09 Aug 10 Keeping Group Cruise Planning Simple
Planning a group cruise can seem like a logistical nightmare at first, but is not actually a complex as it might seem on the surface. Follow these three basic tips to keep your sanity and composure while simultaneously planning a great group cruise:
- Create lockdown dates – If last minute changes drive you crazy, then eliminate them simply by letting everyone know that the cruise line has a lockdown date for final planning. This works even when cruise lines do not have such a date, or if you put your lockdown date a little bit ahead of theirs. Remember to stick to whatever date you provide participants via e-mail or memo.
- Get help – Most cruise lines have concierge services that can take a fair portion of the planning and logistics off of your shoulders, but they need to know what you want. It might be a good idea to contact the concierge service/planner and make a point of contact that can provide you with options and details that can be passed on to participants/decision makers.
- Have alternatives ready – If you suspect that Bob Jones from sales is going to request something that is unavailable, having an alternative that is acceptable is better than a no. Be sure to explore alternatives before using those terrible two little letters: N and O.
Tags: Bob Jones, Composure, Concierge Service, Concierge Services, Cruise Line, Cruise Lines, Decision Makers, E Mail, Group Cruise, Little Bit, Logistical Nightmare, Logistics, Minute Changes, Participants, Point Of Contact, Sanity, Service Planner, Shoulders, Terrible Two
17 Feb 10 Planning Weddings and Commitment Ceremonies on a Cruise Ship
Much like planning meetings and corporate events on cruise ships, planning onboard weddings, commitment ceremonies and vow renewal ceremonies can actually be easier and more cost-effective than their land-based counterparts. Whether your clients opt for a very affordable one- or two-night cruise, or a luxurious two-week cruise for both their nuptials and their honeymoon, cruise ship weddings are sure to be a memorable, fun event for all who attend.
When couples choose a cruise, they no longer have to worry about entertaining out-of-town guests during their entire stay, whether or not there will be enough alcohol at the bar during their reception and whether or not the DJ will show up. They will have the benefit of onboard entertainment, meals and some drinks throughout the cruise being included in the price, utilizing the music and bar services available through the cruise line and having the option of hanging out with their guests or hiding away on their own in the days before and after the ceremony.
As the wedding planner, you will enjoy a simple, convenient planning experience working with a cruise line that is sure to have substantial experience in having weddings onboard. Between your professional services and their well-established protocols, planning your clients’ onboard wedding or ceremony will be a breeze.
Tags: Alcohol, Commitment Ceremonies, Counterparts, Couples, Cruise Line, Cruise Ship Weddings, Cruise Ships, Cruise Weddings, Drinks, Fun Event, Honeymoon Cruise, Night Cruise, Nuptials, Planning Weddings, Professional Services, Protocols, Substantial Experience, Town Guests, Vow Renewal Ceremonies, Wedding Planner
26 Jan 10 Group Organizers See 7 Reasons to Bookmark Seasite.com
Newly launched Seasite.com provides 24/7 access to all cruise brands, and the most content-rich and searchable database for the cruise industry.
Miami, FL (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 21, 2010 — Planning a group cruise requires searching for detailed ship information and not always finding what you need – even on the cruise lines’ own web sites. Now, with Seasite.com, the first cruise portal for meetings and events, group organizers can find all the ship data they need in one place – at no cost.
"I’ve bookmarked Seasite.com – it’s invaluable in selecting the right ship for a group and to verify it’s a good fit before I present it to my client,” said Millie Evans, President/CEO Alliance Incentives and Meetings. "And for operational planning, it has all the info I need – which isn’t on cruise line web sites.”
Seasite.com provides 24/7 access to all cruise brands, and the most content-rich and searchable database for the cruise industry, so that planners can:
1. Find ship data never before offered online or in print, such as:
- Meeting/function room capacities
- Dining room seating, and details for private group dining
- Outdoor group function areas
- A/V equipment lists
2- Search, compare, and save favorite cruises; then create one RFP and submit it to multiple cruise lines. (Group pricing is the same as booking direct.)
3- See the cruise lines most committed to groups, and search their mini-sites (all laid out the same — when you’re familiar with one, you’re familiar with all!)
4- Search by ship name for a chronological list of future Itineraries and Basic Ship Information, and find it faster than a brochure.
5- Search for a cruise anywhere in the world by any date range (as short as several days or as long as several months). Sort your results by meetings-specific criteria.
6- Refer to the Knowledge Center to answer all your questions, including these:
|
7- Discover a list of "Cruise Gems” – those rare, hard to find, short cruises.
"Everyone who plans group travel should take a good look, and bookmark Seasite.com if they want to simplify cruise sourcing and planning” said Jo Kling, CEO Seasite.com.
For more information on Seasite.com, A Landry & Kling Company, visit www.seasite.com or call 888-713-1371.
About Seasite.com/Landry & Kling
Seasite.com is designed for meeting and event planners who want more control in the cruise sourcing and planning process. It’s the fastest and easiest way for group organizers to master the world of cruising, building on all that’s been learned by Landry & Kling, who are credited with being the first distribution channel between the cruise industry and corporate America. Now, 28 years since their startup, they have responded to changing times by creating Seasite.com, with innovative cruise sourcing tools that enable meeting planners and other travel intermediaries to be more pro-active and confident in booking cruises. Seasite group pricing is the same as booking direct, with the advantage of impartial Cruise Advisors to assist as needed.
Tags: Cruise Industry, Cruise Line, Cruise Lines, Cruise Portal, Group Cruise, Group Function, Group Organizers, Line Web, Meetings And Events, Millie, Operational Planning, Outdoor Group, President Ceo, Private Group, Prweb, Rfp, Room Capacities, Searchable Database, Ship Data, Vocus
Advertisement
Corporate Meeting Planner Resources
- Cruise line Expansion in Chinese Market Good News for Meeting PlannersChina is becoming a popular destination for MICE events due to its rich cultural heritage, beautiful natural landscapes and most of all - its high economic growth. Everyone wants to do business in China right now. Naturally, that translates into lots of meetings, trade shows, conferences and other events. According to The China Incentive, Business […]
- Time to step out of the ZoneSo often we find ourselves repeating the same patterns both professionally and personally because it feels “safe”. While that perceived safety may or may not be real, it explains why so many people feel their lives are in a rut. It is that comfort zone that so many long for that ultimately is their worst enemy. In order […]
- Stimulating Your Attendees in a Positive WayAfter reading the article Boost the Brain Computer, Don’t Crash It, I got to thinking about how foods definitely have an effect on mood and concentration. Anyone who has ever seen a child at a birthday party, loaded with candy, snow cones, cake and soda can attest to the fact that while the sugar will […]