In the meetings industry, there’s a lot of talk about including “white space” to encourage networking between business sessions, and if you were to take a peek at participants’ wish lists, opportunities for making connections would surely rank close to the top.

Now you might think it would be easier to connect these days, given all the social media platforms, instant access to emails and text messages on devices, cool networking apps and all.

So why do we still feel disconnected?

Last week, I read two interesting articles dealing with the growing need to turn off devices and recharge.

The first one was in Travel Weekly: “Detox” products offer travelers escape from the digital deluge. The article reports on a small but growing number of travel companies and hotels that are now offering “digital-detox programs”, designed to give travelers a break from their devices and 24/7 hyper-connectivity.

Illustration by Irma Zimmermann of Tell IT Media

The next was a blog post, What happens when you really disconnect, by Tony Schwartz, CEO and founder of The Energy Project. While on vacation, Tony powered down and took a digital detox. Among his observations:

Chunks of time away from digital life are critical both to renewal and to work itself….The key to being more fully absorbed is to regularly and fully disconnect.

Now this all got me to thinking about meetings at sea.

It’s true – cruise lines have made tremendous advancements in technology since Norwegian Sky introduced the first Internet Cafe at sea in 1999. These days, pervasive WiFi on ships and cell phone coverage at sea are the norm.

But there’s a caveat: While a few new river lines include free Wi-Fi, Internet use and cell phone roaming charges at sea are not inexpensive. Internet service can be spotty and is still not as fast as on-land connections. Should this be a deal breaker for meeting planners? Not necessarily

Upgraded communications technology is a top priority for cruise lines.

Next-generation communications systems are already on the horizon. AT&T is now offering subscribers the choice of three Cruise Ship Packages designed to reduce the costs of calling, text messaging and cellular data use at sea. Beginning in July, Royal Caribbean will rollout 3G data services on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Currently, Internet usage averages about 75 cents a minute, but package rates for groups can often be negotiated. When you factor in the value of included meals, entertainment, AV and decor on a ship, most planners agree that the cost savings of an event at sea far outweigh the Internet fees.

Connections of a different kind

But perhaps just as important is the consideration that being at sea in a self-contained environment fosters a spirit of camaraderie and provides opportunities for deeper connections that are just not possible on land. Serendipitous encounters on deck, casual meetups in lounges, and breaking bread together in restaurants give attendees a chance to interact and build relationships – no device required.

Case in point: A few years ago, Microsoft held a series of successful Foundation of Digital Games Cruises on a Disney ship. Think these software whizzes minded the lack of rapid-speed Internet? Hardly. The planner told us a cruise ship was the perfect venue to inspire creativity and encourage collaboration.

Here’s what an attendee has to say: The shipboard environment fostered a sense of community among attendees in a way that I have not felt at other conferences where distractions such as cell phones, wireless internet access and the ability to leave the venue for evening outings disengage attendees from the setting.

Bear in mind, connectivity at sea has advanced tremendously in the few years since these conferences, but still…

The big take-away is this:

Sometimes you have to disconnect to connect. Ironic, isnt’ it?

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If you’ve been keeping up with meeting and convention trends, you know there are two big factors driving attendance and engagement (which translate to stronger ROI):

New experiences and opportunities to network/build relationships.

Incentive group in Alaska

Think about your next meeting or event and ask yourself these 10 questions:

1. Are your attendees buzzing about the meeting?
2. Is your sales staff motivated to go the extra mile to qualify?
3. Is your venue/destination exciting, or more of the “same old, same old”?
4. Does your meeting agenda include plenty of “white space” so attendees can connect, exchange ideas, and absorb the content being presented?
5. Is your venue conducive to casual meetings, relationship-building and creative sessions?
6. Are you providing memorable experiences before, during and after business sessions?
7. Does your meeting content encourage participation and “out of the box” thinking?
8. Are you including nutritious meals and wellness breaks?
9. Are you including any fun activities or evening entertainment?
10. Will attendees return from the event refreshed, invigorated, with a renewed loyalty to your organization?

Did you answer “No” to any of the questions above? Uh oh, you might be in danger of  planning another ho-hum meeting!

Here’s how to turn your ho-hum meeting into a humdinger of an event:

Ho-Hum: Put them in meeting rooms with plain old walls, boring design, no windows (yawn).

Humdinger: Meeting space with inspiring views of the ocean and horizon; creative, contemporary design with flexible setup and clusters of comfy chairs and small tables.

Celebrity Reflection Conference Room

Celebrity Solstice Sky Lounge

Ho-Hum: Meeting at a conference center or hotel and waking up to the same view every day (too bad for those stuck with a parking lot view).

Humdinger: Waking each day to new vistas that invite discovery (and only having to unpack once).

Inspiring views from Seven Seas Voyager deck

Ho-Hum: Taking over a ballroom for a gala event

Humdinger: Taking over an entire “floating neighborhood” for a gala event

Central Park neighborhood on Oasis of the Seas

Ho-Hum: Overpriced, lethargy-inducing dinners served in a bland banquet room.

Humdinger: Dining together in a gorgeous, multi-level dining room with ocean views;  choosing from menus created by celebrated chefs. Bonus: meals included and no menus to plan.

Main dining room on a Royal Caribbean ship

Ho-Hum: Leaving attendees on their own to find taxis or wander around a strange city looking for a decent restaurant that won’t eat up their expense accounts.

Humdinger: Letting them meet up with friends and colleagues to enjoy scrumptious cuisine from a choice of restaurants (many complimentary) – just a short stroll from everyone’s room.

Celebrity Qzine

Ho-Hum: Attendees have entertainment choice of lame lounge singers or high-priced, off-site shows.

Humdinger: Attendees have many choices, including Broadway shows, aerial acrobatic performers, Las Vegas acts, comedy troupes and AquaTheater high-diving. No tickets, no lines, no transfers necessary.

Rock of Ages on Norwegian Breakaway

Ho-Hum: Attendees scatter after meetings, no serendipitous opportunities to connect.

Humdinger: They have built-in networking opportunities in a self-contained, sea-going environment – with plenty of inviting, casual spaces to meet.

The Waterfront on Norwegian Breakaway

Ho-Hum: Wellness takes a hike – give them unhealthy breaks and meals, long meetings with no opportunity to stretch, no fitness facilities.

Humdinger: Healthy options in choice of dining venues, fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, heart-pumping sports with inspiring views (rock climbing, bungee jumping, basketball, mini-golf or ropes course overlooking the ocean anyone?).

MS EUROPA Fitness Center

Ho-Hum: After meetings: attendees go to the pool, take a city bus tour or walk on the same beach every day.

Humdinger: Attendees can share active, cultural, or culinary adventures in different ports every day, or sign up for enrichment classes and learn a new skill while at sea.

SeaDream Yacht Marina with complimentary water toys

Get the picture? A cruise ship is the perfect venue for your next humdinger of an event!

For more tips, download the free eBook with 35 Ways to Cut Costs and Add Wow to Meetings & Events.

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With the recent news reports about incidents at sea, you may be wondering…

Are cruise ships safe?

Absolutely! These incidents – though highly publicized – are rare, and recent data confirms that cruising is still one of the safety forms of vacation and travel in the world. With 20 million passengers cruising each year, the industry goes to great lengths to maintain the safety and security of passengers and crew.

Here are a few good-to-know facts:

All cruise ships must be designed and operated in compliance with strict requirements of international law, and follow an extraordinary number of established rules and regulations to protect everyone on board. Every aspect of the cruise experience is heavily regulated and monitored under both U.S. and maritime law.

In the U.S., the Coast Guard conducts periodic inspections for every cruise ship sailing from our ports. These inspections focus on crew training, fire safety, proper functioning of all safety systems and lifesaving equipment.

Safety regulations are rigorous – and ships often go substantially above and beyond what’s required.

Cruise ship safety continues to improve as technology advances. As the cruise industry has grown, regulators have also updated and enhanced the safety requirements, including improvements in navigation equipment, shipboard safety management systems, life-saving equipment and training/certification standards.

Modern cruise ships are required to have state-of-the-art electronic navigational instruments, and most ships substantially exceed these regulatory requirements.

Ships are also required to have lifeboats, life rafts and life preservers for every person on board.  The lifeboats are capable of being loaded, launched and maneuvered away from a ship within 30 minutes of a Captain’s order. Safety drills in multiple languages are held prior to departure from port.

You might be surprised to learn that:

• As ships have grown larger, cruises have become safer than at any time in history.
• According to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), a typical cruise ship has more than 60 safety, environmental and health inspections each year.
• In 2011, CLIA ships received an average Center for Disease Control sanitation score of 97, far surpassing the minimum inspection score of 85.
• Cruise line waste management and recycling programs are more stringent than those in most cities and ports.

The average cruise ship, carrying 2700 passengers and 800 crew, has:

• 5 firefighting teams
• 4,000 smoke detectors
• 500 fire extinguishers
• 16 miles of sprinkler piping
• 5,000 sprinkler heads
• 6 miles of fire hose.

What happens if someone get sick during the cruise?

Doctors on board international ships are trained and licensed with at least three years of clinical experience, including minor surgery and emergency care. Modern cruise ships also have sophisticated medical facilities ranging from intensive care units to x-ray suites and laboratories for blood testing.

What About Norovirus?

Historic incidence rates of gastrointestinal illness aboard cruise ships are low; in fact, the vast majority of outbreaks occur in land-based settings.The cruise industry has taken steps to prevent sick passengers from bringing norovirus on board a ship and, in the rare instances of an outbreak, immediately employ numerous practices to mitigate its spread and treat ill passengers and crew.

Learn More About Cruise Safety

We hope we’ve alleviated your concerns about staying safe and healthy at sea. For more detailed information on cruise ship safety regulations and industry updates, download the CLIA Safety Tool Kit presentation.

You can also read about CLIA’s recently adopted Cruise Passenger Bill of Rights.

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It’s a blessing. It’s a curse. For some, it’s never-ending source of anxiety. With handheld gadgets always within reach, many of us check them obsessively.

Email overload is the wearisome scourge of our tech-driven world. It’s estimated that the average person spends 13 hours a week processing email. It’s bogging us down at work and invading our personal lives.

Don’t panic! There are lots of steps you can take to tame the digital beast.

Here are some quick tips for managing emails:

• Touch every email only once. Reply or delete it.
• Respond quickly and clearly to emails that require action, don’t ignore them with the intention of going back.
• Don’t send one-word emails and reply to everyone on a thread — the more email you send the more you’ll receive.
• If you use dual monitors, avoid the temptation to leave your email open on the second one.
• Schedule chunks of time to process email, and close your email window in between.
• Unsubscribe to weekly emails or updates you don’t read.
• Take time when composing emails and include all necessary information to avoid replies asking for clarification.

Use an Email Organizer App

If you’ve tried all the above tips and still feel overwhelmed, try one of the new email organizer apps. Brad Nickels, our VP of Marketing (and resident tech geek), recommends SaneBox, which he calls “phenomenal”.

So I gave SaneBox a try. Within minutes, it moved 1,683 emails into the “SaneLater” box, leaving the more urgent emails in my inbox. And it was right on target. Amazing – and I’ve barely scratched the surface of the functionalities.

Check out all the cool features of SaneBox.

The Number One Tip for Easing Email Overload

Here it is: Pick up the phone, or better yet, meet face-to-face!

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According to his Twitter account, Richard Branson is a “tie-loathing adventure and thrill seeker, who believes in turning ideas into reality”.

This larger-than-life entrepreneur knows a thing a two about business meetings. As founder and chairman of the Virgin group of 400 companies, Sir Richard plans meetings of minds that encourage collaboration, spark innovative ideas, and celebrate creative thinking.

In Branson’s world, successful meetings are anything but business as usual.

In a recent LinkedIn article, he discusses the “Top 6 tips to screw business meetings as usual”. The meeting in question was Necker Meets Oxford, a Virgin Unite leadership gathering, but your organization’s meetings are no less important!

Start incorporating these six Branson-approved tips into your meeting design and watch the creative sparks fly.

1. Step away from the usual weekly agenda and set an inspiring theme.
Think big – challenge your attendees with an agenda that inspires them.

2. Bring together a diverse mix people to broaden the discussion.
Eclectic groups lead to great discussions and exchange of ideas.

3. Engage thought-provoking speakers to spark ideas and generate debate.
Invest in a variety of speakers to get the group thinking in new, exploratory ways.

4. A great destination – lose the laptops and say bye to the tie.
Step away from the desk and try a change of scenery – and mix in some fun! 

5. Surprise the group with something special.
Surprise and delight your attendees with something unexpected.

6. Ban slide presentations!
This prop should be banned – but short videos and photos are great!

To read the entire article, click here.

Not surprisingly, we were especially intrigued by two tips in particular.

Tip #4: A great destination – lose the laptops and say bye to the tie

A change of scenery and a bit of fun does wonders for getting people thinking differently and loosening up! Wherever you are, be innovative with your space…Get out of your everyday space.”

A cruise ship is a unique alternative to a land-based meeting venue. You’ll find innovative function space, a variety of lounges, and cozy meet-up spaces for networking and creative brainstorming.

And talk about a change of scenery! Your “floating hotel” travels with you to enticing ports of call, and there’s nothing quite so refreshing as being at sea.  After meetings? The fun and entertainment is built right in.

Tip # 5: Surprise the group with something special

A little thinking out of the box goes a long way…”

SeaDream Yacht Club Champagne & Caviar Splash

Like say…a cruise? Champagne and caviar in the surf anyone? How about a zipline adventure over the Caribbean Sea? Dining and dancing under the stars? A cruise event gives you plenty of unique opportunities to delight attendees – without blowing your budget.

Start your cruise search here.

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“It was the trip of a lifetime”
“A life-changing experience”
“The most amazing week of my life – it exceeded all my expectations!”

Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, recognition program, or family/friends reunion, wouldn’t you love to hear your participants describe their experience with these words? They will – if you take them to Galápagos with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

How do I know? I heard these words – and spoke them myself.

Last year, I sailed on National Geographic Endeavour to Galápagos islands, and it changed me. Since my Lindblad expedition, I’ve become an avid bird watcher and wildlife photographer (much to the amazement of my family and friends). And although we were strangers at the beginning of our journey, my travel companions and I have stayed in touch; we all want to keep the memories of our expedition alive.

Can you honestly say that your last incentive program or group travel event had that kind of profound effect on the participants?

A Lindblad expedition is so much more than a passive “through the bus window” travel program. It’s a richly immersive destination experience. Your participants will return, as I did, with incredible stories to share, a priceless stock of memories, great photos, and bonds that can only be forged through shared adventures and inspiring experiences.

What Makes a Lindblad-National Geographic Expedition Experience Extraordinary?

No one knows Galápagos like Lindblad Expeditions - they’ve been traveling there longer than any other operator. You’ll benefit from Lindblad’s 40+ years of experience and relationships in Galápagos, as well as their partnership with National Geographic.

With Lindblad’s unique 360º approach to Galápagos, you and your group will discover the islands as Darwin did—aboard an expedition ship equipped to give you the most authentic experience possible. Each new day brings the excitement of  new discoveries! Shared adventures strengthen camaraderie as you explore the islands and encounter fascinating wildlife, up close and personal.

A Few Highlights of Your Galápagos Expedition Experience

Abundant Wildlife Encounters

Blue-footed boobies and Darwin’s finches. Marine Iguanas. Pink flamingos. Sea lions lounging on the beaches and giant tortoises grazing in the highlands.

Your group will have the opportunity to see and photograph the unique animals and birds of Galápagos, legendary for their lack of  instinctive fear of humans. Being able to get so close to wild creatures in their native habitats is an experience they’ll never forget! (How many people do you know who have witnessed the blue-footed booby mating dance?)

Daily Discoveries and Choice of Activities

There are plenty of ways for your participants to discover Galápagos – they can hike, kayak, or take a Zodiac cruise to and around intriguing islands. Lindblad-National Geographic ships are outfitted with tandem and single kayaks for personal, water-level exploration of the scenic coastlines. Shoreline cruises aboard Zodiacs are perfect for relaxed exploration with a naturalist, and a great platform for photography.

It’s easy to see the mind-body connection at work during your expedition – stress is simply not an option! If the hiking, kayaking and snorkeling in pristine settings aren’t enough, there are early morning stretching sessions led by your Wellness Specialist and nature-inspired treatments in the ship’s spa. The floating massage platform on National Geographic Endeavour also received rave reviews during my expedition!

Exploring the Undersea

The waters of Galápagos are teaming with marine life, and everyone in your group will have the chance to snorkel almost every day – sometimes twice a day. Snorkeling with playful Galápagos sea lions is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s sure to be on their list of favorite memories (it’s one of mine)!

The ships carry complete snorkel gear, including wetsuits in every size, so they won’t have to tote gear from home. If some folks in your group prefer to stay dry, that’s OK, too. They can visit the undersea via video shot by Lindlbad’s undersea specialist, on the lounge’s plasma screens.  National Geographic Endeavour also has a glass-bottom boat for dry undersea exploring.

Evening Recap

Each evening at cocktail hour the entire expedition community gathers in the lounge for “Recap.” While your group enjoys cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, various naturalists will give talks, the undersea specialist may show video, and your expedition leader will outline the following day’s schedule.

During my expedition, we were privileged to travel with Alexandra Cousteau, who regaled us with fascinating stories of her famous grandfather, Jacques Cousteau. This was our group’s favorite time to bond over shared experiences and make plans for the next day.

The Expedition Team

The Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic expedition team is the best in the business. Every voyage sails with a veteran Expedition Leader and team of highly skilled naturalists who are dedicated to sharing their passion for the Galápagos islands.

Other members of the team include an Undersea Specialist and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified Photo Instructor. All are deeply knowledgeable, friendly, and more than happy to share information or answer any questions from your group.

Take Your Best Shot – Photography Experts Sail with You

With unique landscapes and beaches teeming with wildlife, Galápagos is a photographer’s paradise. What makes it even better? Your group will have the benefit of a trained professional as a traveling companion. The service of a Lindblad-National Geographic certified Photo Instructor is included on every Galápagos voyage to make sure everyone captures the best moments and brings home extraordinary photos.

Fresh and Delicious Food, Outstanding Service

While the feeling on board a Lindblad ship is relaxed and casual, the service from staff and crew is superb – always friendly, but professional and attentive.

Chefs use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, including locally grown produce, sustainably-caught fish, and other local and indigenous products. There are fish or meat choices at every meal, and the chef will happily accommodate vegetarian or other special diet requests. Open seating in the dining room makes for easy mingling.

Sociable Spaces, Quiet Corners

The lounge is the heart of the ship; this is where your group will gather for talks, daily Recap, and perhaps some local entertainment. During my expedition, a few traditional musicians and dancers were brought on board one evening – an unexpected treat that got everyone on their feet!

The bow is another place where guests mingle with staff to scan the sea for marine mammals; our group enjoyed a champagne toast here with the Captain during a sunset reception. But the ship offers any number of places to pass time enjoyably alone, or with a small group—from the library to the furnished outdoor decks.

Two Ships, Year-round in Galápagos

Lindblad Expeditions is the only U.S. company who owns and operates two ships in Galápagos, 96-passenger National Geographic Islander and 48-passenger National Geographic Endeavour. The two ships operate year-round and both offer full-week itineraries.

If you want a completely customized and exclusive experience, either vessel would be great for a full-ship charter program, depending on the size of your group.

It’s Always the Best Season in Galápagos

Any time of year is a great time to visit Galápagos – due to its equatorial temperatures, the weather is pleasant year-round, and wildlife is always abundant. No matter when you’re considering a Galápagos expedition, you can be sure that the wildlife will be plentiful and active.

You can also rest assured your group will return from their Galápagos expedition inspired, motivated, and possibly changed – for good!

Learn more:

For more information about these Lindblad expeditions to Galápagos or any other amazing places they visit, give us a call at 888.713.1371 or contact Karen Kuttner-Dimitry: 212.261.9030 / 800.783.6656 ext 1030. You can also email Karen: karenk@expeditions.com

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As a meeting professional, you know that “business as usual” is an outdated model for planning events; you must keep up with an evolving industry and understand your attendees’ needs and desires. That’s how you plan good meetings and conferences.

But if you want to push the needle into the excellent zone, you no longer have the luxury of just keeping up – you have to sprint to stay one step ahead.

It’s all about “unfamiliar terrain” – the new meeting frontier.

In this Midcourse Corrections Blog post “Conference Organizers Should Transition from Familiar Terrain”, Jeff Hurt nails it.

Conference organizers and meeting planners too often stick with familiar terrain. We plan our meetings the way we’ve always done them… We’ve got to transition from familiar terrain to new surroundings.” Read the full article.

Jeff reminds us that successful meetings and conferences are no longer designed to deliver information to passive audiences in traditional formats and old familiar places. In this digital age, attendees – from first-time Millennials to Boomer veterans – want to connect and dissect, discuss, analyze and process meeting content.

How to Navigate Unfamiliar Terrain

Choosing a venue that provides built-in opportunities for small group gatherings, networking, and exchange of ideas is the way to go. Adding in creative spaces that stimulate the senses is another. A meeting venue that provides healthy meal options, brain-friendly activities and places to unwind is a plus. 

Shared travel experiences and adventures? Now that’s icing on the cake!

We are, of course, talking about cruise ships. Why not consider one for your next “Unfamiliar Terrain” meeting or event? Seasite.com is a good place to begin your search.

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It’s finally arrived! Norwegian Cruise Line’s highly anticipated new ship, Norwegian Breakaway, sailed out of New York City for the first time last week, and the rave reviews are pouring in. Landry & Kling’s Joyce Landry and Jo Kling were onboard for the two-night inaugural cruise, and had only positive comments about the new ship.

Here are just a few of the things they loved:

• The ship’s rich, sophisticated design elements
• The Waterfront promenade, lined with a variety of bars and restaurants open to the ocean – a groundbreaking concept and industry first
• Great choice of restaurants, including 11complimentary dining venues
• Fabulous Speigel Tent and jaw-dropping Cirque-style dinner show
• Exciting sports facilities, including a bungee cord 18 decks above the ocean (Joyce braved this!)
• Taking a dance class from New York’s iconic Rockettes (the ship’s godmothers)
• Inviting, intimate feel of dining rooms and lounges
• The inaugural activities simulcast from 8 different venues (what a great idea for a regional conference!)

…and the list goes on.

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will sail from New York year-round, and is currently offering 7-night cruises to Bermuda (the ship will sail to Bahamas mid-October to mid-April).

If  you’d like to experience a little Breakaway yourself, take a look at this short video from Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line and all their ships.

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We’ve noticed a growing demand to include team-building events on business meeting agendas. And it’s not surprising, given that relationships built during collaborative activities lead to increased productivity in the workplace.

Meetings at sea are a creative solution for planners who want to add unique team experiences, but are still challenged with tight budgets. Planners will find plenty of ways to incorporate team-building into a group cruise event, both on board the ship and ashore – many at no cost or a minimal fee.

There’s a wide variety of challenging activities you can include during your program to promote teamwork. From rock-climbing or golf tournaments at sea, to beach Olympics on a cruise line private island, you can create memorable experiences during a meeting at sea that simply can’t be duplicated at a land-based hotel.

Challenging Adventures Onboard

Royal Caribbean ships offer exciting on board facilities that are great for team-building events, including private FlowRider lessons,exclusive use of the rock wall, mini-golf tournaments, private use of the ice rink, or ZipLine instruction on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

The cruise line’s new Quantum-class ship will feature innovative facilities that can be used for group events, including the exhilarating iFly skydiving experience.

Carnival Cruises new SportsSquare outdoor recreation area features a 9-hole, 2-level mini-golf and a challenging ropes course – the first at sea.

Norwegian Breakaway’s three-story sports complex boasts the largest ropes course at sea to challenge your group with more than 40 different elements. Other oceanview thrills to test their mettle include the zip track and The Plank, extending eight feet over the side of the ship.

Team-building Ashore

If you prefer team-building fun on land, the cruise line “private islands” in the Caribbean and Bahamas are perfect destinations for private group events. Most of our meeting at sea attendees and top performers agree that the island experience is one of the highlights of a tropical cruise.

And what’s not to love? Pristine beaches, water sports, zip lines, beach barbecue and tropical rhythms, and of course – fun-filled Beach Olympics, customized just for them.

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Meeting and event planners: You want short cruises – Royal Caribbean’s got ‘em!

You might already know about Royal Caribbean’s roster of short cruises from South Florida, but we just found about a few special “gem” itineraries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean on the incredible Oasis of the Seas.

These sailings are great opportunities for short meetings, incentives, or any other type of group event.

In Europe or Caribbean, Unlike Any Venue You’ll Find on Land – or At Sea!

This groundbreaking 5,400-passenger ship features seven unique neighborhoods (reserve one for an unforgettable group event!), an oceanside AquaTheater with high-dive shows, world-class entertainment including a Broadway musical, a zip line soaring nine decks high, dining options for every taste, the most advanced technology at sea, and so much more.

TASTE OF THE MED

5 night – Sept 13, 2014 – Roundtrip Barcelona, visits Rome/Civitavecchia; Naples, Italy

5 night – Sept 18, 2014 – Roundtrip Barcelona, visits Rome/Civitavecchia; Naples, Italy

CARIBBEAN ESCAPE

5 night – Oct 27, 2014 – Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale, visits Nassau, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico

BAHAMAS WEEKEND GETAWAY

2 night – Aug 30, 2014 (Sat-Mon) – Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale with visit to Nassau

Getting Down to Business

On Oasis of the Seas you’ll find a variety of complimentary function and meeting venues that can accommodate from 16 to 1,400 guests, with various set-up styles available. Complimentary audio/visual equipment is also available on board.

All four Oasis of the Seas sailings are great for any type of group event, and are PERFECT incentive opportunities!

More Ship Details

For a detailed Oasis of the Sea Planner’s Guide, click here. You can send your group request directly to Royal Caribbean International.

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