Salsa Cruise - any experiences?

[Pat]

I'm thinking about going on a 1 week Salsa cruise organized by Dancefun.
It's not exactly cheap, but hey - a week of intensive Salsa in a tropical venue doesn't sound bad at all.
Has anybody else been on one of these (or something similar)? Would you go again? What was great and what was not so great?
-Pat

[pygmalion]

Hi Pat! Welcome. :D

[DanceMentor]

I wish I had a good answer for you. I guess it would be good to find out about the reputation of the people who are doing the cruise. It does sound like a lot of fun.

[borikensalsero]

Welcome aboard pat... :D :D

Unfortunately I have not been to a salsa cruise. There is one here in NY City being advertised for sometime during the end of the summer, I believe. I'll have to get the exact date. It will feature the Spanish Harlem Orq and as it's a salsa cruise it is geared towards the salseros. They'll have classes and a bunch of other stuff. I'd love to go in a salsa cruise. I'll have to put that up in next years wish list.

[Hank]

I have no experience with Dancefun, but I go on about 2 dance cruises/year, and it is my favorite vacation for the following reasons.

1. Going on vacation with a group is much more fun than going by myself or with one other person. The more time you spend socializing with, eating with, and going on excursions with the group, the more fun it is.

2. Cruising is a competely relaxing and pampered vacation. You don't have to be anywhere or do anything at a certain time if you don't want to. You don't have to rent a car, figure out how to get someplace, or find a place to eat. Everything is taken care of for you.

3. People who don't dance are very easily impressed. The non-dancing passengers will come up to you in the hallway and ask if you are part of the cruise ship's entertainment staff.

Things to look out for:
1. If you have any motion sickness tendencies, start taking the medication the day before you get on the ship. The ship doesn't rock much in the Caribbean because it is protected from the Atlantic ocean and the ships have computer-controlled stablizers that adjust to the waves. But, some people are sensitive.

2. I can recommend the Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Royal Majesty cruise lines. But, I thought Norwegian and Costa Atlantica were of lower quality.

3. Dance floors on the ship can be very hard, and are often marble, so bring some comfy shoes. It is also possible you will dance on the upper
deck under the stars or in an aerobics room.

4. A good dance cruise organizer will have plenty of group bonding events, such as parties, lessons, games, and will make sure the group is scheduled to eat meals together. This is very important because being a part of the group is what makes it so much more fun.

5. In general, the bigger and newer the ship, the better.

6. Get plenty of sleep before you go. I usually stay up until 4:00am dancing on the ship.

7. Try to get an idea of the age range and the dancing ability level of the people who will be there, to ensure that you have a good time.

[Pat]

Hank, that's great information / advice - thanks!
DF delivers again :-)

[pygmalion]

2. I can recommend the Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Royal Majesty cruise lines. But, I thought Norwegian and Costa Atlantica were of lower quality.

7. Try to get an idea of the age range and the dancing ability level of the people who will be there, to ensure that you have a good time.

Yes to both of these points. Of them all, I prefer Royal Caribbean's food and quality of service. But, and a big but, is in #7.

Make sure you find out how old the passengers will be. Royal Caribbean can be a drag for that reason. The last time I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise, the passenger median age was probably 60+. It didn't bother me, because I was there to hang out on deck. But it bothered a lot of the younger passengers.

[Sagitta]

Hank, that's great information / advice - thanks!
DF delivers again :-)

We do our best! Welcome to df Pat. :D