Going on a cruise is gaining in popularity not only among vacation travelers, but also among business groups. Six ships were docked in the harbor at Jacksonville, Florida, during the Super Bowl in January, acting as floating hotels; one of them was chartered by a private company. And corporations like Tupperware, Allstate, and Aflac have recently put groups on Carnival Cruise Lines ships, while Virtuoso, a consortium of upscale travel agencies, chartered the Crystal Symphony in March for its annual international symposium.
According to Cruise Lines International, a trade association that represents cruise companies, in 2004 meetings and incentives made up 6.5 percent of members' group business and 2 percent of total business.
"Cruise lines have really geared themselves up for the meeting industry," says Gina Meyerson, chief operating officer of Contacts Unlimited, the cruise and air division of HelmsBriscoe, the selection and meeting services company. "New ships have more dedicated meeting space."
Cruises are almost always cheaper than land-based trips, she says, because cruises are all-inclusive, with accommodations and food covered in the rate. Meeting spaces, break rooms, and use of audiovisual equipment are all often free for groups, while receptions can also be gratis, depending on the size of the group.
Another bonus, according to Meyerson: comp policies are often more lenient than hotels' comp policies. For example, she said many hotels will provide one free room for every 50 booked, while cruise lines can provide one free berth, or bed in a cabin, for every 15 berths booked, creating considerable savings.
Royal Caribbean International (800.327.2055) recently set up a new, dedicated internal team to cater to the specific needs of meeting planners and convention groups. This line's ships include Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas, which Royal Caribbean claims have the largest dedicated conference centers at sea. These centers can seat 400, configured as one large space or broken up into four smaller rooms. Each also has a separate executive boardroom; multimedia screening room; and a business services center.
Carnival Cruise Lines (800.227.6482) just introduced a new program (800.438.6744 ext. 70007) of management seminars covering topics like verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, harnessing creativity, building and maintaining trust, and culturally diverse work environments.
The fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line (800.327.7030) includes the Honolulu-based Pride of Aloha, a refurbished ship that debuted last summer, and its brand-new, Hawaii-based ship Pride of America, which will begin sailing this summer.
Crystal Cruises' (800.446.6620) newer ships, the Serenity and Symphony, have rooms designed for private dinners for 14. Also new on the Serenity are hospitality suites with picture windows and plasma-screen TVs, available on a complimentary basis. All Crystal ships can cater private dinners on deck for a unique dining experience under the stars.
Twenty-four-hour butler service is also available in penthouse cabins on all Crystal ships, something Meyerson finds ideal for groups seeking a luxurious travel experience. "Travelers don't think it's a big deal until the guy shows up to pour you champagne and give you caviar. It's a really nice addition," she says.
Meyerson also likes to take over the restaurants on the various Crystal ships—which feature the cuisine of culinary superstars Nobu Matsuhisa and Wolfgang Puck—for private dinners.
—Jane L. Levere
Posted 06.13.05
This story originally appeared in the June/July 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
According to Cruise Lines International, a trade association that represents cruise companies, in 2004 meetings and incentives made up 6.5 percent of members' group business and 2 percent of total business.
"Cruise lines have really geared themselves up for the meeting industry," says Gina Meyerson, chief operating officer of Contacts Unlimited, the cruise and air division of HelmsBriscoe, the selection and meeting services company. "New ships have more dedicated meeting space."
Cruises are almost always cheaper than land-based trips, she says, because cruises are all-inclusive, with accommodations and food covered in the rate. Meeting spaces, break rooms, and use of audiovisual equipment are all often free for groups, while receptions can also be gratis, depending on the size of the group.
Another bonus, according to Meyerson: comp policies are often more lenient than hotels' comp policies. For example, she said many hotels will provide one free room for every 50 booked, while cruise lines can provide one free berth, or bed in a cabin, for every 15 berths booked, creating considerable savings.
Royal Caribbean International (800.327.2055) recently set up a new, dedicated internal team to cater to the specific needs of meeting planners and convention groups. This line's ships include Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas, which Royal Caribbean claims have the largest dedicated conference centers at sea. These centers can seat 400, configured as one large space or broken up into four smaller rooms. Each also has a separate executive boardroom; multimedia screening room; and a business services center.
Carnival Cruise Lines (800.227.6482) just introduced a new program (800.438.6744 ext. 70007) of management seminars covering topics like verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, harnessing creativity, building and maintaining trust, and culturally diverse work environments.
The fleet of Norwegian Cruise Line (800.327.7030) includes the Honolulu-based Pride of Aloha, a refurbished ship that debuted last summer, and its brand-new, Hawaii-based ship Pride of America, which will begin sailing this summer.
Crystal Cruises' (800.446.6620) newer ships, the Serenity and Symphony, have rooms designed for private dinners for 14. Also new on the Serenity are hospitality suites with picture windows and plasma-screen TVs, available on a complimentary basis. All Crystal ships can cater private dinners on deck for a unique dining experience under the stars.
Twenty-four-hour butler service is also available in penthouse cabins on all Crystal ships, something Meyerson finds ideal for groups seeking a luxurious travel experience. "Travelers don't think it's a big deal until the guy shows up to pour you champagne and give you caviar. It's a really nice addition," she says.
Meyerson also likes to take over the restaurants on the various Crystal ships—which feature the cuisine of culinary superstars Nobu Matsuhisa and Wolfgang Puck—for private dinners.
—Jane L. Levere
Posted 06.13.05
This story originally appeared in the June/July 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.