging other women as well. That's their job. They actually get in trouble if they spend too much time with one guest.

And be warned: even if there's chemistry, a gentleman host is never allowed to strike up a physically intimate relationship with a passenger during a sailing on which he's working. The best you can do is exchange numbers and explore the motion of the ocean at a later date when the fellow is off duty.

Cruise lines that have gentlemen hosts

(Photo by Stewart Cohen/Getty Images)

With apologies to the Purple Hat Society gals I met once on a Carnival cruise: gentleman hosts do not wade into mega-ship waters. They frequent only the following high-end cruise lines:

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Are there lady hosts for single men who sail?

Years ago, Silversea introduced female dance and dining hosts for single guys who cruise. However, solo cruisers of a certain age tend to skew more heavily female. For that reason, the demand for lady hosts just wasn't there, so Silversea no longer has them.

If you're an older, single gentleman who just read that paragraph and frowned, I might have a job proposition for you on a Silversea cruise ship. Can you dance?

Featured image by Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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