27 Oct 10 The Value of Meetings at Sea for Participants
When many people start planning meetings at sea they forget to remember that the meetings are as much for the company as they are for the participants. The participants are usually the main focus of the meetings at sea, so they should certainly never be forgotten in the shuffle. Here is how participants might view the value of a meeting at sea:
- It is a chance to get out of the office and away from the normal office routine – This is both good and bad, but it can be turned to the advantage of the host with proper planning. Do not simply hold meetings as normal aboard ship, hold exciting meetings with fresh coffee and fruit. Consider alternative meetings such as the spinning room, or one of the pools onboard the cruise liner. Keep business moving forward but strive to do so in a more relaxed manner.
- Time to see the world – The world is truly an amazing place and cruise ships get to see some of the best views ever. Scheduling a sunrise or sunset meeting while amazing views are available via the windows is a poor idea at best.
Tags: Advantage, Amazing Place, Cruise Liner, Cruise Ships, Focus, Fresh Coffee, Many People, Meeting At Sea, Nbsp, Office Routine, Participants, Pools, Poor Idea, Sea People, Shuffle, Spinning Room, Sunrise, Sunset
20 Oct 10 Cruise Meetings vs Hotels From a Meeting Planning Perspective
Planning meetings is a tried and true practice that evolves in large jumps more often than it does in small increments. The cruise meeting is a great example of this as it is an entirely new format that is barely a few decades old. Despite that many meeting planners do not truly understand the difference in planning cruise meetings, such as:
- Cruise meetings general come with a planning partner, the concierge – The concierge will help take care of a lot of the more basic tasks but they do need a head’s up. Your boss might drop last minute requests on you left and right, but it may not be something that you can pass on to the concierge. It never hurts to ask.
- Cruises are all inclusive, but space is limited – Space on a cruise liner is certainly limited, but it can generally be made available to those that ask. Try asking for restaurants to be booked during the cruise and disappointment will probably ensue. Ask for the same two or three weeks before departure (and before booking!) and you might be amazed at the results.
- There are plenty of things to do on a cruise, so ask for a schedule for your group – Cruise ships have activity directors that will be more than happy to handle creating mixers or other events appropriate for the meeting participants. This could include custom personal training the gym, massages for the top brass and special clients, or nearly anything else. Remember to just ask and you might be surprised at the answer.
Tags: Activity Directors, Boss, Concierge, Cruise Liner, Cruise Ships, Cruises, Decades, Disappointment, Group Cruise, Increments, Massages, Meeting Planners, Meeting Planning, Minute Requests, Mixers, Participants, Personal Training, Perspective, Restaurants, Top Brass
11 Oct 10 What Meeting Planners Need to Know About Cabins and Meeting Options on Cruise Ships
Most people liken planning a cruise to planning to regular event planning with a few twists. One of those twists occurs when it comes time to figure out who is sleeping where. There are a few things that many people might not know about cabins on cruise ships, and some questions people may not ever think to ask when planning meetings at sea:
• Less expensive cabins are usually priced on a per-bed basis and assume that two people are sharing a cabin. This pricing system might seem a little deceptive to people that do not do their homework, but it is often possible to upgrade to a single passenger cabin for a small fee.
• Similarly, it is often possible to lock out the second passenger by paying a modest fee. This can be done at nearly any time prior to departure and sometimes even post departure if there is room remaining.
• Meeting rooms are typically available around the clock but larger conference rooms might have time restrictions that can only be removed by booking in advance. Some cruise companies have a 2 or 4 week policy regarding booking these larger rooms so book as early as possible.
• Remember that catering options and preferences also need to be handled well in advance so figure out menus for special events early on if possible.
Tags: Catering, Clock, Cruise Companies, Cruise Ships, Event Planning, Homework, Many People, Meeting People, Meeting Planners, Meeting Rooms, Menus, Options, Passenger Cabin, Time Restrictions, Twists
04 Oct 10 Cruise Destinations Worth Contemplating
Cruise ships span the globe and tour nearly every major waterway. Some are large, some are small, and many are tied to cultures and their unique traditions. For example, there are ancient Chinese-looking ships of modern design cruising the Yellow River and similarly antique-looking modern ships cruising the mighty Mississippi disguised as traditional steamboats.
Some of the cruise ships are tied specifically to certain destinations, but other destinations are open to almost all kinds of cruise vessels. This creates a situation where a company not interested in a specific theme needs to know what different kinds of group cruises are available.
Here are just a few and what they say about the host company or organization:
- Hawaii – Hawaii’s lovely islands are a safe bet for a cruise, but they do not show much imagination. Some people appreciate this, while others do not. Be certain to evaluate customer/company image before choosing the islands of Hawaii.
- Mexico – Parties and drinking are still a big deal for certain crowds, and companies with a youthful and slightly rebellious image might want to consider options south of the border.
- Alaska – Alaska is gorgeous, but it is cold and not necessarily inviting. Companies need to consider cruise meetings to Alaska carefully because the message that the crumbling icebergs offer might be inappropriate.
- The Caribbean – The northern sections of the Caribbean offer plenty of very safe and well-known destinations while the West Indies chain offers great and lesser known destinations.
- Africa and Asia – These simply scream exotic but need to be carefully considered for a few obvious reasons, not the least of which is the travel cost.
Tags: Company Image, Crowds, Cruise Alaska, Cruise Destinations, Cruise Ships, Cruise Vessels, Cultures, Customer Company, Different Kinds, Group Cruises, Host Company, Imagination, Islands Of Hawaii, Mighty Mississippi, Northern Sections, Rsquo, Safe Bet, Waterway, West Indies, Yellow River
20 Sep 10 Save Money On Incentive Meeting Events
One of the greatest problems that incentive meetings have is a loss of control over attendees who would rather be at home cleaning their bathrooms. Even participants who enter a business meeting with the best intentions can become bored and restless if equipment is malfunctioning or there are lengthy pauses in the presentation due to an agenda that isn’t working out as planned.
A great way to guarantee quick results at an incentive meeting is to hold your meeting in a venue that offers desirable after-meeting entertainment options that is not available until all work is completed. When your meeting is composed of busy individuals who have other things to do, they will settle down and do their best to complete the work-at-hand in a fast and productive manner.
Combining a structured incentive trip with fun participant activities requires some creative thinking and a calculator. In reality, a business incentive meeting can be held in any appropriately setup conference room that comes complete with reasonably priced comfortable accommodations, food and beverage choices, and an easy-access location that allows for all transportation concerns.
Cruise ships have luxury accommodations, free food, no transportation needs after reaching the point of departure, and conference room facilities that are available with state-of-the-art equipment for passengers to use. These floating hotels also offer quality entertainment options, health spas, room service and activities for traveling family members to enjoy themselves too.
A few quick clicks on the calculator will show you how the price of a cruise meeting will beat the traditional lodging, restaurant, and transportation costs of a business incentive meeting from many locations inside of the United States today. Even with airfares involved to get to the port-of-departure, with many of the vacation industry discounts being offered today, a cruise can be the most economical way to conduct your next business meeting. In fact, a cruise can save you as much as 40 percent over the price of a land based venue, due to the fact that it is all inclusive.
An all inclusive cruise event can save you up to 40% compared to hotel venues since so much is included. Meals, meeting rooms, A/V, coffee breaks, activities, entertainment and even room service are part of the all-inclusive cruise fare.
Tags: Art Equipment, Best Intentions, Beverage Choices, Business Incentive, Cruise Ships, Free Food, Health Spas, Incentive Meetings, Incentive Trip, Industry Discounts, Luxury Accommodations, Participant Activities, Point Of Departure, Productive Manner, Quality Entertainment Options, Reaching The Point, Traditional Lodging, Transportation Concerns, Transportation Costs, Vacation Industry
09 Sep 10 The ABCs of Meetings at Sea
Meetings have traditionally been held at hotels, conference centers, and other land-based public venues, but all of that is changing. The new way to host meetings and major events is to do at sea on a luxury cruise ship. Why? Because of the ABCs of meetings at sea:
- A is for awesome service – Cruise ships are renowned in the travel industry for their unparalleled commitment to customer service.
- B is breathtaking views – Some hotels have nice views or quaint views, but few of them can match the views afforded by a cruise ship. One day it is a gorgeous island paradise, the next morning it is clear open waters until the ship eventually arrives in a port with historic interest. Hotels stay put, what you get is what you get.
- C is for customization – There really are not too many limits to what you can ask for and not reasonably expect to get on a cruise ship.
These floating resorts offer all sorts of options to make your cruise a truly unique and wonderful experience.
There was an ‘s’ at the end of ABCs, and it is small for a reason. That small s stands for savings, and the fact that you will actually save a modest amount of money by opting to have a meeting at sea instead of having it in a hotel with a conference room. No more caterers, no more booking a night club for a serious mixer, no more DJs to worry about. All you will have to do is determine where to invest those savings.
Tags: Abcs, All Sorts, Amount Of Money, Breathtaking Views, Cruise Ships, Customer Service, Gorgeous Island, Host Meetings, Hotels, Island Paradise, Luxury Cruise Ship, Meeting At Sea, Mixer, Next Morning, Night Club, Open Waters, Public Venues, Rsquo, Travel Industry, Unparalleled Commitment
30 Aug 10 When Do You Need to Hold a Cruise Event?
Cruise events have been a popular choice for meetings and events of all kinds for years now, but not every meeting/event planner knows all that they need to know about planning cruise events. In fact, the lack of knowledge might turn some away from cruise ships. Here’s what a cruise ship has to offer:
- Low prices – Cruises are actually less expensive than hotels plus catering services plus entertainment expenses plus renting a conference room or meeting venue in almost all cases. Why? Because cruise companies build in the cost of all these services and distribute them across all of their customers all year long
- All inclusive options – All inclusive pricing makes cruises a cinch to plan. One price, one call, and the event can be planned. This saves time and money!
- Amazing catering – Want custom catering? You’ll have a hard time finding a better catering troop than those found on cruise ships. Shipboard caterers do catering day in and day out, every day and night. Nobody knows catering like these people!
- Custom meetings and entertainment – Want to have meetings in amazing locations instead of just a closed in room at the convention center? Try finding a better alternative than a cruise ship for even twice the price and you’ll be stumped!
- Some of the best restaurants and clubs anywhere in the world – It is important to play hard when you work hard, and that is why cruise ships pack some of the best restaurants, bars, night clubs, and even shopping centers around.
Tags: Best Restaurants, Caterers, Catering Services, Cinch, Cruise Companies, Cruise Events, Cruise Prices, Cruise Ship, Cruise Ships, Cruises, Entertainment, Event Planner, Hard Time, Lack Of Knowledge, Meeting Venue, Meetings And Events, Night Clubs, Rsquo, Shopping Centers, Time And Money
25 Aug 10 Could a Cruise Meeting be In Your Organization’s Future?
Cruise meetings are a time honored and tested alternative to holding meetings in more traditional locations, yet they strangely remain a secret. The tendency of cruise meetings as an alternative to land-bound meetings is puzzling, especially with the amazing incentives and tantalizing prices being offered by cruise lines. Could a cruise meeting be right for your next event? Maybe, but ask yourself these questions first:
• Are you and your guests looking to see amazing views? Some people just like the same old boring office interiors all day, but they won’t get that on a cruise ship. On the other hand, many people will actually benefit from the creative art designs on most cruise ships as it can get the mind working in new ways.
• Are you ready for 5 star meals and entertainment? Cruise ships have an amazing assortment of top-quality restaurants and amazing night clubs. Add to this gyms, pools, and other activities, and you really have two choices: schedule some downtime or run the risk of people being a little late to meetings because of all the entertainment. The good news is that alternative meetings are available as are group-specific mixers or bar nights.
• Are you ready to be pampered? This is more of a trick question because just about everyone says yes! That is what you and your guests will get when you plan cruise meetings. It sure beats hotel service at the same price by an unbelievable margin.
Tags: Art Designs, Assortment, Creative Art, Cruise Lines, Cruise Ship, Cruise Ships, Downtime, Gyms, Hotel Service, Incentives, Lines Cruise, Mixers, New Ways, Night Clubs, Office Interiors, Pools, Quality Restaurants, Star Meals, Trick Question, Two Choices
02 Aug 10 Cruise Ship Meeting Secrets
While many people planning cruise ship meetings simply make the meetings on cruise ships somewhat similar to landlocked meetings, this does not have to be the case. In fact, planning meetings and events on a cruise ship that do not take advantage of the inherently unique nature of a cruise ship are missing the point. Follow these helpful tips to take full advantage of even the secret features available to planners of cruise events:
Alternative meeting environments – want to book a large meeting room? Ask about the theater or onboard dining halls. Chances are good that one or two such rooms are reserved for possible meetings, but may be freed up once the ship leaves port.
Super-alternative meeting environments – want to have a face to face while getting a massage in one of the onboard spas? Go for it!
The menu is not necessarily limited – cruise ships are extremely competitive when it comes to dining and lodging. This virtually assures that any ship is likely to have a wonderful assortment of top notch chefs are always on hand and are probably climbing the walls wishing that somebody would order something that is not on one of the many menus.
Compensation – Booking larger groups and venues can result in special forms of compensation once the hard price limit is reached. Free cabin upgrades, exclusive access to a little known VIP gym or club could be the result for those that know to ask.
Tags: Assortment, Case In Fact, Chefs, Climbing The Walls, Cruise Events, Cruise Ship, Cruise Ships, Dining Halls, Environments, Forms Of Compensation, Helpful Tips, Large Meeting Room, Meetings And Events, Menus, Missing The Point, Planners, Secret Features, Spas, Top Notch, Vip
23 Jul 10 Can Your Company Afford NOT to Hold Cruise Events?
If you have been looking at cruise meetings as an alternative that is not cost-effective, then you may be missing out on some of the math. Here is how you should be looking at the whole picture: even if your company does not pay for the meals and entertainment of participants at a meeting or event, then someone else might. IF given the choice between a cost effective cruise or a compensated hotel with continental breakfast, which would you choose? That’s right, you’d go with the cruise ship, and that is exactly what other people would do 9 out of 10 times.
When you consider all that cruise ships offer, they are truly a bargain destination for meetings. Those that look only at hotels and conference centers might forget this, and may be completely insensitive to the fact that they are actually costing their customers, partners, clients, suppliers, colleagues, or even branch offices to incur expenses simply to participate. This might be the cause of barriers to successful events and productive meetings, so be sure to evaluate your strategy carefully in this regard.
Also remember that cruise events are typically cost effective when measured against landlocked alternatives. The all-inclusive prices can often be lowered when booking multiple cabins, and there are plenty of compensated bonuses to be had. These bonuses, such as a massage in the spa, can be used as incentives to further enhance the profitability and success of a cruise.
Tags: 9 Out Of 10, Bargain, Colleagues, Continental Breakfast, Cruise Events, Cruise Ship, Cruise Ships, Hotels, Incentives, Massage, Math, Participants, Productive Meetings, Profitability, Regard, Spa, Success
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