I won the cruise on 10/14 last year even as a non-native English speaker. It was a combination of knowledge, sheer luck and clever use of my lifelines.
I can only support the previous posters remark about choosing a row with lots of empty seats to your right, which highly enhances your chances of being picked. My wife and I had about 10 empty seats to her right. Although in our case we had a 'direct hit'

Unfortunately her seat, but the
DCL-staff didn't mind me getting into the Hot Seat instead of her.
One tip I can give you is this: As soon as you're in the Hot Seat you have to relax completely and tell yourself 'I can not lose. The worst thing that can happen is, that I may not win.'
What helps you a lot is the glare of the lights as tehy prevent you from seeing the audience. You're virtually alone on the stage with the host in front of a big black void
The most important tip: Listen to the kids. My final question was 'What was the coach's name in the animated version of 'The Mighty Ducks?' I didn't have a clue and there wasn't any lifeline left. When I said the first name the kids in the front rows gave 'negative feedback'

, same with the second. Then the host rushed me, because I was the third person in the Hot Seat and we were on the first show as we had late seating. Thanks to the kids I was down to two choices and just guessed - Fortunately right
