There are plenty of different meeting incentives, and many different legitimate business reasons to give those business meeting incentives to nearly anyone from employees to suppliers and even political associates. The ultimate business meeting incentive might not be a pay raise, a bag full of money, or even that nice covered parking spot next to the CFO’s parking spot. Instead, it might be a corporate sponsored cruise. Here’s why:

• Cruises are highly sought after travel arrangements and destinations wrapped up in one. This makes cruises an incredible gift for nearly anyone associated with a business.
• A well planned incentive plan will motivate multiple people and/or parties to perform better, display greater honesty, or more. It all just depends on who the target recipients are, but a single ticket could inspire countless groups or individuals to take a positive action.
• Cruises are very cost effective, and it might be worth evaluating the idea of a cruise meeting in the future. Cruises almost certainly beat hotels and entertainment expenses, especially since most cruises are all-inclusive.
• In many cases a portion or all of a cruise incentive package can be tax deductible. As with any tax related issue be certain to consult with a tax professional for advice and the latest rules governing taxes and deductions.

The entire business world has been turned upside down and it is consequently time to look at a lot of old ideas and question them. One misconception that many people have is that cruises are only for personal pleasure. Au contraire mon frère, cruise meetings are certainly in style these days. Consider the following reasons:

• Employees are jumping ship and starting their own firms more than ever. Why? Because the pressures of having to do more with less and no raise in sight is driving them to such acts. Would it hurt to schedule a business cruise meeting instead of a landlocked hotel meeting? The results could save employees.
• Businesses are having to do more with less, and cruise meetings are all about more for less. More unlimited food, more entertainment options, more meeting rooms with unparalleled views, and more unique situations in which to get the creative juices flowing, all for a price that may turn out to be substantially less than trying to replicate the same effects in hotels and convention centers.
• Suppliers and customers are also looking for the best deals, and a cruise meeting is a sort of concession for them that might keep contacts happy while they still pay the same price. It may all be a big tax write-off anyhow, so why not consider taking this particular ball and running with it?

Group cruise planners may seem like the life of the party, but they can also be overstressed and overworked. The job isn’t as easy as it looks, it involves a lot of planning and it seems as if everyone else on the whole boat gets to have fun but the group cruise planner! A little common sense would suggest that there might be an opportunity to make friends and reap rewards, so here is some advice on how to turn a group cruise planner into a cohort:

• Let them know how much you admire their dedication – A little appreciation goes a long ways in so many cases, yet it is one of the last things that people do. Someone who can keep work and play separate day in and day out is indeed praiseworthy , especially when the two blend together so well.
• Offer something in return – If a cruise planner is ever in your city, perhaps between cruises, offer them a tour of your corporate facilities. It probably won’t cost much, especially if tours are already available, and it could certainly help build bridges that could prove valuable in future cruises.
• Offer concise solutions, not elaborate problems – Remember that group cruise planners are under a lot of pressure to get around a million-and-a-half things done in the time it takes most people to accomplish just a handful of tasks. If you have concise problems and solutions instead of long-winded problems, you are a big step towards making a new friend.