The Life Of A Cruise Ship Destination Speaker
And what do you do? That’s a question I am often asked when on land, and when I reply, the response “A what?” comes back. Let me tell you more about me, and answer the questions that I am often asked.
My name is Hazel, and I am a Destination Speaker.
My first career was in banking and after 20 years, I was disillusioned and needed a change. I had no idea what I would do next – but I already knew I loved travelling, and cruising was my ideal mode. A chance encounter with a Destination Speaker led to me asking “And how did you get a job like that?”
Having thought it through, it sounded like something that really appealed to me. I needed to have another job on land as well – I still need to pay my bills even when I am away!
What is a Destination Speaker?
A member of the Entertainment team who helps people make the most of their days ashore.
I must never forget that people are on holiday, so they do want to be entertained, but they also want to know more about the places being visited. There’s a fine balance there – entertainment doesn’t mean I have them laughing at a comedy routine – but equally it can’t be a dull and boring lecture. Public speaking skills are essential. Storytelling is a skill that can be honed.
What do you talk about?
I cover the geography and history to put the place in context, the key things to see and how to access them. I usually build the talk as a virtual journey around the port so that people can easily know how much they can achieve ashore, depending on their stamina and mobility.
Cruise ports vary greatly in size – and gradient. We can look at a map in our guidebook and every place is the same size (one page!) but, in reality, the scale can be very different – as can the gradient, maps in books are very FLAT!
So, my role is to make the port real, to enable good decisions to maximise the time ashore. I cover local transport, taxis and Sightseeing buses. Some cruise lines want me to talk about the Excursions on offer. Safety and money hints are also included.
Some guests do a lot of research before sailing and know exactly what they plan to do – but many people are too busy pre-holiday to spend the time researching and that’s why I am there. To focus their minds on what to see, reveal something new, and maybe bring a touch of realism. Sometimes the thing they want to see can be many miles away, and not practical in a day visit.
Does the cruise line provide you with a script?
I think this is the most common preconception. Every talk I give has been hand crafted by me, alone. I spend about 100 hours writing each new talk – it will then be updated on future visits. In fact, I start updating it as we leave the port – adding the new photos and information I gleaned that day, whilst it’s all fresh in my mind. Before each cruise I check websites for every place and any current changes – are they closed for refurb? Did they increase their prices or change their opening hours? Has the bus route changed?
Do you just work for 45-minutes on a sea day?
My talks last 45-minutes on each place – I am available for questions afterwards one-to-one. I am happy to take questions whenever I am out and about on the ship and ashore. I take the view that if I am out of my stateroom, then I am on duty.
If people can’t find me, then a note dropped at Reception reaches me and I reply within one hour of receiving it. I often get letters via Reception where people want to tell me something – maybe a place I mentioned had a special connection for them – I love to hear these stories.
Tell me about your day at sea?
A typical sea day for me looks like waking at 8 to do a rehearsal in my cabin (the steward brings me coffee and food during this time which I consume as I work). Then I shower and dress before heading down to the Explore Ashore desk to make sure I have all the up -to-date information. Arrive in the theatre for 10 to set up and do a tech check – stand at the door to meet and greet – often a question from yesterday’s talk will arise, or one of the lovely stories of a previous visit or a personal connection.
Deliver my talk at 10.30 – set down my equipment and then handle questions – ready for a coffee now! After lunch, I go through tomorrow’s talk and handle any questions that have come through via Reception or my Facebook page.
What makes a good Destination Speaker?
You must love travel, places and people! You need to be willing to spend weeks working on talks for a cruise that lasts just a fraction of that time, and you must accept that a cruise can be withdrawn from you even though you have done the work.
Public speaking skills and confidence are vital. Research must be up to date and thorough.
You need a good camera and the ability to take suitable photographs. Understand how to use PowerPoint (or an equivalent programme) to construct a talk that flows and looks visually appealing, with photos that meet copyright laws.
You need to be politically correct in your language so as not to offend any guests. Whilst I think humour is important, it must never be inappropriate.
Want to know more?
I do a daily Facebook post – usually short and sweet to give a flavour of each day so why not give me Follow? (www.facebook.com/hazeljgriffiths)
I’m always happy to help people pre-cruise, even if I’m not on their cruise.
I have done over 70 cruises this way which equates to more than 560 talks given – to a total audience of more than 100,000.
I haven’t been everywhere yet – but I am working on it!
