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Affiliation with an independent cruise-meeting specialist is an excellent way for planners to sell more large events at sea. With a professional at your side one can easily organize meetings-at-sea, even if they have never cruised.
There are many good reasons to affiliate with a cruise-meeting specialist. This is a free service provided by the booking agency. Cruise specialists are compensated by the cruiselines. They handle the paperwork and bookings. They can customize a specialized sales presentation. This profit-building secret weapon is an excellent competitive advantage to win new business and stay ahead of competition.
Meetings-at-sea virtually sell themselves. Research has proven that cruising has the highest satisfaction rating of all travel alternatives. Ordinary meetings are so dull and routine that companies are always anxious for something new and exciting. Do your clients and new prospects a favor. Suggest they conduct a meeting or reunion at sea aboard an ultra-modern new cruise ship.
Meetings at sea are generally well-attended. They save money. All-inclusive pricing minimizes unpredictable expenses. According to Merrill Lynch, cruise ships continue to provide good value for meetings, generally costing 10% to 45% less than hotels. 11 new ultra-modern ships are entering the market each year. Ships offer flexible conference facilities comparable to the best convention centers.
Ships offer comfortable seating, good lighting and modern audio visual capabilities in large theatre settings or small breakout rooms. Modern multimedia presentations and simulcasts are available. Meeting space capacity ranges to 1,500. State-of-the-art equipment facilitates high energy presentations. Computer-controlled production lighting, sophisticated sound and A/V equipment is readily accessible. Technicians are always available on board to quickly correct computer, video, and lighting presentation glitches.
Meetings at sea are a respected venue with proven benefits at affordable cost. The floating luxury environment makes the logistics of meetings manageable, increases attendance, and reduces outside distractions. The great variety of leisure time activities satisfies the most diverse interests. All-inclusive pricing minimizes the accounting complications of individual restaurant bills, rental cars, taxi receipts and the many other extra and often unpredictable expenses of land-based venues.
Full day care for children .and evening babysitters makes it possible for the meeting attendee to bring family along to take advantage of shipboard fun. The whole family can enjoy a carefree travel adventure that seamlessly blends work with play to be shared by the entire family. Family can be together at meals.
| Shipboard meetings substantially reduce the management time and effort required to organize and coordinate the usual transportation, activities, meals, accommodations, meeting space, support, equipment needs, and staffing. A cruise conference is unforgettable and uncomplicated, Whether a meeting involves sales training, a Board of Directors, a financial presentation, a family or group reunion, a charitable benefit, or a self-improvement seminar, shipboard meetings and conferences thrive in a stimulating atmosphere that encourages attendees to socialize and share ideas. Many companies offer cruises as an incentive to high-performing employees. Private meeting facilities are ideal for a Boards of Director's meeting. Weddings in combination with pre and post wedding celebration events are memorable. Family and school reunions are common. Charities offer cruises as an incentive to high contributors. Some charities net five figure profits from cruise raffles.
Your silent cruise-specialist partner-advisor can be invisible to the client, or work directly with you to make the big presentation. They will sort through available ships and itineraries to identify the specific best choice for each client's meeting requirements
Cruise specialists have special direct computer networks customized for organizing and booking cruises. They have unique access to unadvertised inventories of competitively priced cabins. Acting on planner's behalf they will handle reservations, booking, ticketing; document delivery, plan all events aboard ship and ashore, arrange for easels and flip charts, snacks at meetings, favors, photo sessions, and special shore excursions. Special dining can be arranged, golf can be scheduled on favorite courses, tennis players assigned courts, and family transported to the beach for a day of sunning, scuba-diving, volleyball, or a barbecue. All at no cost to the meeting planner.
Kristina Feil, is an associate with The Langhorne Group, specialists in cruise travel. Kristina, Associate-in-Charge of meetings at sea, has a thorough knowledge of the ships and services capable of assuring a successful meeting for groups of any size or purpose.
This article has been prepared by "The Langhorne Group", specialists in group cruises. Kristina Feil, the group cruise representative, can be reached at 800-896-6768. Kristina is a member of MPI (Meeting Professionals International).
Submitted by:
Kristina Feil
The Langhorne Group
P O Box 43
Stuart, FL 34995
Telephone: 800-896-6768
Email: Groupcruises@moderncruising.com
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