4 Big Benefits of Holding Meetings & Incentives at Sea

Cruising is great for an incentive, meeting, or convention at sea. This article by Condé Nast below has some terrific cruise tips & suggestions. For the meeting & incentive travel industry, here are my top reasons to consider a cruise for your next event:

1- Cost. Cruising is very reasonable and includes food & entertainment (drinks can be added without too much expense). We've found that you can generally do a 7-night cruise for less than a 5-night all-inclusive resort. Can't go for 7-nights? There are some great 3/4/5 night cruise options too.

2- Flexible contract terms. Cruises are far more flexible when it comes to cancellation/attrition. Doing a first time incentive and not sure how many qualifiers you will have? Cruising is a great solution - in many cases you can reduce/cancel 75 days prior to sailing with zero penalty.

3- Banqueting & Audio Visual Costs. One huge expense for a meeting or incentive at a resort is the high cost of banqueting & A/V. On a cruise you can utilize the included dining experience (no cost) or buyout specialty restaurants at a minimal fee. You can utilize the existing theaters & lounges, perfect for receptions & meetings, with built in A/V and only the minimal cost of an A/V tech onboard. The savings on banquet & audio visual can be huge!

4- Unique Onboard Activities. Private hires of specialty restaurants, exclusive use of the FlowRider surf simulator, blackjack & Texas hold-em tournaments, group reservations for onboard shows, mini golf tournaments, dodgeball & basketball tournaments, etc. are all possible on a cruise and the costs are minimal. 

So for your next meeting or incentive event, "throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."