CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES: SERIOUS BUSINESS. SERIOUS FUN.

Is it still work if you’re having fun? 2009 was a tough year for corporate America, with employees working longer hours and meeting planners struggling to do more for less. With hopeful signs of economic recovery on the horizon, now’s the time to reward your hard working employees, recognize your top achievers, give yourself a break, and at the same time – get down to serious business.

A Carnival cruise mixes serious business and serious fun. Imagine achieving your business goals – while sailing to exciting destinations. Poring over important presentations, then stepping outside to make a splash on the waterslide. With your choice of 22 ships, meeting facilities to accommodate up to 1,350 persons, itineraries as short as 3 days, and 15 convenient U.S. departure ports, Carnival makes planning a successful meeting at sea easier than ever.

Carnival has taken the “fun ship” concept to the next level by adding new elements to help corporate groups get down to serious business. A Carnival cruise accommodates your meeting, incentive, and bottom line with serious savings and value. And don’t worry about staying connected during your Carnival cruise  – Wi-Fi access, Cellular at Sea and onboard Internet Cafés are available at minimal fees.

Here are the top 10 ways your Carnival “meetcation” will engage your attendees and help increase your ROI:

1. All meals and a variety of dining venues are included, making group dining and dine-around’s easy to plan and easy on your budget. Another elegant option is a group buyout of the Steak House offering Manhattan chic dinner & dancing for a nominal per person charge. Attendees will also appreciate the complimentary 24-hour stateroom service.
2. Carnival’s Las Vegas and Broadway-style entertainment offer cross-generational appeal without the costly ticket prices. In addition to high-energy production shows, your group can enjoy a “night on the town” in the jazz lounge, disco, comedy club, casino, or karaoke bar.
3. Purpose-built conference facilities include The Chamber on Carnival
   Dream and Carnival Magic that can be used as a single large meeting room or converted into three separate rooms through the use of air walls.

   

4. Themed public rooms and show lounges with high-tech sound and lighting can be booked for meetings and group events at no extra charge.



5. A variety of complimentary state-of-the-art A/V equipment is available for your meetings and presentations.
6. Carnival ships feature lots of complimentary amenities to boost productivity and morale between meetings – a fitness center and sports facilities with inspiring ocean views; an expansive open deck area with tropical, resort-style pool, waterslide, and Seaside Theater;  two-level adults-only Serenity relaxation area. Carnival Dream’s 40,000 square foot Cloud 9 Spa is one of the largest afloat. With  the money they save on out-of-pocket expenses, attendees can splurge on a rejuvenating treatment or global-influenced massage.

   

7. Team-building opportunities include beach Olympics at Mahogany Beach, Carnival’s new 10-acre private island paradise.
8. Planners can choose from a wide variety of accommodations (all with Carnival’s signature plush bedding and linens), including Cloud 9 Spa staterooms with private spa access, family suites with full bathroom and separate washroom, and “cove” balcony staterooms offering sea views and exceptional value.



9. A Carnival cruise program gives attendees the excitement of multiple destinations with the ease of unpacking once. For convenience and travel savings, ships depart from 22 ports (including 15 “drive-to” port cities in the continental U.S.) to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska and Europe.
10. Want to help your attendees balance work and family? Planning a family program is a budget-saving breeze, with Carnival’s expansive children and teen programs included on every cruise.

To find out more about Carnival including ship itineraries, deck plans, meeting space grids and planning essentials, go to About Carnival on Seasite.com.

Filed under: Cruise News, Meeting & Incentive News, Miscellaneous