Cruise ships are a marvelous way to take a vacation and employees rave about all-inclusive incentive cruises. The ships are more elegant, classier, and more fun than ever before. Here are a few things about cruise ships you may not have known:
• The biggest cruise ship is the Freedom of the Seas, part of the Royal Caribbean fleet. She weighs 160,000 tons, measures 1,112 feet long and 184 feet wide, and boasts 15 passenger decks.
• The Olympic Voyager travels on average at 27 knots, which puts this Royal Olympic ship at the head of the fast lane.
• Did you know that Disney cruise ships are painted black, white, yellow, and red? The color palette is based on none other than Mickey himself.
• The Royal Caribbean Freedom Class ships feature an ice rink. Can you imagine learning to ice skate at sea?
• The Queen Mary is considered the most haunted cruise ship ever to set sail. She is permanently docked in California, but staff and guests have reported wet footprints around the pool when it was completely empty. Some people heard an infant crying in an empty playroom; others saw a woman in a lovely evening gown dancing in the Queen’s Salon when it was empty.
In 2011, Disney’s third cruise line will set sail on the high seas. Like her sister ships, the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the vessel is a combination of classic cruise ship design infused with Disney magic. An all-inclusive cruise on this family themed cruise ship is a perfect reward for members of hard working corporate teams who prefer to spend vacations in a fun-filled G-rated environment.
The Disney Dream offers the best in luxurious suites and family fun. Entertainment on this vessel is unlike anything offered on other cruise ships. First run movies, live shows, and even a roller coaster at sea are just part of the things adults and children can enjoy on this vessel. Disney also provides youth clubs for children and young adults of all ages. There are three swimming pools to suit every need: one for children, one for families, and one for adults. Adults can enjoy a quiet meal in the adults only lounges and nightclubs or choose one of the family dining areas.
The Disney Dream will cruise to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, as well as Nassau and Key West. Select from a 3, 4, or 5-day cruise and relax. When you consider a corporateincentive cruisegeared toward good clean fun, think Disney.
Whether you are considering your first cruise event or have used cruise ships as meeting and event venues several times, there are a few things about cruises that you might not know. Aside from offering all-inclusive packages with great prices, there are many other benefits that make group cruises particularly enticing.
Here are three benefits that make group cruises rather appealing:
1. Planning your next meeting or event on a cruise ship can save you up to 40% when compared to using a hotel venue. Meeting rooms, audio/visual equipment, onboard activities and entertainment, room service and meals are all included in your upfront price and you will avoid paying for many event necessities, such as lighting, floral arrangements, linens and labor. Add the benefit of no state or city taxes and it is easy to see how you can experience serious cost savings by opting for a cruise.
2. More than 80% of people have never been on a cruise, which will make your cruise event much more exciting and appealing to the majority of your attendees who have likely never experienced the luxury and relaxation of cruising.
3. Cruise ships offer numerous onboard activities and nightly entertainment, which means plenty of options for your participants and no entertainment planning tasks for you.
If a cruise ship venue sounds right for your next event, make planning even easier by using the convenient group cruise planning tool at Seasite.com.
Ship Charter Specialists Will Handle Sales in U.S. & Latin America; Two Premium Cruise Ships Will Visit Three Ports on World Cup Circuit
MIAMI, FL (March 16, 2010) One Ocean Club has appointed Landry & Kling, Inc. as their exclusive representative in the U.S. and Latin America to market and sell floating hotel packages for the prestigious World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Landry & Kling was chosen because the firm originated the dockside housing phenomenon and has decades of experience utilizing cruise ships as floating hotels.
As the official sales agent for the U.S. and Latin American regions, Landry & Kling will offer a variety of secure and luxurious housing packages on board two premium Holland America Line ocean liners, MS Westerdam and MS Noordam. The two vessels will provide a total of 1,900 sleeping rooms. During the month-long event beginning June 10, 2010, the ships will be dockside at Cape Town, Elizabeth, and Durban for key matches. The 3,800 on-board guests will have the opportunity to attend games in World Cup stadiums in all three locations with transport available to other matches.
Packages will rival similar four- and five-star hotels with added benefits such as top level security, included entertainment on board, and all meals in a choice of restaurants. Shipboard guests have the advantage of only one check-in and transport from venue to venue, as well as the option to experience South Africa with concierge-assisted land excursions.
“The value for attendees staying on board is unmatched, given a cruise ship’s all-inclusive offerings, comfortable surroundings and highest levels of security and service, as well as transport between venue cities and stadiums”, states Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & Kling. “While individual bookings have been selling rapidly, we are delighted to partner with One Ocean Club to secure blocks of cabins that would be attractive for soccer clubs, sports marketing companies and corporate groups.”
To promote the floating hotel World Cup packages, Landry & Kling has launched www.WorldCupCruise.com. The web site offers information on packages, cruise ship accommodations, match schedules, venues and booking details. Package pricing starts from $645 per person, based on double occupancy. For group planning assistance, contact Landry & Kling at 800-448-9002 or +1-305-661-1880.
About Landry & Kling
Landry & Kling Inc., specialists in cruise event services, are credited with being the first distribution channel between the cruise industry and corporate America. Visionaries who led the way in seagoing corporate meetings and incentives, founders Joyce Landry and Josephine Kling ignited the corporate market for cruises by spearheading the meetings-at-sea concept back in 1982. With their exclusive focus on cruise events and meetings-at-sea, they have played a crucial role in advancing the cruise ship as a viable meeting venue and creating a whole new focus for the industry. Landry & Kling leads the field in cruise ship charters for global events and “floating hotels” (e.g. for the Jacksonville Super Bowl and Summit of the Americas in Trinidad) in addition to incentive cruises and all kinds of meetings at sea. Now, 28 years since their startup, they have responded to changing times in the meetings industry by creating Seasite.com, the first online cruise portal designed for meeting/event planners and group travel buyers. Partners Landry & Kling were inducted into the Cruise Lines International Hall of Fame in 2009. To learn more about Landry & Kling, visit http://www.landrykling.com.
Incentive cruisescan be the optimal venue for incentive events of any size. The event may be small, intimate, and intense or a sizeable function that fulfills continuing educational requirements, or rewards employees for a job well done.
Everyone can leave a cruise just a bit healthier, these days. Gone are the days when a cruise was a never-ending buffet and shuffleboard. Dining is still first-rate and often gourmet, but it is no longer about indulging in empty calories. Cruise ship dining selections are offered to accommodate every need and lifestyle from vegetarian to gourmand.
Cruise ships are well equipped when it comes to staging corporate events, gratifying the requirements of the most stringent client. The best news is that these ships are more cost effective, compared to other standard conference venues. All inclusive cruise meetings can cut the cost of land based venues by 25-40%, allowing Event planners to persist even with today's shrinking budgets.
The demand for physical activities on a cruise has increased tremendously. Corporations are wisely heedful that physical fitness is vital to preserving their team members productive and healthy. Many cruise lines have the latest gym equipment and contract trainers to aid their guests stay in top shape. A stunning ocean view can relax the mind and boost the spirit while the body works away on the stair climber.
Pampering is also great for the body and spirit. A ten-minute chair massage enhances blood flow to the brain and the extremities, leaving the individual relaxed and more obliging. It can be a excellent team building event as well. Some cruise lines offer reflexology sessions, another great way to rejuvenate body and mind. Overall, a cruise leaves a corporate team well fed, healthier, and better prepared to meet the demands of the business world.
Another excellent point about a cruise event is the option to experience several destinations as you cruise along.
Why not make your next corporate incentive event a meeting-at-sea ?
