When we think of cruise ships in the corporate meeting and event planning world, we usually think of business meetings at sea, conferences held while traveling up the coast or incentive cruises that stop in multiple ports. However, we often overlook the many benefits of using cruise ships for stationary events – as floating hotels, which allows you to take advantage of simple, convenient event planning and reap the money-saving benefits of hosting your event on a ship without ever leaving port.

Whether you are looking for accommodations for out of town participants, a large venue for a conference or trade show, or several smaller meeting spaces for an executive retreat, employee training or award ceremony, you may want to consider a cruise ship venue. Just as you would when planning an event at sea, this allows you to take advantage of one upfront cost and easy planning for catering, equipment, décor, meeting spaces and, if needed, accommodation. Hosting a meeting or event on a docked cruise ship can be particularly cost-effective if your company or client is headquartered in a port city. Attendees can then be responsible for their own transportation to and from the venue and the need for arranging lodgings will be minimal.

Hosting your next meeting or event on a cruise ship in port will add a unique appeal for attendees and can result in significant cost savings for your client or company.

The general public has become much more interested in where companies large and small hold their meetings and events. Whether it is a local retailer or a major corporation, the very public follies of some well-known companies have increased public scrutiny when it comes to the money spent on events and travel, as well as the destinations chosen for corporate meetings and events. Cities known for extravagance and gambling – such as Las Vegas – are no longer an easy choice, even though these cities offer stellar meeting facilities, an array of dining and entertainment options, and well-priced accommodations and transportation.

Many companies continue to hold corporate meetings and events in cities seen as at least a little sinful, but they do so knowing that they will likely receive negative feedback from at least some of their stakeholders. Aside from concerns about public perception, holding meetings at hotels and resorts that have casinos is a great option that offers many benefits. Most of these venues have a variety of restaurants onsite, offer built-in entertainment options, provide great group accommodation discounts and have well-equipped meeting spaces. However, there is still the problem of public perception that must be considered.

Corporate meeting planners know that their participants tend to love casinos and all that comes along with this type of venue. Many of these planners have found an option that provides luxurious accommodations, cuisine for every palate, nightly entertainment, great group rates and the fun of onsite gaming without the negative perception that comes with casino hotels. The answer is a simple one: cruise ships. While most cruise ships have casinos, they have managed to avoid the negative reputation held by venues in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and other gaming towns.

Because cruise ships with casinos are not perceived the same as land-based venues with casinos, they are the perfect option for corporate meeting planners with clients concerned about public perception.

Hosting a business meeting on a cruise ship not only ensures stellar attendance, it also can make your job as a meeting planner simple and convenient. At the same time, your company or client can enjoy cost-savings of up to 40% over a land-based event at a resort hotel. Cruise ships are now well-equipped to handle meetings at sea and will be standing at the ready with group discounts, business meeting packages and everything you need for a successful meeting when you contact them.

Part of the simplicity of holding business meetings at sea is that the accommodations, entertainment, meals, meeting venues, audio-visual equipment and décor are all included for one upfront price and can all be arranged without having to contact multiple vendors and negotiate multiple contracts. Opting for a cruise ship meeting allows you to choose from a wide array of possible destinations, as well as offering you the opportunity to select the cruise length that will best suit your event budget and planning needs. Depending on the size of your group, you may also be able to choose a half or full ship charter, which allows for a more personalized experience.

If conducting your next business meeting on a cruise ship sounds appealing, visit Seasite.com to learn everything you need to know about hosting meetings at sea and to take advantage of convenient group cruise planning tools.

If it was not for the hard work and dedication of its employees, no company would grow to its full potential and meet sales and customer satisfaction goals established each year. Hardworking employees that ensure the store is open on time each day, your clients are treated in a professional manner, sales goals are met and exceeded, or that new accounts are acquired regularly need to know that they are appreciated and deserve to be rewarded for their commitment to your company’s success. While not every company can afford to give out regular raises or huge bonuses, businesses with even a very small budget can afford to provide their employees with a memorable, appealing employee recognition cruise.

Employee recognition incentive cruises do not have to be two-week excursions that journey to the Caribbean or the Greek Isles, although these are certainly options that your employees will never forget. There are many options for mini cruises that are as short as one night, or can be two to four days in length and are quite affordable. For example, Southern California companies can opt for short cruises that travel up the coast or to Mexico, Pacific Northwest companies can opt for cruises to Canada and companies located in the South can reward their employees with a weekend Bahamas cruise.

Explore your employee recognition cruise options by comparing ships and prices at Seasite.com, the only group cruise planning resource online.

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.