Crystal Cruises introduces female dance hostesses

The Crystal Cruises ambassador host program, which provides professional dance partners for ladies, will be expanded for the first time to include ambassador hostesses for male passengers.

Three 2014 and 2015 cruises styled as Ballroom at Sea Experiences of Discovery will feature 10 dance hosts: two women and eight men.

Departure dates for the the transatlantic voyages are Oct. 5, 2014; June 12, 2015 and Dec. 11, 2015.

Entertainment vice president Bret Bullock said Crystal tested the idea on a recent cruise, and it got a “phenomenal” response.

Bullock said Crystal cruises are typically comfortable for single travelers, “but no matter how independent one is, one cannot ballroom dance without a partner.”

Every Crystal cruise will continue to have at least four ambassador hosts. Traditionally there are more women than men seeking dance partners, Crystal said.

Follow Tom Stieghorst on Twitter @tstravelweekly.