How to Get a Free Cruise

Want to save money on a cruise? Even better -- want to get one for FREE? (Talk about your money saving tips -- your vacation budget could save a bundle here.) All you need is some sort of expertise in a popular topic as well as the ability to speak to a crowd. The highlights from Kiplinger's:

Want to go on a free luxury-ship cruise? If you have some area of expertise, you could follow the course take by John Hall, 72, of Shreveport, La., who is a retired Louisiana State University professor of anthropology and geology. He provides passengers with lectures on the characteristics of the destination. In return, he gets a vacation at no cost.

So basically, the "experts" agree to do talks/give presentations and in return the get a free cruise (for two.) Not a bad payment for a few speeches, huh? Anyone want to hear about finances on these ships? I'm set to go. ;-)

And if you don't have any particular expertise, there still may be a way you can get a free cruise:

Many cruise lines recruit "gentleman hosts," single men between the ages of 40 to 70, who conduct dancing classes and serve as dance partners for single, divorced and widowed women passengers.

I'm not touching that one with a comment. ;-)

I've read about this idea before but it sounds too good to be true to me. Anyone out there ever done something like this or know someone who did? If so, please share the details with the rest of us.

Comments

[irina]

I am a balloon artist (clown), an event entertainer. Being that I am based in Miami, FL, I am invited on free cruises all the time (me + one companion for FREE) providing I entertain a certain number of hours each day. Right now, I can't go because of my family situation. But some day I might be able to go. But, if I decide to go, I would only go on a cruise that pays me in addition to a free cruise. Free cruise is not enough of an incentive for me.

FMF, I didn't look into this because I can't go, but if you are really interested, you could look around for an agency that books educators on ships. Your blog would qualify you as a personal finance expert, but you would need a demo tape.

[Blaine Moore]

I've known folks that do this. My brother not only gets free cruises, but he gets paid to be on board. He just happens to be out to sea for 5 months at a time and has to work 3 hours every night...oh, wait, he's an actual employee. Heheh.

My wife and I are going to try to get on one my brother's ships while he's still sailing. Back in the late 90s he played piano on a cruise ship and I never found the time before he started playing land side.