GLOBAL CRUISE HOLDINGS, LLC
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA

Who can resist the lure of the sea? Exciting ports of call, beautiful onboard facilities, and full production capabilities on today’s ships help meeting and event planners realize their dream events when planning cruise meetings and incentive travel programs. , so your cruise program will motivate and reward everyone. Kids and teens have their own activities and lounges on ships, making family program planning a breeze. on a ship builds company/brand identity loyalty and lasting relationships to deliver a solid return on investment. , particularly on a cruise ship charter, protects company privacy and reduces risk. Given today’s economic belt-tightening, meeting professionals are challenged with finding new ways to plan business events that achieve more and have greater impact than last year’s – with the same (or reduced) budget to work with. A meeting a sea is a sure-fire way to do just that. But one of the biggest obstacles for some organizations is the perception that a cruise is too expensive. Another big concern from C-suite decision-makers is the perception of a cruise. Those who haven’t cruised have the mistaken belief that it’s too elitist, too luxurious, or not serious enough for a business event. But consider this: Cruise Ship Aren’t Appropriate for Business (no meeting space) Why settle for a plain, “naked” meeting room, when you can book your business event in a beautiful, multi-tiered theater? No need to spend thousands of dollars on staging, lighting, A/V, or risers – some ships even have revolving stages or other theatrical elements that add extra impact to your award presentations or general sessions. Many planners are wondering how their typical meeting agenda will fit into a cruise. It’s easy, as long as you communicate your needs and plan ahead. In fact, your planning is simplified when you choose a cruise ship – evening entertainment, deck parties, sports, and daily activities are included. All meals are also provided, as well as visits to several ports of call. If you need assistance with your cruise event planning, contact the experts at Landry & Kling. Meeting and event planners often ask us to compare a cruise vs. hotel. If you’ve never planned or operated a cruise event, you’ll find it’s a whole different animal from your traditional land-based program. When you take into account all that’s included on a ship, not to mention the unique experiences that only a cruise can provide, you’ll quickly see that the cost savings and benefits are incomparable when comparing a cruise vs. hotel for your program! Planning a meeting or event on a ship may require a bit of “out of the box” flexibility and creative thinking. That’s where Landry & Kling comes in – we’re the experts at translating your program specifications to a cruise ship environment. To help get you started, we’ve put together a Some cruise lines now designate a conference-service coordinator for each ship who’s assigned to help with all the various groups onboard (i.e. family reunions, social and church groups, and corporate or professional groups). This is a significant improvement from days past. But, be prepared. They can’t provide the continuity you take for granted at a hotel nor do they have the professional training or outlook of a meeting planner. Good news… You won’t need your normal budget for A/V equipment rentals, theme décor or special entertainment to enliven your program when meeting on ships; so you can reallocate your budget to provide extra amenities or custom events in ports of call, or just drop the savings to the bottom line. Fortunately, when it comes to handling medical emergencies, most cruise ships have better U.S.-trained medical doctors, nurses and facilities on-site than international hotels or resorts. However, planners would be wise to review their company’s insurance/risk management policies and procedures to be prepared in case a participant requires specialized emergency care. Nightly entertainment–production shows, cabaret, dancing, comedy, karoke One of the great advantages of chartering a ship is the freedom to totally customize the experience. Some ideas include using the ship’s daily newsletter for announcing meeting times and special events, flying a flag with your company’s logo, and incorporating your custom logo on room keys, photographs and desserts. You can bring on your own entertainment and keynote speakers and even create your own itinerary with custom shore excursions. ). But there are several ship charter considerations to be aware of if you’ve never booked a full-ship charter program. Here are a few things to consider that might help you determine if a cruise ship charter is your best option. The world of cruising offers great flexibility for almost every size of group and event. Types and sizes of ships range from large mega-ships that bring thousands of guests to popular destinations; to smaller, more intimate vessels that offer incredibly personalized service and unique itineraries to seldom-visited ports. Which is best for your group? Here’s a helpful guide to types and sizes of ships to help you plan: Most of these ships cater to the sophisticated, well-traveled passenger and provide the highest level of service, fine dining and deluxe amenities. Many vessels in this category are super premium or luxury, boasting all-suite accommodations, Butler service, and a truly all-inclusive experience. They are excellent for private cruise ship charters for groups of up to 600. Because of their small size, these vessels often feature more exotic itineraries in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Shore excursions are sometimes included. Beautiful rooms a break from the ordinary to conduct business Perfect for small business meetings With the right ship and adequate planning, your business goals can be accomplished while at sea. Landry & Kling has organized general sessions with multiple breakout rooms, gala awards receptions, formal banquets, even sit-down dinners-on-deck with video screen presentations and live entertainment. It takes flexibility, creativity and intimate cruise ship knowledge to translate your traditional program to an oceangoing environment. Ship selection is the key – and we’re the experts.