Expert: Irulan Serena - 7/10/2005

Question
Dear Professor Serena,
I was researching experts in the subject of Greco-Roman cultures on the internet today, and I came across your contact information.

May we respectfully take a moment to introduce our company, Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing. We are the leading provider of “Edu-tainment” Programs to the cruise industry, staffing top cruise lines with engaging Destination Speakers. I invite you to visit our website at http://www.sixthstar.com for more information.

We are currently working with Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and many more.  To view our current roster of Destination Speaker openings for 2005, please Click Here.

The opportunity to be a part of a cruise line's enrichment program and enjoy international travel is available to you if you are an experienced speaker with excellent presentation skills. If you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others in an entertaining way, this is the perfect “working vacation” for you and a guest.

I would like to personally invite you to fill out our online application form, which will enter your information directly into our database and allow us to fast-track your interview/qualification process. Please Click Here.  


Program Overview
For more than three decades, cruise lines have offered their passengers a special program to enrich their voyages to ports of call around the globe. Distinguished experts from the worlds of history, higher education, journalism, science, politics, diplomacy and the arts have cruised and lectured about the destinations visited on the cruise. This tradition of on-board enrichment continues today, which is why we are contacting you now.

Through entertaining and stimulating presentations, these speakers provide passengers with insight and perspectives far beyond what they would read in the average guidebook.

Cruise opportunities from one week to a month are available on a wide variety of itineraries including the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Alaska, Mediterranean, the Baltic, Canadian Maritimes, South America, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Australia and more. We are seeking experts in all of the above regions, and anywhere else that cruise ships sail.


The Role of a Guest Speaker
During a typical week at sea, Speakers traditionally deliver three to four 35-minute presentations, with 10 minutes at the end for questions and answers. A Destination Speaker's responsibility is to give a series of original presentations illustrating the history, geography or culture of the regions.

For instance, a Destination Speaker on a cruise to Mexico may discuss the Mexican-American War, foreign policy between the United States and Mexico, or the culture of the country. The talks should not be a reiteration of what to see-and-do in Puerto Vallarta. Rather, they should provide the guests with a deeper insight and understanding of the region.

Presentations should be very entertaining, and we highly encourage the use of professional presentation tools, including slides and PowerPoint presentations. Cruises longer than one week would require additional presentations.

Destination talks are typically scheduled during days “at sea” so that Speakers and their guests have free time to enjoy the ports of call on the itinerary. Aboard ship, typical audience size ranges from 50 – 300 passengers for each talk; however, good news travels fast and excellent speakers have been known to pack the house! Complete details about cruise speaking responsibilities are available at www.sixthstar.com.


Parameters for the Guest Speaker Engagements aboard Cruise Ships
On your cruise, you and a guest would receive all onboard meals, daytime activities, evening entertainment and the opportunity to experience travel to exotic ports of call. In the world of cruising, each cruise line has its own personality and the amenities offered may vary.

If you are accepted for a cruise, you will be responsible for paying a standard administrative fee of $50 per day. You are welcome to bring a guest to sail in the same cabin free of charge. It's a tremendous way to enjoy a working vacation and share your knowledge with well traveled cruise passengers.


To Apply:  
At Sixth Star, we strive to cultivate new talent for cruise ships. If you are interested in this opportunity and have speaking experience, excellent presentation skills and love to socialize with people who have a thirst for continuing education and enrichment, then we want to learn more about you. Please Click Here to complete our online application form and your information will be directed to Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing for review (kindly please indicate that you were contacted by Ceci Leger).


Additional Edu-tainment Opportunities
On a side note, we are also searching for additional entertainment positions such as Bridge Directors, Arts & Crafts Instructors, Computer Instructors, Clergy and more to sail on cruise ships. If you know of an individual who has excellent social skills, is an accomplished speaker and enjoys teaching others, please feel free to pass this information on to them.

We look forward to hearing from you and always remember….

Ships that pass in the night…
are never as nice as nights that pass on the ship!

Kind regards,

Ceci Leger
Entertainment Coordinator
Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing
21 N.W. 5th Street
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Phone: 954-462-6760 ext 228
Fax: 954-462-0737
E-mail: Ceci@sixthstar.com  

Answer
Dear Ceci Leger,

I thank you for the offer, but I am not interested.  I have gone on many cruises during my working years, and now that I am retired I am not interested in a working vacation such as the one you describe.  My  speaking / presenting / lecturing days were over once I retired from  my chosen profession.

I am a resident of the great state of Florida which affords me the opportunity of traveling / cruising as often as I wish, therefore I would rather enjoy the cruise as  a passenger and not a speaker.  

Once again, thank you very much but no thanks.

Regards,

Irulan Serena