Top 10 Reasons You Should Hold Your

Next Meeting At Sea

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Corporate, Social and Professional Organizations Are Always Looking For A New Way To Get Together, And Lower Costs. Cruising Works.

How to have a great meeting-at-sea and stay on budget.

Perhaps even return some money to the corporate treasury!

read the article

CAMERACRAFTSMEN OF AMERICA - MAY 17, 2009 - STAR PRINCESS - 90 Guests.

"The weather this week was incredible, 70 and sunny. Never saw a bit of rain...but, lots of whales, eagles, porpoise, bear, moose.....etc."

 

Top 10 Reasons You Should Hold Your Next Meeting At Sea

Most cruisers are on vacation, however many businesses are discovering the benefits of conducting their meetings at sea.

We recently took 90 members of the Cameracraftsman of America to Alaska on a Princess cruise ship as part of their annual business meeting, providing a more memorable and enduring experience than a land based resort destination.

Many companies conduct strategy and planning sessions, annual and quarterly reviews, education and training seminars, motivation and team building exercises and corporate retreats at sea. Corporations also cruise with vendors, customers, suppliers and strategic partners to build relationships.  With abundant public meeting space, cruise ships offer a unique venue for exhibitions, new product introductions and product demonstrations.  With a cruise, meeting planners know all their costs up front. Rooms, meals, entertainment and all amenities are usually included in the price of a cruise. There are no hidden costs.

Onboard ship, there are the non-stop entertainment, shows and activities, thus there is no need to plan to entertain their attendees every minute of the day. There is also a "social" advantage having a meeting at sea. Everyone dines, socializes and participates together. It's a  better environment to foster camaraderie and to meet people from all levels of the company.

Facilities to Meet Any Need

Today's cruise ships are equipped with projectors, flat screen televisions, and most other audio-visual equipment used for meetings and presentations, and, cruise ship lines do not charge extra for meeting room space. Most cruise ships offer wireless Internet access in meeting rooms and many other areas of the ship. Some ships have intranet capabilities for corporate clients with the ability to broadcast meetings, presentations or speeches throughout the ship on a dedicated television channel.  Many cruise lines are also offer cell phone services.

We have arranged cruises to such fun spots as the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and the Mediterranean for groups, meetings at sea and incentives for individual employees.

All types of companies take business cruises. How about yours?
"The companies principles have handled all sorts of events for clients from companies such as Ford, Pepsi, Camera Craftsmen of America and many more"

ORPORATE MEETINGS AND INCENTIVES

 

A look at Royal Caribbean International

The creature comforts of your office don't stop at the water's edge. On a cruise ship, we've outfitted all meeting spaces to accommodate your company's needs.

Stay Connected Onboard
  • Complimentary meeting room and reception venues
  • Onboard Services Coordinator available 24/7
  • Theater with seating for up to 1,300 people
  • Business center
  • Internet café
  • Wi-Fi hotspots onboard
  • Cell phone connectivity
  • Internet connectivity in staterooms*
  • Ship to shore communications

Leave Your AV Equipment at the Office

  • AMX touch panels
  • Monitors, VCRs and DVD players
  • Microphones
  • Podiums
  • LCD and overhead projectors
  • * Not available on all ships

 
"What's the advantage?: A cruise is a good choice for business meetings, because most expenses for room, meals and entertainment are included in one low price."
Take advantage of our cruise line contacts , insider knowledge and experience in event planning and budgeting. We make it easy for you to plan a group cruise. We help you locate the right ship, with the meeting space that fits your needs, and help you every step of the way at no additional cost. Our pricing is even better than you would get if you booked directly with the cruise line.  With Cruise Direct Online you get everything you'll need to make your meeting a success.

It all begins here. Use the Contact Form below to get started.


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Sample Daily Meeting/Activity Schedule

3-NIGHT CRUISE

DAY ACTIVITY START END
Friday Welcome Reception 6 PM 9 PM
Saturday Daytime: Meetings / Breakout Sessions 8 AM 5 PM
Sunday Daytime: Team Building Event 10 AM 12 PM
Sunday Evening: Group Dining 7 PM 9 PM

7-NIGHT CRUISE

DAY ACTIVITY START END
Saturday Welcome Reception 6 PM 9 PM
Sunday Daytime: General Session / Breakout Sessions 8 AM 5 PM
Monday Daytime: Team Building Event 8 AM 5 PM
  Evening: Group Dining 7 PM 9 PM
Tuesday Daytime: Private Shore Excursion 8 AM 5 PM
  Evening: VIP Dinner in Specialty Restaurant 7 PM 9 PM
Wednesday Daytime: Scavenger Hunt 8 AM 5 PM
Thursday Sea Day or Port Day 8 AM 5 PM
  Evening: Theme Group Party 7 PM 9 PM
Friday Evening: Theme Group Party 7 PM 9 PM

Cruise Meeting Planning on a Budget

We can help you....

  • Find your ideal ship based upon your group's size
  • Examine room capacities
  • Locate the best layout for your event
  • Keep your costs down
  • See more things we can do for you below...

There are some things

only experience can tell you.

Just a few of things we can do.

For a complete list, contact us at 800.365.1445

  • Research & recommend the right ship and destination to meet your company needs and objectives.
  • Negotiate the best rates and amenities.
  • We serves as your day-to-day cruise coordinator with the cruise line, ground services, suppliers, etc.
  • Consultations throughout the planning process.
  • Help customize your shipboard experience with private events, shore excursions and more.
  • Problem solving, Individual Guest needs and passenger manifests
  • Work with you regarding awards, meeting space. audio visual needs, port-of-call information
  • Establish and coordinate VIP needs.
  • Create promotional online flyers, booking forms, direct mail and other marketing communication materials.
  • Provide professional staff aboard ship to ensure smooth event management. (ours and/or ships )


Meetings At Sea Directory

 

ADVERTISEMENT

VALUE. EASE OF PLANNING. UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.

Conduct your next Meeting Program aboard a Royal Caribbean ship!

Choose from a 3-Night Bahamas Cruise

From only $399* per person, your 3-night cruise package includes:

ALL MEALS

• Breakfast

• Lunch

• Dinner daily in a casual or formal dining environment (PLUS...pizza parlor, ice-cream bar and complimentary room service**

AWARD WINNING ENTERTAINMENT

• Nightly live music

• Musical stage productions

• Comedy shows and so much more!

SIGNATURE ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

• Rock-climbing wall

• Mini golf

• Chef demos

• Deck games

• Full casino

FITNESS FACILITIES

• Health club facility with state of the art

exercise equipment

• Sauna, steam room and whirlpools

• Jogging track

• Sports deck

ADVENTURE OCEAN® CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

MEETING AND INCENTIVE SERVICES

• Complimentary Conference/Meeting andFunction Space

• Complimentary State-of-the-Art AV equipment

• Catered refreshment breaks for all meetings

• Dedicated Corporate Meeting & Incentive Sales Team

• Onboard Group Coordinator/Convention

Services Manager

• Customization opportunities

Call us today to find out why so many organizations are choosing a cruise for their next meeting!

To learn more about how you can conduct your next Meeting or Incentive Program at Sea, call 800.365.1445

TOP TEN DESTINATION IDEAS

1.Alaska Cruises

2.Alaska Cruisetours

Cruises to Asia

Australia/New Zealand

3.Cruises to Canada

4.Cruises to the Caribbean

5. Eastern Caribbean Cruises

Cruises to Europe

6..Cruises to Hawaii

Mediterranean Cruises

7.Cruises to Mexico

Panama Canal Cruises

Scandinavia Cruises

Cruises to South America

South Pacific Cruises

8.Southern Caribbean Cruises

Transatlantic

Transpacific Cruises

9.U.S. Pacific Coast Cruises

10.Western Caribbean Cruises

 

TOP TEN LIST OF REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD HOLD A MEETING AT SEA 

From a Royal Caribbean Perspective

 

1. MOST INNOVATIVE SHIPS AT SEA

Even before you reach your destination, you're going to be amazed at what you see - your cruise ship. for instance, our new oasis of the SeasSM isn't just a ship; it's a collection of amazing experiences that challenge all limitations. More options than ever before, including two flowriders®, a Zip Line, aquaTheater, Carousel, Loft Suites and more.

2. AMAZING ONBOARD EXPERIENCE

Royal Caribbean is all about being first. first to install a rock wall onboard. first with a surf simulator or an ice rink or promenade shopping. We are hands-down the most innovative and quite frankly, the best at delivering an undeniably exhilarating onboard experience!

  • Spectacular entertainment

  • Most sophisticated fitness clubs, plus an amazing view

  • More dining options, including specialty restaurants

  • Lots of clubs, lounges and bars

  • full Casino and much more!

3. ONE OF A KIND AMENITIES

  • Complimentary Room Service

  • Nightly Turn Down Service

  • New bedding fleet wide

  • Upgraded suite amenities

  • More ships with private balconies

4. DEDICATED CONFERENCE AND MEETING SPACE

  • State-of-the-art meeting rooms

  • Leading-edge conference technology

  • Catered coffee breaks

  • Theater and lounges available for corporate events

5. STATE-OF-THE-ART AUDIO/VISUAL EQUIPMENT

  • Plasma Screen TV’s

  • Remote-control carousel slide projectors

  • aMX Touch panels

  • overhead projectors

  • Monitors and VCRs

  • Microphones and Podiums

  • Screens and LCD Projectors

6. BUSINESS SERVICES AND CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS

  • royalcaribbean onlineSM

  • Wi-fi available throughout the ship and in stateroom

  • Mobile phone service

7. CUSTOMIZATION FOR THE GROUP

  • Customized menu covers, customized desserts plus more

  • award Ceremonies

  • Team Building events ~ (such as Beach olympics & Scavenger Hunts)

  • Customized group Shore excursions

  • open bar and pre-paid bar options

  • Customized Logo Door Plaques; Cabin decorations

  • Cocktail parties

  • and more!

8. PRIVATE DESTINATIONS

Relax in style at our private destinations, available only to Royal Caribbean International® guests. Labadee®, on the coast of Haiti, and CocoCay®, in the Bahamas, offer sugar-white beaches, nature trails and aquatic facilities. Both locations have been newly renovated and enhanced.

9. GREAT MEETINGS AT SEA DESTINATIONS WITH MANY PORTS OF CALL

We visit over a hundred ports of call, in some of the world's most breathtaking locations. from the rugged beauty of alaska and Canada/New england to the charm of europe and the lush landscapes of Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

10. GREAT OVERALL VALUE FOR YOUR EVENT!

  • Casual and fine dining

  • Pizza parlor, ice-cream bar and café

  • Nightly live music, comedy shows and musical stage productions

  • Rock-climbing, mini golf, chef demos...and more!

  • In-room TV, movies and entertainment

  • fitness Center including stationary bikes, treadmills, free weights, ellipticals

  • Day Spa including sauna, steam room & whirlpools

  • Jogging track and sports deck

  • onboard event Coordinators

  • Hospitality desk

  • Support Service, a dedicated team of Corporate Meetings & Incentive Specialists

For more information call 800-365-1445

Individual Incentives

Looking to reward your top individuals, one at a time. After all, there's no motivation more powerful than being singled out. With an individual incentive cruise program, your participants can choose when they'll cruise, or even where they go. Or perhaps reward someone a cruise as an on-the-spot bonus for exceptional performance, or how about creating a multi-tiered incentive program with varying award levels? Winners could go on a 3-day Caribbean getaway, a 7-day Bermuda cruise or a 12-day Europe cruise. Nothing can increase motivation and productivity more than an individual incentive. It's the ultimate reward. Let us customize an incentive cruise program made just for you.

Group Incentives

Going on a cruise is like taking two vacations in one: the first-class treatment and facilities of a luxury resort, combined with the excitement of travel to exotic destinations. From cocktail parties to award ceremonies, a cruise is a great way to bring colleagues closer together, while everyone still has time to themselves. What's more, were professionals in the business of planning group and incentive travel, so relax: You're in the hands of experts here. 

Meeting Incentives
No deadlines, no sales calls, no e-mails, no memos. Is this any way to conduct business? Well - actually, yes. Think of a cruise ship as a floating conference center complete with video and overhead sound and light capabilities, multi-image shows, theatrical special effects and more. Many ships have rooms that accommodate large sessions, breakout rooms and hospitality suites of all sizes. And since your associates can't stray too far when they're aboard ship, you can keep attendance higher and be more productive.

Full Ship Charter
 For large groups, nothing is more impressive than a privately chartered ship. Since you "own" the ship, virtually every aspect of the cruise can be customized for your group. You can decide which ports the ship will call on, what dishes will be offered on the menu, and which shore excursions will be available. Choreographed stage shows can be customized for the company, or the ship can be renamed in the company's honor. The ship's Captain can even promote the company's chairman to the rank of Honorary Admiral in a full-dress ceremony. It's like having your own corporate yacht to do as you please, only better. Because aboard a cruise ship, there's so much more to do. 

The Details

From business meetings to awards ceremonies, cocktail receptions, shore tours and theme parties, Cruise Direct Online can customize every detail. Gift items such as shirts, caps or sunglasses imprinted with the Company's name; signature cocktail napkins, menus, and daily newsletters; custom nameplates on everyone's stateroom door; ice sculptures in the form of a logo; corporate ideas played over closed-circuit TV, "Welcome Aboard" notes from the ship's Captain ... unlimited opportunities to customize your incentive cruise. And you can count on us to deliver.  

  

Compare the Cost

   

Land Resort/
Caribbean

Land Resort/
USA


Cruise

Accommodations
(tax included)

$1,850

$1,550

$1,850

Food & Beverage
(3 meals daily, cocktail party with live entertainment, wine with dinner each night, tax and gratuities)

$1,450

$1,100

Included

Meetings
(all audio-visual equipment including VCR, projectors, monitors and screens, wireless microphones and coffee breaks)

$5,000

$5,000

Included

Entertainment
(Broadway shows  and variety acts)

$20,000

$20,000

Included

Per Person
Per Person, Per Day

$3,600
$515

$2,950
$420

$1,850
$265

   

(94% More Expensive than a cruise)

(59% More Expensive than cruise)

   

This comparison is based on a 7-Day program with 4 meetings, 2 productions
and for 200 participants 

Compliments of NCL.

 

Study: Biz Cruises Float With Meeting Planners
 
Foreign-flag cruise lines, which control over 90% of the berths serving North American passengers, represent an underused market for corporate meetings and incentive travel, according to the results of a survey conducted by Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. .....and others.
The study found that 79% of meetings planners would consider holding their business events at sea, and 68% do not consider tax deductibility when planning events.
 
Cruise observers have long maintained that foreign-flag ships make poor venues for corporate meetings because expenses tied to such gatherings are not tax deductible....
 
....The survey's sponsors said they recognized that it is likely that the planners did not relate to the tax deductibility question because "it is not an issue with domestic hotels and resorts." However, they added that the findings on the tax question "is an indicator of the attention, or lack of, paid to this subject by the majority of meeting planners."
 
Indeed, respondents said the most important factors to consider when planning an event are location (45%), followed by price and budget (38%) and service (21%).....
 
......The study also found that only 12% of respondents use cruise ships as a meeting venue vs. 74% who use land-based resorts.
 
 "All of the elements are in place for these groups to use cruise ships. The amenities and level of service are comparable, both have a sense of exclusivity and both have an all-inclusive atmosphere."
 
 "With the all-inclusive nature of cruising, many meeting planners find that a cruise ship event can be more affordable than traditional meeting venues," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, associate vice president of national and corporate sales at Royal Caribbean.
 
 "The variety of destinations, dining options, activities make cruise ships an innovative and hassle-free option."
 
The study was distributed via e-mail to 12,481 registered meeting planners as identified by EventSource.
 
To increase the response rate, an incentive of entry into a drawing for a seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise was included in the survey form. A total of 548 planners responded to the survey, a 4.4% response rate.
 
Other findings pointed to the cruise segment's growing exposure, desirability and market potential.
 
 The survey found that while 82% of respondents had not held business events on a ship, 42% had been on a cruise before and 79% said they would consider holding an event aboard a cruise ship.
 
Of those who said they would not consider holding an event aboard a cruise ship, the most common reason given was "cost/budget," at 27%, followed by "not a professional atmosphere/too distracting," at 17%.
 
Also cited were "too confining," and "didn't like the inflexibility of arrivals/departures for attendees," at 11%, and "length of meetings," at 10%.....
 
......Overall, the survey concluded that many of the planners who responded to the survey fit within the cruise-candidate profile and that there is an interest in the market for cruise-ship venues.

------------

Excerpt comments from an article that appeared in TRAVEL WEEKLY NEWS - Meetings & Incentives

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