Choosing an incentive cruise for a company's corporate incentive travel program can be a very exciting venture. With all inclusive services and many exotic destinations from which to choose, employees will be motivated to earn their place on the cruise ship. Planning an incentive cruise should not be undertaken at the last minutes. While last minute planning will not make a ship charter impossible, advance planning can ensure enough space for all eligible cruise participants. Advance planning can also help companies make certain that they get the best rates. A meeting planner can offer these tips for successful incentive cruise planning:

1. Booking the cruise – the sooner the cruise is planned, the better. In this way, companies may have their choice of things such as cruise lines and ships. They may also have their choice of itinerary as well.

2. Choosing an itinerary – having an idea of preferred destinations will be most helpful. In addition, companies will also need to consider the length of the cruise. Cruise length often helps determine cruise destination.

3. Choosing a ship – companies need to ensure the ship they choose can easily accommodate their employees. Choosing a ship that is not too big or too small will be essential.

Have you ever pondered why or if employee incentive travel is more favorable than a cash bonus? Is there more to incentive travel than only honoring employee(s) for a job well done?

Appreciating the things that motivate your employees is a valuable aspect of conducting business. It is vital to know precisely what motivates each person as an individual. If the bonus were a trip, where would your employees like to go? Would they like to be pampered with a spa vacation, go on a cruise to exotic destinations, or is they more attracted in open-air activities such as skiing or golf? Adapting the bonuses you offer is more likely to persuade employees to do their greatest to win the trip.

Incentive travel is an issue in keeping valued personnel members. It is more cost effective to retain skilled employees working for you rather than to train new workers on a regular basis. Thanking employees for a job well done is something else that should not be overlooked. Those two words can incite workers on toward a common goal, particularly in challenging times.

Team efforts that earn a wonderful trip for the team involved promote the weaker members to work toward the capability level of the stronger team members. Contests can stimulate but they can also make staff to work against each other. Cooperative efforts many times get more valuable results and turn out employees who are more loyal too.

An all inclusive cruise meeting is one great way to motivate and thank employees. Putting together a corporate event such as a conference or a business meeting at sea makes a lot of sense, especially when it comes to getting the greatest value from the investments. Cruising can literally slash the cost of land based venues by 25-40%, allowing planners to persevere with today’s shrinking budgets. Why not make your next corporate incentive event a meeting-at-sea?

When group cruise planning, a bigger cruise ship is not always better. While larger ships can be extremely advantageous, for some groups a more intimate setting on a smaller charter ship is preferable. Even though some charter ships may be smaller, these ships still feel spacious and very accommodating. By choosing a smaller ship for an incentive cruise, businesses can create a more personalized experience for cruise event participants. Smaller charter ships still offer amenities such as sizable conference rooms, fitness facilities, lounges, panoramic ocean views, and spas. By choosing a smaller ship for an incentive cruise, participants will not miss a thing.

One of the most significant advantages of smaller charter ships is their ability to dock in destinations that are not oft-visited. In many cases, these ships can dock in exotic destinations not available to larger cruise ships. Cruise event participants may be greatly motivated by corporate travel that is out of the ordinary. Visiting exotic destinations on a ship charter that feels intimate but roomy will likely be high on the list of participants' preferences. While this type of cruise may seem like it would be more expensive than a larger cruise ship or land venue, businesses may be surprised at their affordability.

Incentive travel can be quite successful for companies if it is used and planned responsibly. One of the greatest misconceptions about incentive travel is that it is used to reward “good” work. Fortunately, most competent and conscientious adults do not require incentives to simply do their job and do it well. Incentives, if used properly, can induce more than good work in employees. It can actually foster new behavior, which can help a company rise above and beyond their current levels of productivity. Of course, travel incentives must be something in which employees will be interested, and that is why companies should consider cruise events as travel incentives.

A ship charter can provide a completely different environment that may be conducive to creative thinking. Instead of mulling over old ideas and rehashing failed plans, an incentive cruise may be just what employees need to get a fresh perspective. A fresh perspective can lead to the new behavior that companies need and cherish. Meetings at sea could open a world of possibilities as employees explore exotic destinations and escape the daily grind. Seeing the world with new eyes on an incentive cruise, employees may gain a sense of understanding they did not have beforehand.

The best incentive programs to motivate employees include rewards of money or travel.  People love to win trips to destinations that are different from their own environment.  Trips to exotic destinations such as an incentive cruise to  interesting ports of call are among the most popular incentives, and tend to have the best ROI overall. 

Seasite.com, the first online group cruise meeting planning portal, allows planners capitalize on the value of cruise meeting and incentives. Cruising can cut the cost of land based venues by as much as 25-40%, allowing planners to persevere with today’s shrinking budgets. Why not make your next corporate incentive event a meeting-at-sea ? Take a look at Seasite.com today!

Successful incentive programs will not only increase company profits but can also raise morale and inspire employee loyalty. Your ideal incentive program should include both of the following features:

• Empowering people to do the thing you enjoy doing
• Recognition – in all its various forms

Recognition of a well-done job creates greater autonomy, increases visibility within your organization, and showcases success.

"There are two things people want more than sex and money… recognition and praise." – Mary Kay Ash, Founder, Mary Kay Cosmetics

"People want to feel what they do makes a difference." – Frances Hesselbein, President, The Drucker Foundation

Top recognition incentive programs to motivate staff include rewards of money or travel.  People love to travel to destinations that are different from their own environment.  Trips to exotic destinations such as Hawaii or an incentive cruise to interesting ports of call are among the most popular incentives.